Today’s Health Tip

Go get some sunshine!

This week I want to dismiss fallacies about the sun, sunscreen and sun exposure.

We need exposure to the sun so our bodies can synthesize Vitamin D.  Minimal exposure over time will build a base to our skin to protect it for later in the summer when the sun is the strongest and we are generally exposed for longer periods of time naturally.

Start with 5-10 minutes of exposure on as much skin as you are willing to expose.  No sunscreen.  Between the hours of 10a- 2p.  Don't let yourself get pink.  Michael Holick's "The Vitamin D Solution" is great read for more on this and includes charts to help you determine your optimal exposure per your skin type.  http://drholick.com/ 

That said I always wear sunscreen on my face.  It's in my day cream and part of my routine.  Wake, brush teeth, wash face, moisturize (with sunscreen).

This isn't sun bathing for hours, ever.  As with everything related to wellness, we need to make conscious choices, better choices, daily.

Keep it Clean: The Dirty Dozen

Today I talk about the dirty dozen; the 12 fruits and vegetables that should always be organic.

www.ewg.org is a great website for health and wellness info!

The Dirty Dozen are:

Cucumbers, Celery, Cherry Tomatoes, Tomatoes, Peaches, Nectarines, Strawberries and Apples, Grapes. Spinach and Bell Peppers.

Have a great Memorial Day weekend and I'll be back to you on Tuesday.

Reminder: Lyme Disease is out there

As we start to spend more time outdoors might I remind you that it is very necessary to check for ticks when you come in from gardening, hiking and playing outdoors.

Take precautions.  Spray your clothes, shoes and hat with Permethrin (https://amzn.to/2WKwJxQ )

Take a shower when coming in from the outdoors and look at armpits/groin area/behind knees and in the scalp for ticks. 

Remember, little ticks can be the size of poppy seeds.

Stay safe.

PS  There are lots of back episodes about Lyme Disease and co-infections.  Search on iTunes!

Staying Busy

We went from being too busy to this.....

Sometimes I feel like "What's the rush?  I can always do that tomorrow!"  Feel me?

So for now I am making a task list and trying to stay busy.  Today, it's putting away winter clothes.

What are you up to?

Taking it one day at a time over here....

Right now, in this minute, for me...it's a struggle.  

It's nothing I can put my finger on.  

Can you feel it too?

When one day at a time seems like too much I often need to take it an hour at a time.  Find things to keep myself busy. I always love to make a checklist.

Reminder for all of us to keep up with our wellness routines: sleep, supplements, exercise, hydration, breathing, mindfulness.

If you want to hear me talk about a specific topic please let me know

DM @theguudcompany on Instagram or email melissa@theguudcompany.com

Onward and upward peeps!  x,m

No more making excuses. You are numero uno.

Removing excuses and getting things done that we know will take our wellness and well-being to the next level....that is going to feel great today.

Listen in friends.  Happy weekend.

x,m

Simple Changes, Better Choices.

Ahhh routines; we all have them.

Today we take a quick look at what might have snuck into your routine in the quarantine and what isn't working or how to just shake things up a bit.

We can thrive through this you know.  It's ok to feel your best with all the sleep you are getting and the exercise and good foods we are eating.

Feel good!  If you don't, make some changes and better choices today and you are on your way.

x,m

Keep watch over your immune system.

With things beginning to re-open all over the world now is the time to ramp up your immune system.

If you have listened to me over the past 2+ years here I am always talking about ways to attain better immune system function.

Supplements, sleep, better diet, more movement, heat shock therapies like saunas and hot baths followed by cold showers or plunges.

Now is the time, before you get back into the world, to really work on this for yourself.

Being strong when you com into contact with pathogens will ensure you fight a virus with all you've got.

Get er done!

Can you feel the energy of Spring?

Tune into today as I talk about tuning into the energy of Spring.  It's cool when you pay attention....

Mother Energy

It's a weekend to celebrate the mom in your life...whether that's your mother, your mother-in-law or simply you.

If you don't have a mother on this earth or children you can still celebrate those who shine their mother energy on you...and they might not be female.

Anyone who listens to you, consoles, you, nurtures you, mentors you...they are sharing mother energy with you.  

Find those people in your life and celebrate them!!  x.m

Telemedicine is a great option

Have you tried a virtual appointment with your doctor yet?  Or any doctor for that matter?

I did.  For my son a few weeks ago. It was over the computer using video and it was excellent.

Listen in today for my experience.

Explore your habits

Are your daily habits serving you?  Are most of your habits 'old habits' you started from the way things were before this lock down started.  Habits from work that you have brought home?  Habits that no longer serve you?  Did you have old habits that you left behind when the pandemic started that you haven't continued?  Early rising, a morning workout, an afternoon walk with a colleague, early bedtime?

We need to thoughtfully develop new habits that make sense in these strange times.

Jot down some of your current habits.  Can you erase some that aren't working or add a few that might make life a bit better?

Hang in there.  x,m

www.theguudcompany.com

www.instagram.com/theguudcompany 

Finding your balance....literally.

Hey All....I have been battling a migraine the past few days so excuse the abscence, lateness and brevity.

Listen into today for how I am working on my balance.  It's a crucial factor in longevity, I've talked about this in past episodes.

Working on your balance for just a few minutes each day can really help - especially as we age.

Stay well....I'm working on getting over this migraine.  Phew!  x,m

Cooking with Fresh Herbs and Spices

If you get to the market this weekend please do yourself a favor a pick up some fresh herbs (better yet, grow some yourself!)

Parsley makes any dish look "finished" and cilantro is a must in every Mexican fiesta!  Fresh thyme on chicken is out of this world as is oregano as in Alison Roman's whole roasted chicken recipe here:  https://bit.ly/GuudChicken

Also a good time to test the freshness of your dried herbs and spices.  Most have a shelf life of 2-3 years.  I always buy the smallest amount offered of a spice I need especially if it's something new to me.

In the podcast I also mention Ina Garten who has magical recipes that have yet to disappoint.  You might know her as The Barefoot Contessa  https://barefootcontessa.com/and if she is new to you please try this mustard roasted chicken recipe....it does require planning because you need buttermilk as well as we as stale bread to make breadcrumbs but it was so worth it... the recipe is here https://bit.ly/InaChicken

 

Those bathroom drawers....

Yesterday you were in the bathroom cabinet looking for old and expired meds.

Today, head back there and do the same for any beauty/grooming products.

Pare back.  If you have 3 hair gels with just a dab left, combine them.  Wipe down everything.  

Download the app from EWG (www.ewg.org) called Healthy Living where you can scan the bar code on any product and get a report on the safety of the product.

Anything you haven't used in 6 months needs to be tossed.

It feels so good after!  x,m 

Clean out the medicine cabinet

Take 15 minutes today and clean out your medicine cabinet.  Specifically your old or expired prescription medications but good to also check things like advil, tylenol and stomach remedies.

Please call your local pharmacy or police station to ask if they take old medications as most do.

DO NOT FLUSH THEM DOWN THE TOILET; they end up in our water system this way.

Don't let your old medications wind up in the wrong hands.  Dispose of it today.

Get your hands dirty!

Today, get your hands dirty.  Whether it is acquiring your first houseplants, transplanting plants, starting plants from seed or maybe planting an herb garden...it's an easy way to occupy your mind and your time.  

For many of us there is alot to learn.

I'm working on some herbs and shishito pepper plants from seed.  It's like a wild experiment for me.

I'll be over on Instagram today showing you what I've got www.instagram.com/theguudcompany

Show your feet a little love.

This week we are going to focus on specific practices we can do to further our wellness.

Today's focus: our feet.

Make sure to remove any old nail polish before you start.

You'll need:

a bathtub or bucket, hot water, 1 cup epsom salt, essential oil, toe nail clippers/file, a washcloth/pumice/scrub brush.

Soak your feet for 10-20 minutes in hot water with epsom salt/oils.  Use the scrub brush/pumice/washcloth to scrub.  Pay attention between toes and nail beds.  Dry feet and apply moisturizer.  Cut or file toes nails.  Rub a little oil onto nails and nail bed.  Castor oil or coconut oil work well.  Slip on some socks and go about your day!

Got time? Unsubscribe!

Spent some time today working on my massive inbox situation unsubscribing from MOST of the junk emails I receive.

IT FEELS SO GOOD.

It's a great mental health exercise...free up that space.  Not have to make time everyday to sift through you emails trying to decipher what's junk and what's necessary.

Hey, we have the time.  And doing a small project like this will benefit you for the rest of the year...at least.

Give it a  go.