According to the Webster dictionary, a micronutrient is a chemical element or substance that is essential in minute amounts to the growth and health of a living organism.

Micronutrients (like vitamins, minerals and antioxidants) are different from macronutrients (like carbohydrates, protein and fat) because they are only necessary in very tiny amounts. Even with these tiny amounts, sometimes less than 1/1000^thof a gram, micronutrients are vital to the proper functioning of all of our body’s systems.

Some functions of micronutrients: 

• synthesizing DNA
• facilitating growth
• producing digestive enzymes
• helping keep a strong metabolism
• breaking down carbs, fats and proteins into usable energy
• aiding in bone mineralization
• helping with hormone production
• allowing cells to rejuvenate
• slowing oxidation damage or signs of aging caused by free radicals
• allowing muscles to move and helping with tissue repair
• protecting the brain

• Every system within the body depends on combinations...

The word Superfood has been spoken about so much in recent times, as people have become more and more conscious of all things relating to health and wellness. But, what is a Superfood? Is it an elusive expensive sachet filled with micronutrients? Or perhaps, superfoods are easily accessible to everyone! 

What is a superfood?

A Superfood according to the Oxford Dictionary is a nutrient-rich food considered to be especially beneficial for health and well-being. Superfoods have extra-large doses of essential vitamins and minerals in them which can help us ward off diseases and live a longer, healthier life. They can also be a great source of antioxidants, shielding our bodies from cell damage and helping prevent awful diseases in the long run.

As much as there are many particular foods which fall into the Superfood group, there are no set criteria by the FDA and American Heart Association as to what is and what is not a superfood. We do know that certain foods are highly...

If you walk down the aisle of the shops these days, you will find that most of the food we consume has been processed in some way or another. Whole foods, such as fresh vegetables and fruits, nuts, seeds, and whole grains, have likely been cleaned, trimmed, shelled, husked, ground, or wrapped and this is a type of processing.  

Processed food is any food that has been altered in some way during preparation.

The real question you want to ask is, how has the food you eat been processed? The answer is pretty simple, it is one of two options. There is mechanical processing and then there is chemical processing:

Mechanical processing includes food that has been peeled, cored, and/ or cooked, this is a more natural processing method.

Chemical processing is when anything is added to the single ingredient food, for example, sugar, artificial flavours, colourants, etc.)

Processed food can fall on a vast spectrum from minimally to heavily processed.  

Minimally Processed Food

...

Our gut is responsible for turning food into fuel for our bodies. It absorbs nutrients that support our body’s functions — energy production, toxin and waste elimination, hormone balance and overall health and wellbeing.

If we have a sluggish, “unhealthy gut” our body will not be able to absorb the nutrients we need for optimal health. This can impact our weight, mood, mental wellbeing and a number of other ailments.

Keeping our gut healthy boosts energy and ensures a healthy immune system.

Let’s talk digestion:

Digestion is how our body turns food into nutrients for the body to use. It starts in the mouth with our first bite. As we chew, we break the food down making it easier for our gut to digest it. At the same time, saliva mixes with our food and begins the digestion process changing our food into a form our body can absorb and use.

Many of us don’t chew our food for long enough, we wolf it down, skipping this important step in...

We’d love to share our family recipe with you for AMAZING sugar-free ice cream that tastes delicious and avoids the nonsense!

Ingredients

You will need:

1 can full-fat coconut milk or cream
¼ cup honey (maple syrup)
¼ cup almond butter
1 tsp pure vanilla extract 
¼ tsp sea salt

Instructions

1.   Place all the ingredients into a high-powered blender.
2.   Blend on high for 30 seconds, or until the mixture is smooth.
3.   Turn on your ice cream maker.
4.   Pour the mixture directly from the blender into the ice cream maker while it is moving.
5.   Let the mixture churn for about 20-25 minutes until it becomes a firm ball or the ice cream maker stops rotating.
6.   Transfer it into an airtight, freezer-friendly container and freeze that for at least 1 hour, or until it is completely frozen.
...

With a lot of conflicting movements in the health dialogue over the past little while, we at YOUnique Life have settled in on the concept of intuitive eating.

Intuitive eating is a lifestyle take on health, more than a set of rules to follow, and foods to avoid. It is based on the foundational idea that you know best what your body needs most.

It is a way of thinking about food differently, keeping track of the signals your body communicates to you and then eating accordingly. Intuitive eating is quite simple. When you have the right information available to you it’ll be easy for you to trust the natural way your body responds to certain foods.

Once you have mastered the art of listening to your body, you’ll find yourself with a fresh, new and open outlook on healthy eating and living. 

Here are 5 guidelines to an intuitive eating lifestyle: 

1. Listen To Your Body

Our bodies are designed to tell us when we are hungry and when we are full. It is important...

No matter how deep down inside, we as human beings all share a desire to survive, and to thrive. Whether we like it or not, eating is a healthy part of fulfilling this desire. If we don't eat, we won't live, but what we often forget is that what we eat and the way we eat can also change the way we live. 

A while ago, we sent out a survey asking people what types of blog posts they would find the most interesting and not surprisingly at all, 90% answered that they want to read more about eating for their health. 

This topic of health is huge and there is so much information out there, it can be overwhelming. In this blog, Kerry (co-founder of YOUnique Life) shares some of the insights she discovered along her way to health and vitality. 

Eating my way back to wellness

Not long ago, I found myself exhausted all the time and hit with cold after cold. I was also struggling with my weight and with stress. Being so tired with the plethora of conflicting health...