|
We normally donate to local organizations, but right now the people of Haiti and Afghanistan really need some support. We are using a percentage of our sales from August to donate to two organizations:  Locally Haiti is an organization with Haitian leadership whose mission is to “advocate for and invest in locally led initiatives to support the vision of our partner communities in rural Haiti.” They believe in helping rural communities thrive through programs in education, agriculture, community health, and girls’ empowerment. They are currently collecting donations for relief following the recent earthquake in Haiti, and they are funneling these funds to local people and institutions. (Thank you to Nicole Cardoza at Anti-Racism Daily for her Instagram post highlighting local Haitian-led organizations working to channel aid directly to those who need it.)  Women for Afghan Women is working to keep women safe in Afghanistan and also help provide resources to those trying to evacuate. You can use the link to donate and also use the “Resources and Other Ways to Help” button to open a document with links to send an email to the White House, sign petitions, and contact your representatives (it will use your address to automatically find your senators and representative) to advocate for evacuating and accepting more refugees into the US as well as protecting those who remain in Afghanistan.
0 Comments
Since we both use their products in our daily smoothies and they’re both helping our local community to maintain healthy immune systems, we wanted to feature two businesses this time - Life Itself and FreshFix! When we tried the chaga mushroom tea from Life Itself a couple of years ago, we absolutely loved its yummy, earthy taste as well as how healthy it made us feel! How does it help us to maintain such a feeling of wellness? According to owner Josh, "Chaga mushroom is an 'immunomodulator.' This means that whether your immune system needs support to fight off viruses, pathogens, bacteria, fungal infection, or other illness, chaga intelligently targets and subsequently releases white blood cells to the area of need. However, if your immune system is overactive, causing an autoimmune disorder, chaga will intelligently modify the release of white blood cells to end the body’s panic response, allowing inflammation to be reversed, resulting in the relief of autoimmune symptoms." Life Itself's chaga tea has been popping up all over the Buffalo area, in shops and wellness studios as well as a variety of local markets - make sure to try it the next time you see them! You can also purchase from their website.
FreshFix is a local, family-owned business offering a weekly produce box delivered right to your door! Each Friday, subscribers receive an email with three produce box choices (combinations of fruits and veggies being harvested that week) AND you can customize your box with all kinds of add-ons, from extra produce, meat, eggs, and dairy to locally made food, beverage, and wellness products. (You can even get chaga tea from Life Itself in your box! How cool is that?) Just finalize your box by Sunday night and it will be dropped off on Wednesday or Thursday. It’s super flexible and almost everything is locally grown. Not sure what to make with a new vegetable you got? Their email newsletters include recipes for the produce of the week! Going away for a week or two? Skip your box or donate it. You can also add a custom donation to your weekly order to support free and reduced-price food boxes that FreshFix offers to community members in need of nutritious food. The produce is always excellent quality and you can know that you’re contributing to creating a more sustainable local food system for the community as well as a healthier immune system for your own body!
 One thing that can help to maintain your immune system and protect yourself against illness is consuming high magnesium foods (especially a wide range of green leafy vegetables) as frequently as possible.
We both make smoothies on a near-daily basis and have found that this practice has boosted our energy levels, helped our digestion, and allowed us to generally maintain good health. Here are our recipes! Simply combine in a blender. Each recipe makes a smoothie for one person. RENEE’S SMOOTHIE:
*Cooking your greens can help them to be more digestible. Also, if you have an underactive (hypo) thyroid, cooking your greens can help to reduce the levels of goitrogenic compounds in them! They can be cooked ahead of time and stored in a container in the fridge. NIKKI’S SMOOTHIE:
If you want to include or substitute other forms or protein, you can always add a couple tablespoons of magnesium-rich peanut butter or other nut butter!  Over the past couple of years, and particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, talk of “boosting” the immune system is everywhere. All of us want our bodies to be strong in the face of illness, and unfortunately we are seeing the effects of COVID-19 on people with pre-existing conditions, particularly poor metabolic health.
However, as we’ve seen with the COVID-19 cytokine storm (a cascade of inflammation in severe cases) as well as the growing prevalence of autoimmune conditions in recent years, just as many issues can come from an overactive immune system! In the best case scenario, what we really want is a well-regulated immune system that neither over-reacts nor under-reacts to threats. And this is where magnesium enters the picture! NOTE: Before we continue, we want to emphasize that you should ALWAYS discuss supplements with your doctor! Also, there has not been enough research on magnesium at this point to make definitive conclusions, nor are we able to make claims about our products. However, the research that has been done thus far is very promising! We already know that magnesium is part of over 300 different processes and enzyme reactions in the body. And while vitamin D is being widely recognized as an important part of immune health and many people are using it as part of their effort to combat the possibility of COVID-19 infection, what is less often mentioned is the fact that magnesium is necessary for the body to be able to use vitamin D. In their article “Magnesium and Vitamin D Deficiency as a Potential Cause of Immune Dysfunction, Cytokine Storm and Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation in covid-19 patients,” Dr. James DiNicolantonio and Dr. James O’Keefe claimed that “supplementing COVID-19 patients with vitamin D, especially if they are vitamin D deficient and utilizing concomitant magnesium, which is required to activate vitamin D, could provide benefit” (2021). Later in the article, DiNicolantio and O’Keefe go on to say that magnesium regulates natural killer cells and T cells involved in the body’s immune response, an undesirable calcium-to-magnesium ratio increases inflammation, and that “a deficiency in magnesium promotes chronic low-grade inflammation, increased inflammatory responses during viral infections and a pro-thrombotic state” (2021). The article even discusses magnesium affecting the ability of the body to respond appropriately to viruses such as Epstein Barr and Hepatitis B and possibly being able to work against blood clots. Again, we are NOT proposing that magnesium or our products can cure or treat COVID-19 or any other condition. We are a very small business without the funding to do large studies. However, we are presenting the information that has informed us and inviting you to continue reading and discussing it with your healthcare providers to see what might be a good option for you! It might be our product, but it might be another form of magnesium or something else entirely. What we have heard from some of our customers who have had COVID was that they felt our Immunity Balm was able to open their breathing passages, ease congestion, and just help manage some symptoms while they were sick and then during their recovery. We are also advocating for eligible people to get vaccinated (we both have) and continue masking in necessary situations, especially as the Delta variant continues to spread. We have seen too many people around us—particularly in vulnerable communities and communities of color—lose their own lives or the lives of family and friends to COVID, or become severely ill for extended periods of time. The choice does not have to be between the vaccine/masks and natural health methods. Multiple mitigation methods can work together to protect ourselves AND those around us!  We have been spending most of our Wednesdays during the lunch hours at Roswell Park for the Market in the Park. Here, we have gotten to talk with so many doctors, nurses, therapists, and other essential staff members as well as patients and their families. From what they share with us as well as our personal family experiences and the experiences of those around us, we know that the quality of care at Roswell is excellent, particularly because it is so innovative. Roswell offers clinical trials, immunotherapy, and personalized medicine to find the care plan that is right for each individual undergoing treatment. Because of this, we are donating 15% of our July website sales to Roswell Park and along with other local businesses we are also donating a raffle item for a Celebration of Life event for Deborah Guido Sepielli, who passed away at 53 years old, January 31st, 2021 from small cell lung cancer. Her daughter, Nikki, says this about her: My mom was very passionate about helping people and making people smile. Her dream was if she beat cancer she wanted to donate wigs and wheelchairs to those who couldn’t afford it. Unfortunately my mom wasn’t able to beat the cancer, however she fought really hard. I still want her dream to come true. I am organizing a Celebration of Life event September 11th, 3pm at Como restaurant in Niagara Falls. NY. Along with the Celebration of Life will be a fundraiser for Roswell Park Cancer Institute because that is where my mom received her care. The link to the Facebook event page is here if you would like to buy tickets or donate. Also, this year's Ride for Roswell will be taking place on August 7th, and there is still time to register and help fundraise through that event as well!   When we go to our farmer’s markets and events, people tell us a lot about the health issues they’re experiencing. And one thing that stands out to us is how many people are in pain. There are sports injuries. Work injuries. Neck and back pain from a physically intensive job or from sitting at a computer all day. Headaches and migraines. Muscle cramps or PMS cramps. Arthritis. Bursitis. And a host of autoimmune-related conditions (fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, etc.) that are becoming more common all the time. And while magnesium cannot completely solve these conditions, there is often quite a bit it can do to help! After all, what these conditions have in common is inflammation. There are a few main things to know about how magnesium works in the body to ease pain and inflammation: According to Dr. Mark Sircus' book Transdermal Magnesium Therapy (2011), Dr. Jeff Schutt claims that “contraction and relaxation are dependent on adequate cellular levels of magnesium” (p. 216). In other words, transdermal magnesium can be used topically on muscles and tendons in order to allow them to contract and relax normally without injury. Our customers have even told us that they use our Recovery Balm not only after a workout but also BEFORE, to prevent so much inflammation from happening in the first place! Going one step further and utilizing massage with magnesium “increases flexibility and muscle tone and therefore reduces the risk of injury. Other benefits are: breakdown of scar tissue after injury, improved blood circulation and oxygenation, and providing general relaxation and reduced stress” (Sircus, 2011, p. 217). In fact, several massage therapists and chiropractors in the area even offer our magnesium balms to their patients! Of course, Dr. Sircus is clear that this is also true for non-athletes experiencing injuries or pain (such as back pain), and that applying transdermal magnesium or taking a warm bath in magnesium salts can help to alleviate inflammation in the body. (Of course, it is always important to discuss pain with a doctor before deciding whether to apply heat or cold to an injury.) In fact, any kind of muscle cramping or spasming is likely to be helped by transdermal magnesium, including leg cramps and PMS cramps! For leg cramps, apply magnesium to the calf muscles before bed, and for PMS cramps, apply magnesium to the abdomen and cover with a washcloth and heating pad to help with absorption. Regular use of magnesium throughout the month may also help with PMS symptoms. Magnesium deficiency has long been linked to migraines and headaches, of course - as you may already know, migraines were our motivation to start making magnesium balm several years ago! We often use our magnesium balm on our temples, neck, and shoulders to not only relieve a migraine that’s starting but also on a regular basis to keep inflammation down. (Side note: we have found that using magnesium glycinate along with our magnesium chloride-based balms is a great combination for migraines!) And, finally, Dr. Sircus (and several of our customers) have even linked transdermal magnesium to an easing of the pain associated with fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, and neuropathy. If you are looking for pain relief, our Recovery Balm is the most effective of our magnesium balms as it contains wintergreen, peppermint and ginger oils as well as cayenne extract to create a warming and cooling effect and boost circulation while easing inflammation. However, if you prefer other essential oils (or none at all), all of our magnesium balms have anti-inflammatory properties as well. Recovery Balm can be applied anywhere you have pain, while keeping in mind that a little goes a long way and you want to be sure to keep it away from your eyes or any sensitive skin! We also offer our Recovery Salt Soaks (with just peppermint and ginger) if you prefer a warm bath or foot soak to reduce pain and inflammation.
 We got to know Mayra Luz Colón when we started selling our products at Buffalo Artisan Food Traders and saw her Healthy Rican adobo and sazón there! Why buy from Goya when you can buy local, right? If you have not used these spice blends before, here is Mayra’s description of them:
Our adobo includes mineral pink himalayan salt in a blend of garlic, pepper, oregano, coriander, and turmeric for it’s healthy anti-inflammatory benefits. Our sazón is a salt-free blend of annatto aka achiote, turmeric, garlic, with a hint of cumin and coriander, that will bring out a nice yellow-orange color with a hint of Latin flavor in your foods. When we started using Mayra's products and realized we had other family members who would love them too, we ordered more from her and got to talk with her about not only her spice business but also her nutrition counseling business! Here’s how Mayra introduces herself and her business: Hi, I’m Mayra also known as the Nutrition Dork! As a Certified Integrative Nutrition Health Coach who’s obsessed with superfoods and family meal time, I am on a mission to banish bland foods. I love providing tasty alternatives for everyday people who want to eat well. I’ve created the Healthy Rican Cookbook and Latin Spice Brand to bring tasty Puerto Rican recipes and seasonings to homes everywhere. I truly believe we can live a healthy life and enjoy our favorite foods. LET’S PUT THE LATIN SPICE IN YOUR HEALTHY LIFE! We love how Mayra lets people know that they do not have to give up their cultural foods in order to be healthy, and that everyone needs to find the food combinations that work for them! And the fact that she has studied integrative nutrition means that she is looking at the root or source of the problem to help people feel better, rather than simply hiding symptoms. If you’re interested in trying Mayra’s spices or getting her ebook (we definitely recommend the adobo & sazón intro bundle), check out the shop page on her website!  Image from https://nutritiondork.com. Need a great summer meal that is high in magnesium and nutrient dense but also light and incredibly flavorful? Puerto Rican gazpacho is your answer! It’s a salted cod fish salad with avocado and tomato, and our friend Mayra Luz Colón from Nutrition Dork (read more about her amazing business in our Local Business Love section!) has a fabulous recipe for gazpacho on her website! Instead of printing the recipe here, we encourage you to use the link to her website so you can see all of her other amazing recipes as well! Mayra also has a recipe for mofongo (mashed plantains) on her website and a recipe for tostones (fried plantains with adobo) in her ebook. Plantains are high in magnesium, but are sadly left off of many magnesium-rich food lists even though they have more magnesium than bananas! We also want to add that it’s always easier to include magnesium rich and nutrient dense foods in your lifestyle when they’re flavorful! Along with all of the tasty Puerto Rican dishes Mayra offers on her website and in her ebook (which is absolutely worth getting in the set if you’re trying her spices for the first time!), we also use her adobo in other ways, such as sprinkling it on avocado halves or avocado toast, and even using adobo and sazón in black bean soup or taco fillings made from beef, pork, jackfruit, or even shredded mushrooms! AND… along with graciously allowing us to link to her recipes above, Mayra has just released her cookbook to give us all even MORE healthy and delicious recipes! It’s titled Healthy Rican: Put the Latin Spice in your Healthy Life and it’s available here on Amazon! Congratulations to Mayra on working so hard on creating this cookbook and getting it out there into the world for people to learn from and enjoy cooking from!
In honor of Pride month and Juneteenth, we donated 15% of our June website sales to Evergreen Health. We support Evergreen because we believe know that discrimination in healthcare is a very real barrier for people who are Black, Indigenous, Latinx, AAPI, and LGBTQ+. We believe that EVERYONE should have access to healthcare that is high quality, compassionate, and inclusive. According to their website, "Evergreen Health fosters healthy communities by providing medical, supportive and behavioral services to individuals and families in Western New York — especially those who are living with chronic illness or who are underserved by the healthcare system. [Evergreen Health] envisions a future in which all Western New Yorkers have access to affordable healthcare in an environment that is inclusive, compassionate, respectful and judgement-free; that honors diversity and life experience; and that empowers patients to lead healthier, happier lives." Evergreen has been providing healthcare (including medical, behavioral, and supportive services) for a diverse community for a long time, but now MOCHA Buffalo is officially part of Evergreen, providing services for LGBTQ+ people of color in particular! And following the discussions happening around the recent Juneteenth holiday, we know that legal freedom and recognition are a step in the right direction but there is a great deal more than needs to be done in our communities for real racial and gender equality in terms of economics, education, housing, healthcare, etc. Know that part of your website purchases are going to Evergreen, but we also encourage you to make your own donations as well! 
Did you know that lifestyle can be part of maintaining healthy magnesium levels and getting restorative sleep? We want to give a shout out to our friends at Pour & Penchant because of how much we love their candles for self care, stress relief, and establishing healthy sleeping and waking routines! We both love to light candles at home in the evening while we're reading or spending time with family, so we always make sure to pick up another one when we see Rick and Dominic at local markets! The candles smell amazing and give the signal to our brains that it's time to wind down, relax, and start to calm our minds for bedtime. It's part of our routine as much as putting on our Sleep Balm! Lavender Sage and Nightfall (amber, cedar, sandalwood, and benzoin) from their Signature Collection are two of our favorites for relaxing. (Which you can absolutely tell by how little of them is left, haha...) And even during the day as we're working from home, we love some of their fresh, clean scents like Swept Away (sea salt, ozone, violet, jasmine, and oakmoss) to help keep our stress levels down. We find that candles can also be a great way to enhance yoga and meditation and create positive associations with those mindfulness habits so that we look forward to doing them each morning. Just like shutting off blue lights from screens at night in favor of candlelight signals to the brain that it's bedtime, getting exposure to bright daylight and doing some movement and deep breathing first thing in the morning signals to the brain that it's time to wake up and start the day. Basically, it's all part of maintaining our melatonin cycles in a natural way! And we can do it while savoring these lovely scents and also supporting a local business offering handmade products. Their candles are high quality and burn for a long time so they can be enjoyed daily! So if you want to start using more candles in your daytime or nighttime routine, Pour & Penchant just released their spring Apothecary Collection today! Swept Away is part of that collection, and there are plenty more truly divine scents to check out on their Instagram page and website. |
AuthorsNikki Bradshaw Archives
February 2022
Categories
All
|
RSS Feed