The changing of leaves and chillier weather can mean one thing and one thing only: Pumpkin spice lattes are back! PSLs, as the pros call them, are highly sought after during the fall season. Does it get any better than drinking an aromatic PSL while apple picking on a 70-degree weather day in October? Some may argue against that, but many people agree that that scenario is paradise. 

According to a 2019 survey from Green Mountain Coffee roasters, 35% of respondents said they would name their child “Pumpkin Spice” if it meant having the beverage for life. If that doesn’t indicate a collective obsession with PSLs, we don’t know what does. In addition to Starbucks, many coffee shops and chain restaurants have incorporated it into their fall menu. While that may be a positive for the PSL enthusiast, health experts are concerned about the toll this drink takes on the health of the general public. 

What Is In A Pumpkin Spice Latte?

The concept of consuming pumpkin, coffee, and spices is not unheard of. In fact, there are many benefits associated with pumpkins, fall spices, and coffee. Unfortunately, consuming these ingredients separately and consuming them in the form of a PSL is not the same thing. It’s kind of like saying that an apple pie is just as healthy as eating a handful of apples. One is a dessert and the other is a fiber-rich and filling snack. 

Let’s use a 16-ounce PSL from Starbucks as an example. The version with 2% milk and whipped cream has 380 calories, 14 grams of fat, eight grams of saturated fat and contains 50 grams of sugar. Just so everyone is aware, that is about 12 teaspoons of sugar. That not only exceeds the sugar in an average can of soda, but it also exceeds the American Heart Association’s recommendation that women should consume no more than 25 grams of sugar per day. Compare that to a cup of regular black coffee, which has no sugar and no more than 25-50 calories. Sorry to say this, but the PSL, much like the apple pie, is a dessert.

The Calories Don’t Fill You Up

Some data suggests that the calories from a PSL do not promote as much satiety as eating a meal with the same calorie count. Health experts say that people don’t register the calories they drink. In the case of calorically heavy beverages like PSLs, you may experience more intense cravings or hunger later. Not only does regular consumption of the drink lead to weight gain, but so does the unhealthy eating that comes later. Plus, the intense sugar rush you get from a PSL does unhealthy things to your brain. In the worst case scenario, you develop a food addiction. Case in point: there is no benefit you can get out of sugar in your diet. Excess sugar in your diet can lead to low energy, insomnia, cancer, and heart disease. Moderation is key!

Is There A Healthier Way To Enjoy A PSL?

We know that we may have ruined the PSL for everyone, but there are ways to make it healthier. When you order your PSL, ask the barista for half the amount of pumpkin spice sauce. You’ll get the signature pumpkin flavor you crave while lowering your sugar intake. Additionally, cut out more fat, calories, and sugar by opting out of the whipped cream topping. You also have the option to choose a variety of non-dairy milk options. Using coconut milk or almond milk in place of whole milk or 2% milk can be healthier. Just keep in mind that certain non-dairy milk alternatives can contain excess sugar. 

Should you really want to have a healthier PSL, we recommend drinking some chai tea because it has many of the same spices in a PSL. Include a splash of half and half for a creamy alternative and add some raw honey for a dash of sweetness. Just remember that a chai tea from a coffee shop may contain sugary syrups! If you make your own chai tea at home, not only do you save money, but your beverage can be much healthier. So embrace the fall season and start sipping PSLs in a healthier way. Also, as a final note, if you enjoy a regular PSL on a very rare occasion, you should be fine. It’s the daily consumption that causes long-term health problems.

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Food can be the savior you need at the end of a long day of work. That doesn’t mean you have to eat your feelings; rather, it means that a tasty meal can lift your spirits. And a refreshing dessert on a hot summer day is the perfect way to wind down.

Classically, most desserts contain a lot of unhealthy sugars, refined carbohydrates, and very little nutrients. This raw vegan peaches and cream recipe satisfies your sweet craving and offers many nutritional benefits. Many people refer to peaches as “the fruit of calmness” because they help to naturally lower stress levels. Reports say that eating a peach a couple hours before bedtime can promote more restful sleep. Plus, peaches offer a seductive sweetness with just the right amount of tartness. While they are available throughout the year, the best varieties are available during summer.

While you will not be opening a can of whipped cream, but cashew cream that pairs with the peaches may be better. Not only is it silky smooth, but it is a much healthier whipped cream alternative. Just don’t eat the entire batch by yourself because you’ll rack up the calories quickly.

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Nobody wants to walk by a mirror and see a flaky face that looks as dry as the arid Utah salt flats. Sadly, dry skin is par for the course during the colder fall and winter months. So what can you do to provide your skin with the moisture it needs during these times? Some people resort to special oils and high-end skin care products, but it’s much easier to use simple ingredients that nourish the skin.

That’s why we’re in love with the DIY frankincense whipped face cream in this article. There are several steps involved, but the ingredient list isn’t out of this world. You don’t need to seek out rare clay from the hinterlands of Nepal or saffron from the mountains of Brazil. Get your hands on some quality ingredients and your skin will love you forever. In fact, you’ll probably love yourself even more when you look at hydrated skin that looks like it could be in a beauty commercial. Let’s take a look at some of the standout ingredients in this cream. 

Ylang Ylang Essential Oil

Ylang ylang has antiseptic, antispasmodic, sedative, and antidepressant properties, and it’s a popular oil in aromatherapy. The oil is extracted from the flower of the ylang ylang tree, which is popularly grown throughout Asia. When you apply the essential oil on the skin, it helps to slow the signs of aging and combat skin irritations. A few preliminary studies found that the terpenoids in ylang ylang may be viable treatment options for numerous skin disorders. Several tests on cancerous melanoma skin cells found that the terpenoid compounds inhibited growth. In a nutshell, the antioxidants in ylang ylang essential oil help protect skin cells from damage. 

Aloe Vera Gel

According to dermatologists, the gel from the aloe vera succulent has healing and medicinal properties. The inherent antioxidants, amino acids, and vitamins have been known to benefit skin conditions like psoriasis, cold sores, and even burns and frostbite. When it comes to dry skin, aloe vera should be one of your go-to ingredients. The high water content (aloe vera is 98% water) helps to hydrate, moisturize, and soothe dry skin. Additionally, the skin easily absorbs aloe vera gel, helping to accelerate the production and release of collagen.

Frankincense Essential Oil

Distilled from the resin of the frankincense tree, frankincense essential oil has a woody aroma that has a hint of spice. Aromatherapists typically incorporate it into calming blends because it has sedative properties that combat stress. When used topically, frankincense helps to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and discoloration. The astringent properties aid these processes and the nutritional content promotes the growth of new skin cells. Frankincense also works to disinfect and tighten pores, which helps to reduce inflamed skin. 

DIY Frankincense Whipped Face Cream

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup coconut oil
• 3 tablespoons jojoba oil
• 3/4 ounce beeswax pastilles
• 1 cup aloe vera gel
• 10 drops frankincense essential oil
• 10 drops ylang ylang essential oil

Instructions:

• Add the coconut oil, jojoba oil, and beeswax pastilles to the top of a double boiler. Fill the bottom part with a couple inches of water and place over low heat. 
• Gently stir the oil mixture until it is combined and sufficiently melted. 
• Pour this mixture into a food processor and allow it to cool and harden. 
• Once it has hardened, break up the mixture with a fork and mix in about one tablespoon of aloe vera gel. 
• Blend the mixture for 30 seconds and then add the rest of the aloe vera gel to the food processor through the top while blending. It will take a couple minutes to thoroughly combine. 
• Once the mixture looks like a thick, fluffy lotion, drop in the essential oils and mix for another 30 seconds. 
• Store the mixture in an airtight glass jar in a cool dry place. You can apply this cream on any area of the skin that needs moisture. It’s best to use it after washing your face and patting it dry. 

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If you are like most Americans, you have already fantasized about drizzling gravy over your entire Thanksgiving plate. Some people have dreams about shoving pecan or pumpkin pie into their faces. Turkey Day is often the starting point for holiday weight gain, which carries over into the New Year. It has turned into a holiday that is less about thanks and more about grabbing seconds and thirds.

Most people lounge about the house all day on Thanksgiving and then head for the Thanksgiving spread to stuff their faces. Failure to break a sweat (from exercising, not standing in front of the stove) on Thanksgiving means that you don’t burn off the excessive calories you consume. It’s easy to get the blood flowing without exerting too much energy. 

Let’s Be Real For A Second

No single workout or sequence is going to torch those Turkey Day classics. A set of squats doesn’t burn off three slices of pie, nor does a quick workout sequence before the meal earn you some indulgences. Allow your Thanksgiving sweat session to be for your health, not to balance the food you eat. You’ll feel better, clearing your head and body of stress, which is all too common on Turkey Day. 

Turkey Squats

After you prepare the turkey, you have to preheat the oven. While the oven warms up, engage in some tabata turkey squats. Tabata workouts alternate between 20 seconds of work and 10 seconds of rest for a total of four minutes. Slide your forearms underneath the turkey pan and pick it up, holding it at chest level. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and start squatting for 20 seconds. Make sure to keep your back straight, squeeze your glutes, and drive through your heels when you push back up. Squat for 20 seconds and then rest for 10 seconds. Repeat the process for four minutes. By that time, your oven should be ready for your turkey!

Grocery Bag Lunges

We’re almost positive that you have some extra grocery bags in the house. Fill them with some canned foods or items that give you about 10-15 pounds per bag. Head to a hallway or area in the house where you can take at least 8-10 lunges. Hold one bag in each hand by your side and begin your lunges. Make sure that your knee doesn’t come over your toe with each step, and keep your back straight when you lunge. Make sure you do 8-10 lunges per leg per set. Complete three sets. 

Whipped Cream Intervals

Forget the electric hand mixer because you’re about to build some arm strength and break a sweat by making whipped cream by hand. Hold the mixing bowl in your left arm and a whisk in your right hand. Whip as hard as you can for 30 seconds and then rest for 10 seconds. Resume whipping and repeat this process until stiff peaks form. You can alternate between hands if you feel confident in your non-dominant hand’s whipping skills. 

Commercial Time Jumping Jacks

Working out during commercials is one of the best ways to break a sweat without missing your show. If you’re like most people who watch football on Thanksgiving, break a sweat during the commercials by engaging in jumping jacks. Do 20 jumping jacks and then rest for 20 seconds. Repeat this process until your show or the game resumes. You can take it up a notch by doing 8-10 burpees during the commercials, or you can plank for 30 seconds and then rest for 30 seconds. That actually brings us to our next workout. 

Potato Plank Mash

After you boil and strain the potatoes, you have to mash them. Why not go the extra mile and strengthen your core during the mashing process? Place the potatoes in a shallow dish and set it on the ground (make sure no pets are in the vicinity for this exercise). Get into a plank position with your elbows on the ground directly beneath your shoulders. Grab a masher in each hand and start mashing the potatoes in the dish while holding the plank. Try to limit the side to side movement by keeping your core engaged. Mash for 20 seconds and then rest for 10 seconds. Repeat this process until potatoes are thoroughly mashed. 

Leftover Lifts

Turn the inevitable game of leftover Tetris in the fridge into an exercise. Fill several containers with leftovers and hold them firmly in your hands by your lower abdomen. Stand perpendicular to the fridge and twist up to bring the leftovers to the top shelf, engaging your obliques the whole time. Complete 10 reps per side and then place the containers in the fridge. Do this with each set of containers that you have to place in the fridge. 

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You deserve to indulge in a little sweetness every now and again. You can either go off the rails and regret your poor food choices, or you can figure out how to turn classic unhealthy sweets into sweet and healthy treats.

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Coconut milk is rich in healthy fats that are easily absorbed by the body. These are the good fats! So now you get to feel good about eating dessert, and you don’t have to worry about consuming unhealthy sugars that set your diet back. It’s all about finding balance, people!

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This pie rawks! Thanks for laughing at that. We worked hard on that joke. Anyways, this pie is unlike any other raw vegan dessert that you’ve ever made. It is labor-intensive, so get ready to get down to some serious culinary business.

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