Product Review: Acure Argan Oil

I am very picky when it comes to my face. I have combination dry/oily skin and have struggled for years with finding a moisturizer that doesn’t make me oily, but actually hydrates at the correct pH. Because I have oily/dry/acne prone skin, I never even considered using an oil on my face. However, after watching a webinar on the AMAZING brand of Acure for skincare, I was intrigued.

The webinar went into detail about this ‘liquid gold’. It is incredibly rich in Vitamin E, Essential Fatty Acids, and Omega 3 and 9. It fends off fine lines by improving your cell regeneration. It helps your skin naturally retain moisture, so your face can remain hydrated and smooth on its own.  The natural fatty acids provide anti-inflammatory support to lessen the swelling of blemishes and relieve redness. The high concentrate of Vitamin E feeds oxygen into the pores of the skin. Oxygen destroys acne-so, for those of you fighting acne, despite your natural disinclination for oils, this is actually one of the best acne fighting products available. 

I haven’t had acne in months. My skin is brighter, clearer, and I no longer get painfully dry and flaky. I love it! You will too. I promise.

This article was contributed by Rynn Jacobson, an Apple Wellness employee. Rynn is going to school for herbology and natural medicine, and will be sharing some of her knowledge on various topics.

Product Highlight: R-Lipoic Acid

Well friends—spring is finally poking its flowers out of the ground, and spreading its wings in the sunshine! With this burst of warm weather, it’s time for us to be busying ourselves with spring cleaning, walks/runs through the parks, taking the dogs to the dog park, gardening, and so on. But there are so many of us still dragging, and dead-on-our-feet tired.

 Luckily for those of you still in the winter hum-drum doldrums, we know a wonderful secret to curing your worn out self. R-Lipoic Acid is one of the greatest nutrients for restoring lost energy! It nourishes your cells mitochondria –the furnace inside each of your cells, to increase their efficacy, activity, and energy! Every cell in your body benefits—even your brain, as R-Lipoic acid freely passes your blood-brain barrier, which few other substances are able to do. When your cells are nourished, you become energized!

 R-Lipoic Acid is the only entirely NATURALLY occurring Lipoic Acid. This means, it is naturally found in plants, animals, and in our own bodies. Thus, when we ingest it, our bodies are able to recognize it swiftly for maximum absorption and assimilation. Synthesized Lipoic Acid is difficult for the body to recognize. Also, studies have suggested that synthetic Lipoic Acid actually decreases your body’s natural levels of R-Lipoic Acid!

Here are just a few more highlights of this amazing product:
• Excellent cellular rejuvenation works wonders for hair, skin, and nails!
• Appetite control! The increased cellular nourishment means you’ll need less caloric intake.
• Helps curb sugar/carb cravings-- great aid for weight loss!
• SuperMan of super-antioxidants! It fights off free radicals, oxidative stress and toxins more effectively than Acai, Noni, Gji, Mangostine and Resveratrol—combined!
• Recharges the mitochondria in your cells giving increased energy.
• Assists with mental clarity, focus, and helps repair and refresh your brain cells.
• It converts glucose into energy, so helping balance your insulin levels. Everyone who has (Type 2) diabetes should be taking this!
• It recycles your bodies Vitamin C, E and CoQ10. Go green!
• It has been used in Europe for decades as a preventive treatment for neurological degenerative diseases such as Alzheimers, Parkinsons, and glaucoma.

 Don’t face spring with circles under your eyes and dragging feet.. You have far too much to do for that!

Here are a couple links for articles regarding R-Lipoic Acid, written by Geronova, an innovative nutrient company located here in the USA.

 http://www.geronova.com/content/effects-r-lipoic-acid-wound-healing
http://www.geronova.com/content/r-lipoic-acid-protects-against-oxidative-stress-retinal-neurons
http://www.geronova.com/content/lipoic-acids-information-studies-research

This article was contributed by Rynn Jacobson, an Apple Wellness employee. Rynn is going to school for herbology and natural medicine, and will be sharing some of her knowledge on various topics.

Tea Party: Part 1

This article was contributed by Rynn Jacobson, an Apple Wellness employee. Rynn is going to school for herbology and natural medicine, and will be sharing some of her knowledge on teas and their healing properties. Follow along as she welcomes us into the world of healing teas.

 

 I love tea. Passionately. It is coming close to an obsession these days. I have tea 

in the morning with my breakfast, in the evening after dinner and as a reward for finishing my housework.

 

I suspect there are those of you thinking, “Meh, I’m a coffee lover. Who has time for tea? Tea is for people who can’t handle the magical energizing mania of caffeine.” It may surprise you to know then, you coffee-obsessed, that just a short time ago I was a stoic follower of those magical beans as well. What happened? You may ask—

 

My doctor happened. She told me in no uncertain terms that coffee was allowed only as an occasional treat for me, and in small amounts. (This isn't to say that everyone should cut out coffee from their diet--this was advised due to a medical condition.)

 

You see, both my husband and I spent some time as barista’s and developed a distinctive coffee snobbery. You know the type, right? We chatter excitedly about organic fair-trade perfectly brewed and locally roasted blends and visit only the local coffee shops at which, “They know what they’re doing…” 

And so, about eight months ago, I found my days dreary and dim without my crisp cuppa' joe. My afternoons were dismal without my delicious pick-me-up. The full flavor, the acidic, energizing intensity of a mug of coffee made it difficult to appreciate the soothing, beguiling subtleties of an aromatic tea. 

But gradually, I realized I was being romanced by my tea pot. 

I’m going to say something that may seem shocking. Compared to tea, coffee is simply boring. Tea is an adventure. And there is something else about tea that intrigues. Tea is something that coffee can never compare to. Tea is healing. 

 

There is a tea for every ailment of the body, a warm beverage for every wrinkle in the mind. Tea can soothe your aches, energize your muscles, purify your blood, clean out your intestines, relieve your fever, clear your congestion... Let me prove it to you.

 

We are going to be launching the weeks together with a cup of tea in our mornings. Each week, we’ll have a tea to review. I’ll tell you how to prepare it, what it tastes like, and what it’s good for. Consider yourself cordially invited to our tea party.

Meet Our New Employees.

 MEET BEN:

Hi, my name is Ben Tesmer. I have been in the fitness industry for the past four years, working with all types of athletes, making sure they have all the best equipment they need to succeed. I am currently serving in the Marine Corps Reserve Golf Co. 2/24 and will be attending school for personal training. It is an incredibly rewarding field to be a part of. There is nothing better than helping people achieve their fitness goals. I am excited to be apart of the Apple Wellness team, and to further my career in this exciting industry.

MEET RYNN:

Hello! My name is Rynn Jacobson. I am passionate to help everyone learn how to properly care for themselves and their families through proper nutrition and natural remedies. Currently, I am going to school for herbology and natural healing.  I look forward to sharing my increasing knowledge with our members!

 

My husband and I have lived in Madison for several years. Our favorite things to do are explore coffee shops, go for long hikes with our dog Reynard,  read classical literature, and travel. 

NATURAL COUGH REMEDY

 It's that time of year. If you find yourself coughing – and coughing some more – here is a soothing natural remedy that is safe for adults and babies. Not only does it help relieve symptoms, it also boosts your immune system and helps to lessen the severity of the illness. Give it a try and let us know if it helps!

  DIRECTIONS:

Bring a large saucepan of water to boil. Once boiling, add one generous tablespoon of oregano, thyme, and sage. Stir in and let steep for 2-3 minutes. Remove pan from heat.

FOR ADULTS:

Pour the hot liquid into a large bowl. Put a towel over your head and the bowl and inhale deeply. Try to keep it up for about ten minutes.

FOR CHILDREN:

This requires two adults. Pour the hot liquid into a large bowl. Put the bowl on the floor. Have one adult hold the child in their lap, being very (VERY!) careful not to let the child touch the boiling hot water. Have the other adult hold a large blanket over their heads and the bowl, making a "tent". All the steam will stay under the blanket. Try to keep them under for about ten minutes. The longer the better.

These herbs are antibacterial and antiviral and will immediately start working to clear up the cold in your throat and lungs. Cold viruses are sensitive to heat and the warm air will help to loosen congestion.

Healthy Recipe: Onion Chickpea Curry Dip

This recipe is another family favorite. It's a variation of a recipe I got out of the cookbook Raw Energy, and with a few modifications and ingredient switches, we all love it! It has a little bit of a zing to it (thanks, onion!) and the texture is so creamy. 

If you love Indian, you'll love this dip on chips, with veggies, or even spread on a sandwich! (If you don't love Indian, you could always swap out the spices and try another variation without the curry!)

Onion Chickpea Curry Dip

1 cup raw cashews

1/3 cup raw onion, roughly chopped

1 can garbanzo beans, drained

the juice of 1 lemon

2.5 TB coconut oil

1 tsp sweet curry powder

1 tsp sea salt

1/2 tsp black pepper

Place all the ingredients in a food processor and blend until smooth. 

Store in a tightly sealed container for up to one week. 

Enjoy! 

Healthy Recipe: Coconut Balls

These coconut balls are incredibly delicious and surprisingly healthy. They are gluten-free, dairy free, sugar free, and egg free… making them the perfect treat for just about everybody!

This recipe is a family original and has become a family favorite as well. We recently made these for our daughter's first birthday party and they were a huge hit. Enjoy!

Healthy Coconut Balls

2 cups raw cashews

1 cup gluten-free oats

10 pitted medjool dates

1 1/2 TB coconut oil

1 tsp salt

1 tsp cinnamon

1/4 cup maple syrup

Combine all the ingredients except the maple syrup in a food processor. Pulse until the mixture is coarsely chopped and mixed together. Turn the processor on low and pour in the maple syrup. The consistency should be a little sticky. If it appears too dry, add more maple syrup as needed. Once the maple syrup is added, let the processor run on a medium speed for about a minute, until the mixture is thoroughly combined. Scoop out and roll into balls. 

Variation: Add 1/2 cup chocolate chips and 1/2 cup cocoa powder for a delicious chocolate version!