iloveme jeWELLry by Be Well with Arielle

This month we have celebrated love through a series of posts dedicated to the most important nutrient for your health and wellbeing, Vitamin L. We've covered romantic love, family, friendship, and even the love for your pets, and now we turn to the most fundamental source of love in your life: yourself. 

Oscar Wilde said, "To love oneself is the beginning of a life-long romance," and we couldn't agree more! Loving yourself promotes confidence and fulfillment, and enables you to have deep, meaningful connections with others.

For many in the health and wellness sphere, self-love is tied to how we perceive our bodies. Criticism of our own figure can drown out positivity and leave us feeling undeserving. This perspective can make it hard to reach our goals, in life and in love.

Blog Team Mascot: Lola

They are cute and cuddly, greet you with a happy face and wagging tail when you arrive home from a long day; all they ask in return is a good scratch behind the ears, pat on the head, and regular feeding. Who is more devoted to you than your fur-ever friend?

For pet owners, there’s no doubt that having a furry friend is a wonderful addition to their life, but are pets actually good for you? Studies show that yes, in fact, there are multiple health benefits to pet ownership. Pets are proven to be incredibly effective stress relievers, reducing the incidence of stress-related diseases ranging from heart disease to hypertension to ulcers. 

A new study shows that among people with chronic illnesses such as diabetes and high cholesterol, those who owned pets enjoyed better cardiovascular health and more adaptable heart rates than those who didn’t.

This study only reinforces a solid body of evidence that proves the healthy benefits of pet ownership. A 2008 study showed that cat owners have a far lower risk of dying from a heart attack than people who’ve never owned a cat. And pets have long been proven to encourage a more active lifestyle – people who own dogs are more likely to walk more and walk faster than people who don’t.

Happy Valentine’s Day! Today’s devoted to one of life’s most important primary foods: romantic love. Whether you plan to dine in with your special someone or go out with your spouse, a happy romantic relationship is something to cherish all year long.

Having a partner to love is good for the soul – not just for the moments of passion, but also for the ordinary comforts of sharing how your day went over dinner and watching Modern Family together.

Study after study shows that love is good for your physical health, too. For centuries, scientists have observed the “marriage advantage” phenomeon; people in happy romantic partnerships tend to be healthier and live longer.

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner! Instead of planning a night out with your special someone, why not cook up a lovely meal at home that your Valentine is sure to adore?  We’ve put together some of our favorite healthy Valentine’s Day recipes that will both wow your guest and leave him or her feeling loved and healthy!

Appetizer

Oysters are often associated with Valentine’s Day because they are known to be an aphrodisiac. This recipe for Oyster Ceviche is delicious served with gluten-free crackers or pita chips! If raw fish isn’t your thing, a cheese platter with Heart Shaped Figs is an adorable way to impress your guest.

Soup

After an unseasonably warm winter so far, February is proving to be not quite as kind as January. As the weather gets colder, warm up your dinner guest with a festive red soup such as this Roasted Beet Soup with Crème Fraiche and Dill or this Fire Roasted Tomato Soup with Crispy Chickpeas!

Last week we kicked off our new Vitamin L series, which celebrates the various relationships in our lives throughout the month of February, with a post on friendship.

Next up, we’re talking family. That’s right, those crazy people who drive you nuts, and at one point (circa age 15) you didn’t want to be seen with, but at the end of the day, you love ‘em anyway.

Unlike some other relationships, we don’t get to choose our family members. Who we marry, yes; but that mother of yours who made you take those really awkward photos on the first say of school, you know, the one who is constantly reminding you that she’d like grandchildren someday? Well, you’re sort of stuck with her.

At times it’s easy to be harsh or brutally honest with these people, as we know our family will love us unconditionally. But that’s also the reason that we cherish them so much. On our good days they’re our biggest fans, and on our bad days there's nothing quite like the comfort a family member can provide.

February is all about one thing: Love. Or as we like to call it: Vitamin L. This month we will be exploring the various relationships that not only help define who we are, but bring us closer to our happiest, healthiest selves!

Let’s start the series with a relationship that has been proven essential to our health and well-being: Friendship.

What would life be without our friends? Slightly lonely? Probably. Much less fun? I think so.

But could being friendless also affect your health? Several studies say yes.

In 2006, a study, involving 3,000 women diagnosed with cancer, was conducted to see what effect friendship had on cancer patients. Researchers found that women, who had 10 or more close friends were four times more likely to recover from the disease.

Dogs are known to be man’s best friend, and according to recent studies, they may just be man’s best workout partner, too.

People who own dogs are more likely to walk more, walk faster, and enjoy a more active lifestyle than people who don’t, experts say. The obligation to take the dog out no matter the weather, season, or temperature drives people to get moving when they might not otherwise: “When it’s dark, when it’s raining, the dog needs a walk, every day,” says animal behaviorist Dr. Sandra McCune. Among dog owners who regularly walk their four-legged friends, 60% meet the criteria for regular moderate or vigorous exercise and are far less likely to be obese.

As a key source of primary food, animal companionship has long been known to offer a wide variety of health benefits, largely because pets help people effectively manage stress. Study after study proves it: Owning a pet helped lower the blood pressure of stockbrokers who suffered from stress-related hypertension even better than medication did. Cat owners are one third less likely to have a heart attack. The CDC reports that pets can decrease both your cholesterol and triglyceride levels.

The benefits go far beyond the physical – pets also reinforce social bonds, stave off loneliness, and help fight depression. Animals don’t judge or ask questions; they simply offer a wordless, unconditional sense of comfort that makes people feel safe and loved. “When children are asked who they want to talk to when they get upset, a lot of times their first answer is their pet,” says Dr. James Griffin, an expert in child development at the National Institute of Health.

“I’ve got a perfect body ‘cause my eyelashes catch my sweat.” – Regina Spektor

No matter what your shape or size, gender or age, most (if not all) of us have experienced the nagging doubts of body insecurity. Little imperfections can cloud our heads, and we can forget to love ourselves.

What many people don't realize is that no one is born with self-confidence - it is practiced.

One fantastic way to practice self-confidence is to eat right and exercise. A healthy body will certainly make you feel more energetic and radiant, but what else can you do to remember to love yourself?

The day of love is upon us. Are you getting your optimal dose of love, or Vitamin L, as we call it?

Amidst the feeling that today is about romantic dinners, chocolates and flowers, check in to make sure you are getting your Vitamin L, in whatever form feels good to you! Vitamin L is what we refer to as love, and it is the most important nutrient for your health and wellbeing. When it comes down to it, love is the food for the soul and it nourishes the body, mind and spirit.

Vitamin L doesn’t have to come only from a romantic partner or relationship, and in fact some of the most nourishing doses of Vitamin L can come from a loving relationship with yourself, or through loving interactions between friends, family members, co-workers, pets, neighbors…there are so many possibilities.

It’s important to recognize these valuable sources and to nurture them so that you can be nourished as well. You can drink all of the green smoothies in the world, but love (in all forms) is a vital component to being a happy, healthy and balanced person! What's your favorite way to make sure you get your Vitamin L?

If you'd like to share how you get your dose of Vitamin L, check out our Vitamin L photo contest. Submit an entry of your own or get new ideas from others!

Happy Valentine’s Day!

February, the “month of love,” is here.  It’s the time every year we are reminded to recognize and celebrate the love in our lives. We mark our calendar and give flowers, chocolates and cards. 

We’ve made Valentine’s Day the big day, however we need to give and receive love all the time, not just on that one particular day. At Integrative Nutrition, we feel passionately about the importance of healthy relationships. We like to call this Vitamin L (the ‘L’ stands for love!). Getting a daily dose of Vitamin L is essential to living happier, healthier lives.  Vitamin L comes in many forms and isn’t just about romantic love between two people. It can be love for ourselves, or a particular practice of self-care. Vitamin L can come in the shape of  our partners, our pets, our kids or parents.  Love is food for the soul and heart; it nourishes body, mind, and spirit for optimal wellbeing.

How do you get your Vitamin L? To celebrate the month of love and all of the different ways love can exist in our lives, we are having a fun contest.  It’s easy, just show us how you get your daily dose of Vitamin L by submitting a picture. You could win a gift certificate to SoLove Self-Care.  Help us inspire others to get a daily dose of Vitamin L!

Find our more about the Vitamin L Contest here.