First & foremost, I’m not a doctor & I’m not trying to be. I’m just sharing my health journey & what works for me. Please do your own research, take what resonates, and leave what you don’t.
Now that we have that out of the way, let’s talk liver. No, not raw or cooked liver. Because YUCCCCK. I’m talking about beef liver capsules.
Why? As I learned about the major benefits of organ meats, I was intrigued but could absolutely NOT stomach the idea of consuming actual liver or any other organ meat in it’s natural form. No way in hell. And that’s how I got to discovering liver supplements.
Beef live supports:
♡ Healthy Teeth, Gums, Skin & Hair
♡ Healthy Joints, Ligaments & Tendons
♡ Collagen Production
♡ Energy Metabolism
♡ Immune Function
♡ Heart, Brain & Liver Health
I started taking 4 capsules per day with breakfast, and after about 4 weeks I started to notice positive changes: I had more energy, my posterior tibial tendonitis that I’d had for almost a year went away, my nails got stronger, and my hair is thicker and shinier than EVER.
I can’t make this shit up. I was pretty shocked that my muscular issue noted above went away after physical therapy, rest, and icing, only for none of those things to have a huge impact until I started taking the beef liver capsules.
Beef liver is totally a nutritional powerhouse. It contains a large amount of high-quality protein, which is an easily absorbed form of iron, all of the B vitamins (including B12 and folic acid), as well as vitamin A, many copper, zinc, chromium, phosphorous and selenium, and essential fatty acids.
We will definitely continue the conversation on supplements, tinctures, etc. – I love this shit & I know a lot of you do too. Please share your rec’s below if you have them!
With the way the world is right now, wellness is at the top of a lot of people’s minds. I recorded a podcast to share how my wellness routine has evolved…like which wellness routines, products, and hacks I am sticking to on a daily basis.
Here are a couple of the things I talk about in the episode:
Getting outside everyday
When California first went under stay-at-home orders, I kind of felt frozen and didn’t get out much. As the months went on and my gym was closed, I begrudgingly started to run outside. At first, I hated it. SO MUCH. But now, it’s one of the best parts of my day. I found a couple of spots I love in my neighborhood; both open spaces that are so peaceful. Breathing in fresh air and being in nature has been so grounding for me. I usually start off by listening to a meditation and then I do my HIIT run for about 45 minutes.
It’s addicting in the best way.
Some of the benefits of being in nature on the daily:
Red light therapy is also known as RLT, photobiomodulation (PBM), low level light therapy (LLLT), biostimulation, and photonic stimulation or light box therapy.
Red light therapy uses specific wavelengths of light to accomplish various outcomes.
Studies have shown that different wavelengths affect the body in different ways, and the most effective wavelengths of red light seem to be between 650-850 nm.
These specific wavelengths of red light create a biochemical affect in our cells that serves to increase mitochondrial function. This improves ATP (adenosine triphosphate) production in the body.
Why should that matter?
ATP is the source of energy for every cell in the body. Without it, we don’t function at all. Without enough of it, we don’t function well.
When your red light(s’s wavelengths range is between 650-850, the light penetrates about 8-10 millimeters into the skin which can positively affect all skin layers, blood vessels, lymphs, and hair follicles.
These are all evidence-based benefits:
♡ Beneficial for skin to reduce eczema, rosacea, and acne
♡ Stimulates slow healing wounds.
♡ Helps fade scars and stretch marks.
♡ Can prevent recurring cold sores, or herpes simplex.
♡ Red light activates the lymphatic system for potentially improved detoxification.
♡ It helps to repair sun damage.
♡ Helps with sleep.
Personally I have noticed that I am getting WAY better sleep and I feel more energized in the morning using red light bulbs. The only lights in our bedroom are red, so if the lights are on, they are red and we only use them at night and just allow the natural sunlight to provide light during the day.
Adrenal cocktail
What if I told you there is a cocktail that could make you feel better? Ok, it’s a MOCKTAIL, but it’s just as good. The adrenal cocktail provides energy while helping to offset stress and even infections.
It’s called the Adrenal Cocktail because it caters to your adrenals. The adrenal gland is located just above the kidneys and is vital for regulating different hormone levels including cortisol, aldosterone and adrenaline. These hormones control the body’s energy levels, including the ability to increase your blood pressure or heart rate to respond to stressful situations. When these hormones aren’t balanced, you can feel tired and stressed. {via}
Managing your hormone levels is so important and drinking this fabulous cocktail has so many benefits on top of managing stress. I tell you the full recipe on the podcast!
I have been on a continued health journey which has involved unlearning so much and re-learning. One of the experts who has actually walked in my shoes in the research arena and beyond is Loren de la Cruz. Loren is a Functional Nutritional Therapy Practitioner (FNTP), Root Cause Protocol Consultant (RCPC), Functional Diagnostic Nutrition Practitioner (FDNP), and more. Seriously, she has done.her.research.
So I was thrilled to be able to interview Loren on so many things in the health and wellness arena. There was so much that Loren and I could have talked about, but that podcast episode would’ve been hours and hours long.
In this episode, we talk about omega-3’s and why they’re BAD news, she shares an adrenal cocktail recipe, how to prepare your body for conception and beyond.
There are so many takeaways in this episode but I wanted to share my top 3 with you. After you read this post you will want to go listen if you don’t already, and you’re going to love it if you’re interested in upping your health game.
With that, here is Loren’s episode.
3 takeaways and topics that I think you will really enjoy hearing:
♡ Focus on nutrition before you consider adding to your diet with supplements.
I asked Loren about her stance on supplements, and we really got into it in this episode. She recommends starting first and foremost with clean water and a healthy diet. Loren gets into what a healthy diet includes and we dig deep – as in talking about ingredients added to certain foods you’ll want to avoid – but when it comes down to it, eating whole foods.
♡ Omega-3’s and Omega-6’s are not ideal for optimal health.
I don’t know about you, but I had been programmed to think that Omega-3’s are good for you. They are commonly known as omega-3s and make up DHA, EPA and ALA. Omega-3’s put a strain on our health and Loren shares a study for you to explore on why you may want to reconsider mega-dosing Omega-3’s. Omega-3’s are PUFAS, AKA Poly-Unsaturated Fat. PUFAS can do many things but a few include suppressing the immune system and affect thyroid function.
♡ How to incorporate dairy back into your diet.
I was selfishly curious to chat with Loren about adding dairy back into my diet as it is something I’m currently exploring very slowwwwwly. And that is exactly what she recommends when someone has not consumed dairy for a long amount of time. Loren also recommends starting with butter and then moving on to hard cheeses when you’re looking to reincorporate dairy. Additionally, try taking an enzyme while you’re adding dairy back into your diet can be very helpful.
Welcome to the best part of the year! I love to curate gift guides because I am one who likes to give the perfect gifts. Each of these gift ideas were carefully selected and are also some of my favorite products that I’ve used and loved for years.
You’ll find many small businesses, eco-friendly, non-toxic, and cruelty-free gifts featured here. That doesn’t mean that everything in this guide is pricey, they’re just the best. 😉 I don’t want you guys to do the work – let me showcase it all for you.
Just click on the guide above or access it here and flip through the pages.
I have been totally immersed in nutrition and wellness for a long time, however now I feel like I am truly honing in on what actually works, what’s innate to human health, and how to truly live your best life. And that starts, in part, with what we eat. The gut is the second brain – haven’t you heard?
Hippocrates said over 2,000 years ago that all disease begins in the gut. And it’s also clear that health begins in the gut.
Over 80% of the immune system resides in our gut and the gut produces 75% of our neurotransmitters! SO…we need to take care of our precious guts. {via}
Ok, now let’s get really specific on bacteria AKA gut flora in the gut. We are made up of over 100 trillion microorganisms, or bacteria, which reside in our gut. That’s 10 times more bacteria than all the human cells in the entire body. Having lots and diverse gut flora promotes healthy gastrointestinal function, keeps us protected from infection and illness, helps to regulate metabolism, and recent research has even shown that a healthy microbiome can reduce anxiety. {via}
A lot of people suffer from not so ideal gut flora due to stress, antibiotics, Overuse of NSAIDs, eating a poor diet, and chronic infection.
Ok, so how the eff do we take care of our gut flora? The answer can be complex, but some general tips include:
♡ Consume whole foods
♡ Reduce inflammation by eating turmeric and ginger and remove or reduce foods that are inflammatory from your diet
♡ Take a probiotic
♡ Eat gelatinous foods
…AND here’s where we get into gelatin and specifically, the GUMMIES. Which is why you’re here, right?
Eating gelatinous foods can help protect you from getting a leaky gut. More health benefits of gelatin:
♡ Gelatin contains 18 amino acids which help balance your diet
♡ Reduces wrinkles and cellulite – like HELLO, sign me up! {via}
♡ Supports digestion
♡ Helps to build strong muscles
♡ Enhances gastric acid secretion and aids in restoring a healthy mucosal lining
If you would’ve asked me months ago if I would go out of my way to purchase gelatin or gelatinous foods, I would have said “fuck no”. But referencing the beginning of this blog post, I have realllly begun to dig deep into what is best for optimal health. And I need to put my neurotic disgust with certain foods aside. And yeah, I’m still working on that. I am having a lot of issues with dairy mentally…not physically. I can’t stomach the THOUGHT of it. Gelatin is similar but not quite as bad. I’m telling you this because you might be like me. Sensitive mentally to certain foods. But I am putting my own neuroticism to the side to benefit what’s best for me. Kind of similar to what I did when I stopped being vegan.
ANYWAY.
After looking into the best ways to get gelatin, I came across gummies. Like gummy bears but healthier. The deets on the ingredients:
THE GELATIN
I did what I do best and I researched the hell out of what kind of gelatin to get and I decided on Perfect Supplements Unflavored Gelatin to make the gummies I’m about to share with you. So many gelatin brands add fillers and cut corners but Perfect Supplements does not. It’s important to purchase the right type of gelatin with abundant nutrients and amino acids. It’s rich in amino acids, minerals and is 98% protein. Gelatin is sister to collagen which is the only thing I use to up the protein in bars, shakes and smoothies. They’re nearly identical in amino acid profile, the only difference is gelatin “gels” and collagen does not.
Perfect Supplements Gelatin is exclusively sourced from pastured cows, is non-GMO and is free from hormones and pesticides.
TART CHERRY JUICE
I knew I wanted to make gummies that were kind of sour, like sour gummy worms but without all the refined sugar. Tart cherry juice is perfectly tart and it is also rich in phytochemicals such as melatonin, the natural sleep hormone. So eating these in the evening may help you sleep in addition to healing your gut. Make sure you buy a tart cherry juice with no additives. I got mine at Whole Foods and it’s the 365 brand with zero additives or preservatives, including sugar.
HONEY TO SWEETEN
I love using a local honey to help with allergies and also to support local businesses. Honey adds the perfect amount of sweetness to your gummies.
In a small saucepan, pour half of the juice and sprinkle gelatin over the juice to “bloom.” Whisk to combine and set aside. It will become very thick – that’s a sign that the gelatin is blooming.
Set the saucepan on medium heat, add the remaining juice. Bring to a gentle simmer, while consistently stirring to make sure all gelatin is dissolved. Set aside for a few minutes to cool. FYI this will smell like a barnyard. Not going to sugarcoat it. It’s pretty nasty…a huge turnoff. And at this point I thought, I will not be able to eat these gummies if this is how they taste or smell.
When gelatin and juice is slightly warm to the touch, add honey and stir well. You want to make sure not to denature the honey, so letting it cool is important before adding it in.
Pour in silicone candy molds – I bought these cute heart molds on Amazon and they work great. Set aside at room temperature for 30 minutes, then transfer to refrigerator for 2 hours to set.
Invert the silicone molds to remove the gummies. Store in air-tight container for up to 2 weeks. Best be kept in refrigerator.
I’m pleased to tell you that the nasty barnyard smell goes away once the gummies are cooled and set, but if they do warm up, like if you leave them out for a bit, the flavor will creep back in so I like to eat mine cold. And they taste like delish tart cherry gummies!
Eating gelatinous foods like these gummies with muscle meats (think steak, chicken thighs, bacon, etc etc) is so important because it balances out the amino acids we eat when we eat meat.
