Mother's Organic Living Magazine - Issue 13, Winter 2021

ORGANIC LIVING Simple. Local. Healthy.

ISSUE 13 WINTER 2021

How to Bring Mindfulness into the New Year What’s the Difference?

Probiotics v. Prebiotics 7 Ways to Practice Self-Care How to Improve Your Metabolic Health Naturally

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L O C AT I O N S

ANAHEIM HILLS 5759 E Santa Ana Canyon Rd. Anaheim, CA 92807

BREA 413 S Associated Road Brea, California 92821

COSTA MESA 1890 Newport Blvd.

Costa Mesa, CA 92627

HUNTINGTON BEACH 19770 Beach Blvd.

Huntington Beach, CA 92648

IRVINE 2963 Michelson Dr. Irvine, CA 92612

LAGUNA WOODS 24165 Paseo de Valencia Laguna Woods, CA 92653

MANHATTAN BEACH 1700 Rosecrans Avenue Manhattan Beach, CA 90266

SANTA ANA 151 E Memory Ln. Santa Ana, CA 92705

SIGNAL HILL 2475 Cherry Ave. Signal Hill, CA 90755

Coming Soon 6 | Organic Living Magazine

SUNSET BEACH

CORONA DEL MAR

16400 Pacific Coast Highway #114

3049 Coast Hwy, Corona Del Mar, CA 92625

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*At this time, Instacart cannot process Mega Deals, Family Rewards Coupons, and Mother’s Homemade Holiday meals.

ORGANIC LIVING

CONTENT 3

World’s Greatest Health Event

7

Curbside Pickup

9

Letter from the CEO

11

Discover Mother’s

14

Mindfulness in the New Year

20

Juicing 101

21

7 ways to Practice Self-Care

28

Wellness Coloring Pages

30

Apple Cider Vinegar Gummies

34

The Power of Plants

36

Health-Ade Plus

37

Probiotic V. Prebiotics

38

Why Greens Are Important

40

Improve Your Metabolic Health

42

Pamper Yourself At Home

44

Healthy & Motivated This Winter

46

Importance of Food Diversity

50

Post-workout Hydration

53

Boost Your Collagen Levels

54

Elderberry Adulteration

56

Benefits of Gut Bacteria

58

Omega-3 In Veganuary

60

Benefits of Vegan Skin Care

64

Vital Proteins Morning Glow

66

Green Tea Grapefruit Formula

EDITOR IN CHIEF Brandon Rowe EDITORIAL Kendall Stein: Editorial Lead & Content Manager Cassidy “Kaz” Rowe: Head Writer Claire Miller: Contributor Brandon Rowe: Contributor DESIGN & LAYOUT Matheus Spinelli: Chief Designer Danny Lora: Sr. Creative Designer Cassidy “Kaz” Rowe: Illustrator PHOTOGRAPHY & STYLE Yasmin Alishav: Photographer Kendall Stein: Contributor RECIPES & FOOD SERVICES Jacob Stone: Executive Chef Mayra Aroche: Chef & Menu Designer Vanessa Shelton: Contributor Cassidy “Kaz” Rowe: Contributor ADVERTISING & PROJECT MANAGEMENT Kendall Stein: Lead Project Manager/Adverting Bryan Reed: Advertising Lead Grace Arellano: Project Support CONTRIBUTORS Pamela Lechtenberg Marie Harle Paul Cassara Michael Lappin

Simple. Local. Healthy.

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LETTER FROM THE CEO As we enter a new year, it is my hope that we do so with a head full of hope and a heart full of love.

This past year has been a challenging one, and while 2021 will undoubtedly bring new struggles with it, I know that we will discover more ways to come together virtually to celebrate the small wins and significant milestones. We will develop an even greater appreciation for the little things in life. We will get through this together, even while being apart.

During this Pandemic, Mother’s has been here to serve your health and wellness and your family. We will continue to doso this year and are excited to further provide you with the healthiest options around by adding two new stores -- Sunset Beach and Corona del Mar. Thank you for being part of the Mother’s family.

Happy New Year,

Dorothy Carlow Mother’s Market & Kitchen CEO

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California Original

Serving organic plant-based food since 1978

Founded by a group of yoga enthusiasts passionate about plantbased living, Mother’s is the leader in organic grocery and cafe.

Whether you’re looking for hard-to-find vegan or vegetarian specialties, handcrafted fresh juices, homemade grab & go, or all things wellness, Mother’s has it all. Our wellness department has the largest selection of vitamins, supplements, and clean health & beauty products.

Shop at Mother's and join the family!

Simple. Local. Healthy.

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Discover Mother’s What started in 1978 as one natural and organic grocery and wellness store has turned into so much more. The company has grown to have nine locations throughout Southern California, with seven being in Orange County and two being in Los Angeles. Mother’s is excited to continue expanding in the new year with the addition of a new location in Sunset Beach in Spring 2021.

STANDARDS/INGREDIENTS With strict product standards in place, Mother’s vets each item for quality before placing orders and stocking products on our shelves.

We care about what we put in our bodies as much as what goes on our bodies. This belief is reflected through all products across all departments. You deserve only the best!

ORGANIC & NATURAL Mother’s has been a pioneer in providing Southern California consumers with organic and natural products. Our team of buyers has strict product standards that they adhere to so that you and your family get nothing but the best across all of our departments. Staying true to our roots, Mother’s remains firmly committed to providing customers with the best organic and natural food and wellness products.

FOOD PREFERENCES No matter your dietary preference, Mother’s has something for everyone. Choose from a wide selection of specialized products, including organic, non-GMO, gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian, keto, and more. We have it all!

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MOTHER’S OWN Throughout all departments, look for the Mother’s logo to find our exclusive brand of products. From coffee to essential oils and everything in between, experience the Mother’s difference!

PRODUCE Since 1978, Mother’s has proudly partnered with the best local and organic farmers to supply you with one of the widest selections of organic and non-GMO fruits and vegetables in Southern California. Not only do we have year-round favorites, but also unique, seasonal produce that will wow your taste buds.

WELLNESS & BODY CARE Mother’s is well-known for having one of the largest selections of vitamins and supplements in Southern California! Visit our Wellness Department to discover products that support health and well-being, including immunity support, multivitamins, skincare, collagen, and more. We also carry a large variety of clean body care, beauty, and skincare products that are vegan and free of paragons, sulfates, and other harsh ingredients.

GROCERY Our grocery department has all of the essentials, with an expansive selection of highquality natural products for your family. We also offer a wide variety of products for special diets, including gluten-free, low-sodium, kosher, and more.

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CAFE Mother’s Cafe is a go-to spot in Southern California for homemade, organic dishes.

Our Cafes are a special part of our markets.

All of our delicious, healthy dishes are made with love in our kitchens. Stop in to try our monthly cafe specials created by our Executive Chef or to pick up your favorite menu items. With vegan, vegetarian, and protein-packed dishes, there are meals for everyone. You can even skip the lines by ordering through ChowNow, Uber Eats, or Grubhub for pickup or delivery!

JUICE BAR For nutrient-dense juices that taste as good as they make you feel, visit our Juice Bar. Mother’s offers organic juices, smoothies, shakes, and more, all made to order. We guarantee you will be making a weekly stop at Mother’s to get a juice once you try one.

HOMEMADE GRAB & GO With delicious plant-based choices and classic Mother’s favorites, our Homemade Grab & Go section has convenient and healthy options for all, including the pickiest family member!

We use only the highest quality produce and freshest ingredients to prepare our homemade foods, including sandwiches, salads, Take & Bake pizzas, and more. Stop by to pick up a healthy breakfast, lunch, or dinner entree or even stock up for the entire week!

SUSHI Prepared fresh daily by specially-trained chefs, our hand-rolled sushi is made with organic rice, organic vegetables from our produce department, and certified sustainable seafood.

Wrapped in convenient Grab & Go packages, our sushi is easy to pick up for lunch or dinner for a restaurant-worthy meal at home.

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How you can bring

MINDFULNESS TO THE NEW YEAR With 2021 upon us, many people are finalizing their New Year’s resolutions.

Every year, the most common resolutions involve self-improvement, including exercising more, eating better, and managing stress. All of these things are part of a wellness journey, and because they are interconnected, you can’t succeed at one without including the others. Since the beginning of New Year’s celebrations, people have started the year by making promises to the selves. In ancient times, people made promises to please spirits.

Today things are different, but the promises of a new beginning hold the same weight. New Year’s is still the perfect time to make a lifestyle change, but it’s easier to make those changes if you have something of a roadmap. As you establish goals for the new year, keep in mind that what links together all parts of wellness is the practiceof mindfulness.

More than ever, people are chasing after wellness to look, feel, and think better. To some, wellness may seem like a nebulous

Cleanse:

/klenz/ Verb - to make something completely clean, to rid of toxins.

It's easy to get overwhelmed by a complicated and fast paced world. You can challenge this stress by taking the time to cleanse your mind of that internal buzz, even if it's for just a few minutes a day. Try out a guided meditation app or follow a meditation video online. Take a walk outside without music. Do an activity without technology, such as journaling, cooking, or playing with your kids or pets. Do some yoga or routine stretches. Another thing you can do is incorporate infused waters into your diet, so not only do you stay hydrated, but you also get the added benefits of additional vitamins and minerals. Plus, it makes plain water a lot more fun to drink!

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concept that almost renders itself unattainable since there are many different paths to take and apparent rules to follow. However, wellness is more easily managed by understanding some of its core concepts, which requires observing mindfulness. Whenyou are mindful of your body’s needs and your choices, you can fine-tune wellness concepts to suit your needs. These concepts are the guiding markers on the road towards a more healthy lifestyle, internally and externally.

By first gaining a concrete understanding of key wellness goals rather than its apparent rules, you may find it much easier to shape a new you in the new year.

To help you be more intentional on your wellness journey, we have lined up ten words and are sharing how you can incorporate them into your life. These wordscleanse, enlighten, health, organic, heal, balance, courage, glow, rejuvenate, and detox- are here to inspire you to use mindfulness and conscious choices to make your New Year the best it can be.

Enlighten:

/in lītn,en lītn/ Verb – to give greater knowledge and understanding about a subject or situation.

Enlightenment, in terms of wellness, is all about your mindset.

It's hard to improve your body without first putting your mind in the right place to make a change. Take time to fully understand why you want to improve, what your goals are, and what your specific personal needs may be. A fuller understanding of your unique needs will ensure you don't waste time trying things that may either not help you or might even make you feel bad. Wellness is not merelyabout the foods you eat or exercises you do, though those are important as well. It's also about making sure you allow yourself to rest and treat your mind with kindness. Additionally, it's about not getting angry with yourself if you think you've slipped up. Treating yourself with forgiveness and respect will set you up for a successful wellness journey.

Health:

/helTH/ Noun - the state of being free from illness or injury.

Health is a nebulous word, and everyone has their definition of what it means to them. These varying meanings are perfectly alright because everyone has a different body with different DNA and different needs. What works for one person may not work for you. A healthy diet that changed someone else's life may be inaccessible to you or may not make you feel good.

Maybe you have allergies or intolerances, or perhaps you have textural sensitivities. There is no one perfect way to achieve good health, but the one perfect way to start is to know what you do and don't like. No wellness journey can succeed by forcing yourself to do things you hate or that make you feel worse.

By improving gradually rather than all at once and doing things that fit your lifestyle and body's needs, you are setting yourself up for health success.

Organic:

/ôr anik/ Adjective - (of food or farming methods) produced or involving production without the use of chemical fertilizers, pesticides, or other artificial agents.

Improving your diet to eat healthier isn't just about eating the right foods. It's also about eating local and eating smart.

Not all produce is created equal. Often, produce needs to be shipped in from a long distance away, contributing to environmental pollution. Buying locally sourced produce helps shrink your carbon footprint and support nearby farms, thereby financially supporting your local economy. Additionally, it's good to buy organic produce when you can to improve your healthy eating regimen. When you eat local, organic foods, you can trust that it is both fresher and free of chemical agents that may harm your health in the long run. Luckily, Mother's has the widest selection of organic produce in Southern California.

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Heal:

/hēl/ Verb - (of a person or treatment) cause (a wound, injury, or person) to become sound or healthy again.

Put into action whatever you need to do to address your needs. Work out a sleep schedule that corresponds with your body's natural cycle. Incorporate more vitamins and minerals into your diet. See a doctor to ask about those concerns you've been putting off. Allow yourself a few days where you don't mentally obligate yourself to think about work. The body can't be pushed to its limit or ignored forever! By allowing yourself time to heal and address core problems, you give yourself the strength to keep moving forward.

Balance:

/ baləns/ Noun - a condition in which different elements are equal or in the correct proportions.

When living in a hectic world, we often allow ourselves to build up stress and tension in our bodies. We may try various things to attempt to offset that tension, to no avail. Luckily, CBD products are not only more common than ever but are also better developed and diverse. There are CBD products for many things that may ail you; muscle pains, headaches, stress, stomach upset, and insomnia. Though CBD works a bit differently for every person and can't treat every problem, the time it takes to find the right product and dosage can be worth it.

When used in conjunction with a good diet, exercise, and help from your doctor, CBD is a great tool to help you restore balance to your body.

Courage:

/ kərij/ Noun - strength in the face of pain or fear.

It's not easy to try new things, especially when you get stuck in a routine or set of comfortable activities. However, the new year might just be the best time to add something new to your exercise lineup. Perhaps you tend to do more fast-paced activities, so the slowness of yoga or tai chi makes you nervous.

Maybe you're the other way around, and you're used to more relaxed exercise because heavy lifting is daunting. Give some new things a try! You might even find your new favorite routine. You don't need to be perfect on the first try or even completely know what you're doing. The power is in the courage to take that first step.

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Rejuvenate:

/rə jōōvə nāt/ Verb - to give new energy or vigor; revitalize.

A type of health that many people do not think about is sleep health. We assume all we should do is lay down and then wake up when our alarm blares. In reality, there is a lot more to getting a good night's sleep. We can't allcontrol when we can get up, or maybe even when we're able to get to bed, but we can more likely control the way we sleep. To get the best sleep, make sure you sleep inan adequately dark room, make your bed as comfortable as you can, always sleep on clean sheets, and keep the room cool. All of these factors contribute to healthy, uninterrupted sleep.

Glow:

/glō/ Noun - a steady radiance of light or heat.

A natural glow comes from taking care of yourself both inside and out. Nourish your cells by treating them well, drinking enough water, eating enough healthy fruits, vegetables, oils. It's also important to figure out a skincare routine that not only fits your skin type but also fits with your busy schedule. Some people have the time and patience to do a 6-step or even 12-step skincare routine every morning and night, but most people don't. Your routine can be as simple as choosing the right cleanser, moisturizer, and sunscreen for your skin.

Every product has its pros and cons. Therefore, it's essential to pay close attention to ingredients and what skin type each product is best for before buying anything. But no matter what, don't forget the sunscreen! Protected skin is healthy skin, and that health is what makes you glow.

Detox:

/dē täks/ Verb - abstain from or rid the body of toxic or unhealthy substances.

Detoxing isn't just about what foods you put in your body, but about your mindset as well. Sometimes you need to detox emotionally, which is just as important as treating your diet with care. Bottling up your negative emotions can amplify them and lead to added stress that can cause adverse side effects on your health later down the line. Stress can cause digestive upset, cognitive malfunction, rapid aging, sleep troubles, and body pains. To manage this stress on a day to day basis, try to let your emotions out in a healthy, non destructive way. Allow yourself to cry when you need to. Take the time to not answer those texts or emails right away if you're experiencing distress. Remind yourself of the things you love, the people you care about, and the specific reasons you love them. This spiritual form of a detox sets the groundwork for a steady path towards overall wellness.

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Up your fruit & veggie intake

JUICING 101

While any time of year is the perfect time to take charge of your health and improve your eating habits, New Year's is one occasion in particular where it just feels right to try to get a fresh start. What better time than a new year to establish good habits? One super-easy way to incorporate more fruits and veggies into your diet is by juicing. Not only is juicing a fast and easy way to get your daily recommended amount of fruit and veggies but also juices are convenient to travel with if you lead an active lifestyle.

Although most of us have been fairly homebound this past year and probably will be for some time in the future, having a portable and easily consumable juice on hand is a fantastic thing to snack on while you work from home or hang out. Nutrient-dense juices can help avoid accidental dehydration and keep your mind sharp during a potentially monotonous daily routine. Plus, juices are highly customizable! With your juicing machine, you can experiment with various combinations of fruits and vegetables. One of the most common juices that also doubles as a great addition to a healthy breakfast or lunch is a classic green juice, which typically is a combination of apples, celery, ginger, and lemon. You can also add other organic produce, such as orange, pineapple, beet, or cucumber, to spice things up and make different blends. If you have a

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masticating juicer, you can even add in spinach or kale.

Each juice combination has different health benefits depending on the ingredients, but what sort of overall benefits can you expect?

In short, you can generally expect the same benefits you would get from eating the ingredients whole. You get the healthy vitamins and minerals along with the good digestive and immune system benefits from eating nutritious, organic produce. Therefore, while juicing doesn't necessarily have more benefits than otherwise eating those ingredients, it is certainly an easier, faster, and more appetizing way to consume them for many people. After all, most people would likely prefer to eat ginger as part of a refreshing juice recipe than eating a whole slice of ginger by itself, right? And it's more convenient to sip on your fruits and veggies all at once in a way that tastes good than spending the time eating them bit by bit or trying to figure out different recipes for each item.

Will you make juicing part of your New Year's routine? Try your hand at various ingredient combinations and see what you like! But, as always, if you don't feel like buying a juicer or want to try juices in general, you can always visit Mother's Juice Bar for a refreshing juice made to order just for you.

7 Ways to

PRACTICE SELF CARE It's not easy to practice self-care when our lives are so fast-paced and busy. Although our schedules have slowed down in many ways this year, we still face the stress of daily routine, work, worry about the future, and the urge to be productive. Wintertime is when every aspect of the natural world slows down; bears hibernate, trees sleep, and the earth gets a little quieter. Though you may not be able to replicate this change of pace every day, you can still do small things to take care of yourself and observe little self-care rituals in that spirit. These tips can help you start the new year on the right foot.

1. Check in with yourself. If you spend most of your time worrying about others - your family, your kids, your neighbors, your work life - how are you giving yourself the same attention? Look inwards for a moment and take inventory. How is your posture? Are you dehydrated?

Have you eaten? And if you have, have you eaten well?

Are you sleeping enough? Maybe you can't control some of these things, but you can fix others. Drink some water!

5. Put your thoughts on paper. It's not the same as sending your thoughts into the social media void.

Though it's nice to be heard, it's just as good to let your thoughts sit with yourself without being judged or seen. Use a journal or even some scrap paper, and vent out all the thoughts and worries circulating in your head. Write until you feel the weight lessen, even just a little.

2. Where are you holding tension? It's easy to hold tension in ways you don't even notice, and tension can cause adverse effects like migraines, neck pain, or back pain. Unclench your jaw, drop your shoulders, and take a deep breath.

6. Have a spa night. This is the moment to get a little extra because that's the whole point! Take a bath using bath bombs or take a shower using shower aromatherapy disks. Light some candles, put on your coziest clothes, treat your skin with your favorite lotion, and relax!

3. Go walk around. It's essential to stretch your legs and get fresh air. No matter how productive you're being, sitting too long will make you feel worse in the long run.

Even a 5-10 minute loop around your neighborhood or your backyard will work wonders.

7. Make it a routine. Self-care doesn't mean a lot if it's a one-time thing. It has better long-term benefits if you make it part of your schedule. Set aside one day a week for your indulgent spa or recipe night, or set a reminder to check in with yourself. Whatever you need to do because you deserve it.

4. Treat yourself. Yeah, you're allowed! Sometimes a bad week is made better by indulging in making your favorite recipe, perhaps something you usually reserve for special occasions. A fancy pasta dish, a cake, or an elaborate sandwich. Whatever makes you happy, spend the time making it for yourself. There's no rule saying you can't.

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Printable

COLORING SHEETS A fun way to teach your children healthy habits

START COLORING 1. Click on the coloring pages to download them 2. Print out the coloring pages 3. Color 4. Tag @mothersmarket and use #MothersHomemadeHoliday on social media so we can see your creations

MothersMarket.com | 29

New apple cider vinegar gummies

AGE OLD REMEDY MEETS MODERN SCIENCE

By Dawn Thorpe Jarvis, Sr Director of Nutrition Science and Educational Content Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV), made from the fermentation of apples, has been used for both culinary purposes and as a dietary supplement since the beginning of recorded history. Most of its early use was as a natural antiseptic both topically and internally.

Apple Cider Vinegar’s traditional use dates back to Hippocrates, who is the ‘Father of Medicine’. Hippocrates used apple cider vinegar to treat his patients as early as 400 B.C., making ACV one of thefirst medicines in recorded history. Today, themost common reported health benefits of ACVincludeenergy, weight management, healthy blood sugar levels and digestive health, along with immune, skin and heart support.† Similar to the skin and digestive tract, apple cider vinegar has a lower pH coming from the presence of several natural acids produced during fermentation; the most common being acetic acid.

Our new ACV gummies are part of the mykind Organics brand, created in partnership with Alicia Silverstone, a known and trusted brand with full traceability and verified label accuracy. All these new mykind Organics ACV products are third-party Certified as USDA Organic, Non-GMO Project Verified, Certified Vegan and NSF Gluten-Free and Kosher.

No self-proclaimed logos here!

At Garden of Life, we believe in the wisdom of nature and we wanted to explore the science behind this age-old remedy, which has recently become very popular with health consumers. Extensive literature exists to support apple cider vinegar’s application for digestive health, energy support, weight management, blood sugar stability, plus immune and skin health.†

Garden of Life’s Innovation Team formulated our new Apple Cider Vinegar Gum mies by combining the tr ditional wisdom with mod ern clinical science. To take

our new ACVformulas to the next level, we added additional clinically studied ingredients that are backed by modern clinical trials. We chose targeted ingredients to work synergistically with our Organic ACV to support specific health benefits. We did not just stop at including ACV, we crafted formulas that are more effective than just ACV alone; each for specific applications such as Diet, Energy and Probiotics for Digestive & Immune Health.†

It is very important to appreciate that these new ACV gummies are made differently than other traditional gummies, apart from the fact that they are all third-party certified, which is super important as many other products don’t even use Organic ACV! They use regular ACV and then add in a few other organic ingredients in tiny amounts. That’s why they don’t have the organic seal.

As mentioned, ACV is made from the fermentation of apples. Garden of Life’s supplier only uses organic apples: first they chop them up, steep them in water, and then add specific yeast to ferment the apples to alcohol, just like making apple cider. They use a specific bacteria called acetobacter to convert all the alcohol into vinegar. This vinegar consists of several organic acids, but mostly acetic acid. Our acetic acid is at a 5% concentration.

The standard industry method used commercially for making traditional gummies is to put ALL the ingredients into a large vessel and heat everything to a very high heat. Pure fruit cannot be used for the base to make ACV gummies due to the acidity, in short the gummies will not set. High heat is necessary to make the gummy, then it is cooled down and put into starch molds— the cooling process usually takes 48 hours.

Garden of Life has studied the process carefully and understands the nature of the ingredients. We have paid careful attention to make sure that we do not kill off the active ingredients in ACV, nor the probiotics and other actives with the high heat needed to make the gummy. So we do it differently, first we make our base using Organic Tapioca Syrup, which enables us to produce gummies with low sugar content. Then we cool it down and then carefully add the active ingredients including the Apple Cider Vinegar, probiotics and other clinically studied ingredients, depending on the formula. This is a very key difference, because we are not killing the beneficial active components of the apple cider or probiotics with high heat. Also it only takes 20 minutes to cool, so the ingredients are not sitting out exposed to air with this significantly shorter drying time. Adding our clinically studied ingredients after the temperature has been lowered is key to the effectiveness of our ACV gummies.

Many people ask what “with the mother” means when buying ACV, so here is what you need to know: The term “mother” refers to the SCOBY (symbiotic culture of bacteria & yeast) used in the fermentation process.

These SCOBY cultures produce a host of beneficial compounds, the main one being acetic acid. This is very akin to the brewing process: after the process, the yeast is considered to be spent (used) and is filtered off. The same applies to ACV. It is typically filtered to remove the culture, while the important acetic acid and other beneficial compounds remain in the liquid ACV. When buying ACV, you want to know that you are getting at least 5% acetic acid, which actually comes from the mother culture (not added chemically after the fact!).

This is important to know and our label clearly states “originating from the mother”, meaning that our acetic acid is only naturally occurring from the organic fermentation of apple cider vinegar. This is true for all Garden of Life’s mykind Organics Apple Cider Vinegar Gummies.

For those of you who are hard core liquid ACV users, we get it, you will probably continue to drink your ACV liquid every morning. Anyone who knows how to properly calculate acetic acid content will not try to mislead you or claim that any ACV gummies can deliver the same amount of acetic acid per serving. However, our gummies are designed to include the same weight of active dry ACV per serving (after the water is removed) but we added other ingredients to drive the health benefits that ACV users seek.

Our recommendation is simple. Why not enjoy both? If you drink liquid ACV you can continue to use it along with our new my kind ACVGummies for the health benefits and resultsyou seek. Also our gummies are portable and more convenient than liquid, so you can throw them in your sports bag or take them with you wherever you go.

Also we have our own dedicated production line, so we are NOT using starch moguls that everyone else uses. Most companies make their gummies on lines that are shared with many other products including pork and non-vegan items. Also we do not want to use the starch molds for several reasons, particularly as they are not gluten free and also because they are not cleaned regularly! We make ours separately on a clean line and this is how we can achieve GF, Vegan and Kosher third-party certifications. mykind Organics ACV Gummies also do not contain any artificial ingredients, we only use natural flavors and natural colors such as carrot and blackcurrant.

At Garden of Life we make sure that we follow best practices with our dedicated production to provide our customers with delicious gummies that are clean, healthy and truly efficacious with clinically studied ingredients.

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the key active ingredient. All delivered in an organic fruit blend with only 2 grams of natural sugar, no artificial anything, and definitely no gelatin.

Just organic wholesome goodness with 6mcg of whole-food vitamin B12 as Methylcobalamin in the formula. Taste is often the #1 reason people are not consistently taking this wonderful superfood.

Fortunately, our gummies are an organic, delicious option that make the inclusion of ACV in our diets a breeze.

This gummy is really an excellent formula, because not only does it combine the traditional wisdom of Apple Cider Vinegar with whole food B12 at a really high dose, but also Organic Coffeeberry and Organic Green Tea. As a sport dietitian I think this ACV energy gummy makes an excellent pre-work out gummy based on the inclusion of the Organic Green Tea with Organic Coffeeberry® Whole Coffee Fruit Extract to deliver 40mg of natural caffeine to boost energy and increase mental alertness.†

•M ade from unrefined Apple Cider Vinegar containing 5% Acetic Acid • With whole food B-12 as Methylcobalamin • No gelatin. No artificial colors or ingredients

he second formula we offer is ACV Energy Gummies.

This formula is a powerhouse designed for those looking for additional energy support. Three gummies per day—best taken in the morning will not only deliver ACV in double the dose of 1,000mg (1 gram) and four times the B12 at 24mcg (1,000DV), but we also added two of our favorite clinically studied ingredients for mental focus and energy.† We combined Organic Green Tea with Organic Coffeeberry® Whole Coffee Fruit Extract to deliver 40mg of natural caffeine to boost energy and sharpen focus.† Clinical studies show that Coffeeberry® made from organic coffee fruits called cherries, supports relief from mental and physical fatigue and helps to increase mental alertness.†

• Made from unrefined Apple Cider Vinegar containing 5% Acetic Acid • With whole food B-12 as Methylcobalamin • Delivering 40mg natural caffeine - Organic Coffeeberry - Organic Green Tea - Clinically studied to support healthy - Energy production and cognitive function†

Our next formula is ACV Diet Gummies. This is definitely the most innovative formula in the line. As mentioned earlier, ACV is made from the fermentation of apples. The Garden of Life process only uses organic apples: first they chop them up, steep them in water, and then add specific yeast to ferment the apples to alcohol, just like making apple cider. We use a specific bacteria called acetobacter to convert all the alcohol into vinegar. This vinegar consists of several organic acids, but mostly acetic acid. Remember, our acetic acid is at a 5% concentration.

Numerous clinical studies have shown that ACV can help reduce high blood sugar, improve insulin ensitivity and help with fat oxidation (aka burn fat!).†However, we did not stop at just ACV in our Diet Gummies. We also included 450mg (the clinically studied amount) of Svetol® to help burn fat.† Garden of Life has been using Svetol®, a clinically studied Green Coffee Bean Extract, in many of its top-selling weight loss products such as Raw Organic Fit, FucoThin Green and KetoFIT for many years.

We are very familiar with the mechanism of action and published clinical evidence on this impressive ingredient. Subjects given Svetol® in clinical studies lost twice the weight of control subjects on similar dietary intakes. Our scientists collaborated on this project and we are very excited to have formulated a new Diet ACV Gummy, delivering two separate ingredients for weight management, which we believe have a synergistic effect when combined to provide clinical efficacy for the dieter.† Combining Svetol® with ACV was quite innovative, because Svetol® already has proven clinical benefits for weight loss.† The chlorogenic acid in the coffee bean works in the body by slowing the uptake of glucose from the gut into the blood. This promotes

† These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

fat burning in the liver, which is complementary to some of the suggested mechanisms of ACV.†Many mechanisms have been proposed for ACV, including delayed stomach emptying, suppression of liver glucose production, increased glucose utilization, reduction in lipogenesis, increase in lipolysis (fat–burning), increased satiety (fullness) and increased energy expenditure.† It was quite apparent to our science team that current evidence supports the use of ACV as a complementary ingredient to a proven clinically studied ingredient such as Svetol®. With the current obesity epidemic, it is more important than ever to provide effective tools for weight reduction and weight management.

The organic green coffee cherries are handpicked at a Finca in Mexico where the women who pick the cherries and the entire local community depend on this business for their livelihoods. We feel good knowing that we are supporting this community.

ACV Diet Gummy is best taken with each main meal of the day (1 per meal, totaling 3 daily). Each gummy delivers 500mg of our new Apple Cider Diet Blend containing 5% Acetic Acid combined with a clinically studied dose of Svetol®.

•M ade from unrefined Apple Cider Vinegar containing 5% Acetic Acid • Delivering 450mg Organic Svetol® in 3 gummies daily - Naturally decaffeinated green coffee - Bean extract - Clinically shown to burn fat and help maintain healthy blood glucose levels†

Our fourth formula is our ACV Probiotic Gummy. As a pioneer of the probiotic category, Garden of Life has the opportunity to work with the most clinically researched and innovative probiotic strains available. In this unique formula, we used 2 billion CFU probiotics of Bacillus coagulans and Bacillus subtilis DE111. This includes one billion CFU of each of these clinically studied strains for digestive and immune health in just two gummies daily.

In a clinical study published in the Journal of Probiotics and Health, Bacillus subtilis DE111 was shown to be effective to support daily bowel regularity in people with occasional GI irregularities (Cuentas et al., 2017).

B. coagulans Unique1S2™ has also been studied in several published quality gold standard double blind randomized control trials for both adults and children. These studies demonstrate both its safety and effectiveness in supporting healthy gut function and immune health (Sudha et al., 2018, Madempudi et al, 2019, and Townsend et al., 2019).

There are many practical challenges making a probiotic gummy due to the moisture content of the gummy, which is why most companies can’t make them. As probiotic experts, we were able to successfully produce a stable probiotic gummy using these two hardy strains at clinically effective dosages. Additionally, there is 700mg of apple cider vinegar along with 12mcg whole food B12 as Methylcobalamin per serving. Both of these ingredients help to support the immune system.†

•M ade from unrefined Apple Cider Vinegar containing 5% Acetic Acid • With whole Food B-12 as Methylcobalamin • 2 Billion CFU Clinically Studied Probiotics - B. subtilis DE111 - B. coagulans Unique1S2™ - Clinically studied for digestive and immune support† These gummies are also an incredible value when you appreciate the ingredients and the clinical doses included to make them effective. Each of the ingredients at these doses could be sold as separate products which make our ACV Gummies an excellent value. Finally, our finished gummies are dusted with organic orange peel. We hope that you love these new delicious ACV gummies as much as we do!

† These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

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Support your new intensions

THE POWER OF PLANTS

Setting intentions at the beginning of a new year is a longstanding tradition that we love and dread at the same time. It feels like all the energy of a new year is at our back, and anything is possible, but too often, we lose our motivation before we’ve really gotten anywhere. Evolving and changing things is the result of the small daily habits and rituals that get us there.

Building habits and creating lasting changes in our lives isn’t just about how much willpower we have. It’s essential to stay connected to a strong intention, but we can build daily rituals

to support us along the way and give us a boost when our willpower starts to wane.

There is a whole world of plants out there that give us things our food alone can’t. These plants make a difference in our health from the inside out, and they can strengthen more than just our physical health. When we make them a part of our daily lives through simple rituals, they have the power to support our deepest intentions and aspirations.

Get Fit If you intend to get more physically fit, you know you'll need to pay attention to diet and exercise. There's no resolution that becomes harder to keep as the weeks wear on, but fortunately, there are plant allies here to help you. It's critical to begin each day on the right foot and set yourself up for success first thing.

The simple habit of drinking a glass of lemon water in the morning is easy and refreshing, has many physical benefits, and serves as a reminder of your intention each time you pour yourself a glass. The lemon water stimulates metabolism, supports gentle detox, and rehydrates the system to make digestion more efficient. If you want to multiply those benefits, you can drink a Turmeric Radiance tonic from Goldthread in the morning. Whatever the drink, setting a morning ritual ensures that your intention is refreshed and reignited. In turn, you're more likely to stay on track for the rest of the day.

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Learn Something New Our greatest tool in learning is our attention and focus. Essential oils are well known to have powerful effects on cognition since our sense of smell is directly connected to our brains. Some of the best oils to support focus and the kind of expansive state of mind we need to learn new things are rosemary, melissa, frankincense, and tulsi. They all have different fragrance profiles, so choose the one that you most enjoy. The ritual is to keep a bottle of the oil readily available and use it before beginning your learning activity. Drop three drops into the center of your palm, rub your hands together, and then cup them around your nose and mouth, taking care not to touch your sensitive lips and nostrils with the oil directly. Deeply inhale the oil for five counts in and five counts out for a total of ten breaths. The habit itself will serve as a reminder to reconnect you with your ntention and enthusiasm. The essential oil will also work its magic physically by helping your brain become more focused and ready to learn.

Cultivate Virtues If you intend to develop a certain quality in yourself, like patience, forgiveness, skillful communication, open-heartedness, bravery, or something else personal to your life, plants can serve as a valuable ally.

Interacting with plants in any way, from growing them to cooking with them to just being around them, very quickly awakens a sense of appreciation in us. We are quickly reassured by the presence of our green friends, and we begin to feel a deeper sense of appreciation. Gratitude is a natural doorway to many other virtues that we aspire to and admire. Some plants are especially skilled at shifting our states of mind and offer us a doorway to new perspectives.

Some that are particularly good at this work on our nervous systems and help relieve tension and stress. When we are relaxed, we have much greater access to our higher virtues and a sense of perspective. Drinking relaxing herbs is an easy way to get these benefits and create a ritual that keeps you connected at the same time. The Lavender Bliss tonic from Goldthread works wonderfully for this purpose and is reliably relaxing without any sedative effect.

When all you have to do is grab the bottle and twist off the cap, the habit pretty much makes itself! If you have more time, you can always brew a warm cup of tea with these fragrant, relaxing herbs as well. Just make sure to find the time each day to indulge in one of these floral tonics or teas to keep growing and xpanding in your intention.

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Unbottle the benefits

HEALTH-ADE PLUS We have a (gut) feeling you’re going to love Health-Ade’s new PLUS line, where flavor meets function. Health-Ade PLUS combines the probiotic-packed kombucha you love with the highest-quality adaptogenic and functional ingredients for a delicious sip that delivers serious benefits. With 7 offerings like Chill (made with lavender and passionflower, known to calm and soothe) and Happy (with mood-boosting L-theanine) you’re sure to find a flavor for whatever 2021 throws your way!

Sip your way through 2021 with Health-Ade PLUS

Happy

Hydrate

Chill

Belly Reset

Raise your spirits with uplifting orange, warming vanilla and L-theanine to boost your mood.

A calming blend of lavender and vanilla plus passion flower known to promote relaxation.

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Cucumber, mint, lemon and electrolytes help your body absorb water and stay hydrated.

An extra dose of probiotics combine with soothing ginger and pineapple for a happy gut and healthy digestion.

What ’s the difference

PROBIOTICS V. PREBIOTICS Your gut isn't called the 'second brain' for nothing! Did you know that imbalances in your gut biome can cause brain fog, IBS, IBD, fatigue, sleep disturbances, food intolerances, eczema, and more? The beneficial bacteria that live in our digestive systems do a wide variety of essential jobsfor your health outside of just helping to digest food. But lifestyle choices like not drinking enough water, eating a high-sugar diet, poor stress management, and a lack of sleep can damage gut flora. Also, if you have recently needed to take a run of oral antibiotics, the medication likely wiped out the good bacteria along with the bad. So how can you help heal and improve your gut biome? The answer is probiotics and prebiotics. These two might sound like the same thing, yet they do very different but connected jobs.

Probiotics are live beneficial bacteria cultures found in foods and supplements. These bacteria are essential for good gut health. Fermented foods such as sauerkraut, kimchi, kefir, and kombucha all contain live probiotics.

When looking for well-fermented foods, look for unpasteurized foods since the heat from the pasteurization process kills the live bacteria cultures. You can even try fermenting foods at home, such as making homemade pickles.

Besides consuming probiotics through food, you can also reap the gut benefits by taking daily probiotic supplements. Prebiotics, on the other hand, do not

contain live cultures. Instead, they are types of dietary fiber that the human body cannot digest and that feed the gut's healthy bacteria. If you want your good gut bacteria to stay strong, you need to feed them foods they love more than the bad bacteria love. Some types of prebiotic foods are garlic, onions, asparagus, berries, oats, and bananas.

Everything in the body is connected, and so everything you put in your body has a significant impact on the way your body functions and how your body can break things down.

The gut flora that lives in the digestive system does a lot of this legwork for you, so it's vital to keep them healthy and populated. A lack of good gut flora, or overactive bad gut flora, can lead to insulin resistance, dietary intolerances, chronic digestive disorders, and even psychological impacts such as depression and increased stress. Therefore, take good care of your gut, and it'll take good care of you. You can find a plethora of useful probiotic supplements in the Mother's Market Wellness Department, as well as plenty of probiotic and prebiotic foods to benefit your diet in the rest of the store. Remember to read labels carefully, and choose a supplement that is right for your needs based on the unique strains it contains. If you live with a condition that could be worsened by a probiotic supplement, such as SIBO or a sensitivity to certain ingredients, consult your doctor before taking new supplements.

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Why greens are

IMPORTANT TO YOUR HEALTH (AND HOW TO GET MORE IN YOUR DAY)

By McKel Kooienga, MS, RDN, LDN Founder of Nutrition Stripped and creator of The Method Registered Dietician, founder of Nutrition Stripped and leading wellness coach in mindful nutrition, McKel Kooienga believes that creating healthy eating habits is one of the most important skills you can give yourself for your overall well-being.

We always hear that eating our vegetables, in particular greens, are beneficial for our health, but why are greens good for us?

Greens and fiber-rich vegetables also known as nonstarchy carbohydrates are great sources of nutrition!

Non-starchy carbohydrates don’t necessarily provide a substantial amount of energy like their starchier counterparts (think breads, fruits, pasta, etc.), but these carbohydrates are better known for their fiber, prebiotics, vitamins, and minerals.

When you hear non-starchy carbohydrates, think of super greens and vegetables! These are your leafy greens like arugula, kale, wheatgrass, barley grass, alfalfa, spinach, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, tomatoes, carrots, cucumbers, and so many more.

Fiber is so important to any diet as it balances cholesterol levels in the blood, regulates bowel movements, regulates blood sugar levels, regulates your satiety levels, lowers the risk of certain types of cancer, reduces the risk of diabetes, and aids in digestion overall.

In addition to fiber, greens typically contain vitamin C, beta-carotene, vitamin K, vitamin E, calcium, folate, manganese, potassium, and a host of antioxidants.

“These plants should make up the bulk of your plate – the more, the better!”

Their fiber and water content help to keep you full and provide your body with the nutrients you need to support healthy digestion.

So the next time you look at your plate, bowl, or smoothie container, try to squeeze in as many greens and vegetables as you can and have access to.

Here are a few ideas to help you get creative and add more greens into your diet:

1) Add to wraps and sandwiches (like spinach, alfalfa, or parsley)

3 Add them to pizza as a topping (like broccoli or sprouts!)

2) Load them up in pasta dishes (like tomatoes, artichoke hearts, carrots)

4) Add as a garnish (use alfalfa and broccoli sprouts for garnish and a nutrient punch)

6) Use heartier greens like kale, romaine, hard, and collard as wraps

5) Add frozen or fresh to any stir-fry meal (like carrots, tomatoes, broccoli)

“An easy and delicious way to get the nutrients from greens” Another question to simply ask yourself during meal times is “how can I boost the greens or vegetables in this meal?”. If you have extra vegetables on hand, then add those to your plate, otherwise, an easy and delicious way to get the nutrients from greens is to supplement your diet and add in a scoop of Green Superfood®.

One scoop of Green Superfood Original is 2 full servings of greens, fruits, and veggies and is a convenient way to get the whole food nutrition our body needs.

Add Green Superfood® Antioxidant by Amazing Grass® to squeeze in the greens, superfoods, fruits, herbs, and spices to support fighting free radicals.

In just one scoop, there’s one full serving of fruits and veggies + 15,000 ORAC units in a delicious Sweet Berry flavor!

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How to

IMPROVE YOUR METABOLIC HEALTH NATURALLY

by Erica Garza

Metabolism is to thank for all of the chemical processes that go on inside our bodies and the function of our organs, including breathing, digesting food, and repairing cells. These processes require energy, and our metabolism is capable of converting nutrients from food into this energy. Metabolic health refers to having optimal levels of blood sugar, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, blood pressure, and waist circumference without using medications.

According to researchers at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, only 1 adult in 8 in the United States meets these conditions to be considered metabolically healthy. For those who are not metabolically healthy, the risk for heartdisease, diabetes, and stroke is higher.

While some might use their body weight to gauge whether they're metabolically healthy, experts say it's not enough. Dr. Rekha Kumar, an endocrinologist at New York-Presbyterian and Weill Cornell Medicine, has said, 'We need to look at metabolism beyond just bodyweight ‌ even people who are a normal weight seem to be developing diseases that we typically correlate with obesity."

Getting an annual physical is an easy way to assess your overall health, and learning how to improve your metabolic health naturally can put you on the right track.

From exercising regularly to incorporating superfoods into your diet, here's how to reset your metabolism and enjoy higher energy levels as a result.

Exercise Regularly Many people know there is a correlation between exercise and metabolic health, but some forms of exercise seem to be more effective than others.

According to a study published in Cardiovascular Research, a combined routine of strength and aerobic training 'dramatically shifted' metabolism over 80 days in healthy young male adults. Regular exercise caused muscles to use far more fuel — predominantly fat — than previously thought, paving the way for subjects to enjoy better vascular function and fat loss over time.

While aerobic exercise like running, biking, and swimming is an efficient way to burn calories, strength training like weightlifting helps counteract muscle loss associated with aging. Muscle tissue burns more calories than fat tissue, so the more muscle a person has, the higher their metabolism.

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Don't Sit Too Long Most people have heard that sedentary lifestyles are bad for our health, partly because long periods of sitting burn fewer calories than standing or moving around, leading to weight gain. While sit-stand desks are widely used in offices to disrupt prolonged sitting, standing is not enough when it comes to metabolic health. Researchers say that breaking prolonged sitting with short bouts of light walking, not just standing still, resulted in clinically meaningful improvements in metabolic health markers.

Sleep More Studies show that sleep is intricately connected to various hormonal and metabolic processes in the body and is crucial to maintaining metabolic homeostasis. Yet, we are a sleep-deprived nation, with 1 in 3 adults not getting enough sleep (at least seven hours/night). When we are sleep deprived, we are more at risk for diabetes and obesity because metabolic health is thrown out of alignment. In fact, research indicates that after just one night of sleep deprivation, our bodies experience an increase in cortisol levels, contributing to glucose dysregulation. According to the National Sleep Foundation, a healthy adult needs between 7 and 9 hours of sleep per night.

Make Dietary Changes Dietary changes can also help kickstart your metabolism, including incorporating protein-rich foods, leafy vegetables, and superfoods into your diet. Protein-rich foods, such as meat, fish, eggs, dairy, legumes, and nuts, may help increase your metabolism by requiring your body to use more energy to digest them.

Vegetables like kale, spinach, broccoli, and peppers also support metabolism, thanks to high iron, calcium, and capsaicin. Superfoods like Cordyceps mushrooms from Om Mushroom Superfoods can also make difference in your metabolic health by boosting your energy naturally to help you power through workouts and supporting respiratory health. Simply mix Om organic Cordyceps mushroom powder into juice, tea, smoothies, or any favorite recipe, or take in capsule form, for a natural stamina boost that will support you throughout the entire day.

Erica Garza is an author and essayist from Los Angeles. Her writing has appeared in TIME, Health, Glamour, Good Housekeeping, Women's Health, and VICE.

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Missing the spa?

PAMPER YOURSELF AT HOME If the rigors of life have you feeling a bit tense and going to the spa is not an option, perhaps some self-care at home will help you reset and rebalance. SoulSpring™ Hemp CBD products will awaken your senses from the inside out. Their consciously crafted products create the soul-fulfilling oasis you deserve.

SoulSpring believes in Self-Care for SelfLove. With more consumers seeking natural solutions to modern stresses, SoulSpring is a self-care company inspired by the power of nature’s ancient remedies to

renew your mind, body, and soul.

SoulSpring Hemp CBD products include bath bombs, bath soaks, daily body lotions, intensive body creams, muscle rubs, full-spectrum CBD oils, probiotic deodorants, lip balms, hand cream, and hand sanitizer. Each product is formulated with a powerful botanical blend to achieve a healthy balance between mind and body.

Hemp CBD is recognized for its nourishing and moisturizing properties that are rich in antioxidant vitamins and essential fatty acids-- key to vibrant skin health.

SoulSpring offers innovative scent stories of CBD-infused botanical blends: Serenity: Calming + Centering Hemp CBD infused with Lavender, Sandalwood, Honeysuckle, Vanilla, and Rose.

Uplifting: Rejuvenating + Revitalizing Hemp CBD infused with Yuzu, Green Tea, Lemon, and Sea Fennel.

Stress-Free: Releasing + Balancing Hemp CBD infused with Sage, Palo Santo Cedarwood, and Guaiacwood.

Soothing: Replenishing + Rescuing Hemp CBD infused with Eucalyptus, Rosemary, and Mint (some products contain Menthol).

SoulSpring Ingredient Philosophy SoulSpring’s ingredient philosophy is “if you won’t put something in your body, then you shouldn’t put it on your body.” Made in the USA with 100% USA grown Hemp CBD, all ingredients are 100% natural, food-grade, non-toxic, vegan, gluten-free, cruelty-free, GMO-free, and soy-free.

Their formulas do not use parabens, synthetic fragrances, or artificial colors. Once their products are finished, they test them both in-house and send them

42 | Organic Living Magazine

out to a 3rd party lab for independent testing. Each batch is tested for potency and purity, ensuring an absence of pesticides, fungicides, microbials, and heavy metals. Going above and beyond to curate the safest ingredients for their products, SoulSpring selects certified organic ingredients whenever available. They make all their products in small batches at their own manufacturing facility to ensure optimal performance.

What is CBD? You may be asking, what is CBD? CBD, short for cannabidiol, is a naturally occurring plant compound (cannabinoid) found abundantly in Hemp. The Hemp plant is classified as having less than 0.3% THC, which makes CBD an ideal plant compound for experiencing beneficial properties without the high typically associated with THC. At SoulSpring, all products are entirely Hemp-derived and non-intoxicating.

CBD & the human body The human body has 11 major organ systems. They include the circulatory, respiratory, urinary, reproductive, integumentary, skeletal, muscular, nervous, endocrine, lymphatic, and digestive systems. But did you know you also have an endocannabinoid system (ECS)? The ECS has been called, “the most important physiologic system involved in establishing and maintaining human health.” Research shows that the ECS evolved over 500 million years ago and is involved in a wide variety of processes, including pain, memory, mood, appetite, stress, sleep, metabolism, immune function, and reproductive function.

How does CBD work?

Your body, right now, is producing something remarkably close to the molecules that are found in cannabis. When scientists discovered cannabis-like molecules called endocannabinoids in the 90s, they unlocked a new layer of understanding about how we feel pain, make memories, metabolize food, boost our immune systems, and maintain other essential functions. Endocannabinoids are arguably one of the most widespread and versatile signaling molecules known to man and designed to maintain biological harmony in response to changes in the environment.

Leaping Bunny Certified - The Gold Standard SoulSpring is proud to have met the strict Leaping Bunny Standards. The Leaping Bunny Logo is the only internationally recognized symbol ensuring consumers that no new animal tests were used in the development of any product. The logo can be seen on packaging, advertising, and websites for cosmetics and household products around the world, and it has become the gold standard for companies wishing to certify as cruelty-free. Learn more about the standard of cruelty-free by visiting SoulSpring’s blog - Not all “Cruelty-Free” Claims Are Created Equal. SoulSpring makes it easy for you to treat your skin with Hemp CBD products that are 100% natural, foodgrade, non-toxic, vegan, gluten-free, soy-free, GMO-free, and cruelty-free.

Choose a body bar, bath soak, or intensive body cream from your favorite collection! Then mark some ME time on your calendar. With your favorite tunes playing in the background, you’ve created the ultimate self-care experience that connects and balances your mind, body, and soul. Take some time to pamper yourself at home!

As research continues to develop, scientists have found that receptors are not only present in the brain and nerves, but also present throughout the body, including our skin, immune cells, bone, fat tissue, liver, pancreas, skeletal muscle, heart, blood vessels, kidney, and gastrointestinal tract.

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••

How to keep

HEALTHY AND MOTIVATED THIS WINTER As the days get shorter and the temperature gets colder, we often see a decrease in enthusiasm to exercise along with an overall lack of motivation to get things done. This annual decline in motivation can be brought on by the cooling temperatures, which naturally keep you inside more. You may also see a change in your dietary habits and sleep patterns. This winter, COVID-19 has added complications by further restricting our social engagements, hobbies, and exercise facilities. It has also drastically increased the time we spend inside. All of this has led to an overall increase in stress. When you’re stressed and sleep deprived, you may ₁₂ tend to eat more sugary foods, skip workouts, and experience a decrease in motivation .

This can lead to even more stress, creating a negative cycle of unhealthy habits.

We are all guilty of wanting to stay inside, curl up on the couch, and skip our commitments on a cold day; however, if you are looking to stay motivated and healthy this winter, here are some tips to keep on track.

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Stick to a Routine Since the beginning of the work-from-home era of 2020, the usual morning commutes have been swapped out for mornings spent in pajamas while answering emails on the couch. While this sounds wonderful, it may be hindering the motivation to get your day off to a good, productive start. It can be exhausting to have a different routine every day, and this can interfere with the ability to create healthy patterns. Therefore, establishing a new, consistent routine may ease some stress and anxiety.

Get Outside and Get Moving Spending time outside for part of your day can be beneficial for both your mental and physical health. Studies consistently show that getting outside in nature is advantageous for sleep, mental focus, and stress reduction₃. Going outside for a walk will also reduce the time you spend sitting throughout the day.

However, to reduce the risk of chronic disease, experts recommend about 10,000 steps a dayâ‚„. So, track your steps to see where you are at!

Nutrition and Supplementation Vitamin D deficiency is common in Canada during the winter due to the lack of sunlight. About onethird of Canadians are vitamin D deficient5. In the US, around 35-41% of adults have a vitamin D deficiency, depending on various biological and lifestyle factors. Deficiency in vitamin D can lead to decreased motivation and seasonal depression.

Vitamin D is also essential for immune function so that you can reduce the risk of upper respiratory tract infections during the winter months. Foods such as salmon, red meat, liver, and egg yolk are high in vitamin D; however, some individuals may need to supplement to obtain adequate levels. It is important to get your vitamin D levels checked, especially in the winter months.

Vitamin C is another vital winter nutrient as it supports immune health and can even prevent and treat the common cold, reducing the duration of infection6. To meet the recommended daily intake levels of vitamin C, you must consume at least five servings per day of fruits and vegetables; therefore, some populations may need supplementation to each adequate levels6. Another easy way to get your vital nutrients is by taking a supplement like Ener-C Vitamin C drink mixes. A supplement takes the difficult guesswork out of avoiding a vitamin deficiency.

Staying motivated and healthy during the winter months can be challenging. Therefore, to set ourself up for success, create small achievable goals, and establish a routine. Check your nutrient status and supplement with vitamin C and D if necessary, and remember this winter brings some extra challenges, so be patient with yourself.

References 1. Tryon MS, Stanhope KL, Epel ES, Mason AE, Brown R, Medici V, Havel PJ, Laugero KD. Excessive sugar consumption may be a difficult habit to break: a view from the brain and body. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism. 2015 Jun 1;100(6):2239-47.

2. Ritland BM, Simonelli G, Gentili RJ, Smith JC, He X, Oh H, Balkin TJ, Hatfield BD. Sleep health and its association with performance and motivation in tactical athletes enrolled in the reserve Officers' training corps. Sleep health. 2019 Jun 1;5(3):309-14.

3. Bratman GN, Anderson CB, Berman MG, Cochran B, De Vries S, Flanders J, Folke C, Frumkin H, Gross JJ, Hartig T, Kahn PH. Nature and mental health: An ecosystem service perspective. Science advances. 2019 Jul 1;5(7):eaax0903.

4. Tudor-Locke C, Craig CL, Brown WJ, Clemes SA, De Cocker K, Giles-Corti B, Hatano Y, Inoue S, Matsudo SM, Mutrie N, Oppert JM. How many steps/day are enough? For adults. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity. 2011 Dec;8(1):1-7.

5. Statistics Canada by Teresa Janz and Caryn Pearson. Vitamin D blood levels in Canadians. https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/82-624-x/2013001 article/11727-eng.htm 6. Bucher A, White N. Vitamin C in the prevention and treatment of the common cold. American journal of lifestyle medicine. 2016 May;10(3):181-3.

7. Parva, N. R., Tadepalli, S., Singh, P., Qian, A., Joshi, R., Kandala, H., Nookala, V. K., & Cheriyath, P. (2018). Prevalence of Vitamin D Deficiency and Associated Risk Factors in the US Population (2011-2012). Cureus, 10(6), e2741. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.2741 8. Sizar O, Khare S, Goyal A, et al. Vitamin D Deficiency. [Updated 2020 Jul 21]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2020 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK532266/

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Be an urban-gatherer:

THE IMPORTANCE OF FOOD DIVERSITY ON YOUR HEALTH Before we grew basil hydroponically and raised chickens on pastures, humans consumed a “hunter-gatherer” diet. We lived a nomadic lifestyle, moving with the seasons, food availability, and animal migration patterns, all of which played a role in what we ate. Rich in diversity with food sources spanning barks, roots, fruit, vegetables, seeds, and meat, the hunter gatherer diet was incredibly different from what we consume today.

Similar to all species, humans are genetically adapted to the environment that their ancestors survived in. We are essentially 21st century people living in 1.8 million year-old genes.

There is a lot we can learn about our health from looking at our hunter-gatherer ancestry—most notable is that diversity of diet and microbiome health are very closely linked to overall health.

Although our diet has changed tremendously since then, resulting in higher incidences of cancer, obesity, and heart disease, it is possible for us to reverse course—with a few dietary tweaks.

How our modern diet differs from our ancestors, and how it’s affecting our health We know what you’re thinking: it’s our sedentary lifestyle that’s causing all those health problems! While that certainly is a factor, researchers are now learning that our diet, and the diversity of that diet, plays one of the most prominent roles in keeping our bodies happy and healthy.

And, of course, we learned that by looking at our hunter gatherer friends.

Our hunter-gatherer ancestors consumed hundreds of different plant foods on a regular basis.

Now, on average, Americans only eat a couple dozen different types of foods. Research into modern hunter-gatherer tribes has found that these groups take in 100–200 grams of Fiber/ Prebiotics per day. On the other hand, the average American gets 10–15 grams of Fiber/Prebiotics per day—only ⅓ of what the USDA recommends we consume.

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The Western Diet, high in fat and sugar, and low in fiber and prebiotics, has contributed to a 50% decline in the quantity and complexity of bacteria in our digestive tract over the last 100 years.

This concentration around so few food sources robs us of nutrient-dense foods, thus reducing microbiome richness. As our diets continue to shrink and centralize, diet-related disease, obesity, and micronutrient deficiencies are increasing quickly.

During the past 50 years, the prevalence of obesity, type 2 diabetes, and inflammatory bowel diseases skyrocketed. A shared discovery for each of these conditions is the generalized reduction of gut microbiome biodiversity.

The role food diversity plays in our health Eating a diet that includes a variety of fiberrich plants (think: “eating the rainbow”) increases your chances of acquiring different micronutrients required for optimal health.

A diverse diet also makes for a more resilient, diverse, and healthy gut microbiome.

The gut microbiome is incredibly important to your overall health, and it is strongest when its community has a varied population of microbial species. The best way to achieve this? Consume a diverse diet. One study of 11,300 people found that the factor most closely associated with a healthy gut microbiome was the diversity of plants in your diet.

The reason why is because plants contain prebiotic fibers that feed the bacteria in your microbiome. Different plants, and different fiber sources, can feed different populations of bacteria. The more diverse the microbiome, the more resilient it will be to perturbations.

A solution isn’t out of reach — here’s what you can do A path to better health can start with just one change: increase more diversity in your diet. Peer-reviewed research into digestive health has found that our microbiomes and overall health react quickly and positively to dietary interventions aimed at increasing Fiber/Prebiotics and nutritional diversity.

We have a diversity problem. This issue is why OLIPOP created OLISMART with a variety of eight plant fibers and botanicals to provide your beneficial gut bacteria with options for your microbiome’s diverse population. The brand hopes that it can help us start a dialogue about the importance of diversity in food while also assisting people in taking a first step to expanding the variety of their diet.

What OLIPOP is doing to help OLIPOP is putting the scientific evidence where their mouth is. While having functional ingredients is step one in making a digestive health beverage that’s good for you, testing to see if they actually provide those benefits is step two.

That’s why the brand is now undertaking placebo-controlled clinical studies overseen by two top microbiome researchers to further validate their proprietary formula.

OLIPOP is also committed to furthering microbiome research. To do so, the brand is partnering with one of the world’s leading microbiome researchers, Professor Jens Walter, in what will be a groundbreaking clinical trial that explores nutritional and therapeutic strategies to restore gut microbiome health back to what it once was.

With prebiotics, plant fiber, and botanicals, OLIPOP makes starting the process of restoring gut microbiome functionality to our ancestral roots more accessible and delicious for everyone. By encouraging people to become urban hunter gatherers and increase diversity of foods in our diets, we can get back to better health.

Here’s a challenge for you today: aim to add 2-3 new types of plant-based foods a day and see if you can work your way up in a month to 10. Each time you drink a can of OLIPOP, it can be a friendly reminder to expand your diet diversity. Your microbiome will thank you.

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The importance of

POST-WORKOUT HYDRATION If you follow any sort of regular workout routine, you probably understand the importance of recovery in the process.

It’s a literal pain when you experience the good emotions from completing a workout only to be doubled over in agony from sore muscles the next day, possibly preventing you from working out again until it subsides.

So every good athlete or moderately active person needs to follow a recovery regimen just as closely as the workout itself, and a lot of that recovery involves getting enough hydration.

Muscle stiffness and achiness may ruin your day, but it’s a sign of your fitness improving, and it doesn’t have to be unbearable. When ou exercise more intensely or in a different way than usual, your muscle fibers take some small amounts of damage (given you’ve been stretching properly and using good form, because otherwise, it could turn into real damage). This delayed onset muscle soreness, sometimes called DOMS, happens to everybody and is a sort of staggered progression as you try new exercises oractivities or raise the intensity of the ones you’re used to. If you push yourself too hard, you can cause significant injury rather than DOMS, so it’s vital to pace yourself and know your limits, as well as making sure to adequately warm up and cool down before and after exercise.

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As your muscles recover and heal those microscopic tears, they grow stronger and more resilient. But they can’t do it alone, and an extremely important factor in the recovery process is drinking enough water. Water, after all, is the thing that helps build and heal every cell in your body. Without enough water, even without significant exercise, you can experience headache, fatigue, dizziness, digestive troubles, dry skin, and muscle weakness.

Even outside of an intensive workout regimen, it’s vital to stay hydrated, and one uniquely helpful bottled water OXIGEN Water, which is boosted with oxygen and pH balanced with electrolytes from natural sea salt.

Unlike many bottled waters that have trace amounts of electrolytes for taste, OXIGEN has 25mg of electrolytes per 20oz bottle for better hydration. Oxygen remains stable in the liquid through OXIGEN’s proprietary process, making it the perfect water to have on hand for any healthy lifestyle.

When you inevitably experience DOMS after your workouts, be sure to stay hydrated and replenish your electrolytes using a drink such as OXIGEN Water. And just as importantly, make sure to get lots of rest, use ice packs when needed, and massage your muscles to help with the pain. That pain is a sign that you’re getting stronger, so don’t let it get you down.

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Nature’s way finds more evidence of

WIDESPREAD ELDERBERRY ADULTERATION Travis Borchardt, vice president of regulatory affairs and QA/QC of Green Bay WI-Based Nature’s Way, said the company had done the testing as part of an effort to find additional supplies of raw material in a market where demand for elderberry (specifically European Black Elderberry, or Sambucus Nigra) has gone through the roof. The company has suffered through a number of out-of-stock periods for its finished goods as it has tried to meet that demand, he said. Nature’s Way released the results of testing it had done on 25 bulk extracts and eight inished products. The company said it used test methods in accordance to those published by the United States Pharmacopeial (USP) monograph on European elderberry dry extract. It also referenced information from the HPTLCAssociation and the Institute for Advancement.

Other Fruits, black rice found as adulterants The products were analyzed by high-performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC), high performance liquid chromatography with visible detection (HPLC-Vis), and UV/Vis spectrophotometry. The latter assay was used solely to determine total anthocyanin in the products.

“We were feeling a supply pinch where we could not meet demand. As we went looking for other sources, we found many of the samples we tested were adulterated or failed potency testing in terms of anthocyanin content.

From an ID perspective many of these materials were not what they claimed to be” Borchardt told Nutra ingredients-USA. The Testing revealed a variety of possible adulterants presents. Those included blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium,V. corymbosum, or V.pallidum, Ericaceae), Black chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa,Rosaceae), araranth dye, and black rice (oryza sativa, Poaceae) extract, among others.

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Testing results disseminated via BAPP communique According to a communication put out by the Botanical Adulterants Prevention Program, the identity was assessed by HPTLC, and by the HPLC anthocyanin profile. Criteria included an assessment of the intensity of cyanidin 3-0 sambubioside signal, and the presence of cyanidin-3-0 sambubioside-5-0-glucoside.

Of the 25 bulk materials, 14 failed the identity test (very low amounts of cyanidin -3-0sambubioside compared to other anthocyanins), and five were found to contain no elderberry extract at all. Black rice extract was found as an adulterant in at least two cases. Among the eight finished elderberry dietary supplements, two products were devoid of elderberry extract. One contained mainly a substance similar to oat bran, while the other was made of Vitamin C and excipients. Both Elderberry-free products were visually distinct from authentic elderberry products with the white or orange color, espectively.

Warning for both industry and consumers Elderberry has zoomed in popularity during the present pandemic situation because of its immune health benefits. This has brought many new consumers to the botanical, some of whom may never have consumed an elderberry product before and therefore aren’t aware of what it should look like.

“I would tell consumers that one of the easy things to watch out for is if the product is not a very dark purple color, it’s likely that it’s not elderberry. When you go online and you are seeing products that are orange or very light pink, or capsules filled with white powder, that’s ha red flag.” He said.

Borchardt said Nature’s Way chose to make the testing results public as a warning to industry.

“We weren’t really surprised by what we found, more disappointed. Our goal is to say, hey, industry, as you look to fulfill your elderberry demand be very cautious about some to the games the supply chain will try to play,” he said.

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Adulteration is not new; elderberryadulteration is Stefan Gafner, PHD chief science officer of the American Botanical Council, said while adulteration of high demand botanicals has always been observed at some level in the market, adulteration of elderberry is something new.

“I believe four or five years ago there were almost no reports of elderberry adulteration.

Elderberry was easily available and not in high demand. It actually was more known that elderberry itself was used and adulterant of other higher demand and more expensive commodities like bilberry.” He said. Gafner also directs BAPP, an effort in which ABC is the lead partner, along with the American Herbal Pharmacopoeia as well as the National Center for the Natural Products Research at the University of Mississippi. “From historical perspective I think we all know that if sales for a certain botanical are increasing and in particular, where there is not an establishe high-volume source of supply these problems can happen. Elderberry is not like echinacea, where the supply comes from large scaled cultivation and there is a fairly good buffer so growers and producers can adapt to fluctuating demand.” Gafner said.

Borchardt agreed, saying, “We knew that if we find elderberry on the market from somewhere else (other than the established supplier) there would be a good chance that it might not be legitimate. The 2019 harvest yielded only so much elderberry and we are coming to the end of that.

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Foods high in collagen and

HOW TO BOOST YOUR COLLAGEN LEVELS Collagen has recently become a buzzword in the health and wellness industry; however, it's still a mystery to many people why we actually need collagen, what exactly it does for us, and where we can get it.

As a type of structural protein, collagen is made by our bodies naturally, plus we can obtain more from consuming certain collagen-rich foods.

The most important role that collagen has is forming connective tissues located throughout our bodies — including in our skin, bones, gut, hair, and nails. You can think of it as our bodies' internal "glue" that helps hold everything together.

Although collagen is an essential protein type, many adults do not get enough (or any) collagen from their diets. And unfortunately, as people age, their bodies' production of collagen naturally starts to decline, especially if they also live an unhealthy lifestyle.

You'll find collagen in real bone broth, which is made by simmering animal parts, such as bones and tendons, in stock. However, it's not found in commonly eaten protein sources like most cuts of meat. For this reason, collagen supplementation is a good option for many people.

That being said, adding some collagen-rich foods and collagen-boosting foods to your diet can also help optimize your levels.

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Foods High In Collagen Which foods are high in collagen? Although not many foods contain collagen itself, there are many protein-rich foods containing the amino acids your body needs to make its own collagen.

Below are some of the best dietary sources to boost your levels: 1. Bone Broth Traditional bone broth is made by slowly simmering collagen-rich animal parts from cows, chickens, and fish in stock over a period of several days. In addition to containing collagen, bone broth can be a good source of other important nutrients, including trace minerals.

While it can be timeconsuming to make bone broth at home, bone broth powder supplements are now available that can provide you with many of the same benefits in a fraction of the time.

2. Fish Fish, such as cod and other white fish, arejam-packed with amino acids, such as glycine and proline, that help form collagen. Another benefit of including

fish in your diet is that

fish can supply

you with health

omega-3 fattyacids

and nutrients, such as

selenium, vitamin B6,

and phosphorus.

3. Eggs Eggs and egg whites, in particular, are some of the top collagen foods thanks to their content of amino acids. While egg yolks contain most of the calories found in an egg, they also have a majority of the key nutrients, such as choline and B vitamins. Therefore, it's recommended that you eat the whole egg whenever possible.

4. Gelatin Gelatin is a type of protein derived from collagen, with many of the same benefits, that is now available in powder form. Gelatin can be used in cooking and is virtually tasteless, so it easily blends into soups, stews, or broths. Use it to bump up the nutritional value of your meal.

5. Algae (Including Spirulina) For plant-based eaters who prefer to avoid animal products, algae are excellent plant-based sources of amino acids like glycine, a key component of collagen. Spirulina can be found in dried form at most health food stores and makes a great addition to green smoothies, desserts, or juices.

HOW TO BOOST YOUR COLLAGEN LEVELS When it comes to increasing your collagen intake, consider taking a three-pronged approach: 1. Eat more collagen-rich foods (listed above) 2. Support your body's collagen production by eating a diet rich in antioxidants such as vitamin C 3. Take a high-quality collagen supplement, which is perhaps one of the easiest and most effective ways to kick up collagen levels

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1. Eat Collagen-Filled Foods Aim to add several servings of foods with collagen to your daily diet. Need ideas for how to do this easily? Try sipping on a cup of bone broth between meals, make a daily smoothie with spirulina powder, and add gelatin powder to soups, marinades, or sauces.

2. Consume More Collagen-Boosting Foods Certain foods that are high in antioxidants, such as vitamin C, manganese, copper, and zinc, can help your body make and maintain collagen. Eating protein-rich foods in general, such as fish, eggs, and meat, is also beneficial for supplying you with amino acids that support collagen production.

3. Take a Collagen Supplement, Such as Ancient Nutrition’s Multi Collagen Protein Ancient Nutrition’s Multi Collagen Protein powder contains five types of collagen and is made from four real food ingredients (bovine, chicken, fish, and eggshell membrane collagen).

This best-selling formula is made without any GMO ingredients, hard-to-pronounce chemicals, artificial ingredients, sweeteners, or artificial flavors. Ancient Nutrition also proudly sources their collagen from nonGMO, grass-fed, pasture-raised, cage-free, and cruelty-free sources.

Make an effort to incorporate the following collagen-boosting foods into your meals each day: • Berries • Citrus fruits • Peppers • Garlic • Sweet potatoes • Pumpkin seeds • Herbs and spices • Leafy green vegetables

• Other types of fresh veggies, such as broccoli and Brussels sprouts • Whole grains and beans, such as black beans, chickpeas, peas & oatmeal • Fermented foods including yogurt and sauerkraut, which contain probiotics

Additionally, this collagen protein powder features hydrolyzed collagen, meaning the peptides have already been partially broken down, so the critical amino acids are typically easier for you to absorb.

How can you use it? Simply add a scoop of Multi Collagen Protein powder to smoothies, baked goods, oatmeal, sauces, soups, or broths. It comes in a variety of flavors depending on your preferences, including chocolate and vanilla, or a plain/tasteless flavor that won’t change the taste of recipes.

A general recommendation is for adults to have between one and three servings daily for optimal results.

Multi Collagen Protein is on sale at Mother's Market in January and February!

Dr. Josh Axe, DC, DNM, CNS, is a doctor of chiropractic, doctor of natural medicine, clinical nutritionist and author with a passion to help people get well using food and nutrition. He operates leading natural health website DrAxe.com and is co-founder of Ancient Nutrition, a health supplement company. He’s also author of the books Eat Dirt, Essential Oils: Ancient Medicine, Keto Diet, Collagen Diet and the upcoming Ancient Remedies.

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Your mighty microbiome

HOW GUT BACTERIA BENEFIT YOUR WHOLE BODY YOUR MIGHTY MICROBIOME: HOW GUT BACTERIA BENEFIT YOUR WHOLE BODY Generally attributed to Nobel laureate microbiologist Joshua Lederberg, there is some debate about when and where the term microbiome first appeared and in what context. Regardless, the word has become important as science continues to uncover more about the link between the bacteria inside our bodies and how they impact our health.

WHAT IS THE MICROBIOME? The human microbiome is the vast collection of microorganisms in and on the body, primarily in the digestive tract, that is known to support internal balance and health. It is made up of about 40 trillion bacterial cells, most of which are beneficial and promote good digestion and health, along with other types of neutral and harmful bacteria.

The key to a healthy microbiome is making sure the beneficial and neutral bacteria outnumber the harmful bacteria, which is why we so often hear about the importance of maintaining a balanced gut.

HOW DOES THE MICROBIOME IMPACT HEALTH? “Researchers are finding that the gut microbes are important for health because they impact many fundamental biological processes, such as digestion, nutrition, gut function, immunity and metabolism.”

This is what Dr. Elaine Hsiao, Assistant Professor in the Department of Integrative Biology & Physiology at UCLA, had to say on the subject in a recent interview with Renew Life, and a growing number of studies continue to confirm and expand upon her statement.

Earlier this year, a review was published in the journal SN Comprehensive Clinical Medicine that explored the most current literature on the subject of the gut microbiota and its impact on human health. Pointing out that science continues to find new connections between gut bacteria and wellness, the study authors stated that, “it is of paramount importance that all clinicians be aware of the most up-to-date literature in this field.”

The review offers an in-depth look at how the human microbiome develops, how antibiotics can upset a healthy internal balance and reduce the number of good bacteria in the gut, and the role of exercise in improving microbial diversity.

Perhaps most importantly, it explores the connection between gut bacteria and numerous body systems and processes, including brain function, metabolism, immune health and more.

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HOW DO PROBIOTICS FIT INTO THE EQUATION? While good bacteria exist within our microbiome, their numbers can be depleted over time by factors such as stress, our environment, eating unhealthy foods, taking certain medications and even just the normal aging process.

When our gut microbial balance is thrown out of whack, it’s not just our digestive health that suffers; our wholeb body can feel the effects of an unhealthy gut—from our mood and memory to our sleep patterns, weight and, of course, our immune function.

However, making sure we get additional good bacteria throughout life can increase our chances of maintaining a well-balanced gut. Probiotics are live microorganisms that are found naturally in some foods or ingested in the form of a daily probiotic supplement to add to our good bacteria stores. It’s also important to consume plenty of prebiotics to provide nourishment for your beneficial gut microbes.

SUPPORT YOUR MIGHTY MICROBIOME WITH RENEW LIFE* As a leader in digestive wellness, Renew Life understands the importance of a diverse, well-balanced microbiome to support optimal digestion and a healthy body which is why all of our once-daily probiotics, digestive e zymes, herbal cleansing formulas, fiber and Omega-3 fish oil supplements work together to help you maintain internal balance and support a strong foundation of health.*

WRITTEN BY RENEW LIFE Since 1997, Renew Life has been formulating superiorquality digestive care supplements to help people achieve optimal health from the inside out.* We proudly stand behind the quality, purity and potency of every product we make.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

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Celebrating

OMEGA-3 IN VEGANUARY! Two years ago, when she turned 40, Catherine Frances took the Veganuary challenge and stopped eating meat and other animal products for the month of January. Her good friend, Mary Ellen, who had already made the vegan choice, encouraged Catherine to start with meatless Mondays and bean-based Wednesdays. By end of the month, Catherine was feeling the difference and by the end of February she was eating vegan at every meal. “I was raised on the standard American meat-heavy diet,” she said, “so this was a big adjustment at first. But after a few weeks, I felt lighter in my body and liked the new foods I had discovered.”

She also started riding her bike to run errands and even put a basket on it for her trips to the grocery store. Catherine had another motive to make the change. “Eating this way is in alignment with my values and wanting to live much more lightly on the earth.”

When Catherine decided to take the Veganuary challenge, she did her homework.

First, she realized she needed to eat real foods and to stay away from processed and snack foods. Next, she learned that she would need to take vitamin B12 supplements since that important nutrient is found only in meat. She also discovered she would need to be getting the right fats in her diet. Both omega-3s and omega-6s are essential fats for a healthy diet, but we already get plenty of omega-6s while most of us get way too little omega-3. “It was news to me that not all fats are the same! I wasn’t 58 | Organic Living Magazine

getting enough omega-3s before I changed my diet and now I’m getting even less,” she said.

Omega-3s are called essential fats because the body needs them for healthy functioning but can’t make them, just like vitamins. Getting enough omega-3 is even more important since learning that vegans get about 40 mg of EPA and DHA per day when 250 mg EPA and DHA per day is considered just the minimum to meet basic health needs. Her reading taught her that 500 to 1,000 mg per day was best for general health. “I now understand why my dad is always going on about taking fish oil for his heart and why he got his mother to take it for her eyesight.”

Her need for vitamin D supplements in the winter was also news to Catherine. People living closer to the poles than to the equator don’t get enough sun exposure in the winter months to make sufficient Vitamin D, an important nutrient that supports strong bones and teeth, a healthy immune system, and muscle metabolism. Vegans and vegetarians have been shown to have significantly lower intake of vitamin D. A large US population study reported that the average intake of vitamin D was only 6.3 mcg per day while the recommended daily minimum (RDA) is 15 mcg. Supplementing with at least 25 mcg per day is recommended to increase vitamin D levels.

Because Catherine was committed to her new lifestyle, she needed a way to get omega-3s without eating fish or taking fish oil. She was proud of herself for doing her homework on fat! Who knew! She had learned there were some big differences between vegan-sourced and fish-sourced omega-3s but wanted a supplement that would give her the best omega-3 nutrition in her vegan life. At an upscale market, she found a new vegan omega-3 product by Wiley’s Finest, called Catch Free Omega™. She recognized the brand because her father takes Wiley’s Finest fish oil. She talked to the nutrition clerk at the store, who explained that Wiley’s Finest had a new line of vegan supplements.

The Catch Free Omega™ products have vegan omega-3s and vitamin D, are GMO-free and vegan-approved, and is endorsed by the Vegetarian Society. The inclusion of the 25 mcg of vitamin D3 helps her reach her nutrition goals, and as Vitamin D is fat-soluble, taking it with omega-3 fats is best. The omega-3s in Catch Free come from vegan DHA from algae and from Ahiflower, a plant-based source of essential omegas.

Catherine’s only decision was whether to get the capsules or the liquid. The clerk showed her the labels. Both forms contained 500 mg of DHA omega-3 so it was really a matter of preference—or convenience. She would get more total

omega-3 nutrition in each teaspoon of the liquid but the capsules (2 smaller capsules/day) were easier. The other difference is the capsules also contained vitamin K2, something she’d heard was important but hadn’t looked into yet. Another benefit of her vegan lifestyle was becoming self-taught on nutrition. Catherine bought both products so she could try them out. She found she liked the taste of the liquid by itself; she had thought she would need to hide it in a smoothie. And the fact that she needs to refrigerate the liquid is no problem. She keep it next to her soy coffee creamer so she’ll remember it each morning. The capsules she had placed on the counter by her tea basket.

After several months, Catherine felt confirmed in her desire to eat vegan although she occasionally adds fish and seafood to her diet (and a once-a-year cheeseburger). “I’m choosing to eat vegan most of the time, but I’m not rigid. It’s a choice and one I feel good about.” During the pandemic, she has been trying new recipes at home and has found quite a few that are really delicious. She has started sharing some of these recipes with friends and she has convinced her parents to give meatless Mondays a try. “Maybe they’ll follow me into the vegan lifestyle,” she said with a smile.

Some important things to know: • Omega-3 levels are typically low in vegans, vegetarians, flexitarians, and people who don’t eat fish or take fish oil.

• Omega-3s are among the most researched of all nutrients. While all omega-3s have health benefits, research shows that some give more targeted benefits in our bodies.

• Different forms of omega-3s exist, and they work differently in the body.

• The omega-3s EPA and DHA support critical functions, such as heart rate and immune health.

• The omega-3s ALA and SDA support metabolic wellness and can help increase EPA omega-3 levels in our body.

• When we get more omega-3s, they also help our mood and our brain function, and keep our eyes healthy and joints flexible.

• DHA omega-3 is especially important before and during pregnancy; in fact, there are specific recommendations for DHA in pregnancy.

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Top 3 benefits of

USING VEGAN SKIN CARE – EVEN IF YOU’RE NOT VEGAN Veganism has moved past just being a niche trend; it’s officially mainstream. And, it seems to be a lifestyle choice that’s here to stay. While your mind may immediately go to a bowl of rainbow-colored fruit or a glass of freshly squeezed almond milk, veganism can apply to the worlds of fashion and beauty as well.

A more holistic approach to skin care in particular has been on an unstoppable rise, and Dose believes that this is truly for the better. In fact, Google reported that searches for vegan skin care in the U.S. have grown by a whopping 83 percent. This has resulted in small-batch, cruelty-free skin care brands coming out of the woodwork. Plus, household names like L’Oréal and Neutrogena are moving quickly to put out more “green” offerings. Whether your daily routine involves a simple rinse with soap and water or multiple layers of serums and oils, nowadays you can find a vegan skincare option for every step along the way.

Even if you know you’ll never be able to pass up an extra cheesy slice of pizza or a medium rare steak on the grill (no judgement here), perhaps you’d like to be a bit more conscientious about what you put on and into your body. After all, our skin absorbs a large percentage of the products we apply to it. Preservatives, chemicals, and toxins? No thanks! Aside from being the cleaner and healthier choice, there are other tremendous benefits of going vegan with skin care.

The label on these products can easily be misinterpreted, though. So, Dose is here to clear up some common confusion and chat further about the benefits of using vegan skin care – even if you’re not practicing a vegan diet.

First, what is vegan skin care?

Before talking about the benefits of vegan beauty products, let’s first distinguish exactly what that term means. As the name implies, vegan skincare refers to products that only use ingredients that are derived from plants and nothing from animal byproducts. Vegan and “plant-based” or “cruelty-free” skin care products are often clumped together, but there can actually be quite a large difference between them.

“Cruelty-free” skin care simply means the products have not been tested on animals.

So, although these are kind to our furry friends, some of the ingredients used may actually be synthetic or animal-derived, such as beeswax, honey, and collagen. The same can be said for “plant-based” skin care.

Our point? Make sure you look for that vegan logo and check the label to be 100% certain.

Dose for your Skin uses no animal-derived products whatsoever. That’s why if you take a closer look, you’ll find that logo clearly labeled on each bottle.

Here’s a list of sneaky ingredients to watch out for when seeking truly vegan beauty products: • Lanolin, which is an emollient that comes from sheep's wool • Gelatin, which is a thickener that’s usually a by-product of animals • Beeswax, which is a thickener that comes from bees • Collagen, which is also typically used in moisturizer and is derived from cows or fish

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So, why choose vegan beauty products?

You’re probably aware of the reasons that many people choose to follow a vegan diet.

Sometimes it’s primarily for health purposes and the desire to eat more whole foods Sometimes, it’s because of a strong love for the planet and for animals. A lot of the time, it’s all of the above!

The advantages of switching to vegan skin care are quite similar to that of a vegan diet.

In fact, those are only just the top thre benefits! So, let’s dive into them a bit closer from more of a beauty industry standpoint.

Vegan products are amazing for the skin Vegan skincare formulas are often given a hard time. Are they as effective as “regular” products? Are they more expensive? Is it all just a bunch of snake oil?

The truth is, vegan formulas are much more nourishing and are gentler on skin than those that are not. This is because the ingredients of vegan products are often raw and unprocessed. Dose for your Skin uses all-natural ingredients like Aloe Vera, Sea Buckthorn, Centella Asiatica, Amla, and Licorice to help your skin hydrate, strengthen, and maintain its elasticity. Think about how fresh, plantbased foods like fruits and leafy green vegetables are always recommended for health.

The same logic can be applied to skin care and skin health.

Dermatologist-tested and approved It’s not all hype, either. In fact, vegan skin care has gotten the stamp of approval from many of the top dermatologists and skin care experts across the globe. “Vegan skin care ingredients are very minimal and natural,” says Julie Russak, MD, of Russak Dermatology Clinic in New York City. “They generally nourish the skin rather than cause irritation.

This would be ideal for sensitive skin types or condition-prone skin types that get irritated easily,” she further explains.

Natural, nutrient-rich properties Just like vegan foods, vegan skincare products are typically rich in nutrients, vitamins, and minerals that have powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. And, these do wonderful things for your precious pores.

Often, these come in the form of botanical leaves, seeds, and oils.

As studies continue to show this, vegan-friendly alternatives to traditional skin care practices are hitting shelves and cosmetic offices everywhere. For example, while retinol has long been the go-to ingredient that dermatologists recommend for anti-aging and acne, bakuchiol is the vegan option that touts many of the same benefits without the harsh, unwanted side effects.

Vegan skin care is better for the environment When choosing to use vegan beauty products, you’re choosing a lifestyle that benefits not only yourself, but Mother Earth as well. This is because meat and dairy animals are major contributors of greenhouse gases – over 6 billion tons each year! Furthermore, these animals take up 80% of the world's farmland while providing only 18% of the world's food calories. Yikes!

That’s why going vegan – even if only in some areas of your life – can drastically reduce your personal carbon footprint and environmental impact on the world. It’s also worth noting the case of supply and demand here. Making the switch and buying vegan supplements and skin care alternatives will further encourage farmers to put more effort and investment into the crops that create them. Many vegan companies, like Dose, also have a mission to use more sustainable and, often, recycled packaging.

How to truly know if a skincare product is vegan Unfortunately, when it comes to vegan skincare and beauty products, they aren’t verified or certified by any one governing body. In fact, this is the case for all skincare products currently.

You should and can expect vegan brands to mark it well on their packaging, however. After all, it is a stand-out factor and major selling-point because of all the reasons that were just discussed. You can also look online at Vegan.org – one of the more popular industry organizations – for extra confirmation and inspiration as you add to your skin care routine lineup!

Remember that wellness comes from within As you can see, there are many benefits of using vegan skin care products even if you’re not a true vegan. If you’re considering making the switch, it won’t be one that you regret.

Vegan (and cruelty-free) skin care is good for the animals This one should be pretty obvious, but in case it’s not, using vegan skin care and beauty products means that no animals were killed, hurt, or exploited in any way through the making of them. So, by simply going vegan with your skin care, you benefit them, too, and will be able to save animal lives along the way. Pretty rewarding, right?

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On a final note, it should be reminded that healthy, glowing skin starts on the inside. “In order to have great looking skin, you need to make sure that you are eating well,” says Barbara Mendez, an integrative nutritionist. Consider incorporating Dose for your Skin shots into your daily routine for an easy way to boost your intake of vital vitamins and minerals, build collagen naturally, and protect those precious pores. Dose only uses complexion- loving, plant-based ingredients such as amla, sea buckthorn, and aloe vera. So, consider this a vegan supplement that will fit right in with your newly adopted skin care regimen.

List of Complete URL Links in Order:

1. https://www.thinkwithgoogle.com/consumer-insights/consumer-trends/skin-care-trends-2017-beauty-marketing/ 2. https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/skin/ 3. https://vegan.org/certification/ 4. https://www.thehealthy.com/beauty/face-body-care/vegan-skincare/ 5. https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/may/31/avoidingmeat-and-dairy-is-single-biggest-way-to-reduce-your-impact-on-earth 6. https://vegan.org/

Paleo | Non-GMO | Low Calorie | Gluten-Free | No Dairy or Soy /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

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Brighter mornings are ahead with VITAL PROTEINS MORNING GET UP & GLOW Everyone knows the early bird gets the worm.

But no one really talks about how the early bird fuels up before conquering a never-ending to-do list first thing in the morning.

Vital Proteins® decided to change that by introducing a collagen supplement that was curated with morning people in mind. Why collagen? Once we hit the age of 25, our body’s natural collagen production begins to decline. Adding ingestible collagen – Vital Proteins' specialty! – to your daily diet helps you to reach your wellness goals by upping your collagen intake with every serving. It's as easy as scoop, stir & enjoy.

Vital Proteins helps people feel better and live fuller lives through sustainably-sourced products that promote a fuller, more vibrant life. For those seeking ways to boost their morning wellness routine, Morning Get Up & Glow™ is sure to be your go-to product to jumpstart your day!

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This powdered supplement combines the benefits of collagen, caffeine and other beautycentric ingredients. Each serving offers 90mg of caffeine, which is equivalent to one cup of coffee, thanks to the addition of sustainably sourced Coffeeberry® Energy. This standout ingredient not only delivers standardized levels of caffeine but also provides naturally occurring coffee polyphenols. You’ll also find biotin and hyaluronic acid to support beauty from the inside-out.

Spotlight on GREEN TEA GRAPEFRUIT: THE FORMULA Green Tea Grapefruit is a light, citrusy, and refreshing pick-me-up brimming with beauty-boosting benefits. Peek below to see how this doctor-approved formula fuses flavor and function.

GREEN TEA Contains potent antioxidants that protect against free radicals and inhibit the breakdown of collagen and elastin in our skin. (Um, hellooo!)

Plus, the amino acid L-theanine in green tea promotes a feeling of pure Zen.

HIBISCUS Packed with nutrients such as vitamin C to support skin and the immune system.

Is a gentle and natural diuretic to help with excess water retention. Yes, please!

GRAPEFRUIT Studies show grapefruit subdues the appetite while its natural fiber aids cholesterol, helps blood sugar balance, and acts as a prebiotic to feed your oh-so-important microbiome. Plus, it tastes amazing.

HAWTHORN BERRY Has been used historically to soothe the emotional heart after loss or grief, while modernresearch shows it can create a feeling of calm and elevate mood… It’s like a hug from the inside out.

PASSIONFLOWER Shown to promote more restful sleep, reduce stress and promote tranquility for a natural glow that shows, all while creating a feeling of sexiness with each and every sip. (Yes, you read that right.)

NETTLE ROOT This “multivitamin of herbs”, as Dr. B calls it, is good for your-whole-dang-self. It’s packed with antioxidants, sterols, carotenoids, calcium, iron, potassium, silica, and vitamins A, C, and K. It promotes well-being, and shows extra love to your immune, circulatory, hormonal, nervous and digestive systems.

HORSETAIL This ancient vanity herb is packed with loads of beautifying properties, especially silica (the “Beauty Mineral”). Silica is a crucial component of the collagen matrix—it helps create youthful strength and resilience in our skin, hair and nails.

LAST, BUT NOT LEAST, OUR SIPPABLE COLLAGEN 70% of our skin and 30% of our total body protein is made of collagen. It’s the protein that literally holds us together. SkinTe’s consciously sourced collagen is perfectly proportioned for maximum benefits: after all, research shows orally consuming collagen increases skin elasticity, hydration, and dermal density.

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Green Tea Grapefruit SkinTe makes beauty (and wellness) so delicious and doable, you’ll want to drink it every damn day.

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