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Natural Allergy Relief

It’s that time of year again. Sneezing, runny nose, itchy eyes, rashes and even swelling are all part of seasonal allergies. If you fall victim to these symptoms, you may want to consider a more natural approach to relief. There are several products that can reduce symptoms to manageable levels that don’t interfere with your outdoor activities. Let’s look at some popular options:

Quercetin is a favorite of natural healing advocates who believe that it stabilizes the release of histamines and helps to control allergy symptoms. It’s naturally found in broccoli, cauliflower, green tea, and citrus fruits, but there are many great supplements available that make this an easy addition to your daily routine. Suzanne’s carries several brands of Quercetin so that we can find the best option for your personal symptoms.

Stinging Nettle has a long history of use for the relief of allergies. Natural healing practitioners use it as a as a natural antihistamine to help with the treatment of allergy symptoms. We have a variety of options available like freeze-dried herbal capsules and even teas.

Essential Oils have shown to be effective at reducing inflammation. A 1988 study published in the National Library of Medicine showed that Peppermint oil, Eucalyptus oil and Tea Tree oil along with Frankincense oil reduced symptoms when used correctly. Suzanne’s carries the highest quality essential oils and can help you choose the right oils for you, along with how to correctly use them.

Locally Sourced Honey is a popular choice. According to the Mayo Clinic, honey has been anecdotally reported to lessen symptoms in people with seasonal allergies. Honey has been used as a cough suppressant and may have anti-inflammatory effects, plus it tastes amazing! Suzanne’s has a selection of honey from local sources including Neosho, MO and Sarcoxie, MO.

You can enjoy the Spring and Summer season this year by stopping by Suzanne’s now to stock up on the relief you need to live your outdoor life to the fullest!

Sustainable Cleaning in Joplin

Have you ever finished cleaning and disinfecting your home, only to be hit with a nasty chemical smell? Instantly you wonder what was in the products you just used all over the surfaces in your home. Your family and pets are now exposed to a clean surface loaded with chemicals that may be worse than the germs you wanted to kill.

According to a study by the Cleveland Clinic, most “all purpose” cleaners contain ammonia, ethylene glycol monobutyl acetate, sodium hypochlorite and/or trisodium phosphate. These ingredients can be highly toxic to humans and animals if ingested or absorbed through the skin. For more information on what most household products contain, here is a link to the study: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/11397-household-chemical-products-and-their-health-risk

Suzanne’s Natural Foods is proud to be the exclusive Joplin retail location for Nixall®. Nixall® is a disinfectant and sanitizer that kills bacteria and viruses. It is made in Nixa, Missouri and has received national recognition for its effectiveness during COVID-19.

The best part is that the product is earth, human and pet friendly! The primary ingredient is hypochlorous acid, which is found naturally in our bodies. It breaks down bad cells that cause infection and havoc in our bodies. It’s an effective, clean, and safe alternative to chemically laden commercial cleaners. Stop by Suzanne’s and find out more about how adding Nixall® to your cleaning routine will make your home, your family, and the earth happy and healthy!

Put Some Spring back into Your Skin

Winter can take a toll on more than your utility bill. It can cause some undesirable and noticeable changes in your skin as well. But you CAN get that dewy and fresh look back. Here are some important products and diet changes that will get you looking refreshed in no time.

Dry Vs Dehydrated Skin-What do I have?
Many people cannot tell if their skin is just dry topically, or if the changes are due to dehydration. Winter is tough on skin and more people suffer dehydration in winter months as their water intake is usually reduced. Here are a few ways you can tell what your skin and body need.

Dehydrated Skin is caused by a lack of water in the skin. All skin types can experience this. Just because your skin is oily doesn’t mean you are exempt. Most people perform a simple “pinch test.” Pinch a small amount of skin on the back of your hand or cheek. Hold for several seconds then release. If it snaps right back then you likely are not dehydrated but if it takes a few moments, you need to increase your water intake. Dehydration can cause fine lines and wrinkles to be more noticeable and no one wants that!

Dry Skin is an actual skin “type”. Your skin takes on a dry, flaky appearance due to the lack of oils in your skin.

Healthline.com offers an easy-to-read chart to determine how to treat your skin.

Suzanne’s has a generous selection of quality skin care products with hyaluronic acid and other natural moisturizers to get your skin looking summer ready in no time!

For our dehydrated readers, investigate the many options of high-quality water, including PH+ and antioxidants. Water quality does matter. According to health experts, the average person should drink a half gallon of water a day. That needs to be increased if you are dehydrated.
Here are some skin care products and various water options that Suzanne’s carries to put the Spring back into your Skin!

Hydrate internally with: Hyaluronic acid in either capsule or liquid. This also hydrates joints.

Hydrate topically with: Hyalogic hyaluronic acid on face to retain moisture. This is what Suzanne uses daily. Derma-E hydrating skincare set. Many of our other skincare products contain hyaluronic acid.

For an individual who medically cannot stay hydrated: Energetix Rehydration, a homeopathic remedy.

For kids doing sports or are outdoors: Nuun Tablets, Liquid IV, Trace Mineral Powder Packs or any other electrolyte supplement that can be added to water.

See you soon at Suzanne’s!

Women’s Heart Health

Most people associate a heart attack with crushing chest pain. While that may still be true for most men, women often experience more subtle signals. Just because they are more subtle doesn’t mean they are not to be taken seriously. According to the CDC, heart disease was the leading cause of female deaths in 1 out of 5 women in the United States in 2017 and continues to rise. The key is education and self-care before heart disease becomes a factor. Below are some guidelines to follow, but they do not replace seeing your physician should you show any symptoms.

The main symptoms of heart attack/heart disease that women have are:
1. Unusual fatigue.
2. Shortness of breath.
3. Pain in the arms, neck, or shoulder blades.
4. Nausea or vomiting, especially after exercise.
5. Light headedness or dizziness.
6. Sweating.
7. Indigestion or heart burn.

Because many of these symptoms seem out of character for heart disease, many women ignore them until they become urgent enough to seek medical help immediately. By then, they may have already experienced damage to their heart. Diagnosing and treating heart disease early is key to a long and fulfilling healthy life.

There are many ways to change your lifestyle to help keep your heart and arteries healthy. If you smoke, you need to consider quitting right away. Smoking has a direct connection to heart disease, but the good news is that quitting will improve your health. Exercise should be part of your daily regimen, with at 3 days of cardio a week. Make sure and visit your doctor before starting an exercise routine.

Healthy eating and lifestyle are key to overall health. If you haven’t been to Suzanne’s lately, you’ll be pleased to find our new addition filled with healthy organic food choices. You can be sure that our fresh produce and refrigerated products were all selected with your best health in mind!

Self-Care is something you will hear a lot about this year. We must make time for ourselves to pause and rejuvenate. Yoga and meditation are two excellent ways to relax and regain energy. Many people also feel a positivity journal is also helpful in bringing joy and health into their lives. Looking at the positive and shifting your attitude has been shown to have definite health benefits in many studies so why not go for it?

Suzanne’s has many beneficial supplements and vitamins to help with heart health!
1. Ubiquinol CoQH 100mg
2. CoEnzyme Q10 100mg
3. Kyolic Aged Garlic Extract Circulation Formula 106
4. Hawthorn Supreme
5. CholesteRice
6. Blood Pressure Support
7. Omega-3
8. Ultimate Omega + CoQ10

Stop into Suzanne’s today and talk to our staff about which supplement may benefit you. And remember, if you experience any of the symptoms mentioned above with any chest pain or difficulty breathing, don’t wait. You can avoid damage to your heart if you catch a heart attack early or even prevent one!

What is Keto?

Ahhh January. The month of good intentions. Many people start the month with a commitment to improve their health. That commitment usually includes weight loss. The KETO Diet is still currently the most popular diet in the U.S. Its popularity is due to appealing to a wide variety of the population from people with diabetes to CrossFit enthusiasts. If you don’t mind cooking and can hang in there during the transition period when you may have sugar/carb withdrawals, this could be a great fit for you.

The ketogenic diet, or Keto as it commonly referred to, induces ketosis in your body. Ketosis is a state where your body is primarily burning fat and ketones for energy instead of consumed calories. This occurs by lowering your carbohydrates and replacing them with an extremely high fat intake. Normally on a Keto diet, about 80% of your daily calories come from fat, 15% protein and only 5% from carbs.

The positive side of the Keto diet is that when followed properly, an improved overall performance and body composition normally follow. Most people look leaner and have reduced body fat without the energy crash associated with most reduced calorie and higher carb plans. If you want to maintain energy throughout the day without having to count calories or go to weigh-ins, this plan may work well for you.

The initial transition to this diet can be challenging for some. You may experience what some call “Keto Flu” which can include side effects such as headaches, dizziness, fatigue, nausea, and occasional constipation. These symptoms usually disappear within 14 days. Once ketosis is achieved and your body adjusts, you will feel the benefits quickly. Some people even report neurological benefits like memory improvement, although some can find low carb diets result in mood swings. It’s also important to stay hydrated and make sure your supplements include electrolytes. One of the biggest complaints with Keto is bad breath. This can be avoided with extra vigilance in oral hygiene and a good mouthwash several times a day. Short breaks can be beneficial as long-term ketosis can put extra stress on your kidneys and possibly increase your risk for kidney stones. Keeping your hydration up should be a priority as well as monitoring your electrolytes.

Keto is more of a lifestyle than a diet. Suzanne’s offers everything you need to be successful on the keto diet including organic veggies, protein powders and supplements. Here is a link to plenty of recipes to get you cooking with Keto! Remember, it’s always recommended to see your doctor before starting any weight loss plan. And as always, come in with any questions you may have. Good Luck!

Healthy Pet Food Recipe (featured on local TV)

Suzanne’s Natural Foods’ employee and wellness expert, Conni Womack, was featured on FOX 14 Local News as a Certified Holistic Chef for Animals. On the television segment, Conni discussed what a healthy diet for furry friends looks like.

Conni said that considering the nutrition of cuisine given to our little companions is critical. Unfortunately, most well-known pet food brands offer little to no nutrition for pets. This decreases a pet’s life span exponentially. In order to avoid this, be sure to provide foods full of nourishment, such as the dish shown below.

For the segment, Conni prepared a healthy dish for dogs. She gladly shared the recipe with us here at Suzanne’s, and we are happy to share it with you! Here’s the recipe:

Ingredients:

— 2 cups chicken livers: cooked, shredded chicken may be used – animal protein and amino acids

— 1 chicken egg: hard boiled, shelled and chopped – protein and vitamins

— 3/4 cup sweet potatoes – Vitamins A, C, E, phosphorus and fiber

— 3/4 cup zucchini – fiber and minerals

— 3/4 cup green beans: if using canned, drain – Vitamins C, K and fiber

— 2 tsp. safflower oil – essential fatty acids

Directions:

1. Put sweet potatoes in saucepan and add just enough filtered water to cover the ingredients.

2. Turn heat on high until the water starts to bubble.

3. Lower the heat to medium low and cook until the sweet potatoes are tender.

4. Add green beans and zucchini and cook another three minutes. Drain.

5. Combine all ingredients and mix well.

Yields: Approximately 2 servings for a 35-45 lb. dog. 600 calories per serving.

Serving Size: Morning and evening feeding. Each feeding equals 1/2 the daily calories for a dog.

In addition to maintaining a healthy diet for pets, Conni recommends supplementing for nutrients that are important, but hard to obtain. High-quality and nutritious supplements for animals can be found at Suzanne’s. These include CBD dog treats, probiotics, anxiety-free chewables, multi-vitamins, nutritious dog and cat food as well as so much more!

Golden Milk Recipe

Looking for an all-natural drink that will reduce inflammation, relieve stress and boost your immune system all in one? Golden Milk is your answer!

It can be added to any milk, but can be made vegan by using an alternative such as coconut or hemp milk

Here’s a recipe to make your own Golden Milk at home (or we can make it for you at the store if you buy the ingredients!):

1. Heat one cup of your favorite milk.
2. Heat until mixture is warm, but not quite boiling.
3. Remove from heat, pour into cup and savor immediately!
4. Adding Golden Milk to your morning and evening routine will do wonders to your personal health and wellness goals.
5. Have you tried Golden Milk? Let us know what you think of it in the comments below!

Going Green at Suzanne’s

Thinking about adding more green to your diet? Try a green smoothie, fresh-pressed green juice or a green salad from Suzanne’s!

Suzanne’s Island Green smoothie includes organic mangoes, pineapples, bananas and spinach blended to perfection with orange juice. Substitute almond milk to reduce sugar and calorie intake.

Or, try a fresh-pressed juice! We use fresh, organic ingredients straight from our produce section in the store. Choose four base ingredients, and then add in other healthy ingredients to your likeness and according to your health and wellness needs.

This juice has cucumber, celery, apple and ginger.

Still looking for more green to add to your diet?! Try Suzanne’s organic salad bar. It’s the only one in the area! Open Monday through Friday from 11-2.

What’s your favorite green item from Suzanne’s?

Employee Spotlight: Conni

Meet Conni! She is one of our health and wellness experts here at Suzanne’s.

What’s super interesting about Conni is that she is a Certified Pet Specialist! She is always ready to listen and help find exactly what your pet may need.

Not only does she have a pet certification, but Conni has also helped numerous customers find the right supplements that work best for them and their families.

Conni is very knowledgeable and is always ready to help! If you’d like, watch this video where she explains elderberry for cold and flu.

Other than health and wellness, Conni loves going to concerts with her husband. She has over 150 signed photographs with celebrity musicians in her house.