#CellCare Wellness | Navigating Healthy Plant Powered Travel Snacking

Hey there, Wellness Friend,

I hope this newsletter finds you ready and eager for adventure! 🌍 With the sunny season kicking off, I know many of you are gearing up for some much-deserved travel time.


Last week, we delved into the soothing and revitalizing properties of rose water. It was wonderful to see how many of you embraced this ancient beauty secret, incorporating it into your daily routines to refresh your skin and uplift your spirits. Rose water, known for its anti-inflammatory and hydrating benefits, is not just a fantastic facial toner but also a great way to keep your skin refreshed throughout long flights and extended travel days.

Did You KNow?

Recently, I've been exploring the benefits of plant-powered snacking during travel. Did you know that packing snacks like cucumbers and radishes not only satisfies your crunch cravings but also helps maintain hydration and reduce inflammation while flying? Did you know that foods with high water content and anti-inflammatory properties, like cucumbers and radishes, can combat the dehydrating effects of cabin pressure and systemic inflammation induced by travel stress. 


ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW

Weekly wellness Practice

#CellCare Ritual of the Week - This week, let’s focus on prepping our travel snack kits. Whether you're headed across the country or just out for a day trip, taking the time to pack thoughtful, nutritious snacks can make all the difference in your travel experience.

Packing Your Travel Snack Kit:

When preparing your snack kit, variety is key. Here's how to build a balanced, satisfying kit:

  • Vegetables: Pack a selection of fresh vegetables that are both hydrating and crunchy. Cucumbers and bell peppers are perfect as they are refreshing, low in calories, and high in water content, which helps combat dehydration on long flights or drives. Carrot sticks and snap peas are also great for adding a bit of fiber and satisfying the need for something crunchy.

  • Fruits: Include a mix of vitamin-rich fruits. Apples and pears are robust and don't bruise easily, making them ideal for travel. Berries or a small container of pomegranate seeds can offer a burst of antioxidants and a sweet treat without the mess. Don't forget a small bag of dried fruit like apricots or raisins for a concentrated energy boost.

  • Nuts: Almonds, walnuts, and cashews provide essential fats, protein, and fiber that help keep you fuller longer. They're also packed with nutrients like magnesium and zinc that support overall health. For a twist, try bringing along some spiced or tamari-coated nuts for extra flavor.

  • Cravings Satisfier: It’s also important to include something to satisfy your specific cravings. If you enjoy something salty, consider lightly salted popcorn or pretzels. For a sweet tooth, dark chocolate chips or a homemade trail mix with a sprinkle of coconut flakes and cacao nibs can do the trick. Seaweed snacks are another excellent choice if you're craving something salty and crunchy but want to keep it healthy.

    By including a variety of these snacks, your travel kit will not only satisfy your nutritional needs but also keep your taste buds happy throughout the journey. Pack each item in separate reusable containers  to keep them fresh and easily accessible.

Remember Hydration: Besides solid snacks, don’t forget to bring a water bottle. Staying hydrated is crucial, especially when flying, as the cabin air can be particularly drying. Consider infusing your water with slices of lemon, cucumber, or mint for an extra refreshing touch.

Forever Young Essentials

This weekend, my longevity snack pack is enhanced with thoughtfully selected items like cashews, seaweed, mandarin oranges, and cucumbers. Each component is chosen not only to fuel the body but also to support thyroid, skin health, and the immune system:

  • Cashews: These nuts are notably rich in selenium, essential for thyroid function and instrumental in reducing oxidative stress. Selenium is vital for protecting cells from damage and for the production of thyroid hormones.

  • Seaweed: As an excellent source of iodine, seaweed supports thyroid health, aiding the synthesis of thyroid hormones that regulate metabolism and energy. It also contains fucoidans, beneficial for cardiovascular health by helping maintain healthy blood pressure and circulation.

  • Mandarin Oranges: Packed with Vitamin C, these fruits boost immune health and aid in protecting against environmental oxidative stress. Vitamin C is crucial for collagen synthesis, which supports skin elasticity and healing.

  • Cucumbers: Adding cucumbers enhances hydration due to their high water content, crucial for maintaining moisture levels especially during travel. Cucumbers are also rich in vitamin K and silica, which support skin health by promoting elasticity and combating free radicals.

Incorporating these snacks into your travel kit ensures you're not just quelling hunger—you're also nourishing and safeguarding your body at the cellular level, promoting vitality and longevity even while on the go.

ReLax & Recharge Destinations

If your travels take you near Palm Springs, I highly recommend visiting The Spa at Sec-he. This hidden gem offers a unique blend of treatments that combine ancient healing practices with modern wellness techniques. It's almost like a secret spot in Palm Springs, featuring a hot mineral bath, float tanks, quartz massage beds, and salt caves. Each of these treatments is designed not only to relax but also to provide significant health benefits:

  • Hot Mineral Bath: Soaking in a hot mineral bath can help improve circulation, relieve pain, and reduce stress. The minerals absorbed through the skin replenish deficiencies, boost metabolism, and promote detoxification.

  • Float Tanks: Floating in a tank filled with Epsom salts is an excellent way to achieve deep relaxation and mental clarity. The sensory deprivation environment helps decrease cortisol levels and can significantly improve symptoms of anxiety and depression.

  • Quartz Massage Beds: Using heated quartz massage beds provides a gentle yet effective way to release muscle tension and soothe aches. The warmth from the quartz stones penetrates deep into the muscles, enhancing relaxation and promoting better sleep quality.

  • Salt Caves: Spending time in salt caves, or halotherapy, is beneficial for respiratory and skin conditions. The microclimate in salt caves helps to clear the lungs of pollutants, reduce inflammation, and increase lung capacity, while also improving skin health by treating conditions like eczema and psoriasis.

These activities are not only deeply relaxing but are also scientifically proven to reduce stress and improve mental clarity. A visit to The Spa at Sec-he offers a holistic approach to wellness, ensuring you leave feeling rejuvenated and refreshed.

 

#CellCare in Action

I'd love to hear from you! What are your must-have travel snacks? Share your favorites, and I might feature your suggestion in our next newsletter! The Rose Infused Basil Seed Pudding Recipe you have been waiting for - check it out.

Less than 5 ingredients, anyone can make this.

 

From Reflection to Intention | #CellCaRE lifestyle

This week, I encourage you to reflect on how your travel habits affect your health. As we embark on new journeys, let's set the intention to nourish our bodies as thoughtfully as we choose our destinations.

nEXT WEEKS #CELLCARE WELLNESS SNEAK PEAK

Next week, I'll be sharing some top tips for maintaining your wellness routine no matter where you are in the world. Stay tuned for some practical advice that will help make every trip a rejuvenating one!


MAKE A DIFFERENCE BY SHARING THIS ARTICLE WITH A FRIEND ⤵


sending you all my love, inspiration & positive vibes

🌿 Dr. Bhanote 🌴


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References:

  1. 1. Montenegro-Bethancourt G, Johner SA, Remer T. Contribution of fruit and vegetable intake to hydration status in schoolchildren. Am J Clin Nutr. 2013 Oct;98(4):1103-12.

  2. Calderón Bravo H, Vera Céspedes N, Zura-Bravo L, Muñoz LA. Basil Seeds as a Novel Food, Source of Nutrients and Functional Ingredients with Beneficial Properties: A Review. Foods. 2021 Jun 24;10(7):1467. 

  3. Thring, T.S., Hili, P. & Naughton, D.P. Antioxidant and potential anti-inflammatory activity of extracts and formulations of white tea, rose, and witch hazel on primary human dermal fibroblast cells. J Inflamm 8, 27 (2011).


The information on this website has not been evaluated by the Food & Drug Administration or any other medical body. We do not aim to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any illness or disease. Information is shared for educational purposes only. You must consult your doctor before acting on any content on this website, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a medical condition. Our content may have affiliate links, through which we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. We only recommend products we sincerely love and believe will benefit your wellbeing. Thank you for supporting #CellCare Wellness!


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by Dr. Monisha Bhanote

✅ EVIDENCE-INFORMED REVIEWED ARTICLE

About the Author

Monisha Bhanote, MD, FCAP, ABOIM, is one of the few quintuple board-certified physicians in the nation. She combines ancient wisdom with mind-body science to naturally bio-hack the human body through her expertise as a cytopathologist, functional culinary medicine specialist, and integrative lifestyle medicine doctor. Known as the Wellbeing Doctor, Dr. Bhanote has diagnosed over one million cancer cases, provides health programs at DrBhanote.com, and leads wellness workshops and retreats worldwide. Featured in Shape, Reader’s Digest, and Martha Stewart Living, Dr. Bhanote serves on several clinical advisory boards and is a go-to health and wellness expert for Healthline, Psych Central, and Medical News Today.

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