Welcome to Cocador! In this article, we’ll talk about the benefits of eating fresh pomegranates every day. These delicious, nutritious fruits are high in antioxidants and other nutrients, and they offer a wide range of potential health benefits. We’ll show you how to easily and efficiently cut a fresh pomegranate, so you can enjoy all the goodness it has to offer. We’ll also discuss the many reasons why pomegranates are a great addition to any diet, including their potential benefits for heart health, brain function, and more. 

Fresh Pomegranate Removes Toxins from the Body Through Urine

Pomegranates contain compounds that may have detoxifying properties and may help support the body’s natural detoxification processes. Fresh pomegranates are high in antioxidants, which can help protect cells from damage caused by free radicals, substances that can contribute to the development of chronic diseases.

Pomegranate Prevents Diseases Such as Flu and Colds to Pass Quickly

There is some evidence to suggest that pomegranates may have immune-boosting properties and may help support the body’s natural defenses against illness. Fresh pomegranates are high in antioxidants, which can help protect cells from damage caused by free radicals and may support the immune system. Pomegranates also contain compounds called punicalagins, which have been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties and may help reduce inflammation in the body.

Fresh Pomegranate Provides Rapid Relief of Gum Inflammation, Protects Oral Health

Fresh pomegranates may have anti-inflammatory properties and may be beneficial for oral health. Pomegranates contain compounds called punicalagins, which have been shown to have anti-inflammatory effects and may help reduce inflammation in the body. In addition, pomegranates are high in antioxidants, which can help protect cells from damage caused by free radicals and may support overall health.

It Accelerates Blood Circulation and Supports the Cleaning of the Plates Accumulated in the Veins Over Time

Pomegranates may have potential health benefits for the cardiovascular system, including effects on blood pressure, blood flow, and inflammation. However, it is important to note that more research is needed to fully understand the potential benefits of pomegranates for the cardiovascular system, and it is not clear if pomegranates can specifically accelerate blood circulation or clean the plates accumulated in the veins.

When Consumed Regularly, It Minimizes Vascular Congestion and Reduces the Risk of Developing Cardiovascular Diseases

Regularly consuming fresh pomegranates may help minimize vascular congestion, which refers to the accumulation of blood in the veins. And reduce the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases. These diseases that affect the heart and blood vessels.

It minimizes rheumatism, joint and November pain

Fresh Pomegranate: How to Cut & Benefits for Rheumatism, Joint, and November Pain

It is believed that fresh pomegranates can help minimize rheumatism, joint pain, and November pain. However, there is no scientific evidence to support this claim. Fresh pomegranates are a rich source of antioxidants, which are substances that can help protect cells in the body from damage caused by free radicals. Some studies have suggested that pomegranates may have anti-inflammatory properties and may be beneficial in the management of certain health conditions, such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol.

Thanks to its antioxidant properties, pomegranates can also help clean the skin and promote its radiance and health. The antioxidants in pomegranates, including vitamins C and E, may help reduce inflammation, protect against sun damage, promote collagen production, and moisturize the skin. While pomegranates may have potential benefits for skin care, more research is needed to fully understand their effects and to determine the appropriate dosage and duration of use. Additionally, pomegranates can help minimize and delay the formation of wrinkles, creating an anti-aging effect.

FAQ 

The post What Happens to Your Body When You Eat 1 Fresh Pomegranate Every Day appeared first on Cocador.

Another helpful tip from the Cocador is here to get your body ready for winter. We’ll dive deeply to understand what is winter tea, do we have to have that and how to prepare perfect winter tea with honey. On a freezing winter day, nothing can be more soothing than even a cup of steaming hot tea. Also with bitter winds outdoors and the sun hidden behind the clothing, even just a cup of tea can provide even more warmth. A freshly prepared mug of tea not only warms your body yet also enhances you in various ways. Whether strengthening immunity and curing colds to cleansing the body and maintaining the gut healthy, the teas listed below will quickly become your favorites.

What is Winter Tea?

Winter tea is a sort of herbal tea that contains a wide variety of herbs and spices and is a comprehensive healing store. It boosts our bodies’ resistance. The aspect that it comprises numerous herbs sets it apart from other herbal remedies. Herbalists are a simple source for the herbs and flavors used in winter tea. Also, making it is quite simple.

Do we have to Drink Winter Tea? Why?

Due to the numerous powerful and efficient herbs and spices it includes, winter tea is highly good for your health. It is known as winter tea and is taken primarily in the winter since it is beneficial for ailments like the flu and colds that occur when the seasons change from summer to winter. These are the advantages!

Bolsters your immune system to protect your body from sickness:

It guards against illnesses like the flu, colds, and colds that are contracted because the body’s defenses are weakened. Drinking winter tea on a daily basis will protect your body from illnesses and help you avoid getting sick throughout the winter enhances memory.

• It provides energy and is beneficial for weariness and exhaustion.
• It helps with nasal discharge.
• It soothes a sore throat and cough. It has an emmenagogue effect as well.
• has a calming, sedative effect that helps with tension.
• It relieves stomach and back pain.
• It guards against the side effects of bronchitis.
• Shortness of breath helps. Patients with asthma can take it frequently because of this.
• It reduces bone and muscle discomfort, which avoids rheumatism.
• It acts as a natural analgesic.

We are pleased to remind you that while you are visiting the recipe for honey winter tea, you can look at our recommendations for winter hair care.

How to Prepare the Perfect Winter Tea With Honey?

This cozy tea is a lovely blend of orange, honey, and lemon that can be made in under five minutes. Thus, it makes the ideal cup of comfort throughout the winter as it is a calming, cozy beverage.

It’s a nutritious drink with fresh orange juice, lemon juice, and some good honey that has a hint of sweetness. And this is unquestionably a situation when keeping things simple is better.

How to Prepare This Tea:

There are only for elements to create best winter tea

Honey

There are no restrictions on the kind of honey you can use for this. Decide on your favorite without a doubt. To get the best results, I would only advise choosing one of high quality.

Warm Water

To warm up and dissolve the honey, freshly roasted hot water is being used (quite literally). Personally, I like to filter my water before putting it on to boil in the kettle.

Oranges

Oranges have it all: citrus flavor, vitamin C, sweetness, and a slight tang or sourness. I prefer to use freshly squeezed juice and always add the pulp! You can easily strain it out if you don’t like pulp, though.

Special Note: Gently roll oranges and lemons on a tabletop with the palm of one hand to extract more juice from them. You will have extra volume as a result of the juices being released. which results in less waste!

The Cocador creator family will continue to create lovely content to ensure that you are mentally and physically prepared for this winter. Rest well.

The post Winter Tea With Honey : Protect Your Health in Cold Weather appeared first on Cocador.

Get your calories from lean proteins and carbohydrates. Cut down on fat, limit total calorie consumption and consume it throughout the day. Instead of eating empty calories, get lots of vitamins, lots of antioxidants with the right choices and nutrients.

Women should consume as much as 10 meatballs of lean protein, 2 servings of fruit and at least 4 servings of vegetables every day.

Do not gain or lose excessive weight. Your nutritional mistakes can be seen from your skin before your hips. Remember that frequent weight gain disrupts your psychology and skin.

In addition to proper nutrition, do not neglect to use quality, mineral and kinetin- containing moisturizers or care products suitable for your skin . The right support you will make from inside and outside will make you happy.
Consume 1 glass of low-fat yogurt and 1 tablespoon of olive oil 3 times a week. You can eat yogurt for breakfast or between meals. You can also be motivated by making yogurt at home.

Drink 8-10 glasses of water every day. Instead of water, you can consume green tea or rosehip tea for 2-3 cups a day. But remember that nothing can replace water. Therefore, pay attention to the daily amount of water. Water is health!

Limit your coffee to 1-2 cups a day. Choose the ones that are decaffeinated. Excessive coffee consumption is harmful for your skin. Choose herbal teas instead of coffee, and you have many options.

Keep your blood sugar level steady. For this, do not fast for more than 3-4 hours. The blood insulin fluctuations in your vein system, in this case also wear your skin.

Do not add unnecessary oil while cooking. Do not use margarine and animal fat. Do not forget that fat is present in many foods (including milk) that you consume other than meals.

Consume vegetable proteins, carbohydrates (fruits and vegetables), essential fatty acids from olive oil or fresh nuts at every meal. These beneficial vegetable oils you will consume will also give your skin a healthy appearance.

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When it comes to belly fat, drinking the right amount of the right drink can help lower your bloated stomach. To get rid of bloating and belly fat, aim to drink at least 8 glasses of fluids a day and consume plenty of fluids such as fruits and vegetables. There are some foods and spices to reduce bloating and even get rid of belly fat . Coconut, papaya, mint and yogurt are just some of these foods. Here are 4 beverage alternatives you can choose to reduce the fat around the abdomen and reduce your bloating .

1) Blueberry, Cucumber and Green Tea Smoothie

How does belly fat melt?

This smoothie , which is incredibly refreshing, is an ideal option for a cold and healthy drink, especially in summer. Promising health drink from fresh lemon juice and green tea, this beverage also contains blueberries to reduce abdominal fat. In a study, it was stated that a diet rich in blueberries reduces fat in the abdominal area. Also, green tea helps speed up the metabolism.

2) Banana, Pear, Cinnamon and Cilantro Smoothie

This creamy smoothie is a delicious blend. Rich in resistant starch, banana speeds up metabolism by encouraging the liver to go into fat burning mode . The potassium in bananas can also reduce belly swelling by regulating sodium levels. Pear, on the other hand, is an excellent source of fiber, which slows digestion to help you feel full for longer. Quinoa , a whole grain, adds additional fiber to further increase the strength of this smoothie . Coriander contains a unique oil blend that works just like medicines . And cinnamon creates a burn that helps your body actually burn fat ; especially the fat around the abdomen …

This bright green smoothie is a health bomb with kiwi, kale, zucchini and green apples. The green fruits and vegetables it contains are not only low in calories but also provide fiber to regulate blood sugar levels and maintain your hunger.

4) Grapefruit, Ginger and Turmeric

Grapefruit increases the body’s digestive enzymes and burns stored body fat. Ginger has been used for centuries as a natural remedy to treat puffiness. Turmeric, which is closely related to ginger, provides a powerful anti- inflammatory property and helps you in burning fat. Finally, the beneficial bacteria ( also known as probiotics ) found in yogurt help reduce abdominal bloating by improving digestion.

The post 4 Drinks to Get Rid of Belly Fat appeared first on Cocador.

Do you want to lose weight and need something to remove edema from the body? Accelerate your weight loss with herbal teas that burn fat, accelerate metabolism and aid weight loss. Here are 10 herbal teas that help to lose weight …

Green tea

Nobody knows about the ability of green tea to burn fat and remove edema from the body. One should not ignore the fact that green tea containing caffeine accelerates metabolism. When you regularly drink 2 cups of green tea a day, you can lose an extra 5 pounds a year.

Parsley Tea

Parsley is among the foods that remove the most toxins from the body. Parsley tea, which is a remedy for many people who want to lose weight, helps you lose weight in the slimming process.

White Tea

After black tea and green tea, there is another tea that is growing in popularity: white tea. The experts agree that the feature of white tea that helps to lose weight is very useful for dieters. If you first need to remove edema from the body to lose weight, white tea will help you in this regard.

Heather Tea

A tea with heather leaves and some rosemary and corn stigmas will help you get rid of edema and burn fat faster.

Mate Tea

Mate tea is also among the herbal teas that help slimming. This tea, which helps to eliminate toxins faster, will be very useful when dieting.

Ginger tea

Ginger, which has a digestive feature, is a good helper for you to lose weight faster and increase fat burning .

Blueberry Tea

Being a powerful antioxidant, blueberries are among the fruits that cause edema from the body. With its blood sugar balancing feature, it helps you get hungry later while dieting.

Cinnamon tea

Cinnamon is also one of the best helpers of dieters with its blood sugar balancing feature. If you get hungry easily while dieting, you can drink cinnamon by sprinkling it on fruits or brewing tea.

Rosemary Tea

If you drink rosemary tea with energizing properties before exercise, it makes you feel more energetic.

Chickpeas tea

Chickweed tea, which helps the intestines to work faster, is a good helper for those who have constipation problems while dieting. It also helps to remove edema from the body.

The post 10 Herbal Teas for Those Who Want to Weight Loss appeared first on Cocador.

Vegetables high fiber and water content you are, the less calories saturates. Half of your plate vegetables may fill you; these are boiled, steamed, sautéed such as cooked vegetables or in the oven,it could be you may have raw salads. Fun recipes with it you bring into your way of life and sustainable you both more realistic and easier to lose weight you will reach a solution.

Home you are using plates, cups, containers such as by reducing the dimensions and food even if your drinks saving calories remained the same you’ll go. Most of the time it’s what you eat not high inflated or empty stomach calories calorie difference before it would lead to weight gain and appetites all gets out of control. Therefore, the fluid the incoming wide instead of long thin glass to reduce calories the ones you prefer. Thus, Coke, fruit juice, alcohol, and other sugary drinks 25-30% of you’ll drink less. Your dinner plates or shrinking automatically eat less, 100-200 calories less per day gets and will not even notice.

Constantly I’m on a diet now so I’m bored, this is there an easy way? I hear you ask. No need to worry, small and accurate making choices and can get your weight and also, you can continue to live a healthier lifestyle. Here is simple and will allow you to lose weight without dieting leads…

Old you can see a picture or a dress every time a place to hang out with your little achievements celebrate with prizes, realistic and measurable setting goals is very important. Maybe the calories are always the same playing with restrictions and easy ways you’ve worked hard to lose weight but it’s true in a way the person patient with a special diet is to make a lifestyle change. This why strengthen your willpower yourself achievable and realistic goals don’t give up before reaching the goal and never put.

Carbohydrates out of your life instead of controlled eat from the right sources; whole grains incorporate into your life; white bread, rice and minus the seeds obtained from the exchange of giving away instead of pasta leavened breads, brown rice, buckwheat, also quinoa, oats and brown bread into your life the secret the weight-loss strategy you can get. If possible these never be your main meals and moderation use a way.

What you’ve eaten the period and shape up your eating is also important; a calm the environment, not only focusing on eating and possible eat chewing as well. New era the biggest problem is to focus on the food from TV and eat it too with the phone and is saturated or I didn’t understand. Because of this, every bite at the dinner table enjoy, relax, and slowly food, to understand our brain is full of her time you need to give.

The post The Best Slimming Ideas appeared first on Cocador.

If stress contributes to your emotional eatery, apply balancing methods that will make you feel good. When you’re not hungry, put activity to distract you instead of snacking.

Try stress management techniques such as yoga, meditation or deep breathing.

Staying still at home can lead to boredom, stress and increased frequency of snacking. To combat this, make sure to take the time for daily physical activity.

Do online exercise, walking, running, yoga or any other activity where you focus on breathing. Get a portable walkingpad or trampoline for cooling or quarantine days, and enjoy your sport at home.

Creating a meal plan for the days you are at home and a menu for meals is beneficial for controlled eating. Having a food and snack program regulates when we eat and how much we eat to avoid overee eating.

There is no right or wrong cooking program. Plan what’s right for you and meal breaks according to your day. Stick to your schedule. If you feed on your main meals on a cell basis during the season, fresh vegetables and fruits containing the energy of the rain of fresh, if possible organic soil, the right proteins, fats that provide omega balance, sprouted pulses, fermented foods, seeds and spices.

Choosing a balanced diet that suits our body structure, consuming foods rich in fiber and high-quality omega-3 fats, helps slow down the absorption of sugar and you do not feel a longing, especially at night.

Most often hunger mimics dehydration. Because they signal from the same center in the brain, what we think is hunger may actually be thirst. Drinking enough water is important for overall health and can help you prevent stress-related overea eating.

Dehydration can lead to changes in mood, attention and energy levels, which can affect your eating habits . If you’re having trouble drinking water, add a few slices of pesticide-free fresh fruit to your water to combat dehydration and enhance its flavor. It can help you drink more water throughout the day without adding sugar or calories to your diet.

The post As Always Said You Are What You Eat appeared first on Cocador.

When we completely remove animal-derived nutrients from our lives, deficiencies can be seen in nutrients such as vitamin B12, vitamin D, calcium, iron and zinc. In vegan individuals, for example, vitamin B12 from animal sources is often a question mark.

I always state that we have great respect for vegan individuals. Because the term “vegan” actually covers lifestyle options beyond diet. A vegan lifestyle is aiming not to harm animals in any way, including products used or purchased. This usually include clothing, personal care products, shoes, accessories and household items.

With the recent increase in environmental awareness and the value given to health, many people may choose to reduce or completely remove animal products in their nutrition plan. You may even notice that there are wider options in this regard in grocery stores and menus. Have you ever heard the term ‘Plant Based Diet’?

Iodine levels were measured as low in inadequasis in vegan individuals. Iodine mineral has many important task in the body, especially energy metabolism. Vegetables containing iodine include spinach, soybeans, chard, zucchini. Vegan individuals can consume these vegetables, use salt preference in favor of iodine salt. So they can support the body’s iodine needs.

Since animal-derived foods are not consumed in such nutrition plans, it becomes more important to place dry legumes, oilseeds, cereals and vegetables in the diet to meet protein needs.

In this nutrition plan, it is recommended to limit processed foods and packaged foods in the same way. In other words, it is based on health improvement. Processed foods can be found among vegan foods, plant based diet is separated by veganism at this point.

The post Just Give Some Peace To Meat Go To Vegan Type Food appeared first on Cocador.

Reduce the risk of diabetes

Lower the risk of cardiovascular diseases

Slow down aging

Promote brain plasticity

Aid weight loss

Reduce stress and anxiety

Lower blood lipid levels

Zumba

Zumba is what got me into shape. It is a great form of cardio, and you can have a lot of fun with friends! Zumba burns about 500 calories in 60 minutes, i.e., you can burn about 2500 calories if you do Zumba for at least an hour for five days a week. It also has many health benefits.

These 15 amazing aerobic exercises will definitely help you tone up, reduce stress, and lower the risk of various health issues. Enjoy watching your favorite show, but make sure that you are physically active. Along with doing these exercises, walk to your nearby grocery store instead of driving there. Take the stairs (great way to lunge!) instead of the elevator. And please, get up and get the door!

Stationary Bike

Picture this. It has been raining since morning, and you cannot go to the gym or outside for a quick run or on a biking adventure. Why not jump on a stationary bike and get yourself moving for at least 20 minutes? It is an amazing exercise to get your blood circulation going. It burns around 200-300 calories and tones your legs, glutes, and lower abdomen. Be careful about the saddle, positioning, and resistance to make the workout effective.

Rowing

Be it outdoors or indoors, rowing is an amazing upper body toning and strengthening exercise (just take one look at the rowing crew at Harvard!). You will burn around 300 calories in 30 minutes and can lose the excess fat on your upper body. At the gym, you can row on a rowing machine. Make sure you don’t put too many weights initially. Also, take care of the position of your feet, knees, back, and the muscles used. You may also go on kayaking trips or join a crew club in your area.

Boxing

Boxing is more a test of your mind than your body strength. You will learn how to improve body coordination, balance, strength, and muscle tone and start thinking two steps ahead of the opponent. Not just the calorie burn, the stress release and the thrill of fighting like Rocky Balboa or daydreaming about winning the National Boxing Championship will keep you from giving up too soon.

The post Let Shiny Beauty Come To You By Exercising appeared first on Cocador.

Grapefruit water

– 1 liter of water ½ grapefruit is sliced and drunk. It can also be brewed like tea by adding cinnamon sticks into it. Rich in vitamin C, grapefruit is great for fighting flu infections.

Immune Strengthening Detox Drink

– 1 liter of water; Half a lemon (sliced into rings) 1 small cucumber (sliced with a longitudinal shell) 10-15 leaves of fresh mint 3-4 cloves 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar 1 finger of fresh ginger (grated) All ingredients are mixed in 1 liter of water and consumed.

Cinnamon water

– 1 stick of cinnamon can be added to 1 glass of warm water or it can be brewed by adding cinnamon sticks to teas such as green, white, mate, rooibos, fennel. It supports immunity, is good for inflammation, balances blood sugar and suppresses sweet cravings.

Parsley water

– 1 handful of parsley and half lemon slices are added to 1 liter of water. It has edema, bloating and carminative effects and supports immune system cells.

Aloe vera water

– 1 glass of water ½ aloe vera leaf gel is prepared by blending it. It purifies and energizes the skin by reducing inflammation. It can be consumed during the day when feeling tired.

Honey water

– prepared by adding 1 teaspoon of honey to a glass of slightly warm water. It is especially useful to add all herbal teas during these periods to strengthen immunity. Being a natural antioxidant, honey fights bacteria and viruses in the body.

Mint tea

– 1 handful of mint leaves are soaked in 1 liter of hot water for 5 minutes and drained and drunk. After the tea is brewed, it can be flavored with a little lemon and 1 teaspoon of honey. It supports immunity by reducing allergy, asthma, respiratory and stomach problems.

The post Take It Easy : Here Are Ways To Keep Your Body Tight appeared first on Cocador.

The biggest weapon of women, who are very busy in business and home life and still attract attention with their attractive and well-groomed appearance, are the vitamins they use as supplements. No, they are not magicians or wizards!

Shop smart. The secret to beauty is through some foods. They also make your hair, skin and nails look much better. For this, you can buy some cheap but beautiful materials instead of very expensive products. You can also get good results from these natural products. For example; Buy yourself coconut oil on your next purchase. You can make your hair perfect with coconut oil instead of expensive hair masks. You should not forget that you must wash the coconut oil after you apply it to your hair.

Many people sleep with laptops in their bedrooms and organize their next day’s e-mails or hang out on social media. However, besides the radiation emitted from computers and mobile phones, this occupation also disrupts your sleep pattern. All new research has revealed that the cells in our body are renewed during sleep. The perfection of your skin, hair and mood goes through a deep and trouble-free sleep.

When talking about hair, nails and skin care, the flowing water stops for women. But sometimes we can neglect ourselves out of time. If you have a very busy life, then taking care of yourself is a challenge. The hustle and bustle of business life, the intensity of traffic, and the tiredness you experience in raising children can prevent you from taking care of your hair and nails.

The post Take Your Time To Love And Take Care Your Body appeared first on Cocador.

Vegetarian recipes to inspire meat-free days, including easy vegetable bakes, squash and ricotta cannelloni and celeriac gratin

Vegetarian recipes to inspire meat-free days, including easy vegetable bakes, vegetarian pasta recipes and substantial warm salads that are a meal in themselves.

This super healthy freekeh with harissa-roasted vegetables is packed with colourful veg and crunchy nuts, with harissa paste to really bring it to life. Ever wonder just how much food can affect your skin? A lot, actually — especially for people who decide to go vegan.  Those who subscribe to the diet do not eat any animal products, which means no meat, no dairy, no eggs, and no honey.

Veganism has sparked a lot of buzz in the recent years, as new research has claimed that there are major health benefits to a plant-based diet. The veggie-centered diet also offers environmental benefits, since not eating meat or dairy can reduce your carbon footprint. But now there’s another argument in favor of going vegan: not eating animal products can improve your skin.

But does giving up meat, dairy, eggs, and honey really do anything for your skin? The answer isn’t a simple “yes” or “no,”.

I think we are starting to scratch the surface on how diet affects the skin. However, it is clear that there are several benefits to giving up animal products when it comes to your skin. However, there are also some risks that could negatively impact your complexion as well.

Studies have shown that removing dairy from patients’ diets improves their acne. This relationship is especially strong with dairy and lower fat milks. In my experience, I’ve found that if patients go off dairy for a month, a significant number of them with mild to moderate acne see improvement.

Beyond just helping with stubborn pimples, going vegan can also improve your complexion. Because a vegan diet typically requires that you eat vegetables and fruits rather than dairy, meat, and (most) processed snacks, the natural antioxidants can impact the way your skin.

I do find that patients who follow a primarily plant-based diet report brighter complexions and less bloating of the face. Noting that several of his patients have also self-reported brighter skin and better texture after making the switch to veganism.

BEAN AND ROOT VEGETABLE POT

This bean and root vegetable pot is sweet potatoes and cannellini beans to make a filling one pot meal that’s just 303 calories.

ROASTED COURGETTE AND TOMATO TART WITH GOATS’ CHEESE

Try our delicious roasted courgette and tomato tart with goats cheese recipe. Roasting the courgettes first prevents the filling becoming watery. If you don’t like goats’ cheese, you can replace it with ricotta or grated gruyere.

The post Simple Key Word For Slimming Healty and Skin Care : Vegatables appeared first on Cocador.

You only have to glance at Bridgerton’s elegant Regency ladies (or Rosie Huntington-Whiteley) to know that the neck is an unheralded erogenous zone. A surprisingly delicate area, the skin here is inclined to age faster than its facial counterpart, but is often neglected. While many of us religiously cleanse, hydrate, and treat our faces, our necks often go without.

Why do we need to look after our necks?

The neck lacks sebaceous glands and tends to be less oily than the face. Sebum is very helpful in minimising signs of ageing – oilier skin types will usually have fewer fine lines and wrinkles than those with dry skin types, for example. This is compounded, as we age, by a laxity in the strong neck muscles and connective tissues, which causes a ‘turkey neck’. Thanks to thinner skin, the area is also more prone to environmental stress.

Skin ageing in general begins around the age of 25, when collagen starts to break down at 1 to 1.5 per cent a year (accelerating in menopause), and the neck falls prey to a lack of elasticity, firmness and texture. Often you can see these signs from the age of 30. “Crepiness is a very common concern among patients – that change in skin quality that is often more apparent when we move and also makes the neck look a little dry and scaly. And ‘turkey neck’, which is usually due to loosening tissues offering less support for the fat pad under the chin, as well as shrinking jawbones offering less tension in the neck tissues.”

The curse of tech neck

And then, of course, there is tech neck and “necklace lines”, which also get on our nerves and have become increasingly prevalent in the last 10 years, a time in which staring down at our screens has become an hourly – or minute-ly – occurrence. “Our heads are pushed forward and therefore sagging of the muscle begins, as do wrinkles,” explains cosmetic acupuncturist, Sarah Bradden. “When the neck area becomes more lax, it has a real pulling down effect on the rest of the face, including a turndown of the mouth and heavier jowls.”

Sally Penford, UK director of education at Dermalogica, also points out that when our platysma muscle (the big muscle that connects the jawline to the shoulders) is constantly stretched, the fascia (or connective tissue) beneath it becomes stressed, dry, dehydrated and physiologically fixed in place; this also impacts how the skin above it looks.

What are the best treatment options for the neck?

As with most areas of the skin, a combination of treatments and preventative methods offers the best results. Wearing SPF is essential day-to-day, and a dedicated neck cream can help cater to all manner of skin concerns in that area.

Massage

“Keeping the neck as youthful as possible (and therefore matching your face) requires massage and a lot of hydration. When working from home, take some daily steps to help slow the ageing process on the neck. Ensure you are stretching it out and rotating the shoulders at different times of the day,” explains Bradden.

For an excellent and easy massage pre-bed, apply around two teaspoons of facial oil (we love Decléor’s Green Mandarin Aromessence Glow Serum) and use your knuckles to make circular movements over the upper chest. Then, using one hand at a time, use your fingertips to make kneading, squeezing movements across your shoulders to the large trapezius that helps support the head. Then, with flat fingertips, apply firm pressure (and circular movements) on the muscles either side of the spine from the base of the skull to the base of the neck.

After that, space out your fingertips and apply firm pressure along the top of the jawbone, from the chin outwards, moving upwards in rows over the cheeks. Repeat each movement until the last row, finishing on top of the cheekbones.

Botox

“We can use Botox in the strong platysma muscle to relax it,” explains Dr Shotter. “This muscle often becomes stronger as we age as the shrinking jawbone allows it to pull more strongly. Each time it contracts, it pulls our tissues (including our lower face) downwards.”

Fillers

“For many people, facial fillers will make a huge difference to the neck. To combat gravity pulling the face down, it helps to restore structure in the cheeks, chin and jawline to improve the neck,” says Dr Shotter.

Profhilo

“This is one of my favourite treatments for necks. It will improve crepiness, tech neck and the neck contour itself. Necks tend to need more sessions than the face for best results. I recommend three sessions a month apart.”

The post Simple Essentials To Lift & Firm The Neck appeared first on Cocador.

Coconut oil is widely marketed as a superfood.

The unique combination of fatty acids in coconut oil may have positive effects on your health, such as boosting fat loss, heart health, and brain function.

Here are 10 evidence-based health benefits of coconut oil.

1. Contains healthy fatty acids

Coconut oil is high in certain saturated fats. These fats have different effects in the body compared with most other dietary fats.

The fatty acids in coconut oil can encourage your body to burn fat, and they provide quick energy to your body and brain. They also raise HDL (good) cholesterol in your blood, which may help reduce heart disease risk

Most dietary fats are categorized as long-chain triglycerides (LCTs), while coconut oil contains some  (MCTs), which are shorter fatty acid chains

When you eat MCTs, they tend to go straight to your liver. Your body uses them as a quick source of energy or turns them into ketones.

Ketones can have powerful benefits for your brain, and researchers are studying ketones as a treatment for epilepsy, Alzheimer’s disease, and other conditions.

Coconut oil is high in MCTs, a type of fat that your body metabolizes differently than most other fats. MCTs are responsible for many of the health benefits of coconut oil.

2. May boost heart health

Coconut is an uncommon food in the Western world, with health-conscious people being the main consumers.

However, in some parts of the world, coconut — which is loaded with coconut oil — is a dietary staple that people have thrived on for generations.

For example, a 1981 study noted that the population of Tokelau, an island chain in the South Pacific, obtained over 60% of their calories from coconuts. Researchers reported not only good overall health but also very low rates of heart disease .

Kitavan people in Papua New Guinea also eat a lot of coconut, alongside tubers, fruit, and fish, and have little stroke or heart disease .

Several populations around the world have thrived for generations eating a substantial amount of coconut, and studies show they have good heart health.

3. May encourage fat burning

Obesity is one of the biggest health conditions affecting the Western world today.

While some people think obesity is just a matter of how many calories someone eats, the source of those calories is important, too. Different foods affect your body and hormones in different ways.

The MCTs in coconut oil can increase the number of calories your body burns compared with longer-chain fatty acids .

One study found that eating 15–30 grams of MCTs per day increased 24-hour energy expenditure by 5% .

However, these studies didn’t specifically look at the effects of coconut oil. They examined the health effects of MCTs, excluding lauric acid, which make up only about 14% of coconut oil.

There’s currently no good evidence to say that eating coconut oil itself will increase the number of calories you expend.

Keep in mind that coconut oil is very high in calories and can easily lead to weight gain if eaten it in large amounts.

Research notes that MCTs can increase the number of calories burned over 24 hours by as much as 5%. However, coconut oil itself may not have the same effect.

4. May have antimicrobial effects

Lauric acid makes up about 50% of the fatty acids in coconut oil.

When your body digests lauric acid, it forms a substance called .

Both lauric acid and monolaurin can kill harmful pathogens, such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi.

For example, test-tube studies show that these substances help kill the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus, which causes staph infections, and the yeast Candida albicans, a common source of yeast infections in humans.

There’s also some evidence that using coconut oil as a mouthwash — a process called oil pulling benefits oral hygiene, though researchers consider the evidence weak

There’s no evidence that coconut oil reduces your risk of the common cold or other internal infections.

Using coconut oil as a mouthwash may prevent mouth infections, but more evidence is needed.

5. May reduce hunger

One interesting feature of MCTs is that they may reduce hunger.

This may be related to the way your body metabolizes fats, because ketones can reduce a person’s appetite.

In one study, 6 healthy men ate varying amounts of MCTs and LCTs. Those who ate the most MCTs ate fewer calories per day.

Another study in 14 healthy men reported that those who ate the most MCTs at breakfast ate fewer calories at lunch.

These studies were small and had a very short timescale. If this effect were to persist over the long term, it could lead to reduced body weight over several years.

Although coconut oil is one of the richest natural sources of MCTs, there’s no evidence that coconut oil intake reduces appetite more than other oils.

In fact, one study reports that coconut oil is less filling than MCT oil.

MCTs can significantly reduce appetite, which may lead to reduced body weight over the long term.

The post Top 10 Evidence-Based Health Benefits of Coconut Oil appeared first on Cocador.

Hunger pangs? These gems will fill you up while also cutting down on your glucose intake.

Skipping sugar may be the current craze, but if you’re thinking about eliminating fruit from your diet because they contain naturally occurring sugars, you may want to think twice.

“Fruit provides a lot of things we need,”, author of Read It Before You Eat It. “It provides vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. It also hydrates us and provides us with fiber, which fills us up.”

Unfortunately, not enough people do not eat as much fruit as they should. Only one in 10 adults get enough servings of fruits and veggies to create a balanced diet, according to the CDC. A lack of these important foods can lead to chronic illness such as diabetes and heart disease.

However, if you are looking to cut back on carbs in a healthy way and you don’t want to overdo it with higher-sugar fruits like bananas, there are plenty of low-carb, nutrient dense options out there. Here are 10 fruits you can feel great about indulging in whenever your fruity sweet tooth strikes:

Strawberries

Berries are a great option when it comes to picking fruit that’s low in sugar. A cup of strawberries has only 7 grams of sugar and provides just about, if not more than, your daily recommendation of vitamin C.

Grapefruit

The best way to minimize your sugar intake is to be mindful of your portion sizes, Grapefruit is a great option as an alternative to sugary snacks, but you might not want to eat the whole thing depending on your needs. Half of one of the fruits contains 8 grams of sugar.

Avocados

Yes, avocados are indeed a fruit. That big pit at the center counts as a seed, which is one of the defining features of fruits. Avocados are full of healthy fats that protect your heart and lower your LDL (a.k.a. “bad”) cholesterol, plus phytochemicals that reduce oxidative and inflammatory stress. One avocado has a little over a gram of sugar.

Plums

These late-summer favorites only have 7 grams of sugar and are 30 calories a piece,  What’s cool about plums is you can get creative with them and make things like sugar-free jams and marmalade.

Raspberries

These berries are surprisingly low in sugar given their sweet taste: One cup contains only 5 grams of sugar. And with 8 grams of fiber, they’re more likely to leave you feeling full than some other fruit.

Blackberries

This is another tasty berry. One cup packs 7 grams of sugar, 8 grams of fiber, and 2 grams of protein, making it the perfect nutrient-dense snack.

The post The 10 Healthiest Low-Sugar Fruits You Should Be Eating appeared first on Cocador.

Because we all really want to know if it’s good for us.

Do a quick search of kombucha online and you’ll find that the fizzy drink (produced by fermented tea, sugar, fungi, and bacteria) supposedly supplies sky-high energy, quells pain, fends off certain cancers, detoxes your body, helps you shed weight, and turns your immune system into a fortress. Guzzlers of the health beverage preach these promises, too.

But is our beloved kombucha really a health elixir in a bottle?

“I would be wary of calling kombucha a remedy or a magic food,” a dietitian at the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine. After all, glorifying one food over another (kale is king!) isn’t the way nutrition works. A healthy diet is all about variety.

Here are the four potential health benefits to keep in mind before you take a swig.

The probiotics in kombucha can help your gut.

“Because it’s fermented, you see more of that probiotic push in kombucha,” And that’s where most of the drink’s health benefits lie: probiotics, a.k.a. good gut bacteria.

“The gut microbiome is often called the forgotten organ — it’s really important to foster that health,” After all, a healthy gut microbiome can help fend off issues like diarrhea and IBS and help your whole body function at its best.

Fermented foods may also improve the health of your intestinal cells, boost your immune function, and cut your risk of allergy and chronic disease, These benefits aren’t unique to kombucha itself, but rather probiotic-rich or fermented foods like sauerkraut, kimchi, kefir, and yogurt.

The antioxidants in kombucha can help you stay healthy.

Past packing a probiotic punch, just how much (and how) kombucha can keep you well is a bit murky. As with other teas, you can sip a slew of antioxidants and polyphenols.

These compounds support healthy cell function and help you stay healthy overall, but commercial brews may not supply as much, author of Dressing on the Side (and Other Diet Myths Debunked). Check labels to make sure you’re choosing kombucha versus a kombucha-like product and look for actual tea in the ingredients list. Or you can simply drink green tea for tea-related health benefits.

Kombucha can help you cut back on sugary drinks.

Beverages are the number one source of added sugar in the American diet. Replacing sports drinks, juice, and sweetened tea and coffee with kombucha could help you dial back. One 16-ounce bottle of GT’s Kombucha Gingerade contains 4 grams of sugar compared to 28 grams you’d find in the same-sized  Iced Matcha Green Tea Latte, for example.

“Since it’s lower in sugar compared to other options, it’s often a better choice and a step to cutting back on sugar from drinks overall,”

Kombucha can help you stay hydrated.

Generally, you should sip a minimum of 8 cups of water and other unsweetened beverages (like seltzer or black tea) a day. Drinking kombucha can also help you meet your hydration needs

The post The 4 Best Health Benefits of Kombucha, According to Registered Dietitians appeared first on Cocador.

Let’s say you’ve already de-cluttered your vanity—or you don’t need to right now—you can still organize it! If your hair ties are mixed in with your makeup brushes and your magnifying mirror is sitting on top of all of it, it’s time to readjust. Take this time to figure out an organizational system that works for you and keep it tidy with repurposed kitchen containers or organizational caddies that fit your specific space or products—did you know they make containers designated for organizing lipsticks? Yep, it’s true.

Try self-tanning

You’re likely not having many face-to-face interactions these days and for those that happen over a video chat, your virtual appearance does not need to be top-notch. But if you’re someone who feels their best with the glow of a tan, don’t let the current news cycle discourage you from it. Or if you’re someone who wants to finally try self-tanning but you’ve always been afraid of it, now is the time to experiment.

For a popular-but-affordable pick, go with the Jergens Natural Glow  which reviewers say gives you a natural-looking, bronzed tan without making you look orange or streaky. The mousse dries within a minute and you don’t have to wash it off—just wear it until it gradually fades.

Give yourself a manicure or pedicure

You don’t have to be a professional nail technician to groom your fingers and toes—just some basic tools that you may already have at home, like a nail file and clippers. To keep it simple, clip the tips of your nails and file down any sharp edges to avoid snags in your clothes or scratches on your skin. Then, if you have one, paint a clear coat on your nails to make them look shiny and healthy. Repeat this process on your toes.

If you want to try your hand at a spa-like nail treatment, place your fingertips in a warm bowl of water to soften the skin, then clean up your cuticles using a cuticle pusher. From there, trim your tips with a clipper, shape the edges with a file, and buff out the tops of the nails with a nail buffer or an old, worn-down file that’s not too rough. Once you’ve completed these steps, wash your hands and proceed with a clear coat or a colorful polish that flashes your work. For your feet, you can do the same process but use a foot spa—or, in a pinch, a bucket filled with warm water—to prep your feet.

Upgrade your pedicure with a foot peel

While you’re pampering your feet, you might as well stick ‘em in a “foot peel.” Don’t worry—it sounds scarier than it is. The popular Baby Foot Exfoliation Foot Peel claims to “rebirth” your feet using fruit acids that remove dead, callused, and cracked skin through exfoliation. Leave the booties on for 60 minutes and your feet will slowly peel over the next week or two—although, this may work better for some than others. You may want to avoid this treatment in the warmer months (who wants to see their feet peeling out of their sandal?) but it’s perfect right now, when you’re shuffling around the house

The post Re-Organize Your Vanity appeared first on Cocador.

Apple shapes, rejoice! We’re here right now to chat about how you, yes you can dress your shape and play up your most favorite features. Before we get started, let’s get one thing straightened out—inverted triangles and apple are somewhat synonymous. Both shapes are known for their broader shoulders, but typically, true apple shapes carry a little more in their midsection while inverted triangles do not. No matter what features you want to flaunt (or conceal), we’ve got you covered with this 5-step guide for dressing your apple-shape figüre.

SO WHAT’S AN APPLE SHAPE, ANYWAY?

• You are generally well-proportioned
• Your shoulders are broader than your hips
• You are not necessarily as curvy through your hips
• You don’t have a well-defined waistline (If you do, you’re likely an hourglass!)

GUIDELINES FOR DRESSING THE APPLE SHAPE

When it comes to styling the apple shape, life is sweet! Apple and inverted triangle shapes look best when playing up their full bust, their amazing legs and/or their arms. In general, silhouettes that don’t rely on a traditionally structured waistline are your hardest working pieces.

1. START AT THE TOP!

Must-Have Tops For Apple and Inverted Triangle Figures

Good news! The world’s most comfy tops also happen to look amazing on the classic apple frame. Your power pieces include:

• Breezy A-line silhouettes
• Flowy tunics
• Relaxed, boyfriend button-ups
• V-neck anything

Looking for more structure? Choose a substantial fabric that will streamline your look from your bust through your hips. Fabrics like raw silk, linen, tweed, gabardine and thicker cotton (avoid jersey—it can be thin!) will all do the trick.

So, what about sleeve length?

This is where rules go out the window. If you love your arms and shoulders and are proud of those push-ups, go strapless or sleeveless! If you prefer to cover up, try a more fitted sleeve to help balance your fuller bust and midsection.If you’re on the curvy side, elongate your neck with plunging (or shallow) V-neck or scoop-necks. More of a “downplay” kind of girl? Look for a higher neckline in a dark shade like black or navy.

2. THEN, ADD LAYERS

The Best Jackets For Apple and Inverted Triangle-Shaped Figures
As is true with every shape, where your jacket hem hits will make all the difference. Apple shapes look great in any vest, coat or jacket that hits at the hip or upper thigh. A-line coats or straight, knee-length trench styles (without the waist belt) will be super and you can pull off a poncho like it’s your job.

3. SAY YES, TO THE DRESS(ES)

Perfect Dresses For The Apple Shape
If you love a great dress—you’re in luck! Strapless styles look great on you. Maxi styles with a lower neckline are super flattering, and a wrap dress can be your secret weapon (avoid “wardrobe malfunction” moments by wearing a cami underneath). If you like your legs, go mini all the time. If not, then knee-length shift and sheath styles look great too! A-line styles are great for curvy apples. And when in doubt, diagonal stripes and darker colors are always slimming.

4. LAST—BUT NOT LEAST

The Apple-Shapes Favorite Jeans & Pants
Take your pick! Skinny jeans and leggings look great on your shape, especially when paired with a breezy tunic, oversized sweater or generous button-down. Flares with heels are great for elongating your silhouette. If you have long legs, feel free to wear bootcut or flared pants with flats. Remember that the hem should either come to the top of your heel, or all the way to the ground.

Classic trouser fit, cropped, ankle… you can pretty much pull them all off! As a good rule of thumb, if your top is very breezy, you’ll want to grab a more structured or skinny pant to balance your look.

5. DON’T FORGET ACCESSORIES

Outfit Toppers For Apple and Inverted Triangle Shapes
Love bracelets? Statement rings? Oversized earrings? You’re in luck! Necklaces too, but since dressing for any shape is all about balancing proportions, you’ll want to make sure to draw the eye up and down with a longer length, or keep it light and delicate.

One Last Thought On Body Shapes

Everybody and everybody is different. If you’re not an apple shape through and through, think of mixing and matching shapes to find the right fit for you. These dressing guidelines are best used as a starting point!

The post The Facts About Figures: The Apple Shape appeared first on Cocador.

Need an endorphin rush? What you wear will get you halfway there.

Once the holiday glow (and, if you’re us, the accompanying overindulgence) starts to fade, new fitness routines are a natural next step. It’s easier to find spare time in the winter months, and heading into a new year always feels a little like hitting the reset button. Plus, there’s no better excuse for a guilt-free shopping spree—not only does exercise boost your mood and your confidence, it also requires its own wardrobe of workout clothes. The activewear that’s trending for 2021 is designed for double duty, so it’ll feel good while you’re working out and look good even after it gets sweaty. Whether you prefer to hit the home gym, strike a yoga pose or head outside for a run, these outfits will help you stick to your fitness goals in style.

For Your Workout

The home gym has its perks—you get to choose the channel on your TV!—but there’s definitely a downside: it’s a little too easy to skip an early-morning session when your bed is right there. Fresh gear is a great motivator when you’re establishing a new routine, so it helps to have your outfit all ready to go. For gym time, lightweight, high-performance layers are good go-tos. Choose breathable pieces made from a technical fabric like polyester. These will wick moisture away from your body so you can stay cool no matter how intense your workout gets. This way, you can mix it up if something starts feeling stale, and you get the support and coverage you need whether you’re targeting your workout to one area or going for a full-body circuit. And just in case you need more incentive, a layered look lets you run right out to the coffeeshop once you’re done.

For Your Yoga Flow

The explosion of athleisure in the fashion world means that you have endless patterns, prints and colors to choose from when it comes to yoga gear. But there’s more to consider if you’re actually planning to wear it for your practice. Along with the fun, you need to factor in the functional—your yoga clothes should be soft, stretchy and flexible enough to take each pose as far as you’d like. The last thing you want is a tight waistband or itchy seam to snap you out of your serenity. A great-fitting sports bra will be your best friend (especially when you’re upside down). Pair it with a cozy wrap for a quick transition from studio to street.

For Your Run

Prefer to skip the treadmill and get your cardio outside? Hit the ground running in styles designed to keep you comfortable and dry as the miles fly by. When it comes to running in colder climates, finding the right jacket is essential. You’ll want something tough enough to fend off wind and rain, but breathable and lightweight enough to move with you. And the brighter the better—your number-one goal is to be seen. Once you have that last layer nailed, the rest depends on the day. Until you get a feel for how your internal temperature changes, a good rule of thumb is to dress like it’s 10–20 degrees warmer than the actual temperature. This way you’re less likely to overheat once your body warms up.

The post Women’s Activewear for Every Workout appeared first on Cocador.

As strange as it may sound, Clue is the best period-tracking app we’ve found. By entering information on the time of your period, the flow, your pain, mood, and sexual activity, the app can help you learn when you are ovulating in case you want to get pregnant, don’t want to get pregnant, or just want to understand those awful mood swings that seem to arise out of nowhere.

Save the world and simultaneously shed the kilos. Zombies, Run! is an exciting audio adventure and fitness app that lets users escape from their usual jogging track into interactive story missions where you are star of your own video game. In the forty minute episodes, you play the hero, and collect virtual supplies to build your home base whilst fleeing from the growls and groans of the undead. The app also allows you to integrate your own workout playlists so you can bolt with Beyonce on your side – because ‘You’re a Survivor’, quite literally.

An app highly acclaimed by Miranda Kerr,  as an encyclopaedia for all those ingredients we don’t know how to pronounce in our food or other daily products. Search for an ingredient and read up on what’s in it, what it does, whether it is harmful or helpful, and even if it’s banned in any places. This app is perfect for grocery shopping so you can know exactly what you are getting before you dish out the cash for something.

Another Miranda Kerr favourite,acts as a great tool for Australia’s beginner vegetable gardeners. This app is perfect if you’ve been itching to test out your green thumb by planting your own homegrown vegetables. The Vegie Guide will tell you what vegetables are in season and will grow the best in your particular climate. You can even track the growth of your personal garden and learn the warning signs of diseases and pests that might try to get in your way.

To quit the couch and hit the pavement for years now, thanks to its suite of guided runs with pro athletes, and useful run tracking metrics, so you can see your fitness levels soar with cold, hard data. We’re particuarly into the Apple Watch version, which offers all the goodness of its iPhone counterpart but allows you to go running without carting along your phone with you (yes please).

Try as we might, motivation to stick to good habits tends to wane, which is why this clever app comes in handy. It makes running streaks of everyday you commit to your resolution – whether it’s getting in 10,000 steps a day, skipping meat or sugar, or practising a skill – which is a surefire method to ensure you continue for fear of breaking your hard-earned streak. Trust us, it’s addictive.

They’re famed for their cult favourite sunscreen, and now  are extending their expertise in sun protection into the app world. Their app pairs with a portable device and analyses your environment to flag skin-harming environmental aggressors, from high levels of pollution to dangerous UV ratings, and provides a custom skincare routine based on the data. Perfect for encouraging you to apply sunscreen every single day of the year (yes, even when it’s cloudy).

The post Good and Useful Apple Apps for Your Health appeared first on Cocador.

Yes – you heard us right. This creamy beverage is made from a combination of nut milks and raw cacao and retains its ‘raw’ state by being gently warmed via the friction of a high-speed blender. The recipe is from Sigourney’s personal trainer, the raw food guru, Sigourney tells us about this skin-loving, beauty-giving hot chocolate…

“I first met Ricardo when I interviewed him for a  and I’ve been training with him ever since. By adopting some of his suggestions – like minimizing dairy, sugar, and processed foods, and incorporating as much raw food as possible into my diet, I feel better than I ever have. This “hot” chocolate is not exactly steaming as it’s gently warmed in the blender, but it’s such a delicious option for chilly nights when you crave something sweet and indulgent post-dinner. I love that it’s dairy- and sugar-free and you don’t have to heat anything in the microwave or on the stovetop. It’s also jam-packed with antioxidants to protect your cells from ageing and skin-loving vitamins and minerals.

‘Raw cacao is one of the strongest antioxidants around – it’s stronger than acai,  macqui, blueberries, and most superfoods!’ says Ricardo. ‘It’s the mother of all beauty foods – it’s high in iron (great for hair growth) and magnesium which helps put your body into an alkaline state. It also contains nuts that are also rich in magnesium and contain vitamin E which is great for the skin,’ he says, adding that he gets the models he trains to have three tablespoons of raw cacao a day when he’s getting them primed for fashion week.

Happy blending!”

INGREDIENTS

Ricardo recommends using organic ingredients where possible. You can find them at organic stores.

• ¼ cup of hazelnuts
• ¼ cup of brazil nuts
• ¼ cup of almonds
• ¼ cup of macadamias
• 1 tablespoon of raw mesquite powder
• 1 tablespoon of raw cacao powder
• ¼ teaspoon of raw vanilla powder
• ½ teaspoon of cinnamon powder
• 1 tablespoon of raw coconut oil
• 3 tablespoons of raw honey
• 2 cups of raw coconut water.

RECIPE

1. Blend all the ingredients in a high speed blender, such as a for 2 minutes.
2. Serve it straight away. Makes three servings.

Hot tips:

If you don’t have a high speed blender to really pulverise the nuts properly, instead you can use any nut milk and raw cacao powder, or 2tbsp of nut butter with some water.

If you keep this recipe in the fridge it makes an amazing chocolate sauce.

The post How To Make A Decadent Dairy and Sugar-Free Raw Hot Chocolate appeared first on Cocador.

We’ve been big fans of accredited nutritionist Jacqueline Alwill, of for many years – you can see her at home here. She’s an endless source of inspiration for all things wellness, and delicious and nourishing fare (here and here are a few of our go-to recipes she’s previously shared with us). Here, she talks through her day on a plate during lockdown (with delectable recipes included – we’re planning on whipping them up ASAP) and how she’s navigating social distancing with a newborn baby and homeschooling child.

HOW SHE’S KEEPING HEALTHY

I think most importantly at this time when we’re at home and there is temptation just to graze and snack all day is to keep a structure for both work and food. That way, you’re not feeling dissatisfied from snacking or not eating proper meals, or finding yourself snacking on the wrong foods in an attempt to resolve boredom or procrastination.

Structure your day with some meditation and exercise in the morning to boost blood flow and brain power followed by a balanced breakfast. Ensure there is a coffee/tea/snack-break mid-morning (and make sure you’re not sipping coffee all day and then wondering why you feel wired at bed time!).

Make time for lunch away from screens and technology as we’re on them so much at present as it is with some protein if you’re up for feeling fantastic!).

HOW SHE SUGGESTS OPTIMISING YOUR IMMUNITY

Stress less

Ensure you’re getting enough sleep – it’s during sleep that our body utilises energy to build immune function. Try not to let the stress of the current environment build on you long term, as this burdens the immune system too. Get the information you need from the news – say, two news stories – and move on. Don’t tap in and out all day.

Feed on fibre

To help support your immunity, focus on eating lots of plant-based whole foods such as leeks, onion, garlic and asparagus which are rich in prebiotic fibres, and foods rich in resistant starch such as oats and cooked and cooled potatoes. Whilst all plant-based whole foods are wonderful, it’s these in particular we highlight to feed the microbiota in the gut and in turn to build immune function and strength.

Amp up antioxidants

Garlic is wonderful thanks to the presence of allicin, which has strong anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits. Eat plenty of foods rich in zinc such as legumes (chickpeas and lentils), nuts and seeds, organic eggs and dairy, and if you eat meat and fish, then organic red meat and oysters. I could go on but I’ll finish with foods rich in antioxidants like vitamin A (beta carotene) and vitamin C. For vitamin A, aim for those beautiful colourful foods in the plant kingdom such as pumpkin, sweet potato, and carrot, and to get your dose of vitamin C, choose lemons, limes, grapefruit, strawberries, papaya, Brussel sprouts and broccoli. Try my  – it’s divine and packs plenty of these nutrients in too.

THE BAD HABITS SHE’S SEEN HER CLIENTS PICK UP OVER LOCKDOWN

Food habits have generally oriented around too much grazing between meals and not enough structure in the day, resulting in less balanced meals, lacking key macronutrients. Exercise wise, most are keeping on top of things in some way but it’s incidental exercise and step count that has dropped. You’d be surprised how many steps add up with a walk to the bus stop or work, and how this can impact your physical health and emotional wellbeing.

HOW TO BREAK THESE BAD HABITS

Start today, don’t wait. Less excuses and more action is always a great approach. Set one goal for the next five days and stick to it. Write it somewhere (like on the fridge) to keep you on track and tick the box each day.

I also love finding a swap to help – so for instance if someone is spending five minutes having another coffee break, but don’t feel they’re as active as usual then use the five minutes to do some release work on the floor with a cricket ball or foam roller, or a quick yoga flow.

The post A Nutritionist On Binning Bad Lockdown Eating Habits appeared first on Cocador.

Aerobic exercises have the following health benefits :

• Aid weight loss
• Lower the risk of cardiovascular diseases
• Reduce stress and anxiety
• Lower blood lipid levels
• Reduce the risk of diabetes
• Slow down aging
• Promote brain plasticity
• Help fight certain types of cancers

Playing “stare” is not going to help. Get up and include the following aerobic exercises in your fitness routine. Scroll down!

Aerobic Exercises To Do In The Gym

11. Rowing

Be it outdoors or indoors, rowing is an amazing upper body toning and strengthening exercise (just take one look at the rowing crew at Harvard!). You will burn around 300 calories in 30 minutes and can lose the excess fat on your upper body. At the gym, you can row on a rowing machine. Make sure you don’t put too many weights initially. Also, take care of the position of your feet, knees, back, and the muscles used. You may also go on kayaking trips or join a crew club in your area.

12. Boxing

Boxing is more a test of your mind than your body strength. You will learn how to improve body coordination, balance, strength, and muscle tone and start thinking two steps ahead of the opponent. Not just the calorie burn, the stress release and the thrill of fighting like Rocky Balboa or daydreaming about winning the National Boxing Championship will keep you from giving up too soon.

13. Stationary Bike

Picture this. It has been raining since morning, and you cannot go to the gym or outside for a quick run or on a biking adventure. Why not jump on a stationary bike and get yourself moving for at least 20 minutes? It is an amazing exercise to get your blood circulation going. It burns around 200-300 calories and tones your legs, glutes, and lower abdomen. Be careful about the saddle, positioning, and resistance to make the workout effective.

14. Elliptical

If a stationary bike wears you out or bores you, try the elliptical. Why? Well, for starters, it burns about 300-400 calories if you are in the weight range of 160-175 pounds. And there’s more! The machine is designed in a way to give you a full body workout. Meaning, you can get slim and toned arms, legs, and belly.

Aerobic Exercises To Do In A Class

15. Zumba

Zumba is what got me into shape. It is a great form of cardio, and you can have a lot of fun with friends! Zumba burns about 500 calories in 60 minutes, i.e., you can burn about 2500 calories if you do Zumba for at least an hour for five days a week. It also has many health benefits.

These 15 amazing aerobic exercises will definitely help you tone up, reduce stress, and lower the risk of various health issues. Enjoy watching your favorite show, but make sure that you are physically active. Along with doing these exercises, walk to your nearby grocery store instead of driving there.

The post Benefits Of Aerobic Exercises appeared first on Cocador.

For most people, plain water is better.

Bottled water sold as alkaline water is subject to regulation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Alkaline water sometimes has nutrients added to it to achieve an alkaline pH.

Scientists use pH to describe how acidic a substance is on a scale of 0 to 14. By definition, a substance is alkaline if it has a pH of over 7.

Because alkaline water has a higher pH level than does plain tap water, proponents say that it can neutralize acid in your bloodstream. However, research suggests that alkaline water is unlikely to significantly change blood pH.

Some studies suggest that alkaline water might help slow bone loss, but it’s not clear if the benefit is maintained over the long term.

Some say that alkaline water can help prevent disease, such as cancer and heart disease. However, there’s little credible evidence to support such claims.

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