4 Healthy + Natural Travel Essentials

type="html">Because I live where the ground is frozen solid for over half the year, I always feel the need to cram as much fun as possible into the season. We're on the go a lot more and so I sometimes find myself making health and/or "green" compromises for the sake of saving time or making life easier while travelling.

Finding products + tools that make it easy to stay on track in those situations is helpful for me, and I've stumbled upon some gems on my quest for a simple, healthy, natural lifestyle - no matter what the season! Allow me to share!

Simple Snacks

It's all too easy to go for fast food while travelling but it makes me feel awful, especially if I'm forced to sit still in a car for hours afterward! It puts me right to sleep. I like to satisfy my hunger and feed the kiddos healthier snacks - like trail mix! Obviously it's really easy to switch this up to suit your tastes, but I am a big fan of simply mixing dried cranberries, almonds, and popcorn. YUM.

Family-Friendly Products

Rather than packing a ton of different stuff for each member of the family I like to find ways to bring things we can all use. For example, skin solution is an all-in-one moisturizer, makeup remover, diaper-rash-healer, razor burn banisher, and "natural Neosporin" for wound care in ONE bottle!

I also only pack whatever bar of soap tickles my fancy at the time (I have collected a LOT of bars of natural soap over the last couple of years..) since it can be used by everyone and is perfectly fine to use as shampoo as well!

Probiotics

Probiotics are always a good idea, but especially if you are travelling far from home. Unfamiliar food can cause interesting digestive situations which is the last thing you want to be dealing with when you're trying to enjoy a trip!

In fact, even if you're not travelling too far, I think most of us tend to eat different kinds of food than at home - and probably way more processed and less nutritious in general. Keeping your "gut-health" in check with probiotics isn't just good for your digestion, it's also a really big key player in how your immune system performs, which is another concern while travelling.

Essential Oils

It's easy to go overboard here and pack a billion little bottles, but I try to keep it to 2 or 3 depending on the trip. Where we'll stay, how far from home we're headed, and what we'll be doing factors in, but I generally stick with the basics:

• Lavender oil - calming, which can be helpful if you're travelling across time zones and need to adjust your sleep schedule, as well as for little ones who are forced to sit longer than they normally would in a car or plane!
• Tea tree oil - your antiviral, antifungal, antibacterial best friend, especially if you're staying in a hotel room! It's also energizing and uplifting and is fantastic for clearing up acne (which always seems to flare up for me when I travel.)

Travelling lightweight is sometimes tricky to do - especially with kids - but I always feel so much more "free" and able to enjoy myself when there is less shlepping to do. :)

Are you headed off on exciting travels this summer? What are your favorite travel essentials?

Spreading the Word

I've sent our info to local churches, school counselors, and pregnancy centers.  I did the same in larger towns not too far from us.  A principal, school counselor and pastor have already replied.

I sent our application to the adoption agency last week and haven't heard back yet.  I'll follow up today to make sure she received it.  I also will get started on the questionnaire today as well.

I hope all of you had a wonderful Mother's Day!!  Hopefully, next year I'll celebrate the holiday with a little one :)

Made in USA Giveaway - from ibody science + Dr. Doormat

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I'm so excited to be participating in the 2nd Annual Made in the USA Giveaway Hop, hosted by Happy Mothering and The Pistachio Project together with the Green Moms Network! We are excited to bring you awesome prizes that are Made in the USA and valued at $25+ to help you celebrate Independence Day!. After entering my giveaway, be sure to visit the other blogs listed under the Rafflecopter form for your chance to win more great giveaways.

This year, two sponsors that you will recognize as friends of Everblossom are offering their products once again!

Below, you can enter to win skin solution from ibody science, one of my favorite personal care products for the whole family. Check out my skin solution review on Pretty Green Skincare!

You can also enter to win a Dr. Doormat for your home - the doormat that SERIOUSLY keeps your home cleaner and allows fewer toxins inside. You might remember the Spring into Sustainability hop, where I shared a review of Dr. Doormat!

 Or... better yet: enter to win both! :) Good luck and Happy Independence Day!!   a Rafflecopter giveawaya Rafflecopter giveaway

Waiting

As we're waiting to hear from our agency, waiting for that call, we're trudging forward getting the house ready for a baby.  We will be moving Farmie's "closet" which is actually a spare bedroom one room over to make room for the nursery so that it will be closest to our bedroom.  I already ordered a crib and dresser.  Once we get a call I will move forward with ordering everything else, but since it could be 6 months from now I feel it's a little early to get everything.  But maybe that's also from our experience with IVF and really wondering if the day will ever come when we will have a son or daughter.  The IVF experience has left me questioning that because it feels like we've been waiting forever already.  It bothers me that I'm hesitant to just order everything, but I am and I just have to accept that it's probably from the disappointments we have already faced.

A few months ago I took on a new partnership at work and I just took on another.  Both know our plans to adopt.  They are very supportive of our choice to adopt and the fact that I will kind of be taking it day by day to see what will be feasible once we have a baby.  I'm very blessed to have the opportunities I've been given this year and I hope to be able to maintain them working from home.  Today I'm working on organizing a system to help me keep track of everything.  I'm trying to create a system that will be as low maintenance as possible.  The partnerships know that if I start struggling to maintain everything I will bow out, but they need my help in the meantime and are ok seeing how things go.

Farmie is out of town for work and I'm going to make it my goal to have our adoption portfolio completed by the time he gets back on Wednesday.  Building the portfolio is a lot harder than I expected, but I think I've gathered enough photos from over the years to get it done.

We haven't heard anything from the agency since submitted our application.  Getting the portfolio done will give me a good reason to touch base again and get an update.

Sorry I haven't been very chatty and commenting like I normally do on everyone's blogs.  I feel like I've moved from foster care, to IVF, and now to adoption and it's a very different place emotionally.  It's another transition and I'm feeling pretty alone in this part of journey.  Similar to how I felt in the beginning when we were struggling with finding out about Farmie's infertility issues.  But I know that I'll deal with this as well and find some stable ground.  It's just an adjustment!

Simply Natural Saturdays Link Up

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 Grab the Badge

Simply Natural Saturdays Hosts

Brittany at The Pistachio Project

Brittney at Brittleby's Corner
Kassie at Going Green with the Grizls

Leah at Crunchy Farm Baby
Kylie at Everblossom

Featured Post



Check out the rules in the top image and link up your natural posts!

Breastfeeding

I've had numerous people that know we are adopting ask me if I will try to breastfeed.  I thought about this briefly when I was researching breastmilk banks.  I do feel that breastmilk is best for a baby, but the banks are a little concerning with the lack of screening.  They do health screens, but nothing for substance abuse.

I talked to a midwife that I've known for years and she says that it is possible to development breastmilk by pumping and drinking teas that she creates.  She said that it's hard to predict how your body will respond.  Some produce milk quickly and others never produce enough for a baby to solely rely on breastmilk.  Other ways to ensure that you create breastmilk is by talking my old friends progesterone and estrogen in combination with pumping.  The midwife did not suggest this.  She's always against anything artificial.  I have my issues with the hormones as well and feel like part of moving forward with adoption is putting the hormones behind me.  If it were up to me I would never take any medication ever again.  I even stopped the birth control that I hoped would bring my cycle back to normal.  I started feeling physical and emotional effects from it so I just stopped.

I am considering pumping, but I'm hesitant to do that because we don't know when we will get a baby. If I started pumping it could be as long as 6 months before I had a baby to feed.  I don't really know what to do really.  I'm very torn on the subject.  I feel guilt over it since I'm not that enthusiastic about trying to create breastmilk...

We could also try to find someone locally that could provide medical records and someone I would feel comfortable with to donate or sell breastmilk to us.

I'm not sure what to do.  What would you do if you were in my shoes?

Spirulina: Algae with a Superfood Status

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Please welcome Adrienne as she shares some info on Spirulina in this guest post. Do you take Spirulina?

You may be wondering about spirulina, an ingredient that is becoming common in green foods and beverages, energy bars, and supplements.

But what exactly is spirulina and why is it getting so much attention? Before you decide to try a spirulina product, investigate what it’s all about first.

The Composition of Spirulina

Spirulina is similar to sea vegetables like kelp. It is a member of the blue-green algae family, it really isn’t an alga. It is a type of cyanobacteria. This species is categorized as bacteria because its genetic material is not organized in a membrane-bound nucleus. Cyanobacteria also contain chlorophyll and use the sun as an energy source, similar to plants and algae.

Unlike most plants, spirulina does not need much supervision. In fact, it is referred to as a “survivor” because it is able to withstand extreme conditions like high temperatures and neglect.

Spirulina is often confused with another type of fresh-water algae called chlorella. The difference between the two is that spirulina does not possess the hard cell wall chlorella possesses.

Traditional Uses

According to the historical records of Spanish conquistadors, the Kanembu people from Central Africa harvested spirulina from Lake Chad during the 9th century. During the 16th century, the Aztecs harvested the freshwater algae from Lake Texcoco in Mexico and used it as a dried flat cake ingredient. The cake called “dihe” was sold to the public as staple food.

While wild spirulina continues to thrive in the alkaline lakes of Mexico and Africa, it is presently commercially-grown around the world. Its commercial production began during the 1970s led by a French company. Soon, America and Japan followed suit. At the moment, Japan is the largest producer and consumer of spirulina.

What Makes Spirulina a Superfood?

Spirulina’s nutritional profile is one reason why it is revered as a superfood. Superfoods are a special category of foods found in nature that have high nutrient and antioxidant content.

Spirulina is one of the best protein sources – even better than red meat, which is only 27 percent protein. It can be as much as 60 percent protein and contains 18 essential amino acids, the building blocks of protein. Its proteins are highly digestible because spirulina does not contain cellulose walls.

Spirulina is also low in carbohydrates – only 15 to 20 percent. In addition to this, spirulina possesses the following nutrients:

• B-vitamins, including B12
• Vitamin K and other vitamins
• Gamma-linoleic acid (GLA), or a type of fatty acid that is a precursor to biochemical, such as prostaglandins, leukotrienes, and thromboxanes
• Metallo-thionine compounds
• Iodine
• Essential fatty acids, such as sulfolipids
• Calcium, iron, magnesium, selenium, manganese, potassium, and zinc
• Phytopigments, such as phycocyanin, chlorophyll, and carotenoids

Taking a Spirulina Supplement

Although spirulina offers loads of nutrients, it is often grown in an uncontrolled environment and is prone to heavy metal and toxin contamination. It is best to pick a food product or a supplement that contains organic spirulina cultivated by a reputable source.

Spirulina supplements are sold in capsules, tablets, powders, and flakes. Although the recommended dosage is between three and five grams, it is best to take the supplement gradually, as there are documented reactions including elevation of body temperature, darker-colored stool, gas buildup, restlessness, and skin problems.

When you take a spirulina supplement, increase your water intake and increase your dose gradually. Avoid spirulina if you have food allergies. If you are pregnant or nursing, taking medication, or have a health condition, it’s best to consult a physician prior to taking a spirulina product.

About the Author

Adrienne Nicole is a health blogger. She researches foods that are gaining a “super food status,” such as organic spirulina. She is a follower of Dr. Mercola, and is subscribed to his daily newsletter.

Agency Update

The agency called today and asked us to sign up for their seminar.  This was something that we thought would be later in the summer based on what she had said when we met, but apparently they are moving us along quickly.  Our references also let us know that they had been contacted today with a questionnaire to fill out about us.  The seminar is June 14th and 15th.  We also got our first invoice which is for the application to be fully processed and signing up for the seminar: $700

They emailed us info for the seminar that details what we will be going over.  Here is what it said:

We offer an intensive training seminar to provide education and preparation to couples considering parenting by adoption particularly through our open adoption program.

TOPICS:

·      Infertility and how it impacts adoptive parenting

·      The role of adoptive parents

·      Birth parent understanding: who are birth parents and why do they look at adoption for their children

·      Open Adoption: developing trust and boundaries

·      Legal framework for adoption

·      Importance of genetics in adoption

·      Bonding and attachment: what is it and how to do it

·      Adoptee adjustment: what can parents expect

·      How to meet the child’s need to know and understand adoption through the developmental life stages of childhood

A panel of birthparents will also present their personal experiences in the decision making process, choosing a family and placement of their child, as well as discuss the relationship they have with the adoptive family.

  

Topics:

·      What is a home study?  When does our home study process start and what are the birth parent meetings, the fears and expectations?

·      Adoptive and birth parent relationships.  These relationships range from very open to almost closed, from supportive and positive to challenging and frustrating.

·      Written Open Adoption Agreements and how they work.  Legal issues and negotiating to win/win.

·      Portfolio building:  what are birth parents looking for, who gets chosen and why?

·      Ongoing contact and communication with birth families: direct or through the agency, how much, how long?

·      Fees and other expenses: how much and for what?

·      Special needs children and special situations: cultural and ethnic placement considerations.

·      Direct Placements. Foster care: When is it used?

·      Adoption finalization:  Steps in the post-placement process and finalizing 

·      A panel of adoptive parents will share their varied experiences in ongoing open adoptions.

I haven't finished our portfolio yet, but the agency said that was best because they would be going over how to build those in the seminar.  I think I will still get the pictures in order and get a layout done.

We're excited!  I ordered more baby gear earlier this week, just some essentials.  I will probably be ordering a little bit more this week.  I'm feeling very blessed and I know that everything we've been through has happened for a reason.  We were meant to adopt.

Simply Natural Saturdays - Link Up - 7.20.13

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You may have noticed last Saturday that there is a new feature here on Everblossom: the Simply Natural Saturdays link up. While SNS isn't a new feature, I am new to hosting and I hope you'll enjoy this weekly opportunity to link up your best natural-themed posts and connect with other bloggers! I'm excited to be hosting along with 4 of my fellow Green Moms Network friends - be sure to visit them and the other bloggers who have linked up!

 Grab the Badge

Simply Natural Saturdays Hosts

Brittany at The Pistachio Project

Brittney at Brittleby's Corner
Kassie at Going Green with the Grizls

Leah at Crunchy Farm Baby
Kylie at Everblossom

Featured Post

I loved this post on freezing fresh herbs from A (New) England Life! Freezing is a great preservation method because the cubes are so easy to grab as you're cooking. Check out the tutorial!

If you want to be featured, link up your best natural posts. Each week, I'll choose my favorite post to feature here!


Check out the rules in the top image and link up your natural posts!

Divorce

I learned on Saturday that my mom is divorcing my dad.  They have been married for 37 years, together for 44.  He flew out this week to visit my grandmother who is dying of colon cancer.  She was told that she would only live 3 months.  That was last October.  So he made a trip to see her and that's when my mom told him: either get sober and go to counseling or I'm divorcing you.

After 37 years it all seems a little pointless to me.  I have very few memories of them being affectionate, happy, but I really have a hard time imagining what life in a couple years will look like especially for my mom.  She doesn't have many friends because she doesn't know how to be there for someone.  She's very good at existing, but not being present.

My dad on the other hand has friends he's known since childhood and he makes new friends very easily.  He's surrounded by his family right now and many friends that he has known for a very long time.

They sold their home last week and my mother will be moving to my town.  My father will stay with my grandmother in Mississippi.

My mom always threatened divorcing my father my entire life.  I always had the fear that she would finally push him away and that I would be left alone with her.  My dad was my world growing up and even though he drank he cooked me meals, asked me how my day at school was.  He took me fishing and treated me more like a friend than a child.  He instilled such a strong sense of confidence in me from his praise and he always made me feel like my opinion mattered.  So the threat of losing him was very frightening to me.  And now even at 30 years old when my mother finally decides to divorce him an overwhelming fear creeps in that I will lose him forever.  But I know that even though he's far away he will always be my father and we will talk regularly.  I just won't see him as much anymore, which makes me sad, but I know he's happy where he is.

My original family structure is disintegrating, but our family, the family that Farmie and I are building, is just starting.  Everything happens in it's own time, the right time, and for some reason my parents divorce is part of the puzzle and part of us moving forward.

7 Reasons Why Hiking Is Good For Your Body And Mind

type="html">Hiking is one of my favorite ways to enjoy the outdoors when the weather allows it. It's also incredibly good for you - enjoy this guest post from Valerie to learn how!

An outdoor activity that offers a myriad of benefits for the body and mind is hiking. This is the just the right type of outdoor activity that both men and women of all ages can enjoy. It is undoubtedly a recreational approach to spend time with family and friends while making sure you stay fit and de-stress from the demands at work. There are various places you can hike, but to get the best out of nature, you might want to consider hiking in a location where various outdoor activities, such as canoeing, fishing, horseback riding and hunting are also offered. Here are some reasons why you must include hiking in your list of outdoor fitness activities.

1. Hiking Helps Burn Calories

Hiking can easily help you burn a large amount of calories every hour, depending on your pace and steep. If you want to lose weight the natural way, then hiking is the best activity to engage in. You can start with easy trails to warm you up and then proceed to more challenging trails once you get the hang of it. You will find yourself hiking for hours so do not forget to bring water and high density foods to provide you with the energy during your hike.

2. Hiking Allows You To Have One Full Body Workout

When you work out at a fitness center or gym, you will have to use a number of workout equipment just to get your entire body in shape. This is unnecessary when you go hiking because the activity allows you to get your upper body, along with your hamstrings and quads working together in a single workout.

3. Hiking Encourages Better Health

Since hiking puts pressure on your bones, it will encourage better bone structure and drastically reduce the risk of osteoporosis. Depending on the amount of hiking you do, you also reduce the risk of heart disease while absorbing plenty of vitamin D from the sun.

4. Hiking Offers A Sense Of Accomplishment

If you want to boost your self esteem, then there is nothing better than climbing mountains to build your confidence. When you reach your hiking destination and look out over your surroundings the overwhelming experience will be of accomplishment.

5. Hiking Is A Good Stress Reliever

Work can build stress and hiking is the best way to get rid of it, aside from reducing insomnia. The breathtaking views and natural rhythms of nature help in improving your mental health.

6. Hiking Offers Sight Seeing Opportunities

If you want to see amazing wildlife that you only used to see on television, then hiking will give you the opportunity. Consider hiking in Idaho where you can find an array of wildlife such as elk and deer. You will be amazed at the variety of wildlife you will come across so do not forget to bring a camera with you.

7. Hiking Offers Breathtaking Views While Exercising

When you work out at the gym, the only views you will get are the city sky, buildings, cars, the television and the other people working out at the gym. However, hiking allows you to exercise while enjoying mountain views, relaxing lakes, miles of greenery and fresh air. Exercising in the beauty of outdoors will help you exercise better and stay focused.

Citations:

• Photograph by: cwright5.

Featured images:

•  License: Royalty Free or iStock source: http://mrg.bz/Wltx6t

Valerie Georges is a freelance writer specializing health and well-being. She offers advice about various outdoor activities that can help people stay fit and recommends Velvet Ranch as the location where people can enjoy various healthy outdoor activities.

Physicals & Adoption Seminar

We had our physicals today.  We really don't have a primary doctor so I got a referral from a friend.  Turns out the doctor on duty today just adopted twin girls!  He was so excited to be able to help someone with their adoption process.  He talked with us for almost 45 minutes.  We were his last appointment for the day so he took his time.  He was very open with us and shared his experience.  He also stressed the importance of knowing whether or not the mother drank during her first trimester.  He felt that was more harmful than a mother addicted to meth or heroin.   I really wanted to know his opinion on the physical aspects of addiction and how that affects a baby.  He was so straight forward and I think he really appreciated the chance to educate us.  We were both excited to meet someone that had recently adopted and was so knowledgable about things I was concerned about.  I couldn't have imagined a better scenario for us.  It was such a great experience.

We have our seminar on Friday and Saturday.  Last week we learned that our friends that adopted the twin boys will be one of the guest speakers.  They asked us first before committing because they were concerned it might be awkward for us knowing them and having them speak to the group.  But that didn't cross our minds at all.  We think it will be nice to know someone there.  We're curious to see how many people will be attending.

It's nice to have things fall in place and happen smoothly as if it was meant to be.  We never had this during our IVF journey.  I hope it continues.

10+ Blog Posts You Need To Read About Genetically Modified Foods

type="html">I've been meaning to write a post on GMOs and GM foods for quite some time now, and since I am really just starting to learn about this issue, I had to do plenty of research. As I did, I found that there are LOADS of bloggers and writers that are putting out informative pieces on this topic.. and there isn't really anything "new" for me to say authoritatively.
http://coderzcheat.com/

I'd like to share the most helpful pieces on genetically modified foods that have helped me get informed and make decisions about what I feed my family.

General Info about GMOs

• What Are GMOs? at Green4u
• What Are GMOs? at Happy Mothering
• GMOs Gross Me Out at Eco Incognito
• GMOs 101 at Organic It's Worth It

Avoiding GMOs

• Comprehensive List of GMO Products at Shift Frequency
• What Company is Really Making Your Favorite Food? at Green4u
• Most Common GMO Foods at Healthy Home Mom
• How to Avoid GMO Corn at Happy Mothering
• How to Avoid GMO Sugar at Happy Mothering
• Avoiding GMO Meat without Breaking the Bank at Happy Mothering

Until more research is done on the effects of GMOs on the environment and on our bodies, I choose to avoid them as much as I can. The information in the articles shared here has helped me come to that conclusion.

If you are a blogger and would like to share your views and findings on GMOs, feel free to link up your post below!

How do you feel about GMOs? 

Where are we now

The seminar was a lot to take in.  It was almost two days of meeting birth moms, adoptive parents and listening about the adoptive process.  I have mixed feelings about what I learned.  It was more about the agency than the legal side of adoption.  We were fairly clear on the legal process when we went there so my goal was to learn more about what they communicate to the adoptive parents at the time you're chosen.  It reiterated that we really need to stand firm on drug use and that we need to trust our gut when it comes to what the agency says to us when they call saying that a birth mom has picked us.

About 40% of their babies have drug exposure or are addicted at birth.  This percentage doesn't include marijuana since they feel it doesn't have any affect on the babies.  I still feel strongly that this is probably the most important decision we will make in our lives and if we have the information and the choice I would like to avoid adopting a child with drug exposure.  If we chose not to there are so many adoptive couples lined up.  Once our group enters the pool there will be 13 total and that doesn't include those that are waiting for an invite to the next seminar.  However, the agency did give everyone the impression that if a birth mom chooses us that is our baby.  Sort of like we don't really have a choice or we will be looked down upon if we said a particular birth mom/baby wasn't a good fit for us.

I've been processing it over the last few days and it's another milestone behind us in the process which I'm proud of, but at the same time sitting in that room I couldn't help but feel I didn't belong there.  Yes, we have had 4 failed IVF cycles.  Yes, Farmie has infertility issues that we can't fix, but part of me is still thinking I'm not an infertile.  I don't know what to do with this feeling and maybe it's because we were in a room with other couples and the agency kept saying things like "well in spite of our birth moms circumstances they just have young eggs" or "if the drug exposure scares you I suggest you get a surrogate".  I felt that infertility kept being thrown in our face and maybe that's why there was a part of me that was like, "Hey! I could get knocked up if I wanted to!"

It's surreal being in a room full of hopeful adoptive couples and knowing that my body can create and carry a baby.  I don't know how to respond to that thought/reaction other than to just suppress it.  I do feel like adoption is the best step for us because the baby isn't biologically either one of us.  I think it's probably what's best for right now, but I don't  know how I'll feel down the road.

Simply Natural Saturdays - Link Up - 7.27.13

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 Grab the Badge

Simply Natural Saturdays Hosts

Brittany at The Pistachio Project

Brittney at Brittleby's Corner
Kassie at Going Green with the Grizls

Leah at Crunchy Farm Baby
Kylie at Everblossom

Featured Post

I loved this post on making your own cloth wipes at Living La Vida Eco! Cloth wipes are a great alternative to disposable baby wipes + are great for adult hygiene, too.

Check out the rules in the top image and link up your natural posts!

Baby Gear is Arriving!

The crib and dresser arrived yesterday along with this bouncy and our pack & play.  We have base trim and curtains left in the nursery and then we will be able to arrange furniture.  The more items that arrive the less stress I have.  Being prepared when we get that call will make me feel a lot better I think.

We're having dinner tonight with one of the adoptive couples that talked at our seminar.  Farmie works out with the husband and they're the couple that adopted twins.  It will be nice to hang out with someone that has been through this process.  They've already admitted that the seminar scared them and that they almost decided to not move forward.  I'm bringing over dinner.  They have their hands full with the twins!  

Fats: The Ones We Need, The Ones We Don't

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With obesity at an all time high and on the rise, it seems that a lot of health advice given these days is centered around losing weight. Somewhere in the mix, fats have gotten a bad reputation. The truth is, we actually do need some fats in our diet in order for our bodies to function properly! Not all fats are created equally, however, and the healthy -and unhealthy- options may not be what you expected.

We Need Fat!

Fats give us energy, just like the other macronutrients, and are also necessary for our bodies to carry certain vitamins and minerals to where they need to go. We also need them to produce the right levels of hormones, and maintain healthy organs - especially our skin!

Not all fats are created equally, however. There are three categories that fats can fit into:

• Unsaturated fat - typically liquid at room temperature, from plant sources. These types of fats will ideally make up the majority of your fat intake.
• Saturated fat - typically solid at room temperature from both plant and animal sources. These types of fats should be used in moderation.
• Trans fat - Highly processed fats that undergo “hydrogenation” to make them more shelf stable. These fats are ideally avoided.

Healthy Fats

Both unsaturated fats and saturated fats have their place in a healthy, balanced diet. The key when choosing any of your food is to aim for those that are as minimally processed as possible. Some of the healthiest sources of fat are nuts, seeds and some fruits, like avocado. Other whole-food sources include dairy (like butter and whole-fat cheese), coconut, and meat.

Yes, animal sources can be a part of a healthy diet too!

Fats to Avoid

Trans fats, on the other hand, are so processed that they no longer have much to offer nutritionally. They are best used sparingly. Trans fats are typically found in pre-packaged foods like:

• cookies
• chips
• doughnuts
• fried foods

You don’t have to avoid fat at all costs to be healthy. In fact, you’ll feel better in the long run by choosing naturally sourced fats that nourish your body. You can maintain a healthy weight while eating certain fats - your skin and health will be better for it, too.