Sometimes it just takes making a commitment for a specific period of time to make a long term change. I've always been one for trying new eating programs and lifestyle decisions, "biohacking" to see what works best for me. When Julie Boyer showed me the 30 Day Whole Body Detox, I was all in! The "rules" include eliminating for 30 days: White sugar, dairy, gluten, and caffeine, and adding in: Plenty of fruits and veggies, exercise, lemon water, dry skin brushing, amazing vitamins, probiotics, and real whole foods. So technically is wasn't really a detox or cleanse- more of a healthy eating program that I wanted to stick to 100% for a 30 day window. Easy enough!
     Check out the website HERE to see more of the details. It was great to have such a supportive team online going through it. In the first 10 days I felt some of the withdrawal symptoms. I am a believer that good quality coffee is good for you! 1-2 cups per day. I am also happy to encourage a glass of wine here and there. And although I am "gluten-free" I have certainly found ways to have gluten-free treats and justify them. But for the 30 days I took all of those things out. 
    If you have never made a decision to do something like this before, it is a great idea to prep yourself- we have a recorded webinar that you can watch to help get you started. Schedule in your calendar less events that you might be tempted with, or have a game plan. I actually found it easier to resist temptation because I could just tell friends, family, serving staff, whoever, that I was "doing a cleanse" so I needed modifications. 
 After the first 10 days passed- which were not totally difficult but definitely showed some challenges, the next 10 days were a breeze. I was in a routine, feeling good, and really enjoying the recipes in the provided guidebook. The last 10 days was where I really noticed things though, this is where I actually felt lighter, I was sleeping significantly better, and I could feel my digestive system saying "thank you" for not giving it things difficult to digest. I was using digestive enzymes as often as possible too- just to allow my system to have that little oomph of help. 

Have you considered trying a detox? I highly recommend this one as a great way to start! It is easy to modify and adjust for different eating preferences, and doesn't require the elimination of many foods. Sugar, alcohol, dairy, and gluten are all very inflammatory which is why they are to be restricted in this program, and taking your omega 3 supplements, lemon water, and green smoothies will help reduce inflammation. Some side effects you may find- reduced pain, better digestion, better sleep, weight loss, softer skin, reduced anxiety, better breathing, or stronger nails to name a few. And if you can- aim to continue on after the 30 days! I picked a few habits that I had started and have kept up with them- lemon water with cayenne to start my day, a smoothie for breakfast, and staying gluten free! 

I 100% believe there is a different food program for every single person on this planet, why not try something new, see how you feel and make tweaks based on that. Let me know if you want to try this program, I can coach you through it!
<3 Erica
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We are aware that high stress can cause us to make poor nutritional choices, but there is an element to the opposite being true as well. Poor nutritional choices cause our body to be in a subconscious, low level of chronic whole body stress. 

Stress is especially increased in a busy lifestyle.  

This world IS a busy lifestyle. It is in a constant go-go-go state. Standing still leaves you behind. Relaxation is fleeting and often non-existent. Often an attempt at relaxation is even misinterpreted, for example watching a movie or TV does not relax the mind. Often it can make it even more stressed, from the images portrayed and the shock and violence on many popular shows. 

By being in the continual state of busy-ness, what is happening is our body is in a constant fight or flight mode. This is a part of the nervous system in the body named the Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)- specifically the Sympathetic Nervous System (SNS). The complimentary side is the system that allows for rest and digest. This is the ParaSympathetic Nervous System (PSNS).

ANS- Muscles, heart, sweat glands. Fight or Flight. 

PSNS- Salivation, tears, bowel, digestion, sleep, fertility organs. Rest and Digest. 

So you might be wondering, how is nutrition related to this chronic body stress? It may be easier to understand how outside influences can cause our body to be in a constant stress state (think ambulances screaming by your house frequently if you live near the hospital), but how is this related to food and nutrition?

There are two ways that this occurs, these being: LACK & TOXINS

LACK:

You body wants to repair and recover. Each cell in your body has literally millions of reactions going on each and every day. These reactions are required to function. If your cells are not properly nourished daily, they will be in a state of lack. Think of how you feel when you might be in a financial state of lack- a need, a worry, a stress- so what do you do? Sell things from your house. Ask a friend for money. Go bankrupt maybe. Your cells are just like you. If you do not provide them with what they need, they stress out and steal from other sources (for example this occurs in your bones which causes osteoporosis). Your cells may go bankrupt and eventually they die. The more that this happens the more problems you will have with your entire body. Every cell matters. Every cell is a small part of a greater being. Essentially your body and your health is one and the same with each and every cell in your body. 

TOXINS:

When you take in toxins, and if you take in plenty of inflammatory foods, again your body is in a stress mode. The liver as a whole and each individual cell in the body is constantly going through a detoxification phase which doesn't allow it to fight anything else. These chronic toxins cause body inflammation. This inflammation is a perfect environment to harbour and grow disease.

Ok so it's bad right? But I won't leave you with only bad news, here are some suggestions on how to fix the lack state and reduce and eliminate toxins:

1) Eat nutrient dense foods. Choose foods based on how nutritious they are. Ask yourself the question- What nutrients am I taking in with this food I am about to eat? This is vitally important when making food for children. They truly need nutrients to build new and stronger cells. Foods that are nearly entirely carbohydrates (which are just sugar) will not provide nutrition. Think about the rest of the story, fats, proteins, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and hormones.

2) Avoid toxins. Easy enough right?! This is a real challenge. I recommend the book The Healthy Home to learn some fantastic ways to reduce toxins all throughout your home. You can also use natural cleaning products, or my favourite- Norwex which is literally cleaning with water! When it comes to skin and hair care, choose items that are as close to natural as possible. The Sense Beautiful Science line really fits that category, and I love Miessence also! Anything you can do to avoid the unnatural is a step in the right direction. 

3) Take a good quality multivitamin and multi-mineral supplement, omega 3s and probiotics. I've mentioned this in the past, but you really get what you pay for in vitamins. Be sure you choose premium quality. Taking a multivitamin/multimineral will help keep your body out of that lack state. Combine this with nutrient dense foods and you are really moving toward optimal cellular health. The omega 3s are great to help reduce that body inflammation that occurs, just be sure it is pure and comes from small fish to avoid the mercury toxicity concern. Probiotics help your digestive system and immune system. By doing what you can to maintain those healthy gut bacteria, your body can produce certain nutrients, it can detoxify, and help prevent illness. You can take a health assessment here to see what is recommended for your specific concerns: The True Health Assessment.

4) Sleep more. Only you know how much sleep you really need, but sleep is a time when plenty of repair and restoration occurs in the body. If you are stressed, it may be difficult to sleep initially, but look into improving your sleep patterns and really make sleep a priority. This is especially important for babies and if you are having trouble getting baby to sleep you may find some help here: Sleep Wise

5) Meditate. I highly recommend Gabby Bernstein to get started, and then move on from there to whatever feels right. Meditation is not about "not thinking" so much as it is about calming the mind to allow greater things to flow in. This may be the most important step in changing your stress levels. Once you are not constantly buzzing in your head, other things are easier to change and improve. Let me know how it goes if you give it a try!

6) Spend time outside. Nature is healing. Spend time in the grass, or under a tree. Swim in the water, play in the snow. Truly the energy of the environment is something we have greatly disconnected from. I personally have challenged myself to a 30 minute walk each day just to be outside and feel the day. 

7) Spend time with family and friends. Connections with others is really all that matters. I tend to look at it this way, when you are very old and in your final days, will you wish you had more things? Will you wish you travelled more? Will you wish you accomplished more awards and achievements? Or will you wish you had spent more time with your parents, your children, your husband or wife, your best friend, and your pet? The connections we feel with others are what is most important. All the rest is amazing and wonderful but making time with loved ones a priority is essential. And yes that includes our pets, of course! (meow)

8) Focus on loving your life and the rest will follow- "When you change the way you look at things, the way you look at things change" Wayne Dyer. 

I know these aren't all easy. Take one step at a time. I admit I am not there either! But it is a process and if we encourage each other and believe in each other, we can truly change the energy of the world. 

<3 Erica

If you followed my blog previously, you would remember me switching to a vegan "plant based" diet January of 2012. After 3 months of doing this and realizing that my heath was suffering, I found a whole new type of nutrition and in April of 2012 I focused on a real food diet (sometimes called Just Eat Real Food or JERF). I spoke about following a Bulletproof Diet, and eating foods for their nutrient density. This meant, after 17 years vegetarian, I started eating meat. I haven't posted in awhile, and I wanted to share with you all what it has been like through the past year my new way of looking at food. 

What was I eating before? Vegan/vegetarian. High in carbohydrates through breads, cereals, fruits, and veggies. High in soy through meat alternatives. Cliff bars, oatmeal, ezekial bread with almond butter and honey. Previous to the 3 months of veganism I would eat cheese and fish, but in those three months I stuck with soy cheeses and tofu. Lots of fruit, plenty of vegetables. Avocado, olives, cooking with olive oil. Sounds fairly healthy right? I felt awful about one month in. 

What am I eating now? Bacon, eggs, butter, steaks, roasts, coffee, plenty of veggies, berries, coconut oil, nuts, avocados, olives, fish, seafood, dark chocolate and coconut milk. Sounds delicious eh?! Those of you who know me, know why I put bacon first :) 

And how does that make you feel? (Asked in a very professional psychologist type of way). I feel better than I have ever felt in my whole life! It is absolutely amazing to me how great I feel with eating so many things that I believed were bad for me for so many years. But belief is the key word. Much of our health and nutrition information is based on a belief that what the medial and the government tells us is well researched and correct. Better to "biohack" yourself. Try out different diets and see what works for you. For me, this is the solution at this time in my life. 
 

So what exactly am I feeling? Plenty more energy, all day long. I can go many hours without eating and not feel any blood sugar drops at all, and this was a huge problem for me a year ago. I think I would have been considered pre-diabetic if I had told my M.D my symptoms.. maybe I should just ask my sister! I can concentrate and think more clear than I ever have before. I continue to avoid most colds and flus- I used to get sick nearly every month and now I rarely do (that began with taking my Usana vitamins though), but now even my allergies are greatly reduced. 

What about my cholesterol though? If you can believe this, when I was in chiropractic college, we did a cholesterol blood test on ourselves. Myself and the other vegetarian, had the highest total cholesterol!! It was shocking. I now understand that total cholesterol is not a good marker of health, but regardless it seemed strange. I have had my blood work done a couple of times now, the first one was about 3 months into my new diet. For a life insurance policy. I was slightly worried hahaha... But in fact it turned out to be great with all of my levels being within normal, including my total triglycerides. This was great to hear since about 40-60% of my calories per day come from fat. I had my blood work done again a few months ago and my numbers had all gone down, except my HDL which is what you want to be up! It was really awesome to see. I also tested my vitamin D, since I take 3000-5000 I.U/day and wanted to be sure I am not too high. I was within normal and even on the low end. Considering my vitamins follow pharmaceutical standards, I knew it wasn't the product. I really can and need to supplement with that much or more! I will continue to test though, and you should as well, to be sure you are doing what is best for your own body. 

Weight changes? Yes and no. I don't have a scale. It causes stress and I advocate that how your clothes fit is much more important. But my clothes still fit and I have switched to bacon and eggs and butter. Now the problem, I think, is that I eat 80/20 real food. I definitely have "cheat days" and my worst ones involve sugar. I will forever have to watch my sugar cravings, I can imagine many people understand this feeling. My plan for the next year of this is to really work on my sugar intake. Maybe that will be my post next year! It's a tough one, and will keep your body in a sugar burning mode (as opposed to fat burning) and can really halt fat loss. So basically I feel amazing, even significantly better in my own skin regardless of what has or hasn't changed. Oh did I mention I don't have to count calories or portion control? That is a huge bonus also. I eat until I am full, which is so easy to do with delicious fats and proteins and butter soaked veggies! 

In my previous posts you can learn details on what I eat specifically and why, and resources to do this for yourself if you want to also! Feel free to email me with any questions or thoughts, I am happy to help! 
Until next time,
Erica