When the New Year’s Honeymoon is Over…

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While some of you may be consistent with your health habits (high fives!), I am already noticing the annual trend I call “The New Year’s Honeymoon is Over”. This is the transition time where we really see the distinction between those that feel they “should” make healthy changes and resolutions from those who are “committed” to creating permanent healthier habits.

In my work as a nutritionist and transformational coach, I am not interested in fads, quick fixes, or temporary improvements because I’ve seen over more than 2 decades that they don’t lead to any sustained improvement in quality of life. The people who work with me discover that while they may want a quick fix for whatever symptom is ailing them (I mean, who doesn’t want to feel better immediately?!), there is so much more happening below the surface. Our mindset is what drives our habits. Until we create alignment with the results we say we want and the accountability of creating a lifestyle that supports those outcomes, results will be inconsistent or temporary.



So today, I invite you to take a look at where you are showing up in a committed way in your life with your health and wellness. In what areas do you consistently create results? It is here that you will discover your commitment. Lean into this place. Commitments are so much deeper than “shoulds”. We don’t sustain changes when they come from a place of obligation. Get clear on the benefits your health provides to you and those you love. What do you love to do, how do you love to spend your time…and if your health were suffering, how would all of that change? I want you to really picture this because in this moment of truth is a tremendous opportunity to step into a new way of BEING.

Many of you know that life isn’t fair and that there are no guarantees to any of us having consistent health. BUT, if you are committed to feeling great in your body and mind, the way you take care of yourself will certainly impact the likelihood that you will create a life where you enjoy being alive and healthy.

Before we say goodbye for today, I’d like to share some recipes I recently came across. We all know that variety is the spice of life and when we have healthy options for variety, we are more likely to be consistent on our path to wellness, so here you go:


It is my passion to work with people like you whose health symptoms are getting in the way of you living life fully and with a sense of freedom in your body. I can help you to regain your health so you can feel great and free to enjoy life fully.

If you’re ready to discover where your best health has been hiding, I’d love to connect with you!
Apply for a complimentary Unstoppable Health Discovery Session. http://bit.ly/schedulinghealth (subject to availability).

Until next time, I’m wishing you unstoppable health!

~Rebecca

P.S.
Know someone who could use my help?
Send them the link to apply for a complimentary Unstoppable Health Discovery Session. bit.ly/schedulinghealth (subject to availability).

Health Benefits of Brewed Cacao

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Have you ever heard of brewed cacao? It is different than cocoa or hot chocolate and not as well known…but it deserves some recognition and today, we’ll do just that!

So let’s explore cacao. Cacao is the raw, unprocessed version of cocoa powder… and it’s arguably one of the best alternatives to coffee!


There are many health benefits to coffee as well, but today we’ll be focusing on cacao and some of the differences and benefits of cacao.

Drinking a caffeinated beverage is extremely common. In fact, 80% of US adults take some form of caffeine every single day! While caffeine can have positive effects on metabolism and alertness, daily consumption of caffeine actually hinders energy, alertness, and cognitive function because we develop a tolerance to it: it interferes with 2 important brain chemicals adenosine and orexin. Learn more about that here. Essentially, you need to consume more caffeine in order to achieve the same result.

Additionally, caffeinated coffee stimulates your central nervous system, heart, and muscles.  It increases your heartbeat and blood pressure, and, if you consume too much, you may experience muscle twitching.  

Alternatively, brewed cacao can provide you a similar energy boost without caffeine and caffeine’s side effects.

The Origins of Brewed Cacao

Brewing cacao had its roots in Mexico. Ancient fermenting pots and tools had traces of cacao as well as its active ingredient theobromine dating back to 1900 BC! Then in 1500 BC, the Olmecs started roasting, grinding, and brewing cacao beans. There’s even evidence that cacao may have been fermented and used as an alcoholic drink. It seems that the Olmecs were the first group to discover that cacao improves mood, boosts energy, and provides sustenance. However, it’s the Mayan and Aztec Empires that were the biggest cacao lovers and innovators. 

As cacao became famous, people began to consider it as a sacred drink and offered it to deities and became part of celebrations. 

Brewed Cacao Better vs. (Caffeinated) Coffee

They’re both delicious, however, we’ve already talked about how caffeine makes your blood vessels narrow and speeds up your heart rate so that blood flow increases. Brewed cacao doesn’t contain caffeine. The secret of brewed cacao lies in the substance called theobromine, which, if translated to Greek, means “food of the gods.”

Theobromine is a natural stimulant that widens blood vessels to increase blood flow. So it does give you a boost of energy just like coffee does, but the difference is that the effect of theobromine lasts longer without negative side effects.

What’s more, brewed cacao (or cacao nibs for that matter) is extremely rich in polyphenols and flavonoids. In fact, brewed cacao is one of the foods with the highest concentrations of these antioxidants (higher than coffee which is also quite high). It’s also high in magnesium and mood enhancers that improve concentration, lessen stress, and help you get a restful sleep.

Here are more benefits of brewed cacao:

The “Love Drug” in Brewed Cacao

As if all those benefits are not yet enough, cacao contains phenylethylamine, the very same chemical our bodies produce when we fall in love. So it naturally boosts mood, focus, and alertness. 

Moreover, cacao has these three feel-good chemicals:

  • Anandamide – known as the “bliss molecule”; a neurotransmitter that helps stimulate a sense of happiness and mental wellness
  • Serotonin – the “happy hormone,” and “calming chemical,” is a natural mood stabilizer that affects mood, emotions, appetite, and digestion
  • Tryptophan – is used by the body to make melatonin and serotonin. Melatonin helps regulate the sleep-wake cycle. The liver also uses tryptophan to produce niacin (vitamin B3).

Brewed Cacao Can Help in Weight Loss

Not only is cacao low in carbs and calories, but it also suppresses appetite (raises serotonin and decreases ghrelin). Just one more reason to love cacao!

It is my passion to work with people like you whose health symptoms are getting in the way of you living life fully and with a sense of freedom in your body. I can help you to regain your health so you can feel great and free to enjoy life fully.

If you’re ready to discover where your best health has been hiding, I’d love to connect with you!
Apply for a complimentary Unstoppable Health Discovery Session. http://bit.ly/schedulinghealth (subject to availability).

Until next time, I’m wishing you unstoppable health!

~Rebecca

P.S.
Know someone who could use my help?
Send them the link to apply for a complimentary Unstoppable Health Discovery Session. bit.ly/schedulinghealth (subject to availability).

Connecting the Dots of Inflammation

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Today you’re going to learn how your gut acts as the gatekeeper for inflammation, weight imbalance, inconsistent energy and more.

So what’s all this about your gut, inflammation, and other symptoms?

Your gut is at the ROOT of your health.

Your gut is where you take all the good stuff you eat and drink and transform it into the many building blocks your body needs to make energy, think clearly, sleep well, maintain a healthy weight, build muscle, and clear out toxins that need clearing out daily so you can thrive. Your gut also houses over 80% of your immune system (and your immune system is in charge of regulating inflammation!).

It is my passion is to work with people like you whose health symptoms–like low energy, gut/digestive issues, excess weight, mood imbalance, and skin & sleep problems–are getting in the way of you living life fully and with a sense of freedom in your body. I help you to regain your health so you can feel great and free to enjoy life fully.

What’s my gut got to do with inflammation, excess weight, etc?

Good question. Everything!
Let me introduce you to lipopolysaccharide, LPS for short. LPS is the major component of the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria, of which there are many in your gut. As part of normal metabolism, LPS is shed from bacteria. And this is no big deal when your gut is working properly.
But when your gut isn’t working properly, LPS passes into your bloodstream, creates inflammation, dips in energy, insulin resistance, metabolic disorders, and (of course) can contribute to weight gain.

Research suggests that LPS sets the tone for insulin levels (the hormone that controls your blood sugar and fat storage), diabetes, and the onset of obesity.
 

Take care of your gut

As you can see, your gut health is SUPER important for quality of life. When your gut isn’t working right, things like LPS can pass right on into your bloodstream and wreak havok on your system which sets the stage for pain & inflammation, metabolic disorders like type 2 diabetes, and weight gain.

How do you make sure you’ve got a healthy gut? Well a great first step is to mind what you eat. Your food plays a tremendous role in your gut health. Drinking plenty of clean, filtered water daily, moving your body, getting 7-8 hrs of sleep/night, and managing your stress are all parts of the healthy gut foundation as well. It’s good to start with the basics and make sure you’ve really got those dialed in.

I meet people every day who think that they’ve got the basics dialed in, but when we explore, they really don’t. So dialing those basics in first is super important before taking additional gut healing measures. Throwing herbs, probiotics, and other supplements into the mix when you don’t have the basics dialed in is a waste of your time and resources.

If you’re having symptoms like gut issues, weight imbalance, diabetes, fatigue and you’re ready to take your health to the next level, I’d love to connect with you.
Apply for a complimentary Unstoppable Health Discovery Session. http://bit.ly/schedulinghealth (subject to availability).

Until next time, I’m wishing you unstoppable health!

~Rebecca

P.S.
Know someone who could use my help?
Send them the link to apply for a complimentary Unstoppable Health Discovery Session. bit.ly/schedulinghealth (subject to availability).