As we draw near to the end of summer already (this one went fast!), now is a good time to celebrate the season while it lasts...

With all the serious stuff going on in the world right now, sometimes it's nice to take a little break from the news, sit in a hammock (or deck chair), relax, and have a little drink as we enjoy the gorgeous sunshine and summer weather!

That's why, this week, I'm sharing a fun and refreshing summer cocktail recipe to help you take a load off and just "chill" for a bit. And while I'll never claim an alcoholic drink is "healthy," at least this one does pack a punch of healthful ingredients like fresh citrus juice, turmeric, and ginger. :-) 

The drink itself is quite easy to make, but you may want to make up the "Wellness Tonic" ahead of time to save time if you are making multiple drinks to share.

Do you eat cereal for breakfast?

If so, you probably try to steer clear of all the sugary "frosted" varieties, or the artificially-colored "fruit" ones, or the ones with marshmallows, etc. However, even if you go for the healthiest granola or "whole-grain" types you can find, you may not be doing your health any favors. (Yes, I'm even talking about the "doctor-recommended, heart-healthy" ones.)

Many of these cereals are actually promoted as "health foods" by the big food corporations that make them (to learn why they can get away with this, even the "doctor-recommended" stamp of approval, check out the shocking and eye-opening book, Food Fix, by Dr. Mark Hyman. You'll never look at food the same way again!), but in fact, these common breakfast foods actually have a number of extremely negative impacts on your health, including diabetes, obesity, cancer, and accelerated aging.

Today's guest post, by a dietitian and nutritionist, explains why, and what to eat for breakfast instead that will actually give you energy, balance your blood sugar and hormone levels, and feed your body properly.

When did the world get so crazy?? Am I just getting old, or does it seem like things are so much more complicated and messy than back in the "good old days"?

With everything going on in the world today, it's tempting to stick your head in the sand and try to ignore the problems around us. Or, as so many of us do, to take the easy way out and blame the government, the right wing, the left wing, the immigrants, the "deplorables," the corporations, etc. for all the world's problems.

But like it or not, WE humans are all in this together, and we are ALL complicit in the issues we are facing today - from the effects of climate change (weather disasters, droughts, food shortages, pandemics), to our modern health crisis (over-consumption of industrialized foods leading to diabetes, heart disease, cancer, etc.), to social unrest stemming from decades of ignoring the issues of oppression and lack of representation experienced by the working classes.

You and I, regardless of how "innocent" we may think we are of any wrongdoing, are part of the problem - and it is up to US (and by "us" I mean every living person on the planet today) to take steps to create a healthier and more sustainable future for the planet and all of humankind.

How do we get started? By arming ourselves with knowledge.

Knowledge truly is power (which is why the powerful have often sought to prevent others from gaining it - be it by burning books, preventing or discouraging literacy, or spreading "fake news"). The more you learn about how to take care of yourself, grow your own food, care for your own health, make your own "medicines," and the more you learn ways to make a positive difference in the world around you, the more power you have to make true, impactful, and lasting changes.

Even better, once you begin learning, you'll want to learn even more, and you'll begin to realize that just about EVERY choice you make - from the clothes you wear and what you wash them with, to what you have for breakfast, to the car you drive to work - can actually have an impact on the world around you. And you get to make the choice as to whether that impact is positive or negative. If that sounds overwhelming, change your perspective! Instead of overwhelming, look at it as liberating and empowering. YOU have the freedom to make choices that can make a real difference in the world!

Below are 6 ways to live more sustainably in today's world. Some of these are just simple, small daily habits that can make a big difference over time. Others are larger undertakings, but if you tackle them one step at a time, you'll soon be on your way to making a positive difference - both for yourself and your family, and for the planet at large.

Boosting immunity has become top-of-mind for many people over the past few months. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to ravage our nation, more and more people are looking for ways to enhance their natural immunity and stay safe from the virus.

While things like eating healthy, getting plenty of sleep, and taking extra vitamins have been getting attention even in the mainstream media, one aspect that hasn't been getting as much press - but is at least as important to a healthy immune system, if not more - is gut health.

In fact, a large percentage of your immune system is actually in your gut. A healthy gut microbiome is actually in the front line of defenses against viruses and other pathogens. That's why I'm so excited that this year's Gut & Microbiome Rescue Summit is coming up in just a few weeks! If you're interested in improving your gut health and your overall health and longevity, you'll definitely want to check out this awesome online event.

However, you can get a head start on a healthy gut right now, by downloading this month's freebie: Shivan Sarna’s 26-page eGuide, Boosting Immunity Through Gut Health: Heal Your Gut, Boost Immunity, & Get Your Life Back.

Just click the link to go grab your copy now, or read more below...