Relax & Reclaim

Are you ready to get down and dirty? We are..how about you ? Not everyone can stare into a cup of plain black coffee at 7 a.m. and pretend they're perfectly happy until lunch. That's where the idea of dirty fasting comes in. Instead of following the strict rules of a traditional intermittent fast, dirty fasting allows a few calories during your fasting window. The goal isn't to have a snack or a mini breakfast.  It's simply to make fasting a little more manageable without completely throwing away the benefits. So... does it actually work? The answer is a little more complicated than a simple yes or no. starting the day off with fasting What Is Dirty Fasting? Dirty fasting is a modified version of intermittent fasting .  During your fasting period, you consume a very small number of calories—usually fewer than 50 to 100 . People often add things like: A splash of heavy cream in coffee A teaspoon of MCT oil Bone broth Unsweetened almond milk in coffee Zero-cal...

We all have at least one friend or family member that we sometimes disagree with on one subject or another.  Some subjects tend to raise more controversy than others. In the end though, it always ends in a draw or at least the proverbial agreement to “not agree”.  The person I am referring to is one of my best friends ever. We grew up together in the same neighborhood and we share a lot of mutual interests and opinions. Except for the subject of fasting for health . He is of the persuasion that you don't have to “starve” (read: fast) yourself in order to obtain optimal health. I, of course, disagree with that…insinuation.  Here at Relax and Reclaim, we want to give you the facts about all the topics we discuss and let YOU decide for yourself. So, this article is dedicated to my friend and anyone else who may have the same or similar viewpoint. glass of water with lemon and lime in it What’s Fasting, Anyway? Fasting simply means going without food for a set amount of t...

In many parts of the world, Valentine's Day is celebrated as a holiday to commemorate romantic liaisons between two people in love (or lust, depending on your idea of love) with each other.  One way to symbolize romance on Valentine's Day is through trinkets or (usually unhealthy) food gifts.  I wanted to take this time to show you that Valentine's Day is also an opportunity to improve your health with some very sexy fruits. Enjoy! Nothing says romance quite like indulging in something sweet, juicy, and just a little bit decadent. Whether you're feeding them to someone special, savoring each bite for effect, or simply treating yourself to nature’s most tempting delights, these fruits are as seductive as they are nourishing. It's said that chocolate has a few benefits too.  😘 Apple Crisp, luscious, and irresistibly refreshing, apples are packed with fiber, vitamin C, and antioxidants that support heart health.  They can aid digestion, help regulate cholesterol...

What if I told you that two of the tiniest seeds known to humanity have more nutrients in them than you ever thought possible? What if these seeds were readily available for purchase and are so common you could literally find them anywhere? What are these amazing seeds you might ask?  Sunflower and Black sesame seeds! Check it out below! 👇  What Makes These Seeds Special? Sunflower and sesame seeds are small but mighty when it comes to nutrition! Packed with essential vitamins , minerals, and fiber, they’re a simple, natural way to support your overall health —especially digestion. Let’s break down why they’re worth adding to your diet. sunflower with seeds 🌞 Sunflower Seeds: Nutritional Highlights Loaded with Vitamins: Vitamin E (antioxidant hero), manganese, magnesium, and selenium. Rich in Fiber: Up to 12 grams per serving—great for keeping things moving! Protein Power: About 5.5 grams per ounce. Healthy Fats: High in omega-6 fatty acids, perfect in moderation. * We ...

As you all are aware, we get emails from time to time from readers asking about different diet and weight loss methods . We try to answer them in as timely a manner as possible, but sometimes we get so many inquiries that we have to address them with a post. What Intermittent Fasting Is And Isn't  Intermittent fasting isn’t about starving yourself—it’s about giving your body intentional recovery time. Think of it as hitting the reset button on your metabolism, digestion, and cellular health. By limiting your eating window, you’re doing more than skipping snacks—you’re activating a powerful set of biological processes that support fat loss, reduce inflammation, and optimize brain function.  Here’s how intermittent fasting works and how to start using it to enhance your wellness routine. fasting typecast  The Proven Benefits of Intermittent Fasting 1. Fasting for Weight Loss Intermittent fasting helps your body tap into stored fat for fuel. Research from Johns ...

Elie Metchnikoff (1845–1916) Russian Nobel Prize–winning biologist Elie Metchnikoff (1845–1916) is often credited with the saying “ Death begins in the colon .” Whether he meant it literally or not, it’s a phrase that stuck and for good reason.  As you all know, we do our best to bring you timely information on the benefits and warnings about health and wellness . Occasionally, we run across new data that changes how we all should approach our overall health. It's all for the good. Gut health truly plays an essential role in how we feel, especially as we get older. We've been asked plenty of times about colon cleansing: Is it safe? Does it really detox the body? Can it help with weight loss?  We're going to take a look at what research says today, and what that means for those of us that have gut health concerns. * Please be advised that the topics being discussed on this website are solely for informational purposes and should not be interpreted as medical ad...

Overeating can cause gas bloating as well as abdominal discomfort. This also causes the digestive system to function abnormally as it's only able to break down significantly smaller portions of food on a gradual basis.  It's like filling up or over stuffing a bag without ever considering its capacity to endure compiled material. One of the main purposes for fasting is to detoxify or purify your body from various impurities. It gives your body the opportunity to fine-tune itself for complete balance . Fasting is a vital part of maintaining a balanced and healthy life. I'd like to briefly describe to you five highly effective fasting techniques. A trained medical professional should always be consulted before starting any alternative health therapies.Ultimately, the responsibility lies with the reader and not with this site or the author.  If you have any questions about whether or not fasting is a viable option, you should always consult with your physician first....

Raw foods are an excellent choice for maintaining good health and achieving a balanced diet. Raw foods are not for everyone, but they do have their benefits for someone pursuing better health and weight loss. Is The Raw Food Diet Good For Humans? We live in a world of convenience, often filled with highly processed meals and snacks. It’s easy to forget what we’re really feeding our bodies. Have we turned into food landfills instead of the nutrient-absorbing beings we’re meant to be?  It might be time to rethink our habits and rediscover the power of raw foods. Again, I must emphasize that raw diets aren’t for everyone, but even small changes—like adding a raw meal here and there—can make a big difference. Let’s explore the benefits, challenges, and simple ways to embrace raw eating. raw foods on display What Can You Eat During A Raw Food Diet ? At its core, a raw food diet focuses on eating natural, unprocessed foods—often fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds—in their most basic...

Green tea has a long and fascinating history that dates back thousands of years, beginning with an intriguing legend. According to ancient Chinese tales, Emperor Shen Nung accidentally dropped tea leaves into boiling water. Curious, he tasted it and found it incredibly refreshing. This moment marked the beginning of  green tea   as a popular beverage and a natural remedy. In modern times, green tea has evolved beyond its traditional uses. Today, scientific studies back up the age-old belief that green tea offers numerous health benefits that can greatly improve your well-being. tea leaves in hand What Makes Green Tea Unique? Green tea, along with black tea and oolong tea, comes from the same plant, Camellia sinensis. The difference lies in how they are processed. Green tea leaves are either steamed or pan-heated right after picking, which helps retain their nutrients and prevents oxidation. In contrast, black tea is fully fermented, resulting in a stronger flavor but redu...