Coconut oil
Everyone is on the coconut oil craze, but for good reason! Coconut oil is a medium chain fatty acid so it’s one of those “good” fats. Due to its fatty acid properties, coconut oil is great for stabilizing blood sugar. So next time you’re craving something sweet reach in your cabinet and take a spoonful of coconut oil. If your craving doesn’t subside add another spoonful to some melted dark chocolate and dip some strawberries in there. The coconut oil gives the chocolate a touch of sweetness and creaminess, and makes the perfect healthy snack!

Apples
We all have heard an apple a day keeps the doctor away. Well, it’s true. Apples contain antioxidants that help to boost your immunity. They also contain a lot of fiber so they make a great snack, especially when you’re looking for something with a bite to it. Fruit is best to eat on an empty stomach, your body will digest it better. Plus fruit is so easy: just wash and enjoy!

Nutritional flakes
A lot of people haven’t heard of them, but these little flakes but they pack a huge punch when it comes to flavor and nutrition. Yeast flakes are derived from wood pulp, whey or molasses and contain a ton of B vitamins to give you energy. They’re also a great source of protein! These flakes have a nutty or cheesy taste and are delicious when sprinkled on veggies. They are also perfect to add to freshly popped popcorn for movie night! But make sure you add them after everything is cooked, because heat can destroy their health benefits.

Nuts
Peanuts, pistachios, almonds — all three of these nuts should be pantry staples! Nuts make a great snack, they’re a little salty and have some crunch, a much healthier alternative to potato chips. They’re full of fiber and protein to keep you full all day long!

Flax seeds
Flax seeds look like sesame seeds, but they contain a different set of nutritional values. One tablespoon of ground flax seed contains almost 2 grams of fiber! With all of the fiber packed into these tiny seeds, they are great for digestion. Flax seed also helps lower cholesterol, because they’re a great source of omega 3s, and they can even aide in weight loss! These seeds don’t have a lot of flavor, so they’re perfect to add to oatmeal, yogurt or even smoothies. Try adding them to your kids’ favorite smoothie; your kids won’t even notice they’re there! Just make sure you grind them up before using them, and store them in the freezer. Whole flax will pass right through you, making you miss all of its nutritional value. And once they’re ground, the oils in them can cause them to go rancid quickly, so freezing is always the best storage option.

Apple cider vinegar
You should always keep some apple cider vinegar in your pantry. Apple cider vinegar is alkalizing and helps to kick your metabolism into high gear! Adding a tablespoon or two to a glass of water first thing in the morning is a great way to start your day. It can also be used to make healthy salad dressings. Just make sure you get the organic apple cider vinegar fermented with mother. This contains the most health benefits.

Chia seeds
These tiny seeds are a pantry must-have! You can add them to so many different foods to enhance texture and to add nutrients. Like flax seeds, chia seeds are packed with fiber and omega 3s. One ounce of chia seeds contains 10 grams of fiber! That’s almost a third of the recommended daily value of fiber for adults. They are great sprinkled on avocado toast, used as a salad topping or they can even be used to make chia seed pudding. They swell and absorb liquid, so add some to your favorite milk, let it chill over night in the fridge, and in the morning you’ll have a healthy breakfast on the go!

Quinoa
This ancient grain is full of goodness! Swap rice for quinoa or use it to make a summer salad. This grain is gluten free and contains a boat load of protein. It’s delicious when added to chili to add extra protein to keep you full all day long!

Stocking your pantry with healthy foods will get you to your weight loss goals that much quicker! Pick up these delicious treats next time you head to the grocery store or farmers market, you won’t regret it!

To learn more about nutrition and women’s health, check out the Women’s Mind Body Wellness Summit. It contains 6 interviews by top female health professionals plus two workout videos and 3 bonus videos on mind-body wellness with MyHealthSpin Founder Lori-Ann Rickard.

The post 8 Perfect Pantry Foods appeared first on MyHealthSpin.

A common misconception is that chiropractic care is only beneficial for treating back pain. However, chiropractic can be used for a wide range of things including ear infections and headaches, as well as treat nutritional deficiencies. In fact, I started seeing a chiropractor a little over two years ago for this very reason. I was burned out, not sleeping, and I had always suffered from lower back discomfort. She discovered that I needed some help nutritionally and suggested I take some supplements. Now, I see her on a fairly regular basis for nutritional consultations and occasionally for my lower back. It’s much better now thanks to my workout routine, but I still have trouble bending at times. Not many people know about the benefits of chiropractic care. October is National Chiropractic Health Month; therefore, today we are going to discuss the benefits of Chiropractic care.

It’s safe for all ages
You may be surprised to know that spinal adjustments are safe to perform on day-old babies. Birth is extremely stressful on an infant’s spine and cranium. All of that pushing and pulling can cause many different spinal misalignments. It’s often common for newborns to have trouble latching to their mother’s nipple to breastfeed. Performing a manual manipulation on a newborn’s skull and jaw will realign their bones and allow them to begin breastfeeding. It’s truly miraculous. Chiropractic care is also safe for the elderly, even if they have osteoporosis. The doctor must be careful, but it is still appropriate to do spinal manipulation on people who have disorders similar to this.

It relieves pain
Chiropractors look to find the root of the problem as opposed to treating the symptoms on the surface. The spine and spinal cord have a hand in everything the body does. Therefore, if these areas are misaligned it can cause discomfort. Returning them to their proper alignment can relieve that pain.

It can improve your posture
Chronic postural issues can cause harm to the spine and spinal cord. Regular chiropractic care can help shift one’s weight back on their heels, allowing the spine to be in its proper alignment. Mechanically, the spine has normal curves, which resemble an “S” shape. However, many people have over-exaggeration of these curves leading to chronic pain. Many people work on computers for most their day. This causes a forward head posture, rounded shoulders, a hunched back posture and an exaggerated curve of the lumbar spine. Spinal manipulations will help move these bones back in to their proper place and improve posture. You can also feel and look taller after getting an adjustment. Chiropractors can also offer examples of exercises that you can do at home based on your specific postural needs. They may even suggest you start a strength training program, such as Pilates, to improve your core strength.

It can save you money
Some insurance plans cover chiropractic care. However, even if chiropractic isn’t a covered benefit, it can still save you money in the long run. Things such as physical therapy and surgery usually have a pretty big copay tied to them. Seeing a chiropractor regularly may help keep you well and save money.

It can help you stay off drugs and antibiotics
Chronic ear infections are a common reason that children go to the pediatrician. The doctor puts them on antibiotics, their ears clear up, yet several weeks later the infection is back. Chiropractic care, as well as nutritional supplementation, can help rid your child of ear infections for good. It’s important to keep in mind that chiropractic care doesn’t specifically treat ear infections, however it restores the body to its natural function. Receiving regular adjustments can also help relieve joint and bone pain allowing patients to stop taking medications for arthritis and other pain conditions. Chiropractic care offers a different perspective, one that isn’t all about drugs.

It can keep you well
Chiropractic care isn’t solely beneficial for times that you’re in pain. Many people see chiropractors on a regular basis to help them to stay well. A regular spinal adjustment can help reduce the amount of inflammation in your bones and joints. Inflammation can wreak havoc on the body and lead to all sorts of illnesses and diseases. Regular chiropractic care can also improve sleep. When people are sleep deprived their immune system gets run down. Many chiropractors also offer nutritional consultation and supplementation to help keep one well.

Chiropractic care has truly changed my life. If you don’t already see a Chiropractor on a regular basis, schedule an appointment today and try it out! If you do see one on a regular basis I would love to know – why did you start seeing a chiropractor?

For more healthcare news and tips daily follow us on Twitter, Facebook & Instagram.

The post 6 Benefits of Chiropractic Care appeared first on MyHealthSpin.

This is the question I got this week from a 22-year-old woman who just started her first job after college:

We talked about her policy, and, of course, there was a deductible.  Since she hadn’t gotten any healthcare services this year, she had not yet met her deductible.  The medication was “covered” by insurance, but the cost of the medication went toward her deductible.  So, she had to pay for the prescriptions out of her own pocket.

When she chose her health insurance plan, she picked the cheapest policy.  She didn’t realize that one of the reasons why it was cheaper was because it was a “high deductible” insurance plan.  It’s likely that most of her healthcare services this year won’t be paid for by the insurance company because of the high deductible.  For our 22 year old, this might be a wise choice.  She pays less per month and she is unlikely to need many healthcare services since she is young and healthy.

Even if you did not select a “high deductible” plan, many people are frustrated at the start of the year by the fact that a lot of healthcare services are not paid for by insurance due to the deductible.  

What can you do?  First, when you select an insurance plan, know what your deductible is.  If your employer has a Health Savings Account (HSA) which allows you to put pre-tax dollars away to pay for healthcare services, it’s wise to put in at least enough to cover the deductible.

You might also want to consider choosing a lower deductible plan the next time you can change your plan.  You need to consider the increase cost of the insurance vs. the lower deductible.

Planning ahead is the best solution so you do not have surprises like our 22 year old.  At least now, she understands her insurance plan and knows what to expect.

Tell us how you choose your deductible?  We’d love to hear from you!

For more information about your health insurance, see HealthSpin’s Easy Healthcare: Choosing Your Health Insurance.

We hope we’re helping you “Spin Your Healthcare Your Way!

The post My Health Insurance Doesn’t Cover Anything? appeared first on MyHealthSpin.