Blog - Julie Naturally | Teen Health Coach

How to get more energy naturally without supplements

December 10, 2020 by Julie Brow-Polanco

Have you ever woke up and an hour later, you’re ready to go back to bed? At times, I have felt that way and wondered why. After all, sleep should be refreshing, but maybe that’s not enough to give me the energy I need. So, where does energy come from? Quite simply, burning calories. But, why do we sometimes feel tired even when we’re getting plenty of calories? Well, a variety of brain chemicals and hormones may affect your energy levels. In addition, certain organ systems influence metabolism and and alertness. And third, nutritional deficiencies can affect energy production. Let’s …

5 secrets to staying calm in the holiday chaos

December 3, 2020 by Julie Brow-Polanco

We all know that things often get crazy when we’re at the relatives house. It’s noisy. Kids are running around everywhere, maybe bickering, maybe yelling, but definitely getting in the way, right! And, oh no! Aunt Sarah made that dish Michael hated last year. Or, maybe Uncle Eric brings up politics again. With all the chaos, we need ways to stay calm while we’re away from home because it’s nearly impossible to use our usual methods to relieve stress. And, our kids need ways for staying calm so we don’t have any embarrassing incidents. Here are five secret weapons to …

How to relieve stress in minutes naturally

December 2, 2020 by Julie Brow-Polanco

When we’re feeling stressed out, we can’t always get to our favorite method to relieve stress. We need to know how to relieve stress right there in the moment. One of the best ways to to do this is to learn our triggers so we can avoid stress in the first place. Relieve stress by identifying triggers Triggers don’t necessarily have to be physical. There are lots of behaviors, associations, or beliefs that can trigger you also. For instance, maybe a really stressful day with the kids can send you on a shopping spree to relieve the negative feelings. However, …

The best way to teach online computer coding classes

November 19, 2020 by Julie Brow-Polanco

When my kids were small, we didn’t do any computer-based lessons. I occasionally incorporated some educational videos and when I needed a break, I offered educational video games. For children under age 10, I truly felt that hands-on, project-based, and “analog” activities were best. However, as my kids grew older, I allowed more online learning. One of the things that drew their attention was online computer coding classes. The first thing my oldest son did was hunt for those online school sites. These sites offer tons of courses for free or for a low monthly price. I don’t recommend this …

How to enjoy stress free holidays: 7 tips

November 3, 2020 by Julie Brow-Polanco

This time of year is supposed to be joyful, but many times, it brings stress and exhaustion instead. It is possible to have stress free holidays, but we have to be proactive about it. Why do we get so stressed out? What can we do to change that? Here are some of my favorite ways to enjoy stress free holidays. 7 Tips for How to Enjoy Stress Free Holidays Some of the tips I’m going to share may seem counter cultural. But, holidays are supposed to be “holy days,” days of remembrance, peace, and joy. It is culture and propaganda …

Why is botany important? 8 benefits of teaching botany

October 13, 2020 by Julie Brow-Polanco

With all the focus on technology careers, math, and science, we might wonder, why is botany important? Why bother teaching kids about plants? Isn’t it enough that they know the basics? As a Master Herbalist, I’m biased, of course, but I have a definite list of answers to the question of why is botany important. Here are eight benefits of teaching botany. Why is botany important? 8 benefits of teaching it Many high school biology textbooks include botany as a small chapter buried within lots of microbiology and other topics. This may lead many young people to believe that botany …

How to Teach Kids About Plants: The Best Ideas Ever!

October 9, 2020 by Julie Brow-Polanco

I really hate how schools teach kids about plants. It’s soooo boring! If you really want to know how to teach kids about plants, don’t use a textbook. And, don’t make it a short little chapter in a biology book, either. I certainly didn’t develop my love for plants from those types of resources typically used in schools. The best ways to instill a passion for plants and the outdoors are through experiences with the plants themselves. Check out these favorites. How to Teach Kids About Plants Play with plants Some of my earliest experiences with plants involved pretending with …

The Best Food Gift Basket Ideas for Health Conscious

September 11, 2020 by Julie Brow-Polanco

Around the holidays, we often lots of food gift baskets available at grocery stores. Public and private schools often pass around fund-raising catalogs with these offerings as well. Why not go beyond the norm with some fresh food gift basket ideas designed for the health-conscious person? After all, many of the readily available ones include the same types of items year after year. Instead of giving another fruit basket, check out these ideas. Or, maybe there’s a person on your list who’s a runner, hiker, or other fitness enthusiast. You could create a healthy gift basket tailored just for them. …

Five Healthy Gift Basket Ideas They’ll Love

September 5, 2020 by Julie Brow-Polanco

I love filling gift baskets. It’s super fun to design and build that personalized little package. I get to add unusual items that would seem a bit goofy all by themselves. I mean, who wraps a body brush, right? But, in a healthy gift basket, it makes sense. In this post, I’ve put together some great ideas for those active people in your life. For more ideas, check out food gift baskets for healthy diets. The ones below are especially perfect for men. Check them out! The Basket For Fitness Enthusiasts If there is someone in your life that cares …

Homeschool Math Curriculum: Best Options for High School

August 25, 2020 by Julie Brow-Polanco

Trying to unschool upper level math requires a lot of thought and sometimes, work, on the parent’s part. And, if you live in a highly regulated state, the challenges become even greater. It’s often time to look at homeschool math curriculum, especially if you don’t have the time or inclination to try to piece together random free options, borrowed books, and conversations with math lovers. After all, how do you document random algebraic problem-solving, especially if you are trying to apply algebra in everyday life? And, if your students are college-bound (or even need a 2-year degree), do they know …

How to set up immersion learning experiences

July 17, 2020 by Julie Brow-Polanco

Immersion learning is often affiliated with learning a new language. You learn how to speak the language by living among those who are native speakers. This is how infants learn to speak. But, immersion learning also occurs in other settings. We learn to cook by cooking. We learn to drive by driving. And, so on. In fact, this is a way of life for unschoolers. We assume that a child will learn by doing. However, we don’t always live a lifestyle conducive to this. It’s easy to learn about animals and plants through farming. But, what if you don’t farm? …

Alternatives to Traditional College Teens Need to Know About

June 16, 2020 by Julie Brow-Polanco

Unlike a lot of parents, I don’t think every kid should go to college. In fact, for many kids, it’s not the best choice. They should consider alternatives to traditional college. Why? Because some kids just don’t have aptitude. Some kids have aptitude but lack other necessary skills for success. And, a lot of teens start college and don’t finish or, they take an extra year (or two) to finish. That’s because they start college without knowing why they’re there. Prevent that at all costs! They should take a career assessment tool to help them. Otherwise, they may become one …

Using a Bible Commentary Gives Bible Study Depth

June 9, 2020 by Julie Brow-Polanco

Whenever I write Bible studies, I always use a variety of authoritative sources to help me. These usually include a Bible commentary, a concordance, a Bible dictionary, and study notes from other established sources. Some of these sources pose challenges for me. For one, the writing is almost always super tiny. Second, flipping through huge tomes to find meanings of words and scholarly interpretation takes a lot of time. I sometimes get lost in those books! It can also get confusing. I hesitate to set my high schooler loose on those books. I think it would overwhelm her, even though …

How to Teach Writing Skills to Older Kids

June 4, 2020 by Julie Brow-Polanco

A writer is a person who writes about stuff. In order to write about stuff, you have to know stuff and do stuff. That sounds really basic and juvenile, but it is the reason why I am against writing programs for children under twelve years old. Most of the writing prompts for younger children aren’t very exciting and they know it. But we do need to know how to teach writing skills to teenagers. A teenager has more to say than, “I did this and then I did this.” A lot of journal prompts for younger kids ask for those …

Learning outside inspires new interests

May 29, 2020 by Julie Brow-Polanco

Now that we can get outside and enjoy nicer weather, our spirits rise. But, what do we do outside? There are many benefits to outdoor play, but what if your kids are older? What can they be learning outside? Farmers and gardeners might not have this problem because there’s always something that needs to be done. However, most of us need some ideas other than grilling or playing catch. My younger son complains a lot about this. “But, what do we DO? There’s nothing to DO,” he laments. Well, I know that learning outside inspires new interests because I’ve been …

Does your body need a cleansing spring fast?

May 25, 2020 by Julie Brow-Polanco

Well, spring has come and now we start thinking about getting outside more, healthy eating, summer fun, and yes, a spring fast. Why a spring fast? Doing a spring fast has a long history. It’s not just a more recent food fad. And, sometimes taking a look back can help inform our present. Historical Necessity For most of history, the spring equinox meant a spring fast. When people were bound to the earth’s natural cycles of abundance and scarcity, springtime brought scarcity of food stores. All those stored carrots, beets, potatoes, squashes, and dried, salted meats were gone by then. …

Natural Remedies for Seasonal Allergies

May 15, 2020 by Julie Brow-Polanco

While there is no cure for seasonal allergies, natural remedies for seasonal allergies may offer your body what it needs to heal itself. When I was a girl, I used conventional over-the-counter remedies for years. I hated spring and summer because I always felt miserable. Even though the drugs helped, they made me feel weird. I suffered repeated nosebleeds and almost every fall, I developed a sinus infection. But, then the over-the-counter medications didn’t help anymore and I needed stronger and stronger prescription antihistamines to get relief from all the sneezing and itching and watery eyes. It was only through …

How to reduce allergy symptoms with daily habits

May 14, 2020 by Julie Brow-Polanco

While some habits make allergies worse, you can learn how to reduce allergy symptoms with daily habits. These habits are simple to do and can make a big difference in how good or bad you feel. Because, let’s face it, natural remedies for allergies work better if our symptoms are milder. And, if we’re using over-the-counter or prescription medications, we would prefer not to rely on them completely. In my own experience (when I was a teenager), I developed a tolerance for them over time and every year, I needed stronger and stronger medication. So, don’t let that happen to …

Benefits of Spring Greens

May 11, 2020 by Julie Brow-Polanco

I am always amazed at God’s provision for us! As winter ends, what are the first plants growing in our gardens? Greens. The benefits of spring greens show God’s eternal care for us. He gives us exactly what we need at the time we need it if we pay attention and eat seasonally. In colder months, we crave heavy and warm foods and during hotter months our bodies crave cool and refreshing foods. And, those are exactly the foods available! Springtime brings an abundance of fresh fruits and vegetables; the majority being fresh greens. Greens that are in season include …

How to Get a Better Night Sleep Naturally

April 12, 2020 by Julie Brow-Polanco

An often-overlooked aspect to creating more calm in your life is your physical health. When your body feels better, you’re bound to have an improved mental outlook. A key component to better health is learning how to get a better night sleep naturally. This can be difficult for many of us when our lives are jam-packed and our minds are constantly on overload. I totally understand, friend! I remember when my children were little, I found myself folding laundry at midnight. Never mind the fact that my children woke up by 7am (which, of course, meant that I was up …

Personalized Learning Options for College You Need to Consider

March 13, 2020 by Julie Brow-Polanco

Recently, my younger daughter (who is now in high school) and I were discussing future career plans and finding personalized learning options. Her older sister chose to pursue an Associates degree program in nuclear medicine technology and her older brother chose to pursue an innovative apprenticeship program in marketing/business. I wanted to know her thoughts for the future. She fiddled with the pen in front of her. “Well, I definitely want to do something challenging that uses my brain,” she said. What career doesn’t use your brain?, I thought. “Okay. So, what are you thinking?” “Well, maybe a crime scene …

How to Unschool College Readiness with Mr. D Math

March 2, 2020 by Julie Brow-Polanco

Recently, my oldest daughter changed her career choice from freelance graphic designer/virtual assistant to pursue becoming a nuclear medicine technician instead. (What’s that? It’s the person who does the CT and MRI scans.) Quite a switch, but it’s a solid choice for her in her current life circumstances. Not what I expected, given my perspective on college. But, as I’ve always pointed out, health care is one of the few fields that require college no matter what profession you pursue–whether pediatrician or technician or anything in between. And, I definitely support my daughter’s choice and want to do whatever I …

A New Romans Study Guide for Women

February 24, 2020 by Julie Brow-Polanco

Have you ever struggled with what book of the Bible to read next? I try to carve out daily Bible time, but devotions can sometimes seem superficial and I crave more nourishing spiritual food. So, instead of the devotions, I choose to tackle a whole book. But, I’d appreciate some guidance so I can really dig deep. Let’s say I decide to read Romans. Now, comes the hard part– finding a Romans study guide for women. Not that Romans has a special message just for women, but it might be nice to study it from a woman’s perspective. However, most …

How to Promote Creativity: Some Tools and Resources

January 1, 2020 by Julie Brow-Polanco

This month, we tend to focus on productivity, new habits, and optimism about the future. It’s no wonder, then, that January is also International Creativity Month. A new year naturally opens fresh possibilities, new horizons, and novel ideas. But, did you know that many developed countries currently suffer a creativity crisis? Surprising, I know, especially with all the technological innovation going on. It seems that older generations were actually more creative, so we need to understand their wisdom for how to promote creativity. Obviously, those responsible for the current technology boom come from the Baby Boomer and GenX generations. What …