Featured - Page 16

Strange but Natural: Unusual Remedies to Rub on Your Knees for Pain Relief

2 min read | Author - Backyard Vitality

Knee pain is one of the most common complaints as we age or stay active. While pharmaceutical treatments exist, a surprising number of people turn to unconventional remedies—often found in kitchens or gardens—to relieve discomfort.

Large clinical trials may not always back these strange-sounding solutions, but the strength of anecdotal evidence shouldn’t be underestimated. Personal experience has long guided the discovery of healing practices, many of which later gained scientific validation.

Cabbage Leaves
Used in traditional European medicine, cabbage leaves are rich in anti-inflammatory compounds like glucosinolates. Wrapping warm cabbage leaves around painful joints may help reduce swelling and discomfort. A study in Clinical Nursing Research (2016) found that cabbage leaf wraps were as effective as cold compresses for osteoarthritis-related knee pain.

Castor Oil

Ricinoleic acid, the active compound in castor oil, has analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties. When massaged into the skin, it may help reduce joint inflammation. Anecdotal evidence and small studies support its use for arthritis and muscular pain.

Mustard Seed Paste
Mustard seeds contain allyl isothiocyanate, which may stimulate circulation and heat in the area applied, offering temporary pain relief. It has a counterirritant effect similar to menthol or capsaicin, distracting the nervous system from deeper pain. Use with caution, as it may irritate sensitive skin.

Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV)
Some people apply diluted ACV to their knees, claiming it helps “draw out” inflammation. While scientific evidence is limited, ACV has antimicrobial and mild anti-inflammatory effects, and its acetic acid content may contribute to a soothing sensation.

Banana Peel
Banana peels contain antioxidants like lutein and may have mild anti-inflammatory effects when rubbed on the skin. There’s limited scientific backing, but many swear by its soothing effect on sore joints.

Before jumping into invasive procedures or long-term medications with potential side effects, trying safe, natural alternatives can be an empowering first step. These gentle remedies often support the body’s own healing processes and may reduce the need for more aggressive interventions. At the very least, they offer a moment of intentional care—time spent connecting with your body and exploring what brings relief.

If you’re struggling with persistent knee pain, don’t underestimate the power of simple, holistic approaches. What’s strange to one person might be a soothing, effective solution for another.

Spring Danger in Disguise: Why Cherry Blossoms Could Make Your Dog Sick

1 min read | Author - Backyard Vitality

Cherry blossoms may be the highlight of spring, but they’re not as harmless as they look—especially if you’ve got a curious pup in tow. While they make for a beautiful stroll, parts of cherry trees can be toxic to dogs.

The problem? Cherry trees contain cyanogenic glycosides—compounds found in the leaves, stems, pits, and sometimes blossoms. When digested, they can release cyanide, a potentially deadly toxin. That said, the actual risk from cherry blossoms alone is low. Your dog would have to eat a large amount of petals or chew on numerous pits for serious poisoning to occur.

Veterinarians say swallowing a couple of whole cherry pits is unlikely to cause harm, but chewing through them can be risky. Even without full-blown poisoning, eating petals or leaves may upset your dog’s stomach, causing vomiting or diarrhea—especially if the material is decaying or contaminated.

The good news? It’s easy to stay safe. Keep an eye on your dog around cherry trees, especially those dropping petals or fruit. If your dog does eat part of the tree and seems off—panting, vomiting, or unsteady—contact your vet or call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at 1-888-426-4435.

For mild stomach issues, vets recommend skipping food for 10–12 hours, then offering a bland diet like boiled chicken and rice. But if symptoms persist or worsen, don’t wait—get help.

Cherry blossoms may be a seasonal favorite, but when it comes to your dog, a little caution goes a long way. Enjoy the blooms—but keep those sniffing snouts safe!

Are Your Nails Breaking? You Might Need More of This Vitamin

1 min read | Author - Backyard Vitality

Biotin, also known as vitamin B7, is a water-soluble vitamin that plays a crucial role in keeping your body running smoothly. While it’s most famous for boosting hair, skin, and nail health, its benefits go far beyond beauty.

Biotin helps convert the food you eat—carbohydrates, fats, and proteins—into energy. It also supports nervous system function, blood sugar regulation, and the production of fatty acids and amino acids, both of which are essential for healthy cell growth and repair. It’s especially important during pregnancy and breastfeeding, when the body’s nutritional needs increase.

Biotin deficiency is rare but can occur, particularly in people who smoke, drink heavily, are pregnant, or follow restrictive diets. Symptoms of low biotin include thinning hair, brittle nails, fatigue, skin rashes, and even mood swings or depression.

The good news? You can get plenty of biotin through whole foods. Adults are recommended to get about 30 micrograms daily, which is easy to achieve with a varied diet. Here are some top biotin-rich foods to add to your plate:

Eggs (cooked): One whole egg provides ~10 mcg
Salmon: 3 oz gives around 5 mcg
Beef liver: One of the richest sources—30 mcg in just 3 oz
Pork: Offers about 3.8 mcg per 3 oz
Sunflower seeds: 1/4 cup has 2.6 mcg
Sweet potatoes: 1/2 cup has about 2.4 mcg
Almonds: 1/4 cup contains 1.5 mcg
Spinach (cooked): Adds small amounts plus folate
Lentils: Provide both biotin and folate
Oats: A cup of cooked oats contains ~0.2–0.6 mcg
Bananas: Offer a small but helpful boost

To support energy, healthy aging, glowing skin, and strong hair and nails, make biotin-rich foods a regular part of your diet—it’s a simple way to boost your health from the inside out.

Making Your Own Protein Powder Is Easier (and Cleaner) Than You Think

1 min read | Author - Backyard Vitality

Why spend big bucks on protein powders packed with fillers, sweeteners, and mystery ingredients when you can make your own in minutes? DIY protein powder is incredibly easy to whip up and a smart way to keep things clean, simple, and tailored to your body’s needs.

Most store-bought powders rely on protein isolates, stripping away valuable nutrients like fiber, healthy fats, and essential minerals. But when you make your own from whole foods like seeds, legumes, and nuts, you keep all the good stuff intact. You get protein plus iron, magnesium, omega-3s, and antioxidants — without unnecessary additives or gut-wrecking emulsifiers.

You only need a blender or food processor, a few bulk-bin staples, and five minutes. That’s it. No fancy equipment, hidden sugars, or artificial flavors — just real food. You can tweak it however you want: add cocoa for flavor, turmeric for inflammation support, or skip sweeteners altogether. It’s your call.

Here’s a simple base recipe:

DIY Protein Powder (Yields ~2 cups / 16–18 servings):

½ cup dry roasted edamame
½ cup raw pumpkin seeds
½ cup hemp seeds
¼ cup chia seeds
¼ cup ground flaxseed
¼ cup almond flour

Grind the edamame and pumpkin seeds to a fine powder. Add everything else and pulse to combine. Store in a sealed jar for up to a month (longer in the fridge).

With about 8–10 grams of protein per serving, this blend is perfect for smoothies, oatmeal, or yogurt. It’s clean, easy, and cost-effective—that’s the DIY way.

How to Eat and Store Flaxseeds the Right Way

1 min read | Author - Backyard Vitality

Flaxseeds are a tiny superfood with major health perks—but to get the most out of them, it’s essential to know how to eat and store them properly. Packed with omega-3s, fiber, protein, and antioxidants, flaxseeds support brain function, digestion, and skin health and help reduce inflammation. But their benefits depend on how you prepare and consume them.

Whole vs. Ground Flaxseeds

Whole flaxseeds have a crunchy texture and nutty flavor, and they are great in smoothies or sprinkled over dishes. However, they’re tough to digest in whole form and may pass through your system without delivering their full nutritional value. Soak them in water for 10–20 minutes or add them to moist foods to make them easier to absorb.

Ground flaxseeds ( flax meal) are more digestible and ideal for mixing into smoothies, batters, yogurt, or oatmeal. You can grind your own at home using a coffee or spice grinder to keep it fresh and adjust the texture.

Flaxseed Oil

Extracted from the seeds, flaxseed oil is rich in omega-3s but unsuitable for cooking due to its low smoke point. Instead, drizzle it over salads, smoothies, or dips for a nutritional boost.

Tips for Eating Flaxseeds

Start small—no more than 1 tablespoon a day if you’re new, as the fiber can cause digestive upset.
Stay hydrated to help fiber pass smoothly through your system.
Use ground flax as an egg substitute (1 tbsp flax + 3 tbsp water = 1 egg).
Sprinkle on salads, toast, cereal, yogurt or mix into sauces and smoothies.

Storage

Whole flaxseeds: Store in an airtight container in a cool, dry place. They last up to 2 years.
Ground flaxseeds: Keep them in the fridge or freezer to protect their healthy fats—toss them if they smell rancid.

Flaxseeds are tiny, but smart preparation makes them mighty.

Bee Loss Crisis: U.S. Faces Worst Die-Off in History, Threatening Food Supply

1 min read | Author - Backyard Vitality

The U.S. beekeeping industry is facing an unprecedented catastrophe. Over the past eight months, hundreds of millions of bees have died, triggering what experts now call the worst bee loss in recorded history.

Blake Shook, a leading beekeeper, has witnessed massive die-offs firsthand across his operations. “I’ve never seen anything like it,” Shook told CBS Saturday Morning. “If this continues, the industry—and our food system—could collapse.”

Scientists are scrambling for answers. Dr. Juliana Rangel, an entomologist at Texas A&M, is researching potential causes, from shifting weather patterns to habitat loss. But so far, no definitive explanation has emerged.

The stakes couldn’t be higher. Honeybees are vital to U.S. agriculture, pollinating 75% of the fruits, vegetables, and nuts we grow—a market worth over $15 billion. Without pollination, crops like almonds would plummet from 2,000–3,000 pounds per acre to just 200.

“There is no almond crop without honeybees,” Shook emphasized.

One of Shook’s businesses now specializes in rebuilding hives wiped out by mass die-offs. The demand is overwhelming. Beekeeping groups warn that up to 25% of commercial operations could be forced to shut down by year’s end.

“I had a call from a friend who went from 20,000 hives to less than 1,000,” Shook said. “He told me, ‘I’m done.’ I’ve had far too many of those heartbreaking calls.”

This isn’t just a beekeeper problem—it’s a national food security crisis. If bee losses continue at this rate, Americans could soon see higher prices, lower crop yields, and limited access to the produce we depend on. The clock is ticking, and the bees are vanishing.

No Fail Houseplants For Every Room in Your House

4 min read | Author - Taylor Ramsey

It’s no secret that we adore houseplants here at Backyard Vitality. They clean the air, lift your mood, and bring a taste of the garden right into your living room. In fact, we believe that house is not a home without a few plants scattered across every empty surface. Sadly, many people are scared to get houseplants because they have a “brown thumb” or just “aren’t good with plants.” This list of no-fail houseplants will finally put those fears to bed, help increase your confidence, and allow you to decorate every room in your home with vibrant living decor.

The No Fail Veggie Anyone Can Grow and How to Do It

5 min read | Author - Susan Patterson

Are you ready to be a successful potato gardener? This versatile starchy tuber is easy to grow and can be cultivated by anyone with great success, even the novice gardener. The best thing of all is that there are endless possibilities when it comes to growing potatoes so everyone can get in on the action.

3 Reasons to Stop Using Peat and What to Use Instead

4 min read | Author - Taylor Ramsey

Peat is a fibrous material made up of partially decomposed plant materials and natural forms in the earth in locations that fulfil particular requirements. For instance, the climate has to be mild (not rising above a certain temperature), stagnant water must be present, and it will only form in anaerobic conditions, which essentially just means the the absence of oxygen. Peat is most commonly found in Russia and Canada.

The Dirty Truth About Your Old Pillow

1 min read | Author - Backyard Vitality

Over time, your once-fluffy pillow loses its shape and support, which can negatively impact your sleep and overall health. According to Dr. Rohrscheib, “A flattened or unsupportive pillow can cause your airway to become partially blocked during sleep.” This may lead to more frequent snoring and can even worsen symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), a condition that already disrupts breathing during sleep. If you’ve noticed you’re waking up more tired or snoring louder than usual, your pillow might be the hidden culprit.

Beyond sleep disturbances, your old pillow could also be harming your skin. As it ages, it collects oil, dirt, sweat, dead skin cells, and bacteria—especially if it hasn’t been washed or replaced regularly. Essentially, your pillow becomes a breeding ground for things that don’t belong near your face. No matter how diligent you are with your skincare routine, sleeping on a dirty pillow can undo your hard work, potentially leading to clogged pores, irritation, and persistent breakouts.

So if you’re investing in high-quality skincare but still not seeing the glowing results you expect, it might be time to take a closer look at where you’re laying your head each night. Experts recommend replacing your pillow every 1 to 2 years, and washing your pillowcases weekly, to maintain both better sleep quality and clearer skin. A simple pillow upgrade could go a long way in supporting your health—both inside and out.

Study Finds Just 5 Minutes a Day Can Improve Your Health—Here’s How

1 min read | Author - Backyard Vitality

If you’ve been putting off exercise because of time, here’s good news: just five minutes of daily eccentric exercise can lead to real improvements in strength, flexibility, and even mental health.

A study by researchers at Edith Cowan University (ECU) found that short, home-based workouts focusing on eccentric movements—where muscles lengthen under tension—can deliver noticeable health benefits for people with sedentary lifestyles. Think: slowly lowering into a chair or easing into a push-up.

Over four weeks, participants completed simple exercises like chair squats, reclines, wall push-ups, and heel drops—ten reps each—daily. Despite the minimal time commitment, the results were impressive: better muscle strength, endurance, mobility, and mood.

“Eccentric exercises are not only effective, but accessible,” said Professor Ken Nosaka. “They use your body weight, require no equipment, and can be done anywhere—even spread throughout the day.”

Why It Matters
Sedentary lifestyles are a growing concern. Only 19% of Australian adults meet both aerobic and muscle-strengthening activity guidelines. And as we age, fitness declines—by as much as 1–2% per year after age 30. Regular movement helps reduce the risk of chronic disease, fatigue, and injury, and supports mental well-being.

A Simple Start
While the official recommendation is 150 minutes of exercise per week, that number can feel overwhelming. Starting with five minutes a day makes it manageable—and effective. And according to Professor Nosaka, “Every muscle contraction counts. Start small, and build from there.”

So if you’re short on time, or just starting out, this five-minute strategy could be your stepping stone to a healthier, stronger life.

Strange but Natural: Unusual Remedies to Rub on Your Knees for Pain Relief

Spring Danger in Disguise: Why Cherry Blossoms Could Make Your Dog Sick

Are Your Nails Breaking? You Might Need More of This Vitamin

Making Your Own Protein Powder Is Easier (and Cleaner) Than You Think