Health | Zesty Life | Recipes, Adventure, Health in Squamish BC

Bravery/ Love & Relationships/ Meaning & Passion/ Zesty Adventures

Freeing your soul through creativity

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Lose your fear of being not good enough

Remember when you were young and fearless with the crayons or fingerpaints? You were so bold. Some of you even drew all over your walls. As the years passed, you became shy and afraid of getting creative because of the belief you’re not good enough.

It’s a shame that not more of us utilize the therapeutic benefits of art. Art is a way to convey things that words cannot, and it’s a way to heal ourselves. When we’re being creative, our brains release the natural antidepressant, dopamine. Creativity can also can calm our “monkey mind”, bring on a meditative state and get us into flow. Continue Reading…

June 10, 2018 By Rachelle Hynes

Health Tips/ Wellness/ Zesty Adventures

Get dirty, it makes you happy

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The dirtier the ride, the better

I always feel better once my tires hit the gravel and I set off into the woods. The further I go, the dirtier the ride, the happier I am at the end. But is this increasing ease and pleasure we experience in nature simply coming from escaping reality to de-stress?

Nope. Scientists have discovered that bacteria living in mosses on tree branches and in the dirt are floating through the air and interacting with us—in particular, with the bacteria in our gut. And this dirt bacteria has been proven to enhance our well-being and have antidepressant effects. Microbes like bacteria and fungi are often associated with disease, however most microbes are beneficial. Continue Reading…

May 4, 2018 By Rachelle Hynes

Love & Relationships/ Meaning & Passion/ Zesty Adventures

Ride your own ride: The authentic path

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Ride your own ride

If you’ve ever tried to keep up with someone beyond your skill level or who’s style is different from yours, than you understand how it can deplete your confidence or cause you to crash. This happens because you’re not being present in your mind—and you start to become careless and reckless.

It’s important to take responsibility for yourself, and this fact is the same in all aspects of your life. When you’re mindful of your needs and feelings, you become a much better versions of yourself— you can focus on the right things, and everything gets better. Continue Reading…

April 27, 2018 By Rachelle Hynes

Health Tips/ Nutrition for Sport/ Plant-Based/ Vegan/ Wellness

Zesty Fuel: What I eat on an average day

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Eating healthy is a form of self-respect

I’ve always eaten quite healthy, but since switching to a plant-based vegan diet, I’ve seen accelerated effects on my well-being. I’ve had improvements such as enhanced energy, healthier skin, improved digestion and a less expensive grocery bill—it’s anything but a hindrance.

I don’t subscribe to the “low carb”, “high fat”, “paleo”, “ketogentic” etc. fads. I’ve found that by eating whole, nutrient-dense plant-based foods, I don’t need to worry about my weight or taking supplements. It doesn’t need to be complicated—eat real food!
Continue Reading…

April 7, 2018 By Rachelle Hynes

Health Tips/ Nutrition for Sport/ Wellness

Healthy vs. Unhealthy Fats & Oils

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In order to flourish, you must nourish

If you want to thrive in your body, you need to fuel your body with the right stuff, and the types of fat you consume is critical. Fats provide energy for your body and are necessary for the growth and development of your brain, hormone production, blood clotting, skin maintenance and transporting/absorption of fat-soluble vitamins.

It can be quite confusing what fats are actually good for you, so let’s make our way out of the woods and understand what the heck it all means, what fats help you live lean and light, fight illness and which ones contribute to adverse affects and weight gain. Continue Reading…

March 25, 2018 By Rachelle Hynes

Breakfast/ Plant-Based/ Recipes/ Smoothies/ Vegan

I Love You So Matcha Superfood Smoothie

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Give your body some love

Honour your body with mindful food choices. It’s not about feeling deprived of tasty food, it’s about feeling empowered that you made healthy decisions—one meal at a time, you can love yourself from the inside out!

This smoothie is like a big fat superfood smooch for your body. Complete with matcha powder to protect against free radicals, snuff out inflammation and fend off disease. Spirulina to nourish you with plant-based protein, boost your nerve function with B12 and fend off anemia with iron.

March 25, 2018 By Rachelle Hynes

Bowls/ Lunch/ Plant-Based/ Recipes/ Vegan

Post-workout, Gut-Healthy Veggie Slaw

If you wanna slay, you gotta slaw!

When it comes to performing at your best, food can be your secret weapon, or your greatest weakness. Knowing how to navigate nutrition will be part of a winning strategy and an invaluable life lesson.

After a long workout or day at the office, your willpower is at its lowest—and you’re probably starving. This is the time that many people lose their grip on healthy food and make poor choices. A great trick is to make sure you’ve got healthy meals ready ahead of time, when you’re brain and willpower are fresh.

March 16, 2018 By Rachelle Hynes

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