Spring is the perfect time to upgrade your health and wellness routine. After all, it is the season of growth and renewal, when temperatures begin to get more comfortable and plants begin to grow anew. What this means is improved weather conditions for you to enjoy healthy outdoor activities and more nutritious and fresh food options from your garden to fill your plate with.
As you welcome the happy changes happening all around you, there’s no better time to focus on your body’s needs. With the opening of farmers’ markets and the clearing up of your garden – preparing for a fresh set of crops – you can reintroduce an assortment of fruits and vegetables into your garden and diet that winter has deprived you of.
At the same time, the coming of spring gives you the opportunity to get plenty of exercise while getting work done in your garden. As you prune, fertilize, remove weeds and plan what to grow next, you can delight in the fact that you’re exercising all the major muscle groups of your body while conveniently burning calories. [1]
In fact, according to experts, light gardening can help an adult burn roughly 330 calories an hour. [2] Studies also show that gardening, as a form of exercise, helps strengthen your joints and improves flexibility. [3] What’s more, research has found that gardening is good for your mental health as it helps reduce stress and anxiety and promotes a positive mood. [4]
But your garden is not the only place where you can sweat it out while getting other things done. Spring is also the perfect time for cleaning, decluttering and “detoxing” your house. As the weather gets warmer, you can consider keeping your window open so you can let all the stale winter air out. Doing so will not only improve the air quality in your house but also allow you and your family to breathe more easily. [5]
But the best part about spring cleaning is you get to disinfect surfaces along with every nook and cranny of your home. While this may sound like a lot of work, spring cleaning offers plenty of health benefits. Like gardening, cleaning your house is a form of exercise that allows you to ensure a cleaner and safer environment for your family while having a positive impact on your personal health.
In fact, studies have shown that most cleaning activities done at home help burn up to four times more calories than just being sedentary. [6] A large study on the protective effects of being physically active against chronic disease also reported that doing household chores like vacuuming or scrubbing provides the same benefits as walking, running or working out. [7]
So as winter gives way to spring, take advantage of the opportunity to boost your health and wellness and make up for your winter lethargy. Spring brings an abundance of nutritious foods and a conducive environment for increasing your physical activity. As you work on improving your daily routine, let the Health Ranger Store support your wellness journey with our clean, lab-verified and timeless products.
How to prepare for the Spring Season
There is still more than a month left before spring officially begins. But the good thing about preparing early for the coming season is that you can take things slowly and plan things leisurely. To help you get ready for the season of renewal, here are some useful tips:
Prep your outdoor spaces
There’s no better time to start gardening than in spring. So before the arrival of gardening season, if the weather permits it, you can start clearing up your garden space and start preparing the soil for all the planting you have planned. This way, you can dive right into work as soon as spring arrives and sow your seeds as early as possible.
Some things that you can do to prepare your garden for spring include picking up dead branches and debris, disposing of fallen leaves, pruning sick or weak branches, removing weeds and fertilizing the soil to revitalize it. [13] You can also begin sharpening and repairing your tools while you’re at it and ordering flowerpots and seeds.
For the whole month of February, the Health Ranger Store is offering a 20% discount on all Ark Seed Kits products. This includes Ark Seed Kits Prepper’s Special – 5 All-in-one Kits, Ark Seed Kits Backyard Seed Kit and Ark Seed Kits Seed Growing Guide. Our premium heirloom seed starter kits are filled with power-packed, organically grown seeds. Labeled and sealed separately to aid with use and longevity, each of our seed-growing vegetable garden starter kits are packaged in self-sealed containers designed for long-term storage.
With over 20,000 seeds, our vegetable garden-seed starter kits provide a wide variety of fruits, vegetables and herbs for your spring gardening needs. Each backyard seed starter kit includes heirloom seeds for dry beans, green beans, sweet corn, snap pea, butternut squash, zucchini, watermelon, bell pepper, parsnips, beets, yellow onion, spinach, radish, cucumber, kale, lettuce, arugula, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, Brussel sprouts, tomatoes, dill, oregano, parsley, chives, cilantro and basil.
Meanwhile, Ark Seed Kits Prepper’s special contains 50,000 total seeds which includes seeds for 4-5 dry bean varieties, field corn, sweetcorn, snap peas, dry peas, winter squash varieties, summer squash, sugar pie pumpkin, sugar baby watermelon, cantaloupe, honey dew melon, bell pepper, habanero pepper, cayenne pepper, parsnips, beets, yellow or white onions, red onions, spinach, radish, turnips, mustard, pickling cucumbers, eggplant, kale varieties, arugula, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, Swiss chard, Brussel sprouts, rutabaga, leeks, 7 tomato varieties and 16 varieties of culinary and medicinal herbs.
For those planning a balcony garden or a vertical garden, we also offer Garden Tower 2™ Move and Grow Bundle and Garden Tower 2™ 50-Plant Composting Vertical Garden Planter. Our Move & Grow Bundle includes our patented Garden Tower® 2 and our heavy-duty locking caster kit. Recently named the “Worlds Most Advanced Vertical Garden Planter”, the Garden Tower® 2 features food-grade USA-made HDPE (non-toxic, BPA & PVC free plastic) components, FDA-approved dye and UV-protection antioxidant package for health, durability and recyclability. It is also backed by a 5-year manufacturer warranty. Now you can easily move your tower around your porch, patio or any hard, relatively even, surface.
Tend to your health*
Spring is the season of pollination, which means it’s also the season of allergies. The biggest trigger for spring allergies is the pollen released by plants into the air. People who are sensitive to pollen can develop an itchy throat, eye irritation and a runny nose upon inhaling pollen. [14] Because the latter, in particular, can make it hard to breathe, you’ll need natural remedies to help ease your breathing.
If you’re prone to developing spring allergies, essential oils are the best companions for you. These plant-derived oils or “essences” are naturally endowed with properties that can help you feel better in no time. You can either diffuse your essential oil of choice into the air and enjoy some relaxing aromatherapy or place a few drops on a tissue and inhale deeply. Here are some essential oils that can help relieve uncomfortable allergic symptoms this spring: [15]
Carefully extracted from the flowers of the Lavandula angustifolia plant using steam distillation, lavender essential oil has natural properties that can help soothe symptoms while helping you relax. Versatile and fragrant, Health Ranger’s Organic Lavender Essential Oil can be used not only for aromatherapy but also to make DIY soaps, lotions, perfumes, bath salt soaks, massage oils and insect repellents. It is non-toxic, non-GMO, non-China, certified organic and extensively lab tested for glyphosate, heavy metals and microbiology.
Another essential oil that most users swear by is peppermint essential oil. With its fresh, minty scent and abundance of beneficial phytonutrients like menthol, peppermint oil can help open clogged sinuses when inhaled, letting you breathe more easily. Extracted from the leaves and topmost flowers of the Mentha x piperita plant, Health Ranger’s Organic Peppermint Essential Oil contains high concentrations of menthol (50-60%) and menthone (10-30%), which are known for their invigorating, energizing and cooling properties.
Eucalyptus essential oil is also known for its abundance of potent phytochemicals that can help open up your sinuses and lungs. Widely used since ancient times for its naturally soothing properties, eucalyptus oil and its active component, cineole, can be found today in many products such as cough drops, syrups, vaporizer fluids and even mouthwashes. [16] Experience the relief this potent essential oil can bring with Health Ranger’s Organic Eucalyptus Essential Oil.
The inviting aroma of citrus fruits is known to not only calm the senses but also help clear and maintain airways. [17] This is why lemon essential oil has long been used in aromatherapy, especially in combination with lavender and peppermint oils, to help reduce congestion. Extracted from the peel of the Citrus limon fruit, its powerful cleansing properties and refreshing aroma make it ideal for use as a non-toxic cleaner and air freshener. Health Ranger’s Organic Lemon Essential Oil contains no artificial coloring, flavoring or additives and is vegan, certified Kosher and organic. It has also been lab tested for glyphosate, heavy metals and microbiology.
To help you fare better this spring, we also offer two essential oil blends that can support good overall health and wellness and help you breathe more easily. Specially formulated with organic lemon, organic cinnamon bark, organic clove bud, organic eucalyptus radiata and organic rosemary essential oils, Health Ranger’s Organic Immunity Essential Oil Blend is a great oil to diffuse this spring to help you enjoy everything the season has to offer without worry.
Health Ranger’s Organic Breathe Essential Oil Blend is made with organic peppermint, organic clary sage, organic tea tree, organic cardamom, organic eucalyptus radiata, organic lemon and organic laurel leaf to help clear your mind, improve your focus and provide a fresh scent to your home. With three components that are known for relieving congestion, this essential oil is sure to help ease your discomfort and allow you to breathe more freely.
Stock up on storable foods
Having a well-stocked pantry is never a bad thing. Whether you’re a prepper at heart or just stocking up early for the sake of convenience, having a diverse supply of nutritious storable foods not only allows you to enjoy seasonal foods all year round, but it also opens up a lot of culinary possibilities. But most importantly, it makes it easier for you to maintain good nutrition.
The Health Ranger Store offers a wide range of food staples that can last a long time in storage. For healthy organic grains that are both nutritious and filling, we offer Health Ranger Select Mega Bucket Organic Pearled Barley, Health Ranger Select Mega Bucket Organic Millet and Health Ranger Select Mega Bucket Organic Long Grain Brown Rice.
Rich in fiber, protein, vitamins and minerals, these off-season grains are excellent additions to a spring-ready pantry. Available in convenient and long-term storable 10 lb. Mega Buckets, our lab-verified organic grains are non-GMO, non-China, certified Kosher and organic. They are also thoroughly lab tested for glyphosate, heavy metals and microbiology.
We also offer gluten-free edible seeds that are excellent sources of plant-based protein. Health Ranger Select Mega Bucket Organic Quinoa and Health Ranger Select Mega Bucket Organic Amaranth are considered whole grains and have been consumed as such since ancient times. Because they contain all nine essential amino acids your body needs, these complete protein sources are highly recommended for vegans and vegetarians.
Health Ranger Select Mega Bucket Organic Flaxseed Brown is one of the richest sources of plant-based omega-3s. Versatile and nutritious, this incredible seed is also an important source of dietary antioxidants. [8] Sprinkle organic flaxseeds on your oatmeal, add them to cereals and baked goods, mix them into condiments like mustard or blend them into smoothies to support good health and nutrition.
A well-stocked food pantry would be incomplete without legumes. These inexpensive superfoods are brimming with essential nutrients, such as fiber, protein, B vitamins, iron, copper, magnesium, manganese, zinc, phosphorus and more. Whether added to soups, stews and salads, or cooked and enjoyed on their own, delicious and nutritious legumes are an excellent addition to a healthy, well-balanced diet.
Health Ranger Select Mega Bucket Organic Adzuki Beans, Health Ranger Select Mega Bucket Organic Red Lentils, Health Ranger Select Mega Bucket Organic Black Beans, Health Ranger Select Mega Bucket Organic Black Eyed Peas and Health Ranger Select Mega Bucket Organic Pinto Beans are vegan, China-free, non-GMO, certified Kosher and organic. They are also lab tested for glyphosate, heavy metals and microbiology.
Plan seasonal meals ahead of time
Meal planning is a great way to save on groceries and make use of what’s in your food pantry. It also makes it easier to determine the quantity of ingredients you’ll need to buy and allows you to incorporate as many nutritious foods into your meals as possible to ensure that your family is meeting their nutritional needs.
To make your spring meal plans a reality, you’ll need to have all the pantry staples ready. For instance, salt and sugar are must-have culinary ingredients that let you adjust the taste of food and drinks. Without them, your enjoyment of food will be greatly diminished. But more than just flavor enhancers, salt and sugar can also be a means of fulfilling your nutritional requirements.
To get more out of these ingredients, choose natural alternatives that offer more nutritional value. For instance, Health Ranger Select Pink Himalaya Salt Fine Ground contains a full spectrum of electrolytes and trace minerals that are usually stripped away from regular table salt. You can use pink Himalayan salt to bring out the taste of food, create an emergency rehydration fluid or a saline solution to clean wounds, preserve food and so much more.
When it comes to sweeteners, nothing beats natural sugar alternatives. Health Ranger Select Organic Monk Fruit Extract Powder – Low Carb Sugar Substitute is made from 100% organic monk fruit, the small, green melon that grows from the Siraitia grosvenorii plant. Monk fruit is a revolutionary natural sugar alternative that is packed with antioxidants and contains nearly zero carbohydrates and calories.
Health Ranger Select Organic Maple Sugar Powder is another healthy natural sugar alternative that is made from 100% pure organic maple syrup. Unlike refined sugars, maple sugar powder retains most of its antioxidant and mineral content, making it more nutritious. Some of the nutrients in organic maple sugar powder include manganese, zinc, magnesium, calcium, potassium, iron, copper, phosphorus and at least 30 different antioxidants, including quebecol.
Because organic monk fruit and organic maple syrup are much sweeter than regular table sugar, you only need a fraction of the amount you would normally use with sugar to achieve the same sweetness. Use organic monk fruit extract powder and organic maple syrup powder to enhance the taste of your favorite smoothies, shakes, baked goods, desserts and other recipes without any guilt or worry.
Cooking oil is another pantry staple that you can’t be without. One of the healthiest cooking oils out there is extra virgin coconut oil (EVCO). Although not suitable for high-heat cooking, this nutritious and versatile oil is perfect for sautéing, gentle frying and baking. [9] Because it undergoes very little processing, EVCO retains most of its natural nutrients, antioxidants and other beneficial components.
Health Ranger Select Organic Extra Virgin Coconut Oil is a great source of healthy medium-chain fatty acids (MCFAs), which can support healthy energy levels and optimal health. A highly versatile ingredient, our premium organic coconut oil can be used as a delicious and nutritious replacement for cooking and baking oil or added to drinks such as coffee, tea and smoothies. This premium oil laboratory verified for cleanliness and purity.
If you’re planning to do a lot of baking come spring, then you’ll definitely need butter as well. Here’s our answer to conventional butters that don’t last very long in storage: Health Ranger Select Organic Butter Powder is a delicious and versatile ingredient that has a much longer shelf life than regular butter found in grocery stores. In powder form, butter not only becomes suitable for long-term storage, but it also becomes portable and much easier to store since it also comes in #10 cans.
Made from organic butter (pasteurized organic cream) and organic non-fat dry milk, this premium butter powder provides an abundance of healthy fats, protein, carbohydrates, potassium, calcium, iron, vitamin C and other nutrients. You can use it for cooking and baking or for making spreads for your breads, biscuits and muffins. Our organic butter powder is non-GMO, non-China, certified organic and extensively lab tested for glyphosate, heavy metals and microbiology.
Speaking of baking, you can’t make yummy baked goods without flour. Health Ranger Select Organic Tigernut Flour (Gluten-free, Grain-free and Nut-free) is a starchy flour derived from the small, raisin-shaped, chickpea-sized tubers of the Cyperus esculentus plant. Because it contains absolutely no nuts, grains or gluten, it is perfect for people with food sensitivities or those who simply prefer to avoid the aforementioned ingredients.
Organic tigernut flour is much healthier and more nutrient-dense than most regular all-purpose flours and is an excellent source of antioxidants. You can use this nutty, slightly sweet-tasting flour not just for making pastries but also for creating a roux for your soups and stews. You can also use it to thicken jams and jellies, and as a binding ingredient for your meatloaf, patties and other savory dishes. [10]
Organic heavy cream is a tasty ingredient that is used to add creaminess and nutrition to various recipes. But traditional heavy cream has a very limited shelf life and can easily go bad if not immediately refrigerated. To extend the shelf life of organic heavy cream, it can be carefully dried and turned into a versatile and convenient powder.
Health Ranger Select Organic Heavy Cream Powder is a wonderfully nutritious ingredient that contains plenty of protein, calcium and other nutrients. Another spring pantry must-have, this convenient and portable powder allows you to add a delicious creaminess to your meals, from easy breakfasts and side dishes to simple dinners and desserts. Use it in your morning coffee or soups and to make whipped cream and butter for your baked recipes. [11]
Available in handy 8 oz. pouches and long-term storable #10 cans, our premium organic heavy cream powder contains no gluten or GMOs and is non-China and certified organic. It is also thoroughly lab tested for glyphosate, heavy metals and microbiology.
Detox your home
Detoxing your home is just as important as detoxing your body. Aside from restoring order in your house, cleaning helps ensure a cleaner, safer and more hygienic environment for you and your family. Having clean surroundings also promotes wellness as it minimizes your chances of getting sick from disease-causing germs. [12] But getting rid of pathogens doesn’t have to involve toxic chemicals that can seriously harm your health.
Introducing Health Ranger Select All Purpose Non-toxic Cleaner Concentrate Soap, a gentle but powerful formula that removes stains, grime and dirt without compromising your health or the environment. Unlike many commercial cleaning products, this all-purpose cleaner does not contain hidden toxins or strong chemical fragrances. It is made with wholesome, eco-friendly ingredients, such as saponified organic coconut, olive and jojoba oils as well as powerful essential oils, that make it safe for you, your family and the environment.
Your avoidance of toxic chemicals should not be limited to just surface cleaners – it should also extend to your laundry and dishwashing detergents. Based on a revolutionary formula, Health Ranger Select Laundry Detergent Powder is free of phosphates, petrochemicals and other harmful substances, making it ideal for the entire family. It contains only ingredients that are needed to keep your clothes clean and stain-free while being gentle on the skin and fabrics.
Like our premium laundry detergent, Health Ranger Select Automatic Dishwasher Detergent Powder is specially formulated to leave all your dishes squeaky clean without harming your health in the process. Unlike most dishwasher detergent brands, it does not contain chlorine bleach, a poisonous chemical that causes respiratory problems, especially during the drying cycle when the fumes are released into the air; synthetic fragrances that often contain phthalates; and sulfuric acid, a corrosive substance that can cause burns and asthma.
Our non-toxic cleaner is non-GMO and lab tested for glyphosate and microbiology, while our laundry and dishwashing detergents contain zero abrasives, lye, phosphates, bleach, dyes or perfume. These products were all crafted with your safety in mind and are well suited for your spring cleaning needs.
*These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to treat, cure or diagnose any diseases.
References
[2] https://www.everydayhealth.com
[4] https://www.sciencedirect.com
[5] https://cleanandsimplecleaning.com
[10] https://www.thespruceeats.com
[11] https://www.thepioneerwoman.com
[12] https://www.cleaninginstitute.org
[13] https://greenshipgardenus.com
[14] https://www.medicalnewstoday.com
[15] https://www.hackensackmeridianhealth.org
