My Favourite Supplements

I am constantly asked which supplements I personally use for myself and for my family. That is hard to answer because it varies greatly from day to day and even the season.

But without fail, here are the top ones that I use every single day:

Probiotic: Did you know that we are more bacterial cells than human cells? Your immune system strength begins in the digestive tract and the bacteria cannot be underestimated. Fermented foods such as sauerkraut, kimchi, kombuchu, kefir and yogurt are important for adding extra good bacteria into your colon. 

Cod Liver Oil: A good quality cod liver oil is very important. It is full of vitamins, minerals and omega-3 fatty acids. There are many studies showing how they can be a good anti-inflammatory as well as supply extra Vitamin D and Vitamin A. 

Lemon Essential Oil: The studies on essential oils are amazing, and I choose to start my mornings by adding one drop of therapeutic grade essential oil to a glass of lukewarm water. I would never use a subpar essential oil as they can be extremely dangerous. (This is the company that I use: www.youngliving.com) Adding lemon to your water in the morning can stimulate your digestion and liver. It is also a good way to add extra Vitamin C into your diet. It can also stimulate your brain in the same way that coffee can. If you're choosing to ditch the coffee, this might be a good alternative. 

If you have any questions about the brands of supplements or essential oils that I use, please feel free to comment or send me an email. If you are unsure of taking a supplement, please consult with your health care provider. 

You Are What You Eat - Part 3: Protein

Proteins are literally the building blocks of our body. They are long chains of amino acids, which are molecules that we can get from our foods. Protein occurs in all foods but the best sources come from animal products like meat, fish, eggs, and dairy. The protein in meat is considered to be complete proteins since they contain all the essential amino acids. Vegans and vegetarians risk missing some of these essential amino acids unless they are very careful and combine foods to create complete protein sources. 

Protein can help us grow and maintain virtually every part of our body. If we do not consume enough or do not digest them properly, the symptoms can include low energy, poor muscle mass, digestive problems, a sluggish metabolism, and mood swings.

A high protein diet is one of my favourites to use for weight loss. Protein rich foods can make you feel full for longer which stops food cravings and snacking more effectively. It also helps to stabilize blood sugar levels which gives you more energy, helps your brain to focus better and builds muscle mass. 

If you're wondering how much protein to consume each day, try multiplying your weight by .5. This should give you a rough idea of how much you need every day. If you'd like to figure out how much protein is in certain foods, try the website www.nutritiondata.com. 

Try to get a wide variety of protein rich foods for the best benefits. Some of my favourite sources are grass-fed beef, eggs, whey protein (goat whey is best!), wild fish, organic chicken, organic yogurt or kefir, or soaked lentils and black beans. 

There are no benefits to eating only protein sources. In fact, this can be very dangerous for your body. As always, a well rounded diet full of carbohydrates, fats and proteins are the best. 

You Are What You Eat - Part 2: Carbohydrates

Carbohydrates are always something that seem to confuse most people. There is so much contradicting information about what is a good carb or a bad carb. Should avoid them at all costs or you should have them as the bulk of your diet? Are they all created equally or are there some that are better than others? 

First off - carbohydrates are the main source of fuel for our brain. Our body naturally breaks down carbs to become sugar to fuel the body. It's very helpful when you need to workout or need a quick pick me up of energy. 

All carbs are not created equally though. Complex carbs are the foods like sweet potatoes that break down into sugars over the course of time. Refined carbs like wheat, sugar, fruit juices or corn syrup break down into sugars almost instantly creating a good buzz but ultimately leave you feeling tired or worse - get stored into fat to be used by the body at a later time. They spike the blood sugar levels and can cause diabetes or other inflammatory diseases. 

Refined carbs are stripped of most of their nutrients. Think of breakfast cereals: they are so processed that they have to have vitamins and minerals added back into them. They've been put through machines to make them into attractive and appealing shapes and colours so that we'll want to eat them. The perfect Os in your cereal might look nice but are not natural at all and can hurt your body in the long run. 

The healthy option for carbohydrate foods are foods that are not refined. Vegetables and fruits are great sources of vitamins and minerals and do not cause blood sugar spike. They also taste much better!

With fall approaching, there are so many great fruits and vegetables that are available. Go visit your local farmer's market and buy straight from the farmer. Not only does it taste better, but you'll know that you are helping your body instead of hurting it!

You Are What You Eat - Part 1: Fats

I have heard that statement so many times and it is so very true! Unfortunately, people still don't pay as much attention to what they eat as they should.

Every bite of food that you put into your mouth effects how your body will function. 

Different types of foods break down to do different things in your body. Fats are the carriers, carbohydrates are the fuel sources, and proteins are the building blocks. Each one interacts with each other and we cannot survive without them. 

Many people believe that all fats are bad. This is not true! A low fat diet has actually been shown to cause quite a few health problems, including diabetes, heart disease and other inflammatory conditions. Your body needs and craves fats! 

One of the main functions of fats, is to carry your vitamins, minerals, and hormones to where they need to go in your body. You cannot absorb vitamin A, D, or K2 without a fat. Fats also carry your hormones to all the receptors in your body. If you suffer from hormonal imbalances, you might just need to add more fats into your body!

Some healthy sources of fats are oils such as coconut oil, olive oil, butter (yes, butter!), You can also get good fats from fish, nuts, seeds, chia, meat, and avocados. 

Unhealthy sources of fats that can damage the body come from vegetable oils such as canola, margarine, soybean, and corn, and anything labelled "hydrogenated". These are considered "unstable" oils and can go rancid very easily. When they go rancid, they create trans fats. These are the fats that can damage your heart and cause some serious inflammation in the body. 

If you are striving to be more healthy, add some more fat into your diet. Try adding two tablespoons of chia seeds or hemp seeds into your smoothie. Add grass fed butter on to your vegetables. Eat an avocado a day. Take a cod liver oil or fish oil capsule every day. Don't buy the leanest cuts of meat! 

If you have any questions, just let me know!

Welcome!

I am finally starting my website/blogging journey! 

My own health journey began when I was 14 and introduced to the power of herbs and supplements and nutrition. It sparked an interest in me to pursue a career of helping others to attain their health goals. 

Since then I have helped many people to understand the importance of lifestyle. When I say lifestyle, I don't simply mean taking a multi-vitamin or exercising every week. What I am talking about is all-encompassing. This includes what you eat, what you put on your body, what you smell in the air, how much exercise you are getting, and what stress you allow into your life. This all effects your quality of life and you cannot do one without it affecting the other.

This blog will be a place for me to discuss all of these different aspects and hopefully you'll be able to pick up some tips on what you can do for yourselves and for your families. 

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to comment below!