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What is Minimalism?

Minimalism is not new: in fact it’s only been recently revitalized, modernized, decorated, and publicized. Some of the chief figures of this neo-ideology are Joshua Millburn and Ryan Nicodemus, and they, through clever domain registration and word-marketing, have become this generation’s centerfold on material denial. Minimalism is the art or lifestyle of living only with things we need. It means deep, thoughtful self-reflection that gets us to look at our material clutter and realize, “I don’t need those things.” Minimalism, though, is more than just a restrictive tally on personal belongings: it’s a daily check on the way we live. When it comes to “stuff,” not all Americans are experiencing surplus anymore; but for most people, there’s more than enough to go around compared elsewhere in the world. So when we sit down for Thanksgiving and recite what we’re thankful for, we can safely bet we’re barely scratching the surface of the litany of blessings we have that will go undeclared. We’re going to look at some ways in which this new Minimalism is ripe for healthy living. But first, let’s see how it’s perceived in the undertow of culture.

Minimalism in the Media

There’s another word in the mix here, and it’s almost a synonym: abnegation, the denying of one’s own rights, conveniences, pleasures, etc. Abnegation, I imagine woefully brought to people’s attention by the hit series Divergent, has portrayed something more negative than it should be. I’ll highlight the difference by a quick allusion to a popular movie, Divergent. In the series, protagonist Tris is born up in the Abnegation faction; and those ‘minimalist’ values are inculcated in her saliently. When getting her hair cut in front of the mirror, she is reminded of the faction’s exclusive restriction: that they may only look in the mirror four times per year. But in this faction, the adherents are not asked to remove their material possessions: they’re not really talking about possessions at all. Abnegation is focused on something less visible: the matters related to heart and the appetite for things we want personally and socially, like fame, wealth, celebrity-contoured features, and more. As you can tell, the emphases on these two ideals differ: Minimalism focuses on material things and abnegation on immaterial. Each has its place in a healthy lifestyle, but let’s focus on one here, and how to practically employ it.

What’s healthy about Minimalism?

As I mentioned, Thanksgiving is nearing its full-bellied arrival, and most in America will engage in a vital tradition: giving thanks for what we have. The weekend, too, is a double-whammy, with both Thanksgiving and its material-fascinated successor, Black Friday. When it comes to materials, Thanksgiving doesn’t come up, but Black Friday sure does, with an expected rise of 47% in sales from last year. If now’s not a time to apply minimalist principles, when is? Here are some things Minimalism can be when you embrace it heartily.

It’s freeing

I don’t mean freeing in a 1960’s sense: I mean it’s literally decluttering. We have too much stuff, and as days go on we treat our attics and closets as industrial compactors. Stuff goes into a box, the box goes into storage, and our money goes out of our wallets. *Consider all of your belongings that you haven’t touched or thought of this year: Can you do without them? You needn’t jettison all of your holiday decorations, but surely you have some spare DVDs or pieces of furniture whose eternal duties are to collect dust.

It’s economical

Garage sales are the clutter of the decluttering: filling your lawn or driveway with things archaic and random, broken and untouched, that a passerby who saw your makeshift sign might come and take them off your hands. You might think that lamp from ’97 that has an opulence only fitting 5% of homes is useless. Wrong. That lamp is money, as are many things in your storage that you might pass off as refuse. *Consider the funds you can gather from stale placeholders in your house, and use that money for something more useful, like caring for yourself or caring for others–may that be gift, a day out for grub, a health treatment, or a cushioned bank account.

It’s humbling

Humility. There’s the kicker, eh? It’s a humbling process to live below your means, especially when this nation elevates our nations beyond recognition and offers us an modestly priced accessory for just about anything. The next iPhone. The next 360-laptop/tablet. The next car, app, accessory, technology, ad infinitum. Many people in the world don’t have access to any of this stuff (though, the number of mobile phone owners is forecasted to be 67% in 2019). While it’s not always wise to make comparisons–since it can often bereave us of joy more than we hope–it’s good to do it once in a while; and in the scope of Minimalism, it’s mandatory. *Consider your daily activities: What do they involve materially, and what would happen if you used 25% fewer of those items? 50% fewer? Make a determined path toward a new status quo for your life, one that involves fewer things.

It’s challenging

Minimalism, when approached sincerely, is not a venture to try out for fun, blog about it, get black-and-white, stoic Instagram pictures from it, and go back to normal. It’s intended to leave a lasting impression on you. If opening your eyes to the bounty you have before you and then, by necessity, having to remove that bounty piece by piece isn’t challenging… You’re already a minimalist! *Consider the last time you conquered something difficult: physical, vocational, emotional, etc. What was your denouement, your victory lap–what did you do to celebrate? Might have it been drinks with the friends, a feast of victors, an online purchase? Look to your victories as the end in themselves: the victory is the struggle. Minimalism ends the material celebration at the victory line.

It’s inviting

A healthy bout with Minimalism is, at last, inviting in several ways. It invites you to don new lenses through which you see the world; to tackle challenges that require all of you but none of what you have; to love people and not things. Minimalism invites you to live below your means, not in line with them or with anyone else’s. *Consider opportunities you’ve had in the past, or just this week, to make a difference in someone’s life by time spent or good deed done, when some thing interfered: a low battery, car problems, a shopping appointment, house cleaning, etc. If you have to abandon minor duties to make room for person, do it. The most precious commodity is not your things, but your time.

Embracing life minimally is healthy, because it allows you to see yourself without the unnecessary things that pollute who you are inside. So give it a try! What do you have to lose? Well… probably a lot of stuff.

The Best Caffeine for Extreme Energy

This year, 2017, nearly half of all Americans will drink or will have drunk coffee outside of the home. Do you realize how many green straws that is? People are surging to coffee shops looking for some extreme energy. Energy is attractive to just about everybody: early risers with a commute; parents trying to survive their kids waking up at obscene hours; dedicated gym-goers before the gym body traffic, etc. But the solution to sustaining energy isn’t clear across the board. Most are consulting coffee. The current data show youth drinking more coffee than adults like never before. I say “adult” because most of the youth looking for extreme energy are not adults. From ages 13-18 (or post-millennials/Generation Z), youth are demolishing coffee and doing so extravagantly–what we call “gourmet” coffee. Not only is the unprecedented rise in coffee consumption a caution for health, it is also a bane of our wallets, especially when gourmet coffee, ranging from tall plain coffees at $2 each to venti frappuccinos, filled with sugar, at upwards of $5-6 each. That is unreasonable. And for most Americans, getting caffeine should not need its own budgeting plan; it shouldn’t cost us so much. We believe that strongly. As the economy presses its mighty hand on all of us, especially on the young generation, we might lean toward stimulation as a distraction. And that is okay, provided we find the right source of caffeine for us.

Here’s what caffeine does

Caffeine is the most consumed central nervous system (CNS) stimulant. It increases energy metabolism in the brain and affects the local release of dopamine, the chemical in the body that plays a heavy role in our motor control, motivation, sexual gratification, and much more. While dopamine is naturally released in the body, caffeine helps activate the neurons in our brain to release more dopamine. Since caffeine is readily consumable, most Americans experience this CNS reward daily; and the way many are getting it is by stopping by the coffee shop on the way out of the house. It’s no doubt that caffeine lends to moderate mental awareness and acuity. The research bears out that, under certain thresholds between roughly 75mg and 200mg, most caffeine consumers experience vigilance and visual attention increases. In cases where the caffeine consumer is a habitual one, the dosage can rise up to 400mg. You can bet that 400mg of caffeine can render some pretty extreme energy, provided the consumer isn’t desensitized from drinking too much coffee. But do you need to load your system with 400mg of caffeine to get the mental benefits? Definitely not. Caffeine, in tandem with providing mental awareness, is also known to be a considerably rich source of antioxidants. Whether you want to compound the antioxidant effect of caffeine or find an alternative, there is no better way than powerful mixtures of nature’s own cleansing agents. For more information on these benefits, read about the best natural detox ingredients.

Is coffee the only solution?

If you look at the raw numbers, the nation would appear to vote coffee as the best caffeine source… A few years ago, only 10% of dedicated coffee drinkers would say they were addicted. While addiction is a medical term, we anticipate that number will rise as they always do. But we don’t need to be dependent on coffee; and we also don’t need to be dependent on caffeine. So many green straws… Caffeine is a great way to give yourself an alerted boost and aid you in whatever physical or mental venture you have before you: but remember that the body has its ways of naturally giving you energy.

The healthy way

You hear the word “supplement” a lot; and you probably see it on our site. But don’t forget that the word means “add,” not “replace.” Supplementing your body’s natural energy is the healthiest choice above all. It means you don’t need to spend hundreds to thousands (if you go for the gourmet drinks) a year on stimulants; and it means you don’t have to stop at a drive-thru before work every morning to get your fix. We recommend a healthy lifestyle filled with fruits, vegetables, protein, and lean fats, along with plenty of water throughout the day. And if you find yourself needing that extra energy–or perhaps on some days you need extreme energy, choose a convenient and cost-friendly alternative. Don’t do your body’s job when it comes to your energy levels: just help it out.

Hacking Halloween: 10 Tips to Avoid the Sweets

I‘ll bet you can already hear it: the sinister laughs of Mr. Skeleton in the howling breeze; the brooding bellows of the lurking Oogie Boogie; and, alas, the harrowing yet mellifluous screams of children as they prepare themselves for the most dastardly, invigorating night of the year. BOO! Halloween is coming. Halloween, as kids know–and parents mostly certainly know–is not just a day. It’s a week; sometimes it is a whole month, because we know when the first leaves fall, grocery stores magically introduce candy onto their shelves.

Candy. Candy everywhere.

This is what we think happens Halloween week:

Buy the candy early.
Set it on the table and don’t touch it.
The kids eat all the candy and there’s none left for us to eat.
SUCCESS.

But what actually happens…

We buy more candy than kids even exist in a 10-mile radius–just in case we run out.
We want the deal, so we buy candy a week early.
We put the candy in the spooky bowl by the front door… to be, like, prepared.
The night before Halloween: WHO ATE ALL THE CANDY?

Halloween finally ends, and though the trick-or-treaters had pillowcases filled with candy, you won: you ate the most. And your reward is… BOO! A wrenching stomach pain and an extra few pounds on your stomach.

Healthy Tips for Sugary Lips

Avoiding sweets on Halloween is probably the hardest thing to do in the world, aside from plugging in a USB flash drive correctly the first time. (Why does it always take three times to plug it in when the chances are 50/50?) Follow these tips to be healthy this Halloween.

Don’t open the candy early

It’s tempting to open up the bag of candy to add it to your bowl so you can once and for all finish your Halloween decorations. But really… there’s no need to do that. Don’t make it easy to eat candy. Ever.

Place it outside

Whether or not you waited until Halloween night to let the candy out the bags… literally, don’t let that bowl of filled-to-the-brim candy sit inside your house.* Place it outside with a sign (“2 pieces each… or else”) to avoid eating it yourself.

Set aside your limit

Set aside a small number of candies or chocolates that you’re allowed to eat so you don’t bury your face in the bowl. My rule is one handful… so I find the largest hands in the neighborhood and ask for a favor.

Count the wrappers

This may seem silly, but nothing is more haunting than lifeless wrappers who once housed calories now sitting there beside you on the couch, watching you eat “just one more.” Count them. Assemble them by the unwrapped candy and let them glare at you until you’re satisfied. Throwing the wrappers away piece-by-piece is a cop-out.

Quarantine the binge

Okay, so you’re going to binge. You’ve decided that in advance. If you’re really going to binge on that Halloween candy, save the date. Save the time. Use a countdown timer like that of New Year’s Eve and savor the moment. But once that time is up… Walk away from the candy. Run if you have to.

Eat before you treat

Whether you’re encamped in the house or out with the kids knocking on strangers’ doors, eat before you treat; and eat a well-balanced meal, particularly one with few carbohydrates and plenty of greens. It’s like going grocery shopping on an empty stomach: you never make the good decisions then.

Choose smaller bags

Is using pillowcases as a candy container passe? Are those days over? They probably should be. We recommend you opt for something closer to a gift bag or a grocery bag instead of an entire bed sheet–that way when you reach your bag’s limit, you have to return from trick-or-treating: you have no more room for candy!

Barter

Usually, parents have better control over their sweets intake than kids do. If you find your kids or grandkids consuming too much sugar on Halloween night, barter with them. Offer them the perk of staying up late or going on a special trip in exchange for some of their candy. You can even trade them a healthy meal for some of their candy so they make better decisions (just don’t, ya know, eat the candy yourself).

Walk, don’t drive

You may live far from the popular trick-or-treating neighborhoods, but use that time to enjoy the night. Walk yourself, your kids, and whomever else to the scene. Take the long route, not just the one strip of houses that offer the full-size candy bars. You’ll get far more exercise on Halloween night than you think!

Get energy from a good source

It’s a big night full of crazy kids, wildly expensive costumes (because you asked), and extended curfews. You’re going to need energy… just don’t get it from the candy. For clean, long-lasting energy, take a natural energy booster before you begin the madness; and if you’re really trying to fend off the sweets, combine energy and appetite control in a weight loss stick to brave the night. Oh… and #11: Brush your teeth on Halloween night.

*If you place your candy outside, you risk little monsters stealing the entire bowl of candy. You were warned.

Best Colon Cleanse Methods

As there are many types of toppings for pizza, so are there many, many preferences for a colon cleanse. Some people like plain Jane, run-of-the-mill cheese-only pizza. Some like fishy, briny anchovy pizzas. Some like a farm’s worth of vegetables on their pizza. And some like pineapple on their pizza, but we don’t talk to them. But there are also many types of detox/cleansing methods that we can do to help us live healthier lives. We have to be careful, though, because some of the methods are better than others. You’re catching my drift with the pineapple thing… Let’s talk about some colon cleansing methods to see which one you should or shouldn’t do. Even if it’s touted on a television show or featured on a website with an aptly-worded title, practice healthy skepticism. Before you pursue any one method of detoxing, check here first because, well… You don’t want to be mid-enema and change your mind.

Types of Colon Cleansing

This list does not include home remedies that our moms would force us to do, like using castor oil. Those days are over. THANKFULLY.

Hydrotherapy

Also known an “irrigation cleanse” or “high colonics,” hydrotherapy is a method that will require you to leave your house but take your wallet with you. A colon therapist will use a plastic hose in the rectum to softly flush out waste and determine the health of your colon mostly by assessing the color of the excreted feces.

This procedure, while lasting only an hour, runs the risk of potential perforation in rectal tissue. Not only can the process be damaging, but the fix is not long-term: You would need to punctuate your schedule with frequent visits to the colon therapist, and that rectal ritual gets costly. There are better colon cleanse alternatives to hydrotherapy.

Diet-based

This category hosts the widest array of options: there’s plain ol’ fasting, fruit detoxing, various drink detoxing, fiber-filled diets and more. Diet-based colon cleansing is the most natural of methods, with the caveat that it’s going to be, for most people, one of the most demanding methods. Getting the right diet in this day and age is difficult.

(Then again, there are more vegetarian restaurants in Portland, Oregon than anywhere else in the U.S. You might have an easier time up there.) The easiest method here is seeking out a something that’s already in your food, albeit in lesser amounts: fiber. Commonly called a “bulking agent”, Fiber is often one of the first suggestions by a doctor for a colon cleanse. Fiber is a natural laxative, and it acts as a peristaltic agent that helps move contents in your colon to their porcelain demise. The best sources of fiber as a whole will be grain foods, fruits and vegetables, legumes, and nuts. You can pack your lunches with oats, beans, and fruits for soluble fiber; and by adding wheat and earthier vegetables like carrots or cucumbers you’ll get insoluble fiber. Regardless of the digestive method, it is a healthy way to help you cleanse your colon.

Herbal

An herbal cleanse, may it be under the alias herbal detox cleanse, herbal colon cleanse, colon cleanse supplement, etc., is the act of using naturally formulated pills packed with natural colon cleansing agents to achieve your detox.

Some of the popular ingredients you’ll find in these supplements are Cascara Sagrada, Senna, Dandelion, Artichoke, Fennel, and Milk Thistle; and, for gentler formulas, alleviating agents such as Aloe Vera. The biggest perk about this colon cleansing method is that it’s safe, natural, effective, and can be adjusted to the doses that work best for both your body and your wallet. Vis-a-vis detox methods that must be performed on a schedule, herbal detox supplements allow your colon to be under the auspices of your will: you control your colon health, and your body doesn’t have to be invaded by a tool.

Laxatives

Laxatives, also known as purgatives or aperients, both induce bowel movements and soften the stool, but they are notably artificial and may evoke the imagery of a fire hose. As a colon cleanser, laxatives are less a solution to colon health and more an ad hoc fix.

Because laxatives generally use chemicals to flush out the colon, they are often associated with unforeseen and deleterious effects when used without proper caution. This has caused the FDA to publicly warn consumers of taking over-the-counter laxatives because of the number of people who aren’t reading the Drug Facts labels, which can result in some pretty dangerous consequences.

Enema

Enemas do deserve a mention, but they are not in the same category as methods above. Because they are not performed on a frequent basis and are rather invasive, we don’t consider them a substitute for a detox supplement, for example.

Credit: justdoc.com

Enemas, for some reason not called outemas, involve the placement of water deep within your colon that it may take gravity’s ride back out and flush out the build-up in your colon. Since the tool used for an enema colon cleanse is cheap and accessible, many people use this method as an at-home remedy. The price may be compelling, but I guarantee you the experience isn’t.

Our recommended method

We recommend a mix of two methods for a colon cleanse: a healthy and varied diet consisting of fiber from different food sources, and herbal supplements. It is always vital to make healthy decisions when it comes to your health, but sometimes it gets difficult and we miss the dietary mark. Using herbal supplements help you “supplement” your efforts and cleanse your colon from both sides… figuratively. If you’re scared of the invasive methods, don’t worry: You can try a gentler solution today.