Relax & Reclaim

When you start to age, your body sometimes let's you know that it's time for a reset. Some people get concerned about how to extend their lives or make their lives more fulfilling.  We received a question from a reader with initials "A.G." from The Netherlands asking about longevity. Here's an excerpt from A.G.'s email:  " ...I am wanting to find ways to increase my life span. I read a lot of books on this subject and many of them talk about some crazy ways to lengthen your lifespan.  There was one book that talked about only eating fruit grown from volcanic soil will add 5 years ( where do I find that? ).  Another talked about sleeping 18 hours straight once a month for 12 months to add 6 years to your life ( I am extremely busy and simply cannot allocate that amount of time! ). I read another that talked about working out intensely for 45 minutes one day a week for 90 days to add 10 years ( I am up in age now and I don't think my body...

Sugar gets a bad rap sometimes.  Don't roll your eyes...  We'll explain later.  In the meantime.... Every year, students of world history get introduced to the conquistadors — the rough-and-tumble Spanish explorers who roamed the Americas in the 1500s in search of gold, silver, and apparently anything shiny enough to plant a flag next to. Then there was Juan Ponce de León, who had a different obsession: living forever. He'd heard rumors of a magical Fountain of Youth — a spring where one sip would stop the clock on aging entirely.  Juan Ponce de Leon So he paid some locals to take him there. He came.  He drank.  He aged. What's especially funny is that the real discovery wasn't the fountain — it was the conquistadors themselves. Word had spread across the continent: these guys have money, and they'll believe anything. A thriving cottage industry of "mystical discovery tours" followed. The locals pocketed the cash.  Ponce got credit for discovering Flor...

Thank you to our loyal blog visitors for your ongoing support and feedback, which helps us enhance your experience here on Relax and Reclaim .  We’ve noticed a strong interest in our recent posts about natural skincare . You've asked us to focus on anti-aging solutions for individuals with specific skin concerns.  In response to your requests, we are excited to announce that we will be expanding our content in this area to better serve your needs starting with this article. staying flawless takes effort  Save Your Face Let's face it (no pun intended), skin issues are the gift that just keeps on giving. Many of us deal with these annoying problems every single day!  Our skin, especially our lovely faces, receive a huge barrage of heat, dust, and not-so-clean air. These ongoing attacks can lead to skin issues like aging and wrinkles.  What’s behind this aging drama? Well, it’s a mix of genetics and those ever-present UV rays from the sun. But, ...

If shedding pounds after 50 feels like an uphill battle, you’re not alone. A slowing metabolism, muscle loss, and mobility concerns can make traditional weight loss methods less effective.  But here’s the good news—you can still lose weight successfully!  The key?  Work with your body by optimizing metabolism, making smart food choices , and embracing low-impact exercises that burn fat without unnecessary strain. Boosting Your Metabolism After 50 Your basal metabolic rate (BMR)—the calories your body burns at rest—naturally decreases with age, dropping 1-2% per decade after 30 due to muscle loss. This means eating the same way you did in your 30s can now lead to weight gain. The fix?  Maintain and build lean muscle! Strength training (even with light resistance) can increase BMR by 5-10%, since muscle burns more calories than fat, even at rest. If lifting weights isn’t for you, try bodyweight exercises, resistance bands, or water aerobics for joint-friendly strength...

Ever feel like your metabolism’s stuck in a slow-motion loop? 🐢 You’re not alone! I've been there before myself. When dieting and exercise just aren't helping you to hit your goals it can be very frustrating. It's like you've hit a wall and you can't seem to get past it. 🧱 It can seem like your body’s inner engine takes an unscheduled break just when you’re hoping it will work overtime. That, of course is the bad news. The good news? There are simple, science-backed ways to get it humming again—and maybe even turn up the heat on calorie burn.🔥 Let me show you what I mean: 1. Resting Metabolic Rate (RMR): The Secret Saboteur 👿 Here’s the deal: after your 20s, your RMR—basically the calories you burn just staying alive—drops about 1-2% every decade. Not exactly thrilling news, but here’s the catch: this slowdown isn’t set in stone. Factors like activity level, muscle mass, and diet all play a massive role in how much your RMR dips. Translation?  Staying active an...