Australian Natural Health — January-February 2018

(Brent) #1
Getting enough shut-eye is
imperative for health, with new
research from Harvard finding
that adequate sleep aids our
immune function, metabolism
and memory, along with other
bodily functions. It’s estimated
that we spend around one-third
of our lives sleeping, so let’s make
the most of it. Here’s a four-step
routine to help you along:


  1. SIP HERBAL TEA
    Studies have shown that drinking
    herbal tea in the hour
    leading up to your
    bedtime aids the
    parasympathetic
    nervous system,
    which helps you
    rest, digest and
    prepare for bed.
    We love Madame
    Flavour’s Soothing
    Mint, Lavender and
    Tisane tea, which has a
    relaxing blend of lavender flowers
    and peppermint gum leaf. $6.40,
    available at Coles and Woolworths.

  2. PUT DOWN ELECTRONIC DEVICES
    The blue light emitted by electronic
    devices suppresses melatonin,
    the hormone that controls our
    sleep cycle and circadian rhythms.
    So, ensure you make your
    bedroom a device-free zone.

  3. TRY A
    YOGA POSE
    Practising the
    yoga pose
    viparita karani,
    or legs-up-the-
    wall, is considered
    a restorative
    inversion that helps
    to relax the mind
    and body, preparing
    you for restful sleep.

  4. GET A SLEEP MASK
    Sleep masks block out the light,
    enabling you to get a deeper,
    uninterrupted sleep. The Slip Silk
    Sleep Mask is made from pure
    silk, which is a breathable, natural
    fibre that reduces skin irritation.
    $49.95, slip.com.au


KETO


COFFEE
1 – 2 shots of espresso coffee
15ml or 1 tbsp organic
ghee or butter
15ml or 1 tbsp Melrose
MCT Oil
80ml boiling water
Place coffee, ghee, MCT
oil and water into a small
blender. Blend on high
speed for about 10 seconds
until coffee is creamy
and smooth. Remove
from blender and serve
immediately.
If using cold drip coffee,
use 50ml.
If using filtered coffee
use 100ml.
If you are new to using MCT
oil, start with 1 tsp in your
keto coffee and gradually
build up to 1 tbsp.

It seems that your daily cup of joe might have long-
term health benefits, with researchers from the
University College London finding that drinking coffee
is associated with a 40 per cent reduction in liver
cancer risk.
TRY
To supercharge the health
benefits of your coffee,
experts recommend adding
a tablespoon of organic
butter or ghee and MCT oil.
Proponents of the ketogenic
diet – which contains a
low amount of carbs and
a high amount of fats –
hail the mood-boosting
benefits of this coffee.
This recipe is courtesy of
Melrose and the ingredients
can be purchased from
the Low Carb Emporium
(lowcarbemporium.com.au).

KEEP IT KETO


SLEEP EASY


16 | AUSTRALIAN NATURAL HEALTH naturalhealthmag.com.au


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