Embracing Mindfulness

Honey: Liquid Gold or Sticky Mess?

June is Men's Health Month and we'd like to take this time to highlight an issue that affects many men: avoiding or ignoring health concerns when they arise. A lot of men do not consider health to be a top priority when it comes to their lifestyle choices. This is influenced by many factors including anxiety, busy schedules and a societal expectation to be stoic and self-reliant. Let's explore: What Do the Numbers Say? Men generally die earlier, become ill at a younger age and develop more chronic illnesses than women. Despite these health concerns, men are also up to 50% less likely to seek medical attention than women. 65% of men said they avoid seeking medical attention for as long as possible, citing reasons such as being too busy, believing ailments will heal by themselves, and feelings of weakness.

Here's to the Dads!

Questions about our Bulk Bags? Let's answer some FAQs: “Are the bags compostable or recyclable?” Some of our bulk bags are compostable, some are recyclable. Compostable bags will have the Turtle symbol on the back of the bag 🐢, while recyclable bags have the recycle symbol on the back ♻️ “What is Turtle Films?” We work with Rootree to make our bulk bags, and Turtle Films is the name of their proprietary (but 3rd party tested) compostable material that the bags are made of. “What are the compostable bags made of?” The compostable bags (Turtle Films) are made of 98% certified home compostable materials like wood pulp cellulose, starch blend and other non-GMO plant-based renewable materials. “Do the compostable bags really compost?” Yes! Several of our staff members have put the compostable bags in their home compost bins and saw them break down. It can take them 8-12 months to fully decompose in a home compost bin. “Where do I put the compostable bags?” If you have a home compost bin, that is your best bet. You can place them in your kitchen compost bin collected by the city - however because they resemble plastic, they may not be properly dealt with at the processing facility and could be sent to the landfill. The good news is that if sent to the landfill, they still will not turn into microplastics or release harmful chemicals into the environment. “How long can the compostable bags last?” The compostable bags are designed to last up to 6 months when stored between 15-16 Celsius at low humidity. “What are the recyclable bags made of and how to dispose of them?” The recyclable bags are made of Polyethylene (FDA approved) and incorporates Post-Consumer recycled and Post-Industrial recycled materials. They are recyclable under Code 2 and can be placed in your blue bin. Have any more questions? You can read more about Rootree's Compostable Bags here , and their Recyclable bags here . Or feel free to contact us and we would be happy to answer your questions.

What is Metabolic Flexibility? Metabolic flexibility means your body can switch between different types of fuel, like fats and carbohydrates, depending on what’s available or how active you are. Glucose is the human body's main fuel source. Your body breaks down complex carbohydrates from grains, vegetables and other foods into glucose. Available fuel: If you eat a meal rich in carbohydrates, your body will prioritize using glucose (from carbs) for energy. If you haven’t eaten recently or are following a low-carb diet, it may rely more on fat storage for fuel. Activity level: During low-intensity activities like walking, your body tends to burn more fat. But when you do high-intensity exercise, like sprinting or weightlifting, your body shifts to using more carbohydrates because they provide quick energy. Why Inflexibility Happens Your body can lose its metabolic flexibility if you develop insulin resistance, are constantly sitting down, gain excess weight, have chronic inflammation, or eat a high-sugar, high-carbohydrate diet. The good news is that metabolic flexibility can often be improved through habits like regular exercise, a balanced diet, and metabolic training (such as intermittent fasting) Benefits of Metabolic Flexibility Weight Loss When your body is metabolically flexible, it has an easier time accessing fat stored during periods of fasting, exercise, or low carbohydrate intake. This is essential for weight loss, as it helps reduce body fat while providing sustained energy without the need for constant eating or snacking. Enhanced Athletic Performance Metabolic flexibility enhances athletic performance by allowing the body to efficiently shift between fuel sources depending on the energy demands of the activity. By improving how the body accesses stored carbohydrates like glycogen, athletes can experience reduced fatigue and improved stamina, ultimately leading to better overall athletic performance. Balanced Energy Levels Switching between burning carbs and fats for fuel ensures steady energy all day. This will help with the constant feeling of being tired, which is often associated with poor metabolic function and unstable blood sugar levels. Balanced cortisol levels and an in-sync circadian rhythm further support stable energy levels. Better Cognitive Function Metabolic flexibility is critical for brain function, as brain cells primarily rely on carbohydrates for energy. With enhanced insulin sensitivity, metabolic flexibility ensures that glucose is efficiently processed and delivered to the brain, supporting cognitive functions like memory, focus, and decision-making. Ways to Boost Vary Your Exercises Your body can get used to using either fat or carbohydrates for fuel — and inefficient with the other — if you only do one type of exercise. For instance, bodies of endurance runners may get used to fat because they spend so much time in the “low and slow” aerobic heart rate zone. For this reason, it is recommended to mix lower-intensity aerobic training with higher-intensity work to ensure that carbohydrates are being utilized for fuel, too. Intermittent Fasting Taking regular breaks from eating (intermittent fasting) helps you switch from burning sugar to burning fat for energy. The process is simple. For example, instead of eating from morning until late at night, you might only eat within an 8-hour period, like from 12 PM to 8 PM. By limiting your eating hours, you suppress insulin for more of the day. With time, your body’s insulin sensitivity improves. Less insulin, more fat burning. Get More Sleep Both the quality and length of sleep are essential to metabolic health. Even partial sleep deprivation can lead to insulin resistance in an otherwise healthy person. In fact, poor sleep can: - Affect hormone levels (lowering leptin increasing ghrelin) - Increase inflammation in the body - Promote insulin resistance - Increase risk for chronic health problems - Increase weight gain So, good sleep hygiene is a key part of improving metabolic flexibility. This goes hand in hand with managing stress, which has a very similar impact on your metabolic health. Less Stress Chronic stress may cause changes in how your body processes glucose, even leading to hyperglycemia or even more reactive hypoglycemia. That built up glucose may increase risk for long-term conditions like diabetes. Taking steps to reduce stress and improve sleep may support healthy glucose regulation, positively affecting metabolic flexibility. Conclusion Having metabolic flexibility is essential for weight loss. However, it's pretty simple to control. Just make sure you have a balanced diet and are exercising regularly and your body will naturally take care of the rest. Make sure to reduce stress and get a good night's sleep every night as well.

Staying Away From Your Screen Can Be Healthy!

Think a classic Caesar salad, but mightier. With the addition of kale, roasted chickpeas, sunflower seeds, and hemp hearts, this Caesar salad is wholesome, protein packed, and delicious! Plus, make your own creamy vegan Caesar salad dressing to top it all off.

Warmer weather calls for refreshing drinks! Looking to skip the expensive & sugar-filled Starbucks menu this summer (or just want to try out making some fun drinks at home? We've got you! Keep scrolling for our Frap, Eh! (Frappuccino dupe with a maple twist), Strawberry Lemonade, and Blueberry Lavender Lemonade recipes. p.s. If you were a '76 Sips fan, you may recognize these drinks from the Summer 2023 menu. 

Mother's Day gifting made easy at Jo Anne's Place!