June News
June marks the official start of summer in this part of the world. This time of year can naturally, positively, impact health in the form of greater sleep and happier disposition.
Daylight affects two chemicals in the brain, melatonin and serotonin. When it’s sunny, the brain make more serotonin. High levels boost feelings of happiness and well-being. Let us embrace and enjoy.
Probiotics & Microbiome
Eczema ~ Can Probiotics Help?
Dr. Elisa Mercuro, DO, Functional Medicine Certified Doctor
Prebiotics vs Probiotics
What’s best for Your Health?
Dr. Elisa Mercuro, DO, Functional Medicine Certified Doctor
What Are Probiotics?
Probiotics are considered to be “good bacteria”. They are microorganisms that live in your intestines and aid in digestion and nutrient absorption. They are also said to contribute to a healthy immune system. There are trillions of microorganisms and hundreds of different strains of bacteria that inhabit your digestive system, and probiotics can help build up the good bacteria. Probiotic foods include yogurt, kombucha, and other fermented products.
What Are Prebiotics?
Prebiotics consist of fibers that and can be found in a wide selection of plant foods and help good bacteria grow in your gut. You can get an adequate amount of prebiotics from foods such as asparagus, bananas, garlic, berries, oats, onions and tomatoes. Prebiotics feed probiotics and help promote healthy bacteria growth in the gut which helps to aid in digestion.
How do Probiotics and Prebiotics Work?
Taking probiotics can help build up the good bacteria in your digestive tract. Probiotics can also replace . . .
Big Benefits Eating Fermented Food
Nourishment for people worldwide throughout human history.
By Kate Swords, CNS, Functional Medicine Nutritionist
Our lives have been tremendously affected over the last few months by something so small, it’s invisible to the naked eye. This tiny virus has forced us to think longer and harder about where we go, who we see, and what we touch. As more viruses, bacteria and other microorganisms present themselves in our world, the more we seem to fear exposure to ALL microbes. But bacteria have been present on earth for more than 2.5 billion years . . .
Free Online Event ~ Oral Health
What happens in the mouth doesn’t stay in the mouth!
Led by Kate Swords, MS, CNS, LDN, Functional Nutritionist
Free online class for Sparkle Health Members
Date/Time: Wednesday, June 19 | 6 – 7pm EDT
Location: Online
About this 1 hour event
Our Wednesday in-person classes have moved to virtual so that more people are able to attend. This class is free to all Sparkle Health members! Please register only if you are a current member.
We will be having a discussion on the mouth-body connection, looking upstream to identify root causes, and things we can do to bring the oral environment back into balance.
Homemade Sauerkraut
Probiotic Boost Every Day
Equipment
- (2) 1-quart jars or (1) 2-quart jar, wide mouth is ideal
- 4-oz jelly jar, glass fermentation weight, or your weight of choice
- Large bowl
- Canning funnel (not necessary but useful)
- Airlock (not necessary but useful)
Ingredients
- 1 medium head of cabbage (~2-3 lbs.)
- 2-3 carrots
- 1 onion
- 2-4 cloves garlic . . .
Special Days In June
Mark Your Calendars
June 1: Global Day of Parents, National Olive Day, National Trails Day
June 2: American Indian Citizenship Day, National Cancer Survivors Day
June 3: World Bicycle Day, World Cider Day, National Egg Day, National Leave the Office Early Day
June 4: Hug Your Cat Day, National Cheese Day
June 5: World Environment Day, Hot Air Balloon Day, Global Running Day
June 6: World War II D-Day Anniversary, National Drive-In Movie Day
June 8: World Ocean Day, National Best Friends Day
June 9: National Strawberry Rhubarb Pie Day
June 10: Herbs and Spices Day, National Iced Tea Day
June 11: National Corn on the Cob Day, Making Life Beautiful Day
June 12: National Red Rose Day, National Loving Day
June 13: National Sewing Machine Day, National Weed Your Garden Day, National Jerky Day, National Career Nurse Assistants Day
June 14: The U.S. Army Birthday, Flag Day, National New Mexico Day, World Blood Donor Day
June 15: Nature Photography Day, National Smile Power Day
June 16: Father’s Day, Fresh Veggies Day, National Turkey Lovers’ Day
June 17: Eat Your Vegetables Day, American Bald Eagle Day
June 18: International Picnic Day, National Go Fishing Day, International Sushi Day
June 19: Juneteenth
June 20: Summer Solstice/Summer Begins, World Refugee Day, National Hike With a Geek Day, National Seashell Day
June 21: Go Skateboarding Day, International Day of Yoga, National Selfie Day, Make Music Day, National Flip Flop Day, Take Your Dog to Work Day
June 22: World Rainforest Day, National Kissing Day, Great American Backyard Campout
June 23: International Widows’ Day, National Pink Day, Typewriter Day
June 24: Celebration of the Senses, Swim a Lap Day, International Fairy Day
June 25: National Camp Counts Day, Bourdain Day, Global Beatles Day, Goat Cheese Day
June 26: Cooking with Parchment Day
June 27: National Onion Day, National Sunglasses Day, Bingo Day, Orange Blossom Day, Helen Keller Day, National Handshake Day
June 28: Insurance Awareness Day, Tau Day, National Paul Bunyan Day, Alaska Day
June 29: Hug Holiday, International Mud Day, National Camera Day,
June 30: Descendants’ Day, National Meteor Watch Day, National Corvette Day, International Asteroid Day, Log Cabin Day
June Weekly Holidays & Observances
National Fishing & Boating Week (Starts 1st Saturday)
National Flag Week (June 9-15 this year)
National Camping Week (Last full week)
Lightning Safety Week (Last full week)
June Monthly Holidays & Observances
Adopt a Cat Month
Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month
African-American Music Appreciation Month
Effective Communications Month
Pride Month
Great Outdoors Month
Mango Month
Audio Book Month
Family Month
Fresh Fruit and Vegetables Month
Iced Tea Month
Perennial Gardening Month
PTSD Awareness Month
Rebuild Your Life Month
Rose Month
Zoo and Aquarium Month
