It would be hard for me to have a blog about hosting, design and decor without sharing a bit about something else I am extremely passionate about – and that is health. Without health and plenty of energy, there wouldn’t be much hosting! I thought it might be helpful to share some of my favorite advice and products that our family uses on a daily/weekly/monthly basis to help keep our immune systems running in tip-top shape! This ensures that we don’t get sick often and we can have tons of energy, feeling and looking our best! I am a certified nutritional health coach and graduated from the Institute of Integrative Nutrition. Read on to learn My Top 10 Nutrition Tips!
This post contains affiliate links, which means I make a small commission at no extra cost to you. See my full disclosure here.
The Rules We Follow
There are some nutritional “rules” that we follow in our house, and it’s because of these rules (I believe) that we rarely go to the doctor. Not to say that we never do, but it really is pretty rare! If we give our bodies the fundamental elements they need to heal on their own through the basics like: plenty of sunshine, rest, water a whole-foods diet, and limiting things such as dairy and sugar we can GREATLY reduce bodily inflammation and increase overall health!
If you’re a homeschool mom like me, you know how important it is to have energy! Let me share with you some of the tips and healthy products that help to keep my family and I going!
Top Nutrition Tip #1 – Lemon Water
In the morning, my husband and I always drink our lemon-infused water to re-hydrate after dehydrating all night while sleeping. This is essential! Our bodies are mostly water and we need to hydrate!!! In my opinion, one of the worst things you can do for yourself is wake up and drink a cup of coffee first thing. Why lemons you ask? The lemon in the water helps to alkalinize and detoxify your body, not to mention giving you a nice dose of Vitamin C.
Simply squeeze half a lemon into your glass of water (preferably a little warmer water is best) and start your day off right! You can add a drop or two of stevia (natural sweetener) or honey if it’s too sour for you to handle. Drinking lemon water throughout your entire day would be even better! This is something that would be great to get your kiddos into the habit of doing now! My kids don’t do this every day but they will definitely do it sometimes.
Top Nutrition Tip #2 – A Smoothie/Protein Shake Breakfast
Now, I know the topic of breakfast is a bit controversial. Some people prefer not to eat anything at all, or to fast until later in the day. I believe in bio-individuality- that one person’s food is another person’s poison. Something that works for one may not work for the next person. I’m just sharing what we have done for 10+ years that has worked very well for us.
My husband and I have always made a smoothie for breakfast. I consider it my first breakfast, really… since it is liquid and I usually want something a little heartier and solid later in the morning (eggs and toast, oatmeal, etc.) However, you can bulk up your smoothie so much that you certainly wouldn’t need another meal until lunchtime if you do it right.
Without my smoothie I know it would be very hard to get enough fruits and veggies into my daily diet. Something I have learned from nutrition school is that it’s always best to eat fruits on either an empty stomach, that’s why breakfast time is perfect — OR eat them first with any other meal you are consuming – otherwise the fruits will sit on top of other things in your stomach and begin to ferment. This is what causes gas, bloating and other discomforts. A lot of people don’t know this.
What time of day is best for a smoothie/protein shake?
So I say, best time of the day is first thing. The first time I ever tried a kale smoothie, I was a bit skeptical. I thought it would taste too green and that I wouldn’t be able to stomach it. However, it was delicious and almost undetectable in this recipe I followed, and from that point on I ALWAYS put kale in my smoothies.
My biggest recommendation to you for breakfast is a SMOOTHIE. Make it a smoothie that contains not only fruits but greens as well. Personally, we use a mixture of kale and spinach but you can experiment using arugula and other greens as well. It can take some time to experiment and some adjusting to find something you really like. But once you do, your body will start to crave it because it is longing for the nutritional powerhouse that you are now feeding it!
What is the best protein powder to use?
When it comes to protein powders, I’ve used all different kinds over the years. I would buy them at the grocery store, or Whole Foods, the health store, Amazon, you name it. I found a few that I liked, and would enjoy them for awhile but sometimes I would notice that they made my sweat smell after working out. What really started to bother me was that I didn’t know how I could trust any of the brands – no matter how many “Clean” “Organic”, and other labels they were plastered with. How could I really trust any of these companies that they were putting in them what they said they were!? I was consuming a shake daily and so I really started to become skeptical and worrying what was actually going into my body!
Shaklee Products
Fast forward to a dear friend telling me about Shaklee. I first started using them when I was pregnant and to my amazement, I began to have more energy while pregnant and homeschooling than I ever had before. I 100% trust this company, and work with them now helping to improve the lives of my friends and family that too, want to feel the “Shaklee Difference”.
This company is different in that it is “beyond organic”: rigorously tested for purity and they refuse to work with any farmers that don’t live up to their impeccable standards. The difference is clear to my husband and I, and anyone I get on the vitamins and supplements can’t believe how much more energy they have. If you are interested in these supplements, you can click HERE to purchase through my link.
This is the Life-Shake Plant Protein Powder we use. I love chocolate, my husband likes French Vanilla. You can also add in this Collagen Powder for even more protein and health benefits. Click HERE for a complete list of the supplements we use.
What’s the main point I’m trying to get across here no matter what protein powder you choose? Introduce a protein-packed greens-rich smoothie into your daily morning routine and you won’t regret it!
Top Nutrition Tip #3 – Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV)
I’m sure you’ve heard it before, but this really is a cure-all and an amazing boost to your system. Even if you only do it ONCE a day! What are some of the benefits you ask? Improved blood sugar regulation, possible reduction of cholesterol, promotes healthy balance of bacteria in your gut, reduces bloating, improves metabolism, helping reduce weight, increases the benefits of the vitamins and minerals in your food and so much more! It has been shown that when you take it before a meal it actually helps your body to break down the fats in the foods you are eating and helps your body assimilate everything better.
The first time I ever learned about this, I was working in an office cubicle and saw a co-worker pull it out from her bottom desk drawer. I laughed and said “what in the world is that?!” as I saw her drinking it. She said whenever she feels that funny feeling in her throat or somewhere in her body like she is starting to get sick, she takes a swig of it and POOF – it’s gone! Sure enough, ever since then I have followed her advice. If I wake up in the middle of the night and feel as if I’m starting to get a sore throat, I run to the kitchen and take some ACV. 9 times out of 10 it knocks out anything before it starts. I swear by it!
What type of Apple Cider Vinegar is best?
Now, you want to make sure that the kind of ACV you purchase has the “mother”. Otherwise, it won’t have the probiotic content that you are looking for. This is a fermented product containing acetic acid, enzymes, protein and bacteria. If you are new to taking ACV, you may want to put it in a little bit of kombucha so it’s not so harsh on your throat, or try putting it in some water with a little bit of honey. This is our favorite brand of apple cider vinegar.
Top Nutrition Tip #4 – Movement & Fresh Air
Get moving! I say consistency is better than doing one or two hard, crazy workouts a week. Even just 10-20 minutes spent walking, biking or jogging daily will do so much good for your body and your brain! When I am starting to feel foggy-headed, I know it’s time to get my sweat on! I’ve found that the best time for me personally to get some exercise is first thing in the morning because it will help improve my mood and believe it or not, give me the energy I need for the rest of the day! It’s like a jump-start and gets me motivated for everything else I will need to tackle the rest of my day.
You don’t have to do anything crazy – like I said, just a few minutes of getting your heart pumping and your blood moving will do you SO much good. Not to mention, it will influence the rest of your family to get a move on and getting into their own healthy habits! Whether it’s jumping on the trampoline or biking, the more your kids are moving the healthier they will be too!
Get Outside!
Here are just a few of the many proven health benefits of getting out in fresh air:
Lowers stress levels, anxiety, and other mood-related imbalances by increasing serotonin in the brain! Being outside can help to reduce cortisol levels (stress hormones).
Sunlight helps your body in producing Vitamin D which is important for mental health as well as a healthy immune system.
The natural light helps to regulate a person’s sleep cycle, which will greatly improve overall mental health.
You can be reminded of the many beautiful things in our world!
Top Nutrition Tip #5 – Limit these 5: Dairy, Sugar, Caffeine, Alcohol, & Meat Intake
What’s the deal with dairy?
Not many people like to hear this, but it’s just the truth! Most people are dairy intolerant and don’t even realize it. Uncomfortable symptoms they may experience daily that are likely from consuming dairy, when they shouldn’t be. They just are not aware this is what is likely causing frequent ear infections in children, allergies, skin issues… Plus, dairy is not what you think it is.
Most of the good things in dairy are not there unless you are consuming it raw. Once heated, most of the benefits are gone! Can you believe that milk actually LEACHES calcium from your bones?! It does the opposite of what the dairy companies are telling you it does by “building strong bones”. Just not true!
Raw Milk vs Pasteurized
If you are going to drink cow’s milk, I suggest getting it from a reputable raw milk source. Raw milk contains all of the good stuff. You may have to do a bit of searching depending on where you live to find this, but most of the time with a little digging you can find some!
Nut milks are also a great and healthier alternative as long as you are buying organic brands with minimal ingredients and none of the fillers or additives like carrageenan and others.
Sugar isn’t so sweet!
Sugar AKA “crack”. It is proven to be more addictive than crack-cocaine. Bottom-line… sugar IS a drug. There is no way around it. The more you have, the more you want it. The less processed sugar you have in your life and the lives of your family, the better. This may sound extreme, but it compromises the immune system for up to 6 hours after you consume even a tiny amount. Now think of how much sugar is being fed to children on a daily basis – shocking and downright scary!
We all have cancer cells in our bodies and a healthy immune system is what helps to keep those cancer cells at bay and prevents their growth. Eating excessive amounts of sugar also will compromise the health of your metabolism. Cancer is considered a “metabolic disease” when there is a metabolic dysfunction. Sugar is one of the main causes of bad metabolic health.
Bottom line: sugar feeds cancer cells. This is serious! Think about how much cancer has increased in our lifetime. I believe they say a recent statistic: 1 out of 2 people will develop cancer nowadays. But we need to think about what is considered “normal” about the American diet, and how in actuality it has become highly ABNORMAL.
Sweet alternatives.
There are plenty of healthier, less-processed alternatives to white and refined sugar. More natural sources of sweetness include: raw honey, pure organic maple syrup, organic coconut sugar, organic stevia. Steer clear from man-made sugar substitutes which are full of chemicals and yuckies. These are now known to cause disease.
The low-down on alcohol.
I know you’ve probably heard red wine is “healthy” with all of it’s antioxidants and polyphenols. While some of this may be true, wine is also laden with sugar and will increase your desire and craving for sugar-y things, because as noted before, sugar=crack. Beer and other types of alcohol just do your body NO good. Stay away from it as much as you can!
Why cut back on caffeine?
I think it’s always a good idea to come off of all types of caffeine and stimulants, then if desired to slowly and gradually re-introduce them back in your life. I used to be addicted to coffee, and if I missed my second cup in the afternoon, I was usually in for a bad headache later that day. After I got pregnant, I remember cutting it out until after having my baby. Once I started drinking it again, I realized how jittery and anxious it made me feel and realized I had been living that way, unaware – for a long time!
As far as caffeine goes, I would say try to wean off gradually rather than just stop cold-turkey. Otherwise, you may be in for some not-so-pleasant withdrawal headaches and other symptoms. There’s nothing wrong with a little caffeine here and there, but when you are relying on it so heavily that you are neglecting other pillars of health such as adequate rest, this is a problem. Listen to your body! Don’t drown it in coffee and energy drinks! You compromise your health in other ways when you do this- throwing things way off balance.
Meat – Friend or foe?
Cutting back on meat will greatly reduce inflammation and acidity in your body, and if you are an athlete it is even proven to shorten recovery time! Watch this very interesting and informative documentary. Again, I believe in bio-individuality. Some blood types thrive on eating more meat, and if that’s you, you’ll want to make sure it is quality meat – organic, closest to its natural source and free from antibiotics.
Top Nutrition Tip #6 DITCH THE UNNATURAL PROCESSED FOODS AND DRINKS WITH CHEMICALS, ARTIFICIAL SWEETENERS AND ADDITIVES!
You heard me! Eat as many organic, or close-as-possible to organic whole foods – as close to their natural state as possible! Please try to buy organic as often as you can- I know it can be pricey, but for certain foods it is definitely the safest. The amount of pesticides sprayed and GMO foods (genetically modified foods) around these days is disturbing. Here is a link to find a current lists of The Dirty Dozen & Clean Fifteen foods so you can know what is absolutely worth trying to buy organic, and what is ok not to. Remember to shop the perimeter of the grocery store.
Top Nutrition Tip #7 – Reduce Stress
So much disease stems from stress! Stress causes inflammation in the body. How many times are we rushed even in our meal-times? So what are some good ways to de-stress? Think of things that you enjoy – taking a warm bath, reading a good book, getting outside, taking a nice long walk or hike, chatting with a friend, enjoying a good meal or a cup of tea unhurried, booking a massage, or simply listening to some up-lifting music. The possibilities really are endless! Anything that helps you to unwind.
Top Nutrition Tip #8 – Take a quality multivitamin!
Everyone should be taking a multivitamin! It’s just not very likely any of us have the time or ability to consume the amount of food necessary to achieve our recommended daily amount of vitamins and minerals for our bodies to function at optimal level! If you want to have energy and all that your body needs to look and feel your best, you need to be sure you are filling in any nutritional gaps that may be present from your diet. Here is my favorite multi-vitamin that I take every day.
Top Nutrition Tip #9 – Get Adequate Rest
You might not see rest as a nutrient, but sleep is absolutely CRUCIAL to your health. Obviously, if you have a newborn, infant or any other life circumstance hindering this you just do the best you can. Otherwise, limit bright screens before bed, get off your devices. Make sleep a priority! Sleep is when your brain and body get a chance to repair themselves. Lack of sleep, again- causes inflammation (leading to other problems) and even more stress which is what you are trying to minimize! Come up with a relaxing nighttime routine/ritual to prepare yourself for sleep. Dim the lights, read, take a bath, journal. Do something every night that cues your body it’s almost time to hit the pillow!
Top Nutrition Tip #10 – An Attitude of Gratitude
Spend time every day being thankful and grateful for the life that you have! Things like prayer and taking time to appreciate the people and things around you. Work on being present. Life truly is a gift that should never be taken for granted!
Books I highly recommend that have helped me along on my journey in nutrition:
Well, I hope that this post has been helpful for you and either given you some fresh advice or just good reminders in the basic ways that we can take the best care of our bodies! Click here for my favorite top nutrition supplement recommendations and links!
Leave a Reply