Highland Hydrates: Awaken Your Natural Thirst

Highalnd Hydrates is a FREE 10-day Natural Thirst Challenge that you can sign up for below. The challenge is meant to help you feel more alive than you have ever felt before!

See, when people ask me “How can I improve my lifestyle? Should I exercise more? Should I exercise less?

Rarely do I hear someone asking if they should drink more water.

Most of us don’t drink nearly enough water.

Think about the last time you were thirsty. Can you even remember that scratchy feeling between your throat and your stomach, and the joy when you saw a bottle of water?

The truth is, we’ve stopped listening to the signals that our body sends us. When we feel thirsty, we reach for juice instead of water. Sometimes, if we’re tired, we reach for coffee instead.

Water feels like something to mix with flavors to be more pleasing to our senses, and yet, no matter how much soda we drink, it’s not nearly enough to quench our thirst.

Why? Because our bodies need water.

Our bodies are 60% water. And by removing it from our diet and our lifestyle, we risk illnesses and overall bad feelings of lethargy and fatigue.

So when people come to me asking how they can improve their lifestyle, it doesn’t feel fair for me to just dish out advice without leading by example.

That’s why I’ve started the Highland Hydrates thirst challenge, and I’m inviting you to join me in purifying our bodies and giving them the nutrients they need.

After all, water is key to a healthy lifestyle.

What Happens If We Don’t Hydrate?

There are two ways of looking at our bodies.

The first is viewing our bodies as machines that help us go places. If we don’t keep our bodies in shape and take good care of them, we’ll be like a broken car. Sputtering and coughing, making the owner inside somewhat miserable.

So, what does the car need?

A checkup, yes, but it needs maintenance. It needs oil and fuel.

For our bodies, water is the fuel that runs our engines. 

The second way of viewing our bodies is by how they impact our welfare. Without water, we’re like that comic where there’s a dark cloud perpetually hanging over a person.

Now, you can be the most optimistic pea in the pod, but if there’s a dark cloud looming over you 24/7, you’re bound to feel a little blue. The same goes for bodies with water deficit that’s affecting their homeostasis (equilibrium).

In order for the dark clouds to leave, we have to drink the most common medium for chemical reactions in our body: water.

Otherwise, not only do we risk developing illnesses such as kidney stones, adrenal fatigue, and more… but dehydration will produce more negative effects:

  • Poor mental performance (for example, lack of focus)
  • Poor physical performance
  • Weakened immunity

See, you are probably dehydrated right now and you don’t even know it. Our bodies have a significant ability to continue on, even when dehydrated.

We have our ancestors to blame for that.

Unfortunately, they didn’t live in abundance as we do today. They lived in uncertainty. They couldn’t be sure they would eat every day or that there would be suffient water for them to feel completely satisfied.

That’s why our bodies evolved to monitor the signals we send them with nutrient intake.

So if we regularly drink plenty of water and eat nutrient-rich foods, our bodies will say: “Okay, I can spend these resources. Obviously, they’re going to come in an hour, three hours… and  tomorrow too, so I don’t need to save anything for the rainy days. I don’t need to supress this desire for fuel.”  Does that make sense?

The Benefits of Staying Hydrated

When it comes to substances we need for our bodies to function properly, water is the most important nutrient.

We can do plenty just by adding more of it to our regular diet and lifestyle.

Why?

Well, because nothing in our bodies happens without water.

It transports oxygen, nutrients and waste. It contains electrolytes like calcium and magnesium that we need for our bones, muscles, and other chemical reactions fueling our happy lives.

If we’re cars, water is our oil, too – not just fuel. It lubricates our joints, gastrointestinal and respiratory tracts, meaning that we’ll have better digestion, metabolism, and even breathing!

Talking about calories: we need them.

But not in a way that comes from fast food.

These foods lack nutrients and they dehydrate our bodies. There’s not water or nutrients in 99% of all fast food, and even though water isn’t caloric, it helps the body process calories properly so we become energized and don’t put on extra weight.

We can up the amount of water we consume to make sure our bodies are processing whatever we eat properly. 

So, what’s the problem with hydration?

Our main problem is that we don’t hydrate nearly enough. Our body has to shout at us to get some water, instead of us making it a part of our routine to supply it with the water it needs.

Once this goes on for long enough, our body will start thinking that we don’t have enough resources for it to function to the best of our interests.

Instead, it’ll conserve resources, leaving us prone to sickness.

And since I understand that today there’s very little time to stop and observe what our bodies are doing, and adjust them to their natural rhythms, I’ve prepared the Highland Hydrates challenge.

Despite our differences, we all share a common goal: we want to feel better, and make sure that we and our bodies are getting everything we need. Highland Hydrates is a simple way to do it.

So let’s become healthy together!

Join me in the Highland Hydrates Challenge.

Highland Hydrates is a 10-day thirst challenge that’s going to help you rehydrate your body.

Because we live in a busy world, we’ll train ourselves to provide enough water for our bodies to function at their optimum levels in just 10 days.

Since our bodies already have the instincts they need, all we have to do is help them along the way to understanding that they don’t have to conserve resources. And by doing that with Highland Hydrates, we’ll set the right foundations for future physical wellbeing.

Highland Hydrates is a low-risk program that will stimulate our bodies to properly hydrate our organism by modifying our water intake.

Or, to use my comparison from a little while earlier, we’ll show our body how to say goodbye to the dark cloud of dehydration, and step into the sun of hydration. 🙂

Sign up for the Challenge Here!

The Rules of the Hyland Hydrates 10-Day Hydration Challenge

The main thing we will be doing is increasing our water intake to adjust the way our body perceives resources around it. We live in abundance, and it’s time we showed the benefits of it to our bodies, and ourselves.

That’s why we’ll use the three main rules to change our hydration habits:

Rule 1. Hyperhydrate

Rule 2. Proximity to Water

Rule 3. If You Think, Drink!

Read below for more details on each rule!

Rule 1. Hyperhydrate

The first thing we’ll do is increase the amount of water we consume.

And as all best things, it starts in the morning. If you’re feeling tired and groggy, don’t reach for coffee.

Instead, when you wake up, rinse your mouth with clean water to remove the bacteria and “prep the area” for awesome benefits of staying hydrated.

Drink at least 16oz (500ml) of water after you get up.

I know that drinking coffee first thing is a powerful habit, but just think about all the incredible benefits you’ll get if you drink water first. Soon enough, you may not even need coffee – your body will naturally supply energy.

And to stimulate our bodies even more, we can even add a drop of lemon juice or two shakes of sea salt to get the nurturing minerals that tell our bodies that it’s safe to use resources to power us throughout the day.

Not only will this give us enough energy to go on, but water is also going to help our metabolism store less fat.

How?

If our body isn’t aware we have enough resources, it stores fat and slows down our metabolism. And when we drink water, it knows we’re safe, so it uses the fat to give us energy, instead of adding on the weight without benefits. 

Keep your body well-hydrated by drinking at least 16oz of water every two hours throughout the day.

With time, you can build up to 40oz quantities in the morning and every two hours after.

However, 16oz is the best amount to start with to see how much water your body is craving, and help guide it to its natural thirst patterns. The amount depends on your body size, and it shouldn’t be an uncomfortable sensation. If it is, it’s consult your GP.

Continuous hydration of this type is comfortable both to the body and your habits. You’ll be feeling more refreshed in no time, and your body will get all the signals it needs to understand that it has an abundance of nutrients.

Rule 2. Proximity to Water

The second very important signal that we unconsciously send to our bodies is: “There’s no water nearby, so you have to conserve resources.”

Think about all the times we feel thirsty during the day, but water is just too far away (usually, a room or a supermarket away).

Every time we do that, our body gets the hint and suppresses our need for water, disrupting its natural patterns and conserving nutrients instead of using them so we can function properly.

That’s why rule two is all about proximity to water:

Carry water with you everywhere.

If we keep water within our arms’ reach at all times, we won’t be sending the wrong signals to our bodies.

Plus, it’ll help us stay hydrated throughout the day.

After 10 days, consuming water and staying hydrated will become normal to our bodies, and we’ll have developed our natural thirst again.

Rule 3. If You Think, Drink!

This is a phrase coined by a mentor of mine, Alex Charfen and it’s so simple! Rule 3 is a great way of training to return our bodies back to their natural thirst patterns.

If you think, drink: If we look at our water bottles, water fountains, lakes, we have to drink some water.

In the beginning, we’ll have to keep making the conscious decision to stay hydrated in order for our bodies to understand there’s plenty of resources.

Fortunately, with time, our body will start sending the right signals again.

Extra Highland Hydrates Tips

During these 10 days, we should be careful to protect our bodies’ natural thirst.

We should avoid drinking other beverages, such as: coffee, soft drinks, alcohol, and other beverages that aren’t 100% water.

However, if we cheat a little by drinking other beverages, we can follow up with a 16oz pure water flush after.

In addition to helping our body stay hydrated, this’ll also help it regain our natural palate. Yes, that’s what’s going to make our food taste even more delicious!

Speaking of appealing, pretty water bottles help, too. Water containers can be powerful motivators, especially if we like our bottles. That’ll create hydration positivity from the get go.

Minimum containers should be 32oz (1L) to make sure we have enough water at our arm’s reach.

And remember: if we see a body of water in vicinity, it’s a reminder to drink. Making conscious decisions to stay hydrated will help our body in the long run.

It just takes 10 days to change our lives.

Let’s get started with Highland Hydrates! Starting May 22nd. To participate make sure to email us at [email protected]. You will get an email every day to remind you and share with you a benefit of water and experiences along the way!

Sign up for the Challenge Here!

Recap: Highland Hikes 2016

Highland Hikes 2016_Blog Graphic

We hosted our first ever Highland Hikes event last Saturday and we are so pleased with the turn out! The group of people who joined us had such great energy and the weather couldn’t have been more perfect. We came to conquer Table Rock and left with wonderful memories that will last forever. Our hope is that from here Highland Hikes will only grow. It truly is a great way to get outdoors and get moving. With each event that we offer to our patients our goal is to add valuable experiences that make a difference in people’s lives. We look forward to seeing you next year at Highland Hikes 2017. Be on the lookout for our next event!

Moved By_TopHikeKids

Which Herbs are a Reliable Alternative for Chronic Pain?

Blog Graphic_HerbsMany people who suffer from chronic addictions, anxiety, depression, sleep disorders and chronic pain feel that the only solution is pharmaceutical drugs. But what if there was a reliable alternative? An alternative that would not have side effects and would allow patients to work through the pain.

Herbal Alternatives
There are several herbs that are used for pain/discomfort. This does not necessarily mean that these herbs act identical to the pharmaceutical drugs, however sometimes they do. Below are some examples of herbal alternatives:

Pain: Inflammatory (osteoarthritis and sports injuries)
Pharmaceutical Drug: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
Herbs: Willow bark, Ginger, Turmeric, Celery

Pain: Autoimmunity (rheumatoid arthritis, lupus)
Pharmaceutical Drug: Corticosteroid drugs
Herbs: Turmeric, Feverfew

Pain: Spasm pain (tension headaches)
Pharmaceutical Drug: Antispasmodic drugs
Herbs: Corydalis, Wild yam, California poppy

Pain: Neuralgic pain (cancer pain and fibromyalgia)
Pharmaceutical Drug: Opiates, Antidepressants
Herbs: California poppy, Corydalis, Jamaica dogwood

All the herbs mentioned can be useful alternatives for the types of pain described. They may need to be utilized in high doses but according to research they are safe and surprisingly effective with beneficial effects in pain relief.

Reference: Bone, Kerry. Author of Principles and Practice of Phytotherapy and the Essential Guide to Herbal Safety.

How to Beat Spring Allergies

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Spring is finally here! Which unfortunately means the return of spring allergies. The dreaded sneezing, wheezing, coughing and itching has become more prevalent than ever before for not only adults but children as well. According to the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, 23.6 million Americans were diagnosed with hay fever in the last year alone. So what has caused this increase? The pollen hasn’t changed. The answer is it’s the difference in how our bodies react to the pollen. Two trends that play a major role in how out bodies react differently are hygiene and diet. 

Hygiene: Today, our bodies no longer need to fight germs as much as they did in the past because we have developed a cleaner lifestyle. In other words, we are too clean and we don’t get enough exposure to common germs to keep our immune system in tip-top shape. Being so clean has resulted in the immune system developing more allergic reactions. 

Solution: Don’t think you need to sanitize everything! Let things get a little dirty. It will keep the immune system running efficiently.

Diet: Researchers are discovering that processed foods impact the immune system, which influences allergies.  The immune system acts as a barrier to protect the body against impurities. When it is broken down by sugar, grains and processed foods the body is less able to protect itself against allergens.

Solution: Avoid sugar, grains and processed foods. Eat more fresh produce, fish, nuts and drink LOTS of water. 

Chiropractic Care: A healthy immune system can be achieved by visiting the chiropractor regularly and here’s why. A healthy spine is essential for a healthy nerve system, which coordinates ALL of the other systems. After countless studies it is now known that chiropractic care has a beneficial effect on balancing the immune system. In addition to the growing research, there are numerous case studies of patients who have witnessed drastic improvements in their health and allergies.

 

 

Misconceptions of Healthy Food Labels

Blog Graphic_May6Going to the grocery store can be an easy task when looking for healthy foods, right? All you have to look for are words such as all-natural, organic, gluten-free, non-GMO, etc. However, relying on those terms alone can be misleading.

The term “health halo” refers to the perception that a food is healthy, whether it is or not. This perception is often times accomplished with clever marketing that focuses on covering the packaging with buzz words (organic, all-natural, gluten-free, non-GMO). While most of these foods are healthy some of them are not. They are processed junk food. Marketers use these words for a reason because research has shown that using a label that says organic on foods that are not truly organic can trick even the most educated shoppers into paying more. In fact research has shown that shoppers pay up to 23 percent more.

Instead of relying on labels and the buzz words that flood the packaging do the complete opposite. Try to fill the grocery cart with foods that do not contain labels. Don’t think the health claims are always correct, be hesitant. The health claims are truly only there to sell the product. One of the many positives of eating real food (fruits, vegetables, nuts.) is that you know what is in them. Remember, next time you are in the grocery store, “health halo.”

How to Develop a Healthy Routine

Are you struggling with falling into a daily routine to maintain your optimal health? The new year tends to bring us to reflect on our lives and consider what we can do to develop a healthy routine.

Here are 6 simple tips to help get you started on creating a healthier routine that works for you:

1. Make a List, Check It Twice- The night before, sit down and take the time to plan out what you are going to do the next day such as go to the gym, attend your meeting, and go to the grocery store. If you are able to plan out at least 80% of your day, you will be able to know what to expect right when you start your day the next morning. This organizational strategy is a good way to stay on top of your priorities.

2. Do the Most Important Thing First- For most people, morning time is when we have the most energy and less distractions. Start your day by accomplishing the more important and difficult tasks without interruptions first so you are sure to get them done.

3. Set Your Goals and Limits- When setting goals for your diet, fitness, etc. make sure they are clear and defined. When you set excessively restrictive or vague goals, you are less likely to rise to that challenge. The more consistent you are with your goals, the more likely you are to succeed at them, especially when your goals are health related.

4. Stick to Your Plan- It is important to have routines and to follow through with them so you can develop a set schedule. Try accomplishing your tasks in the same order or at the same time each day. Test out your routine for a few days to see how it works for you and then make changes if needed. Focus on keeping up with your healthy diet, exercise, and chiropractic adjustments to develop your routine in order to stay on top of your health. As your body starts to get used to your routine you will begin to notice that you feel less sluggish (unless you fall off track with your routine, which can then be a good incentive to begin with your routine again).

5. Focus on the Positives- The best way to start your day is to wake up and focus on your positive energy (instead of wishing you could go back to sleep). You can focus on your positive energy by meditating, thinking about the positive aspects of your life, doing affirmations, or practicing visual exercises. Researchers have found that meditation can help lower your blood pressure, boost your immune system, and help reduce stress and fatigue.

6. Stop Worrying- Worrying is never a good way to accomplish anything. When you begin to worry, try redirecting yourself towards more positive energy and what you can do to fix the issue that you are worrying about. Remember to appreciate each day. “The secret of health for both mind and body is not to mourn for the past, worry about the future, or anticipate troubles, but to live in the present moment wisely and earnestly.” –Buddha

5 Helpful Tips for Having Healthy & Happy Children

We are able to determine how healthy we are by the choices we make with our bodies. In children, optimal health can be reached by eating healthy, moving often, and being able to enjoy life. When we are able to build healthier kids…in the end we will have happier kids…which will lead to more successful kids.

Here are the 5 Helpful tips for having healthy & Happy Children:

1. Proper Fuel: As most of us know, breakfast is the most important meal to start out our day. Unfortunately, for most of us, our mornings consist of rushing around being stressed and our focus is not on having a healthy breakfast. Most of us tend to grab something that is quick and convenient with no nutritional value (and usually toxic). A quick and easy nutritional meal in the morning could be something as simple as a green smoothie (mixture of greens, avocados,coconut oil, and a little fruit) for those that are dealing with stressful mornings.

2. I Like to Move It: If you have children in school, you probably know that most schools still employ the “sit still and listen” learning method. Unfortunately, research has proven that this is not an ideal method and that our brains are actually hardwired so that movement and learning are interconnected. As our body is moving, our brain is better allowed to learn by the release of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BNDF). Starting your child’s day with movement before they leave for school is ideal for them to learn and their highest ability.

3. Look to the Spine: Nearly 200,000 children are sent to the hospital each year in the U.S. due to playground accidents. Aside from playground injuries, backpacks, slips and falls, texting, and computer use can all lead to misalignment of the spine. Chiropractors have the expertise to check a child’s spine for misalignment and nervous system interference. Chiropractic adjustments can help remove nerve interference that is affecting the overall function of your child’s body without the need for drugs or surgery. Frequent chiropractic check-ups are essential for having health and happy kids.

4. Leave the House Happy: A simple good laugh before leaving the house is a great way for your child’s mind and body to become balanced out to enhance their happiness throughout the day. Laughter not only is a great way to start your day off right, but it is also known to strengthen the immune system, boost energy levels, diminish pain, and reduce stress in both your children and you as a parent!

5. The 2 Minute Rule: Our children know when we are actually listening to them vs. pretending to listen to them. It is important as parents to demonstrate the value of conversation with our children. During the first and last minute of every conversation with your child you should aim to be present, focus on them, be quiet, and truly listen to them without the use of any electronics. Although it may be hard, this can make a difference in our children’s life.

Green Drinks Are Golden For Your Health

Green Drinks = Gold

 

Remember the story by Dr. Seuss, Green Eggs and Ham?  There is Sam, and his friend…at least I think he was Sam’s friend.  If he wasn’t his friend, then Sam was a very creepy neighbor… In any case, Sam invites his “friend” to eat green eggs and ham.  Sam follows his friend many places and puts many possible ways and places to eat green eggs and ham; in a box, with a fox, in a house, with a mouse…yet Sam is rejected multiple times.

 

Green_Drink

Finally as one last plea, while in the water says “You do not like them, so you say.  Try them! Try them! And you may, I say!”  And so Sam’s friend tried them.  And he then found that he LOVED green eggs and ham so much that he was then willing to eat them in a box, with a fox, in a house, with a mouse…
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10 Natural Rememdies for Colds and Winter Sickness


10 Natural Rememdies for Colds and Winter Sickness
Undoubtedly, you or someone you know is suffering temporarily from the flu, a cold, or a sinus infection.  It’s not fun, but it can be made more bearable.  The list of 10 is not all inclusive, but will give you the right direction in treating your symptoms naturally.  Treating them naturally will allow your body to recover faster now and in the future.  So go on, let your body do what it was designed to do.
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