As women enter their 30s and 40s, it’s crucial to prioritize physical activity to maintain optimal health. Exercise not only keeps the body in shape, but it also has numerous benefits for mental health and overall well-being. For women who are looking for natural and holistic ways to improve their health, here are some of the best exercises to consider:

Restorative Yoga 

Yoga is an excellent exercise for women of all ages, but it’s especially beneficial for women in their 30s and 40s. Yoga combines physical activity with meditation and breathing techniques, which can help reduce stress, improve flexibility and balance, and boost mood.

Powerful Pilates 

Pilates is another low-impact exercise ideal for women looking to improve their overall fitness. Pilates focuses on strengthening the core muscles, which can help improve posture, balance, and stability.

Raising the Barre 

Barre is a workout that combines ballet-inspired movements with strength training. It’s a low-impact exercise that can help tone the muscles, improve flexibility, and increase overall endurance.

High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT)

HIIT workouts are intense and fast-paced but incredibly effective. HIIT workouts can help boost metabolism, burn fat, and increase cardiovascular health.

Outdoor Activities 

Going for a hike, bike ride, or swimming can be a fun and effective way to stay active. Outdoor activities provide physical benefits and can also help reduce stress and improve overall mood.

No matter what type of exercise you choose, listening to your body and starting slowly is essential. It’s also vital to incorporate various exercises into your routine to prevent boredom and ensure that you’re getting a full-body workout.

Pulling It All Together

When it comes to reversing the signs of aging, many people turn to expensive creams and treatments that promise to erase wrinkles and give them younger-looking skin. However, the truth is that the most effective way to achieve youthful, radiant skin is by eating a healthy diet. The food we eat profoundly impacts our skin’s health, and by choosing the right foods, we can help reverse the effects of aging from the inside out. Eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables is essential for healthy skin. Fruits and vegetables are packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that can help protect your skin from damage caused by free radicals. Free radicals are unstable molecules that can damage your skin’s DNA and accelerate aging.

In particular, eating foods high in antioxidants can help reverse the signs of aging. Antioxidants work by neutralizing free radicals and preventing them from damaging your skin. They can also help boost collagen production, which is essential for keeping your skin firm and supple.

Why You Should Start Today

Another benefit of eating a healthy diet is that it can help reduce inflammation in your body. Inflammation is a significant contributor to the aging process, and it can cause various skin problems, including acne, rosacea, and psoriasis. By eating anti-inflammatory foods like leafy greens, nuts, and fatty fish, you can help reduce inflammation and improve your skin’s health. In addition to eating a healthy diet, staying hydrated is essential. Drinking plenty of water can help flush toxins from your body and keep your skin looking plump and hydrated. In conclusion, eating your way to better skin is the best way to reverse the signs of aging. Choosing a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and other nutrient-dense foods can help protect your skin from damage, boost collagen production, reduce inflammation, and achieve youthful, radiant skin from the inside out.

Banana Crumb Coffee Cake

Gluten-Free, Vegan, Serves 6

For the cake:

• 3 ripe bananas
• 1/3 cup coconut oil
• 1/2 cup coconut sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 cups gluten-free flour blend
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk

For the crumb topping:

• 1/4 cup gluten-free flour blend
• 1/4 cup coconut sugar
• 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
• 3 tbsp coconut oil, softened

Directions:

Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C) and grease an 8-inch square baking dish. In a mixing bowl, mash the ripe bananas with a fork until they are mostly smooth. Add the melted coconut oil, coconut sugar, and vanilla extract to the bowl, and whisk everything together until it’s well combined. Combine the gluten-free flour, baking powder, baking soda, ground cinnamon, and salt in a separate bowl. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the almond milk, and stir until just combined. Be careful not to overmix the batter.

Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish and spread it out evenly. To make the crumb topping, combine the gluten-free flour, coconut sugar, and ground cinnamon in a small bowl. Cut in the softened coconut oil with a fork until the mixture forms coarse crumbs. Sprinkle the crumb topping over the cake batter. Bake the cake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let the cake cool for a few minutes before slicing and serving.

Apple Bourbon Crisp

Gluten-Free, Vegan, Serves 6

• 6 cups thinly sliced apples (about 6 medium apples)
• 1/4 cup gluten-free flour blend
• 1/4 cup coconut sugar
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 2 tbsp bourbon
• 1/2 cup gluten-free rolled oats
• 1/2 cup almond flour
• 1/4 cup coconut oil, melted
• 1/4 cup maple syrup

Directions:

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease an 8-inch square baking dish. In a large mixing bowl, combine the sliced apples, gluten-free flour, coconut sugar, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and salt. Stir everything together until the apples are evenly coated. Drizzle the bourbon over the apple mixture and stir to combine. Pour the apple mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread it out evenly. Combine the gluten-free rolled oats, almond flour, melted coconut oil, and maple syrup in a separate mixing bowl. Stir everything together until the mixture forms clumps. Sprinkle the oat mixture over the apples in the baking dish. Bake the crisp in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes or until the topping is golden brown and the apples are soft and bubbly. Let the crisp cool for a few minutes before serving.

Cherry Couscous Salad

Gluten-Free, Vegan, Serves 4

• 1 cup gluten-free couscous
• 1 1/2 cups boiling water
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh mint
• 1/4 cup chopped scallions
• 1/2 cup fresh cherries, pitted and halved
• 1/4 cup chopped almonds

Directions:

Combine the couscous, boiling water, olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper in a large mixing bowl. Cover the bowl with a lid or plastic wrap and let the couscous absorb the liquid for 10-15 minutes, or until it’s tender. Fluff the couscous with a fork and add the chopped parsley, mint, and scallions. Stir everything together until the herbs and scallions are evenly distributed. Gently fold in the halved cherries and chopped almonds. Taste the salad and adjust the seasoning as needed, adding more salt, pepper, or lemon juice to taste. Serve the cherry couscous salad immediately, garnished with additional herbs or almonds if desired.

Ginger Chicken and Rice

Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Serves 4

• 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut into bite-sized pieces
• 1 cup uncooked white rice
• 2 cups water
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tbsp fresh ginger, peeled and grated
• 1 tbsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• Salt and black pepper, to taste
• 2 green onions, thinly sliced
• 1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves, chopped

Directions:

Bring the water to a boil over high heat in a large saucepan. Add the rice to the boiling water, reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 18-20 minutes or until the rice is tender and fluffy. While the rice is cooking, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken to the skillet and cook for 5-6 minutes or until it’s lightly browned on all sides. Add the grated ginger, garlic powder, cumin, salt, and black pepper to the skillet. Continue cooking the chicken for an additional 5-7 minutes, or until it’s cooked through and no longer pink in the center.

Once the rice is done cooking, fluff it with a fork and divide it among four bowls or plates. Top each bowl of rice with a portion of the gingery chicken. Sprinkle the sliced green onions and chopped cilantro over the chicken and rice. If desired, serve the gingery chicken and rice hot, garnished with extra herbs.

Get Started Today

Keeping your body free of toxins and free radicals is necessary to maintain a healthy life and a healthy mind. You can add tons of foods to your regular diet to help your body with its critical detoxifying processes. If you are looking for a safe and all-natural way to detox your body at home, be sure to check out my Balancing Abundance Program. Because detoxing is so essential and realistically, everyone should be doing it on at least a seasonal basis, I have put together a program to help you do just that. Here’s the thing, I know working with me one-on-one can seem challenging to get into (due to limited space), and I wanted to be able to give everyone an additional solution that has no limits. You deserve to be happy, healthy, and successful at everything you do, so here are some recipes to help set you up for success!

 Need A Hand?

A happy and healthy life is closer than you may think. We all have to deal with our health daily, which shows when we don’t feel our best. If you are tired of just making it through your day, you NEED to start investing in your health today! You are not alone on this journey. If you need help, I am always here to do that. Even if it is something as small as acting as a sounding board, do you have any questions or concerns I can help you with? Feel free to contact me directly at [email protected] or book a one-on-one call with me. Be sure to subscribe to gain access to tons of free goodies, and check back daily for more great recipes and information!