Life often throws us into turbulent waters, subjecting us to various stressors and challenges. In such moments, staying calm is a valuable skill that preserves our mental and emotional well-being and equips us to make sound decisions and navigate adversity effectively.

In light of this, here are some practical ways to cultivate and maintain serenity even in the face of life's storms:

No. 1

Deep Breathing and Mindfulness

Deep breathing exercises and mindfulness techniques have proven to be highly effective in soothing the mind. Whenever you find yourself overwhelmed, seize a moment to close your eyes gently. Inhale deeply through your nose, allowing the air to fill your lungs, and hold your breath momentarily. Then, exhale slowly and steadily through your mouth. This uncomplicated practice holds the power to regulate your nervous system and usher in a profound sense of tranquility.

No. 2

Meditation

Regular meditation practice can foster inner peace and resilience. Find a quiet space, sit or lay comfortably, and focus on your breath or a soothing mantra. Meditation allows you to detach from racing thoughts and regain mental clarity.

No. 3

Exercise and Physical Activity

Regular physical activity is a great stress reliever. It triggers endorphins, the body's natural mood lifters. Whether you prefer jogging, practicing yoga, or simply taking a stroll in a natural setting, it's essential to discover an activity that aligns with your preferences and fits your schedule.

No. 4

Prioritize Sleep

Adequate sleep is crucial for emotional balance and resilience. Establish a consistent sleep routine (even on the weekends) and create a tranquil sleep environment to ensure restorative rest.

No. 5

Time Management

Effective time management can increase your control over your schedule, reducing stress. Prioritize tasks, set achievable goals, and avoid overcommitting. Creating a well-structured routine can help you feel more in command of your life.

No. 6

Social Connections

Maintaining strong social connections is a cornerstone of emotional well-being. Confide with friends and loved ones when you are stressed, as sharing your concerns can provide emotional relief and support.

No. 8

Healthy Eating

A balanced diet can substantially impact your mood and stress levels. Consume nutrient-rich foods, stay hydrated, and minimize the intake of stimulants like caffeine and sugar. Consider whether you need supplements to boost your diet or items like chill pills to help you maintain a healthy sleep schedule. 

No. 9

Limit Information Overload

In the digital age, we are bombarded with information. Limit your exposure to news items and social media (especially the comments) when you sense that it contributes to stress and anxiety. Focus on reliable sources and set boundaries for screen time.

No. 10

Seek Professional Help

If stress becomes overwhelming, it can interfere with your health and daily life, so you should consider consulting a mental health professional. Therapy and counseling can provide useful tools and strategies to manage stress effectively.

No. 11

Develop Problem-Solving Skills

Staying calm often involves addressing the root causes of stress. Enhance problem-solving skills by breaking challenges into smaller, manageable steps and seeking practical solutions. Implement strategies to help you willfully approach life's challenges and hone your way toward conscious living.

No. 12

Maintain Flexibility

Accept that change is a constant in life, and unexpected events may occur. Cultivate flexibility and adaptability in your approach to challenges. In addition, try incorporating stress aids and tools that help alleviate stress and make daily life more manageable.

No. 14

Laugh and Find Joy

Laughter is a powerful antidote to stress. Engage in activities that bring you joy, watch a funny film, or cartoons, read a book you love, or spend time with people who make you laugh.

No. 15

Positive Self-Talk

Replace negative self-talk with positive affirmations. Challenge self-limiting beliefs and cultivate a kind and supportive inner dialogue. By finding ways to invite positive energy, you will help restore the hope you thought was lost.

Takeaways

Staying calm amidst life's upheavals is a skill that can be developed and refined over time. By incorporating these ideas into your daily life, you can cultivate inner peace and resilience, enabling you to face challenges with composure and grace. Remember that staying calm is not about avoiding stress but responding healthily and constructively.

There is so much talk in the health community about buying organic foods, but something that often goes overlooked is the importance of buying organic herbs and spices. Naturally, we would think that replacing our spice cabinet with organic options is no big deal, however, today's post will clear up exactly why it is just as important as any other item in our pantry.

Herbs and spices are a category of grocery items that we buy very rarely, so it's no wonder why they are out of sight out of mind because they are not often on our grocery list. When we do use herbs and spices in our cooking or baking, we typically use them in moderation, so they end up lasting for years - and we keep them around even beyond their shelf life. We don't think about herbs and spices often unless a recipe calls for something we don't have on hand. Another scenario that leads to us purchasing new herbs and spices is when we run out of an item completely, and in rare cases when something has clearly gone rancid.

On top of that, once you do need to replace something, you find that organic herbs and spices are a little more expensive, which can deter you from making that split second decision between the better option. Typically, you will reach for the inorganic option thinking that you are stretching your money and that it doesn't make a huge difference anyway because you don't use much of it.

Considering all of the factors that may be at play in your purchasing decision, I am going to now get into the more pressing concerns that you should consider and that are far more important in deciding whether or not to purchase organic spices, herbs, and seasonings.

What is the purpose of herbs & spices?

---

Spices can be thought of as a garnish or a way to add flavor and aroma to cooking and baking. However, did you know that herbs and spices also have incredible medicinal and health benefits and have been used throughout history for that very purpose? They are also used as ingredients in powerful natural remedies for those who prefer or look to alternative methods of treating health conditions.

The problem with conventional, inorganic herbs and spices

---

Conventional herbs and spices are not going to have the concentrated medicinal and health benefits that you would expect, rather they will contain high concentrations of toxic chemical additives, GMOs, synthetic anti-caking agents such as sodium aluminsilicate, sodium ferrocyanide, calcium silicate or silicon dioxide, pesticides, and more composition-disrupting additives.

Conventional herbs and spices are also grown using fumigation and irradiation practices, which changes the chemical composition of an herb or spice by exposing it to ethylene oxide and radiation to kill off bacteria and other contaminants. This process creates carcinogenic by-products that can increase your exposure to free radical damage.

More reasons to buy organic herbs and spices

---

As mentioned previously, conventional, inorganic herbs and spices are loaded with chemicals by the time they hit your plate, which is more than a reason to stay away from them and switch to organic options. Since conventional farming practices rely on chemical intervention, you expose yourself to a host of issues because you simply do not know the long-term effects of ingesting these chemicals over a lifetime. Over time, you may not think that herbs and spices can make a difference to your health, but considering that you are using these ingredients in your cooking on a daily basis and from different inorganic sources, you are better off removing them completely.

Organic products may cost a bit more than conventional products, but it is worth the investment in your long-term health. Since they do last awhile, you won't have to worry about replacing them at every grocery trip. As a general rule, whole spices will stay fresh for about 4 years, ground spices for about 2 to 3 years and dried herbs for 1 to 3 years. source

What to look for when buying herbs & spices

---

Not all organic herbs and spices are created equal. Here are things to look out for to ensure you are getting the highest quality products.

Always buy organic, No anti-caking agents, and No Irradiation

Buying organic will ensure that the companies you choose are certified with the USDA National Organic Program when producing their products. This means that they are committed to sustainable farming and production processes and responsible action toward their customers’ health and our planet's future. Organic herbs and spices are not irradiated, are not grown with pesticides, genetically engineered ingredients (GMOs), and do not contain synthetic caking agents and chemical additives. You can rest assured that they are held to the highest standards from seed to plate.

Have I replaced all of my herbs and spices?

---

When I left Oklahoma back in October 2017, thankfully that gave me a reason to throw out all of my herbs, spices, and seasonings. I was that type of person that had a mix of inorganic and organic products. I was slowly replacing my collection, so what I would do is purchase an organic product one at a time when I would run out of something. Honestly, I think that doing so is better than nothing, so if you are wanting to make the switch, purchase them as you go and soon you will have a whole collection of organic herbs and spices that you can be proud of.

My herb, spice, and seasoning collection since moving to California is still growing, but I have been very good at purchasing only organic products. However, I still have a long way to go because I have only currently purchased items that I use more frequently.

spicely - featured organic herb, spice, and seasoning blend company

---

An organic herb, spice, and seasoning blend company that I recently discovered is Spicely Organics, and I appreciate how they have such a large selection of products. It can be difficult to find all the herbs and spices that I want in the grocery store (even online) and in various sizes, so I like how Spicely Organics provides so many options to choose from, from small ecoBox sizes (0.4 oz) to bulk options. The ecoBoxes are great for ensuring that you are using your spices up before they expire.

All of their products are free from anti-caking agents and they do not sell any products or use any ingredients that have been sterilized by irradiation or ethylene oxide. They are also very mindful of their packaging by using glass, tin, and ecoBoxes and avoiding use of plastics. Their spices and seasonings also do not contain any salt or sugar, which is great because what you see is what you get without any fillers.

They are also very passionate about where they source their ingredients. In a nutshell, they require that their suppliers avoid forced and child labor, discrimination, unsafe work environments, substandard wages and other unethical practices. Read more about their highest standards of quality and environmental sustainability.

If you are a business and are looking to source organic bulk herbs and spices, they also sell wholesale organic dried herbs as well as wholesale spices. Since they are a direct importer of organic spices and herbs, you can be assured that you are getting wholesale herbs and wholesale spices straight from the source.

Overall, they are a rad natural herb and spice company in my opinion! I recently shared on Instagram how I used their cream of tartar as a natural migraine remedy. It was great knowing that the cream of tartar I was using was organic because it can be difficult to find organic cream of tartar, and heck, I wouldn’t want to be adding more chemicals to my body if my goal was to get rid of a migraine. If you’re interested in that natural migraine remedy, you can read that here. It really works, y’all!

Final Thoughts

---

I hope that this article provided more than enough evidence that now is the time to switch to organic herbs, spices, and seasoning blends. Not only will you be getting quality products, but you will experience higher quality flavors, aromas, and the purest form of the ingredients that you are using in your meals. Small steps do really add up to larger rewards toward our health, lifestyle, and overall wellness.

---

Disclosure: The content in this article is in collaboration with Spicely Organics. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Please see my privacy policy for a complete disclosure.

I'm kind of obsessed with matcha. Just a little. Okay, A LOT. The fun part is adding it to every and anything sweet. In this recipe, I decided to get a little creative and come up with a raw cheesecake recipe that included some of my favorite ingredients: matcha (of course), almonds, honey, mascarpone cheese, and figs. I mean, go big or go home, right? I did just that with this recipe. Do I miss regular cheesecake? Not even. Read on for the complete recipe and for more dreamy photos.

So, what is a raw cheesecake anyway? For all of you who aren't familiar with it, it's generally made with a date-nut crust and cashew coconut-cream filling. There's absolutely no baking involved and no cheese, but you still get that creamy + fatty consistency without the guilt. Since I did still want to have some of that cheese flavor in this recipe + make it extra fancayyy, I added 4 tablespoons of mascarpone cheese. This is totally not necessary, so feel free to leave it out and just replace it with more coconut cream. But it's damn good with it. Just sayin'. You could even replace the honey and use a plant-based sweeter instead for a completely raw, vegan cheesecake.

I also decided to switch it up a little and make a fig and almond crust instead of a date-nut crust that is typical of raw cheesecakes. In my opinion, it tastes even more amazing. Feel free to break the rules with this cheesecake. Make it into what you want it to be - add the types of toppings that you love, remove what you don't. It's completely versatile, and it's food. Play with it. I chose to top mine with crushed pistachios, sliced almonds, desiccated coconut (basically coconut flakes), and a generous drizzle of honey. Can someone just stop me right now?! This is sounding way too delicious. 

What else can I say about this cheesecake so that I can stall and show you more pictures? Hmm ... It's amazing. It's damn delicious. And isn't it just pretty! Another thing I should mention is that I totally made this without having the proper tools. I only had a mini food processor, so this was truly a labor of love. I also didn't have a springform pan, so please please do yourself a favor and get one if you don't have one. It will make your life so much easier!

So, there's that, my loves. A ton of photos to get you salivating before you tackle the hard part - running to the store to get all of the ingredients to make this bad boy! Actually, this cheesecake is super simple. Just make sure to soak your cashews the night before so you're not like me, wishing I did so I could enjoy this cheesecake a lot sooner. Happy non-baking. Oh yeah, I forgot to to say that this is perfect if you hate baking or are horrible at it. Sorry, I'm done, let's get into the recipe (finally)!

Raw Matcha Cheesecake With Fig And Almond Crust

Stina Abion | Hello Lovely Living
February 18, 2017



Servings: 8 servings
Prep: 30 mins
Cook: 0 mins
Total time: 30 mins

Ingredients

Crust

• 1 cup dried figs
• 1/4 cup almond flour

Filling

• 2 cups cashews (soaked)
• 1 can coconut milk (1/2 of the cream portion only)
• 2 Tbsp coconut oil
• 4 Tbsp mascarpone cheese
• 1/2 cup raw honey
• 2 tsp matcha powder

Toppings

• pistachios (lightly chopped)
• honey
• almonds (sliced)
• desiccated coconut

Instructions

1. Cover and soak the cashews in water for at least 4 hours or overnight. Refrigerate the coconut milk.
2. Line the bottom of an 8" x 8" springform pan with a round piece of parchment paper. To prepare the crust, using a food processor, mix the dried figs and almond flour until it comes together when pressed. Press evenly into the bottom of a springform pan. Set aside.
3. Strain the chashews. To prepare the filling, process the cashews until it starts resembling a creamy texture. Open the can of coconut milk and use half of the solid, cream portion only. Do not use the liquid portion. Add the coconut cream to the cashew mixture and mix until well combined, then add the reamining ingredients and mix until well combined and until an smooth, creamy texture has formed.
4. Pour the filling into the springform pan and spread evenly. Cover with plastic wrap and freeze for at least 4 hours to set.
5. Remove from the freezer and release the springform pan. Place on a serving dish of choice. You may need to even out the top of the cheesecake with a spatula if it is not completely smooth.
6. Decorate with toppings around the edges: lightly crushed pistachios, sliced almonds, and a drizzle of honey. Dust lightly with desiccated coconut.

Notes

• Store in the refrigerator or freeze for longer periods.
• For a vegan option, remove mascarpone cheese and substitute with the other half of the coconut cream. Instead of honey, use a plant-based sweetener.
• Organic ingredients are preferred.

---

Wasn't that just the easiest! FYI, I had a slice for breakfast and it was totally one of those moments where I had to pinch myself. I mean, cheesecake for breakfast!?! What world is this!?! Happy clean eating!

Will you be trying out this recipe? If you do, I'd love to see your photos! Go on, tag me in your photos on Instagram using #hellolovelyliving and @hellolovelyliving so I can get all heart eyes on your photos + share them so others can do the same!