Time to do Pumpkin Spice Right

Its definitely that time of year again...and no...I don't mean christmas time. Its Pumpkin Spice!...(ahem) I meant Fall. If you are one of those who haven't given into the seasonal guilty pleasure yet then you are definitely missing out! However delicious Pumpkin spice may be. The products that you are consuming are most likely not the best for you, do to artificial "pumpkin" flavoring. 

There's a chain coffee shop in particular, not to name names, that is very well known for their pumpkin spice latte, however, there is less than 2% of actual pumpkin puree in its recipe, and it is mainly added just to supply the drink with its color! It's easy to consume more than your daily supply of sugar on your morning coffee alone. Try this recipe instead that we stumbled upon on PopSugar 

My mother always said, if its too easy, then it's probably not good. Wake yourself up 15 minutes earlier everyday if you are usually running late and make yourself something to eat that will get you in a good mood for the day. The way your day begins is usually a good indicator of how the rest of the day will go. #besubstantial 

Yogurt, The Multitasker

Full of protein, calcium, vitamin D, and probiotics (the healthy bacteria that aid digestion), there’s no doubt yogurt provides delicious benefits for your insides. But it can also do beauty wonders for your outsides as well especially your skin.

Yogurt contains lactic acid which is an alpha hydroxy acid, that can dissolve dead skin cells. This gentle exfoliation not only helps to create a natural glow and prevent breakouts, but works to diminish the appearance of lines and wrinkles. When topically applied to the skin, a velvety yogurt face mask will help moisturize, fight acne, prevent premature aging, relieve sunburn, and reduce discoloration. It’s an all-around beauty multitasker.

Yogurt Mask Recipe DIY:

• 2 tablespoons greek yogurt
• 1 teaspoon oats
• 1 teaspoon honey
• squeeze of lemon (careful to mix well and keep away from eyes!)

Directions:

1. Combine all the ingredients in a small mixing bowl and mix well.
2. Apply a thick coat to your face with clean finger tips. Let it settle for 15 minutes.
3. When the time is up, gently rinse your face with warm water and ensure the entire mask comes off.
4. Splash cold water on your face to close up your pores. Pat dry with a soft clean towel.

Drink Your Stress Away

And no, I don't suggest testing out alcoholism. Although, alcohol is believed to be a stress reducer, it can also add to your stress as well as creating various other problems, so remember to drink responsibility. 

This post is to tell you some drinks that can keep your stress levels down and help you get though the week a little bit easier. 

Water: I know you probably hear about this one all of the time. But it is true!  The link between water and stress reduction is well documented. All of our organs, including our brains, need water to function properly. If you’re dehydrated, your body isn’t running well and that can lead to stress. On average, the adult body consists of 50-65% water, stay hydrated. 

Tea: Have a cup of tea to help relax. While all teas can be relaxing, certain herbs are scientifically proven as the best for relieving stress. Some of the best to drink in your tea are valerian, passion flower, and St. John's wort.

Fruit: Juice: Juices high in vitamin C, including orange juice, grapefruit juice, and strawberry juice, help reduce stress levels by lowering levels of the body’s stress hormones such as cortiso

Reduce Your Stress Levels

As you may have seen on our twitter page today we have been discussing stress and how it's not all bad. Some levels of stress which you are accustomed to handling can help keep you focused and challenge your abilities. There are those times however when stress can be overwhelming and we can begin to feel like we are out of control. 

When we are stressed, our bodies produce this hormone called Cortisol; high levels of this could lead to diabetes, high blood pressure, weight gain or inability to lose weight, and various other detrimental health issues. When there isn't enough time for you to get out and have a workout there are vitamins and supplements. We live in an age where we are becoming more conscious of what it is that we put into our bodies, especially anything that might alter our state of being. 

We have our own line of vitamins and supplements to help your every need. Our "Calm" line of supplements are designed to address your daily stress by increasing the production of the neurotransmitters serotonin and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the brain. The formula includes ingredients historically used to promote a state of calm and centered relaxation. While many other alternatives providing GABA-agonist effects may cause dependency over time, out natural GABA support found in our formula is non-habit forming.

Stop by today and have a chat with our friendly pharmacy team and see what we can do for you!

'Mix' up your Monday Routine

Waking up on Monday can sometimes be a downer. You probably just had an eventful weekend full of friends, laughs, and brunches and now you're back to waking up early and headed into work. Instead of going to your usual coffee shop that makes your coffee good but never great, try this recipe out. 

Coffee Protein Shake: 

• 1/2 cup almond/coconut milk
• 1 banana
• 1 tablespoon nutella
• 2 scoops Aloha Protein Powder (preferrably chocolate)
• 3/4 cup Gradys cold brew coffee (if available) 
• 1 cup ice
• top with chocolate shavings (optional)

Monday doesn't have to be so bad when you make time to mix things up. You can blend this up at night and store for a morning grab and go, or just throw everything in the blender the morning of in less than 5 mins!

Mouth-Water(melon)ing Summer Cocktail

Few may know this but watermelon is related to cucumbers, pumpkin, and squash. It's part vegetable and part fruit (it's a sweet, seed-producing plant, after all) This might not be surprising, but it's still a fun fact watermelon is more than 91 percent water. This means that snacking will also keep you hydrated on those hot summery days!

Recipe!

2 cups Frozen watermelon

1/2 cup frozen cucumbers

1/4 cup frozen rasberries

1/4 cup Greek yogurt

2 scoops of ALOHA Protein powder (Preferably Vanilla)

A splash of blueberry-pomegranate juice

and optional 3 oz. Gin...for those 21+

Cinco De Mayo with Cedra X ALOHA

HAPPY CINCO DE MAYO

 

 Todays date is observed to commemorate the Mexican Army's unlikely victory over French forces at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862, under the leadership of General Ignacio Zaragoza. This attack resulted in the unlikely victory for the Mexican Army. On September 16, 1862, President Juarez declared that the date of the Battle of Puebla would be made an annual holiday. Hence, Cinco de Mayo became a popular holiday in Mexico and in areas where there is a large Mexican population. In the United States, Cinco de Mayo is popularly mistaken to be Mexico's Independence Day; the most important national holiday in Mexico, which is celebrated on September 16.

ALOHA is now being sold at Cedra Pharmacy and as a gift to you all, buy any ALOHA product instore and receive 10% off your entire purchase as a welcome gift. In the Hawaiian language, aloha means “sharing the breath of life.” At ALOHA, we aim to do this by making health simple, fun, and accessible. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle has become needlessly complicated. False claims, conflicting messages in the media, and weak regulations in the wellness industry are constant sources of confusion. We are increasingly exposed to stress and environmental toxins that compromise our health. ALOHA works to address these challenges and make an impact.

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Spicy Macha Margarita Recipe

Ingredients

1. 3 ounces green tea
2. 2 ounces tequila blanco
3. 1 ounce Aloha coconut powder
4. 1 ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
5. 1 teaspoon honey simple syrup (1 teaspoon honey melted with 1 teaspoon water)
6. 1/4 teaspoon matcha powder
7. 2 slices jalapeño

For an added tangy kick, rim the glass with Sriracha and salt if so desired. Blend with Ice and enjoy!

Now that you have knowledge on why it is that you are drinking and celebrating, go ahead and enjoy this tasty, spicy yet sweet cocktail! Always remember, drink responsibly and never drink and drive. 

Make Tomorrows Breakfast Count

Açai Bowl topped with Straw/Blue-berries and Bananas 

        People seem to always be talking about antioxidants, and just like when people are asked about gluten, people seem to have the general idea, but still don't fully understand what it is. Lets start off with a definition. An antioxidant is a molecule that inhibits the oxidation of other molecules. And what is Oxidation you might ask... well this is a is a chemical reaction that can produce free radicals, leading to the potential of cell damage.  It's much like the chemical reaction that creates rust on a bicycle or turns the surface of a cut apple brown.

        The acai ; pronounced (ah-sigh-EE) berry is a grape like fruit harvested from acai palm trees, which are native to the rainforests of South America. Acai berries are widely touted as a so-called superfood, with proponents claiming that they are helpful for a variety of health concerns, including arthritis, weight loss, high cholesterol, erectile dysfunction, skin appearance, detoxification and general health. I try to work these super berries into my daily diet, and can get them in by way of morning juice, smoothie or bowl. 
        Not everyone has the time to prepare a meal or eat an entire fruit salad but eating breakfast everyday is very important. Beginning each day with a well balanced meal can help with exhaustion during the day, hunger cravings, weight loss and various other concerns. If you are one of the people who can't get these in naturally, Cedra does carry our line of dietary supplements and one of them is the "AntiOxidant Essentials: With Vitamins C & E" as always you should consult with a professional before taking any medication or supplements. Remember that our pharmacists are here 6 days a week to help with any questions that you may have. Be sure to stop by for a friendly consultation. I promise you wont regret it.

Pledge Omega-3 This Year

According to Paleo-Leap Bone-in sardines are an excellent source of calcium. A 3.75-ounce can provides 35% of the RDA, probably higher than any other Paleo food. It’s true that calcium isn’t the end of the story for healthy bones and teeth, but that doesn’t mean it’s not important at all; if you don’t react well to dairy, sardines are your bones’ best friend.

Their high calcium content is usually the star of the show, but don’t let it blind you to everything else in the can. Sardines also deliver:

• Selenium (69%)
• Phosphorus (45%)
• Iron (15%)
• Magnesium (9%)
• Copper (9%)

Sardines are something like a fish oil supplement, if fish oil supplements also delivered protein, vitamins, minerals, and an easily portable snack food. Unlike supplements, canned sardines don’t need to be refrigerated, and you don’t have to worry about whether they’ve been sitting around going rancid on the grocery-store shelf. So between the supplement and the fish, the fish are the clear winners. Fish may have earned its reputation as “brain food” because some people eat fish to help with depression, psychosis, attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD),Alzheimer’s disease, and other thinking disorders. 

If you have an issue reaching your daily requirement of these types of nutrients that the body requires, Cedra has its own line of vitamins. Come in and have a chat with a pharmacist and let us assist you and recommend what daily vitamins you should be taking. 

Why Milk 'Moo'ved Out of My Diet

Growing up, I know that kids were encouraged to drink milk and not just with their cereal or with snacks but glasses of milk. I suppose that was a delight that stuck with me to adulthood. It was never a problem until recently when I noticed that after drinking milk I would feel bloated, slightly uncomfortable and I decided to go to the doctor and find out why this was. 

According to the doctor, I am slightly lactose intolerant. People might think that they are allergic to milk but actually their bodies simply cannot digest the main sugar found in milk which is lactose. After the age of five the body stops producing lactase that breaks down this sugar which leads to cramping, bloating and other body irritations. The truth is that only 60% percent on humans possess the ability to break down this sugar after childhood. 

Switching to alternatives like Almond, Coconut or even Soy are popular options and can be found in most stores and coffee shops. Almond milk is made from ground almonds and water, it’s naturally lower in calories and fat than cow’s milk. Coconut milk is watered down to match milk’s consistency and fat content. It’s usually fortified with calcium and vitamin D. Soy milk is made from ground soybeans and water, it contains high-quality protein and is often fortified with B vitamins, calcium, and vitamin D, giving it the closest nutrition profile to cow’s milk.

Give it a try, you could possibly be a part of the 40% who might have a lactose intolerance too!