Welcome to Now Trending. Here’s what’s new in the world of natural health!
Wave goodbye to pain with Watsu water therapy
Relax and recharge with Watsu, a portmanteau of water and Shiatsu. This form of hydrotherapy involves therapeutic techniques such as passive stretching, massage, and acupressure.
In a typical session, a Watsu therapist supports the client in a Watsu pool while gently swirling and stretching the client’s body to evoke a sense of deep relaxation. In order to keep the experience as passive as possible, the water is kept at a steady 95° F to avoid changes in core temperature.
The goals of Watsu are improved mobility, flexibility, and overall quality of life; open energy pathways; increased psychological health; and tension and pain relief. Best of all, research has found that these effects were reported by all age groups—including young children and the elderly.
Sip on cacao drinks for big-time benefits
Looking for an equally warming alternative to your morning cup of joe? Try a cacao drink, another antioxidant-rich option. Made with cacao paste or powder, this beverage is pleasantly bitter and lightly sweetened—and takes the same amount of time as it would to brew a pot of coffee.
Packed with dietary fiber and magnesium, as well as powerful antioxidants and flavonoids, cacao has several proven health benefits. Numerous studies have shown that cacao may have a positive impact on cardiovascular health, inflammation, brain function, and mood.
To make a cacao drink at home, you’ll need:
- cacao paste or powder
- milk (or your favorite dairy-free alternative)
- maple syrup
- a pinch of salt
- cinnamon, cardamom, and cayenne pepper (optional)
Simmer ingredients together with a small amount of water until cacao has melted, whisking regularly. Use an immersion blender or whisk to froth the ingredients before serving.
Add beef liver to your wellness routine
Beef liver is having another moment in the spotlight thanks to its timelessly impressive nutritional profile. Containing ample amounts of iron, protein, vitamin A, and B vitamins, the benefits of eating beef liver include stronger muscles, better vision, healthier circulation and blood, improved energy levels, and increased physiological development.
When buying beef liver, opt for fresh or frozen high-quality organ meat from your local butcher. Grass-fed cattle will produce liver with significantly more phytonutrients. To glean the health benefits of beef liver without making it a regular part of your diet, consider beef liver supplements, which provide all the nutrients you need in capsule or powder form.
Prepare beef liver by cooking it to reduce or eliminate the risk of salmonella or E. coli (organ meats should never be served raw or frozen). Those who are pregnant should avoid beef liver due its high concentration of vitamin A.
Calm your mind and body with color walks
Take a meditative walk through your neighborhood using color as your guide. This is the premise behind color walks, a social media trend that combines the practice of mindfulness with walking. On a color walk, the aim is to notice an initial color—say a blue flower—and then let the occurrence of that color (blue, in this case) in your surroundings navigate the direction in which you walk.
Considering the many proven benefits of mindfulness (which include stress release, improved working memory and focus, and better emotional control) and walking (such as improved joint mobility, better quality sleep, enhanced mood, and toned muscles), it’s no surprise these activities complement one another so well when practiced in tandem.
There’s no recommended timeframe for the length of a color walk since the idea is to move intuitively. To get started on your color-walking journey, experts suggest starting small—even beginning with a single minute if you find the exercise challenging.
This article was originally published in the April 2025 issue of delicious living magazine.
