CBD Lifestyle

Fun Things to do in Caledonia

I don’t know where you are in the world, but there are lots of fun things to do in Caledonia, Michigan; the small town where Green Wellness is located. We are close to Grand Rapids, one of the nation’s fastest-growing big cities, but there is so much charm to be found in our little community. If you are local, you probably know all of the secret spots I’m about to divulge,  but our small-town charm is limitless.

Camping

If you love camping, then you are going to love what Caledonia has to offer. The Indian Valley Campground and Canoe Livery (not my favorite name) is a phenomenal place to camp with either tents or RVs. The campground is along a river and offers a supremely relaxing place to stay. The sites are slightly closer together than I’d prefer, but our small-town charm also applies to people.

When I stayed there, people have been nothing short of generous, creating a very welcoming environment for all. Kids can always be seen playing on the playground or at the pond in the middle of the grounds. They also offer themed parties and festivities to keep you and your family entertained at all times. I would highly recommend camping here to anyone who has a love of nature and water.

Caledonia Concert Series

If you like lawn concerts, then the Caledonia Concert Series at the Community Green Park is going to be right up your alley. There are food trucks. There’s good music. You bring your blankets and chairs (coolers are welcome too) and get to sit back and enjoy the beauty that only live music can bring to a summer evening. The food trucks arrive around 6 pm and the music starts around 7 pm without any hidden fees. What you would normally spend on a concert ticket you can spend on delicious food, supporting our community, and enjoying the best that Caledonia has to offer.

Dog Park

Do you have a dog? If so, then the dog park is absolutely worth checking out. It isn’t a particularly large park, but that can be nice when looking for quality time with your furry friend. There are two different sections in the park and it’s completely fenced in, with a double gate for each section of the dog park. I felt very safe taking my friend’s dog there and there are doggie bags provided at the entrance and there’s usually a metal bowl and water on the park bench. You seriously don’t need to bring much to have limitless quality time with your dog.

Farmer’s Market/Produce Stands

I am obsessed with fresh produce. Whether it’s trying to grow my own herbs with my Click and Grow hydroponic system or buying produce at a farmer’s market, I swear the food tastes better. Caledonia is fortunate enough to have a regular farmer’s market with local produce and other booths. You can pick up locally grown corn, peppers, watermelon, and other goods like kettle corn or lunch from a food truck!

Good Eats

Speaking of good food, oh boy, do we have that here in Caledonia. Good food is not hard to find, whether it’s having a night out and going to a local favorite restaurant like Uccellos or checking out a local food truck. Even our little ice cream shop, Brink’s Ice Cream Express, has one of my favorite salads and the best french fries around. You can find great Mexican at Real Arriero or phenomenal Indian at Bangkok Chef. Whatever your pallet is craving, I’m sure Caledonia has it!

Pickleball

Have you ever played pickleball? This tennis hybrid sport is surprisingly fun for new players, like me, and within minutes I found my competitive spirit was in full swing. It’s easy to learn, easy to play, and easy to win (with the right opponent) so I was quickly obsessed. The pickleball courts are right next to the community pavilion so after your matches, you can unwind on the grass or walk to the library or get a snack at the grocery store. Perfectly located in the heart of our small town, it’s hard to resist the pickleball temptation.

Yoga

We are obsessed with Yoga Zen here at Green Wellness. Not only is Yoga Zen a small, woman-owned business, but the classes offered are some of the best that I have taken for both Grand Rapids and Caledonia. There are online options as well if you aren’t able to make it to the studio or you aren’t local, but it is worth making it into the studio. The space is very welcoming and the staff is supremely helpful.

Whether you’re a yoga beginner or a total pro, there are classes for everyone, and instructors are happy to help you. One of my all-time favorite things in life is when I’m struggling in a pose or I feel like I’m not stretching to my fullest extent and then having gentle hands helps me properly lean into a pose. There is even outdoor yoga offered in the summer and other fun-themed classes, some just for kids. Going to Yoga Zen is definitely a fun thing to do in Caledonia no matter your age or skill level.

What Does Your Fun Look Like?

Now that you know all the fun things that we do here in Caledonia if you’re local, what does your fun look like? Do you know of any fun things to do in Caledonia, Michigan that we don’t? If you’re from a different small town, what do you do for fun? We would love to hear from you about your small-town fun activities. You can reach out to us at 616-275-1039 locally or 888-772-7875 toll-free and by email at support@greenwellnesslife.com.

Summer Shenanigans

West Michigan has so much to offer, but when summertime comes around, it can sometimes be hard to think of things to do. We only get a few months to properly enjoy the beautiful Michigan weather and it’s important to make every day count because no one wants to waste that precious sunshine time. Wherever you are in the world, if you are near us here in Grand Rapids, I’m happy to divulge my secrets for summer fun. With such a short window, we want to help you find things to do in West Michigan in the summer!

Take a Hike!

If you are anything like me, then you enjoy spending time in nature. I absolutely love going on hikes and you can almost bet your life on the fact that if I have a day off at Green Wellness during the summer, I am in the woods. Since I have spent my time in so many different woods around the West Michigan area, I can narrow my recommendations to a few places. If you want to explore all of my favorite, you should read my blog on hikes, otherwise I would highly recommend checking out either Lamoreaux Park or Ken-O-Sha Park.

Lamoreaux is my favorite place to go for a quick 1.5 mile hike with the main loop having one side adjacent to Grand River and the other half is through the beautiful woods. I often go off trail to look at the gorgeous flora and fauna that often feels like they’re jumping out at you. Each time I go to this park, I feel like I am stepping into a land unforgotten. Who doesn’t want that for a summertime adventure?

Another really good place to go, especially if you have a family, is Ken-O-Sha Park. If you’re intentional about the time of year you go, you can see the salmon mating in the Plaster Creek. There is also a play structure for kids to enjoy and a wooden horn that you can sit in to hear the sounds or the running water more loudly. Both are truly beautiful West Michigan options when trying to think of something fun to do on a gorgeous summer day.

Don’t Forget the Gardens!

Walking outside and enjoying nature doesn’t have to be done wearing hiking boots and the Fredrick Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park is a phenomenal option. If you are from Grand Rapids, there is no way you haven’t been here, even if just for a concert, but that doesn’t diminish the beauty of a visit here. If you have children, there are so many fun family oriented things to do, including a storytelling garden, a curiosity courtyard, and interactive water elements for those really hot days.

There is so much to do if you don’t have children, too. If you are a plant lover, you will likely see flora that you have never even heard of either the different climate rooms or in the giant gardens outside. If you just like art, there are many historic and wonderous sculptures that you can check out. I have never had a bad visit to Fredrick Meijer Gardens. I have never brought a guest who wasn’t instantly amazed. If you want to make a summer memory, I would recommend checking out the Fredrick Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park.

What about a Movie?

Another great option for a beautiful summer’s night is to check out the Getty Drive-In movie theater in West Michigan, or whatever drive in theater is closest to you. If you haven’t spent an evening in the back of your car with pillows and blankets watching a movie on a giant screen, you are missing out. For the cost of a ticket, $12 for an adult at the Getty Drive-In theater, you get to watch two movies instead of just one, so it feels like you’re saving money by going to a drive in.

There are a four really large screens that show different back to back features that you can choose to watch from and the movie pairings often go really well together. For this theater the movies being shown are released week after week so you never feel like you’ve seen all that the theater has to offer. The Getty Drive-In theater in particular has a phenomenal concessions stand so you can still enjoy all of the snacks that are essential to any traditional movie theater experience. I really like the privacy that watching a movie in your own car offers. It’s almost like you have the theater to yourself. I cannot stress enough how fun of a summer activity this really is!

Don’t Forget a Snack!

Summertime snacks are also a quintessential part of any summer experience. Luckily in West Michigan we are fortunate to have access to a ton of farmer’s markets that can offer access to some of the most fresh and delicious home grown products. From local honey to fresh fruit, I have never left a farmer’s market disappointed or empty handed. It is always deeply rewarding knowing that I am supporting local businesses and the people in my community. Supporting farmer’s markets is a great way to help the economy, support those around you, and uplift your community.

The West Michigan farmer’s market that is at Cherry street here in Grand Rapids also usually has live music from local musicians so you even get a show with your food adventure. It is rare to see the market up and running without someone playing a beautiful song on the guitar or hearing a singer serenade you as you walk by. I can also sometimes find art from local artists, like prints of paintings, and some of my favorite jewelry has been purchased at farmer’s markets. I have a ring that I found at a market years ago that I wear weekly and I cannot imagine my life without it at this point. If you’re stomach is grumbling during these gorgeous sunshine times, check out the farmer’s market.

Keep us posted!

If you’re in West Michigan, let us know which, if any, of our fun things to do in the summer that you try. We would love to hear about your experience at the sculpture garden or what movie you saw at the drive in theater! You can reach out to us at 616-275-1039 locally or 888-772-7875 toll free and by email at support@greenwellnesslife.com.

Most of us never think about our thyroid. It is just something that exists in our bodies, doing its job. Yet if something goes wrong with the thyroid, it can create a host of problems.

Whether your thyroid is overactive or underactive, if you have a thyroid condition, you are likely all too familiar with the symptoms that may come with it; including pain, insomnia, and unexplained weight gain or loss. Untreated thyroid disorders can cause serious health issues over time.

Managing the symptoms of thyroid disorder can be challenging, even if you are currently being treated by a doctor for your condition. Below, we outline some of the latest research on CBD and the thyroid. Read on to learn more — and to decide for yourself if CBD is right for you.

What Are Thyroid Disorders?

The thyroid is a small gland located in the front of the neck that is responsible for producing hormones that are related to a number of vital functions in the body. In particular, the thyroid releases and controls hormones that control metabolism. When the thyroid is working properly, the body will have the appropriate balance of hormones to keep the metabolism working at the right rate.

Thyroid disorders — or diseases — occur when the thyroid makes either too much or not enough hormones. Either condition can cause health problems, including fatigue, weight gain or weight loss, and an inability to tolerate cold temperatures.

Hypothyroidism (or underactive thyroid) occurs when the thyroid gland does not produce enough of certain types of hormones. This may be caused by autoimmune diseases, radiation therapy, certain medications, hyperthyroidism treatments, a disorder of the pituitary gland, a congenital disease, and even some medications. Symptoms of hypothyroidism include muscle weakness, pain stiffness, and swelling in the joints, thinning hair, impaired memory, weight gain, and an elevated blood cholesterol level.

This condition is diagnosed through blood tests to determine the level of thyroid stimulating hormones (TSH) in your blood. Treatment involves taking a synthetic thyroid hormone medication daily. While these medications can successfully treat hypothyroidism, too much of this drug can cause problems, including shakiness, heart palpitations, increased appetite, and/or insomnia.

The flip side of hypothyroidism is hyperthyroidism, or an overactive thyroid. This happens when the thyroid gland produces too much thyroxine, causing unintentional weight loss, rapid or irregular heartbeat, difficulty sleeping, and other symptoms. It may be caused by conditions such as Graves’ disease, Plummer’s disease, and thyroiditis.

Hyperthyroidism is diagnosed using the combination of a physical exam and blood tests to confirm low levels of TSH. Additional tests may be performed to determine the reason why a person’s thyroid is overactive. Treatment may include anti-thyroid medications, radioactive iodine, beta blockers, or surgery to remove most of your thyroid. Each of these options carries side effects, including liver damage, skin rashes, joint pain, sexual dysfunction, and fatigue.

Can CBD Help Thyroid Conditions?

The cannabis plant contains a number of naturally-occurring compounds, known as cannabinoids. One such compound is cannabidiol, or CBD. Unlike another well-known cannabinoid, THC, CBD is not psychoactive and does not produce a feeling of being high or stoned.

The human body has an endocannabinoid system (ECS), which is responsible for maintaining balance (homeostasis) in our bodies. The ECS is made up of three components: endocannabinoids, receptors, and enzymes. The endocannabinoids bind to specific receptors in order to carry out specific functions. Enzymes then break down the endocannabinoids once they have carried out their function.

Research has linked the ECS to a number of processes within the body, including metabolism, chronic pain, motor control, sleep, muscle formation, and skin and nerve formation. Each of these functions contribute to homeostasis, or stability, in the internal environment of the body.

CBD and other cannabinoids interact with the ECS in order to maintain balance. While scientists are not positive about all of intricacies of how CBD works with the ECS, initial research has demonstrated that it may be helpful in several important ways, including addressing pain and inflammation, reducing anxiety, and suppressing seizures.

In addition, CBD could be useful for people who have thyroid conditions. This may be linked to the existence of ECS receptors on the thyroid gland itself. According to a 2002 study conducted on rats, this strongly suggests that cannabinoids may have a direct influence on thyroid hormone activity. In addition, these receptors have been found in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN), an area of the brain that sends signals to the thyroid.

In 2015, scientists performed a study on both malignant and benign thyroid lesions. They concluded that ECS receptors may serve as therapeutic targets to inhibit the growth of this type of lesion.

To date, there has not been a clinical study that specifically addresses the use of CBD for thyroid disorders. However, a number of studies have shown that CBD may help to manage the symptoms that are commonly linked to thyroid disorders, including pain, inflammation, anxiety, and depression. In this way, CBD may be a good option for those who suffer from thyroid disease.

Studies also indicate that CBD may influence the metabolism. The ECS plays a significant role in regulating the metabolism. Compounds that interact with the ECS, such as CBD, may allow individuals with a thyroid disorder to balance their metabolism.

While the research on CBD for thyroid conditions is still in its early stages, the presence of ECS receptors on the thyroid gland and in the area of the brain that regulates the thyroid is promising. If you suffer from hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism, CBD may be useful to manage your symptoms.

Interested in Learning More about CBD? Reach Out Today.

When your thyroid is over or underactive, it can wreak havoc on your body. Symptoms of thyroid disorder can range from insomnia to pain to weight gain or loss. CBD may be a good choice if you suffer from these or other symptoms.

At Green Wellness Life, we are not doctors, and cannot diagnose or treat any medical or mental health conditions. We can provide you with the latest research on CBD, and offer high-quality, independently tested CBD products. We encourage you to take a look at the studies on CBD, consult with your healthcare provider, and make a decision for yourself about whether to use CBD.

If you are curious about CBD may boost your health or wellness, we can help. You can start with our product finder to select the best item for your needs. If you need additional help or would like to learn more, call us at 888-772-7875 or email us at any time.

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