Health Blog
Health Blog
12 simple tips for healthy hair and healthy skin
Customers often ask us about hair, scalp, and skin problems. Unfortunately, there are no miracle products for this, despite how it is often portrayed in advertising. To achieve more vibrant hair and skin, you need to improve your well-being on several levels, both from the inside and the outside. In this article, we offer tips on what you can do if you want to strengthen the quality of your hair and skin. Nutrition for Hair and Skin 1. Water is important Keep your fluid balance at its best. Drink clean water every day, preferably with a little lemon/lime and sometimes ginger. Enjoy beneficial herbal teas and choose organic coffee. For every cup of coffee, you need a glass of water to avoid dehydration. 2. Good fats Eat good fats like avocado, seeds, and organic oils; e.g., olive oil, coconut oil, flaxseed oil, hemp oil, black cumin oil, etc. 3. The stomach Take care of your stomach; according to many naturopaths, the skin and hair reflect the health of the intestines and liver. It starts from within. 4. Diet Eat a diet rich in nutritious foods that give your body natural strength. Vegetables, fruits, berries, and sprouts in their natural form contain the highest amounts of enzymes, fibers, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. Eat plenty of vegetables in all forms! 5. Supplements Take supplements such as Omega-3, Probiotics, Multivitamins, or other vitamins/minerals. For example, B vitamins are very good for hair, vitamin C and zinc for the skin, and also MSM. *MSM: Many people have a sulfur deficiency – especially with increasing age. Therefore, it is important to eat foods rich in sulfur such as broccoli, kale, spirulina, Brussels sprouts, watercress, pumpkin seeds, and arugula. It can also be wise to supplement with Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM), which contains sulfur and can increase flexibility, tone, and strength in muscles, bones, joints, internal membranes, and especially skin, hair, and nails. Studies have shown that MSM can help with eczema, psoriasis, rosacea, acne, flaky skin, and dandruff. 6. Pure body care Completely natural and pure body products are essential. Natural body care contains nourishing ingredients that moisturize, such as organic oils and butters as well as herbs. Avoid synthetic additives that clog the skin and dry out the hair. 7. Eco-friendly cleaning Buy natural cleaning products and detergents. This is just as important as body care for your health, since everything we bring into our home is absorbed through the skin and breathing. Improve Hair and Skin with a Healthy Lifestyle 8. Movement and Sweating Exercise and sweating are essential for circulation and detoxification through the skin. Move daily and, if possible, use a sauna a couple of times a week. 9. Dry brushing Dry brush your skin as often as you can; it stimulates circulation and helps the skin cleanse itself. The skin also becomes smoother and more beautiful. 10. Manage stress Use a method to manage and reduce stress, such as meditation and relaxation through music, yoga, and stillness. Stress affects our well-being on all levels, including skin and hair. 11. Sleep Sleep 7-8 hours; if you have trouble sleeping, make sure to get help. It is important to sleep deeply in a dark room for maximum recovery. 12. Fresh air Make sure to get out into fresh air; if you live in the countryside, no problem. If you live in the city, go to a park or a forest as often as you can for a walk. Do you have more tips or questions? Write a comment and we will respond!
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Probiotics and gut bacteria for a healthy stomach
Digestion is our absolutely most important function when it comes to long-term health. Taking care of your stomach is an investment for life that we all deserve. Who wants a bloated stomach, gas, stomach pain, constipation, or diarrhea? We all want a functioning gut and nutrient absorption so we can get optimal energy from our food. We believe that healthy gut bacteria are among the most important supplements to choose. We see it as a foundation for everyone. Probiotics are good bacteria responsible for nutrient absorption and supporting the immune system. It is up to us to support and nourish this world of microbes through what we eat, what we expose ourselves to in our environment, and the type of lifestyle we lead. In the past, we naturally got good gut bacteria from healthy soil. But today, due to harmful farming methods, our food contains little or no probiotics at all, and most foods today also contain toxins that can harm the good bacteria in our bodies. Therefore, one of the best ways to promote gut health is to "replant" helpful bacteria through high-quality probiotic products. It is also very beneficial to eat fermented products such as sauerkraut and to avoid the three biggest factors working against our gut health: exposure to toxic substances, unhealthy diet, and stress. It is easy for the gut microbiome to become unbalanced, which can have very negative effects on digestion and our overall sense of well-being. If we do not have enough probiotics, we are more susceptible to digestive problems, skin issues, candida, autoimmune diseases, as well as frequent colds and flu. By adding more probiotic foods to your diet, you can experience the following health benefits: Stronger immune system. Better digestion. Increased well-being. More energy from more efficient production of vitamin B12. Better breath because probiotics counteract candida. Healthier skin, as probiotics improve eczema and psoriasis. Less susceptibility to colds and flu. Support for leaky gut and inflammatory bowel diseases. Weight loss. One way to support the stomach is to make your own yogurt; we choose a plant-based yogurt made from cashew nuts.
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Baobab, Moringa & Marula: Natural oils for skin and hair
These 3 African "miracle" oils from baobab, moringa, and marula have been widely used by the people of Africa for hundreds of years for their beneficial qualities. 6 benefits of Baobab oil The baobab tree's fruit is naturally rich in vitamins A and E and is a popular superfood increasingly used in cooking for its high vitamin C content. The golden oil is extracted from the fruit's seeds. It is a fine, pale yellow oil suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin. The rich vitamin E content is said to reduce scarring, speed up healing, and soothe irritated skin. The oil is therefore often used to treat eczema, psoriasis, and rosacea issues. Baobab oil absorbs quickly and improves skin elasticity, making it excellent as a massage oil. It is also known to prevent stretch marks and improve firmness, making it a popular pregnancy oil. Because it contains so many antioxidants that protect against external damage and care for wrinkled skin while counteracting aging, it is also popular for mature skin. Baobab oil is also a popular hair oil suitable for normal, dry, damaged, and brittle hair, and it also works for dandruff. It is a true "all-around" oil. 4 benefits of Moringa oil Moringa is a tree, also called the "Miracle tree." The moringa tree's leaves have become increasingly common as a superfood and are used as a nutritious supplement in smoothies, etc. Moringa oil comes from the tree's seeds. It is a mild oil containing essential amino acids, chlorophyll, omega-3 fatty acids, making it a popular health oil and luxurious skin oil. It is a semi-fatty oil that can be used on the face, body, and hair. It makes hair shiny and soft and helps prevent dandruff and itchy scalp. Moringa contains many antioxidants that protect against external damage and care for wrinkled skin while counteracting aging, making it popular for mature skin. Although the oil soothes dry skin and moisturizes well, it also works for oilier skin with acne problems. Moringa purifies the skin; its cleansing effect leaves the skin with a more even tone and can be used to combat blemishes. It can be applied as a spot treatment directly on blemishes. 5 benefits of Marula oil Marula oil is a true luxury oil extracted from the fruit kernels of the Marula tree. The oil is very rich in fatty acids and antioxidants such as vitamin E. It suits most skin types, including sensitive, mature, dry, and combination skin. Traditionally, marula oil is used to reduce skin redness. Marula oil contains many antioxidants that protect and care for mature skin and help reduce fine wrinkles. Just a few drops over the face restore the skin's natural glow. The oil deeply moisturizes and makes the skin more elastic. It is effective against stretch marks and improves skin firmness and smoothness. It preserves the skin's moisture while providing a pleasant feel. Marula is also an excellent hair oil; it nourishes and adds shine without weighing the hair down. You can scrunch oil into the hair ends or use it as a hair mask. As a nail oil, it supports fragile nails.
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Saffron-scented Chia Pudding with Cashews
Recipe: Chia a la malta with saffron serves about 4 people. Ingredients:2 dl organic cashew nuts1 dl chia seeds 1 pinch of salt – preferably Celtic1 pinch of vanilla powder1/4 packet of saffron (a pinch)1-2 tbsp honey depending on how sweet you want it. If you don’t want to use honey, you can substitute it with yacon, xylitol or stevia. Preparation:1. Soak the chia seeds in a bowl with 3 dl of water. Let sit for 2-3 hours. Soak the nuts in a bowl for 2-3 hours. Drain the water from the nuts.2. Place the cashew nuts in a powerful blender and cover with water. Add saffron, honey, salt, and vanilla.3. Blend everything except the chia pudding. Mix with the chia pudding in a bowl. Let stand for 15 minutes. Feel free to garnish with mandarin segments.4. Now just enjoy. Here we make the pudding at our office:
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Homemade Mint Chocolates with Natural Sweeteners
Recipe: Mint Pralines – about 15 pieces depending on the size of the molds used. Chocolate ingredients: 1 dl coconut oil/ cocoa butter 3 tbsp lucuma 3 tbsp cocoa powder 1 pinch stevia powder (green), liquid stevia or xylitol 1 pinch vanilla 1 pinch salt (preferably Himalayan) Mint filling: 1 dl cashew nuts (or other nuts of choice) 2 tbsp lucuma powder Leaves from about 4-5 sprigs of peppermint 1 pinch stevia powder (green) or xylitol + a few tablespoons of water Chocolate preparation: 1. Gently melt the coconut oil or cocoa butter over a water bath. We prefer the taste of coconut oil best, but if you are making pralines as gifts, cocoa butter is better as it does not melt at room temperature. Pralines made with coconut oil need to be stored in the fridge. 2. Add lucuma, cocoa powder, stevia, vanilla & salt, stir until the chocolate is smooth. Leave at room temperature until the mint filling is ready. Mint filling preparation: 1. Soak the nuts for a few hours before starting. Then drain the soaking water. 2. Blend the nuts, lucuma, stevia & mint leaves with a few tablespoons of water. Since the liquid amount is small and the filling should be very thick, it works best with an immersion blender. Assembly: 1. Fill the first layer, about 1/4 of the praline mold, with chocolate. If you don’t have praline molds, soft ice cube trays, silicone molds, small paper ice chocolate molds, etc. work fine. Let set for a few minutes in the fridge. 2. Once the first chocolate layer is firm, you can “drop in” or pipe the mint filling, remembering to leave space for a second chocolate layer on top and around the sides. The pralines look best with an even layer of chocolate all around. Let cool in the fridge for a few minutes. 3. Fill the sides & top of the pralines with chocolate. Chill well before removing or pressing them out of the molds (otherwise they break easily, as the filling is softer than the chocolate). Store in the fridge. Recipe and photo by Katrin Petersson from the Levande föda course center
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Creamy Latte with Chaga & Reishi for the Immune System
This recipe makes a creamy “latte” packed with herbal medicinal properties, especially supportive for the heart, blood vessels, and immune system. Recipe for two 6 dl hot water2 tsp chaga extract powder1 tsp reishi extract powder1 small piece of fresh red chili1 piece of fresh ginger2 tbsp coconut oil1/2 dl cocoa powder; if you are sensitive to cocoa, you can choose carob powderHoney or coconut sugar to sweeten to taste How to make it? 1. Boil the water.2. Add chili and ginger and let steep on simmering heat for 10-15 minutes.3. Strain out the spices and pour the liquid into a blender.4. Add the remaining ingredients and blend on high speed until you get a smooth and creamy drink.5. Serve immediately! Some facts about heating tree mushrooms Both Reishi and Chaga belong to the family of tree mushrooms. They have a structure that is practically impossible for our digestion to extract anything from in their raw form. But when heated in water, many active compounds are released that are beneficial to us. Reishi extract and Chaga extract powders are already extracted, so just mix and enjoy, but you can also make your own extract with dried chaga or reishi.
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Coconut party hair mask for dry hair
Coconut Party – a moisturizing and delightful recipe from Tia Jumbe. This is a real moisture bomb for dry and brittle hair, with both coconut relatives milk and oil. Spray and leave it in.Suitable for all hair types. About 3 dl:1 can coconut milk0.5 dl coconut oil1 tbsp jojoba oil1 tbsp argan oil10 drops essential lemongrass oil10 drops essential ylang-ylang oil Instructions:• Melt the coconut oil in a water bath, stir in the argan and jojoba oils, mix well.• Remove from heat and add the essential oils. Pour in the coconut milk.• Pour into a glass spray bottle and shake to mix.• Shake the bottle a little before using the spray. Spray on dry hair sections. Tia Jumbe is an author, yoga teacher, and journalist. She has written several books on yoga and health, including Detox Lifestyle – get more energy with yoga, food, and new habits. She works part-time at Coop’s food magazine Mer Smak and is in the middle of her training as an Ayurvedic health advisor. Photography: Camilla Lindqvist. The book Boost Skin & Hair:
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Nettle & coconut raw food fudge recipe from Erica Palmcrantz
Recipe & picture Erica Palmcrantz Aziz Nettle & Coconut Fudge with lime, about 10 pieces2 cups coconut flakes2 tablespoons Holistic nettle2 tablespoons coconut oil, soft non-liquid2 tablespoons coconut sugar1 tablespoon honey3-4 teaspoons lime juice,zest of two organic limes Proceed as follows: Process the coconut flakes in a food processor. Add the remaining ingredients except the lime juice. Process until it forms a dough that you can shape into squares, adding the lime juice one teaspoon at a time. Shape into squares or press into a square or rectangular mold, and place in the fridge for about 1 hour. Store in the refrigerator and prepare before serving. Erica Palmcrantz Aziz is Sweden’s crowned raw food queen who runs the blog rawfoodbyerica.se. She inspires with raw food through lectures, workshops, and the Raw Life Education program, which starts for the eighth time in the summer of 2017. In March, Erica’s tenth book “Superfood boost” will be published, offering knowledge about super raw ingredients and simple, useful, and delicious recipes. Become a Raw Life EducatorWant to learn about a holistic way of learning and living? Do you want to inspire people to live with raw food? The training to become a certified Raw Life Educator gives you the knowledge and power to stand on your own and inspire raw food in the way you like best; for example, as a lecturer, raw food creator, or raw food chef. Read more on Erica’s website.
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4 simple recipes with matcha powder for every occasion
2 dl of any drink, e.g., almond, oat, or coconut milk 3 tbsp chia seeds 1/2 tsp matcha powder 1 pinch of vanilla powder Sweeten with honey or xylitol Mix and let it set until firm. Decorate with berries or fruit. Matcha Latte 2 tsp matcha in a cup Pour in some 80-degree Celsius water. Stir, then top up with frothed oat milk. Sweeten with honey or another sweetener, e.g., stevia drops. Matcha Smoothie – 2 glasses one banana 2.5 dl fresh pineapple 2.5 dl kale or spinach 1.25 dl any milk 1/2 tsp matcha powder squeezed lemon a few ice cubes Blend everything in a powerful blender and serve cold. Matcha Ice Cream Ceremony 2 servings 2 dl water + 2 dl almonds, preferably soaked 1 tbsp coconut oil 1/2 dl coconut cream 2 tbsp agave syrup or honey 1-2 tbsp matcha tea powder 1-2 tbsp honey 1 tbsp sunflower lecithin How to make it: Preferably soak the almonds for eight hours; they taste best then. Then blend the almonds with 2 dl fresh water into a thick almond milk. It's easiest to blend nuts in a high-speed blender like a powerful blender. Strain. The leftover almond pulp can be used in pancake batter, cookies, or waffle batter. Warm the coconut oil until it becomes liquid in a water bath. Blend the almond milk with coconut oil, coconut cream, lecithin, agave syrup, matcha tea, and honey. The more matcha tea powder you use, the more sweetener may be needed. Taste and freeze for about 5 hours in a silicone mold or special ice cream molds (nice silicone ones are available at Panduro). The ice cream recipe comes from Erica Palmcrantz Aziz, a well-regarded raw food inspirer.
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Homemade vegan ice cream without strange additives
Make your own ice cream then. Yes, it’s easy and tastes so good. Plant-based ice cream completely free of dairy and white sugar suits everyone, and all ages. Coconut & Lavender Ice Cream (vegan & nut-free) 2.5 dl coconut milk1-2 tbsp edible lavender flowers2 frozen bananas, slicedNatural sweetener such as maple syrup, honey, coconut palm sugar How to make it? Add coconut milk and lavender to a small saucepan and bring to a boil. Remove from heat and stir. Let stand, covered, for 20 minutes. Strain out the lavender flowers. Pour the coconut milk into a freezer-safe container and freeze overnight. Break the frozen coconut milk into pieces and place in a food processor or a powerful blender. Add the sliced frozen banana. Blend until smooth and add sweetener now if desired. The banana already sweetens the ice cream, so it depends on taste. The ice cream can now be eaten immediately. If you want firmer “ice cream,” put the mixture in the freezer for 20 minutes. Almond & Peach Ice Cream (vegan) 2.5 dl almonds2.5 dl water3-4 peaches (save some for decoration)5 dates (remove pits)a pinch of vanilla powder1 tsp freshly squeezed lemon juice How to make it? Soak almonds overnight, then drain. Put almonds in a powerful blender covered with fresh water and blend until it becomes like milk. Strain through a nut milk bag or similar. If you’re in a hurry, you can of course use ready-made almond milk. Pour the strained almond milk back into a cleaned blender with the peaches and dates. Blend until smooth. Mix in vanilla and lemon juice, blend again. Pour into a freezer-safe container and leave overnight. Decorate the finished ice cream with some peach halves. Banana & Peanut Butter Ice Cream with Chocolate Sauce (vegan) 3 frozen bananas, sliced2 tbsp unsalted peanut butter1/4 tbsp sea salt How to make it? Slice bananas and freeze overnight in a container with a lid. Take them out the next day and thaw for a few minutes. Blend bananas and peanut butter in a powerful blender until it becomes a batter. Add a little salt at a time and adjust to your taste. Chocolate Sauce 2 tbsp coconut oil2 tbsp cocoa powder2 tbsp yacon syrup or another liquid sweetener you like1 pinch sea salt (optional) How to make it? Gently melt the coconut oil in a saucepan over low heat or in a water bath. Add cocoa powder, optional sweetener, and salt and stir gently until smooth. If there’s any left over, store in the fridge. Scoop the ice cream into a bowl and pour on the chocolate sauce... Ice cream is just so good =)
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Homemade ice cream in a juicer with protein powder
If you freeze items and then run them through a juicer that can handle it, you get heavenly delicious ice cream! Tip for recipes for the juicer is to add a protein powder: Favorite Smoothie/Chia Cream:0.5 dl protein powder0.5 dl chia seeds0.5 dl hulled hemp seeds4 dl waterFreeze as ice cubes in an ice tray, and when you want to make the ice cream, take them out and wait a little while, then just run them through the juicer. The advantage of first freezing them into “ice cubes” is that the flavor becomes even. Other super simple ice cream recipes with only two ingredients (frozen):Avocado + RaspberryAvocado + PineappleBanana + RaspberryBanana + BlueberryBanana + Carrot
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Natural Celtic sea salt rich in minerals
When choosing salt, we believe you should choose the best: salt that provides minerals and trace elements – without additives and anti-caking agents. And we promise, we do not want to consume anti-caking agents. All the salt we sell is completely natural and free from unnecessary additives. We have received fantastic new varieties of salt from Selina Naturally, who also produce the immensely popular gray, semi-moist, coarse-grained Celtic salt. Celtic Sea Salt Gourmet Seaweed Seasoning The base of the salt consists of finely ground Celtic salt mixed with four different organic and wild-harvested sea plants/seaweeds; Dulse, Kelp, Wakame, and Kombu, as well as red shiso, garlic, onion, and lemon. Celtic Sea Salt is an unprocessed salt that is hand-harvested. It is dried in the sun and wind, which helps it retain the sea’s moisture as well as all the important minerals and trace elements naturally found in salt. The seaweed ensures the salt contains iodine. The perfect blend gives a very rich Umami flavor. What does Rahima think? This salt is wonderful both on salads, vegetables, quinoa... yes, I think it works on almost everything. I’m a real salt enthusiast and often think about not eating too much. But since I like salt, I want the best. That’s where all the salts from Selina Naturally come in. I like all their salts. This was a perfect combination in flavor, and the seaweed really adds that little extra without overpowering with a “seaweed taste.” I don’t think synthetic iodine in regular table salt is a good idea for our health, but that’s another discussion. So getting iodine from seaweed or a good supplement is a better option... Here, the seaweed provides exactly that. The right amount is released when you sprinkle the salt. Makai Pure Deep Sea Salt A salt for true salt lovers… The salt is taken from more than 600 meters below the sea surface. It is harvested from areas with deep underwater currents that move very slowly and rarely reach the surface. The seawater is transported to enclosed salt houses and allowed to dry naturally with the help of solar heat. The harvesting method is completely free from mechanical and chemical bleaching. The crystals of Makai salt are hand-harvested, inspected, and cleaned by hand, actually with tweezers, to exact standards. Slow evaporation aided by the strong sun creates ideal conditions for the characteristic, pure white Makai crystals to form. They are gently scooped into wooden molds where remaining moisture drains from the salt. The salt is then packaged by hand. The salt has a fine, delicate salty flavor that almost turns sweet. It is a gourmet salt worth trying and contains less sodium than other salts. Makai contains 0.4 grams of sodium per serving compared to 0.6 grams in table salt. What does Rahima think? Wow, it’s fantastic, it’s very salty, yet smooth in flavor and sweet. You can take a piece like candy directly in your mouth (if you like salt). I think this salt works well on everything, even on chocolate desserts, I imagine. I haven’t tried that yet. It is coarse-grained (flake salt), so if you want to grind it, a nice mortar is a good option. I like mortars; they look nice, bring out the flavor in spices, and you feel so professional in the kitchen when you crush spices…=)
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