Tag Archives: health

The Benefits of Homemade Coldpressed Drinks this Winter.

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Hello Y’all! Welcome to a new month and the second-to-last month of the year. As the weather cools, the flu, along with every other bug, becomes rampant. Avoiding getting sick during the winter is the best thing one can do because not only will it be miserable outside, you will be miserable on the inside, coupled with still having to do daily activities and get stuff done.

If you’re in the States and keeping abreast with the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) overhaul, you would realize that a lot of our processed drinks contain ingredients that are not only harmful to our health but also have limited to no nutrients and predominantly artificial sugars. It’s widely known that some of the ingredients in our foods have been banned in Europe and are not included in food processing activities. The result of this is the fact that we Americans have the highest obesity rate in the world as of 2022, with approximately 41.92% of men and 43.8% of women. Need I say more?

In an attempt to have a healthier option than soda with zero calories or fruit juice with reportedly ‘no sugar’ but has a saccharine sweetness that tastes sweeter than honey, I started researching alternatives. One thing I learned was that when making regular juice, it doesn’t keep as long, but a better option is cold-pressed juices, which keep longer in your refrigerator. In my case, they last about 7 days. Now, I am not sure as to why, but there is a science behind it, and that’s a blog for another day.

Yes, they quench your thirst but expand your waistline over time….unfortunately :/

And so, about 2 years ago, I purchased a cold press juicer and began experimenting with making juices with fruit and roots that my body needed. I usually have from two to four ingredients in any given batch, with ginger being the non-negotiable and always included in ALL juice batches. Other ingredients are pineapples, celery, apples, turmeric, and lemons. These fruits and roots contain everything from anti-inflammatory benefits, digestive enzymes, fiber, antioxidants, immune boosters, anti-nausea, weight loss, fat burning, cholesterol, and blood sugar-lowering properties, just to mention a few. These are my preferences. Another fun fact is the husk from the press can be used as compost for your garden…if you have one.

Putting on my elder-type glasses literally, let me share, according to AI, some of the benefits of cold-pressed juices.

  • Detoxification
  • Boosting immunity
  • Nutrient absorption
  • Weight management
  • Improved digestion
  • Clearer skin
  • Mental clarity
  • Reduced cravings
  • Stabilize Insulin levels
  • Lower blood pressure
  • Anti-aging
  • Mood enhancement
  • Hydration.

Now, I’m not saying I’ve been completely weaned off sodas, but I have drastically reduced my intake, and we no longer purchase soda at home anymore. It’s all about tweaks without any drastic changes that cannot be sustained. So, with this being said, If you’re interested in getting started with a cold-pressed juicer, there are a few good options on the market, and I’ll be sharing the exact one I use as well, and they include brands like Aietto, Ninja Neverclog, Tinana cold press juicer, and Kitchen in the Box. As you swap out your wardrobe for layers and warmer clothing, remember to boost your immune system and keep it healthy against all the bugs and viruses common at this time of year. Until I come your way again, be safe, healthy, like, follow, and comment. I remain,

Periwinkle Starr

Massive Let Down… But Summers Already Here.

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Hello Y’all. I hope you are doing well in your corner of the world. The Fourth of July holiday is a day away, and it’s going to be a nice, long weekend with cool temperatures and fun. But if you’re in the States, you have been hearing of massive layoffs and cuts going on recently across the board. It’s hard on people, and it’s even harder on families. But what are they going to do about it? Summer is already here, there are things to do, vacations to take, and plans to be executed. If you’ve lived long enough and worked for any length of time, you should have experienced at least one layoff. We’ve all been there, and the first reaction is panic.

Questions like ‘What will I do? How will I live? How will the bills be paid? Vacations are already planned?’ runs through your mind, and some immediately start putting out applications in panic mode, which isn’t the worst thing to do, but I’d love to share some tips on a better approach to dealing with this than what I’ve experienced and witnessed in the past.

Helpful Tips from Yours Truly.

Try to decompress and get over the initial panic – know that layoffs happen.

Realise that companies will always put themselves first, no matter your loyalty or dedication. In this day and age, most companies aren’t like they used to be. Many view their employees as numbers and not people with families and responsibilities. So be shrewd, take your breaks, have boundaries; if you work for a ‘taking company’, return the same energy.

Do a quick snapshot of your current financial status, including bills, savings, debt, investments, etc. If you have been responsible in the past, financial institutions are more likely to work with you on certain commitments and reduce some of the initial stress.

Let your immediate family know. This is a tricky one because sometimes, the affected individual doesn’t want to panic the other members of the family. But this doesn’t always help. Communicating effectively helps with better decision making, especially incorporating cutbacks and conserving existing finances.

It’s OK to have rollercoaster emotions and down days. Take time to feel your feelings, but don’t stay there.

Reprioritize. Being laid off is not always a bad thing. Sometimes it brings families together or gives birth to a new business idea that may provide better stability.

Be optimistic. Life is full of ups and downs, and sometimes the down times are where we really get to reflect; and we don’t have the noise around us to distract us. Some of the best decisions I’ve ever made were made during down times, when I was able to chart the course of my next steps as I emerged from the rut I was in. Once things returned to normal, it was smooth sailing. I already had a plan and a charted course and was not distracted by the passing frivolities that tend to distract us along the way.

Find a way to enjoy your Summer break. It doesn’t have to be all doom and gloom. You are alive, you’re healthy, and have people who love and care about you; that’s more than enough to give you the boost to get up and make it in life. There are so many fun things to do that are great if you’re on a budget. Finding fun and cost-effective ways to get through the tough times makes you stronger, not just mentally but all around in life.

Folks, I have been spur-of-the-moment baking these past weeks and haven’t had time to share some of the pictures. I made a very simple GF Carrot Cake.

I hope you enjoy. Until I come your merry way again, I remain,

Periwinkle Starr

The Beauty Industries Evolution – A Wild Reality

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Hello Y’all! It’s Father’s Day today, and I want to extend a shout-out to all the good and amazing Fathers out here. Where would we be without our Dads? Meanwhile, the weather is beautiful out here in North Texas; we have a gentle breeze wafting through our porch, and it’s divine. My post today is quite sensitive, and something we can all relate to. Being a millennial and watching the technological evolution manifest right before my eyes, the beauty industry has not been exempt from these innovations. *Just to make a disclaimer that I’m not in any way against technology, in fact, it has done a whole lot of good for the industry, but there is a fine line between sanity and absolute bonkers that we are going to look into here.

Plastic Surgery – The Dawn of Possibilities

I first heard about the term ‘plastic surgery’, it was mentioned alongside Michael Jackson, the King of Pop, back then. He had undergone what was coined Rhinoplasty to repair his nose that got broken during a rehearsal accident in 1979, way before my time, but something I noticed growing up as he got more work done. At that time, it was something that music stars and celebrities were getting into, which, in my opinion, made sense because they had to be in the public eye, and being youthful meant longevity in the entertainment industry. But unbeknownst to the majority of the public, there was a plan to market the possibilities of beauty enhancements available to the general public, and using celebrities was the gateway. It would be extremely lucrative to create this ideal of what the perfect body on a woman or man should be, and a fast way to achieve it with less effort.

The Kardashians – The Downfall of Natural Beauty

In 2007, the show Keeping Up with the Kardashians came onto the Reality TV scene. A family made popular first by the fact that the patriarch, Robert Kardashian, was the lawyer for O.J. Simpson during the murder trial of his wife. The Kardashian ladies were the ‘it’ girls back then. We all wanted to dress like them, talk like them, and some went as far as trying to look like them. They glamorized Botox, fillers, BBLs – Brazilian Butt Lifts, breast implants, coolsculpting – a non invasive fat reduction procedure, vaginoplasty, Mummy Makeover – A full body upgrade and much more. “If that part of the body could be reached, it could be tweaked”. This was the message insinuated on that show, and in my opinion, the downward spiral had begun.

Pop-Up Clinics, Quack Doctors, and Affordable Overseas Options

I remember when I could count the number of Plastic Surgery institutes and clinics in my county, but now there’s one in literally every corner offering solutions with payment plan options. We have all heard of women who cannot afford these clinics settling for quack doctors in shanty apartments and hotel rooms, to those ladies traveling overseas to developing countries offering cheaper rates for the same procedures. Back in the day, people were somewhat more content with their overall physical appearance than they are today. You did the best with what you had, and many sacrificed by exercising, dieting, and using more natural remedies.

Ramifications of these Trends

No one is talking about the health implications of these substances in our bodies. Not many are allowed to voice their less-than-pleasant experiences after undergoing these procedures. There is a high risk of cancers and many more debilitating illnesses due to these procedures. People have literally changed their total appearance with no resemblance to their ethnicity or family. But it doesn’t stop there. We have those who suffer from body dysmorphia and have literally gone over the edge with these procedures, and look nothing short of hideous.

A few months ago, a study officially came out on fillers, which are dermal injectable treatments that can enhance facial features and improve the overall appearance of the face are now reportedly an issue. These injectables, which can be silicone, hyaluronic acid, or other substances, have been reported to migrate around the face and body, with patients complaining of these implants not dissolving or difficulty removing them from the body. The FDA created a Filler Safety Panel document by Steven F. Weiner, MD, in 2021 that doctors needed to present to patients on the risks involved before proceeding with treatment, but this has not slowed down the masses from going ahead despite the risks involved. This is just the tip of the iceberg. The rabbit hole goes further down. The horror stories include amputations, rotting flesh, vision issues, migraines, hair loss, lymphedema, and cancer have been reported, but not many are listening.

In conclusion, where do we draw the line? I’m not even sure the “line” exists anymore, just because of how far we’ve gone with superficial enhancements to the bodies of women and men. What has made women feel this way, where we risk our lives to hold onto youth that is bound to fade as we age? I don’t think this is an easy answer, but I believe it is a conversation we need to have on a larger scale if there is any hope in positively impacting the younger generations growing up around this abnormal obsession. I can understand genuine health conditions, accidents, and congenital disorders that require some of these procedures, but at the rate we as a society are going, it may end up being too late if something is not done to slow down this descent. This is indeed food for thought.

Until I come your way again, please like, comment, share, and follow for more.

Periwinkle Starr

Not Another Weight Loss Blog Post!!

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Hello Y’all! I hope this post finds you doing great in your corner of the world. If this is your first time stumbling on my blog Periwinkle Starr, you’re welcome! This is a lifestyle blog where I get to share all things worth living for from food, travel, fashion, health and so much more. So if this is right up your alley, then follow to get notified whenever I post a new blog.

I know, I know…if you’ve been following, you know that weight loss is something I love to write about not just because it’s something that I and a majority of the population have struggled with every now and then but because weight loss eliminates the risk of several illnesses and prolongs life. So, before you roll your eyes (wink), please read on and thank me later.

We’ve heard over and over that 80 percent of weight loss is attributed to your diet. Well, that isn’t entirely true. I recently embarked on a search to figure out why I wasn’t losing weight despite doing my best to eat right, exercise regularly, and maintain a positive outlook on the process. I WAS WRONG! And on so many levels. Here’s what I found out and I’ll share what actually worked in the last month and a half – six weeks; with me being down 12 pounds without starving myself. Before this, for the past two years, I couldn’t even lose 5-pounds no matter what I did.

Know Your Blood Type

I learned that your blood type has requirements for nourishment. It also determines whether you need to be physically active or you can get away with less exercise. I kid you not. This blew my mind and opened up a rabbit hole that I voluntarily decided to explore. For free information, my first stop was YouTube. I found the following channels:

  1. Ask Dr Anita PhD
  2. BioBalance Healthcast

Eliminate Stress From Your Life

Stress is a major blocker when it comes to weight loss. It affects your metabolism, your hormones, your bones, and even your ability to burn fat. If you are ready to lose weight fast, removing stress is a huge requirement. If you aren’t able to due to circumstances probably beyond your control like school or a stressful job, weight loss will be harder and it will take longer. It will also affect the body negatively because the body is already in a bad state to begin with.

Change Up Your Diet

After incorporating points 1 and 2, you’re ready to implement the third item which is changing up your diet. If you remember a previous post I made where I talked about a YouTuber that I follow named Plantiful Kiki who was overweight for so many years but was able to shed the weight and keep it off so many years after doing the Carb Diet or Carb Balance Diet, something along those lines. Well, I tried that diet and gained even more weight. But knowing my blood type and what it needs to be nourished, I can’t eat the Carb Diet. It won’t work or give me the same results as Kiki. And I feel there are tons of people who have given up hope of losing weight or not being able to keep it off long-term; not because the diets were bad but because that was someone else’s diet, and meant for someone with a different blood type.

Now Exercise!!! Exercise!!! Exercise!!!

Don’t complicate things by saying you need to join a gym or hire a trainer, all of these are good things but you can start small. Youtube has a plethora of short-circuit exercises you can begin with. Start walking whether on the treadmill or outside. Take the stairs. When you go grocery shopping, park a little distance from the entrance so you get more steps in. You can even start tracking your steps on a daily. All of these things are FREE!!

Get A Smart Scale…If you don’t already have one.

The reason smart scales are preferred in my book is because they give me a breakdown of everything including my weight, BMI, Body Fat, Muscle Mass, Body Water, Visceral Fat, Bone Mass, BMR, Protein Intake, Fat Level, Subcutaneous Fat, Lean Body Mass, Body Type and Standard Weight. Having this information, I get to custom tweak my diet to improve.

Folks, If like me, you had practically given up on shedding those 10 or 20 pounds and accepted your fate that age had come to stay, I’m here to shake you out of that rot. You can have the best body in your later years if you’re ready to do these few tweaks. It’s worked for me and I almost cried when I saw the numbers on the scale. Illness is rampant in our world and we have so little control over many things but if you become an active participant in your life, success is inevitable!!

Until I come your way again, please like, follow, and subscribe.

Periwinkle Starr