by Christina | Jul 6, 2019 | Recipes, Wellness
If you have trouble winding down at night or falling asleep, this recipe is going to CHANGE YOUR LIFE. Warning: only drink this at night!
If you listen to my podcast, I’m sure you already know two staple parts of my nightly routine – a dropper of Ned Full-Spectrum Hemp Oil under my tongue, and a cup of Four Sigmatic Reishi.
I started drinking Reishi about a year ago as my daily nightcap after learning how great it was for reducing stress and promoting restful sleep. Reishi is a functional mushroom that works with your body to naturally calm you down and help you zen out after a long day. My brain tends to run a million miles a minute, so winding down at night has always been a little tricky for me.
I immediately noticed a huge difference when I started drinking Reishi – I was so relaxed. It almost seemed too good to be true because it tastes so delicious! I’ve been a huge fan of Four Sigmatic for a long time, and I love that they make drinking functional mushrooms so easy to do. All you have to do is add an elixir pack to warm water, stir, and you’re good to go! Functional mushrooms can sometimes taste like dirt when you buy them from the store (just being honest), but Four Sigmatic elixirs taste delicious and earthy. (You can use my code “CRW” for 15% off any Four Sigmatic products!)
Four Sigmatic’s Reishi is definitely one of my all-time favorite products. It helps me calm down at night so that I can relax and get a good night’s sleep. I also like to drink some during the day if I’m feeling particularly amped up and need something to help me chill out!
Ned’s Full Spectrum Hemp Oil also became a part of my daily routine about a year ago now, and I truly cannot live without this stuff. Most people are familiar with CBD, but Ned isn’t just CBD. (They don’t call their product CBD because only pharmaceutical companies can legally use the term CBD. Any companies using CBD on their packaging are technically in violation of FDA regulations.) Ned’s full spectrum hemp oil contains cannabidiol (CBD) as well as the full range of other active cannabinoids like CBG, CBC, CBDa, and CBGa. It’s the full spectrum of phytocannabinoids working together, not just the CBD, that really offers true healing powers. (You can use my code “wellness” for 15% off any Ned products!)
What’s so great about full-spectrum hemp oil? Cannabinoids stimulate the endocannabinoid system, helping the body to maintain homeostasis. This affects all systems in the body and helps you “balance out,” so to speak. That’s why CBD has so many potential health benefits and uses. Cannabinoids can help with insomnia, anxiety, depression, PTSD, and a number of chronic conditions like epilepsy, Parkinson’s, and Alzheimer’s. CBD is also an extremely effective anti-inflammatory and natural pain-reliever. It can even help to balance out hormones, and it’s a rich source of antioxidants.
Ned is the only full-spectrum hemp oil I use because it’s the highest quality out there and isn’t filled with any fillers – which means it actually works. The majority of CBD oils on the market don’t even contain the amount of CBD they claim (if any at all!), and most are cut with inflammatory oils and “natural flavors.” Ned’s Full Spectrum Hemp Oil just contains the CBD and non-GMO MCT oil, and they’ve been infused with love and gratitude.
I personally use Ned for a few reasons. What drew me to it first was anxiety relief and to help with my sleep, but later on I realized how helpful it was for reducing my inflammation and balancing out my hormones. I usually use the 750 mg bottle, but I recommend starting with 300 mg and working your way up. I use 1500 mg sometimes!
It didn’t take long to realize that Reishi and Ned together would be a powerhouse for nights when I really needed a great night’s sleep. Like I said, sometimes it’s hard for me to wind down after a go-go-go day, especially when I have a lot on my mind. Getting to sleep is a pretty common issue that my clients, friends, and family deal with as well, and taking a melatonin supplement is not the best way to go. It’s a much better option to use completely natural remedies that don’t mess with your natural hormone production.
I have to give a shoutout to my dear friend Addie Martanovic from Chickpea in the City for this recipe, because we always joke about how the best way to pass out in 5 minutes is to mix Four Sigmatic Reishi with Ned. It will knock you out, in the best way possible. (Don’t worry, you’ll make it to your bed.)
This is the perfect evening elixir if you have trouble relaxing at night or falling asleep, or if you’re looking for a delicious way to incorporate both of these products together! It only takes a minute to whip up, and it’s the perfecting soothing drink before a long night’s sleep.
This recipe is paleo, vegan, and sugar-free. You can replace the coconut milk with another nut milk, but I love the way the coconut milk adds a rich, creamy texture. If you want the ultimate drink to help knock you out naturally out so you can have the best sleep of your life, this is for you!
The Nighttime Knockout Latte (Paleo / Vegan)
Time: 5 minutes
Serves: 1
Ingredients:
Instructions:
- Heat coconut milk and water up in a small saucepan over medium heat.
- Pour in the rest of the ingredients, and stir until well combined.
- When the drink reaches your desired temperature, pour into a mug and enjoy!
by Christina | Jul 6, 2019 | Wellness
If you’re looking to make the most out of your time working out, full-body workouts are the way to go. This is a great workout for when you want to hit all parts of your body in a timely manner! All you need is a set of dumbbells. The heavier your dumbbells are, the less reps you’ll need to do.
Adjust the rep ranges to your fitness level, and make sure that you’re doing each rep with proper form. If your form breaks down, you’re doing too many reps! Stop 1-2 reps before fatigue. Make sure you warm up / prime your body before getting started.
This workout is divided into supersets. Perform each exercise in the superset one after another, and then rest 30 seconds. Repeat the superset 3 times total. After you’ve completed the superset 3 times, rest 1 minute before moving onto the next superset.
Superset 1:
Dumbbell Curtsy Lunges, 8-15 reps each side (video)
Dumbbell Romanian Deadlift, 8-15 reps (video)
Superset 2:
Single Arm Row, 8-12 reps each side (video)
Single Arm Chest Press, 8-15 reps each side (video)
Superset 3:
Dumbbell Goblet Squat, 8-15 reps (video)
Forward Lunges, 8-15 reps each side (video)
Superset 4:
Hammer Curls, 8-15 reps (video)
Tricep Kickbacks, 8-15 reps (video)
Superset 5:
Frog Pumps, 15-20 reps (video)
Reverse Crunches, 15-20 reps (video)
by Christina | Jul 5, 2019 | Member Exclusives, Wellness
Cold sores can be very painful and frustrating to deal with, but thankfully there are a number of natural remedies that can help to get rid of them naturally and keep them away longterm. Cold sores are actually very common – 90% of people get at least one in their lifetime, and about 40% of people deal with recurring cold sores.
Cold sores, also called fever blisters, usually pop up along the edges of the lips, unlike canker sores which are found on the inside of the mouth.
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by Christina | Jul 3, 2019 | Recipes, Wellness
At this time of year, I always crave salads, crunchy vegetables, and simple proteins to keep me satisfied! When it’s already hot outside, I like to keep my meals fresh and light to balance out the weather. Right now, for example, I am overheating in my apartment. (Dramatic, but you get the idea.) A refreshing salad is exactly what I want!
One of my favorite summer dishes is a Seared Tuna Nicoise Salad because it packs a variety of textures and flavors all in one dish, and it helps me full and satisfied with a healthy balance of protein, fat, and carbohydrates!
I like to look for a Nicoise salad on menus when I’m ordering out at restaurants because it always tastes so delicious, and it’s a very healthy option. I’ll never forget my first tuna nicoise salad at Urth Caffe in Los Angeles – so many memories. Even though it’s a great option when you’re eating out, making one at home is even better, though, because you know exactly what’s going in it!
Salads have a bad reputation for being boring, but that’s a very unfair generalization. I can assure you that this Seared Tuna Nicoise Salad is anything but boring! The ingredients are simple on their own, but when paired together, you have the perfect medley of flavors.
I love tuna, but I’m pretty picky about what it’s paired with, especially because I don’t have it often. That’s why I love this salad – these vegetables are the ideal pairing for tuna! If you’ve never tried searing your tuna before, it’s very simple and has an incredible flavor. There’s nothin’ like a little crisp on the outside next to the juicy flavor of raw tuna on the inside – it’s the best of both worlds if you love sashimi and cooked fish!
This salad is light and fresh while still being filling and satisfying! It can be served warm or cold, which makes it a great prep-ahead salad!
Feel free to leave out any of the ingredients you don’t like, or add things in if you want to! That’s why salads are great – you can customize them any way you want, but the key to a great salad is adding lots of different colors and flavors, and a killer dressing.
That’s another reason why I love this salad – the vinaigrette! It’s light and fresh but the flavor packs a big punch, and it pulls the vegetables together perfectly. This dressing would be delicious over any steamed vegetable or other protein source besides tuna, too. Since some of these vegetables are steamed, the dressing really makes the flavor shine through.
If you’re just getting into healthy eating and want to impress your partner, family, or friend, give this recipe a shot! Almost everyone knows what a Seared Ahi Tuna Nicoise salad is, but not everyone knows how to make one themselves!
This recipe is paleo, pescatarian-friendly, keto-friendly, and low carb. It’s rich in healthy fats, protein, and carbohydrates to keep you satisfied for hours, but the taste will leave you wanting even more!
Paleo Seared Ahi Tuna Nicoise Salad
Total time: 45 minutes
Serves: 2
Ingredients:
- ½ lb yellowfin or ahi tuna
- ⅛ tsp cayenne
- ½ lb small fingerling potatoes or yellow potatoes
- 2 eggs
- 10 cherry tomatoes, halved
- ¼ cup Nicoise or Kalamata olives, halved
- ½ lb haricots verts
- 1-2 heads of romaine lettuce, washed and chopped
- ¼ red onion, julienned
- Salt and pepper to taste
Dressing ingredients:
- 3 tbsp white vinegar
- ½ cup olive oil
- 1 tbsp shallot, minced
- ½ tsp minced garlic
- 1 tbsp whole grain mustard
- ½ tsp salt
Instructions:
- Preheat your over to 400*F. Prepare a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Cut your fingerling potatoes in half and coat them in olive oil, salt, and pepper. Bake for 20 minutes.
- While your potatoes are in the oven, boil a pot of heavily salted water. Blanch the haricots verts until cooked through (around 5 minutes) and transfer to an ice bath. Reserve on the side.
- In the same water, boil your eggs for 8 minutes, and then transfer the eggs to the ice bath. Peel the eggs and slice them into circles. Set aside.
- Pat your tuna dry, and heavily salt it. Add the cayenne seasoning. Add olive oil and the tuna to a hot cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Sear both sides until brown, including the thinner sides. Sear each side for 1-2 minutes and set aside to rest.
- While the tuna is resting, make the vinaigrette by whisking together all of the ingredients. Slice the tuna against the grain.
- Assemble your salad by combining all of the ingredients together in two large bowls, and drizzle the dressing on top!
