Relax & Reclaim

It's sweltering in some places, and people are trying to beat the heat. Staying hydrated and getting your vitamins from healthy foods is key. Salads are a fantastic option for both. The great thing about salads is that they're relatively simple to make. Depending on the type of salad you want to make, just a handful of ingredients are usually needed.  Top it off, salads can be created in a very short period of time. That's why people love them so much! Check out this classic salad that everyone loves: Caprese-Style Salad 2 medium red, ripe tomatoes, cut into eight slices 1 bunch fresh basil, leaves removed, washed and patted dry with a paper towel 8 oz. fresh mozzarella, cut into eight slices 2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil 1/8 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper (optional) 1/8 teaspoon sea salt (optional) Preparation : On a large serving platter layer slice of tomato, larger basil leaves, and mozzarella slices.  Repeat the layers wh...

This is a follow-up to our budget series which covers both grocery shopping and cooking. In case you missed it, check it out here first , then here , and then here  ( make sure you come right back! ). Okay, so now that you're up to date, here's the meal plan that matches your diet preference! Cheap 7‑Day Vegan Meal Plan This plan is built entirely from staple foods like: beans, lentils, oats, rice/quinoa, tofu/tempeh, potatoes, carrots, cabbage, onions, frozen veg, bananas/apples, peanut butter, canned goods, nutritional yeast! A couple of notes are due before we hop in: - This plan is proportioned  for 1 adult and easy to scale (double everything for 2 ).   - Batch-cook once or twice and reuse ingredients to save time and money.   - Prep tips: cook a big pot of lentils/beans, a batch of rice, and roast a sheet pan of mixed veggies on Day 1. Freeze any extras. Got it? Now let's put it all together! Day 1 (Prep day) Breakfast : Overnight oa...

Tuna salad is considered to be a staple food for warmer weather.  Real simple stuff.  Tuna, mayo vegetables, mix, chill and serve.  Not too complicated.  Well, this recipe is also very simple and just as delicious! 😋  This salad is perfect for a lunch and a great way to add lots of colorful vegetables to your meals.  You'll really impress your family on your next picnic with this dish. It tastes absolutely amazing when you take time to make it. Let's get into it! Ingredients Two large cans of tuna in spring water drained One-half cup of quinoa One-half teaspoon of vegetable stock One cup of cubed and cooked butternut squash Three-quarters cup of peeled sweet potato  One-half large cucumber One half cup of baby spinach One half cup of thawed frozen peas One quarter cup of kidney beans One quarter cup of low-fat feta cheese One half cup of your favorite mayo ( amount depends on your personal preference for taste and texture) A few sprigs of ...

Dragon breath can be a real monster. 🐉  Almost half of the staff here at Relax and Reclaim were all in on writing this article in Old English (i.e. "ye", "thou", "forsooth", etc.) It got voted down. 👎 Maybe next time....🤔 Anyway, picture a dragon swooping down over a quiet village, breathing thick, sulfurous smoke that clears out entire crowds in seconds. Now imagine doing that exact same thing every time you lean in to whisper a secret or say hello at a dinner party. Bad breath—or halitosis —is one of the ultimate interpersonal dealbreakers. It’s a socially limiting ailment that quietly stifles romantic lives, kills job interview confidence, and forces people to keep an anxious distance. Most people assume bad breath is just a sign of someone being lazy with their toothbrush. But the truth is far more frustrating: millions of people who scrub their teeth daily are still battling the beast . That’s because bad breath isn't just abou...

We’ve all been there: You’re driving down the highway, music up, feeling great, when suddenly a tiny orange light flickers on the dashboard.  Do you pull over immediately?  Of course not.  You ignore it for three weeks and hope it just “goes away.” ​Believe It Or Not : Your body does the exact same thing. ​That random eye twitch? The sudden breakout on your jawline? The fact that you’re “zombie-level” tired after ten hours of sleep?  Those aren't just quirks of getting older—they’re your internal dashboard flashing a warning. check engine light ​Most of us are running on "low fuel" without even realizing it. We blame stress, the weather, or a bad pillow, when the reality is usually much simpler: You’re missing a key ingredient. ​After sitting on this research for five years ( yes, really—good things take time! ), I’ve narrowed down the six most common nutritional gaps that are likely messing with your vibe.  Let’s decode the signals your body is sending...

🎵 Money's Too Tight To Mention 🎵                - Simply Red Ain't that an appropriate song for today's economy? Low cost is great, but free is always better.... A reader named PJ sent us the following regarding our "Budget" series: " Too bad nobody's figured out how to lose weight on a dime (hint, hint!)... " We got your back, PJ! ICYMI : Here's the links to the previous articles on budget buying -- the first article & the second article . Affordable Ways To Lose Weight  Weight loss plans have a nasty habit of turning into weight loss subscriptions.  Coaching apps, boutique gym memberships, powders in tubs the size of paint cans — the wellness industry would love for you to believe that fat loss requires a monthly invoice. It doesn't.  The mechanics of losing weight and keeping it off haven't changed: move more, eat with intention, and stay consistent longer than your willpower wants you to.  None o...