Can I make a wild claim? If I had to guess…

You eat food every day, right?

Of course you do. People always ask me how I’ve achieved the success in my life and health, and honestly…sometimes I forget.

Sometimes I forget about the holistic lifestyle I’ve cultivated and how it continues to power me up because it’s just part of my normal now. 

The truth is, in the beginning it is challenging but the more choices you make that are supportive for your health the easier it gets as you start to build what I call negative and positive feedback loops.

When you choose foods or habits that lift you up, give you energy and make you feel great, it’s easier to remember to choose them.  These are the positive feedback loops.

And when you make food or habit choices that bring you down IF you pause to reflect on how it affects your body, you’ll clearly see it’s not worth it and build negative feedback loops – a remembrance of how yucky it felt making it easier to not make the same choice again!

We only get one body and every choice you make is a chance to build or breakdown health.

You have the same toes from when you were born, and they’ll be the same toes you put socks on at the end of your life.

So today I’m sharing with you 6 reasons why you may not be building the type of health and life you want…

#1- You’re overwhelmed with choices.
Did you know there’s something like 3,500 health-related searches on Google— per second? No wonder so many people don’t know what to trust or take action on.

#2- Your unconscious bad habits.
You just don’t know what you don’t know.  Weight management is holistic, stress states do matter and sleep is WAY more important than you think!

My friend Mia once told me a story of a client – a successful yoga teacher (mindful, connected, love-centered) lost her relationship, place to live, and work location overnight it seemed. She’d put on a mini-belly and was so confused; nothing with food changed so why was she putting on pounds?

If you think health is separate from your work, from how you show up online, from how you are with your family — you’re mistaken! It’s the unconscious bad habits that breakdown your body and health over time.

#3- Peer pressure
At the end of the day, WHY you want the body transformation is personal to you. If you’re not courageously standing up for yourself (ordering foods that are right for you instead of worrying about what others will think) then I’m not surprised, it’s tough to be brave but it’s what your body needs. It won’t work if you don’t root it into your identity.

#4- You’ve told yourself other parts of life are more important
My health isn’t as important as ________ (family, work, relationships, you fill in the blank). I’ve seen so many people live this flip-flopped way. If you agree that this one body is all you have…then the situations you bring your body into (that YES are important, urgent, and support your livelihood) need the best brain power, mood and energy. Sure…. you can be 100% ready on the big day, but is it 100% of only 45% of your optimal health potential?

#5- You’ve built it up in your head – “being healthy” is a burden
Being healthy doesn’t have to be complicated.  We’re all human. It’s our humanness that makes us strong, resilient and over-stimulated by our modern world. Taking on a new thing is just too much work — have you felt this way? Guess what? Prioritizing your health, preventing your body from disease, and hacking your body for more energy and less stress is  the FOUNDATION that makes all other work less hard or stressful.

#6- Nobody told you to think about how food travels through your body
Lastly, have you taken the time to think about your relationship to food? Do you check in with your energy after eating? Do you know what foods lift you up and which one brings you down?  Do you make time for your body to actually digest and metabolize your food so you can get all the benefits it holds for you or are you moving through life so fast that you’re inhaling food every chance you get?  

All of this understanding changed my life.

Do you see how some of these could hold you back?

Do you see how overcoming them would get you powerful results?

Are you even more stressed because now you know what’s holding you back… You don’t know how to:

• rethink your approach to drop pounds
• choose foods that make digestion better and balanced
• google research and take the time to figure out your body and optimal nutrition choices.

You’re not alone. I continue to see a growing need for this…

Imagine if you didn’t have to google your way to getting health results specific to your body.

Imagine if you didn’t have to cross your fingers that the method that worked for a friend will work for you.

Imagine if there was a team of advisors at your free disposal to tell you:

• how you could think about health more productively
• what foods can get you faster results
• what essential ways of being make dropping pounds and increasing your energy really successful no matter your desired result, background, orientation or age.

I’m so grateful and honored to be chosen as one of your expert advisors for The Well Fed Warrior 10-day Virtual Weight-loss and Detoxification Experience happening Thursday, May 21st through Sunday, May 31st 2020. 

Firewave Wellness creator and host Mia Sarno have made this 10-day experience a hilarious and energizing lens on health…so that you can get the results you really want.

Get your all access pass here!

I don’t share it, often but like I said in the beginning…I think about what’s going on in my body, mind and soul every day — it’s where I operate from. Every time I teach you, every time I wake up excited to share with you, I’ve considered my health. 

This is a unique view of me that will support you for a lifetime. Mia is the most loving, connected, enthusiastic —dare I say comedic— holistic wellness educator I know. I promise you’ll enjoy every minute of this experience with us.

P.S. Ready to commit to 10 days of online listening to transform your weight, energy and health? No meal plans or workout routines. Our advisors are energy architects, physicians, registered nurses and best-selling international motivators ready to ignite your inner fire. Click here if you’re ready to finally feel better.

We already live in a world where more and more toxins are being released into the environment every day, week, month and year-  far more than we can even fathom, and our bodies have taken on a huge burden as a result.

With COVID-19, your toxin exposure has increased tenfold as a result of being confined inside more than before in addition to the heightened use of disinfectants and hand sanitizers.

The air inside your home alone is said to be up to 100% more toxic than the air outside due to paint, sealants, fire retardants and cleaning products. 

In 2016, the Environmental Working Group (EWG) released a report from a year long study showing that 420 chemicals were found in the human body across different populations which are known or likely known to cause cancer.

Let me repeat that…420 chemicals which cause cancer have been found in our bodies.

Cancer might be the worst scenario regarding toxins, but what about what they do to your body on a daily basis?

Pesticides found in food and water have been linked to increases in weight and insulin resistance in children and rodents.

A classification of toxins called Endocrine Disruptors are known to disrupt the Endocrine System which houses your thyroid, adrenals, and other glands that regulate metabolism, growth, development, tissue function, sexual function, reproduction, sleep, mood and other bodily functions.

Toxins cause inflammation and dysregulate the immune system making you more susceptible to autoimmune disorders, other chronic diseases and illnesses such as colds, flus and allergies.

Exposure to Obesogen toxins cause cells that would become bones or other types of tissues to become fat, contributing to osteoporosis and making your body biased towards burning carbs instead of fat for fuel.

So are we doomed to be a society of sick and toxic people?

Not exactly.

You do have a built-in and very sophisticated detoxification system.  Your liver, kidneys, lymphatic system and even skin are always working hard behind the scenes to flush out as many toxins from your body as possible.

However, your detoxification system and organs could use some support since they are being required to work harder than ever before with this increase in environmental toxins.

In this week’s video and blog, I dive into how these toxins are taking a toll on your health and the best way to support your built-in detoxification system so you can feel your best. 

There are a lot of “detoxing” or cleansing programs on the market these days claiming to boost your energy and help you lose weight as a result of flushing toxins from your body.

But are these programs as effective as they claim to be, or are you just flushing your money down the toilet (literally)?

Let’s examine some of the biggest myths around detoxing your body of the toxic burden and what you should know or be doing instead…

MYTH #1 – Juice Cleansing Is The Best Way To Detox
FACT – It’s a waste of money if you’re not eating protein.  Protein is required for your body to actually move toxic elements through the different phases of detoxification in order to eliminate them.

MYTH #2 – Diet & Exercise Are The Key To Weight Loss & Eliminating Toxins
FACT – Diet and exercise aren’t really enough.  The liver is the powerhouse when it comes to eliminating toxins, regulating your metabolism and energy.  You need to show your liver some love in order to get the results you’re looking for, and one of the best ways to support your liver is sleeping from 10pm to 4am. 

MYTH #3 – Detoxing Requires Expensive Supplements
FACT – Supplements help but aren’t the ultimate answer.  You have to decrease the toxic stuff coming in and increase the toxic stuff going out consistently.  Otherwise supplements are just keeping you afloat, but never helping you to actually get ahead.

MYTH #4 – Detoxing / Cleansing Means Deprivation
FACT – No it doesn’t at all!  There are simple ways to detox your body daily using food, water, sleep, exercise and at home liver supporting techniques that allow you to enjoy food and life.

Reducing your body’s daily toxic burden is fairly simple once you know how to identify toxins in your environment and by putting some simple healthy habits in place to support your body’s natural elimination process.

We could all use a serious toxin cleanse after being cooped up for so long during this COVID-19 quarantine.

And let’s be honest, your eating and drinking habits have probably been less than ideal these last few weeks.  Summer is right around the corner so it’s time to get back on track, detox the corona crap and get back to feeling like your best self. 

Attend my upcoming FREE webinar…The Daily Detox: No Juices, Gimmicks or Supplements Required! 

Date: Thursday, April 30th
Time: 5pm PST / 8pm EST
Location: REGISTER HERE

During this webinar, I’ll be going into even more detail about how you can detox your body daily and naturally so you can unburden your body, boost your energy, shed some pounds and get back to feeling like your less toxic self again!

Plus, when you register for the webinar you’ll get my Toxins Checklist instantly! 

REGISTER HERE

P.S.  For those who have been asking about the next Seasonal Cleanse Challenge, I’ll be revealing the enrollment dates during the webinar.  There’s only 50 spots available on a first come first serve basis 🙂

I realized this past weekend I haven’t been using any of this extra COVID-19 quarantine time to knock out projects around the house, and I find this fascinating.  My guest room closet still needs to be organized, my broken suitcase still needs to be emptied and tossed away, and those plants I’ve been wanting to re-pot are still looking sad.

So what have I been doing?

With all this extra time on my hands lately, I’ve been revisiting some acts of selfcare that have fallen by the wayside.

This COVID-19 situation has been calling all of us to…

• Slow down
• Let go of being busy
• Look inward instead of out
• Be with yourself and those closest to you
• Practice patience and hold space for health
• Take time to create and contemplate what is really important

The world has almost come to a standstill giving you the time you’ve always wanted to focus on yourself and your health in so many ways. 

If you’ve ever said…

I wish the world or time would slow down so I could (cook more, sleep, exercise, meditate, etc.)

OR

I wish I had more time to (fill in the blank)

Then your time is NOW. It’s a time of deep healing, if you choose to let it be.

There are plenty of things we can “busy” ourselves with but at the end of the day what does being busy really do for us.  Does it build health or breakdown health? 

Being in a constant state of busy-ness can actually lead to a decline in your health because your body can only heal in a relaxed state, and if you’re busy you’re not relaxed. 

If there’s something this whole COVID-19 situation has taught us, it’s that life is precious, and one thing is for certain, having good health is the MOST important thing you could ever have.

In this week’s video and blog, I share 10 things you can do to boost your health today that don’t cost a thing, and that don’t require any special tools or a lot of time.

Some of the simplest acts can have the biggest impact on your health.

You don’t necessarily need the latest and greatest health gadgets, supplements or fad diets to improve your health and feel like your best self.  To feel and look your best, all you need to do is reduce your body’s daily stress burden. 

I know, easier said than done, right, considering all that is going on in the world.  However, stress is the number one suppressor of your immune system.  

Constant low or high grade stress disrupts the vital hormones that regulate your immune system and destroys your intestinal lining which is where 80% of your immune system lives.  

You can reduce your body’s daily stress burden by minimizing exposures to stressors that you have more control over, such as:

• Sugar, processed foods, and inflammatory foods
• Toxins and chemicals in foods, cleaning and personal care products
• Intense exercise when your body is already depleted

That, along with activities to help you empty your stress cup daily for all the things that are outside of your control. 

Here are 10 things you can do to empty your stress cup daily, boost your immune system and improve your overall health in so many ways, and that don’t cost you a single penny or require any special resources or a lot of time!

#1 Put Your Feet Up
Literally laying on the floor and propping your feet up against the wall or sofa positively impacts your health.  It instantly reduces stress and increases blood flow to your organs for digestion and other essential functions. How easy is it to binge watch your favorite Netflix while laying down with your feet up?

#2 Gargle for Gut and Brain Health
Your Vagus nerve serves as the main communication center between your gut and brain so it’s important to keep it strong and working correctly.  Take a moment after brushing your teeth to gargle water for as long as you can to strengthen the Vagus nerve so you can boost gut health and immune system, stimulate organs and brain function. 

#3 Be Asleep by 10pm
Being asleep by 10pm maintains the delicate balance of your circadian rhythm, aka hormones so you can feel rested upon waking, have an abundance of energy, avoid food cravings and easily lose weight.  Set an alert at 9pm to remind you to start preparing for bed so you can be asleep by 10pm. 

#4 Go Barefoot
If you’re stuck at home, there’s no reason to put your shoes on.  Having your bare feet directly connected to the ground helps you to release stress continuously, and if you can get barefoot outside even better!  Spending just a few minutes barefoot in the dirt or grass helps you to detox harmful EMF’s and toxins you’ve been exposed to by being inside so much that overloads your immune system.

#5 Hug and Cuddle More
Physical touch releases the “love hormone” Oxytocin which reduces cortisol, your stress hormone, and it boosts feelings of wellbeing to help you keep a positive state of mind during these times.  So squeeze your loved ones a few extra times per day to give your health a boost!

#6 Take A Cold Shower
This one probably sounds terrible, but it’s only for 2 minutes and you can do anything for 2 minutes to boost your health, right?  Cold water therapy has been used for hundreds of years to boost health. It helps to strengthen the immune system, improve stress response, promote weight loss and more.  Start with 1 minute working your way up to 2 minutes before turning on the heat.

#7 Diaphragmatic Breathing
This type of breathing has been shown to lower cortisol levels (aka stress hormone), lower heart rate (aka reduce stress), lower blood pressure and even help people cope with symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).  This breath is way easier to do than trying to say what it’s called, check out the Cleveland Clinic’s step-by-step instructions. 

#8 Get Natural Light Exposure
Your body relies on the cycle of the sun to know what time it is and what it should be doing throughout the day.  Have you ever wondered how your furry friends always know when it’s meal time? It’s because they have internal clocks like us so their bodies always know when it’s time to eat.  Exposure to natural light, especially first thing in the morning is critical to keep your internal clock ticking correctly so your body can do its job to keep you healthy. If you live where it’s cold, sit next to a window while sipping your tea or coffee in the morning, even if it’s cloudy outside. 

#9 Chew 20 Times
Did you know that digestion starts in the mouth, not in the stomach?  We often rush to and through our meals not giving our body the time or space to properly digest food so we can absorb all of the health promoting nutrients it has to offer.  Challenge yourself to chew every bite of food 20 times so you can digest food better, reduce bloating and increase absorption of nutrients to improve your health.

#10 Open Your Windows
The air inside your home can be up to 100% more toxic than the air outside due to hidden toxins in paint, furniture and cleaning supplies.  Oxygen concentration levels are also lower inside than out, and Oxygen molecules are essential for every single function in the body. Fresh air helps the body to eliminate stress inducing toxins and increases oxygen levels in the blood so your body can function at its potential. 

So which one of these 10 tips are you going to commit to doing today so you can boost your health and immunity?

Let me know by leaving a comment below

It’s the littlest things that can make the biggest difference to your health, as the saying goes “small hinges swing big doors.”

P.S.  If you are ready to heal on a deeper level so you can feel like yourself again, schedule a complimentary Ideal Health & Weight Discovery Session with me here today!

It’s been a crazy couple of weeks with COVID-19, how are you holding up?  Please feel free to reach out to me if you need some connection, tips, tools or inspiration. 

I’ve been going through the emotions myself.  Some days everything seems perfectly normal and other days it’s like doomsday.  

I’ve caught myself going to the pantry more than usual out of pure boredom, not sure exactly what I’m looking for, but I catch myself just in time.  I’m doing my best to stay active and motivated when it comes to exercise, although I feel like a caged animal sometimes. 

One thing is for certain though…

I’m determined NOT to gain the Corona-15.

Been there, done that as a freshman in college and once again when I was hit with toxic mold and Hashimotos a few years ago.   There’s nothing worse than feeling like a foreigner in your body. We can distance or distract ourselves from what is going on in the outside world, but you have to live in your body every day.

The way you feel in your body affects everything about your life.  It can either lift you up, help you get that new job or partner and make your dreams a reality or take you down a deep dark hole.

I know times seem tough right now, but life is always going to happen.  Learning how to navigate it differently is what makes all the difference when it comes to your health and feeling like your best self.

It’s times like these, when food cravings are coming on strong and the motivation to exercise is running low that we have to learn to value sleep more than diet and exercise to keep your mind right and help you shed pounds at the same time.

Sleep may not look like the so-called “magic pill” that you’re looking for, but it plays a major role in the body’s ability to regulate blood sugar and therefore food cravings, inflammation and hormones – all of which can equate to pounds shed or gained.

In this week’s video and blog, I dive into more detail about how sleep can help you stop food cravings, balance blood sugar and hormones, and ultimately help you shed pounds. 

A study in 2012 showed how inadequate sleep negatively impacts the ability of fat cells to respond to insulin, one of the hormones that regulates metabolism, weight and plays a major role in the development of  diabetes.

Another study in 2017 also found a link between short sleep duration and an increase in the progression to diabetes. This makes sleep quality a key component in preventing or reversing insulin resistance, which also relates to risks associated with diabetes, overall weight loss and hormone balance.

We must learn to value sleep as much as we do diet and exercise.

When you get adequate and restful sleep, the body is able to restore and repair itself, your hormones can rebalance and nutrients can be absorbed and converted into useful tools.

When sleep is inconsistent, disrupted or short in duration, your body is not able to fully recover.  Your circadian rhythm and cortisol balance becomes dysfunctional and a domino effect occurs in the body.  Cortisol regulates how your body uses insulin and the availability of glucose (sugar) in the body for energy.

Staying up late at night or not getting a good night’s sleep disrupts your cortisol balance and energy leaving you searching for energy via food, queueing the food cravings! 

To balance your energy, blood sugar, avoid cravings and promote weight loss it’s ideal to be asleep by 10pm most nights of the week (5 out of 7).  

I instantly pack on the pounds if I don’t follow this sleeping guideline, and my clients instantly shed them when they create more supportive sleep routines.  I’ve had clients lose 30 pounds without exercising just by changing their diet and sleep routines.

If you’re a so-called “night owl”, I’m calling your bluff.  I’ve yet to meet a person who doesn’t feel more energized, balanced and better about their body when they are sleeping according to their body’s natural circadian rhythm.

I recently kicked off a 10-day sleep challenge on Instagram and Facebook to help you prioritize sleep so you can increase your energy, stop food cravings, keep your hormones balanced, avoid putting on the Corona-15 and shed some pounds! 

By participating in the challenge, you could win a FREE DUTCH Cortisol & Hormone Test plus Recommendations Session with me ($750+ value).

Here’s a recap of some of the sleep tips I’ve shared in the challenge so far to help you shed some pounds:

• How to improve your sleep and energy with natural light
• Tips to create your dream sleep routine
• Ways to create a sacred space to support high quality sleep
• How to stop getting up to pee in the middle of the night

It’s not too late to participate, follow me on Instagram and/or Facebook to see all of my challenge posts and to participate.

With most places shut down for quarantine and social distancing, there’s no excuse to stay up, so why not use this time to get to bed early, boost your health and feel better in your body!

If you want to get your hands on the right lab tests and resources so you can find the missing pieces of your health puzzle and feel like yourself again, schedule a complimentary Ideal Health & Weight Discovery Session with me here today!

Have food cravings been creeping up on you while being stuck at home for this COVID-19 quarantine? 

Mine have. So this week I want to share 4 tips to stop food cravings in their tracks so you don’t put on the Corona 15.  As a bonus, these tips can actually help you shed pounds too so you’ll feel great and be ready for summer once this thing is over. 

Before I dive into my 4 tips to help you stop cravings right now while you’re stuck at home in quarantine, I want to quickly tell you about two other things that I think will help you right now too….

• I kicked off a 10-day sleep challenge today to help you increase your energy, improve your health and boost your immunity.  By participating in the challenge, you could win a FREE DUTCH Hormone Test and Recommendations Session with me (($750+ value).  Follow me on Instagram and/or Facebook to see today’s 1st challenge post and to participate.
• Join me LIVE TODAY on Instagram at 1pm PST / 4pm EST with emotional eating expert coach Tricia Nelson for strategies to stay sane around food when you’re stuck at home so you don’t eat the house!

Ok onto the tips to stop food cravings…

Let’s start by understanding what causes cravings in the first place and why being stuck at home is triggering them.

Some of the most common food craving triggers include:

• Eating sugar and carbs that spike your blood sugar causing you to crave more of them when your blood sugar crashes
• Staying up late at night or not getting a good night’s sleep which disrupts your hormone balance and energy leaving you searching for energy via food
• Not drinking enough water or getting enough electrolytes to keep you hydrated – cravings can be a sign of dehydration 
• Feeling bored, anxious, emotional, overwhelmed or deprived 

Being isolated at home sets the perfect scene for all of these things.  There are less boundaries around your routine and food making it easy to snack throughout the day, and of course the best snacks are ones higher in sugars and carbs.

Are you staying up late binge watching your favorite shows or getting sucked into the news and sleeping then sleeping in?  Are you running out of things to do so boredom is getting the best of you? Are your emotions running high as you anxiously wait to see how this all pans out?  Or you’re doing so much for others forgetting to fill up your cup?

All of us are lacking structure a little bit because our typical daily routines have been interrupted.  Meal times, bed times and the general flow of life have been impacted, including when and how much water you are drinking.  

Now that you know the most common triggers for food cravings and how your current quarantine situation can aggravate them, you can start to examine which ones are true for you and take empowered action to stop them in their tracks.

In this week’s video and blog, I share 4 tips to stop food cravings in their tracks so you don’t put on the Corona 15.

First let’s explore the food you’re eating because this usually results in the quickest fix for cravings. 

When you eat the wrong ratios of proteins, carbs and fats for your body, it can leave you feeling:

• Tired, anxious, irritable or needing to nap
• Snacky, bloated, heavy or craving for sweets
• Brain foggy, wired but tired or physically full and still hungry

These are all signs that your food ratios are off, your blood sugar is likely not balanced as a result, and the nutrients in the food you ate were inadequate.

When you’re eating the right ratio of protein, carbs and fats per meal you will:

• Be able to go 3-5 hours or more without feeling hungry or needing to snack
• Have energy for hours and feel recharged
• Think clearly, feel uplifted and be more positive

Figuring out your food ratios is actually pretty simple.  All you need to do is:

1. Tune into your body 30 minutes to 2 hours after eating
2. Notice how it’s responding to what you ate
3. Adjust your food ratios until you get the perfect response!

To help you figure out what ratios are right for your body to avoid food cravings, click here to get my Food & Body Language Log.

Adding 1-2 tablespoons of olive oil to your meals by drizzling it over veggies, meat or salad is an easy way to increase your intake of healthy fats to balance your blood sugar, keep you satiated for longer and fend off cravings. 

Next let’s address sleep because you have to learn to value sleep more than diet and exercise.  If you’re not going to bed at the right time or getting a good night’s rest, it basically cancels out your healthy eating and exercise efforts.

To balance your energy, blood sugar and avoid cravings it’s ideal to be asleep by 10pm most nights of the week (5 out of 7).  

Check out the sleep challenge I started today on Instagram and/or Facebook for pro tips to help you create a supportive sleep routine to stop cravings.

Once you’ve dialed in your food ratios and sleep and if you’re still experiencing cravings, it’s time to check your hydration.

Recommended water intake is half of your body weight in ounces; if you weigh 200 pounds then you should drink at least 100 ounces of water per day.  You’ll want to add an additional 8 ounces of water for every 30-minutes of exercise you do or caffeinated drink you have in order to make up for the water you lose from them. 

Drinking water is just one part of staying hydrated.  In order to hold onto water, you need electrolytes. 

If you’re eating a lower carb diet or having a hard time sourcing veggies then supplementing with electrolytes is crucial.  You can get more electrolytes by generously adding Himalayan or sea salt to your food or water, or by adding an electrolyte supplement such as LMNT electrolytes. 

Lastly, of course emotions are running high or boredom might be getting the best of you with what is going on in the world which can lead to food cravings.

So the best thing to do is Stop & Shift…

• When a craving pops up STOP and check in with yourself before giving in
• Ask if you’re really hungry or is there something else you want or need
• SHIFT your attention to something else for 20 minutes; journal, dance, meditate, breath work, exercise, take a bath, read, call a friend etc.

And after you shift, evaluate if the hunger is still there.  If it is, honor it and if it’s not, congratulate yourself on overcoming it and recognize what you probably need more of instead in your life. 

What was the most insightful or helpful tip for you?  Hit reply and let me know!

If you’d like to get your hands on the right lab tests and resources to find more missing pieces to your health puzzle so you can feel like your best self, schedule a complimentary Ideal Health & Weight Discovery Session with me here today!

This by far has been the oddest start to a year, let alone a decade.  In the midst of the COVID-19 chaos and as I turned 37 on Monday, I have been reflecting a lot on what this all means for me, you and the world around us.

Life gives us exactly what we need when we need it, we just have to be open to receive it.

The recent events are forcing change.  They are forcing us to change the way we look at the world, the way we look at our health and what we prioritize in our lives.

What’s important to you?

For some it has been toilet paper and for others it’s been making sure they have high quality food in the fridge.

While I was re-evaluating my priorities with the recent full moon on March 9th (noted as a day to release things), the intention I set was…

 “I let go of busy-ness to hold space for my intuition, creativity, health & happiness” 

Little did I know the COVID-19 situation would explode just a few days later and it seems this is exactly what it’s calling us to do…

• Slow down
• Let go of being busy
• Look inward instead of out
• Be with yourself and those closest to you
• Practice patience and hold space for health
• Take time to create and contemplate what is really important

Interestingly, these are also basic practices that help you to build and maintain your health, and they were pivotal parts of my health journey that helped me to reverse Hashimotos, balance my hormones, restore my energy and get back to my ideal body. 

Part of the reason why people get sick is because we are so busy.  Think about how many times you or people you know have…

• Come to work sick
• Pushed through the pain
• And kept going till burn out

All because there was “too much to do.”  And all of which suppresses your immune system, making you susceptible to the common cold, flu, chronic illness and pandemic type viruses such as COVID-19.

Your body can only heal in a relaxed state.

If you’re always on-the-go, when does your body have time to heal and to strengthen its defenses?

While being quarantined to your home doesn’t sound like the most ideal situation, maybe it’s what we all need right now in order to not only prevent the spread of the Coronavirus, but to also allow a deep healing to happen that we wouldn’t have otherwise permitted.

In this week’s video and blog, I’m giving you tips to help you make the most of this Coronavirus situation so you can come out of it healthier than ever before!

Word on the street is the people with the highest risk for contracting Coronavirus are immunocompromised.  

Immunocompromised simply means having a weakened immune system, it doesn’t mean you have to have a more chronic illness such as an autoimmune condition.  In fact, a weakened immune system can occur over time from the accumulation of simple stressors such as:

• Mental or emotional stress
• Eating low quality foods or drinking alcohol
• Going to bed late or not sleeping through the night
• Toxins you’re exposed to at home, work or in your food and products
• Over exercising when you’re already stressed or exhausted

It wouldn’t be crazy to say that all of us have some level of a weakened immune system given this list, and especially right now with stress regarding the state of the world.

The good news is there are plenty of simple things you can do to offset the accumulation of stressors to not only boost your immune system but also to build your health.

Here are my top 5 tips for boosting immunity and building health:

1. Avoid inflammatory and toxic foods such as gluten, dairy, sugar, soy and alcohol
2. Be asleep by 10pm OR earlier – every hour before 12pm is worth 2 hours of rest
3. Move your body daily at a moderate intensity to break a sweat without overdoing it
4. Do the 557 breath 10x before meals – inhale for 5 seconds, hold for 5 and exhale for 7
5. Get outside daily for fresh air and sunlight to boost detoxification and balance your body’s natural rhythm 

Doing these things doesn’t take much time, energy or resources so even if you are quarantined they are within your reach and doable.

And if I was to pick ONE thing for you to focus on right now out of all of them, it would be sleep.  We have to learn to value sleep more than diet and exercise, especially during times like these. With everything being closed at the moment, there’s no reason to go out and stay up late. 

Getting to bed before 10pm positively impacts your immune system, hormone balance, energy, and overall health on a huge scale.

To help keep you motivated, focused on your health and accountable to getting proper sleep, I’m going to be hosting a sleep challenge on my Instagram and Facebook next week that you can participate in.  All you have to do is follow me on Instagram and/or Facebook.

In addition to the challenge, I’ll be posting regular tips, resources and bits of inspiration you can use to support your health.

I want to be a resource and of service to you during this time.  Please don’t hesitate to message me if you need a word of advice, encouragement or resources to help you support your health.

This too shall pass and we’ll get through it together.