4 Reasons to Visit Sedona By Certified Health Coach Sofia Klof!

I recently got back from a road trip to Sedona, Arizona and when I say it exceeded my expectations I mean it REALLY did. Prior to my trip I was in a bit of a mental funk due to health problems, stresses of starting a business, and other personal reasons, so a trip to Sedona sounded like the perfect mini escape.

When I got back I felt refreshed, motivated, and at peace. Ready to take on any challenge that came my way!

So here are my 4 reasons as to why you NEED to put Sedona on your bucket list! 🙂

 

1.  Sedona is a Very Spiritual Place.  Native Americans hold many places around Sedona to be sacred. “Regarded by Native Americans as sacred, Sedona continues to be recognized as a place of healing and spiritual renewal,” Visit Sedona said. “Many come to experience the vortex energy centers of Sedona.”No matter what, you are bound to get some rest and relaxation there. Sedona is home to “mystical bazaars” with psychic readers, yoga studios and spas offering massages, reiki and other healing therapies.

2.  Endless Outdoor Adventure. Surrounded by 1.8 million acres of national forest land, four wilderness areas and two state parks, Sedona has so many things to do: hiking, biking, climbing, rafting, kayaking, you name it. With more than 120 trails in Sedona, there’s plenty to explore.

Here are some of my favorite National Parks and Trails:

  • Red Rock State Park
  • Boyton Canyon Trail
  • Devil’s Bridge Trail
  • Bell Rock

3.  Stay and Play Year-Round. Sedona is beautiful all year long, including in the winter when snow occasionally dusts the red rocks. One might argue Sedona is even more beautiful in the winter. Its far less crowded in the winter months. And visitors will enjoy ample sunshine, mild temperatures and might even get the chance to see the red rocks dusted by snow. After a brisk hike or bike ride, visitors can unwind in the city’s funky boutiques, galleries and spas.

4.  It’s Easy to Find Healthy Food Options. If you’re like me and plan your trips around cities that have healthy food options then Sedona is the place for you. I recently had a gastritis flare up before my trip and was anxious if I would find healthy food options for my anti-inflammatory, mostly plant based diet. Thankfully, there were SO many options. From plant based and organic eateries in Downtown Sedona to lots of healthy options at my hotel Enchantment Resort, I didn’t have to constantly be anxious trying to find food options that worked for me!

My favorite Eateries In Sedona:

  • Chocolatree
  • Che ah Chi
  • Natural Grocers
  • Local Juicery
  • Berry Divine Acai Bowls
  • Picazzo’s Organic Italian Kitchen
  • Wildflower Bread Company
  • Thai Spices Natural Restaurant
  • Creekside American Bistro

Vitamin D- Are you getting enough? Answered by Certified Health Coach Sofia Klof!

Vitamin D is an essential fat-soluble vitamin. It’s sometimes called the “sunshine vitamin” because our skin makes it when exposed to the sun. It’s also the most common nutrient deficiency.

Like most vitamins, vitamin D has many functions in the body. It’s mostly known for its ability to help build strong bones. But, vitamin D is also important for a healthy immune system, digestive system, heart and mental health, blood sugar regulation, fertility, and resistance to cancer.

How much vitamin D do we need?

To get enough vitamin D from the sun, a general rule is to get about 15–30 minutes of sun between 10:00 a.m. & 3:00 p.m. at least four to five times a week to the face, arms, legs, or back without sunscreen.

When it comes to vitamin D from foods and supplements, in Canada and the US, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) has set target daily amounts. This amount, called the “Recommended Dietary Allowance” (RDA), ensures that at least 97% of people get enough vitamin D every day. Those recommendations are:

  • 10 mcg (400 IU) per day for infants under the age of one.
  • 15 mcg (600 IU) per day for everyone aged 1-70 years old, including pregnant and lactating women.
  • 20 mcg (800 IU) per day for everyone over the age of 70.

What are the sources of vitamin D?

You can get vitamin D in a variety of ways. These can include:

  • Being exposed to the sun. About 15-20 minutes three days per week is usually sufficient.
  • Through the foods you eat.
  • Through nutritional supplements

Common low vitamin D Symptoms:

  • Low immunity and getting sick often
  • Depression
  • Excessive fatigue
  • Hormonal imbalance
  • Low bone mineral density

My final thoughts are this:

Next time you see your doctor for a check up make sure to ask them if you can check your vitamin D levels, and if you are someone who is constantly feeling fatigued it may be time to make an appointment with your doctor to get your vitamin D levels checked. Also make sure to find food sources that contain vitamin D and to start implementing them in your diet.

 

Great healthy food sources of vitamin D include:

  • Wild Caught Salmon
  • Almond Milk
  • Orange Juice
  • Eggs
  • Mushrooms

 

It’s never too late to start caring about your health.

 

My Top 5 Favorite Immune Boosting Supplements!

Your immune system consists of a complex collection of cells, processes, and chemicals that constantly defends your body against invading pathogens, including viruses, toxins, and bacteria.

Keeping your immune system healthy year-round is key to preventing infection and disease.

Making healthy lifestyle choices by consuming nutritious foods and getting enough sleep and exercise are the most important ways to bolster your immune system.

In addition, research has shown that supplementing with certain vitamins, minerals, herbs, and other substances can help improve immune response and potentially protect against illness.

However, note that some supplements can interact with prescription or over-the-counter medications you’re taking. Some may not be appropriate for people with certain health conditions. Be sure to talk with a healthcare professional before starting any supplements.

Here are my top 5 favorite Immune Boosting Supplements:

 

Vitamin D

Vitamin D is a fat-soluble nutrient essential to the health and functioning of your immune system.

Vitamin D decreases inflammation, which helps promote immune response.

Many people are deficient in this important vitamin, which may negatively affect immune function. In fact, low vitamin D levels are associated with an increased risk of upper respiratory tract infections, including influenza and allergic asthma.

Depending on blood levels, anywhere from 1,000 to 4,000 IU of supplemental vitamin D per day is sufficient for most people.

Vitamin D has been highly researched in connection with COVID-19 because of its effect on the immune system. Studies have shown that Vitamin D can expedite healing and stall inflammation in the respiratory system.

Zinc

Zinc is a mineral that’s commonly added to supplements and other healthcare products like lozenges that are meant to boost your immune system. This is because zinc is essential for immune system function.

Zinc is needed for immune cell development and communication and plays an important role in inflammatory response.

A deficiency in this nutrient significantly affects your immune system’s ability to function properly, resulting in an increased risk of infection and disease, including pneumonia.

According to research, 16% of all deep respiratory infections worldwide have been found to be due to zinc deficiency.

Zinc deficiency affects around 2 billion people worldwide and is very common in older adults. In fact, up to 30% of older adults are considered deficient in this nutrient.

Garlic

Garlic has been used as an antiseptic, antibacterial, and antifungal agent. It may help the body resist or destroy viruses and other microorganisms. It does this by boosting the immune system. Garlic is also claimed to fight infections.

Garlic has powerful anti-inflammatory and antiviral properties. It has been shown to enhance immune health by stimulating protective white blood cells.

Medicinal Mushrooms

Medicinal mushrooms have been used since ancient times to prevent and treat infection and disease. Many types of medicinal mushrooms have been studied for their immune-boosting potential.

Over 270 recognized species of medicinal mushrooms are known to have immune-enhancing properties

Cordyceps, lion’s mane, maitake, shitake, reishi, and turkey tail are all types that have been shown to benefit immune health.

Some research demonstrates that supplementing with specific types of medicinal mushrooms may enhance immune health in several ways as well as reduce symptoms of certain conditions, including asthma and lung infections.

Medicinal mushroom products can be found in the form of tinctures, teas, and supplements.

Camu Camu

Camu camu’s immune system support comes primarily from its vitamin C and antioxidant content. High doses of vitamin C can help reduce the length and severity of viral infections and strengthen the immune system, while antioxidants enhance the immune response by protecting your immune cells from oxidative stress.

However, since this wonderful superfood is also a rich source of polyphenols with antimicrobial properties, adding camu camu powder to your diet may support positive changes in the gut microbiome. Healthier populations of gut bacteria have been linked with healthy weight management, normal immune function, better heart health, and more.

How I Quit My Job and Became an IIN Certified Health Coach!

Exactly one year ago, I found myself in a rut. We were amidst a global pandemic and I couldn’t feel more unstable in my life. One thing that the pandemic forced me to do was really take a hard look at who I was and what I wanted my life to look like going forward.

Some career background on me: I entered a pageant and was crowned Miss Malaysia at 16 years old. I then went to college to study Media Broadcasting and even interned at a local LA TV station. I decided I wanted to pursue acting, and took a leap of faith and went full speed ahead pursuing the career. Shortly after, I started experiencing chronic migraines which then led me down a dark hole of many chronic illnesses. After years of trying to self cure and going to hundreds of doctors, I found a preventive medication, diet, and lifestyle that worked for me and went from 25 migraine days a month to only 2. With my newfound health, I tried to find a career that was “work from home” friendly because I was anxious my health problems would come back. I then started working for a Digital Marketing company and then went on to work for a Fashion PR company which all leads back to last year sitting in my apartment contemplating my career.

As we started to see a tiny light at the end of the tunnel regarding COVID, our governor was finally allowing employees to come back to the office for work and my boss offered me the full time position. Something in me felt like that wasn’t the path that was going to lead me to happiness and fulfillment in my career. After self-curing and basically completely changing my life I had several people tell me that I should look into the wellness field. I always smiled and said thank you but that’s not what I want to do in life. Prior to COVID, my dreams consisted of entertainment, film, and marketing. After COVID I realized that I can use all the skills that I have learned and obtained through my various careers in life and put it into my own business, while helping others and creating a career that I had always dreamed of.

I researched for weeks trying to find the the perfect school that I could get an accredited certification from when I stumbled across IIN!

After reading various blogs of women who had graduated from the program and reading about how they were able to transform their lives and careers, I knew I found the perfect fit.

I enrolled in the 6-month accelerated program excited to learn and get started with my new career. I had the BEST experience at IIN, and I’m so incredibly happy that I decided to go with them for my certification! Not only did I meet so many like-minded women and created life-long friendships, I learned SO much and felt so confident in starting my new career as a Health Coach.

If you’re struggling like I was in finding your career path and have a love for health and wellness and helping people, I highly recommend checking out the Institute of Integrative Nutrition.

INTERESTED IN LEARNING MORE ABOUT THE IIN PROGRAM? Check out a Sample Class here!

Make sure to mention my name (Sofia Klof) when you enroll for a special discount! 

 

To Eat or To Not Eat Breakfast?

The million dollar question that has had us all wracking our brains at one point or another…

I think both ways are beneficial for the body, but here are my 6 reasons on why I choose to incorporate breakfast in my daily routine!

1. Breakfast encourages healthier eating

Breakfast helps you reach your daily recommended servings of fruit and vegetables. Those who eat breakfast also tend to consume more whole grains than those who skip the meal. Breakfast also fills your stomach, helping you to avoid overeating and snacking later in the day.

2. Breakfast balances blood sugar levels

Eating in the morning helps your body better break down glucose, also called blood sugar. In fact, you can avoid glucose fluctuations throughout the day by eating fruit, grains, and lean protein within two hours of waking.

3. Breakfast kickstarts your metabolism

Breakfast jump-starts your metabolism in the morning. Getting your metabolism working early helps burn calories throughout the day. Skipping breakfast tells your body to conserve, rather than burn, extra calories.

4. Breakfast boosts energy levels

Breakfast energizes the body. People who eat breakfast show an increase in physical activity throughout their mornings than people who skip it. Activity helps prevent weight gain and fatigue.

5. Breakfast promotes heart health

People who skip breakfast tend to gain extra weight, according to studies. Weight gain contributes to high cholesterol and high blood pressure, which can contribute to heart disease.

Of course, what you eat matters as much as when you eat. Make sure you consume healthy grains, proteins, and fruits and vegetables.

6. Breakfast stimulates the brain

Eating breakfast can actually give you a mental edge. Stable glucose levels can help your ability to focus, reason, and process information.

My top 5 favorite healthy and affordable “fast-casual” restaurants in LA by Certified Health Coach Sofia Klof!

LA makes use of locally-grown produce, quality meats, and seafood, there’s no reason to believe that sacrifice has to be part of being healthy. Long gone are the days of juice cleanses, small portions, and bland food.

For your clean-eating convenience, here are 5 fast-casual restaurants with delicious food that just happens to be healthy:

 

1. TOCAYA ORGANICA

Fast Casual Modern Mexican Restaurant. 

The mostly organic menu is made fresh to order by a chef team which, at the new locations, is visible to the front of house.

The Mexican-influenced menu includes salads, bowls, tacos, and burritos. All bases are vegan with the option of adding chef-recommended proteins or cheeses to each dish.

They have plant based and low-carb options such as the “cauliflower rice” and guilt-free cassava tortillas. Also, vegan picadillo and vegan chickn’ for plant based protein options.

Their meat and fish is locally sourced and 100% free of hormones, steroids, and antibiotics.

Vegan, Vegetarian, and gluten free options.

My order: 

Keto Bowl (Spanish-style cauliflower rice, sautéed tri-color peppers, jalapeño-cabbage, avocado, black olives, and arbol salsa)

Plantain Chips & Vegan Queso

 

2. CAVA

Greek inspired fast casual restaurant.

Vegan and gluten free options.

Cava Grill started in the Washington D.C. area and has since expanded to 20+ locations around the U.S., thanks to raising $60-million in funding their first year.

They have Mediterranean favorites such as hummus, pita bread, and lamb and harissa honey chicken.

Cava delivers on that feel-good promise in a real and transparent way. On the back wall of the restaurant, the names of their local partner farms for both their produce and meat are displayed, along with the charities they’re currently supporting.

My order:

Build Your Own Greens + Grains Bowl

(Half Supergreens + Half “Right Rice”, Tzatziki, Harissa Honey Chicken, Shredded Romaine, Cabbage Slaw, Diced Cucumber, and Kalamata Olives with Lemon Herb Tahini Drizzle)

 

3. SWEETGREEN

Founded in 2007, sweetgreen is a destination for simple, seasonal, healthy food. They believe the choices we make about what we eat, where it comes from and how it’s prepared have a direct and powerful impact on the health of individuals, communities and the environment. That’s why they’re building a transparent supply network, why they cook from scratch, and why they’re building a community of people who support real food.

They’re committed to supporting small and mid-size growers who are farming sustainably, to creating transparency around what’s in your food and where it came from, and to creating more accessibility to healthy, real food for more people.

My order:

Guacamole Greens Salad

(Roasted chicken, avocado, tomatoes, red onions, shredded cabbage, tortilla chips, spring mix, chopped romaine, lime squeeze, lime cilantro jalapeño vinaigrette)

 

4. SWEETFIN

Sweetfin’s Mission Statement:

HEALTHFUL, CHEF-DRIVEN POKE MADE WITH LOCAL PRODUCE, SUSTAINABLE FISH, AND INNOVATIVE INGREDIENTS

Sweetfin was created with the goal of providing healthy, nutritious and flavorful bowls with premium quality ingredients and with approachability. Their fast-casual restaurant concept takes all the familiar flavors of sushi and puts them in an easy to eat, portable, customizable, and affordable bowl.

Their culinary philosophy is centered in their “Pole to Bowl” ethos which means that in sourcing their fish they aim to use the highest-quality and most sustainable raw fish they can find while still maintaining a reasonable price point. Their menu is 100% gluten free and they are vegan and vegetarian friendly.

My Order:

Keto Bowl

(Salmon, avocado, cucumber, jicama, kale, cilantro, creamy togarashi dressing, macadamia nuts served over cauliflower rice)

 

5. MENDOCINO FARMS

Co-Founders (and husband-and-wife team) Mario Del Pero and Ellen Chen created the concept in 2003, determined to lead through empowerment and build a thriving business from just a good idea and a lot of passion.

Whether you dodge dairy, shun soy, naysay nuts, or get around gluten, they are happy to accommodate dietary restrictions and food allergies

They serve chicken from Pitman Family Farms, the most respected family-run poultry farm in the country where the family’s commitment to their animals and their workers is self-evident. They also feature RWA (Raised Without Antibiotics) turkey, which is humanely raised on family farms without any hormones or antibiotics. Their prosciutto, salami, and bacon are all nitrate-free.

They are especially proud that a large portion of our produce comes directly to their kitchens from the fields at Scarborough Farms early each morning, with no distributor or middleman required—it’s simply picked, washed, delivered, and consumed.

My order:

Roasted Mushroom Shawarma Wrap(Shawarma-spiced roasted oyster mushrooms, grape tomatoes, red onions, with cilantro-jalapeno hummus, cucumber, shredded romaine, spicy zhoug sauce, garlic yogurt sauce in a panini-pressed whole wheat tortilla)

Or 

Mama Chen’s Chicken Salad(Shaved, roasted chicken breast, napa cabbage & kale slaw with carrots & bean sprouts, baby spinach, chopped romaine, scallions, cilantro, toasted cashews, crispy wontons with miso mustard sesame dressing)

 

The BEST juice to improve Gut Health recommended by Certified Health Coach Sofia Klof!

Juicing for Gut Health

Health begins in the gut. This saying is very popular in the health and wellness world at the moment, and for good reason.

The human gut contains 10 times more bacteria than all the human cells in the entire body. This bacteria promotes normal gastrointestinal function, protects us from infection, regulates metabolism, and comprises more than 75% of our immune system.

Eating(and drinking) a diet rich in fresh fruits and vegetables feeds good gut bacteria and helps them-and us-thrive.

This delicious juice does just that and helps to heal and soothe your gut.

These are some great Digestive Health Benefits from drinking The Gut Healer juice.

Purple Cabbage: Cabbage is a great prebiotic food – meaning that the fiber in it provides fuel for the good bacteria in our large intestines which keeps your gut healthy and helps it digest foods more easily. Insoluble fiber comprises around 70% of the fiber in cabbage. It adds bulk to stools and helps food move through your gut more easily, reducing the risk of constipation

Green Apple: Green apples contain a compound called pectin, a fiber source that works as a prebiotic to promote the growth of healthy bacteria in your gut. The pectin found in green apples can help you break down foods more efficiently

Ginger: Ginger is a common natural treatment for stomach issues, such as bloating and indigestion. Ginger can help increase the movement of food through your stomach, improve indigestion, decrease bloating, and reduce intestinal cramping.

Lemon: Lemons are rich in vitamin C and fiber – and that gives them a range of benefits for supporting gut health. As a potent antioxidant, vitamin C protects the cells against free radicals, and has the potential to reduce gut inflammation and boost the immune system.

Turmeric: Turmeric has a high amount of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties which can contribute to healthy digestion. It’s used in ayurvedic medicine as a digestive healing agent.

The Gut Healer Juice

Serving Size 2 (8 oz) juices

Ingredients:

  • 1 Heads of Purple Cabbage
  • 2 Green Apples
  • 1 ginger root
  • 1 lemons
  • 1 turmeric root

Preparation:

Cut, peel, and prepare all ingredients so that they are juicer ready. Put all ingredients through the juicer. Enjoy!

My Health Journey 💓

Part of the reason why I wanted to start this blog was because my health journey has been SO challenging. I’ve been very depressed to the point where I’ve been in bed in SO much pain for weeks. Without the support of my amazing friends and family and honestly just hope and perseverance because sometimes even the people closest to you truly don’t understand what you’re going through, I would have never gotten through it. I feel that I need to dive into the beginning of my health journey so that you can fully understand all the trials and tribulations it took for me to finally start feeling better! It wasn’t an easy journey by any means… So, I first realized I had chronic migraines when I was around 15-16 years old. I thought I just had regular old headaches, as did my parents, but when they started getting more intense and were accompanied with nausea, blurry vision, brain fog, and fatigue I realized they were so much more than just a headache. After going to multiple doctors and trying a variety of pain medication, my dad recommended that I go see his Chiropractor friend Dr. Gina Travis(My dad went to school and practiced Chiropractic for most of his life). Once meeting her and telling her my story and what I was going through, she put me on a tight regimen of fruit and vegetable supplements taken 2x daily, neck and shoulder exercises to strengthen the spine, and chiropractic adjustments 2-3x a week. After one year my migraines miraculously disappeared! I went on for 3 years feeling pretty good, with the occasional migraine or two a month but not as debilitating or frequent as they had been. Fast forward to March 2017, after getting engaged to my wonderful fiancé Erik, I decided to go on birth control which ended up being the worst decision I have ever made, because once I started the birth control my migraines came back and worse than ever. I then went on to abuse Ibuprofen and Excedrin to get through work and life. Once, the pain meds stopped working I knew I had a BIG problem. So I made appointments with multiple neurologists to help get to the bottom of my problem. I got an MRI done on my brain to see if I had a brain tumor which thankfully I did not, and the search continued. After months and months of trying various preventative medications with horrific side effects I came across an amazing neurologist who suggested I try both Botox and Aimovig. I had to get prior authorization for Botox(which was my first choice) so I opted for Aimovig. The first month was tough, I had minor side effects and didn’t really see a huge difference in the number of migraines I was having a month. During this time, I was also having sever digestive discomfort and decided to just tackle everything at once and went to go see a gastroenterologist as well, and with lots of testing was told that I had SIBO, IBS, and severe acid reflux. I started changing my diet significantly and tried to be on a mostly alkaline diet, taking out specifically acidic foods since that was what bothered me the most, and incorporating more alkaline food and beverages. With the change of my diet and month three of Aimovig I started feeling SO much better! I originally had 20-25 migraine days a month and as of month three I had five. FIVE!!! I’m tearing up thinking about it now, because I was so miserable and in SO much pain, I thought that was going to be my reality forever. So here I am now, almost a year and a half later while quarantined because of COVID-19 and finally having time to tell my story! As of now I have 1-3 migraines a month, most of my digestive discomfort is manageable if I stick to my strict diet and I feel like I am finally living a somewhat normal life, while still taking necessary precautions to make sure I don’t get sick. I wanted to start this blog for many reasons but my main reason was to be able to help anyone who is going through the same thing that I went through. While I was in my worst state, I took the time to research everything about health and nutrition and follow so many bloggers who were bravely talking about their stories in the hopes to help someone who was going through similar things like me. I learned so much from them, as in what foods heal your body, natural ways to mange migraines, and supplements that help manage symptoms. So my blog will consist of yummy recipes that I love, supplements that I take, diving into which foods heal your body from within and which foods cause more inflammation and may be the culprit of why you feel sick, and miscellaneous Health & Wellness information! Stay tuned 😊

 

#health #healthfood #healthandwellness #migrainesufferer #SIBOsufferer #chronicpain #healingwithfood #healingfromwithin #healthiswealth

Why do I drink Alkaline Water?

I get asked this question a lot because I am always seen carrying around an Essentia water bottle and advocating to all my close friends and family to start drinking this healing water! lol So I wanted to be able to explain all the AMAZING health benefits of alkaline water and why it’s so important to incorporate into your daily water routine. I was first introduced to Alkaline water in my teenage years when my mom was going through breast cancer treatment. My dad who has studied nutrition for over 20 years, brought alkaline water into our home for all of us, and mostly my mom to drink because it is known to neutralize acid in the body which helps fight off chronic disease. Also about a year ago, while I was vacationing in Hawaii I developed a horrible stomach ulcer, that has stayed with me for the most part until now, and was told by my nutritionist to go on an all alkaline diet, which includes drinking heavy amounts of alkaline water.

 

A little history on Alkaline water:

Alkaline water is known to help slow down the aging process, regulate pH levels of the body and prevent various chronic diseases. Alkaline water neutralizes acid levels in the body, which normal water cannot do. According to scientists, if you have high acid levels in your body, you are more susceptible to chronic disease.

 

What makes water Alkaline?:

Alkaline water is water that has been ionized, which means the pH level of water has been increased. The pH level is a number that measures how acidic or alkaline a substance is on a scale of 0 to 14. For instance, is the level is 1, it means the substance is very acidic and if it is 13, it is very alkaline. Alkaline water has a pH level of about 8 or 9 and pH level of normal tap water is 7, which is neutral. It is believed that alkaline water helps people with excess acidity as it helps neutralize the acid in the body; thanks to its alkaline nature.

 

Most people are known to have excess acidity in their body if they regularly consume processed foods, sugar, fried foods, dairy, red meat, acidic fruits and vegetables, alcohol and soda.

 

According to the Bangalore based Nutritionist, Dr. Anju Sood, “Your body secretes out a lot of juices. Now these juices are basically acidic in nature. So at that time alkaline water will neutralize. the acid. We always suggest having foods that are least 70% alkaline and 30% acidic, so that once it is consumed; the pH of the body will be neutral. Alkaline water is suggested when you are not consuming food that is not balancing your pH levels in the body.

 

Just to summarize in case you need another reason to switch over to alkaline water or you need strong reasoning when trying to convince a family member or friend who is suffering that may benefit from switching over to Alkaline water!

 

Benefits of Alkaline water:

1. Alkaline water has ultra-hydrating properties compared to normal water. This can beneficial for people who work out on a daily basis and require more amount of water in their body. Scientifically speaking, the water molecules in alkaline water are smaller and more readily absorbed by your cells, which help your body re-hydrate quickly.

 

2. Alkaline water benefits also include boosting immunity. Your immune system may help neutralise the acidity in your body, which is caused by poor diet, stress and environmental toxins.

 

3. Alkaline water is said to have various minerals like magnesium and calcium, both of which are important for maintaining healthy bones.

 

4.Alkaline water has many potent antioxidants that help prevent the growth of cell damaging free radicals in the body, which can further rush up the aging process.

The Everyday Green Smoothie that helped me lose 10 lbs! 🥬

When I think back on what first jumpstarted me to start living a healthier lifestyle, the first thing I started to do was make my signature green smoothie every morning! I add plant based protein to help keep me full throughout the day and extra fiber to make sure I stay regular 😉 and of course LOTS and LOTS of greens. My philosophy on health is you want the food you put inside your body to heal you from the inside out. When you eat good you FEEL good. So here is my signature green smoothie that I literally drink EVERY day! Of course modify to your liking but every ingredient I add is important for a complete nutritious breakfast.

 

Ingredients:

 

1 handful of greens (I use spinach/arugula combo, but you can use kale or swiss chard as well!)

Spinach and arugula are both high in Vitamin A and Vitamin C.

 

1/2 handful of parsley

Increases immune function, anti-inflammatory, and detoxes your kidneys!

 

1/2 handful of dandelion greens

Promotes liver health and aids blood sugar control.

 

1/4 cup of Organic frozen wild blueberries (Can also sub for blackberries or raspberries)

Blueberries are high in antioxidants and help protect against aging and cancer!

 

1/2 of a banana

Bananas are HIGH in potassium, aid in digestion and can help beat gastrointestinal issues.

 

1 scoop of Nutiva Hi-Fiber Hemp Protein

Hemp protein is the easiest protein to digest. Hemp is also great for heart health because it’s high in Omega 3 fatty acids.

 

1 teaspoon of Psyllium Husk

Great for extra added fiber to help with digestion!

 

1-2 teaspoons of chia seeds

Chia seeds are rich in antioxidants and provide good sources of fiber, iron, and calcium.

 

Coconut water

My favorite liquid to use to blend with fruits and veggies in smoothies because it’s not only great for hydration but also doesn’t make the smoothie consistency super thick.

 

1 dropper of Sakara life or any other brand of Chlorophyll

Chlorophyll is great for detoxification, weight loss, and skin healing.

 
 

Blend all the ingredients together and enjoy your nutritious and delicious green smoothie!