Down To Earth 🌎
Estimated read time: 5 minutes and 47 seconds
⭐ THE QUICK BITES ⭐
🙌 Wisdom: “The only person you are destined to become is the person you decide to be.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson
🍽️ Recipe: Strawberry Banana Smoothie
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Currently how I’m feeling ^^^. Yes! I’m in Boise, baby — and man, it’s hot.
You know what’s actually cool though? Those Lime scooters.
Most places have them, but they’re kind of useless because the routes don’t really work (at least when I've wanted to use them in the past). But here? Total lifesavers. I’ve literally used them to get everywhere.
Also, random thought: being in a new city for a few days and having more alone time made me realize… when I’m by myself, I never smile.
Lol, I don’t know why I noticed this, but my resting face looks either angry or confused. Idk the takeaway here — just a little reminder that even when you’re by yourself, maybe throw a smile on your face. It’s a vibe shift. 😄
Let’s jump in!
- 🛏️ The Truth About Your Sheets
- 👁️🗨️ Bye-Bye Puffy Eyes
- 🔥 Eat Spicy, Live Longer?
- 🥗 The Hidden Science That Will Change Your Salad Forever
🛏️ The Truth About Your Sheets
Laundry might be your least favorite chore—especially wrestling that fitted sheet like it’s a wild octopus.
But here’s a skin-saving secret: washing your sheets regularly is non-negotiable if you want your skin to behave and your allergies to not throw a tantrum.
Why? Because your sheets are basically a hot (and sweaty) mess of dead skin cells, dirt, oils, dust mites, bacteria, and allergens.
⚡ 1. Your skin barrier—the outer shield protecting your body—takes a hit.
Imagine your skin barrier as an invisible force field guarding you from germs and pollutants. When your sheets are dirty, bacteria and grime mess with your skin’s balance, weakening that shield.
Result: Your skin gets cranky, red, and irritated way easier.
⚡ 2. Acne isn’t just about your face pillow.
Oils, sweat, and dirt transfer to your pillowcase, hang out there, and then sneak right back to your skin—hello, breakouts on your face and back (aka bacne 👋).
Pro tip: Wash your face every night before you hit the hay and swap those pillowcases regularly!
⚡ 3. Allergies that won’t quit? Dirty sheets might be the sneaky culprit.
Dust mites, pet dander, and detergents build up, triggering sniffles, sneezes, and itchy eyes all year—like an unwelcome allergic guest that just won’t leave.
⚡ 4. Your existing skin issues could throw a bigger tantrum.
Acne, eczema, dermatitis—if your sheets are grimy, bacteria and allergens hang around to pester these conditions, making flare-ups worse. No thank you!
⚡ 5. Rashes and dry spots might pop up as uninvited visitors.
Sweat and bacteria buildup can cause irritation and dryness—even if you don’t normally have skin troubles.
How Often Should You Wash? 🧺
- Standard: Wash your sheets once a week.
- If you’ve got acne, eczema, night sweats, pets in bed, or sleep au naturel: Aim for every 3-4 days.
- Got allergies or asthma? Weekly or more if dust is out of control.
- Are you traveling all the time? Maybe every two weeks (but we heart weekly better).
- Immunocompromised or recovering from infection? Two to three times per week with hot water (think 130°F/54°C).
Article Link
👁️🗨️ Bye-Bye Puffy Eyes
Woke up looking like a raccoon? 🦝
What Causes Eye Puffiness? 🤔
When your under-eye skin holds onto too much fluid, you get a delightful combo of darkness and droopiness. Usually, it’s due to:
- Too much sodium (hello, processed foods!)
- Stress (yoga anyone?)
- Lack of sleep 💤
- Low potassium (please pass the veggies!)
Here’s how to tackle those bags in under 20 minutes:
1. Potato Power 🥔
- Slice a chilled potato into thin rounds.
- Place them over your eyes for 15-20 minutes.
- Why? Potato starch has natural enzymes that tighten the skin and draw out excess fluid.
2. Baking Soda Bliss 🥄
- Mix a pinch of baking soda in cold water.
- Soak two cotton pads, and place on your eyes.
- Bonus! This helps improve circulation! 💖
3. Tea Time ☕
- Steep 2 black tea bags in hot water for 5 minutes.
- Cool them, tear open, and put the leaves under your eyes for 20 minutes.
- Why? Tannins and caffeine tighten those blood vessels and brighten your skin!
4. Chill Out with Spoons 🥄❄️
- Chill 2 metal spoons in ice water for 5 minutes.
- Gently press them over puffy areas.
- Wanna be wild? Dunk your head in ice water for 15 seconds!
- Why? Cold constricts blood vessels, firming up the skin!
5. Egg-cellent Egg Whites 🍳
- Separate an egg, whisk the whites until frothy.
- Apply carefully under your eyes for 10 minutes.
- What’s the scoop? The protein tightens skin and reduces wrinkles! 🤯
6. Vitamin E Love 💖
- Mix Vitamin E oil in chilled water and soak two cotton pads.
- Apply for 20 minutes.
- Why? It’s famous for its antioxidant properties that help your skin repair!
7. Aloe to the Rescue 🌿
- Apply pure aloe vera gel under your eyes for 10-15 minutes.
- Why? It hydrates and smooths puffiness. Hello, hydration!
8. Cucumber Coolness 🥒
- Cut 2 slices from a chilled cucumber and rest over your eyes.
- Why? With over 95% water, cucumbers hydrate and de-puff!
Long-Term Solutions 💡
If those puffy bags keep coming back like a bad sequel, consider these lifestyle tweaks:
- Drink potassium-rich juices (watermelon rinds & dandelion tea) for detoxing.
- Eat 5 cups of veggies daily (think leafy greens)!
- Avoid processed foods and limit deep-fried goodies.
- Stick to a sleep schedule to tackle stress!
Video Link
🔥 Eat Spicy, Live Longer?
Did you know that adding a little heat to your meals could help you eat less? 🥵🍴
Researchers at Penn State University found that spicy food can lead to reduced caloric intake.
Here’s the lowdown:
- Oral Burn Magic: The “oral burn” effect from spicy foods may slow you down during meals. 🐢
- Study Basics: In experiments, participants ate either beef chili or chicken tikka masala—both in mild or spicy versions. The spicier the meal, the slower folks ate! 🤤⏳
- Feeling Full: After munching on spicy dishes, participants still felt full, even though they ate less. It’s like magic, but with scientific logic! 🪄✨
- Forget Water Myths: Increasing water intake didn’t play a part—what a plot twist! 🚰🙃
- Capsaicin Benefits: That fiery substance in chili peppers, capsaicin, offers more than just a kick. It may lower LDL cholesterol, boost circulation, and even help regulate blood sugar. ❤️🚀
- Cancer-Fighter: A 2006 study hinted that capsaicin could inhibit prostate cancer cell spread. Talk about a superfood! 🦸♂️
- Longevity Boost: People who consume spicy foods daily enjoy a 14% lower risk of death! Yup, you read that right! 🥳
Article Link
🥗 The Hidden Science That Will Change Your Salad Forever
Salads have been rocking our plates since, like, ancient Babylonian times! 🏺
Babylonians loved oil and vinegar; Egyptians spiced things up; and the French nobles invented mayo over 200 years ago. Talk about a dressing legacy!
Let’s be real: salads are nutritional superheroes, loaded with vitamins from veggies, fruits, nuts, grains, and seeds. But the real MVP is the dressing—it can make or break your meal’s health status.
Here’s the scoop: Store-bought dressings can sneak in hidden villains like excessive oil, saturated fats, sugar, salt, and preservatives.
Creamy ones often pack more oil, increasing saturated fat—which, in excess, can raise your bad cholesterol (LDL) and put your heart at risk. 😱
BUT! Not all oils are created equal…
Olive oil is a superstar because it’s rich in unsaturated fats—the good fats that help lower LDL cholesterol and reduce inflammation.
Think of unsaturated fats as your body’s smooth operators, keeping your blood flowing happily. 🩸💃
So, why make your own dressing?
- Control is power!
You know exactly what goes in—no sneaky sugar or salt ambushes.
- Tailor-made tastiness!
Pick flavors YOU love, from zesty lime-ginger combos to sweet-and-savory maple-mustard delights.
- Nutrient-packed
Homemade dressings can include functional ingredients—like hemp seeds, tahini, or cultured cashew yogurt—that add extra nutrition (hello, omega-3s and probiotics!).
- Satisfaction bonus 😍
Whipping up your own dressing gives a sense of accomplishment and a bigger smile at mealtime.
Quick science break:
Why does olive oil rock? It’s loaded with monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs). These guys help:
- Lower bad LDL cholesterol
- Raise good HDL cholesterol
- Fight inflammation
Whereas saturated fats (often found in creamy dressings loaded with certain oils) can do the opposite.
👉 Pro Tip: When you mix oil with acid (like vinegar or lemon juice), you create an emulsion—basically tiny oil droplets suspended in the watery liquid. This juicy combo coats your salad veggies evenly and keeps the dressing stable!
Article Link
📚 Ryan's Book Of The Week |
You ever feel like you’re doing everything right — eating well, exercising, hitting your goals — but still feel kinda… empty?
This week’s book is a powerful reminder that wellness isn’t just about you — it’s also about us. Real health includes relationships, meaning, and feeling like you belong somewhere.
💡 Why read it?
- Learn how loneliness affects your physical health (spoiler: it’s a lot).
- Discover how strong relationships can boost your immune system + lifespan.
- Get practical ways to create deeper, more fulfilling connections — even in a busy life.
If you’ve been craving more real moments and less small talk, this one’s gonna hit.
🚀 If you loved today’s tips… imagine how much your best friend, workout buddy, or health-conscious coworker would, too. Forward them this email and make their day!
Until next time,
Ryan Lehman
Your guide to a balanced, healthy life
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