Recipe of the Week | Health Post | Podcast of the Week
Homemade Electrolyte Drink | Health Post | Simple Habits for Real Self Care: Ancient Health Podcast w/ Dr. Motley
I’ve talked about the importance of electrolytes quite often, and sometimes budget doesn’t allow us to pay for electrolyte packets (the quality ones can be pricey!), so why not make your own?
If you experience dehydration (even though you’re drinking plenty of water), or have muscle spasms, fatigue, headaches, etc, drinking water alone just isn’t enough. We need electrolytes to help replenish sodium and potassium levels, especially if you are an athlete or work in a heated environment and sweat a lot!
Here is a recipe that my mom made whenever we participated in long endurance events, and it is EASY! Check it out!
Homemade Electrolyte Drink Recipe
1 quart boiled water
2 Tb honey
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp baking soda
Mix all together and store in an air tight container and consume within 24 hours.
Electrolytes: Why We Need Them
As perfectly stated by LMNT:
“To summarize up front: Electrolytes are charged minerals that are essential to life. They conduct electricity between cells and balance fluids — and these functions support our energy, keep our cells properly hydrated, support our heart beating and muscles contracting, balance our mood, and much more.”
How often do you feel like even though you are drinking enough water, you still feel dehydrated? This was me, especially when workouts were involved.
Our bodies need to have sufficient sodium/potassium ratios, especially magnesium, to function at our bests. Heart palpitations, cramping, irritability, and more, these are all symptoms of a mineral imbalance!
Sodium deficiency can come with symptoms of brain fog, fatigue, muscle cramps, and headaches, which is no surprise since sodium is easily lost through urine and sweat. Eating a whole foods diet (highly encouraged) doesn’t always supply us with enough sodium for necessary levels, whereas a processed food diet does (giving us much more than is necessary). If you live off of ultra processed food, your sodium levels are most likely through the roof!
Potassium acts in sync with sodium, providing a myraid of benefits, including:
Healthy blood flow and moisturized skin
Keeps your cells talking so you can perform complex actions like emailing your boss while standing on one leg and humming your favorite song
Transports nutrients in and out of your cells
Supports healthy bones
Keeps blood pressure within healthy ranges
Magnesium is key for driving energy production, bone building, muscle growth, blood sugar regulation, DNA repair (from UV damage to the skin, for instance), and many other functions. Deficiency in this mineral increases risk of heart disease, diabetes, immune system issues, and many other health problems. What doesn’t help, is that most blood tests don’t have this come up on the panel, so how would you know you are deficient in magnesium, other than the symptoms that your body shows?
As you can see, electrolyte balance is a big deal in the wellness world! If you have a good handle on a healthy diet and lifestyle, but still feel crummy, perhaps it’s time to bring in more electrolytes! This week’s recipe is an excellent option if you’re on a tight budget, but I also highly recommend LMNT electrolytes, especially if you are traveling.
Podcast of the Week: Ancient Health Podcast w/ Dr. Motley
How to Master Wellness: Simple Habits for Real Self Care w/ Ellie Kempton - 59 min
What you’ll learn:
How to prioritize rest from technology
Using common-sense health habits
Learn the Scandinavian rules for rest
How to protect your peace
Master wellness vs doing wellness
Being true to your authentic self
As we enter the season of giving, it is also the season of higher stress! Please take the time to listen to this podcast and take away what you can from it and add it into your lifestyle. Take a listen!
