Wellness Wednesday: Ways to Sprinkle Health Into Your Life

We're all striving to be the healthiest versions of ourselves. Who doesn't want a longer, more quality life? While sometimes we do fall victim to a fast food binge, or a sedentary rut that's hard to break out of, there's always tips and tricks to help pop little pockets of health into your life...

1. Add in a fermented food or beverage! Fermentation creates probiotics in food, the good bacteria in your digestive system that helps keep you going regularly and smoothly. We love adding a little kimchi or sauerkraut as a side dish of meals, a kombucha to sip on throughout the day, or starting the day with a yogurt.

2. Park a little farther than you need to when running errands. When heading out to Target, Whole Foods, etc, pick a spot in the very back row as opposed to scouring for the perfect up front spot. By adding extra steps in to your routine, you're helping increase cardiovascular health, assisting lymphatic drainage, and burning extra calories in your day from errands you were already needing to run.

3. Take 3 minutes out of your day to s t r e t c h. Ideally, we would make time for a daily 60 minute yoga session, but that's not realistic. Grab something that's hip-ish height, hold firmly, and walk your legs back till your back is flat and you look like a upside down "L". Hold it for 20 Mississippi's. Bend over and touch your toes, or as close as you can. Hold for 20 Missippi's. Lunge one leg forward till you feel a stretch in your hips. Hold for 20 Mississippi's. Rinse and repeat!

4. Eat your water! Fruits and veggies are rich in vitamins, antioxidants, fiber, and water! By incorporating these into your snack routine, you're not just reaping the nutritional benefit, you're also helping to keep your body properly hydrated. We love watermelon, apples, cucumbers, carrots, strawberries, bell peppers, and tomatoes, but all fruits and veggies are great additions to your routine.

5. Practice portion control. We are never ever going to endorse cutting out treats, like cheeseburgers or cake, but portioning it properly is how you can enjoy life guilt free. American food portions are huge. We as a country have a "bigger is better" mentality, but that is not always the case. Order your food, whether it's pasta, or a cheesecake slice, and cut it in half and put half in a takeout box immediately. That way, you not only get a second serving out of just your one, but removing it from your plate and actually putting it away doesn't let your brain tell you "we need to finish it, it's still on the plate!". You're able to mindfully enjoy your food without experiencing that overstuffed feeling.