The leaves are turning, the wind is rustling and spooky time is here! This is a great time to enjoy a trip to a pumpkin patch with your family, peep some fall leaves on a fall hike or visit your local farmers market for fall squash and other harvest goods. This week, we help you get that cozy pumpkin spice feeling without all the sugar and additives. Read on for our Halloween picks and tips on how to cultivate fall hygge (cozy feelings) with health in mind.
Here are our top healthy Halloween picks:
1. Get that cozy pumpkin spice feeling without all the sugar and additives. Nature's Plus Pumpkin Seed Protein Powder is made with pumpkin seed protein, and you could easily make it into a tasty pumpkin spice smoothie (just add milk of choice and a pumpkin spice mix) for a seasonal protein boost.
2. For Licorice lovers there's no other Halloween candy they'd like. Try Panda Soft Black Licorice for the purest, most natural licorice you can get.
3. If you're feeling spooky and wired around bedtime you may want to try out L-theanine, known to help promote calm, focus and relaxation.
4. Want some candy that doesn't cause tooth decay? Dentists actually recommend xylitol, because it helps protect teeth. Get in the spooky spirit with xylitol-sweetened Ice Chips Pumpkin Spice Candy.
5. Fight inflammation and brain fog this fall with Fungi Perfecti's Lion's Maine extract.
6. Live that pumpkin spice life while nourishing your lips with natural lip balm made with bees wax. Try Burt's Bees Pumpkin Spice Lip Balm this spooky season.
7. No nightmares here, just peaceful sleep! Try Nature's Plus Dreaminol with melatonin and magnesium to ease you to sleep and a variety of herbs to help battle stress.
8. Fall might make you think of apple cider, but what about apple cider vinegar? Braggs has been making apple cider vinegar since before it was trendy, and now they've made tasty flavors like citrus ginger. Not only is it delicious in salad dressing and quick pickles, it helps lower blood sugar!
by Jeani Hunt, MS, RD, CD, VitaminLife's resident dietitian and owner of VeggieLush Nutrition.
The air is chilly and gray skies are getting more common, so it's time to get that lovely cozy feeling while keeping health in mind. Here are 5 ways to cultivate Hygge or that cozy feeling while staying healthy this fall.
1. Lean into fall spices - Pretty much all fall spices are anti-inflammatory and many are antimicrobial. Take cinnamon, which helps regulate blood sugar and is anti-inflammatory or cloves which are antimicrobial. Stave off colds and promote wellness by using these in teas, home-made pumpkin spice lattes and soups and stews.
2. Gather for meals - As the sun goes down earlier and the weather gets colder, family BBQs and outdoor gatherings become less feasible, but that doesn't mean you can't still gather around the table. Plus, eating dinner with the family is shown to benefit both kids and parents emotionally. Ditch the phones, light some candles and enjoy your family's company over a tasty meal.
3. Try an herbal remedy - While gardening is probably done for the year, it doesn't mean you can't use some dried herbs and make a soothing compress or try your hand at making an anti-inflammatory tincture.
4. Go apple picking or visit a local pumpkin patch - One of the joys of the season is seeing the harvest first hand at a farm. If you're close enough to one, this is a great time to get outdoors and have some family fun.
5. Make a hearty soup or stew - There's nothing like a satisfying soup or stew this time of year. Pack it with anti-inflammatory foods like garlic and ginger, beans and leafy greens and you have an immune-boosting treat that will leave you feeling warm and cozy.
Need more help finding everything you need to live #ThatVitaminLife - a life of health, wellness, joy and balance? Shoot us an email at customerservice@vitaminlife.com or call our help line: 866-998-8855 or 425-420-9100
