How To Use An Infrared Sauna For Best Health Benefits

You may have seen an infrared sauna at your gym or seen an advertisement for a home infrared sauna and wondered about its benefits. Keep reading to discover more about using an infrared sauna and the many benefits.

 Most people are confused when it comes to what an infrared sauna is and how to properly use one. They may see this type of sauna at their gym and decide to try it. The word sauna may give them expectations that an infrared sauna operates like a traditional gym sauna, only to be disappointed. This leads to them missing out on the amazing benefits of an infrared sauna.

 The typical gym person goes inside the infrared sauna and expects to start sweating instantly. When that does not happen, they leave the sauna after a couple of minutes, thinking that it must be broken. Then there is the gym member who sits in the infrared sauna for 5 minutes after they work out, thinking they are getting health benefits. Due to a lack of information from the gym, most people are not using the infrared sauna correctly.

 Infrared saunas offer a range of potential health benefits, including improved cardiovascular health, pain relief, relaxation, and detoxification. To experience these health benefits, one must use the infrared sauna correctly.

How does an infrared sauna work?

 Infrared saunas use infrared radiation to heat the body directly, rather than heating the surrounding air like traditional saunas.

How to use an Infrared Sauna

An infrared sauna has many awesome health benefits but one has to learn how to use it correctly to gain the benefits. Discover tips on how to use the infrared sauna.

  1. Expose your skin ~ The rays of the sauna work best on exposed skin. So less is best for what to wear in the sauna. I like to wear gym shorts and a tank top or an exercise bra. This will help your body sweat better.

  2. Use for 30 - 40 Minutes ~ When using the sauna for the first couple of times, start with 15 minutes and work up to 40 minutes. This is the recommended time your body needs to sweat. It can take up to 15 minutes to start sweating.

  3. Stay hydrated ~ Drink plenty of water before, during, and after your session. 

  4. Temperature ~ If you own your infrared sauna, set the temperature from 110°F to 140°F. Find a temperature that feels comfortable and effective for you. It’s important not to overheat; the goal is to sweat and relax, not to endure extreme heat..

  5. Positioning ~ Sit near the heating panels, adjust your position to maximize infrared exposure, such as sitting upright or rotating periodically. 

  6. Cool Down ~ Allow your body to cool down gradually after the session. 

  7. Frequency ~ Use 3 - 4 times per week for best best benefits, but even once is good for your health.

 8. Take a shower ~ Rinse off any sweat to remove toxins that have been released through your skin. 

Even the gym is confused about how to use an infrared sauna for the health benefits. 

A typical infrared sauna time should be between 15 to 40 minutes for your body to experience the health benefits. The photo below was taken outside the infrared sauna at my gym. Notice that it says 15 minutes maximum time. 

10 Health Benefits of Using an Infrared Sauna ~ Information source

  1. Detoxification ~ Infrared saunas enhance detoxification by increasing your body’s core temperature, which promotes sweating. This process helps eliminate toxins stored in fat cells, such as heavy metals and environmental chemicals, at a cellular level, providing a more thorough detoxification than traditional saunas.

 2. Improved Circulation ~ Infrared heat stimulates blood flow by dilating blood vessels and enhancing circulation. This improved blood flow helps deliver oxygen and nutrients more effectively to muscles and tissues, aiding in recovery and overall health.

  3. Pain Relief ~ Infrared heat penetrates deep into joints, muscles, and tissues, alleviating pain from conditions like arthritis, fibromyalgia, and muscle spasms. The increased circulation helps reduce inflammation and promote healing.

 4. Weight Loss ~ Regular use of an infrared sauna can boost your heart rate and metabolic rate. This increase in metabolic rate helps burn calories and supports weight loss efforts, making it a useful addition to a weight management program.

 5. Skin Purification ~ Infrared saunas help improve skin health by promoting sweating, which cleanses pores and removes impurities. This can lead to clearer skin, improved tone and elasticity, and a reduction in conditions like acne and eczema.

 6. Relaxation ~ The heat promotes relaxation by easing tension in muscles and reducing mental stress, enhancing overall well-being. This promotes relaxation by easing tension in muscles and reducing mental stress, enhancing overall well-being.

 7. Improved Sleep ~ Infrared saunas can help promote better sleep by relaxing the body and mind. The deep heat therapy aids in lowering stress levels and balancing hormones that affect sleep patterns, contributing to more restful and restorative sleep.

 8. Enhanced Immunity ~ The heat generated by an infrared sauna induces a mild artificial fever, which triggers the body’s immune response. This process helps to strengthen the immune system and improve its ability to fight off infections.

 9. Muscle Recovery ~ Athletes and fitness enthusiasts use infrared saunas to speed up muscle recovery. The enhanced blood flow and increased oxygen supply to the muscles reduce soreness and inflammation, promoting faster healing and improved performance.

 10. Cardiovascular Health ~ Regular use of an infrared sauna has been shown to improve cardiovascular health by lowering blood pressure, enhancing endothelial function, and increasing heart rate. These benefits mimic the effects of moderate exercise and contribute to a healthier heart.

My experience with using infrared saunas

 I discovered the infrared sauna at my gym several years ago and started using it to help me detox from mold sickness. After many uses, I discovered that it also helped with my asthma symptoms and helped me sleep better. 

 After researching the benefits of infrared saunas, I was able to use the sauna at the gym 2 times a week. My sauna sessions were around 40 minutes, and it was a great time for me to relax. While in the sauna, I would scroll on my phone and read emails. 

After I used the sauna, if I had time, I would soak in the pool to cool off. When I did not have the time, I just took a quick shower. Since I mostly used the sauna at night, I loved the benefit of improved sleep. 

I decided to purchase an infrared sauna

 After using the infrared sauna for several years, I decided to buy a home infrared sauna. I wanted to be able to use the sauna more often to see if it could help improve my asthma symptoms even more. 

While I had a free gym membership to use the sauna for free, I did not like the 60-minute round-trip commute time of going to the gym. 

Other things that annoyed me about using the sauna at the gym of having to wait to use the sauna or having to sit in someone's sweat puddle. Then there were the issues with people wearing perfume or other scented products, which would trigger my asthma.  

The Benefits of Having a Home Infrared Sauna

There are many benefits to having your own infrared sauna. Having a sauna in your home will encourage you to use it 3-4 times a week, helping you best experience the health benefits. 

Other reasons for a home infrared sauna are

  ~ Not having to sit in someone's sweat

 ~ No waiting in line for your turn

 ~ No more listening to others loud conversations

 ~ No more smelling bad fragrances and body odors

 ~ More room to relax

 ~ The convenience of using it on your time

 ~ No more wasted time driving to and from the gym

 ~ Being able to use it right before bed to help with sleep

 ~ Being able to adjust the temperature and lights

Check out the one-person infrared sauna that I bought

 If you have been considering purchasing an infrared sauna, this one is affordable and easy to assemble. The Dynamic Barcelona Infrared Sauna was also the smallest sauna I could find. So it will fit perfectly in a bedroom. 

 I did my research, and this one is quality-made and has the same features as more expensive infrared saunas. I have not assembled my sauna yet, but will once my son heads off to college. The sauna will go in his bedroom, in the corner where his desk is. The other son will move the desk into his room. 

When my son comes home from college, he will still be able to sleep in his bedroom, since the infrared sauna only takes up a small space in his room. I am excited to be able to use the sauna more often and have more privacy.

Check back in a couple of weeks for my full review of my at-home infrared sauna.

My Experience With ProLon 5 Day Fasting

 Sponsored Post

Could I survive five days of fasting? I love eating food so I knew it was going to be tough but I had to do this for my readers and for my body.

 I am not one who likes to go on a diet ever! I love food ~ creating healthy recipes ~ eating delicious plant-based food ~ eating the occasional fish ~ and of course chocolate! I have to eat breakfast daily or my stomach growls. I am a snacker and I tend to graze all day. I don't like missing meals and have to have a snack before bed or I can't fall asleep. So don't mess with my food as I might get cranky!

 So you may be wondering why I am choosing to go on a fast, especially when I don't need to change my body size and I feel that my body is healthy. I am a body-positive person. I agree that we need to stop body-shaming and tell people to stay far away from that scale. I also tell people don't let a number define you. I am all about putting the focus on a healthy body with exercise and healthy food. 

 I also know that many of my readers are needing some help in changing the way that they do things with the health of their bodies and they are trying things like fasting. I have seen many friends be successful with intermediate fasting and keto in changing their old unhealthy body habits. So I have nothing against the short-term use of eating programs if it is helping you make new lifestyle choices with the health of your body. So I wanted to experience a 5-day fasting program to share my experience. I also was curious about the benefits of the program to see if it could help me with aging and lean muscle building.

 I know that changing habits to gain health is a hard thing to do. I have been through many of the same struggles that you have been through. I like to experience different food plans so I am better able to help people. So doing this fast may benefit me in understanding fasting and it could also be good for my body to do a simple detoxing.

Benefits of fasting

 I have many friends who have discovered that the intermittent fasting diet helps them to finally lose weight. So while I am not looking to lose weight, I am looking to lose fat around my waistline as that can be linked to heart disease. High cholesterol runs in my family and my numbers are not in a healthy range. So the Prolon diet may help me get my cholesterol numbers in a healthy range.  

 The ProLon Fasting Mimicking Diet is a high-fat, low-calorie intermittent fasting diet that may promote fat loss and reduce blood sugar, inflammation, and cholesterol — similar to other fasting methods.

One of the best ways to experience fasting!

 The ProLon FastingMimicking Diet® is different. For someone like me, who hates being without food, The ProLon 5-day dietary program allows my body the benefits of a fast without having to starve. This meal plan gives me several meals a day and they are meals with chewing, not nasty liquid shakes!

The best part of ProLon FastingMimicking Diet® is everything is prepackage and ready to go. So I don't have to make any last-minute trips to the store for unusual ingredients. There is no preparation involved with this 5-day fasting meal program and I don't need to do any cooking! I just open, heat, and eat!

ProLon supports your mind and body with delicious food for energy, to fight cravings and protect critical lean body mass while still rejuvenating you from the inside out!

 I really liked that the ProLon fasting kit is super simple to use. The kit comes with almost everything that you need to experience 5 days of fasting. All the food is in numbered boxes and the kit also comes with a water bottle. So all I need was some water, a bowl, a spoon, and a way to heat up the soup. So that meant I could stay out of the kitchen and away from the temptation of eating food that was not on this fast.

Get a trimmer waistline and many of the associated benefits of fasting without requiring ongoing lifestyle changes, such as long-term dieting.* 

 * Benefits seen in a clinical study of the 5-day ProLon cycle once a month for three months.

Choosing the best time to do a 5 day fast

 There really isn't a good time to do a fast. So I had to first get my mind prepared for this fasting thing. That took me a couple days as I was not ready to give up eating my favorite foods. I also had to select 5 days when I would not have any social events that involved food. I decided to do my fasting program Monday - Friday. My thought process was I could stay upstairs in my office/bedroom and away from the kitchen. I would also be busy with work so it would help me not think about food.

 So the night before my ProLon Fasting Mimicking Diet, I gathered everything that I needed for this fast. I brought the kit upstairs to my beach-themed home office. I also grabbed a bowl, spoon, and plenty of water. I was glad that I had a portable cooking pot to heat up the water for my soup and tea. That way I had no reason to go downstairs near the kitchen. I also instructed my family to keep the kitchen clean by loading the dishwasher and wiping the counters.

Day One of the ProLon Fast

 I was not looking forward to starting my fasting program but I gave myself a pep talk. The first box of meals had three L-bars, 2 packets of soup, crackers, olives, tea, and some supplements. I thought to myself this is the amount of food that I eat for breakfast and a snack. I told myself that this fast would be good for my body and that it was only going to last 5 days.

  I decided to begin my day with a short workout. I am not sure if exercise is recommended during a fast but I needed my time on my elliptical for my well-being. My morning fitness time helps me wake up and gets my mind ready for the day. So I did a lighter workout since my calorie intake was going to be less. After I did my exercise, I drank some water and ate my first meal of an L-bar and some hot tea. I was glad that I was able to chew some food and the L-bar tasted quite good. 

 I have not had soup in a while so my lunch of soup and crackers was enjoyable. I just wished that it had more bulk to it, like pieces of veggies in it. I am not going to lie, I was hungry. So I drank plenty of water between meals to quiet my stomach. I also told myself that I could not give up until I ate all the food that was in the day #1 box. I was glad that I had plenty of work to do that day to keep my mind off of food. I was also happy to see that all the items of fasting food were plant-based, so I did not have to worry about my dairy allergy. 

I gave in to hunger pains

 I did quite well with the fast but at 10 PM, the hunger pains became intense. All I could think about was eating. I knew that I would not be able to sleep with my hungry stomach. I tried for an hour to ignore my growling stomach but it would not settle. So at 11 PM, I gave in to my food cravings and ate a couple of wheat crackers and spicy red pepper hummus. Then I was able to fall asleep.

What’s in the Kit

 + Soup Flavors: Vegetable, Minestrone, Vegetable Quinoa, Mushroom, Tomato. Butternut Squash, Black Bean, Butternut Squash with Quinoa, Spinach with White Bean, Tomato.

+ Your kit also includes:  L-bar (two flavors: nut-based and choco crisp), Olives, Kale Crackers, Tea (Spearmint, Hybiscus), L-Drink, Supplements.

Day Two of the ProLon Fast

 I woke up and I was not hungry, thanks to my late-night cheat snack. I decided to start again with the fast and decided to not eat until 11 AM. I went on a walk and had plenty of energy. Then I came home and drank some water, made with L-Drink. I was able to ignore my hunger until 10:30 AM.

 I was thankful that this fasting plan came with a schedule of when I could eat the different food items. That way I was able to pace myself on eating. If I had it my way, I would eat everything all in one meal. The plan also allowed me to switch up the order of the food, as long as I only consumed the items from the same box. So I could only eat box number two food items for today. 

 This day had a new item in it called the L-Drink. This drink was based on one's weight, so I just mixed up the amount in my water bottle that was based on my weight. Speaking of weight, I did weigh myself before I started the ProLon program. That way I could see if this fast helped me lose weight or fat. I love my FitTrack scale for measuring different things on my body. So rather than a number on a scale, I can see my muscle percentages and my visceral fat. This device gives me a full body composition analysis which is a better way of tracking body progress.

 One of the best ways to experience fasting! Only ProLon supports your mind and body with delicious food for energy, to fight cravings and protect critical lean body mass while still rejuvenating you from the inside out! With ProLon, you get everything you need pre-packaged and ready to go. That means no last-second trips around town trying to find unusual ingredients or long cook times. Just open, heat, and eat!

Day Three of the ProLon Fast

 This day the hunger really set in around breakfast time. Then I noticed that my boxes contained less food. So I focused on drinking plenty of tea. I also notice that I had brain fog and it was hard to focus on work. So that is the reason that Prolon recommends no driving during this time. I could not take the hunger pains and my head started to hurt. So I ate the package of kale crackers before lunch. I did also weigh myself and noticed that I lost 2 pounds.

Day Four of the ProLon Fast

 I did not make it to the 4th day as my body could not take this fasting. My head was hurting and I could not even concentrate due to the brain fog. I was starving and I had to go back to eating more food. I broke the fast in the afternoon on day three. I may have not received the full benefits of the fast but I feel that even 2 and a half days gave me a recharge. I broke the fast with a healthy mindset to choose to eat better foods for my body. I was happy with my 2-pound weight loss.

My overall opinion of The ProLon 5 Day Fast

 I am not in favor of diets that restrict your food and calorie counts below a healthy number, especially long term. When one feels deprived of food and is hungry, they tend to overeat later in the day. Also, restrictive diets do not change eating habits for long term, and many people go back to unhealthy food once the diet is done. I am pro in substituting good food for the unhealthy food in your meals. For example swap out whole-grain crackers for chips or water for soda.  One of the best ways to lose weight is to add more fiber foods like fruits, veggies, and whole grains into your meals. These foods will fill you up faster so you will eat less and they give your body nutrition. 

 The ProLon diet is not long term which is good and it can help you with food cravings. The website says that people will large amounts of weight to lose will benefit most from this program. So for some, it might help you get your body and mind in the right direction for healthy eating. Five days of fasting was hard for me to do and I wished that it was only a one-day fast. I liked that I was able to eat food with this fasting plan as that made things easier. I think to make this easier, I would combine this fast with a spa vacation. So I would also give my body some pampering and rest. Restricting my food intake made it hard for me to concentrate so not having to do any work during this time would have made things easier.

 I was proud of myself for doing three days of the fasting program. These three days still had benefits to my body and gave my body a restart.

Get more information about the ProLon 5 Day Fasting kit here!

https://prolonfast.com/products/buy-prolon 

Stop Making Excuses And Gain Control Of Your Health

You know what needs to be done in order to get in shape so stop with all the excuses!

 As a mom, I tell my kids over and over that they are the only ones who can control their bodies. Despite me giving the rules and helping them learn, they are the ones that choose to follow them or not. They are also the ones that live with the consequences of their choices and actions. So it is you who is responsible for your health and no one else. It is not the grocery stores or restaurants' fault. It is not the state's fault for gyms not being open. It is not your kid's fault for you not finding time to exercise or for eating their leftover chicken nuggets. When you treat your body by doing healthy things, it just feels better. The question is do you want to make improvements in your health or do you want to stay where you are?

How bad do you want to gain better health? 

 I understand that it is hard to lose weight or to stop eating junk food. Change never comes easy and it never happens quickly but change will never happen if you do not try. You can read fitness articles and buy a gym membership but you have to be the one to make the changes. You can keep using that exercise equipment as a clothes rack. You can tell me that I am lucky that I can run. You can say all these things but they ain't going to make a difference in your health.

 I am a huge fan of love your body and not letting that number on the scale define who I am. I admit that I own a scale but I rarely step on it. My scale performs a Full Body Composition Analysis so I use it for that. I exercise and eat healthy food because it makes me feel awesome. Exercise helps me manage asthma naturally and I look at healthy food as my medicine to avoid health problems like high blood pressure, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and other health problems. 

 I am allergic to dairy products. I can eat them and suffer through an asthma attack or I can avoid all dairy products, which is not an easy thing to do. I control my diet because I like breathing and not feeling sick. Trust me it was not an easy thing to eliminate all dairy from my diet but it was so worth the hard work.

  A fitness trainer can tell you how to exercise but they can not do the exercise for you. You know that you should eat REAL food and stop eating junk food. No one puts that donut in your hand. You are the one selecting the food that you eat. You are the one buying the food that is in your fridge. You have to be the one to make that desire into a reality. This article is not about body size as we need to stop body-shaming but rather a healthy strong body. Look at your body as a machine or a car. A car that gets bad gas or no regular maintenance will not perform well.

We ALL know that eating better and exercising improves your life in so many ways

 I can hear you say "but healthy food does not taste good!" My husband loves using this line with me as I remind him to eat his veggies. It is not that healthy food does not taste good, it is simply that you have conditioned your body to like certain foods or you have not learned how to cook healthy food to make it taste good. As a kid, I hated veggies and now I love them. The way to make veggies taste amazing is to oven roast them. Even my husband enjoys oven-roasted vegetables.

I know I should exercise, and I know I should eat better, but I just don’t have the motivation and don’t know where to find it!

  I can also hear you say " but I don't have the time to exercise!" My husband likes to tell me that exercise is no fun. These are just more excuses. I don't think that brushing my teeth or cleaning the house is fun but I do them because I don't like the end result of a messy house or tooth decay. That is how I look at exercise and healthy food. I don't want a body that is sick and tired all the time. I don't want a body that is more prone to illness like a lung virus. I don't want health problems that may not show up for when I am older. 

 We can make all the excuses in the world but it is you who has to live with your health problems. Yes, making time for exercise and choosing to eat food that our body needs are tough but so is feeling like crap when you are sick. Yes, sometimes the viruses are strong and will make us sick no matter what we do but things like the best handwashing tips and taking care of your body will help. The last time my family got sick with a strong virus (earlier this year before there was testing for Covid-19), my symptoms were milder than my husband and I recovered faster. I truly believe that my healthy body had a part in this as I rarely get sick. I have made exercise, nourishing food, and these immunity supplements a part of my life. 

Why I chose To Purchase a NordicTrack Elliptical

Start now and not tomorrow

 Own up to your excuses and start doing what you need to do to gain back your health to prevent future health problems. Sure today you may feel awesome today and think that eating that crappy food is not going to hurt you. Just talk to someone who is older and ask them if they experienced what I like to call THE OH CRAP I JUST TURN - fill in the age- SYNDROME. For me, it was when I turned 50 that my body turned on me. I started having running injuries and I started gaining weight. Thankfully I was already exercising and eating somewhat healthy food so I was able to correct things within months with some simple diet changes and lifting weights. 

 My husband, on the other hand, had a different OH CRAP experience. He turned 50 and went to the doctor for the first time in many years. He discovered that his blood pressure was high as well as his cholesterol. The doctor wanted to put him on medication but I convinced my husband to try diet and exercise first. My husband realized that his body was on the pathway to a heart attack. So my husband, not willing, made changes to his diet and started exercising. His blood pressure and cholesterol started to improve but it took a long time as he did not already have a healthy foundation like I did. 

You Got This

 You know what you have to do to take control of your health. Start by loving yourself and tell yourself that you deserve better health. Stop saying that I will start tomorrow as start now. Don't quit. You might stumble but keep starting again and again. They say it can take 30 days for something to become a habit.

Make goals ~ Make a plan ~ Make I should into I will ~ Eliminate temptation

 ~ So grab a piece of paper and write down some goals that you want to accomplish. The goals should be attainable and small so you don't set yourself up for failure. These goals could be as simple as drinking more water or eating vegetables with every meal.

~ Having a written plan will help you succeed. Place this plan where you can see it every day.

~ When you say "I should exercise", it never happens. Instead, say "I will exercise!"

~ Eliminate things in your life that get in the way of eating healthy food and exercising. That can mean not turning on the TV until you go for a walk or get on the treadmill to watch your favorite show. Eliminate food temptations by throwing away or giving away the food that you don't want to eat. Don't buy unhealthy food for others in your house and instead make the same meals for all. The best way to eliminate food temptations is to do a grocery curbside pickup so those donuts will not land in your cart.

Make it a part of your day - like work and sleep

  A healthy routine is a lifestyle thing, not a quick-fix diet to lose weight and then return to unhealthy habits. I don't like diets as they never work. Diets are hard and strict so they are hard to follow. There are some good diet plans out there that can help you with making healthy changes. So use a healthy meal plan and try some new recipes to discover a new way to eat.

11 Healthy Products That You Need For The New Year

Fix your diet

- Switch out unhealthy foods with healthy options 

- Try new healthy recipes ~ check out these meatless meals

- Add a fruit or veggie to every meal ~ will give your body nutrition and fiber to fill you up

- Eat more meals at home ~ take out meals usually are unhealthy

- Try to use less fat in your diet

- Eat smaller portions of your favorite foods

- Serve the food then box up the rest and put it in the fridge ~ makes you think before grabbing seconds

- Sit down to eat ~ this will help you eat less and enjoy your meals

- Add more fiber in your meals ~ fiber fills you up quicker ~ check out this recipe for no-bake fiber bars

- Drink more water ~  try this Fruit-Infused Cold Brew Ice Tea 

Just Do It

- Start small ~ take a walk around the block- next day walk 2 blocks- keep increasing until you walk for 30 minutes

- Try morning exercise ~ getting it done first thing helps eliminates excuses the rest of the day

- Sneak exercise into the day with these fitness tips

- Switch it up with exercise and try different forms of exercise

- Grab a friend ~ go for a walk with a friend and use this time to talk

- Listen to music ~ music always inspires me to keep exercising

~ Invest in an exercise machine ~ Check out the exercise machine that I love

It starts with you!

 Nobody is going to do the work for you. It is your choice to decide to take care of your body. Decide today if you want to have a body that feels better and operates better. A healthy body also can resist and fight off germs better. If you don't start and give it a chance, you will never get there. Be kind to yourself and realize that no one is perfect. You will have setbacks in this fitness journey but you have the power to keep trying. Don't be hard on yourself and forgive yourself when you eat that pint of ice cream in one sitting or when you did not exercise. Use the next day to try again. There will be days that you are amazing with your health goals and there will be days that you did nothing. That is ok as long as you keep trying. You got this!

8 Healthy Summer Products That You Need

  I received products from various companies to facilitate this post.

The past three months have been stressful with what has been going on with the world and the C Lung Virus Pandemic. This stress has made me more aware of the need to keep my body and mind healthy. Since I have been stuck at home, I have tried to use this time to make my body stronger and healthier. No one is immune to this ugly deadly respiratory virus and I want to keep my body at its best so my immune system can fight off the germs if they enter my body.


I can't stop living 

 I am long past the point of sheltering in place and started leaving my house for more than daily exercise. I am starting to socialize with friends and help with events at church. I am also doing some shopping inside places as not all businesses have the curbside pick-up option, like my bank. I still try to only shop at places that deliver my items to my car as all the cleaning chemicals cause me to have an asthma attack. I don't want to take prescription asthma medication so I avoid stores that use chemical cleaners so I can continue to manage asthma naturally. I am doing many healthy things to support my body's immune system and keep my body at its best. Sure I am wearing a face mask when I go out but even wearing a face mask causes me to have an asthmatic cough.

Healthy products for a healthy body and mind

 Now that the weather is hot here, I have added some new healthy products to my life in addition to some supplements that I have been taking during a virus outbreak. These unique products are helping my body and mind stay healthy

A pool float helps melt away the stress

 Having everyone home all day can be stressful for me. The younger boys have not started online school yet so they can be quite loud but having my husband work from home adds to the stress. My husband is on the phone all-day taking care of covid related matters with the restaurant business. So hearing him address the covid-19 cases at times adds to my stress. I am thankful that my hot tub finally arrived and I have been enjoying my soaks in the hot tub. I even discovered a No Blow Pool Float that fits in my hot tub.

 My family thought that I was crazy buying a pool float for the hot tub but I wanted to be able to use my hot tub as a pool and relax on the water. The unique pool float turns my hot tub into a floatation spa. I turn off the hot tub jets and relax on the Yogo Float. My hot tub is in a gazebo so the curtains help drown out the noise of the outside world and the hot tub lights help me to relax. The Yogo Float fits perfectly in my spa and relaxing on the water is my nightly meditation. It is amazing how floating on water helps my mind and body unwind. This helps melt away the stress so the stress does not affect my health. Did you know that stress can weaken an immune system?


My younger son even enjoys using my Yogo Float in the hot tub so I am a good mom and I share it with him during the day time.

 SwimWays' new Yogo Float rolls up- like a yoga mat! Relax and refresh as you sit back and enjoy the day in the durable mesh sling bed. It also features a comfortable, fabric-covered footrest and headrest that offer you relaxing support in the pool.

Giving my body nutritious meals

 Now is the best time to feed your body plenty of nutritious food as a healthy body can fight off germs better. So when I needed new protein powder for my daily superfood smoothies, I decided to try nutrified Super Meal protein powder. These protein powders make the most nutrient-dense smoothie that I ever had. I love how all the superfoods in the delicious super meal can boost my immunity. I feel so energetic after I drink my morning smoothie.

 Living Fuel is a whole-meal superfood drink that is packed with plenty of anti-oxidants from all the fruits and veggies that are in the protein powder. These delicious super meals are loaded with so many nutrients that I don't have to take a multi-vitamin. I love the amount of fiber and probiotics that in these supplements so I don't have to take my Regular Girl supplement. The fiber also helps keep me full for hours so I don't do mindless snacking. These drinks are loaded with clean ingredients from natural foods.

The main reason that I drink a daily protein smoothie is for the protein as I don't eat meat. Living Fuel has plenty of plant-based protein that is vegan. One serving has 30 grams so that is awesome for my muscles. I really love that it has no dairy or soy in the super meal drink mixes so that makes them allergy-friendly. The pretty pink and green colors come from natural food like beets, berries, and greens. I think that the Hawaiian Spirulina Blue-Green Algae might also have something to do with the pretty colors.

 My favorite way to enjoy the Superberry Ultimate is with frozen strawberries. When I drink the Supergreens Living Fuel, I blend it with fresh green apples. Truth is I really don't need to add fruit to these protein drinks as they are complete meal mixes. So once I start traveling again, I will be packing Living Fuel in my travel bag to boost my immunity.

Made from the highest-quality natural and organic ingredients, Living Fuel is formulated to:

Boost your energy, vitality and mental clarity
Enhance your immunity
Improve digestion and elimination
Stimulate your metabolism
Stabilize blood sugar and reduce cravings
Increase muscle and bone density and optimize weight


Delicious electrolyte hydration mixes 

 Hydration is critical in the summer and so many people are not drinking enough water. Sometimes even water is not enough to keep your body hydrated as the hot summer days can leave you dehydrated. Dehydration is a summer issue and it can leave your body tired and weak. Just sitting outside can cause your body to lose fluids and leave the body's fluid unbalanced which can also lead to headaches and muscle weakness. Drinking plenty of water is the first step to avoid dehydration but adding an electrolyte hydration mix to your water is even better.

 Athletes, like runners, have an even greater need for electrolyte hydration mixes in the summer. ATAQ Fuel electrolyte hydration mixes make the most delicious hydration mixes that are super easy to add to your bottle of water. These plant-based electrolyte hydration mixes come in six different flavors ranging from strawberry mint to apple and their single packets are easy to take on the go. My favorite flavor of ATAQ Fuel hydration is pineapple and I love that it has 1/3 less sugar when compared to popular sports drinks. I also love that ATAQ Fuel electrolyte hydration powder mix has no artificial colors or flavors. While other sports drinks only include sodium and potassium, ATAQ Fuel also includes calcium and magnesium, as well as 2x the potassium.

 ATAQ Fuel only uses whole foods, natural ingredients, and extracts at dosages that have been scientifically tested to reliably deliver results. All ATAQ items are also gluten-free, non-GMO, dairy-free, and soy-free. The fruit flavors turn ordinary water into a delicious drink that keeps your body hydrated.

A unique packable water bottle

 Looking for an easy way to have water while on the go? This uniquely portable water bottle from Nomader® makes on-the-go hydration effortless and sustainable. This collapsable water bottle is great for the gym, hiking, commuting, and traveling. So you have no excuse when it comes to drinking plenty of water on a hot summer day.

 I love how easy it is to carry this flexible bottle while out walking as it includes a carry strap. The lightweight soft bottle fits in most car cup holders and packs down to 1/3 its size to save space. The best part is the unique reusable water container is made from food-grade safe materials and is 100% BPA-free. It also features an anti-germ leak-proof cap, can be frozen and is dishwasher safe. So save money and the planet with this unique water bottle. The eco-friendly Nomader eliminates wasteful single-use plastic bottles and is recyclable after a lifetime of use.


Beet and Watermelon juice

 Quench your thirst and give your body some superfoods at the same time. Beets and watermelon are two trendy superfoods right now and have some awesome benefits. So Beetology and Wonder Melon makes it easy and delicious to give your body some amazing nutrition. These delicious juices are a blend of 100% organic, cold-pressed juices. They are the perfect summertime treat.

 I like to drink the beet juice and watermelon juice drinks straight from the glass bottles but they are perfect mixers in cocktails, mocktails, even smoothies. Your body will love all the antioxidants, minerals, and vitamins that are packed into these nutritious drinks. Made from 100% organic fruit and veggie juices, they are non-GMO, Fair Trade, certified OU Kosher, and free of sugar, artificial ingredients, soy, dairy, and gluten.

WONDER MELON offers two delightful varieties: Cool Watermelon Cucumber Basil and Watermelon Lemon Cayenne.  
The amino acids in watermelon may lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of a heart attack. Watermelon is 92% water – a sweet way to keep every cell in your body hydrated. Watermelon has more of the antioxidant lycopene than any other fruit or veggie. Studies show that lycopene

BEETOLOGY’s crazy combo lineup includes Beet + Lemon + Ginger, Beet + Veggie, Beet + Berry, Beet + Cherry, and Beet + Tropical fruit.
New evidence links antioxidant-rich beets to strengthened immunity, better skeletal muscle function, and greater stamina. The International Olympic Committee has declared beet juice a sports food. Beet juice is being used by researchers for its potential benefits to people with diabetes, obesity, hypertension, and the elderly

Chocolate Tea

  Summertime is a time that your body needs more liquid. Last week temperatures here were over 100 degrees Fahrenheit and I was guzzling the water all day to make sure my body did not experience dehydration. Did you know that beyond thirst as an indicator of the need for liquids, the color of your pee is a better way to judge if you are drinking enough liquids? If the color of your pee should be light yellow or even clear, then your body is getting plenty of liquids. If your pee is darker than light yellow, you need to drink more water to prevent dehydration as dehydration can lead to headaches, a feeling of tiredness, and even death. So make sure to drink more water in the summer.

 I get it that water is boring and that is why I keep a pitcher of ice tea in my fridge so I have something different to drink. Tea, especially if caffeine-free, is a great way to get more liquids into your body. I like to go one step further and drink iced tea that has additional health benefits. My favorite new tea smells like chocolate. This chocolate tea tastes so delicious with a tiny bit of natural sweeteners like monk fruit or stevia. Cacao Tea is made from cacao husks and has some amazing health benefits and is the perfect natural alternative to coffee

 When I first opened the bag of the organic Cacao tea, it had a heavenly smell of chocolate, and brewing the cacao husks in hot water left my kitchen smelling like hot chocolate. The best part of this chocolate tea is it is caffeine-free and dairy-free so I can enjoy all day and not have to worry about sleep issues. Studies have shown that cacao husks are rich in antioxidants and flavonoids, which help fight cell-damaging free radicals.  Flavonoids can also help prevent clogged arteries, promote healthy blood flow, and improve cognitive function.


Stay hydrated the ayurvedic way

 Stay cool and hydrated with this stylish, hand-crafted copper water bottle that has some health and environmental benefits. Studies show that copper is naturally anti-bacterial and anti-viral which basically means that bacteria do not grow in this water bottle. Try saying that about a plastic water bottle. Drinking water out of a copper water bottle can also give your body some necessary copper which is an important nutrient that our bodies need. Don't worry about getting too much copper from drinking water from this cool looking container as it is safe for the body to consume up to 2mg of copper per liter of water and research showed that the water stored in the Copper H2O Water Bottle for several hours absorbed less than 1/20th of that amount of copper, very far below safe limits.

 Using a copper water bottle will not only encourage you to drink more water in the summer but it can also create alkaline water when you leave the water in the vessel for a couple of hours. This leak-free copper water bottle makes your water taste like water and I did not notice any metal taste.  The company which sells this bottle is 100% female-run and has a “good karma” program whereby they donate 15% of their profits to non-profit groups that work to supply clean drinking water in developing countries.

 Copper H2O also sells some other unique copper products like this Copper Door Opener Tool which makes it easy to open doors and press buttons in a germ-free way.  Copper repels bacteria and viruses as it is an anti-microbial surface. Studies have shown that germs like the Coronavirus can survive for long on copper surfaces. You need to read this Copper and Coronavirus: Complete Guide to find out more about the anti-microbial properties of copper.

 Summer seems to go by too fast for me so I am trying to enjoy every moment. I am growing a garden this year and I am surprised that I am actually growing veggies. The soil here in the desert of New Mexico is very sandy so in March, I started a compost pile to help the soil. That made the soil great for growing beets, kale, and spinach but not for tomatoes. So I bought a big tomato plant recently that had green tomatoes on it. In a couple of weeks, I will have some fresh veggies. I am hoping that I will grow enough tomatoes to make oven-roasted sun-dried tomatoes. If I have an abundance of beets, I will make beet juice or dehydrated them. How is your summer going? Have you discovered any new products?

The Revolutionary Rule-Breaking Diet That Lets You Eat After 7PM~Post 1

              Follow me as I follow a rule-breaking diet

This post is brought to you by our sponsor, “Always Eat After 7 PM”. The opinions expressed below are my own. This is my first post with 3 follow-up posts to come later.

  Last year I decided to challenge myself and I recommitted myself with my fitness routine to gain some strength in my body. It was a fitness conference that made me realize that my muscles in my arms and core were weak. It was also a body assessment test, that I had at the conference, which made me aware that my visceral fat level was not healthy.  So I decided last July to start incorporating weights into my fitness routine as I wanted to develop stronger muscles. I realized that I needed better muscle strength to keep my body strong as I aged. I was not going to let my age be an excuse for a weak body. So this 54-year-old lady got serious in the gym with the weights. After 6 months, I was amazed at the muscle strength that I had and I was more amazed at the changes I saw in my stomach muscles. You can see my before and after stomach photos Here. I was finally starting to lose some of that stubborn weight in my belly, from giving birth to five kids but it was not that much. I was seeing some changes in my "muffin top" and that was a good thing but I want to lose all the fat that could be putting me at risk for heart problems.

Visceral fat is the type that collects around our organs and raises the risk of hypertension, heart disease, and diabetes. Subcutaneous fat is just under the skin and is responsible for “spare tires” and “muffin tops.”

Now, don't get me wrong but I am proud of this body that grew babies but my middle section was putting me at risk for heart disease. I simply had too much visceral fat in my stomach and along with a family history of high cholesterol, I had to do something so I could avoid a heart attack. While my fitness routine was helping me lose some inches in my gut, I decided to step up my nutritional plan so I could gain control and lose the "spare tire" fat in my stomach so I would not be at risk for heart problems. I decided to follow a food plan that lets me enjoy food as I like eating. I do not like diets that have food restrictions, calorie counting, or ones that tell me what time I can eat. So I decided to follow a meal plan that allowed me to eat after 7PM and enjoy huge dinners, desserts, and snacks. I have been wanting to get serious about shedding that fat in my belly, so I jumped at the chance to receive an advance copy of Always Eat After 7 PM” by Joel Marion. Over the next month, I’ll be sharing my experience of the book and diet (and hopefully some awesome benefits!)

Conventional diet wisdom tells us we should avoid carbs, and have an early dinner, and never eat before bed. But the fact is, the latest scientific research just doesn’t bear this out.

After reading Jole Marion's book Always Eat After 7 PM, I felt confident that I could follow this three-phrase plan. This diet did not feel like a diet to me. The food plan had a very similar style to my current food plan as the book suggested types of foods that I already enjoy. The meal recipes were ones that I would enjoy like ORANGE SHRIMP AND NOODLES EN PAPILLOTE. I was actually excited to make the meal recipes. The book even had dessert recipes that were similar to some of the recipes I already make, like my recipe for Chocolate Dipped Salted Almond Butter Cookies. I did like the healthier ingredients in Joel's SALTED DARK CHOCOLATE–DIPPED PB COOKIES recipe and I will be making these cookies. I loved that I did not have to restrict my carbs or eliminate dessert. I could even have a bedtime snack on this diet. 

While Burning Fat Overnight, fitness expert, nutritionist, and bestselling author Joel Marion debunks the myths underlying traditional dieting and offers a simple, highly effective weight loss program.

   This program does not feel like a diet to me and that makes me happy. I am not a fan of diets as I am never able to stick with them for more than a day. Like most people, I enjoy food and willpower is not one of my strengths when it comes to food. I am glad that the Always Eat After 7PM program makes dieting easy and eliminates 90% of my excuses. I think the toughest part of this plan may be the 14-day Acceleration Phase that is the start of the program but I will try hard to stick with the program so I can see the rapid results. 

The Always Eat After 7 PM plan consists of three phases:

 1. The 14-day Acceleration Phase to kick-start the program and see rapid results

 2. The Main Phase where you’ll learn exactly which foods to eat when in order to achieve your 

 3. The Lifestyle Phase to keep the weight off for good

 Over the next month, I’ll be sharing my experience of the book and diet (and hopefully some awesome benefits!) In the meantime, check out this video on Joel’s top tips for success.

 Always Eat After 7 PM: The Revolutionary Rule-Breaking Diet That Lets You Enjoy Huge Dinners, Desserts, and Indulgent Snacks—While Burning Fat Overnight by Joel Marion is now available to purchase so you too can follow the program with me. 

This post is brought to you by our sponsor, “Always Eat After 7 PM”. The opinions expressed below are my own.