Food packaging and containers should always be analyzed by anyone trying to "clean" up their lives and reduce toxic exposures. Plastic specifically is cause for concern, as exposure to it can increase the risk of diabetes, heart disease, infertility, and cancer. BPA is a chemical in plastic that can lead to hormonal imbalances and can be very harmful to pregnant women and children. But how can one shop, meal prep, or store leftovers without plastic? Here are our health coaches top tips to sustainable and healthy food packaging and storage.

1. Use glass containers with bamboo lids instead of plastic tupperware.
2. Stainless steel containers are great for transporting your food in, as well as freezing leftovers in instead of plastic freezer bags.
3. Invest in a stainless steel water bottle to ditch plastic bottles.
4. Use silicone storage bags instead of ziplock baggies for food storage.
5. Purchase mesh produce bags instead of using plastic bags to store fruits and veggies in - these are great for leafy greens so you can ditch purchasing those in plastic boxes as well.
6. Try reusable food wrap instead of plastic wrap - it is biodegradable and reusable.

#food #foodstorage #healthtips #BPAfree #glass #glassstorage #containters #storagecontainers #healthandwellness #healthy #wellness #removetoxins #toxic #ecofriendly #kitchen #foodstoragesafety #plasticfree #tgif #friday #functionalmedicine #holistichealth #stainlesssteal #glasswaterbottle #waterbottle #water #siliconestorage #storagebags ##primehealthdenver ...

Looking for a healthier Halloween treat? Try these Pumpkin Pie Truffles by @therealfoodrds. These pumpkin truffles are packed with pumpkin puree, maple syrup, and almond butter, and are dipped in dark chocolate. With only 3 grams of sugar per truffle, these are a healthier swap to sweeten your holiday.
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INGREDIENTS.
-¼ cup almond butter.
-¼ cup pumpkin puree.
-¼ cup coconut butter, melted.
-2 tsp. maple syrup.
-¾ tsp. pumpkin pie spice.
-Pinch of sea salt (if almond butter is unsalted).
-1 Tbsp. coconut flour.
-6 ounces dark chocolate chips (1 cup).
-¼ tsp. coconut oil.
-Chopped or sliced almonds, coarse or flaked sea salt and/or pumpkin pie spice for garnish.

INSTRUCTIONS.
1. Place almond butter, pumpkin puree, coconut butter, maple syrup and pie spice in the bowl of a food processor. Process until smooth, stopping to scrape down sides as needed.
2. Stop processor and add coconut flour. Process until a soft dough forms. If the dough is too sticky, add 1-2 tsp. of additional coconut flour.
3. Roll dough between your palms to form 12 equal-sized balls. Place on a plate in the freezer and allow to chill at least 30 minutes.
4. When ready to dip, place chocolate chips and coconut oil in a glass bowl set over a pan of simmering water to simulate a double boiler. Stir occasionally until completely melted and smooth.
5. Using a fork or wooden skewer, carefully dip truffles one at a time into the melted chocolate, rolling and dunking until evenly coated on all sides. Sprinkle with chopped almonds, salt, and additional pumpkin pie spice, if desired.
6. Transfer to a parchment paper-lined baking sheet and return to the fridge until chocolate hardens.
7. Store truffles in a covered container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.

#healthy #healthysweets #eatmorechocolate #pumpkin #pumpkinpietruffles #sweettreat #snack #recipe #healthyrecipe #pumpkinpie #truffles #healthyhalloween #healthycandy #healthandwellness #health #wellness #holistichealth #functionalmedicine #primehealthdenver ...

Good news! Chocolate is good for our heart and brain due to its high levels of flavonoids. Flavonoids are a powerful antixoidant that lower blood pressure, improve blood flow to the heart and brain, fight cell damage and prevent blood clots. Before you take that as a green light to gorge yourself, remember that many chocolates are filled with sugar and can cause weight gain - so moderation is key. To get more of the health benefits and less of the sugar, buy dark chocolate with at least 85% cacao content.

In 2011, research that pooled the results of seven published studies with over 100,000 participants showed that those who consumed the highest amounts of chocolate had a 37% lower risk of heart disease and a 29% lower risk of stroke than study participants who ate minimal amounts of chocolate. Research seems to show that the antioxidants in chocolate offer health benefits.

On the other hand, high sugar consumption is linked to obesity and is a significant factor in heart health. Eating sugar increases triglycerides ― a type of fat ― in your arteries, and too much dietary sugar also increases blood insulin. Added sugars dump large amounts of nutrient-deficient calories into the body at once, causing blood sugar spikes followed by dips in energy. Steer clear of candy, cookies, cakes and other sweets to avoid this unhealthy pattern. You should also avoid soft drinks, fruit drinks, flavored yogurts and cereals ― most of which are loaded with sugar.

Most processed foods also contain added sugars, including soups, breads, cured meats and ketchup. Read labels carefully, and avoid sugar aliases like sucrose, dextrose, cane juice, agave, honey, and corn syrup.

Ditch the sugar for antioxidant rich chocolate this Halloween!

#monday #chocolate #sugardetox #morechocolate #hearthealth #hormonehealth #hormonebalance #functionalmedicine #holistic #holisiticmedicine #healthandwellness #healthy #hearthealthy #sweet #halloween #sweettreat #hearthealthylifestyle #wellness #denverdoctor #denver #colorado #primehealthdenver ...

We all want balanced hormones and to feel stable in our body and mind. Eliminating hormone disruptors is one of the simplest ways to do this naturally. We discussed how to minimize/avoid phytoestrogens and xenoestrogens in a previous post, so today we want to highlight 3 specific foods that may be wreaking havoc on your hormones.

1. Refined sugar. If you eat a high sugar diet with processed foods and simple carbohydrates, you are more likely to develop insulin resistance which can tip all of your hormones out of balance. Insulin is the hormone that regulates blood sugar, and the SAD diet forces the body to go into overdrive in an effort to balance blood sugar levels. Over time the body can't manage the load and becomes resistant. This leads to elevated sugar in the bloodstream which can possibly turn into diabetes as well disrupt cortisol levels. Ditch the sugar and processed foods.

2. Conventional produce. Chemicals, pesticides, and GMO's in non-organic foods can negatively affect your endocrine system, which consists of a group of glands and organs that regulate and control various body functions by producing and secreting hormones. These chemicals create similar reactions in the body which leads to improper communication in the endocrine system. They trick the body and block the normal hormones in the cells, affecting the synthesis, transport, and excretion of natural hormones. This leads to an imbalance and can create a host of symptoms. We always recommend at least following @environmentalworkinggroup dirty dozen/clean15 list. Quality truly matters!

3. Factory farmed meat, fish, and dairy. Factory farmed animals are fed unnatural diets and pumped with synthetic hormones and antibiotics. These too are endocrine disruptors and mess with signaling in the body. These animals store environmental toxins in their fat which gets passed on to you when consumed. Choose organic, pasture raised, grass-fed/finished, and wild caught whenever possible. Sourcing is key!

#hormonehealth #processedfoods #conventionalfoods #balancehormones #refinedsugars #organicfood #healthyfoods #cleaneating #bloodsugar #nongmo #naturalhormones #functionalmedicine #primehealthdenver ...

Seed cycling has recently gained a lot of attention as a natural way women can help to balance their hormones. A seed cycling protocol entails consuming certain types of seeds throughout one's menstrual cycle. Estrogen levels rise during the first half of a menstrual cycle, and therefore flax and pumpkin seeds should be consumed to give a natural estrogen boost. Progesterone rises during the 2nd half, so sunflower and sesame seeds are recommended to boost progesterone. The nutritional components in these seeds may promote a balanced cycle. Diet and lifestyle influence hormones, and when they are not optimized, hormones can easily get imbalanced. Seed cycling is a simple addition to a wholefoods diet to ensure the proper hormones are supported during a woman's cycle.

#seeds #seedcycling #sunflowerseeds #pumpkinseeds #flaxseeds #sesameseeds #hormonehealth #estrogen #balancingestrogen #estrogenlevels #menstrualcycle #periodhealth #periods #womenshealth #natural #holistic #healing #functionalmedicine #denver #denvercolorado #denverdoctor #healthcare #hormonebalance #pcos #healthandwellness #holisticmedicine #primehealthdenver ...

The hormone cortisol, often referred to as the stress hormone, has a wide range of vital functions throughout the body - including regulating blood sugar and metabolism, and helping the body respond to stress. Normal levels of cortisol are released when you wake up in the morning and decline throughout the day, as well as when you exercise. When the body perceives stress, the adrenal glands make and release cortisol into the bloodstream, which causes an increase in heart rate and blood pressure. It triggers a release of glucose to be used immediately for energy.

In small doses, cortisol can help regulate blood sugar, strengthen the heart, increase immunity, and aid cognitive function. In large doses, aka chronic stress, it can lead to an imbalance in the body and a host of symptoms. A few negative side effects of too much cortisol include increased blood sugar levels (which can lead to insulin resistance), suppressed immune system, weight gain, heart disease, decreased libido, irregular periods, anxiety and/or depression, and digestive issues. Prolonged high levels of cortisol can also result in too little cortisol being produced, which brings its own set of challenges to resolve.

Managing stress is one of the best ways to ensure your cortisol levels remain in the normal range and don't disrupt your overall health. We recommend implementing simple practices into your daily life to calm your system, such as leisure walks, meditation, deep breathing, and prioritizing relaxation. If you suspect your cortisol levels are imbalanced, shifting your lifestyle habits is one of the best ways to balance this hormone. This includes dietary changes, prioritizing sleep, stress management, and having healthy exercise habits.

#cortisol #stress #hormones #health #hormonebalance #healthylifestyle #adrenalfatigue #fitness #thyroid #anxiety #stressrelief #weightloss #wellness #testosterone #sleep #selfcare #womenshealth #nutrition #stressmanagement #holistichealth #cortisolcontrol #estrogen #bhfyp #adrenal #menopause #fatigue #chronicillness #guthealth #functionalmedicine #primehealthdenver ...