Jessica’s Superfood Peppermint “Mocha”

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The holidays are upon us!

Here in Colorado, it’s been a brisk below zero and so beautiful outside with snow covered trees and the sun shining down making the snow sparkle like diamonds. When it’s this cold, I always crave a hot drink in my hands. This week I got creative with my magic tricks in my cupboard and wanted to share my latest concoction with you!

Here is a snapshot of the crazy amazing properties the ingredients in this one drink has…

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Dandyblend (amazing for liver/gallbladder!)
Maca root (hormones, adrenal glands, energy)
Chaga (what doesn’t Chaga do?? It’s Rediculous: immune booster, cell regenerator, destruction of unhealthy cells…)
– Raw cacao powder (highest food source of magnesium, loaded with minerals, antioxidants)
– Albizzia from Jeff’s Best Hemp! (Amazing stress tonic and adaptogenic herb)
Sunnydew stevia from Sunrider (food for the pancreas to stabilize blood sugar, hormones, and digestion)
DoTerra peppermint essential oil (amazing for digestive system, mind, and energy)
DoTerra Cassia (cinnamon) oil (also amazing for digestion, liver function, and cell regeneration)
– Coconut oil (insert everything good here: metabolism booster, great for adrenal & thyroid function, weight loss…)
– SoDelicious coconut creamer-OR-homemade coffee creamer! ( amazing for the taste buds!)

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RECIPE

  • 2 C. Hot water
  • 1 Tbs Dandyblend
  • 1/2 tsp Maca powder
  • 1 dropper full of Surthrival Chaga (or other brand/form works)
  • 1/2 tbs. Raw cacao powder
  • 1/2 tsp. Albizzia flower extract from Jeff’s Best Hemp
  • 1 Drop each of doTerra peppermint & Cassia oil
  • 1 tsp coconut oil
  • Sunnydew stevia & coconut creamer to taste

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**All of the measurements and ingredients can be changed to your liking. To make your drink, mix all of these ingredients in your hot water until completely dissolved. Some over you may even want to throw it in your blender real quick to blend well. Just make sure not to crack your blender jar with the hot water! Speaking from experience…haha

 

ENJOY! Let me know how you like it!

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So I recommend having fun, because there is nothing better for people in this world than to eat, drink, and enjoy life. That way they will experience some happiness along with all the hard work God gives them under the sun.

Ecclesiastes 8:15

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FREE Healthy Call-A-Thon!!!

HEALTHY CALL-A -THON

Hey There!

Help me spread the good news about the subject specific CALL-A-THON being offered for FREE this week!
These calls are offered only once or twice a year and let me tell you, they are life changing!

I am SO excited about this week! Personal lives will be changed…families will be impacted…stubborn pounds will be lost…diseases will disappear…cancers will have met their match…and hope restored. All as a result of spreading the news about a secret weapon many are unaware of.

There have been countless people eat the Sunrider foods and dramatically improve their lives because someone cared enough about them to get them on these calls. Invite your friends and loved ones to get on the calls. They will thank you!

Call in to: 1 (832) 553-9635 PIN 9093 followed by # sign

 

THIS WEEK’S SCHEDULE

Monday July 22nd 6pm PST–Kandesn Skin Care
Tuesday July 23rd 6pm PST–Kids and Sunrider – Raising Healthy Kids – From Pregnancy through Teens
Wednesday July 24th 6pm PST-Digestion
Thursday July 25th 6pm PST–Immune System
Friday July 26th 6pm PST–Women’s Issues (Women’s call only!) – Menstruation through Menopause
Saturday July 27th 9am PST –Sunrider as a Business- How to get your Sunrider for free 

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If YOU have been wondering what Sunrider is all about and how/why it changed my life and is changing the lives of my clients, this is the BEST opportunity to listen to real-life stories and how it is affecting people around the world!

Talk to you there!!

In Health, Hope, & Happiness,

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Why it’s Good to NOT use Sunrider!

Do you ever start a healthy routine or a new superfood concoction, etc, and after a while because you feel so good and forgot what it was like to be sick, you wonder if this new lifestyle is even working for you anymore…

Maybe some of you can relate to me…

I’ve been using the Sunrider foods consistently for the past 3 years. INCREDIBLE transformations have happened in my health during this time, that I am truly amazed about. There have also been times during these 3 years where I have been out of Sunrider for a significant amount of time (months) and although I was so sad to be out of it, I am VERY THANKFUL that these Sunrider deficient times happened. Why? Because when I wasn’t able to use Sunrider, I REALLY felt how big of a difference it was making in my life!

Living overseas makes life a little more difficult for things like these. For instance, I not only have to pay shipping from the manufacturer to my California address, but then from California to Spain! I want to cry every time I see how much shipping costs, but THAT is how important these herbal tools are to me.

So, now, I am in one of those Sunrider droughts again. I ran out and have not been able to re-order because my husband and I are in a huge transition and have been traveling across Spain for the past couple weeks and staying with my in laws. Although I still have other superfoods and supplements that I have been taking daily along with great sleep, daily exercise, and eating well, my body is DEFINITELY missing Sunrider! For those of you who know my Sunrider story, hormones & digestion where my two weak areas…VERY WEAK. I didn’t have a menstrual cycle for 6 years! Isn’t that crazy!? I tried tons of supplements, acupuncture, etc, and nothing got the job done. 6 months into Sunrider my cycles began again and have been regular ever since.

Now I have been 2 months without these amazing herbal foods and my body is starting to act up again in. THIS is why I am SO thankful for these times without Sunrider, because my eyes are opened again to how INCREDIBLY POWERFUL they are!!!

So, yes, I guess you could say, if someone is a Sunrider regular and you’re not sure if it’s working, maybe go off of it for a while and see what happens! I DON’T however recommend this for someone just starting out as the first 6 months are usually the most important and transformational, so be patient and the key is consistency and eating enough to make a difference. 🙂

Check out my previous posts with Sunrider testimonies! These are AMAZING and I’m sure you’ll find yourself encouraged!

Join our FREE Sunrider community on facebook here!

Jessica@JessicaLopezRN.com

In Health, Hope, & Happiness,

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Costco Hepatitis A Berries- What To Do

I’m sure by now many of you have heard about the outbreak of Hepatitis A linked to Costco’s Townsend Farms Organic Antioxidant Blend Frozen Berries. I find it both sad and convenient for two different reasons. Sad of course because so many people who are trying to eat healthier and spend extra to specifically purchase the organic mixed berries bag instead of the regular ones, are now disheartened. And convenient because this incidence not only makes organic foods look unsafe, but it was the perfect reason to push the Hepatitis A Vaccine at everyone and their mother, and conveniently for free of course!

I know we all have different opinions on vaccines, and I save my thoughts for those who really want to hear them. Today, I want to share with you my recommendations for what to do if you have eaten some of these berries and potentially been exposed to the Hep A virus.

 

1. DON’T FREAK OUT

  • Let’s face the reality that what’s done is done. Stressing out about what happened is not going to help anything, but actually decrease your immune system instead, so be calm and by integrating the recommendations below know that you are empowering your body to overcome just about any virus, not just Hep A! How cool is that!

2. Cut out the immune system offenders

  • You have a machine inside of you that is the MOST powerful tool against viruses, cancers, diseases, pain, etc…it’s your IMMUNE SYSTEM. When we fall prey to one of these “bad guys” it’s usually because our immune system isn’t working properly and has become too burdened by toxins. Here are some of the top Immune System Offenders…
    • SUGAR- Read labels!
    • GLUTEN- Damages the gut (where 80% of the immune system is), turns into sugar right after you eat it, and encourages inflammation.
    • “DIRTY” DAIRY- regular pasteurized dairy is FULL of nasty things you don’t even want to know about, so just trust me on this one! It increases mucous formation in the gut and is inflammatory in the body.
    • GMO Foods- (Genetically Modified Organisms)  My brotha/sista, if you don’t know about this, you need to start reading! These dangerous franken-foods have the ability to splice your DNA, give you cancers, grow tumors, and make you sterile for life! NOTHING to mess around with!
    • TOXIC CHEMICALS ON YOUR SKIN!- These go directly into the blood stream, so PLEASE be careful what you put on your skin and switch over to non-toxic alternatives

3. SUNRIDER FOODS

  •  If you haven’t read the testimony I recently posted about a man who was able to completely get rid of his Hepatitis-C & liver failure, PLEASE READ IT HERE!
  • As you have heard me say before, the Sunrider Foods are THE MOST amazing tools I have EVER food to heal our bodies. Since Hepatitis can affect the liver, consuming 1-pitcher of Calli tea daily will be very helpful to cleanse this virus from the body. Quinary will support the 5-major systems: digestive, endocrine (hormonal), respiratory, circulatory, & immune- simultaneously ensuring you are functioning in tip-top shape. NuPlus will give your body the energy it needs to make the necessary improvements. And 1 more special tool you may want to add is called Alpha-20-C. This is the “immune system” component of Quinary and is formulated specifically to increase your defenses against outside invaders. I have heard UNREAL stories about terminal cancer patients, and very ill people taking high levels of this and becoming completely healed. This is NO JOKE yo!

4. Increase your probiotic foods & beverages

  • 80% of the immune system is in the gut, remember? Healing your gut is IMPERATIVE to have a killer immune system and optimal health. Probiotic foods & drinks such as raw cultured sauerkraut (with culture like Body Ecology) and Inner Eco or Body Ecology’s Cocobiotics are phenomenal to heal the body and raise your body’s defenses.

5. Get in the sun

  • Don’t be afraid of the sun, the sun is your friend and like a machine gun against invaders in the body. Try to get in the sun for atleast 20 minutes per day with a good amount of your body exposed and NO sunscreen. After those 20 minutes, you can put on a 30 SPF  NON-TOXIC sunscreen to prevent burning, because we don’t want that either. 🙂

6. Get plenty of rest & hydrate

  • And as usual, make sure you’re sleeping well and staying hydrated with pure mineral rich water. You should be drinking half of your body weight in ounces of water, so…if you weigh 150lbs, you should be drinking 75oz of water per day. That is NO 8-8oz cups is it? 🙂 Dehydration is a massive stressor on the body, so pay attention to that. 🙂 And try to get at least 7 hours of good sleep each night if you can.

7. Homeopathic Hepatitis A Nosode

  • This is something you may have never heard of before, but in homeopathic medicine (the most effective, non-toxic medicine on the planet!), you can get what is called a nosode of a particular virus or illness. The Nosode works as all homeopathic remedies do to help your body get rid of the condition. If you are diagnosed with Hep A or are very concerned you may get it, you can look into this option as well. http://www.elixirs.com/products.cfm?productcode=S97F

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I hope these recommendations help put your mind at ease and know you are not helpless in these situations. If you have any questions, you can always comment below or send me an email- Jessica@JessicaLopezRN.com. I go through healing the body at a foundational level in all of my programs, which includes the above and MUCH more at a slow pace so you can actually integrate it into your lifestyle. 🙂

Have an amazing day friends!!!

In Health, Hope, & Happiness,

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6 Ovarian Cysts- VANISHED & 30 Pounds Lost with these AMAZING Foods!

I am super excited to share this story with you all. PCOS or PolyCystic Ovarian Syndrome affects millions of women around the world today. Most women given this diagnosis are given a scary prognosis that includes infertility, weight gain, facial hair, and being on artificial hormones for pretty much…ever.

Today’s story is about a 24-year old woman named Amber whose life radically changed through the Sunrider foods. Here is Amber’s story…

(Story from Health Plus newsletter)

Hi! My name is Amber.

I live in Kansas, am 24 years old and have been using Sunrider Foods for 18 Months.

Five months ago I started being extremely consistent with the Sunrider foods by drinking my one gallon of Calli per day without fail and a few months after that added Fortune Delight.

Today I was working away at my desk when my phone rang. I saw that it was my doctor’s office and picked it up quickly. I was taken off guard when I said hello and my doctor answered with a shaky voice… “Amber, Dr. C here…I have received your results from your tests to day and I have a few concerns. I need you to go TODAY and get a sonogram.” Obviously I was shaken up. OK, I was REALLY shaken up!

About 5 months ago I had a sonogram due to a cyst rupturing. I was in the ER because of the excruciating pain and they found 6 cysts on my ovaries. One stood out because of he size, 6.5 cm, which is SCARY. I was told that if one ruptured I would be in excruciating pain again.

Today when I went and got the test done, the radiologist asked if I was on birth control and I said no. She looked at me in a strange way and said, “Usually docotrs always put people with massive cysts on hormones to make them taper away and not rupture.” I told her I had been on birth control since I was 15 years old due to heavy cycles.

Three months ago I decided to stop birth control because I knew that I had some major hormone imbalances in my body. She proceeded to tell me that I had probably added to my cyst collection because I had not been putting hormones back in to help the cysts go away. When she put the sonogram on me her eyes got large and I said, “What’s wrong?!?”

She said shockingly, “There is not one cyst on your right ovary!!!” Then she moved to my left ovary and, astonished again, said, “Not one!”

She said, “You are a miracle girl. What have you been doing?” I proceeded to tell her about Sunrider and the products I had been using. She also asked me if I had felt the pain from the 6.5cm cyst rupturing. Honestly, I had, had some pain, but nothing like what landed me in the ER before. I was amazed that my body had done that much in just 5 months.

In addition to the good news above, since beginning the Sunrider foods, I have lost 30 pounds and my skin has transformed from tired, wrinkled eyes to looking fresh and rested.

My husband testifies that my mood is much better and he notices I am not tired. Exercise is now a daily stress reliever and overall my whole lifestyle has changed. No more late night fast food cravings; salt and sugar are at a minimum and I never feel swollen (In June I couldn’t wear my wedding rings because they were too tight due to the swelling in my fingers; now they fall off and I really need to have them re-sized!) I plan on eating the Sunrider foods for life.

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WOW! Isn’t that an amazing story?! I personally know many women who have had incredible results with the Sunrider foods giving their body the tools it needs to heal from PCOS and many other hormonal issues such as infertility, anovulation (no menstrual cycle), thyroid disorders, adrenal disorders, and more.

Want to learn more?

Check out all my Sunrider info here- Sunrider Info

If you ever have any questions, you can email me at Jessica@JessicaLopezRN.com.

CLICK HERE TO JOIN OUR SUNRIDER FACEBOOK COMMUNITY!

 

THE SUNRIDER DIFFERENCE

EVEN BEFORE YOU LOOK AT THE FOODS AND PRODUCTS THEMSELVES, LET’S JUST MAKE A QUICK REMINDER OF SUNRIDER’S “ON-THE-GROUND” FEATURES…

  • Operates in 45-PLUS countries.
  • Over 30-Years of continual service to millions around the world.
  • Still privately held, by its founder, and is a debt-free company (Not many companies can say that!)
  • Family-owned and operated since 1982.
  • Self-manufactures every product.
  • Self-determined in all aspects of product formulation, development, and production.
  • Well over a million square feet under roof in the USA plus in centers serving other countries.
  • Recognised around the world as a benchmark of quality.

But all that is minor detail. Just eat the foods consistently and see the results that truly count.

 

In Health, Hope, & Happiness,

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10 Causes of Infertility

6.7 MILLION WOMEN IN THE U.S. STRUGGLE WITH INFERTILITY.

     Infertility rates have reached an all time high. U.S. birth rates have hit a record low that has destroyed families all over the nation. What is it that is causing this widespread epidemic?

     Every time a problem arises, we must find the cause. Unfortunately, the American mentality for some reason tends to avoid this common sense reasoning and focuses solely on looking for a “cure”. Sure, a cure is a wonderful thing to find, but in my opinion we are wasting so much of our resources looking for a “cure” for cancer, infertility, diabetes, obesity, etc, but we are completely avoiding looking at the common sense CAUSES of these issues.

     This week I wanted to highlight some of the main causes of infertility to help prevent more families from dealing with this heartbreaking condition, and if you have been diagnosed with infertility issues, hopefully these steps will help give you a guideline of healing what may be the root cause of your struggles.

1. Endocrine Disruptors

  • There are certain chemicals in our foods, plastics, and cosmetics that mimic estrogen and wreak havoc on the body, especially our hormones and fertility. Read more here…

2. Hormonal Imbalance

  • PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome), Endometriosis, Metabolic Syndrome (AKA Syndrome X), all of these common disorders that effecting fertility are related to hormonal imbalance in the body. We MUST learn how to balance all of our hormones via the adrenal glands, thyroid, sex organs, flush bad estrogens out of the body, and create a fertility friendly environment in both women AND men to increase odds of pregnancy. This is one area I go into detail in with The Empowered Woman program.

3. Chronic stress

  • Stress jacks up our hormones and creates a very hostile environment for pregnancy. Stress directly impacts our hormones, and our entire body goes into crisis mode. Think about running from a bear. When this happens, your adrenal glands kick in, your hormones shoot through the roof to make you run faster than ever and get you out of this potentially fatal situation. Now think about the bears in your life that are causing those same hormones to be released. When you’re running from a bear, the last thing your body is thinking about is “oh, let’s get pregnant right now!”.

4. Toxic Diet

  • What we eat is incredibly imperative to the health of a future child, even before conception. Eat organic whenever possible, eat whole foods, remove the main damaging foods such as gluten, dirty dairy, sugar, and processed foods, and start eating nutrient dense superfoods to boost fertility in both partners. Click on the following infertility culprits for more info.

5. Over Exercise

  • This may be a surprise, but overexercising can easily impact a woman’s menstrual cycle to the point where she doesn’t have one. If you are trying to get pregnant, it is important to have a healthy exercise routine that will keep you in shape, but not push your body too hard. Read more here…

6. Low sperm count

  • There are many factors attacking male sperm in our culture. Electromagnetic radiation from cell phones, computers, laptops, & i pads have shown to significantly reduce sperm count, medications, drugs, tobacco, environmental toxins such as creams, soaps, and colognes, and toxic foods all have been shown to impact sperm production and longevity. Read More Here…& Here

7. Environmental toxins

  • The chemicals in our household are some of the most dangerous to our health. We breathe and bathe in these endocrine disrupting, fertility busting toxins and without even knowing it is decreasing our fertility. Clean up your environment and DETOX YOUR BODY to give you and your growing family a healthy start! Read more here…

8. An over or under active immune system

  • Healing the immune system via healing the digestive system (remember 80% of the immune system is within the digestive tract), is critically important in preventing miscarriage and increasing fertility. An out of balance immune system can lead to multiple issues with pregnancy. Having a healthy digestive system free of candida is also one of the BEST things you can do before getting pregnant as your candida issues will most definitely be passed onto the baby.

9. Nutrient & mineral deficiency

  • When mom or dad to be are deficient in multiple vitamins and minerals, it makes growing another human being much more difficult. My recommendation is to get on the Sunrider foods ASAP. I have heard numerous stories about couples struggling with infertility, even who went through IVF and were unsuccesful, but via the Sunrider foods were able to conceive a healthy baby.

10. Radiation

  • Ever wonder why they make you wear those lead covered vests when you go get an X-Ray? All of the radiation in CT scans (which are some of the worst), X-Rays, MRI’s, etc put us at risk for infertility issues in both men and women, so try to avoid them as much as possible. That also means opting out of the full body scanner at the airport. Read more here…

Another great article: http://business.time.com/2012/10/04/why-the-falling-u-s-birth-rates-are-so-troubling/

 

Infertility can be heartbreaking. If you are at a place where you are thinking about starting a family, PLEASE take these 10 factors into consideration. The health of our future generations depends on it. Together we can raise a strong, healthy future generation.

If you are OVERWHELMED by all of this “health stuff” and need someone to take you through it step by step and figure out exactly what YOUR BODY NEEDS. Let’s talk! I offer private 75-Min health consultations for only $100 where we cover every system in your body, environmental toxins, and mental/emotional health. It’s perfect to get a clear snapshot on the areas in your life that need the most TLC. You can also look into my 120-Day women’s health training where I am empowered women around the globe to live at optimized health & wellness-Physically, Mentally, & Spiritually! We have a blast doing it too!

In Health Hope & Happiness,

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Are You Tired of Being Tired?

Let´s see if this describes you at all….

6:00am- alarm goes off and is greeted with a puffy face and a slam to the snooze button. 5 minutes later your alarm screams at you once again and your growl and hit it once again. 15 minutes later you slowly sit up and rub your slightly open eyes and blindly walk into the bathroom and splash some water on your face to try to wake yourself up. You drag yourself into the shower and little by little you start coming to consciousness and wish you hadn’t had so much trouble sleeping the night before.

You throw on your clothes and by this time you are running late so you grab your things and rush out the door. On your way to work (or school) you anxiously rush through the drive-through and grab a venti caramel macchiato and a pastry or piece of fruit (if anything) to help wake you up before your day starts. You try to focus on your plan for the day but you feel ¨foggy¨and are unable to think clearly.

3pm comes around and you really crash, you need that mid-day pick me up and decide to reach for another large cup of coffee, soda, or energy drink to help you push through the rest of your work. For lunch (if you eat lunch at all), you eat it on the go or at your desk while you are multi-tasking. It is usually a microwave meal, maybe a combo meal from the nearest fast food restaurant, or a

 

compilation of snacks: a bag of trail mix( with salted nuts, dried fruit,&  chocolate),  diet coke, banana, a granola bar, and a ¨sugar-free¨ yogurt. Then its back to your crazy schedule as you struggle through the end of your day.

After work, you get home and unwind with a couple of sodas, beers, or a bottle of wine and decide you deserve to ¨treat¨yourself from your crazy day and you are too tired to cook, so you order pizza and for dessert you are craving sugar and nothing sounds better than a nice bowl of ice cream with your favorite toppings. 11pm rolls around and oddly enough, you can´t sleep! All day you were so tired, but your body won´t shut down now that it is time to sleep. You are feeling anxious and thoughts keep racing through your mind about the next day and all of the things you have to do. You finally drift away around 2am and the next morning it starts all over again.

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So tell me…did that hit any trigger points with you?? Maybe you are a full-time mom and instead of rushing off to work, you are rushing off to feed the kids, take them to school, do the laundry, shopping, errands, pay the bills, then pick the kids back up, soccer practice, piano lessons, then back home to make dinner, clean up after dinner, play with the kids and struggle putting them to bed.

No matter what your role or job, the truth is that most Americans live a similar lifestyle to the one I just spelled out. This is why Adrenal Fatigue has been coined, ¨The 21st Century Stress Syndrome¨.

I want to tell you a little bit about our incredible adrenal glands, how they work, and why it is CRUCIAL to our health to take care of them and also teach our kids and family members to do the same.

What are the Adrenal Glands?


¨Ad¨-¨renal¨means over the kidneys, and that’s exactly where they are. We have 2 adrenal glands, one on top of each kidney the size of a walnut. There are 2 layers, the medulla (inner part) and the cortex (outer part).  These glands are a major part of the endocrine system (which is the system of the hormones)  and the sympathetic nervous system (or our bodies ¨fight or flight response¨). When many people hear the word, ¨hormones¨, they think of only women and the menstrual cycle. This  is a huge misconception as we all, both male and female, are full of hormones and the delicate balance of these hormones dictate our health in many different ways.

What Do the Adrenal Glands Do?


Being part of the endocrine system, these little glands are mighty warriors. You know when you get scared and all of a sudden your heart is pounding, your eyes dilate and you can run faster than you have ever run in your entire life? You can thank your little adrenal glands for this reaction. The outer Cortex secretes the crucial hormones, Cortisol, DHEA, Aldosterone, and small amounts of estrogen and testosterone. The inner medulla secretes epinephrine (aka adrenaline) and norepinephrine.

Cortisol is essential for balance in the body as it influences many different life systems including blood sugar, metabolism, immune response, inflammation response, blood pressure, heart contraction, and CNS (Central Nervous System) function. The adrenal glands increase their production of cortisol in response to stress. If cortisol levels are too low, the person has fatigue, low blood pressure, low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), poor immune function, an increased tendency to allergies and environmental sensitivity and an inability to deal with stress.

DHEA is the most abundant hormone produced by the adrenal cortex. It is a very powerful precursor hormone for our sex hormones: estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone. Some refer to it as the ¨mother hormone¨. It is a naturally produced steroid hormone produced in the body that makes us feel good. It helps balance out the effects of cortisol and is imperative to hormonal balance throughout the body. When it is low, it throws the endocrine system off and affects the entire hormonal system.

Aldosterone helps to keep sodium and water balanced within the body. When off it can lead to water retention and swollen tissues.

Estrogen & Testosterone are produced in small amounts by the adrenal glands along with the testes and the ovaries. When the adrenals are weak, it throws these hormones out of balance as well which can lead to symptoms such as irregular or absent menstrual cycles, PMS, low sex drive, inability to lose weight, impotence in men, and infertility.

Epinephrine (adrenaline) is what gives us that rush of energy when we need it. This hormone quickens the pulse, strengthens the force of cardiac contractions, increases blood pressure, dilates pupils, stops digestion, opens airways in the lungs and redistributes blood flow to vital organs.

Norepinephrine is also helpful in stressful situations but is more beneficial for concentration and focus.

What is Adrenal Fatigue?

When the adrenal glands get used and abused for too long due to a prolonged stressful state , an acute super intense stressful event, or poor nutrition, the adrenal glands will become under active. The biggest marker of this is extreme fatigue that is unrelieved by sleep. The crazy thing is that many people don´t even realize they are fatigued because this state of low energy has become normal for them! This is NOT normal! There are different stages of adrenal fatigue ranging from functional fatigue throughout the day to one who is only able to get out of bed for a few hours a day. With each increment of decreased function of the adrenal glands, every bodily organ is affected. You may have poor digestion, decreased metabolism, weight gain, depression, decreased sex drive, fluid & electrolyte imbalance, and cardiovascular contraction issues.

What Causes Adrenal Fatigue?

As we saw, these glands are responsible for keeping the body balanced when stress occurs. If the body is constantly being stressed (it could be physical, mental, emotional, or psychological) the adrenal glands go into a state of constantly overproducing stress hormones. If the stress isn´t reduced, Adrenal Fatigue Syndrome or Adrenal Exhaustion will occur and you won´t be able to produce elevated cortisol when you need it! This causes an inability to deal with stress as well as a state of chronic fatigue.

A poor diet plays a huge role in strengthening or weakening the adrenal glands. These foods are detrimental to the adrenal glands: coffee, soda, diet soda, energy drinks, artificial sweeteners, processed foods, dirty dairy, gluten, and sugar (read labels!). These foods cause dietary stress. Gluten Sensitivity is a particularly damaging form of dietary stress that many people overlook.

Anything stimulating puts the body in a constant state of stress. We drink caffeine and sugar because we need a stimulant because we are tired, BUT, if we took care of our adrenal glands, we would not be tired in the first place.

 

What Are Some Symptoms of Adrenal Fatigue?


  • You feel tired for no reason, constantly.
  • You have insomnia at night.
  • You have trouble getting up in the morning, even when you go to bed at a reasonable hour.
  • Chronic infections like UTI´s, frequent colds, or a frequent sore throat.
  • You are feeling rundown or overwhelmed.
  • You have difficulty bouncing back from stress or illness.
  • You crave salty and sweet snacks.
  • You feel more awake, alert and energetic after 6PM than you do all day.
  • You gain weight easily and have a hard time losing weight. Weight gain is especially in the middle section, and also in the back.
  • Depression & Anxiety
  • Irregular menstrual cycles, or no cycles at all
  • Hypothyroidism
  • Low sex drive
  • Insomnia
  • Erectile dysfunction
  • Low hormones in general
  • Slow metabolism: weight gain, bloating, constipation, cold hands and feet, sluggish.
  • Symptoms of fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome

 

How Do I Know if I Have Adrenal Fatigue?

Most medical doctors will not look into whether or not you have an adrenal gland problem, as most are not trained in adrenal fatigue. You will want to find a holistic practitioner, osteopathic doctor, chiropractor, or acupuncturist who will be able to look at your symptoms and offer you a saliva test which is much more accurate than a blood test in looking at the adrenal functions.

A major indicator of adrenal weakness is the fatigue issue as well as the above symptoms listed, so pay attention to your body and see what clicks with you. You can take a free self-assesment by clicking on this link: Adrenal Test

 

Now The Fun Part: THE SOLUTION!

This is my favorite part. We can talk all we want about a problem, but the best part is getting to the solution and learning how to get rid of the problem! There are TONS of companies recommending different supplements and products for adrenal fatigue, some good, some…not so good. I want to share with you what has worked for me after trying many different products and what has made the most sense to me after much research.

I´m going to get to the point and tell you what I believe is the absolute BEST thing you can do for your body, and that is starting to eat the Sunrider foods every day. You can read more about the foods on this site and contact me for more information- I have TONS of research from the months I spent investigating! 🙂 These foundational foods don´t only feed the adrenal glands, but strengthen the ENTIRE body, nourishing, balancing, and cleansing all parts of the body simultaneously. Follow this link to be directed to a sight where you can download two audio clips about sunrider and the adrenal glands!    http://www.4shared.com/dir/PArl5cGT/Adrenal_gland_and_sunrider_foo.html

When you take a supplement just for the adrenal glands, if it is a high quality supplement and is absorbed by the body (many are not absorbed by the body, which means you are swallowing hundreds of dollars that is going from your mouth to the toilet), then it will act to substitute for the adrenal glands. This may make you feel better at first, and for critical people may be life saving, but it will not necessarily strengthen the adrenal glands, it may only be substituting for the hormone that you are lacking. The Sunrider foods go straight to the source and feed your adrenal glands to strengthen them and help them return to optimal function causing a healthy balance of cortisol when it is needed and the reversal of all the symptoms that come with adrenal fatigue. It will also strengthen your related organs simultaneously such as your thyroid, pancreas, and reproductive glands as well as the entire endocrine system. I don´t know about you, but I would much rather feed my entire body with one food product rather than taking twenty different bottles of supplements of isolated products for each individual organ that might not even be absorbed! (Been there done that…)

Second, lets talk about diet. Someone with adrenal fatigue really needs to decrease any and all stress on the body, so eating healthy is not an option, it is a MUST if you want to feel better! What many don´t realize is that WHEN you eat is very critical as well. It is imperative to eat before 10.00am. The sooner the better upon waking and try to eat a protein breakfast to avoid a spike in blood sugar. You should also try to eat a snack every few hours to keep blood sugar stabilized. Here are some guidelines of what to eat…

Foods to avoid:

  • Caffeine found in: coffee, soda, chocolate, energy drinks
  • Sugar
  • Artificial sweeteners: aspartame, Splenda, saccharine, sucralose
  • Processed foods
  • Too much fruit (Stick to two or less a day and avoid eating them first thing in the morning to avoid blood sugar spike)
  • Dried fruit
  • Sugary foods
  • Food additives, preservatives, colorings, pesticides, artificial hormones
  • Alcohol
  • nicotine
  • Refined flours: white flours, white bread, white rice, white pasta, crackers, ect…
  • Fruit juices, sports drinks, any sugary drinks, even if they are natural sugars.
  • Gluten

 

Foods to Include & Great Alternatives

  • Lean protein: fish, organic chicken breast, lean grass-fed beef, bison, turkey breast (not the deli meat unless it is organic and nitrate free), organic eggs, raw high quality cheeses if you are not lactose intolerant.
  • Lots of veggies, especially greens! Include some in every meal and snacks, the more the better!
  • Sea vegetables are especially healing to the adrenal glands and the thyroid
  • Low sugar fruits: grapefruit, organic apples, organic berries, lemons & limes, kiwi, papaya, and pears (Again. Go LIGHT on fruit, and when you eat it make sure it is organic to avoid added chemicals and pesticides which can wreak havoc on the body and cause weight gain and increased stress.)
  • Legumes: homemade lentils, black beans, pinto beans, garbanzos, white beans, ect..
  • Gluten free products: pasta, brown rice, whole grain snacks, tortillas, blue corn baked tortilla chips, gluten-free crackers, almond crackers
  • Raw nuts and seeds
  • Raw Nut butters
  • Coconut milk
  • Almond cheese or Daiya vegan cheese (SO good! Look at your local health food store)
  • Swap out all salt for Celtic sea salt or Himalayan salt. This is VERY healing for the adrenals, don´t worry about cutting back.
  • Lots of water and herbal teas. Fortune Delight and Calli tea would be the best most healing beverages to work into every day.

Adrenal Recovery Soup

The following vegetable soup recipe has proved helpful in adrenal support. This high-energy soup, called “Taz,” comes from Dolores S. Downey’s “Balancing body chemistry with nutrition” seminars.

  • 16 oz. green beans
  • 1 cup chopped celery
  • 1 zucchini, sliced
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 1 cup tomato juice
  • 1 cup spring water
  • 2 tbsp. raw honey
  • 1 tsp. paprika
  • 1 cup organic chicken broth

Combine ingredients and simmer for one hour until vegetables are tender. Pepper to taste.

Along with diet, it is important to look at your lifestyle and see what changes can be made in order to decrease stress in your life. Something I really recommend is trying to do this breathing exercise throughout the day whenever you have time: breathe in for 4 counts, hold for 16 counts, and breathe out for 8 counts. Repeat a few times. Find what makes you happy and reduces stress and do it! You can´t afford not to.

One of the biggest challenges for me when I first discovered I had adrenal issues, was exercise. Not the problem of actually exercising, but making myself

slow down. A lifelong athlete, I loved to run and exercise daily, spending hours in the gym every day. Unfortunately, exercise can cause stress on the body as well when overdone. If someone has adrenal issues, they should be exercising for a max of 30 minutes a day and it should not be strenuous as this really taxes the adrenals. Don´t think I´m saying you shouldn´t exercise, light exercise is very healthy. Here are the BEST methods of exercise:

  • Rebounding on a mini trampoline (you would be AMAZED at the calories burned and health benefits!)
  • Walking
  • Pilates
  • Yoga
  • Toning exercises
  • Light elliptical
  • Stretching
  • Weights (not to the point of being super strenuous)
  • HIIT- High Intensity Interval Training* For those with early stages of adrenal fatigue

 

 

 

There you have it. I hope you are encouraged to take control of your health and get your life back. Sunrider has changed my life in so many ways including my adrenal fatigue. It is based on thousands of years of research, it is not a new fad, but a company with a solid foundation that has changed hundreds of thousands of lives over the years. I use these foods with all of my clients and all of my family and am SO thankful to have been introduced to them over three years ago. If you have any questions on Adrenal Fatigue, the Sunrider Foods, or if you would like support in your healing process and to join one of my health programs, you can contact me anytime at Jessica@JessicaAubreyRN.com. Have a wonderful day!!

In Health, Happiness, & Hope,

Jessica Aubrey, RN & Health Coach

I am praying to you because I know you will answer, O God. Bend down and listen as I pray.

~ Psalm 17:6

Sources

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7 Simple Steps to Your Healthiest Year Ever

Happy New Year!!

It seems like just yesterday we were in the 90’s and now we’re in the teenage years of the 2000’s!! It’s so bizarre to me how fast time flies!

Today is January 1st. I LOVE firsts! I love new starts, clean slates, & new beginnings. The past is the past and we have a chance to do something different this year to get an even better outcome than the past year. Remember, the definition of Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result.

Here is an example of how commonly this happens: Every January 1st it’s possible that you make the same New Years Resolutions…lose weight, stop smoking, eat healthier, exercise more, etc… and every year that lasts for about 1 week until you decide it’s too hard and psych yourself out of working at your goals, making yourself feel better by assuring yourself you’ll do it next time. Every year you follow the same pattern and you get the same result…by the time December 31st comes around you have only increased your bad habits and are kicking yourself for not achieving what you set out to do. You can’t get a different result with the same pattern, right? So, let’s DO something about it this year!

This is the first and only 2013 we will ever experience! You have a chance TODAY to make it the BEST year of your life! It doesn’t matter if your 13, 33, 63, or 83, if you want to reach your goals, YOU CAN! Only YOU can get in the way of your success.

Whether your main objectives are for your job, finances, family, achievements, or relationships, none of this can be enjoyed without your HEALTH. In this day and age, HEALTH IS WEALTH!

There may come a day where it may be very difficult to go to the doctor, get medication, or rely on any other medical crutch we tend to use. NOW is the time to get prepared, to learn how to take care of yourself and your family and be ready for anything that may come your way. We have learned over and over again by celebrities that you can have all the money in the world, but if you don’t have your health, it doesn’t matter. Steve Jobs was a perfect example of this. He had access to anything and everything he could get his hands on, but in the end, tragically his health failed and he could not enjoy his incredible empire he created.

Make this year a year of ABUNDANCE in every area and focus on healing your mind, body, & soul at the core!

Here are 7 Simple Steps to Your Healthiest Year Ever!

1. EAT CLEAN

  • “Eating clean” can mean many things depending on one’s interpretation, but it is quite simple. I like Micheal Pollen’s quote: “Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants.” It sums it up quite perfectly I believe! If you need a bit more guidance, here are the top foods to avoid:
    • Sugar, Gluten, Dirty Dairy, Processed Foods, non-organic & pastured animal products, GMO’s, Farmed Fish, artificial sweeteners, the dirty dozen of produce, and anything packaged. 🙂

2. EXERCISE CONSISTENTLY 

  • We all know exercise is essential for a healthy lifestyle. January 1st, the gyms are packed with new members trying to start of the year right. The KEY to remember is consistently. This isn’t a phase of life, it’s a lifestyle. Exercise should be something you ENJOY that your body CRAVES! It is something we should be doing multiple times per week and never something we dread. Coming from someone who almost lost her leg, I can tell you that exercising is a privilege for sure! Make a habit out of it and you will be glad you did! My FAVORITE forms of exercise are the Beach Body Programs. I am currently doing Insanity and LOVING it! For more information, check out the programs here.

3. KEEP A POSITIVE PERSPECTIVE

  • This is one of the most important things we can do to live a full life! Imagine if EVERYONE had a positive perspective in every situation. Your perspective is YOUR choice and cannot be dictated by anyone else. Having a positive outlook on life will dramatically impact every ambition you have for the better, whether that’s weight loss, finances, your career, relationships, anything!

4. DRINK MORE WATER

  • I know it’s cliche…everyone tells you to drink more water and you know you need to, but it’s SO TRUE! Many illnesses can be traced back to one simple thing-dehydration. You should be drinking half your body weight in ounces of water, so for someone who weighs 160 lbs, they should drink 80 oz of water, which is 10-8oz glasses, not the 8- 80z glasses that is typically recommended. When you’re looking for what kind of water to drink, here are some key things to remember:
    • Spring Water is always best- go to www.findaspring.com to see if there is a natural spring near you! This water is extremely healing!
    • If going bottled always look for BPA-Free bottled water. Here are some brands: Neo, Essentia, Mountain Valley Spring Water.
    • If you have Reverse Osmosis water, be aware that it has been completely stripped of everything so it has no mineralization and can pose certain health risks. You must add minerals to this kind of water. Go to your local health food store to find some good options.
    • If you’re bored with water as I often get, try adding lemons, berries, cucumbers, orange slices, stevia, or drinking herbal teas.

5. GET RID OF ENVIRONMENTAL TOXINS & MEDICATIONS

  • We have a problem that are grandparents and great grandparents never had to worry much about- Environmental toxins. Did you know that there are now more than 80,000 chemicals in our food supply alone? That’s INSANE since not 1 chemical is actually a food source! I know it can be overwhelming to think about all we are exposed to, but taking it one step at a time to clean up your family’s environment is a great place to start. Remember our skin is our biggest organ. Whatever we put on our skin goes directly into our blood stream. That being said, you better make sure all that goes on your skin is edible! 🙂 It’s also important to start strengthening your body and transitioning from harmful medications to natural alternatives. I am able to work directly with my clients on their body’s specific needs to help with this transition. Here are some key areas to clean up in this new year:
    • Shampoos, soaps, lotions, face wash, shaving cream, makeup, toothpaste, laundry detergent, cleaning products, perfumes, hair products, non-stick cookware, air fresheners, etc.
    • An amazing resource you need to check out is www.EWG.org.

6. ADD SUNRIDER FOODS TO YOUR LIFE

  • I am a HUGE Sunrider fan. Why? Because these foods have completely changed my life. When something changes your life you want to share it with everyone! Coming from someone who has a medical and holistic education, very clean diet, exercise routine, and healthy lifestyle, that is saying a lot! In all my years of research I still have never found anything comparable to the Sunrider Foods, there is nothing out there like it! There are tons of protein shakes, supplements, Traditional Chinese Medicine herbs, superfoods, etc. All of these are great things, but they still are nothing like the Sunrider Foods! To learn more about these incredibly nutrient dense & super easy to integrate foods, and to watch my video on how they have impacted my life, visit my page here. I truly believe this is the biggest bang for your buck you can get and will incredibly maximize your healing process!

7. MANAGE YOUR STRESS

  • And finally take a look at your stress levels. Stress is our health’s worst enemy. No matter how much broccoli and quinoa you eat, if you are chronically stressed and have not found a healthy way to manage it, it’s going to work against you in everything you try to do. Interestingly enough the above 6 strategies will dramatically help with your stress levels. Exercise, eating clean, and a positive perspective can do loads of good! Changing your perspective alone has the capability to completely eradicate any source of stress! Look around your life and see what things may need to be changed or eliminated in order to have more peace and less stress. Doing so can do you a world of good. Here are my favorite stress managing techniques:
    • Exercise, deep breathing, EFT- Emotional Freedom Technique, journaling, praying, meditating/visualizing with guided visualizations or peaceful music, stopping what I’m doing and praising the Lord in thankfulness :).

___________________________________________________

There you have it friend! 7 Steps that could have a wonderful impact on your life and your mission in the world. We are all here for a specific purpose and my purpose is to help you stay strong so you can live out your calling! If you find all of this overwhelming and need someone to encourage you through this process, I would love to talk with you! We can create a specific plan just for you to maximize your results in the quickest amount of time possible. You can email me directly at Jessica@JessicaLopezRN.com.

Don’t forget ladies, I will be starting a new group in “The Empowered Woman” journey mid-January! THIS WILL BE THE LAST DISCOUNTED PROGRAM. After this next program, The cost of membership will go up to it’s original price. Remember, this is a 4-month journey together with 1-on-1 support the whole way. My mission is to empower you with everything you need to know to defeat what I like to call the 3-D’s- Disease, Depression, & the Devil! At the end of this Mind, Body, Soul journey you’ll know exactly what you need to do to live a life of freedom!

Have an amazing 2013 you guys!!! Thank you for doing what you do and living out your purpose in the world. Let’s optimize every day of this next year together, shall we?

In Health, Happiness, & Hope,

SIGNATURE

I rejoice in your word like one who discovers a great treasure.

~ Psalm 119:162

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My Superhero Concoction

 

Hey There!

Thanks for checking in on my site today! 🙂 As you may have seen, I just released my Superfood Infused Healthy Holiday Recipe Collection!!! 

I am SUPER excited about it, as I believe it’s my BEST recipe collection yet! All of that creating, writing, concentrating, sleep deprivation, and technological savyness I had to perform those last few days made me a bit crazy and I started to get foggy minded and sluggish. When I started feeling this way, I knew it was time to call in the Special Forces!

So, I went into my superfood stash and made myself what I refer to as the Superhero concoction. You know when there’s things that are super good for you but taste AWFUL?? Well, I don’t have bionic tastebuds…my tastebuds have feelings too, and sometimes they really don’t like the things I put in my mouth, but I know it’s good for me, so I do it anyways.

This superfood concoction is perfect because it goes down super quick and you feel AMAZING after! The trick is to put it in a very small amount of juice- preferably fresh, but GoodBelly Juice works perfectly as well.

Ready for the recipe?

 

 

 

J-Lo’s Superhero Concoction

  • 1/2 cup fresh juice, juice kefir, or Goodbelly Juice

  • 1/2 tsp Spirulina Powder

  • 1/2 tsp Chlorella powder

  • 1/2 tsp Kelp powder

  • 2 packets Sunrider Quinary- That’s a DOUBLE dose of 49 herbs each pack!

  • 1 tsp camu camu power or vitamin C powder

  • 2 pk Sunrider Vitadophilus or other powdered probiotic

 

  1. Mix thoroughly. I put it in a jar, put the lid on and shook vigorously. That worked the best. 

  2. Down your drink like a shot.

  3. Have juice nearby as the chaser to take the flavor away.

  4. Make a green mustache and take weird pictures (optional) :–)

Congratulations!!!

You have just done a beautiful thing for your body & mind and in a few minutes you are going to go into Superhero mode!!

Of course you can play with the ingredients in these concoctions and use your favorites, but remember these small instances in life don’t have to taste good. 🙂 You’ll forget about the flavor and be so thankful with the amazing energy you get afterwards!

HAVE FUN!!

 

XOXO,

 

“The Lord repay your work, and a full reward be given you by the Lord God of Israel, under whose wings you have come for refuge.”

Ruth 2:12

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Sweaty Saturday: C.U.T. A.B.S.- How to Achieve Them

Abs…they’re beautiful aren’t they? We all want them and only a small percentage of the American population will ever achieve them. Believe me, I wish I was flaunting my flawless midsection here on this page, but I’m there with you. It’s in process ;). Why is it so difficult to get that perfect six pack?

Nutrition and exercise play a major role in the development of a cut and toned mid section, but there are some additional players in the game you may not have been aware of. Use my “CUT ABS” acronym to get closer to your dream 6-pack!

  • Cardio

You hate it…but you love it. Or….maybe you are at the stage where you still just hate it. Either way, cardiovascular exercise is essential for optimal health, and even more so for a toned abdominal section. EVERYONE has the potential to have a six-pack-WHY? Because we all have abdominal muscles! Duh! The problem is the layer of fat that is covering them. Proper cardio exercise helps expedite the fat-burning process, uncovering those beautiful muscles.

  • MY FAVORITE: HIIT- High Intensity Interval Training. This is in my opinion one of THE most effective and efficient ways to burn fat fast without putting heavy stress on your body. Some great resources: The Insanity Workout, Zumba, Crossfit, Mercola’s Peak 8, Sprints, Circuit training.
  • Undenatured Protein

Our society has missed the mark when it comes to protein. If you’re in the body building/athletic world, it is most likely that you are getting the WRONG kind of protein, and it can be very dangerous! It is unfortunately all too common for people to purchase huge tubs of protein powder not even knowing the source and the added ingredients. As long as it has zero carbs or sugar and 5 million grams of protein, it’s a good thing, right? WRONG! The majority of protein powders have been severely denatured, processed, and isolated to the point where our bodies don’t recognize it because it’s not even a food. The dangerous part is the added ingredients. The top dangers to look for in a protein powder are:

  1. Artificial Sweeteners: Aspartame, sucralose, acesulfame k, splenda, saccharine.
  2. GMO- Any corn, soy, wheat, maltodextrin, cottonseed, vegetable source needs to be labeled NON-GMO.
  3. SOY- Many people reach for the soy thinking they’re healthier and that is a myth. Soy protein powders are very harmful to the body because they are most likely GMO, they have 19 allergenic proteins that cause damage in the body, enzyme inhibitors, and suppress the thyroid- all things that will turn ON the fat programs in your body.
  4. Pasteurized, homogenized if your whey protein has been pasteurized or even worse homogenized, it is no longer a food and has very little absorbable protein. It will make more work for your body that to give it nourishment.
  5. Isolated vs. Concentrated- You want to look for a concentrated whey protein source if that’s what you’re looking for, not isolated.
  6. Grass-Fed- If you choose to get whey, make sure it’s from grass-fed cows to ensure the highest amount of nutrition possible.

Of course, when eating animal protein, you also need to be VERY picky. You should only allow clean. organic, and grass fed meat into your bodies. When you eat fish, make sure it is wild and low on the mercury chain.

  • MY FAVORITE: Wild Salmon, Sardines, Grass-fed beef, small amounts of organic poultry, Spirulina (one of the highest plant sources of protein), properly cooked legumes, avocados, raw-soaked-sprouted nuts & seeds, Mercola’s Raw Whey, Organic pea protein, Sunwarrior Warrior Protein,
  • Train with Weights

Your abs are muscles, and in order to build them, you need to use them and strengthen them. The best way to do that is with weights. Weight training has a two-fold benefit. On one hand, building muscle burns fat faster, uncovering your beautiful midsection. Weight training is one of the best ways to build muscle. Doing ab exercises with weights also strengthens and tones your core at a faster rate than using nothing.

  • MY FAVORITE: In my opinion, CROSSFIT is one of the most effective ways to get the body of your dreams. (This past summer, I had the privilege of working out at Crossfit Trifecta in Vista, CA, and absolutely LOVED the group there! If you are in the Vista area, make sure you check them out! There are Crossfit gyms all over, so checkout the one nearest you!) Work with a trainer at your gym, or look up a workout plan that fits you online. There are wonderful ab exercise routines that you can find online! Whatever you do, consistency is the KEY!
  • Absorption & Assimilation

You may have heard, “You are what you eat”, but it’s actually not accurate. You are what you ABSORB, is closer to the truth. There are many people who are overfed and undernourished. The TOP six-pack killer foods are: SUGAR, GLUTEN, Pasteurized DAIRY, REFINED GRAINS, DIRTY ANIMAL PROTEIN, PROCESSED FOODS. These all damage the intestinal tract. If you have damage to your intestinal tract, it is VERY difficult and almost impossible to have a six pack. Why? For multiple reasons:

  1. Inflammation- What happens when you hurt something- an ankle, a bee sting, you hit your head…it swells. This is the body’s amazing reaction when there is damage. There are specific cells that act like the EMT’s of the body and rush to the scene to immediately start healing on the area. This excess fluid causes inflammation. When you have damage to your intestinal tract, the same thing happens, you end up with excess fluid, excess mucous, and a swollen feeling.
  2. Lack of Replenishment- When you have a damaged intestinal lining, you usually have little holes that were caused by yeast or parasites. In attempts to cope with the situation, the body usually produces extra mucous that coats the intestinal lining. There is damage to the microvilli (small hair like structures that line your intestinal tract) and this is no good because those microvilli are responsible for absorbing and assimilating nutrients. If they are damaged, you cannot absorb all the nutrients from the food you eat. If you can’t absorb nutrients, they can’t be sent to the muscles for recovery, meaning your body has a much more difficult time building muscle and getting strong. This can also cause malnourished organs that are essential for fat burning- the thyroid & adrenals especially.
  • Bloating

You may have a pretty lean body and some nice abdominal muscles, but if you have issues that cause your abdomen to bloat, obviously you are going to have a hard time obtaining the midsection you want. There are many factors that play into bloating, including the topics already mentioned. One of the biggest culprits for bloat is an imbalance of good-bad bacteria in the gut. Donna Gates, author of The Body Ecology Diet, believes that all obesity could be diminished by healing the gut and having the proper good-bad bacteria ratio. Isn’t that amazing! It’s true that the gut affects every single one of your organs and systems, not to mention 80% of your immune system resides here, so taking care of your digestive system is critical to optimal health and an optimal body.

MY FAVORITE: My favorite way to keep my bacteria in check is through making my own cultured foods & drinks. This is the VIP treatment, all my clients receive, is learning how to do this yourself, and for pennies! Cultured foods & drinks are much cheaper and more effective than a probiotic supplement. However, probiotic supplements are not all that bad, there are few companies that I trust with their probiotics: Sunrider Vitadophilus, RenewLife probiotics, Advanced Naturals probiotic, Garden of Life.

  • Stress

Stress is one of the biggest factors that will kill your six-pack dreams. Stress causes major bloating, damage to the digestive tract, and instigates a hormonal cascade that causes your digestion to slow (creating constipation), and your body to STORE FAT, especially around the midsection. Cortisol is a hormone released by your adrenal glands in stressful situations. When you have chronic stress in your life, this can cause the wonderful tire around the waist look as your body becomes inflamed due to hormonal imbalance and you continue to store fat.

There is also mounting evidence, especially in Eastern Medicine that proves if you are mentally/emotionally holding onto a feeling, if you feel unsafe and as if you need to be protected, if you were abused in the past, or if you feel as if you’re not good enough or constantly down on yourself, these will ALL make you continuously gain weight and if not dealt with will make it impossible for you to drop a pound. Over the past months, this has become fascinating to me as I have learned more about the TRUTH in this and learn ways to help my clients overcome it. Does this maybe sound like something you are suffering from? If so, I’d love to help you!

MY FAVORITE STRESS BUSTERS: One of the best things you can do is to just CHOOSE to be happy & LOVE YOURSELF! You may be going through the absolute worst thing on the planet, but YOU choose your reaction. YOU choose how you feel on the inside. I know this is hard for some to swallow, but it is true. So, no matter what is going on around you, do whatever you need to, to FEEL GOOD, FEEL HAPPY, & LOVE YOURSELF JUST THE WAY YOU ARE. Some of my favorite things are to: exercise, yoga, sing with my guitar, visit with friends, bake healthy treats, go outside for a walk, watch a good movie, play softball, and spend hours doing something I really love.

What about you? What are you doing that is preventing you from having the 6-pack you’ve always wanted? I know I have my list, what’s on yours? If this is something you REALLY want, you can do it! It’s just not going to happen overnight or with only a little effort.

Whatever you do today on this beautiful Saturday, just remember to get sweaty and love every second of it!!

Have a great day!!

XOXO,

“And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.”

~ Hebrews 11:6

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