Relax & Reclaim

It's recipe time again, folks! Believe it or not, I actually keep a catalog of recipes I've either gotten from others or created myself. The goal here at Relax and Reclaim is to provide you with healthy and simple-to-make recipes that will hopefully become a part of your wellness menu for years to come! I've had this smoothie recipe for a few years but was unable to locate it until recently while going through some old study notes. Anyway, we always believe in trying out these recipes before we share them with you. Just to make sure they're up to par and tasty. I call this drink "Morning Glory In A Glass". Not only is this drink effective in cleansing , but it is also quite tasty. * Please note that there are nuts included in the list of ingredients, so if you have an allergy please consult with your physician or health provider first.* When I made this drink before I used to just dump the ingredients into the blender and proceed with mixing. Bad cho...

We took a moment here at Relax and Reclaim to look at topics that were recommended to us by you. We found that at least 80% of the correspondence we received from you were requests to get into the subject matter of herbs and how they can affect your health and mood. Quite impressive! Thank you for submitting your answers! We try to take a balanced approach to the subject matter we cover for your information. Our long-time readers know that we lay this info out for you in the plainest terms as possible so that it can be easily understood. Alright, so let's get into this... What Is The Most Powerful Healing Herb? There are many known (and unknown) powerful herbs that can be used as a means of curing a myriad of diseases in combination. However, at this time, there is no known single cure or panacea (an alleged cure-all for all diseases).  If you combine some aspects of numerous herbs and spices , you may be able to cure or alleviate certain illnesses. For ages, herbs have been the g...

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...

Have you ever heard of a relaxation space? This dedicated area allows you to unwind and rejuvenate, providing a sanctuary where you can escape the stresses of daily life . A relaxation space offers numerous benefits that can enhance your overall well-being. What better place to set it up than at home, right? By taking the time to design this personal corner, you can experience improved mental clarity and emotional balance. It serves as a vital tool for stress management, enabling you to breathe deeply and slow down in a fast-paced world.  Your relaxation space can create a sense of peace and can prepare you to face daily challenges , and  can help you to reclaim your inner calm. It's real simple to do—just find a corner, add calming elements, and let your relaxation space become a key contributor to your overall health and happiness. Still not sure how to achieve this? I’ve got some suggestions below for you and (most importantly) it doesn't matter what budget you have.  Anybo...

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...

At Relax & Reclaim , we’re committed to helping those who want to improve their health. There’s no one-size-fits-all solution, so we aim to provide a variety of practical approaches to guide you on this journey. If you’ve been following global health trends, you’ve probably noticed growing concerns about environmental toxins. Toxicity , a term that refers to harmful substances and their impact, is one of the biggest challenges we face today. What Is Toxicity In Humans? So, what exactly is toxicity? Simply put, it’s the harmful effects caused by pollutants—substances like GMOs , pesticides, PCBs , and petroleum by-products—that contaminate our environment. Every day, these pollutants reach us through the air we breathe, the water we drink, and even the food on our plates. While it’s nearly impossible to avoid all exposure, we do have some control over how we equip our bodies to manage these intrusions. This issue demands attention, and at Relax & Reclaim , we often get question...

Believe it or not, some readers asked if there was any difference between vegetarians and raw foodists.  They have their similarities AND are different at the same time.  We will attempt to break down the basic differences in the simplest terms available so that everyone has at least a clearer understanding of these culinary cultures. Here we go! 🌱 Vegetarians vs. Raw Foodists: What’s the Difference? Ever wondered if there's a difference between being vegetarian and following a raw food diet? The short answer—yes! But both lifestyles have one thing in common: a deep love for plants. 🥦 Vegetarian vs. Raw Foodist: Who Eats What? A vegetarian skips meat, fish, and poultry, sticking to plant-based foods like veggies, grains, and legumes. Some enjoy dairy and eggs (lacto-ovo vegetarians), while others avoid all animal products altogether (vegans). A raw foodist , on the other hand, takes things a step further. Their diet consists mostly of uncooked, unprocessed, and often organic...