Tag Archives: diet

Six Ways Drinking Water Benefits Hair And Scalp

In a business training and support group I’m part of within Sassy Suite, Empower Social where we learn to use social media properly and better, we are doing a “water challenge. ” The water challenge is encouragement for making healthier choices, and to help us (quite simply) drink more water. It’s also to promote better self care.

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I have a new Contigo glass 20 ounce water bottle with a silicone sleeve, which I am refilling 3-4 times/day. Go me! It seems to keep my water cooler longer. The draw backs are that it has no straw and it’s a bit heavy to carry. But, I love that it doesn’t spill, and it does have a way to put your wrist through a strap to carry it.

There are lots of great reasons for health to generally be drinking more water. Our bodies are 2/3 water. Drinking water is superior to any other fluid intake, like soda, coffee, or other beverages.

Staying hydrated is important for all body systems to work properly, unless otherwise directed by a physician for a specific condition. Hydration is especially important during this hot summer season and during exercise. Your skin appreciates good hydration, preventing aging and skin disorders. And, your kidneys thank you for helping them flush out the waste accumulated. “Insufficient water can lead to kidney stones and other problems.” You will have more energy, less brain fog, a more regular colon, and regulated body temperature. There are so many benefits to maintaining water intake! Really, all body systems require hydration to work properly.

Medical News Today reports that most men should be drinking around 100 ounces of water/day, and women should drink about 73 ounces of water/day.

Tell me, how many ounces of water do you drink a day?

What are the many benefits of drinking water for hair and the scalp?

First, one of the major benefits to drinking more water is a hydrated scalp, which reduces flaking, itching, and dandruff. A good shampoo helps, but hydration is important.

Second, for adequate hydration prevents hair loss and promotes hair growth. Water repairs hair and adds needed nutrients. It even makes hair shinier.

Third, increasing water intake prevents hair breakage and frizz. Especially if there is frequent chemical processing, which dries out hair, being hydrated strengthens cuticles and hair follicles. 

Next, drinking more water balances hair pH, as well as filters excess toxins and minerals found in blood that affect hair health.

In addition, “Water activates all these nerve endings and other sensors in our skin and scalp that enhances the natural vitality of hair roots.”

Finally, hair hygiene also matters. Rinsing hair in cool water, rather than hot water promotes shine and gloss. Softer water makes hair more manageable, and prevents color fade.

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Drink up, friends! Here is to a healthy body, the temple of the Holy Spirit, and to healthy hair.

Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God?
You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

Blessings,

Deb

Side Dish: Mashed Cauliflower With Cheddar & Chives

A lot of people are talking all kinds of diets, fads, “health drinks” and other such things. It’s no secret that my husband and I have been on a health quest, walking, getting more fit, and the like. We’ve been trying tons of new recipes, some within those “diet” preference kinds. We try some, just because they sound good!

We love lots of vegetables, and trying vegetable recipes.

We were once “accused” of believing that salad was dessert because we eat so much of it.

We do love our salad.

For Easter, I intended to use a Mock Mashed Potato recipe we’ve used for Thanksgiving before, but discovered at the last minute that I lacked many of the ingredients, except the cauliflower. Sometimes we like roasted cauliflower, and one of those favorite recipes was in the running for a last minute change of plans, but I decided to go rogue and create my own recipe instead.

In the interest of keeping it real and not so Pinterest worthy, because real life is messy and I can be a hot mess, I forgot to take a before photo.

You are stuck with our leftovers photos!

I’m not that sorry, honestly.

Sometimes the phone camera just needs to stay put away.

As you can see, it was heartily eaten.

Mashed Cauliflower With Cheddar and Chives~Serves about 12-16

  • 4 heads of cauliflower cut into bite sized chunks and steamed
  • 1 stick of butter
  • 1/2 cup non fat Greek yogurt
  • 1.5 cups of shredded Cheddar
  • 2 tsp garlic powder (I added more than this once I tasted it though.)
  • 2 tsp dried chives
  • 3/4 tsp chicken broth powder, low salt, no msg
  • 1/2 tsp pepper (add more or less to taste but that is where I started)

Steam cauliflower and blend in a food processor with a stick of butter. Add yogurt and seasonings and process until blended. Pour into a baking dish and stir in shredded cheese. Bake at 350° until warmed through, cheese begins to melt, and slightly brown on top. Serve hot.

We served our Mashed Cauliflower with a spiral ham, glazed, from Hickory Farms. We also had the freshest deviled eggs after our own homegrown eggs were laid by our very own chickens a day or two ahead of Easter. My youngest daughter and I did a fun activity making Resurrection Rolls.

My mother in law contributed roasted asparagus, salad, and a potato casserole. She also made an iced lemon cake for dessert.

We had a lovely Easter!

What is your favorite Easter food?

Blessings,

Deb

Don’t forget the April Customer special and Flexi of the Month! 

Black Bean & Brown Rice Burgers with Spinach, Mushrooms, Bacon, and Cheese

We’re a pretty adventurous family when it comes to trying new recipes and new foods. We don’t mind spicy, we love vegetables, and we’re even okay with meatless options. We don’t subscribe to any one diet other than portion control, focus on protein and vegetables. We try keto, grain, dairy, and egg free recipes, Whole 30, Paleo diet, meatless recipes just because they sound good to us, believing any extreme diet is likely unhealthy, but they each have their good points. We’re up for most anything.

A little while back we went to a restaurant with my parents. Our youngest daughter, nine at the time, shared that she was tired of kids’ menu options that are boring and not particularly filling. She politely asked if she could try the adult menu. We said she could, but imagine our surprise when our nine year old opted to try spicy black bean burgers! That is definitely not something I would have tried with all the other options on a restaurant menu, nor would I have expected from a child! She tried them, though, and not only did she eat the entire burger and sides, but she loved spicy black bean burgers!

I’ve been traveling. My aunt just celebrated her 80th birthday, and my cousin was throwing her a surprise birthday brunch back in New England. One only turns 80 once, and I miss many celebrations because of the distance. I didn’t want to miss this milestone celebration!

My 80 year old aunt, cousins, brothers, and my son and his wife.

Plus, my niece is in Girl Scouts and she’s selling cookies. What better travel staple than Girl Scout cookies from my young niece! And my Lilla Rose bobby pins and hair band!

 

But, I’m chasing squirrels here…because I had been traveling, and because I’d left sick children who weren’t eating much, there isn’t much in the way of food in the house. While I was away the children and husband survived on a 16 quart pot of chicken noodle soup I’d prepared for the sickies before leaving, and there were lots of eggs from our chickens for the non sickies. Imagine four days in a row of chicken noodle soup and eggs. The family is quite bored with their food options! Yet, yesterday I had appointments, errands, and did I mention not much food in the house? I didn’t have time to prepare a fantastic meal last night.

I had a stash of cooked and frozen black beans, left over frozen rice….and staples in the freezer or pantry. I knew I had to be creative around the time limitations, but not make the family feel deprived.

I decided to make black bean burgers. I consulted with a few recipes before coming up with my own.  I topped them with a spinach, mushroom, bacon, cheese sauce because we had those ingredients too. The family thought they were great.

Black Bean & Brown Rice Burgers, LoveLeavingLegacy Style

  • 4 cups of soaked and cooked black beans
  • 4 cups of cooked brown rice
  • 2 green peppers diced
  • 1 large onion diced
  • 2 shredded carrots
  • 7 oz can diced chili peppers
  • minced garlic to taste
  • 2 beaten eggs
  • 2 heaping tablespoons chili powder
  • 2 heaping tablespoons cumin
  • 2 teaspoons of tabasco sauce
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • bread crumbs as needed

In the food processor blend the beans and rice. Mix in remaining ingredients except bread crumbs. Then, add bread crumbs a little at a time until the mixture holds a burger form. Form 8-12 burger patties on a broiling pan, and broil til crispy and brown on low broiling temperature.

While burgers are broiling, prepare the spinach, mushroom, bacon, and cheese sauce.

Spinach, Mushroom, Bacon, and Cheese Sauce

  • 1 large poly bag spinach (one that serves 10)
  • 1 large onion
  • minced garlic to taste
  • 4 8 oz packages of sliced portabella mushrooms (My family thinks I should have chopped these more finely.)
  • 12 oz package of turkey bacon
  • 8 oz non fat cream cheese
  • 2 eggs
  • 1/2 cup bread crumbs
  • 1 cup of grated parmesan cheese
  • 2 cups of shredded mozzarella cheese
  • pepper to taste

In a large pan, saute bacon, onions, and garlic. When bacon is nearly crispy, add mushrooms and saute until almost softened. Add spinach and saute until wilted and incorporates easily into the rest of the bacon/vegetable mixture. In the food processor, blend together remaining ingredients. Add to vegetable bacon mixture, and stir over low heat until melted and creamy.

Serve over Black Bean and Rice Burgers. Serves 8-10. Option: Serve with whole or halved cherry tomatoes on the side.

I love that spring fruits and vegetables are on sale again, and we loaded up on cantaloupe and berries at the grocery store. We served a cantaloupe cubed as a sweet side to our dinner last night.

As I said, my family raved, and they’ve asked me to make them again. Score one for Mom!

Maybe they were just grateful it wasn’t another chicken noodle soup night?

If you try our concoction, tell us what you think in the comments!

Blessings, 

Deb