Most of the carbohydrate intake nowadays comes from grains such as maize, wheat, and barley. However, these cereals also contain a few problematic proteins such as gluten and Amylase Trypsin Inhibitors. The problem proteins cause a number of the gut and autoimmune conditions that affect your overall health. Here are five of such demerits.

Autoimmune reactions to gluten

The most popular problem is the autoimmune reaction that is caused by gluten intolerance. This condition is called celiac disease.  Health experts claim that 30 to 40 percent of the human population has the potential to get celiac diseases. However, only less than 3 percent develop the condition. Even for those that do not have the condition, there are a lot of other gluten sensitivities that affect your general wellbeing. The sensitivities are called non-celiac gluten sensitivities

Gut inflammation

Inflammation is the body’s response to irritation or injury. The inflammation you get in the gut is similar to the reaction of your skin when an object cuts you. The surrounding part of the area gets red, swollen, and tender.  Gluten is a gut irritant.  You get inflamed when the body reacts against the irritation causing you to feel very uncomfortable. Inflammation also causes a host of other problems.

Damages the gut biome  

The gut contains several varieties of bacteria. The bacteria helps in digestion, regulation of the immune system, synthesis of nutrients such as the K2 and send fullness and hunger signals to the brain. Gluten leads to a lower number of gut bacteria populations. This causes inability to synthesize certain nutrients and feeding problems among the affected. Moreover, it also causes increased inflammation and predisposes you to problems like gastric gas problems, indigestion, and flatulence. 

Brain fog

Gluten does not only affect the gut, but it also affects the functioning of the brain. People who take high amounts of gluten suffer from fatigue and brain fog. It has also been found that gluten increases vulnerability to dementia and Alzheimer’s diseases. Other factors that come into play leading to the progression of the condition. 

Skin problems

Gluten is known to cause a number of skin diseases such as dermatitis herpetiformis. This skin disease is characterized by red rash, itchiness and raised blisters. The condition show symptoms to those most in the mid-20s. It is aggravated by people with celiac disease. Non-celiac gluten sensitivity leads to a skin condition that is similar to psoriasis and eczema.

Do want to live free of the above conditions? Get rid of gluten by taking grains such as quinoa, cassava flour, and gluten-free pastries and live a symptom free life.

Keeping fit does not need to be tied to the gym especially if you want the rest of your family to benefit from the exercises you are engaging in. With most people spending more time at work or school than they do at home, the focus on families today should be about investing more quality time whenever it is available. Getting actively involved in the outdoors as a family can be a great way of interacting as well as engaging in fun activities.  While the bulk of outdoor activities that double as exercises can be costly because of the planning, traveling, and training involved, there are some cheap alternatives that are just as fun;

Participate in charity races

The best lessons in life are those that only a demonstration can teach. There are many charity organizations that promote a worthy cause but need the support of the public and well-wishers to stay operational. Some of the common ways that such organizations raise funds is through walks and runs. There is no pressure to win in such events and the simple act of buying branded gear and being present is enough achievement for an event’s participant and the beneficiaries.

Grow something in the kitchen garden

As soon as they learn to move on their own, kids enjoy digging up dirt and soiling their hands. Why not harness this affinity into something useful? By teaching them how to grow food from dirt, they will grow up appreciating the value of hard work. Most importantly, gardening is a good exercise for weight training and is, therefore, a cheap way of keeping off weight-related illnesses. Apart from digging up the soil, your whole family can participate in weeding and pruning plants.

Take the dog for a walk

Do you have a dog? Dogs need to get out of the house on a regular basis to exercise their muscles as well as relieve themselves. Create a family routine around your pet’s by making sure you take your spouse and children as well as your dog out on a walk every day. Apart from it being a nice way to interact with the neighborhoods, such walks make for rewarding family memories. If you do not have a dog, your walk can be done routinely before dinner just to freshen up and stretch out.


Too often, people worry about it being too cold or too hot to go outside; luckily, there are outdoor activities such as ice skating that are fun to participate in during winter and swimming which is so irresistible during summer. Getting outdoors and exercising is a great activity for the entire family that will not only create a family bond, but will also provide long term health benefits for all. 

When was the last time you went to a festival and saw trash as far as your eyes could see. Well that trash has to go somewhere. Industrial waste, in most people’s eyes, is the major reason behind the widespread and often toxic environmental pollution.  Even though they are right in their assumption, there’s one thing that they don’t realize. They don’t realize the fact that the industrial waste comes mostly from the production of our day-to-day products and the disposal of our daily waste.

It will be too late to save our future generations from being affected by the selfish practices of the current and previous generations if we do not invest in proper mechanisms and processes to minimize the harm we are causing to the environment now through the excessive use of packaged products. Recycling can help us break down a substantial portion of our waste into their original elements. New materials can then be produced with these elements.

By doing this, we can conserve raw materials and reduce the harmful waste we discard into the environment i.e. through pollution. Besides the environmental reasons for recycling, there are also other reasons why recycling is important.

Recycling conserves resources, saves money, creates jobs, and generates revenue. As a result, it helps in contributing to the economy. Since you’re helping your country save and reduce dependence on other countries for raw materials, recycling also becomes a form of patriotism.

In addition to the patriotic reasons, recycling is important for ethical reasons as well. As previously stated, there will be no resources left for future generations if we do not conserve our resources and recycle now. Our future generations will end up paying the hefty price for the damage we cause to the environment. We therefore have the responsibility to embrace sustainability and begin developing a daily mindset to be the greatest investor of the next generations future by recycling.

The practice of seeking to reduce consumer waste by buying unpackaged, reusable, or recyclable products is known as precycling.

In simple terms, precycling is thinking about the amount of waste a product will produce before choosing and buying it. The objective of precycling is to choose products that have the least environmental impact.

Precycling is a preventive measure that looks to minimize the amount of waste that ends up in landfills. You can practice Precycling by:

It is important to remember that precycling is the first step in reducing waste. Reducing waste is of course the first and foremost step in the sustainability process.

Therefore, precycling is the first thing that should come to your mind when you hear people talk about sustainable living.

Recycling doesn't take a lot of extra time or effort. What it takes to recycle is a change in mindset toward the value of our natural resources, and understanding ways of conserving these resources.

When you're ready to commit to the recycling concept of "Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle,” you must know that the very first steps is a change of mindset. Make sure you approach recycling with the mindset of preservation.

There are many ways to appreciate the beauty of the earth’s natural resources and properties. Making jewelry and buying jewelry made using these natural resources will enable you to see the beauty in these resources and spur you to protect them. Jewelry made from gemstones and crystals hold their timeless beauty for a long time afterwards. It allows you to appreciate the rocks found on earth, be pleased by the radiant or understated beauty that tends to be inherent in these rocks, crystals and gemstones as well as appreciate craftsmanship that turns them into something wearable and something that extends your natural beauty. Using the earth’s properties and natural resources, there are many jewelry ideas that you can churn out, here are three:

Jewelry Made of Turquoise or Agate

This type of jewelry celebrates the earth’s properties and some uses are necklaces, rings, earrings or bracelets among others. Since turquoise consists of blue and green colors that are representation of lush lands and blue seas, it is a great element to use when making jewelry. It also signifies love, happiness and prosperity and hence is a great typed of jewelry to wear! You can give turquoise jewelry to a friend especially as a commemoration of the Earth Day  and as a reminder to maintain as eco-friendly a life as possible.

Agate on the other hand is a natural element that comes in a range of breathtaking colors and hence a great choice to use when making natural handcrafted jewelry. It is a representation of how life on earth should be; healthy, full of prosperity and longevity. Turquoise and Agate are found in many natural jewelry stores and make beautiful pieces encompassing a variety of design ideas.

Jewelry Made from Crystal and Rocks

Crystals and rocks such as rose quartz, clear quartz, amethyst, fluorite, lapis and obsidian looks great, feels great and connects you deeper with the earth. In fact, according to earthpowerstones.com, rocks and crystals signify resilience and self-control and are said to heave protective energies. They can be shaped into unique patterns, tips and techniques to form beautiful jewelry such as necklaces, bracelets, earrings and rings.

Beaded Jewelry

Beads are a great way to bring a fresh and unique edge into your jewelry design and besides, since they can be made from various types of rocks, they can be mixed up to form jewelry pieces that have a unique combination of stones and hence look unique and beautiful as well. Making and wearing beaded jewelry be it necklaces, bracelets, rings or earrings go a long way in using the earth’s natural elements and resources to  bring beauty to everyone who lays their sight on them or wears them.

Boho chic style also referred to as Bohemian style is a style in fashion and décor that embraces artistic and unconventional designs. Bohemian is derived from the French word for “gypsy” and is a style that is associated with freedom and liberty to be yourself and to express your individuality. Rather than appeal to structured conventions, it is meant more as a free-spirited style meant to allow for colorful displays, free expression and unconventionality. It allows you to have personal style and aesthetic quality in fashion and at home allowing both to shine through and creating room for variety in form, color and design. Here are a few ways through which you can achieve a Boho chic environment in your home:

Create Soft Lighting

This type of lighting will create a cozy, special atmosphere in your home and ensure that your collections are displayed in their best look.  Go for brass or Moroccan metal lanterns to accent your living space. These lanterns can be wall sconces, table or floor lanterns and lamps that will bring soft lighting, a comforting serene atmosphere and look beautiful inside your home.

Make Your Space Your Own

With Boho chic style, you do not have to change your individual style to embrace this style. In fact, it is recommended that that you be creative in the use of the things you love to make this style work for you. For instance you can reinvent your space and make your own design rules as you go about the art of decorating.

Use Bold Furniture

This furniture in the living area and in the bedroom should be in a style you like with bold patterns you like as well as rich and vivid colors. To ensure the cozy finish throw in things you are passionate about such as sculptures, books, pillows, art and fabrics and colorful rugs. Morroccan tea tables are especially a great popular choice of furniture to serve treats or stack your magazines and books.

Choose Handmade Décor Pieces

To achieve a Boho Chic Style,  go for handmade décor pieces to showcase your sense of individuality. This is very expressive and will be showcase individuality since handmade items are not only gorgeous but also unique. This can be in the form of art, handcrafts, textiles and rugs among others.

 Bring Out the Glamour in Your Kitchen

Instead of using hash overhead lights, use exotic, soft hanging lights with a glow that provides enough light without being irritating to the eyes. Accent the lighting with dark walls and metallic for a mysterious moods. The bedroom on the other hand should be artfully wallpapered with rugs and fabrics and furniture that showcase your individual style.

Boho Chic ultimately is all about you expressing yourself and your home with color and your own personality drawing from inspiration from the earth and its properties to bring a natural esthetic to your living space.

The Paleo diet has been praised for its numerous benefits ranging from a better metabolism and more energy to clearer skin and fat loss. According to studies,  adopting the diet which encourages eating as our ancestors did results in a stronger, healthier and leaner body. It has therefore been called the caveman diet, Stone Age diet and primal diet among others and basically you start it by asking yourself what would a caveman eat. In the earlier days, there were no processed foods and hence Paleo diet is mainly consistent of organic unprocessed food that made up the diet of the early Paleolithic humans.

The diet consisted of fruits, meats, vegetables, seafood and nuts foods containing fiber, protein, vitamins and minerals, omega-3 fatty acids and unsaturated fats. Besides just focusing on food, adopting the Paleo diet is almost synonymous to adopting the Paleo lifestyle as it is not meant as a short-term dieting plan amd neither does it underscore the importance of exercise. In fact, Paleo lifestyle places emphasis on exercising, citing the fact that our ancestors led active lifestyles and were constantly on the go. Here are 5 ways the diet is good for your health.

Eating Unprocessed Foods Boosts Your Health

The Paleo diet cuts out processed foods which due to packaging may contain a lot of sugar and sodium. These commercially prepared foods can therefore be dangerous and not good for your health. Indeed, studies reports show that people who eat home-cooked food for most part of the week are at least 47% more likely to be alive 10 years later compared to those who eat out most of the time relying on processed foods.

It Promotes Healthy Cells

Due to the consumption of unsaturated fats in the form of omega-3 fatty acids, the body gets a healthy share of these fats which provide a healthy balance for the growth and function of the body’s cells. Most modern diets however tend to contain too much of saturated fats and too little of unsaturated fats.

It Helps Boost Mental Health

Since the Paleo diet emphasizes eating a free range of meats and fish that is caught in the wild as opposed to pond-reared, these foods will provide the organic and will contain healthy proteins and omega-3 fatty acids which contain DHA. DHA is great for the development and functioning of the brain.

It is Rich in Nutrients

The diet which comes under fire for eliminating grains is actually nutrient-rich and has vitamins, healthy fats, proteins, minerals and fiber from the fruits, vegetables, meats, and nuts among others making for a balanced diet.

It Aids Digestion

The diet consists of food rich in nutrients and fiber which is easily digestible and maintains a healthier gut. A healthy digestive system is the core of your health. If your digestion is disrupted from processed sugars and other unhealthy habits, it will in fact cause problems in other areas of the body.

So going completely paleo and eating like the caveman might be just the way to go. As you know, eating from the earth is the way we were created to eat from the very beginning.   

With the organic food business booming and continuing to gain steady popularity as more people go completely organic, there are many who will dissuade and decry based on several cons.  According to organic food reports,, foods are labeled organic if they are grown or made without genetic engineering, synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, sewage sludge, preservatives and radiation. As such, organic foods tend to have a better nutritional value, it is better for the environment and tastes better. Others complain about the high cost among other factors often cited by those determined to criticize organic foods. However, for you to decide if organic food is for you here are the pros and cons.

Pros

Cons

In the long run, if you weigh the benefits to going completely organic you will find that the pros definitely out way the cons. There is no greater investment in yourself than investing in your health.  

Did you know that you can reduce your carbon print by greening your car? Whether you own a smart car or an old model, every car produces greenhouse gases which has an adverse impact on the environment. It is therefore necessary to reduce your car’s environmental impact by making it as efficient and eco-friendly as possible. This can be done by employing preventive maintenance and care actions that will ensure you get more miles per tank which will not only reduce carbon emissions, but also save you money in the long run. Here are three tips you can start with to green your car:

Follow Through With Routine Maintenance 

Your owner’s manual has a recommendation for the proper maintenance intervals. Scheduling maintenance at these times one should check out the changing of battery, filters, oil, spark plugs, radiator, cooling system and the braking system.  This will keep your car at optimal efficiency and hence allow more efficient and safe use of gas without it spilling unnecessary waste or getting fewer miles to the gallon which is a wasteful way to ride.  Carcare.org touts regular maintenance as crucial in making your car green.

Now is the time. Recycling is the only way in which society can preserve the resources it uses. This makes recycling an important component of sustainable living. Unfortunately, most people today do not truly understand the concept and importance of recycling and sustainability.

There is a level of complacency when it comes to recycling. It’s something so many people see as unimportant and something they simply choose not grasp. Why is that?  People reject change. It does take an exerted effort to recycle, but you have to want to do it. You have to understand the benefits of it because that is what will keep you committed to the practice. Ask yourself, How will this benefit my family and the next generation.

Sometimes when there is no immediate result to an action people really could care less. That is not the approach you should take. When you truly understand the purpose in recycling and sustainability as well as the impact it can have in our daily lives, it will lead to a more responsible way of living.

A number of facts explain exactly why recycling is important. The first and foremost of them is the ever growing human population. Each one of us contributes a significant amount of waste to the planet over our lifetime. Do you know that the inhabitants of New York City can fill up the entire Empire State building with the waste they produce in one day? Fortunately, for individuals in developed countries like the Unites States, we can make a difference because of all the resources that we have to do so. The United States and it's citizens really have no excuse. A few lifestyle tweaks and habit changes here and there can help contribute significantly to the economy and the preservation of the earth.

If you care about your future generations, which I know you do, then recycling needs to be an important part of your life. Recycling involves making use of old disposable products to develop new ones. This process has many benefits for you, the environment and future generations.

The millennial generation is the now generation. When it comes to global warming, most of the problems that will be faced will manifest greatest in their elder years. Everyone is responsible for making sure the brunt of these global issues does not end or destruct just one generation. We all have a part in helping to combat climate change, but unfortunately the timetable and the greatest impact are likely to fall on the millennials.

Global warming poses a bigger threat than simply the sea covering coastal cities. In fact, it is estimated that the millennials will lose over $8.8 trillion in the combat of climate change. If circumstances remain the same, their mainstay and traditional ways of life will be disrupted.

Here are four main ways the climate change will affect the millennials.

 Higher cost of living 

Global warming will create higher living costs in terms of food and tax. Around the world, food prices are higher due to an abundance of crop failure as a result of global warming. City and statewide taxes are being implemented to help cover the costs of rebuilding and infrastructure loss due to floods and other effects of climate change. This scenario trickles down to the young families that are just starting families which is the Generation Z and the Millennial generation. Moreover, in an effort to take care of the environment, governments around the world are raising their tax to fund their efforts and unfortunately in the end the overall cost of living goes up at a higher rate than inflation due to the devastating effects of climate change.

Many natural catastrophes

In the last three decade’s there has been an increase of natural disasters at a magnitude that has not been experienced in the past years. Flood prone areas are experiencing more than the standard rainfall levels. Other places are experiencing droughts, hurricanes, and cyclones. The natural catastrophes are blamed for sudden decline in economic development in many areas and loss of life in many other areas. This is something that the millennials will be confronted with and will be fiscally responsible for.

Rising health issues

The degradation of the environment has brought with it a number of public health issues that has not been experienced in the past. There is sudden rise in incurable or high mortality conditions like cancer and asthma related conditions and they stem from pollution from industries that are not practicing sustainability and are often cases found in poverty stricken areas where environmental conditions are not good. These inadequate conditions and unregulated areas will raise the cost of healthcare and lead to lower life expectancy in many cases. Unfortunately, the cost will be borne by millennials as their population is on the rise in urban centers and developing areas.

Source of social transition and innovation

There is one bright side to this global problem. Climate change and global warming has opened a multi-billion avenues for millennials to develop solutions and benefit from such innovations. The issues have also led to the increase of social awareness and concerted efforts in coming up with solutions for the environment.

As countries have come together to sign treaties like the Kyoto and Paris agreements, millennials are tasked with creating solutions to help see that the treaties work. And though the United States just recently pulled out of the Paris Agreement, there is a greater sense of urgency from local communities and state as well as the private sector to create solutions that will and can be a implemented to fight this global crisis.

Earth Day was celebrated earlier in the year with a call for people to reuse and recycle as much material as possible instead of throwing everything away unnecessarily and irreponsibly. Moms tend to be the caretakers of the home and 85% of moms do the grocery shopping for the family. If you are mom, you know how much waste can accumulate in a very short period of time. Here are several recycling tips you can implement at home while saving some money in the process.

There are many things are packaged and over packaged with today's products on the market.  Some packaging can be excessive and seem to be extremely wasteful. You can be creative and take some of the packaging and reuse the containers to store herbs, salt and sugar containers and anything you need to store those small items that you always want to have regularly handy.  All you have to do is cut and clean the containers and decorate to your with your own preference and creativity.

Use reusable bags instead of plastic

   

 Every time you go to the grocery, stores often pack your goods in plastic or paper. Sometimes you have to buy plastic bags in many cities due to new laws that have been implemented. You save money and time when you make an investment and buy reusable bags.  Not only can you use these bags over and over, but some stores will give you a percentage off your groceries when you bring them in. This is a win win because you are saving money, saving time while also saving the environment.

Several organizations are willing to pay you to collect your metal and plastic waste and give it to them. The amount of cash you sell the recycled item for can be used to pay some of your bills for the home. Scrap metal, old furniture and plastic containers are only a few of the items that can be recycled and sold for cash. Locate your local recycling center to see the different items that are recyclable.

Do you have an old piece of furniture, electronic appliances, or clothing? Do not be quick to throw it away. Rather, have them fixedand reused again at home. It saves on the cost of buying new appliances. You can also sell the items at the flea market.

Make use of the vegetable peelings and other organic left overs in the kitchen by making compost manure in the garden. You can use compost manure to grow herbs and vegetables in the garden. You can dig a compost pit in the garden and pile up the kitchen waste, but don't let it rot before putting and using it in the garden.

Items that cannot be repaired or reused can be repurposed. You can repurpose the old non-recyclable items by creating and remaking other items such as sculptures, live fence materials, decorations and many other options. An old cupboard can be used as a table. Old wine bottles can be used as candleholders, wall decoration, or as a lampstand.  Repurposing the items saves on the cash you would have had to spend.

The busy lifestyle along with the frustrations that we face every day can cause considerable amount of stress in our lives. Stress can get to a point where we are not able to carry out our daily activities effectively as we should.

 In addition to finding ways to counter the stress, you can use some natural herbs to relieve the tension that comes with the stress to relax and work efficiently. Here are some of the natural herbs that you can use to relieve anxiety and stress

Passion flower

 Passion flower works well and very similar to some of the commonly used benzodiazepine medications in dealing with anxiety. Studies by University of Maryland Medical center has also shown that passionflower works just like oxazepam. However, unlike oxazepam, the passionflower does not cause drowsiness. Passionflower also deals with other stress related problems such as irritability and agitation.  You should take one cup of passionflower teach three times daily or 45 drops of its extract daily.

Lavender

Lavender oil extract is effective against anxiety related problems and does not cause any sedative effects on the user. It also well tolerated by people who have problems with benzodiazepines. A dosage of 80 mg a day of the supplement effectively deals with general anxiety. The oil can also be used as an aromatherapy solution.

Licorice root

This herb contains a natural hormone that works like cortisone. Cortisone is a hormone that   helps you handle the stressful situations.  Licorice root can normalize the blood sugar as well as your adrenals that help with dealing with stress. The root also calms the mind. You can use it with warm tea twice a day as a soothing tonic.

Kava

Kava is a Polynesian wonder herb that calms an anxious mind. The roots of the herb are brewed to create a drink that calms anxiety. It is a mind sedative that does not cause drowsiness or interrupt cognition. You can take a kava brew twice a day for better performance.

Chamomile

This is an amazing herb that works like ragweed. It can be brewed with tea or used as a supplement. It has been used over the years to calm tense nerves and ease the mind. It has a mild sedating quality and can be used to help those who have trouble getting asleep. You can take it with a cup of coffee by dropping a few flowers in your cup or brewing it with water.