Intermittent fasting is not like other diet plans, in that it doesn’t set strict standards or regulations on which foods you can eat. You determine which foods, and how much of them, you eat during your specific eating windows. As a general recommendation, though, it is always better to eat healthy, whether your goal is weight loss or long-term health. 

Intermittent fasting is far from new, but it has been more prevalent over the past decade. This eating pattern promises big results, including weight loss, increased metabolism, and even a longer life. According to a brand new Cochrane review, those claims may be inconsistent. The review compared intermittent fasting with regular dietary advice, no dietary intervention, or men and women with obesity. As it turns out, intermittent fasting may result in little to no difference in percentage from baseline weight loss when compared to regular dietary advice.

A Quick Refresher Of Types Of Intermittent Fasting

Before we delve deeper into the Cochrane review’s findings, let us give a quick recap about what intermittent fasting means. The review looked at three main approaches to the eating pattern:

• The 5:2 diet: People on this plan typically eat normally for five days a week and significantly cut calories (about 500-600) for two non-consecutive days (like Thursday and Sunday). 
• Alternate-day fasting: An eating pattern that calls for eating normally one day, and then eating very little (or nothing at all) the next day. Rinse and repeat. 
• Time-restricted eating: The most common model of this is the 16:8 ratio, which means that you fast for 16 hours and eat during an eight-hour window each day. If your first meal is at noon, you finish dinner by eight at night and do not eat until noon the next day. 

What Did The Review Find?

A Cochrane review is a high-standard, systematic review of healthcare research. It analyzes available data and evidence on diets, medical treatments, diagnostics, and other related topics. Basically, researchers look at all of the available quality research to put a review together. 

In the case of the recent review, researchers looked at 22 studies with about 2,000 people from around the world. They tested all three types of the intermittent fasting patterns we detailed earlier. Researchers noted that intermittent fasting did not lead to meaningful weight loss when compared to regular dietary advice. That said, there are a few things worth noting before you give up on intermittent fasting altogether. 

• Most of the studies examined in the review were relatively short. That means that they don’t know what happens if you stick to an intermittent fasting plan for years. Some research on meal timing suggests that when you eat might matter for other aspects of health, not just weight loss. 
• The people observed in the studies were not super diverse. Most of the participants were white adults in wealthy countries, meaning these findings may not apply to everyone. 
• Side effects were plentiful, with some studies tracking them and others not paying attention to them. That means that there are missing pieces to the puzzle. 
• The bottom line is that intermittent fasting is likely not harmful, but it may not be the weight loss miracle you’ve been searching for. 

Why Does It Feel Like Intermittent Fasting Works?

If fasting helps, or has helped, you feel better, that is real. Even if the scale doesn’t budge, here is why it might click for some people:

• It is very simple because you don’t have to worry about macros, micros, or meal prep math. Just watch the clock and eat during your eating window, but make sure to understand how long to wait between meals, as timing can be beneficial to digestive function. 
• You end up eating less without trying very hard. Fewer hours to eat typically means fewer calories ingested, but keep in mind that you can still go overboard depending on what you eat. 
• Everybody is different, so something that works for you may not work for your friend, and vice versa. 

Intermittent fasting is not magic, so don’t force it upon yourself if it isn’t working for you. Consider this article a permission slip to try something new. Have you considered the 20-day Full Body Cleanse? It is a fully detailed program that can help you hit the reset button on your health, all while helping you lose weight in the process, provided the body has weight to lose. Find what works for you and give it a shot!

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Sorry cleansers, but this dressing is not for you. Once you finish your cleanse, though, feel free to make this Japanese-inspired miso vinaigrette dressing. Not only is it vegan and gluten-free, but it is also free of added sugars. It tastes just like a classic vinaigrette from a Japanese restaurant, only it is much healthier. We were inspired to use miso in a dressing, as miso is a nutrient-dense, fermented paste made from soybeans. It is naturally rich in probiotics and offers significant benefits to gut health, immune function, and nutrient absorption.

Having a healthy gut microbiome can help defend the body against harmful bacteria and foreign invaders. Not only does it enhance digestive function, but it also reduces gas, bloating, and the risk of constipation. A. oryzae is the primary probiotic strain found in miso. According to research, this probiotic may help reduce the risk of digestive problems, such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The fermentation process of miso also helps improve digestion by reducing the amount of anti-nutrients in soybeans. Anti-nutrients naturaly exist in founds, including soybeans and other grains. Consuming too many anti-nutrients can cause them to bind to nutrients in the gut, which reduces the body’s ability to absorb them.

We decided to use avocado oil for this dressing because olive oil’s flavor can clash with miso, rice vinegar, and sesame oil. We also added hot water to help thin the dressing and break down the miso paste without having to whisk too much. Once you make the dressing, you can store it in an airtight jar in the fridge for up to two weeks.

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The skin can take a beating during the winter, and many people experience excessive dryness as a result. Crisp wind, dry and cold air, and heat from furnaces create an unfriendly environment for the skin. You may notice flakier, drier skin that’s prone to itchiness as the temperatures drop. And it seems that all the lotion in the world can’t get rid of the dryness!

Just like any other system or organ in the body, the skin requires nutrients that help it grow and repair on a cellular level. When you eat the right foods or focus on the right nutrients, you can help rebuild the skin’s natural moisturizing factor (NMF). This is a protective barrier that seals in moisture and protects the skin from environmental damage. It’s also beneficial to focus on water-rich foods that help hydrate the skin from within. 

We aren’t saying that your skin care routine is ineffective or outdated; rather, it may simply need a little enhancement. For example, using a moisturizer may prevent transepidermal water loss, but this won’t matter if the skin’s moisture barrier is weak. Attack the problem from all angles and your skin will be hydrated, moisturized, and supple before you know it. Continue reading to learn about the nutrients that will help hydrate the skin during the winter. 

Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Many dermatologists recommend people to eat avocado, chia seeds, olive oil, and fatty fish if they want glowing skin. The reason for this is because these foods contain omega-3 fatty acids, which help to improve the skin’s hydration. Omega-3s are an integral component of the skin’s lipid content, and they work to improve the barrier function. If the barrier is working properly, the skin retains more moisture and helps to keep irritants out. Additionally, omega-3s may support the skin by way of hydration and antioxidant photoprotection. 

Vitamin A

During the fall and winter months, it’s very easy to get your daily dose of vitamin A. Many seasonal produce items are naturally rich in this nutrient. Winter squash, sweet potatoes, carrots, or even collard greens and kale are excellent sources of vitamin A. Not only does vitamin A help to maintain skin elasticity, but it also works to fight inflammation, which can contribute to dry skin during the winter. 

Antioxidants

You can include vitamins A, C, E, and other phytonutrients in this category. Antioxidants work to combat free radicals, which can impair the skin’s barrier function and increase the risk of transepidermal water loss. Eating a wide variety of colorful fruits and vegetables can provide you with enough antioxidants to keep the skin hydrated. Astaxanthin, a unique phytonutrient, helps to improve skin elasticity and moisture levels. It may also protect the skin’s collagen layer. Other antioxidants may work to protect the skin from UVB rays and make positive changes to skin microbiome. 

Water-Rich Foods

In addition to drinking water every day, it can help to consume foods with high water content. Roughly 20% of the body’s water intake comes from diet, specifically fruits and vegetables. These foods also offer beneficial antioxidants and nutrients that help protect the skin barrier. Water helps to transport nutrients to your cells, while simultaneously getting rid of toxins. Keeping cells plump and healthy also discourages dry or dehydrated skin. Watermelon, cantaloupe, celery, lettuce, cucumber, radishes, and tomatoes are excellent water-rich produce items. 

Vitamin D

According to dermatologists, it’s easy for the skin to dry out if you are deficient in vitamin D, which is a fat-soluble vitamin. Vitamin D actually triggers receptors that help promote the formation of the skin barrier. Food items provide a low amount of vitamin D, so a supplement may be necessary. Consult with your doctor to determine the correct dosage for your body. As a general note, it’s often better to take a smaller dose every day, as opposed to a larger dose once a week. 

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Raw vegan cheese recipes typically cashews or almonds, but not this one. This raw substitute for parmesan cheese is made with raw sunflower seeds, nutritional yeast and sea salt. Nutritional yeast is a constant in most vegan or raw vegan cheese recipes because it provides that classic cheesy flavor. As a product, nutritional yeast comes in the form of flakes, granules, or a powder. Most nutritional yeast that you find in grocery stores is fortified with high levels of many vitamins, including vitamin B6, riboflavin, thiamin, folate, and vitamin B12. So not only does it impart a cheesy flavor, but it also supplies you with valuable nutrients that can be difficult to obtain on a raw vegan diet.

To be fair, this raw vegan parmesan recipe does not taste like regular parmesan cheese. It does enhance the flavors of dishes that would normally benefit from parmesan cheese, though. Consider adding it on raw zucchini noodle recipes, in homemade raw pesto recipes, or even as a salad topper. How you use this parmesan is entirely up to you, but it is highly versatile and easy to make in a food processor or high-speed blender. Just make sure that you do not over-blend the sunflower seeds until they become a puree. You want this parmesan cheese to have some texture.

A few tips for blending: have your food processor or blender on pulse setting. Pulse for a few seconds at a time or else you will end up with some savory sunflower seed butter if you don’t. To prevent this, stop blending and give it a mix as soon as you see the mixture start to clump. Once it reaches a nice finely ground consistency, you are finished and can pour it into a jar for storage.

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Sometimes, you feel like bleach is the only cleaning agent that will get the job done. You might be in a bit of a dilemma, though, especially if you are trying to switch to a non-toxic lifestyle. Chlorine bleach is not necessarily the best thing for your health, but it does tackle tough cleaning jobs. The non-toxic bleach alternative in this article is beautifully effective without the side effects of traditional bleach. And it’s only made with three simple ingredients you probably have in your house. 

Why Is Chlorine Bleach Bad For You?

Traditional chlorine bleach can be fatal if you ingest it. If you have little ones running around your home, you may not want something like that in the house. Bleach contains sodium hypochlorite and other potential stabilizers, perfumes, and surfactants, depending on the brand. You can experience irritation of the mouth, throat, and gastrointestinal tract if you swallow household bleach. That can result in vomiting, abdominal pain, and nausea. Swallowing concentrated bleach products can permanently damage the digestive system, or even result in death. 

Bleach can also cause poisonous effects, including tissue damage and skin burns, if you swallow or inject it into the skin. It is always best to wear protective gloves when cleaning with bleach, as it can irritate and burn the skin. Typically, contact with bleach can cause redness, pain, and irritation. Only in severe cases can one experience ulcers, blisters, and long-term scarring. If your skin comes in contact with bleach, make sure to rinse the area with water for 10 to 20 minutes. 

Hydrogen Peroxide For Cleaning

On our website, you can find many cleaning products that contain distilled white vinegar. The non-toxic bleach alternative in this article does not contain it; rather, it focuses on hydrogen peroxide as the cleaning agent. Hydrogen peroxide can be helpful for disinfecting and stain removal. Sometimes, you can use a 50/50 mix of hydrogen peroxide and water to clean. Because hydrogen kills germs, it is a valuable cleaning agent, especially for the following objects and surfaces:

• Doorknobs
• Counters
• Cutting boards
• Refrigerators
• Mirrors
• Toys
• Toilets
• Sinks and bathtubs
• Garbage cans

You can also mix a small amount of hydrogen peroxide in a large bowl of water to clean your fruits and vegetables. Soak your produce items in the bowl before rinsing and drying them. That method helps remove germs and pesticides, and may even help your produce items last longer. Finally, you can spray hydrogen peroxide on clothing or carpet stains to help remove them. Some people even use hydrogen peroxide to clean nail clippers, tweezers, eyelash curlers, and other beauty tools!

Non-Toxic Bleach Alternative

Ingredients:

• 2.5 cups distilled water
• 1.25 cups hydrogen peroxide
• 1/4 cup lemon juice (either store bought or freshly squeeze)

Instructions:

• Add all of the ingredients to a large storage jar or spray bottle. Close the lid and swirl to combine. 
• Store the liquid at room temperature in a dark place to extend the shelf life. For the longest shelf life, store the mixture in an amber glass jar. 
• For cleaning, you can use this on enameled sinks, some tile and grout, and countertops. You can do a small patch test in one area of the surface you want to clean to make sure it does not negatively affect the surface.

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Most people don’t usually think to roast radishes. It is common to see radishes thinly sliced at salad bars or cut in larger pieces at taco stands. Sometimes you see thinly sliced daikon in pickled slaws, especially in Southeast Asian cuisine. Roasted radishes, though, are beautifully tender, golden brown, paleo- and vegan-friendly, and a perfect low-carb alternative to potatoes. They also tend to have a pungent, peppery flavor in their raw form, and it can be quite assertive to the uninitiated. Roasting them helps to tame that peppery flavory and transform it into a sweeter, caramelized turnip that is juicy and delicious.

You can roast most radishes, and they’ll become tender, sweeter, and slightly nutty after roasting. Classic red glove radishes (the bright red bulbs) are the most common varieties, although daikon is another common, albeit larger, radish. French breakfast radishes have an elongated shape and become slightly sweet when you roast them, either in the oven or the pan. Watermelon radishes are also ideal for roasting, especially when you cut them into wedges. Plus, the color of watermelon radishes is absolutely mesmerizing.

It is imperative how you cut the radishes for this recipe. You want to cut them in small wedges, otherwise they may not roast properly, or some parts may be hard and unpleasant to eat. Besides their delicious flavor, radishes are also full of various nutrients. Studies confirm that some nutrients in radishes may aid digestive health, but most of the research focuses on the antioxidant compounds. For example, some of the compounds work to protect the body from liver, colon, breast, lung, cervical, and lung cancers. Coenzyme Q10 (COQ10) in radishes also blocked the formation of diabetes in animals, but more human research is necessary to claim that it does this in humans.

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Plenty of people who swear by natural remedies regarding oral health or detoxing the mouth tend to practice oil pulling. Oil pulling is an age-old practice that involves swishing oil (typically coconut or sesame oil) in the mouth and then spitting it out. The claim is that oil pulling can help remove plaque and keep oral bacteria in check and although some research exists, most of the evidence is anecdotal.

What Is Oil Pulling?

An article in the Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine described oil pulling as swishing oil around in the mouth first thing in the morning. By swishing the oil in the mouth, you “pull” the oil between teeth. Ideally, you do this for five to 20 minutes and spit the oil in the trash when finished. It is important not to swallow the oil or spit it down the drain, as that can affect plumbing. The practice stimulates saliva production and helps remove harmful oral bacteria.

Does Oil Pulling Work?

Some studies exist on oil pulling’s effect on oral health and hygiene. Most of the discussion is about which oil is the best for the practice. The research is as follows:

• One study concluded that oil pulling with coconut oil is more effective than sesame oil in reducing the severity of gingivitis. 
• Another study found that oil pulling with coconut oil was as effective as chlorhexidine, a prescription mouthwash, in the reduction of Streptococcus mutans, the bacteria believed to cause tooth decay. 
• Olive oil may also be useful for oil pulling because it exhibits antimicrobial and antioxidant activity. 

It’s important to note that these studies, and other studies, were mostly small-scale, so more research is necessary to draw positive conclusions about oil pulling. The American Dental Association (ADA) does not consider oil pulling to be a reliable replacement for brushing and flossing. It may enhance your oral health routine, but you continue to brush and floss as you would in your normal day.

Oil Pulling With Coconut Oil

Unlike alcohol-based mouthwashes and toothpaste, oil may get into those hard-to-reach parts of the gums. The natural antibacterial properties of oils like coconut may help break down bacteria. A lot of people who oil pull with coconut oil find that their teeth and gums feel much healthier and cleaner when they add it to their oral hygiene routine. Oil pulling is not a miracle cure, nor is it for everyone. There is a good chance that it can help promote healthier teeth and gums, just like Dherbs’ Natural Tooth Powder, especially if you use it in combination with other oral health practices. 

Coconut Oil Pulling With Essential Oils

Below, you will find a recipe for coconut oil chews, which make oil pulling a little easier. We added essential oils for flavor and health properties that may help enhance oral health. Peppermint, clove, and tea tree essential oils work to improve the taste. Whichever essential oils you choose, make sure that you are not allergic, they do not interact with your meds, and that they are safe for oral use. 

Coconut Oil Pulling Chews

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup coconut oil
• 10 drops peppermint essential oil
• 10 drops clove essential oil

Instructions:

• Melt the coconut oil in a small saucepan over medium heat. You don’t want it to be solid, but you don’t want it completely liquid either. 
• Remove from the heat, add essential oils, and mix gently. Pour the mixture into silicone molds and put in the fridge or the freezer to harden. 
• Once the molds are firm, remove from the molds and store in a jar in the fridge. Use one chew per day, or as needed, for oil pulling.

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There are most likely thousands of chia pudding recipes on the internet. You can use all sorts of non-dairy milks, or regular milk, and incorporate everything from mashed bananas to candied walnuts and beyond. We have so many chia pudding recipes in our recipe section, but we wanted to post one that highlights some great winter produce: citrus fruit. Citrus varieties are in peak season from December to March, offering peak flavor and sweetness. They provide lots of vitamin C and their classically refreshing flavors offer a bright boost to the hearty winter diet.

The most striking citrus fruit in this recipe is the blood orange, which unlike other citrus varieties, is only available during the winter months. They have a brilliant tie-dye flesh, with the intensity of the red inside varying tremendously with the variety, growing season, and other factors. The flavor is slightly tart with a juicy sweetness. We counteract the natural sweetness of blood oranges with some tart pink grapefruits. You have the option to include more citrus fruits if you so desire, but we limited it to grapefruit and blood oranges.

Ultimately, the chia pudding itself is separate from the winter citrus fruits. The blood orange grapefruit combo is more of a topping, as the pieces are tossed with grade A maple syrup, alcohol-free vanilla extract, and cinnamon. You can obviously mix this into the chia pudding with every bite you take, but you do not fold the citrus fruits into the chia pudding as it sets. Simply add the fruit compote on top of the pudding when ready to eat.

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It is not uncommon for people to think that yoga is solely about stretching and improving flexibility. Yoga is much more than a restorative exercise, though. In fact, many of the poses prevalent in most asana practices can help you improve full body strength. If you are looking to strengthen your chest, core, arms, legs, or back with yoga, it is not difficult to do. 

The strengthening yoga poses in this article are just the tip of the iceberg. There are many more yoga poses that can help you build strength. The following poses are the perfect jumping off point. 

Boat Pose

This pose fires up the core, hip flexors, and quadriceps, so you will start to feel the burn quickly. To practice the pose:

• Begin in a seated position with your knees bent and feet flat on the floor in front of you. 
• Reach your hands forward to grab your hamstrings just under the backs of your knees. 
• Anchor your sit bones into the floor and elongate your spine. Lean your torso back, engage your core and lift your feet off the floor, drawing your shines parallel to the floor. 
• Squeeze your legs toward each other and slowly release your hands, stretching them out in front of you for balance. Hold for a few deep breaths before returning to the starting position.

Plank Pose

The plank is one of the most practiced yoga poses for increasing strength, particularly core, chest, and shoulder strength. Plank pose requires stability and control in just about every muscle, though, so don’t slack during this pose. To practice:

• Begin on your hands and knees in a tabletop position, stacking your shoulders over your wrists and hips over your knees. 
• Press your palms firmly into the mat before stepping one foot back at a time to rest on the balls of your feet. Establish a long line from the crown of your head through your heels. 
• Squeeze your thighs together and engage your glutes while stabilizing your core. Do not let your stomach sag toward the floor. Hold for a few deep breaths before returning to the starting position.

Revolved Chair Pose

Chair pose is a great way to strengthen the lower body muscle groups. Adding a twist can up the ante by activating your core. To practice the pose:

• Stand up straight with your feet hip-distance apart. Draw your hands to prayer position in the center of your chest. 
• Bend your knees deeply and sink your hips back almost as if to sit in a chair. Keep your spine long as you rotate your whole torso to the right side. You can rest your left elbow on the outside of your right thigh for support. 
• Hold that position for a few breaths before returning to center. Take a few breaths and then repeat on the other side. 

Locust Pose

Learn to correct poor posture and build strength along your posterior chain with locust pose. Tightness between the shoulder blades? Practice this pose! Here’s how:

• Lie flat on your stomach with your arms by your sides. 
• Reach your arms back behind you and interlace your fingers. Roll your shoulders down, drawing your shoulder blades together. 
• Engage your back, core, and glutes to lift your head, chest, and lower legs off the floor. Aim to squeeze your thighs together for support. 
• Hold for a few deep breaths before returning to the starting position. 

Revolved Lunge

Yet another revolved posture that engages the entire body. It aims to strengthen your legs, glutes, and core, all while elongating the hip flexors. To practice:

• Begin on your hands and knees in a tabletop position, stacking your shoulders over your wrists and hips over your knees.
• Step your right foot between your hands, placing the outside of your foot next to your right thumb. You can slide your left knee back slightly if necessary. 
• Keep your left hand rooted to the floor as you rotate your torso to the right and extend your right arm toward the ceiling. 
• Hold for a few deep breaths before switching sides. 

One-Legged Bridge Pose

Bridge pose works to strengthen the glutes, hamstrings, quadriceps, and back muscles. The one-legged version is an amplification that makes you focus more on stability. To practice:

• Lie flat on your back with your knees bent and feet flat on the floor hip-distance apart. Keep your arms by your sides. 
• Ground your feet into the floor and engage your glutes to lift your pelvis and hips away from the floor. Press your arms into the mat, drawing your shoulders down toward your heels. 
• Shift your weight to the right as you lift your left foot off the ground and extend it up toward the ceiling. 
• Squeeze your glutes and maintain balance as you take a few deep breaths. 
• Return your left foot to the ground, take a few breaths, and then repeat on the other side. 

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When Chef AJ was diagnosed with pre-colon cancer, she made a life-changing decision. Instead of continuing the habits that weren’t serving her, she chose radical responsibility for her health. She committed to a strict whole food, plant-based detox program – eliminating processed foods, refined sugar, and caffeine. What started as a health wake-up call became a complete lifestyle transformation. By focusing on whole, unprocessed plant foods, fiber-rich meals, and nutrient-dense ingredients, she was able to break free from sugar addiction and caffeine dependence while supporting her colon health naturally. Her journey is a powerful reminder that healing often starts with what’s on your plate. Discipline. Consistency. Whole food nutrition. When you change your habits, you change your future.

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