by Cascade Ice on April 13, 2023
Spring is here, which means the weather is warming up and the sunshine is sticking around for a while. With the warmer temperatures inevitably comes more sun exposure for your skin. You’ve probably always heard that the skin is the body’s largest organ, but did you know that when it’s not healthy, it’s not able to act as a strong barrier to protect you?
Your skin has many functions, but the most important role is to protect us from pollution, viruses and chemicals that are present in our atmosphere. Skin also regulates your core body temperature, protects important internal organs, and acts as a manager to maintain and control fluids (among many other things!). While many factors play into how healthy your skin can be, such as age, genetics, disease and hormones, there are several things you can do to better the health of your skin. Here are just a few quick, simple ways to keep your skin healthy and glowing all Spring and Summer long:
Control life stressors
While many of us lead demanding, fast-paced lives, keeping stress under control is a critical component in the health and well-being of your skin. Which is why some people may see blemishes pop up before a stressful life event. What can you do to keep stress under control? Try things like daily meditation practice, taking walks, doing breathing exercises and carving out time in your day to do things you really enjoy. Still feel stressed? Try to pinpoint what’s causing you to feel this way and take a good look at what you can change. After all, so many studies now are linking stress to disease, so it’s an important factor in your overall wellness. Take stress seriously and try to eliminate it from your life!
Drink lots of water
Most people assume they are getting the right amount of hydration each day, but, unfortunately they aren’t. And you can chug a gallon of water each day, but most times this will not help with keeping your body hydrated. So, what to do? Try adding some electrolytes to your water to help your body absorb water better. Carry a reusable water bottle around with you all day and aim to consume an ounce of water for each pound you weigh – more if you exercise. Regular water gets boring? Try Cascade Ice Water for something different and fun!
Get your ZZZ’s
Get your beauty sleep! Have you ever noticed how tired your skin looks after a bad night’s sleep? Well, there is a science to that. The National Sleep Foundation recommends that adults get 7-9 hours of sleep each night, and practice good sleep hygiene such as turning the lights low an hour before bedtime and aiming for the same time getting to sleep each night. Sleep deprivation can have a big impact on your skin’s functioning and appearance. And with only a little amount of sleep, your body doesn’t get the optimal amount of time each night to repair itself from environmental toxins and sun exposure. So, make sleep a priority and get your shut eye!
Cut out tobacco
Using tobacco products is one of the fastest ways to age your skin. It shrinks the blood vessels, which tanks the skin of the nutrients and oxygen it needs to look and feel healthy. Quitting tobacco products can prevent wrinkles and preserve your skin’s collagen. Trade the tobacco for a new healthy habit such as a fun hobby, a book club or a walking group. The more you make these healthy habits a daily thing, you’ll find it’s easier to keep cravings and unhealthy behaviors under control.
Use sun protection
While some sun exposure is good for your body to absorb Vitamin D, regulate hormones and give you a boost of energy, too much can be detrimental for your skin. To avoid sunburns from sun overexposure, try a daily sunscreen for your body and face. Also, make sure you’re tracking when the sun’s UV rays are the strongest throughout the day and avoid those times. Protect your body’s biggest organ with hats, sunglasses, and SPF!
What’s your favorite way to keep your skin healthy? Let us know in the comments below or share a photo! Remember to “like” and “follow” us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
by Cascade Ice on March 24, 2023
Spring break is just around the corner – the time when youth (and many adults!) take a break to bask in the sunshine and welcome the spring season. But did you know that one of the most popular cocktails in the U.S. (the name we won’t put here! 🤭) was created in Florida during Spring Break in the 1980’s by one savvy bartender. He wanted a way to attract the Spring Breakers and thought it was a catchy name for a cocktail that would certainly get young people’s attention, and the legend lived on. But most people love it for the sweet and tangy taste!
If you’re looking to maintain a healthy diet where you can still indulge in cocktails without the guilt, or simply trying to keep your sugar and calorie content low, we have a great spin on the classic cocktail that is easy to whip up. All you need is a tall glass, ice, vodka, peach schnapps, orange juice, cranberry juice and of course – Cascade Ice Sparkling Water! You can reach for low-sugar or “zero sugar” brands of juice at the grocery store, or simply use regular. Once this skinny cocktail hits your lips, you’ll feel like you’re on the beach no matter where you are!
Cascade Ice Bubbles on the Beach Cocktail
Ingredients
Directions
- Fill a tall glass with ice and add vodka, peach schnapps, and orange juice. Pour cranberry juice and Cascade Ice over.
- Garnish with an orange or mango wedge, or orange peel to serve.
What’s your favorite springtime cocktail? Let us know in the comments below or share a photo! Remember to “like” and “follow” us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
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by Cascade Ice on February 24, 2023
How are your New Year’s resolutions going? If you’re like most Americans, you may not feel as though you’ve succeeded in keeping them. That’s because research has shown that instead of making vast, sweeping changes to your health habits, human beings tend to be more successful if they instead focus instead on making small, healthy choices every day. So, what should you do to keep on the healthy living track? Easy, healthy hacks that you can put in place today! Hacks are shortcuts that make getting to our destination a little bit less daunting.
Below are 5 simple health hacks that anyone can do with minimal effort, time, and cost. Start with one and make it a daily habit before adding another. Soon you’ll be on your way to keeping healthy habits for a lifetime!
Take deep breaths
Breathing is the thing our body does instinctually, but as we get older, we tend to forget the importance of deep, belly breaths. Deep breathing for just 5 to 10 minutes each day can slow aging, lower stress and blood pressure, and improve mental clarity. Start by lying on your back and focusing on drawing big, deep breaths into your belly and out through your mouth. If you’re new to this, place a book or other object on your stomach and focus on the rise and fall of each breath.
Step away from electronics
Most of us struggle these days with depending on technology, and that dependence is slowly contributing to stress, depression and bad sleep. Start by shutting off your phone, laptop or TV for 30 minutes each day and work your way up to a full hour. During those times, think of something you love to do, like catch up with friends or family over the phone, going for a walk, or cooking. You’ll be pleasantly surprised how it feels to be freed from electronics and social media just for a short period of time!
Set and meet a daily hydration goal
There are tons of research that point to the plentiful benefits of staying hydrated. But most people just don’t want to chug a gallon of plain water every day. So, incorporate other healthy hydration sources in your daily goal. For example, upon waking, mix the juice from half of a lemon into your water to add vitamins and antioxidants. Or try some sparkling water varieties (we’re partial to Cascade Ice Sparkling Water!) to jazz up your intake. Even a flavored electrolyte powder is a nice change up to plain water that boasts all kinds of benefits! It all counts and goes a long way with keeping your body hydrated and functioning at its very best each day.
Get 15 minute of exercise
We get it – there are days that are so busy, you simply can’t make it to the gym or even think about going for a run. However, everyone has 15 minutes to spare in their day, and reframing the idea of “exercise” to include any type of physical movement will really help you to make it happen each day. Taking the dog for a walk, doing a quick yoga session, or even taking the stairs or biking to work count as physical exercise. Just make the goal of getting 15 minutes in each day and you’ll be surprised at how your physical and mental health get a big boost! Make sure you track what you do each day and hold yourself accountable.
Have a good laugh
There are many studies that have proven the vast benefits of laughter. It can boost your immune system, lower stress, and is considered nature’s medicine for your physical and mental health. But life is hard – what if you just don’t feel like laughing? Don’t overthink it! Put on your favorite comedy show, dress up in goofy outfits with a friend, play a funny board game, or attend a goat yoga class! The options are endless, but the importance of being around others and being playful will benefit your health greatly in the long run. So get out and have a laugh each day!
What health hacks do you currently do daily, or which ones do you hope to start? Tell us in the comments below or share a photo! Remember to “like” and “follow” us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
by Cascade Ice on January 11, 2023
It’s National Hot Toddy Day, and there is nothing quite like this traditional cocktail to warm you up during the cold winter months. But if you’re trying to stick to new year’s health goals or even “Dry January”, we have a fun spin on the classic that will be sure to keep you feeling cozy by the fire over the next few months!
There are so many great things about a hot toddy. It’s naturally less sweet (and less sugar) than most cocktails, and it’s super easy to make. Believed to have been invented in the 1800’s in Europe, the hot toddy is always a hit in the cold winter months because it’s served warm like a tea or coffee. Traditionally, they’ve even been suggested as a good cough and cold remedy, as it’s made with honey and lemon. And it’s easy to omit the alcohol to make a mocktail or simple home remedy for when you’re not feeling your best.
To make our spin on the hot toddy cocktail, you’ll need whiskey, honey, lemon, and some Cascade Ice Sparkling Water in Lemonade. Fresh cinnamon is a nice touch, or you could even add in ginger or cloves which have shown to have medicinal properties. Read on for how to whip up your own low-calorie, low-sugar hot toddy!
Cascade Ice Toasty Hot Toddy
- ½ cup hot water
- 2 oz. whiskey
- ½ oz fresh squeezed lemon juice
- 1 tbsp. Honey
- 2 oz. Cascade Ice Sparkling Water in Lemonade
- Cinnamon stick, optional
Heat water on the stovetop or in a tea kettle and pour into a mug or glass of your choice – make sure it’s hot but not boiling. Mix in the whiskey, honey and lemon juice. Omit the whiskey if making a mocktail. Top carefully with the Cascade Ice to the top, and garnish with a lemon wedge and/or cinnamon stick if desired. Enjoy!
Have you ever tried a hot toddy? What’s your go-to drink during the cold winter months? Tell us in the comments below or share a photo! Remember to “like” and “follow” us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
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