Women Fighting Fatigue - Page 2 of 3 - A journey to a life with energy and good health

Top 7 Foods to Fight Fatigue and Boost Energy

I don’t know about you but I’m consistently looking for ways to improve my sleep, fight fatigue and boost energy. According to the CDC there are likely 50-70 million other Americans that are doing the same. That’s because many Americans have some form of sleep disorder from insomnia, to disturbed sleep, sleep walking or even sleep talking.

And then of course there’s the food many of us choose to eat which oftentimes does nothing to improve our health or provide any fuel or real nutrition.

With so many of us sleep deprived and nutritionally deficient there’s no doubt we can use all the tools we can find to help us fight fatigue and boost energy. Here are seven foods proven to be invaluable in doing just that.

Sweet Potato – Not only delicious but also a powerhouse of nutrition, sweet potatoes are full of healthy fiber which can help you stay fuller longer, but also manganese, an essential mineral which can help to promote healthy blood sugar levels. And also vitamin A, an important antioxidant that has proven to be helpful in fighting certain types of cancer. Vitamin B6 is also present and helps to improve blood flow.
Almonds – The President of the United States is known to eat exactly seven almonds every night. He must know almonds great antioxidant power as well as it’s uncanny ability to help lower cholesterol. Almonds are high in calories but 1/4 cup provides as much as 5 grams of fiber. Fiber is good for healthy blood sugar levels and cholesterol which in turn helps support healthy blood flow. Healthy blood flow equals more energy.
Beets – One of my favorite vegetables, especially in smoothies. Athletes are known to consume beets to help them with stamina. Beets also fight inflammation which science now believes is the cause of all disease. Beets protect cells from environmental stress, and research has shown beets to be effective in fighting against tumors. If there’s one vegetable to add to your table folks, this would be it.
Melons – Sweet and tasty and 90% water – you can’t beat that. Melons are a fantastic way to help keep the body hydrated as well as a much healthier alternative to pastries, cookies, and candy to satisfy your sweet tooth. Not only are they low in calories but they’re full of fiber which will help to keep you fuller longer. Packed with vitamin C and A both of which are essential in boosting energy as well as immunity.
Green Powder – What the hell is green powder you say? Well if you’re looking to skyrocket your energy then this is your go-to solution. Made from the concentration of edible greens like spinach, kale, chard, or edible marine plants or algae like spirulina or chlorella, these powders, also called “supergreens”, pack the solution to not only fighting fatigue and brain fog, but help to boost energy and even weight loss. Packed with fiber, a vast array of vitamins and minerals, enzymes, and proteins, quality green powders or supergreens have been referred to as a “multivitamin on steroids”.
Icelandic Yogurt – Yeah, it’s a thing. Icelandic yogurt also known as skyr is part of Icelandic fare from as far back as the Vikings. A six ounce container contains as much as 17 grams of protein. That’s huge! We all know protein helps us to feel fuller longer, so not only is it good for boosting energy, it can facilitate healthy weight loss. Icelandic yogurt supports a healthy gut because of the heavy dose of probiotics it has. A healthy gut leads to a healthy life that’s full of energy and clarity. Seriously.
Coconut Oil – This is a staple in my smoothies and adds a slight sweet taste without the use of sugar. According to Dr. Joshua Axe, there are more than 1500 studies touting coconut oil as one of the “healthiest foods on the planet”. The medium chain fatty acids (MCFA) is what makes this super food so super. These MCFA’s are antimicrobial and antifungal and are processed by the liver which means they are “immediately” converted to energy and not stored as fat. Coconut oil has been shown to help combat Alzheimer’s Disease, prevent high blood pressure and heart disease, reduce inflammation, boost immunity, improve memory and brain function, as well as boost energy and endurance.

Try one or even all of these seven foods and give it about two weeks of consistent use before you begin to see change. Remember consistency is key. Expect less fatigue, more energy, less brain fog and even possibly a few less inches around your waist.

Until next time here’s to less fatigue and more energy!

Top 7 Supplements to Boost Energy and Banish Brain Fog

Being diagnosed with Hashimoto’s Disease is no fun, and neither are its symptoms. Let’s face it, it sucks! One of the main issues I had to deal with before I was diagnosed was debilitating fatigue. Even after treatment, though I felt better (far better than what I expected and far sooner), I was still tired – more than I should have been.

That fatigue came from my body being malnourished. Yes, you can live in America and be malnourished. As a matter of fact, according to the The Guardian, 85 percent of Americans lack essential nutrients and suffer with what’s called “hidden hunger”. Webster’s dictionary defines hidden hunger as “A nutritional deficiency caused by lack of balance in an otherwise full diet”.

Why Supplements are Important

I’ll tell you now that if it were not for supplements I would not be able to do what I do in my daily life effectively. Fatigue would set in and without doubt my brain would be so foggy it would resemble the San Francisco’s Golden Gate bridge on it’s foggiest day.

Without supplements my brain would be so foggy weather reports would be given about it. Without supplements my brain would be so foggy people would offer me a raincoat from the mist coming from it. Without..well, I think you get it by now (lol). Enough of the one liners already.

Listen, it’s important to get as many of our nutrients from real food as often and as much as possible. Yet, I admit I love a good grass-fed cheeseburger and Lord help me if I get some chili cheese fries.

But if I’m looking to live a life where I have the energy to kick my heels up everyday and to have a healthy, clear thinking brain I can’t eat that all the time and I need to counteract my grass-fed burger and chili cheese fries treat days as well as my overall health with supplements.

Supplements can play a vital role in making sure we get the full spectrum of essential vitamins and minerals we otherwise lack in our diet. They can help take you from “meh” to “yeah!”.

If you decide to add vitamins into your “diet” do your due diligence and make sure what you’re taking is bioavailable (easily absorbed) and free of additives as much as possible. Here are some of my top 7 supplements to help boost energy, fight fatigue, and banish brain fog.

B Complex – This is a combination of eight vitamins that are essential for converting food into fuel. Low energy, brain fog, and moodiness are common symptoms of B vitamin deficiencies.
Magnesium – A mineral that has numerous benefits including fighting fatigue, calming nerves, assisting with quality sleep, and cardiovascular disease.
Chlorella – Is a “super food” that is an algae and helps the body to detox from metals and can be used medicinally to treat such ailments as cancer, reduce the side effects of radiation, boost immunity, and fight fatigue. I take this in pill form or sometimes buy the powder and put it in my smoothies. I notice that for me chlorella also helps curb my appetite as well as helps me from getting bloated. Be sure you buy the purest form of Chlorella as there are some not so pure brands out there.
Ashwaganda – An herb I can’t live without. This powerful herb revitalizes, helps to lower the stress hormone cortisol, and balances thyroid hormones.
Bacopa Monnieri – Comes from a plant and is widely used in Ayurvedic medicine. Let me tell you, this is a life saver for me, or I should say a brain saver. This powerful plant is tremendously helpful in relieving stress and for combating brain fog and boosting memory.
Gingko Biloba – Is a plant and is another powerful brain booster that is my second “go-to” for helping fight brain fog. Studies show it assists with opening up blood vessels in the brain thereby allowing better circulation.
Co Enzyme Q10 – I’m cheating on this one a little because it’s not actually a supplement but rather a substance found in every cell in the human body. Available as a supplement it helps to generate energy between cells. It can improve blood cholesterol levels as well as play a significant role in the use of oxygen and energy production thereby creating more energy in the body.

By adding one or more of these supplements into your daily routine you can expect increased energy, less fatigue, better stress management, less brain fog and clearer thinking, and perhaps even a couple of unwanted pounds shed. Just remember to talk with your health care practitioner before starting any vitamin or supplement regimen. And after you get the go ahead, make sure you read label instructions and be consistent. As I always tell you, consistency is key in making long term changes in your health and happiness.

Cheers, until next time!

Warning: Your Gut May Be Making You Sick

The great Greek physician Hippocrates, considered to be one of the most influential, well known physicians in the history of medicine said, “All disease begins in the gut. And, “Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food”. Over 2000 years later – science, medicine, and the field of nutrition have discovered just how right he was.

Gut Health and Your Thyroid

Did you know our gut can cover the surface of two tennis courts if laid out flat? How dang amazing is that? The gut is home to 70 percent of the immune tissue in our body. That immune tissue, as a whole, is called GALT (gut associated lymphoid tissue). Isn’t that lovely? Was thinking of using it as a nickname.

This incredible system carries out attacks and creates antibodies to fight against antigens, which the immune system takes stock of and considers a possible threat. Think of it as the Secret Service of the immune system.

The gut is essentially outside your body. It looks like a hollow tube and passes all the way from your mouth to the anus. Anything your body doesn’t digest comes out at the other end – also known as pooping (yes I said that).

One of the most essential functions of the gut is to prevent foreign and toxic substances such as bacteria from passing into the body.

Problems arise when the defensive components of the gut is compromised. This can happen when the intestinal wall becomes porous and accessible; large protein molecules slip into the bloodstream and your thyroid can become ineffective and powerless.

Studies show these invasions into the gut play a huge role in the development of thyroid diseases such as Hashimoto’s, the most common thyroid disease in the United States.

Why It’s Important to Have a Healthy Gut

It’s been said “our gut is our second brain”. A healthy gut can make a verifiable difference in how you feel as well as in how you look.

Why? How? A healthy gut (or unhealthy for that matter) affects all systems in your body – from digestion, to skin, mood, brain health, immunity, and energy. I’m not even kidding, this is serious stuff folks.

If you want to have a healthy thyroid which in turn affects the way everything else in your body operates, then you want to make sure you have a healthy gut. The combination of a healthy gut and a healthy thyroid will make you feel as if you have superpowers. And you will!

Symptoms of an Unhealthy Gut

Symptoms of an unhealthy gut can vary from the noticeable to the not so noticeable. The noticeable or obvious can look like abdominal pain, cramping, bloating, gas, diarrhea, frequent infections and/or colds.

The not so noticeable (you know, where you can’t quite put your finger on it or connect it to a bigger issue), which you may not think could be related to an unhealthy gut, can look like depression, mood swings, irritability (who isn’t irritable when their stomach is upset or when they’re constipated? My family tends to look for an exorcist).

Skin problems like acne, rosacea, eczema, diabetes, poor memory and concentration are also symptoms which you may not directly relate to an unhealthy gut. To determine if you have a gut issue take this test.

Bottom Line

If you want to feel and look your best then you need to make sure you have a healthy thyroid, and afterwards you need to check the health of your gut. The human body is an ecosystem and we want to make sure that system is functioning at it’s best, so we can live, thrive, and age well.

Till’ next time, be well!

Top 5 Foods to Heal Your Thyroid

Jennifer watched her two sons in their soccer uniforms as they rough housed with each other. She didn’t have the energy to pick that battle and tell them to stop horsing around in the store, much less cook dinner for a family of five. Another night of barely four hours sleep, something that was becoming far too common, was making her drained, fatigued, and irritable, and she was starting to feel as if she looked like a cast member from The Walking Dead.

Is lack of sleep the only issue or is there an underlying undiscovered issue?

On those rare occasions when Jennifer slept well she still felt sluggish. She watched what she ate and tried to get her full share of vegetables and fiber but the ever growing weight around her waist was troubling. Let’s not even talk about the creeping depression. What the hell is goin’ on with me she wondered? Why am I having so much trouble with sleep and why why do I feel like sh*t so often?

Forty percent of the population suffers with some form of low thyroid

Does this sound like you? If so, it just might be your thyroid. According to many health experts, 40 percent of the population suffers with some form of low thyroid function, especially women, and many of them have yet to be diagnosed. This condition of low functioning thyroid is called Hashimoto’s Disease or hypothyroidism and can affect your energy levels, make you fatigued, and contribute to brain fog.

The thyroid’s role in the body is as important as the engine in your car

Hypothyroidism is the condition where the thyroid gland doesn’t correctly make or release thyroid hormones. The thyroid is responsible for releasing vital hormones that travel throughout the body to communicate with receptors. These receptors affect major systems in the body such as metabolism, sleep, heart function, appetite, digestion, energy, and even your skin and hair.

A healthy thyroid can seriously change the quality of your life

Imagine falling asleep easily and staying asleep throughout the night until it’s time to wake. Imagine no fatigue. Imagine losing weight after trying every diet known to man. Imagine a healthy metabolism burning unwanted belly fat. Imagine the energy to do every thing that needs to be done each day without having to fight for every minute of motion or thought. Imagine thinking clearly and not struggling to remember where you put your keys or what you were about to say to your boss. That’s what a healthy and fully functioning thyroid can help you do – and more.

Even if you’re not completely sure whether or not your thyroid has an issue (c’mon, up and at em, put procrastination aside and have your thyroid checked…”get her done”), there are foods that can be essential in feeding and healing that all important gland, the thyroid. Here are five top foods that can help your thyroid be the roaring engine it’s supposed to be.

Five healthy foods to heal your thyroid

Bone broth has been a trendy food lately but way back in the day it was not an uncommon thing to have on the table. Your parents or grandparents probably had it as a kid. It’s one of my personal favorites and I can testify as to the difference it makes in my energy levels. Bone broth, whether chicken or beef contain amino acids that can help repair the body, as well as minerals which help with nutritional deficiencies you may have but do not know about. Bone broth can directly improve hypothyroidism, improve your immune system, lower joint pain, improve energy and fight fatigue.
High fiber food is important for the overall function of the body, especially the gut, but it plays an important role in healing the thyroid as well. High fiber foods can help with digestion and often folks with thyroid issues suffer with constipation. High fiber foods will help alleviate constipation, balance blood sugar levels, improve heart health, and helps you to feel full thereby helping to support a healthy weight. Try to get about 30-40 grams a day by including leafy vegetables like kale, spinach, or collards. Also berries, beans, lentils, and vegetables will increase your fiber intake easily.
Coconut Oil isn’t just good for your skin and hair but it’s a quality “good” fat that contains medium chain fatty acids. Coconut oil is easy to digest, nurtures the digestive system, has antioxidant properties, increases metabolism, improves brain function, enhances your mood, increases energy and fights fatigue. This is a staple in my daily life. I put it in my smoothies and it gives them a subtle, sweet coconut flavor. I also use it for cooking in almost everything I prepare.
Wild Caught Fish is not only one of the best foods for your heart and your brain but it’s a super food for your thyroid and helps to balance hormones. Let’s just put a cape on it shall we? It contains omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids which can scale back inflammation (all disease starts out as inflammation), and it supports neurological function as well. Try wild salmon (one of my favorites), black cod, mackerel, sardines, canned wild tuna ( Wild Planet is one of my favorites, once you try this you won’t want to go back to your regular tuna), and also halibut is a good option. Some of these can get a little pricey so look for deals at your local grocer.
Clean Water may seem obvious but far too many of us are walking around dehydrated by consuming too much caffeine or sugary sodas, and, by just not drinking enough clean water. Every two hours drink eight ounces. Water will keep you hydrated which helps all systems in your body function at a higher level, but it also prevents constipation, helps to reduce cravings, moves toxins out of your body that can affect the thyroid, and increases energy. I like to put a slice of lemon in my water, it tastes good and it looks more exciting.

Give these top five healing foods a chance and within a few short weeks you’ll have a measurable difference in the way you feel. Your thyroid (and your thyroid hormones) will thank you. Cheers!

11 Signs You May Have a Thyroid Problem

I don’t know about you, but sometimes my life is crazy as hell – hectic, drumming up the sensation of a merry go round, and at the end of the day I feel like I can barely kick my shoes off. Many women if not most are fatigued, stressed, and can begin to feel burnt out. That’s to be expected with our hustle and bustle culture and our busy, full days.

Are you part of the 40 percent suffering with low thyroid?

But what if it’s more to it than that? What if your fatigue never goes away? What if your brain is in a constant state of fog? What if you never feel like – normal, or healthy, or rejuvenated? Like you’re a cute but sad little puppy? Or like you’re constantly spinning your wheels? And what if no matter what you do you just feel like sh*t?

Don’t be like me and think, “Noo, that could never be my problem”.

According to the United States National Library of Medicine and National Institute of Health an estimated 27 million Americans suffer from thyroid disease and 13 million go undiagnosed each year. If I haven’t bummed you out yet then let me try again. The risk of thyroid disease increases as you age and women are seven times more likely to have thyroid issues than men.

There’s always a solution to a problem but first you must know the problem

Cheer up my people, there’s good news. No way would I bum you out with facts and just leave you hanging’. Don’t waste years of good, vibrant, health (like I did) and not figure out the problem. If you’re struggling with fatigue, or brain fog, and to feel more vibrant and you think you’re doing everything right but still feel like crap, please please get your thyroid checked. The good news is thyroid disease is very treatable and can be easily diagnosed, often times with just a simple blood test. Yet women need to know some of the most common signs, (and I had a few of them), so here they are:

Sluggishness
Fatigue
Coarse or dry hair or skin
Constipation
Irritability
Depression
Weakness
General feeling of malaise or not feeling right
Trouble sleeping
Weight changes (can’t lose weight or consistent weight loss)
Brain fog or the inability to think clearly

These are some of the most common symptoms but there can be others as well. Typically these symptoms address the condition of hypothyroidism but can also be symptoms of hyperthyroidism as well. If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms on the regular and nothing you do seems to be work, I’d say it’s time to give your health care practitioner a call and have your thyroid checked.

Do This to Fight Brain Fog Naturally

Are you struggling with low energy and fatigue and the constant battle of brain fog? Does it often feel like you’re functioning in a cloud of haze? Do you have a hard time feeling motivated? You’re not alone. Many women suffer from low energy and brain fog particularly as you hit perimenopause and menopause. Symptoms of brain fog may include:

low motivation or feeling hopeless or depressed
anxiety
low energy
irritability
forgetfulness
insomnia
difficulty concentrating
headaches

Don’t be part of the 60% percent

Often times brain fog rolls itself in as a result of hormonal changes. According to a study by the University of Rochester and the University of Illinois, showed that “women between the ages of 40 and 60 have trouble staying on tricky tasks and stumble with something called “working memory” which helps you to do things like adding up a bunch of numbers in your head”. In a study done by The Seattle Midlife Women’s Health Study “60 % of women between the ages of 33 to 55 reported an unfavorable memory change in their cognitive function over the past few years”.

Try one or all these tips to make your life better

Many of these women cited stress as being the cause of much of their fuzzy thinking. Whether stress or hormones or some other barrier that prevents you from functioning at your best, there are natural solutions that can help you sharpen your mental focus while boosting your energy as well. Try these strategies to make quick and lasting changes in your daily life:

Sleep – I know this is stating the obvious but getting seven to eight hours of quality sleep each night will be a huge help to combat brain fog. You’d be surprised at how many of us don’t make getting quality sleep a priority. According to the National Institute of Health “sleep helps your brain work properly and helps form new pathways to help you remember things”. Whether it’s cutting down our screen time or putting the kids to bed early enough to allow down time, quality sleep is critical. Sleep helps your body to heal and rejuvenate. If you have difficulty falling or staying asleep try taking a natural supplement such as melatonin or Calm Magnesium before bed. It can help you fall asleep and help in getting a deeper sleep. (I’ll be writing more on sleep or lack thereof in a future post, so stay tuned).
Cut Out Sugar – I know you hate me right now, but I’m telling you this cause I love you and I care about you. As fitness guru and health expert Jackie Warner says in her book This is Why You’re Fat, “sugar is the devil”. Brain fog basically is a form of inflammation and sugar makes that inflammation way worse. Instead of eating chocolate donuts with your coffee or tea try a bowl of oatmeal with raisins. Instead of a Bagle and cream cheese make an egg sandwich on whole grain bread. Avoid simple carbs because they turn into sugar and go straight to your belly and your brain. And not in a good way. Add complex carbohydrates like fruit or mixed berries, sweet potatoes and yams.
Get Enough Protein – If we’re filling up on simple carbohydrates like pasta, rice, and too much bread we could be cutting ourselves short by not getting enough necessary protein. Healthy lean proteins like grass-fed red meat, chicken, fish, especially salmon, and cage free eggs are key to a healthy, vibrant brain because it provides essential amino acids that the body cannot make on it’s own. Not only will these help with brain function but it will help fight weight gain and depression.
Manage Stress – I can’t say enough about managing stress. I mean it’s something that all of us have to contend with everyday, so since we can’t avoid it we need to learn how to manage it. If you find yourself so wound up at the end of the day, find productive ways to unwind. Go for a 20 or 30 minute walk in the sunshine. If the weather doesn’t permit, throw in a DVD or look up a walking exercise video on YouTube and exercise indoors. Find 15 minutes of quiet just to sit and do nothing. Listen to a 10 minute guided meditation. Do deep breathing exercises for 10 minutes. Garden. Play with your pet for 15 minutes. Ask yourself “is the world gonna end if you don’t get everything done’? Pray. Sing. Listen to music. Managing stress is just as important as eating right. Find productive, fun ways to manage yours.
Exercise – Maybe you hate me even more now, after all, I’ve told you to cut out sugar or at least cut it down substantially, and now here I go telling you to exercise. But let’s keep the big picture in mind which is to get rid of brain fog and fight fatigue. Exercise gets your heart rate up and increases blood flow to the brain which improves memory and overall brain function. So not only will it help you feel better, add muscle tone, improve your heart, but studies show exercise actually increases brain volume. Don’t try and do a marathon, 10 to 30 minutes of exercise has been shown to make huge differences in the state of our health.

Perhaps you’ve heard this advise a thousand times before, and if you have, then there must be some truth to it. We have to start somewhere and we have to start sometime, why not today? Try one or all of these remedies, and remember Rome wasn’t built in a day, and consistency is key. Here’s to having a healthy, fully functioning brain!

Fight Fatigue by Getting Your Engine Checked – Your Thyroid! Here’s Why

This past week I went to my doctor for what’s typically my three to four month check up. One of the reasons we do this so often is to check on my T3 and T4 counts which are directly related to the thyroid. You have to be careful with this though because relying solely on this test may not give the full picture of the condition of your thyroid. More on this here.

I was eager to speak to her this visit cause the results of the last blood test she ordered would be ready and I was hoping it would offer some insight into my all too recent “state of being”, which was me with a lag in my effectiveness of fighting fatigue and even in combating the brain fog.

In spite of all I do on a daily basis to fight fatigue and combat brain fog, you know – eating clean and healthy real food, drinking nutrient packed smoothies, taking quality supplements, exercising, herbal teas, meditating, etc., I had been feeling off kilter.

I suspected somethin’ was wrong cause the fatigue I felt years ago was paying me another visit. Not only was I tired for no apparent reason but I was starting to look puffy, especially in my face.

I don’t know about you but I’m not a fan of the puffy look.

By the way here is a quick and interesting article on how to get healthier on the cheap. Just thought I’d throw that in there. And if you’re consider buying a juicer here’s some helpful info to help with your decision here.

So anyhoo, here I am sitting in my doctor’s office and what do ya’ know, lo and behold right there on the computer monitor were my thyroid level readouts and they were not great! They weren’t awful but they were way too high, much higher than they’ve been in other blood test results I’ve had over the years.

I was relieved cause now I had an answer as to why I was feeling that unidentifiable yet cloying fatigue and malaise I felt so long ago and for so long.

My beautiful people, let my experience be a reminder that this truly is a process. I will most likely never have all the answers to healing my body, fighting fatigue, and combating brain fog. And I may not need all the answers, as long as I have the ones that work for me. I hope that is your quest as well, to find the path and the process that works for you.

But I do know I’m better this year than I was last year. And I’m better today than I was the year before that.

And I also know I feel better than I have in the last ten years. No doubt my process is adding quality years to my life as I continue to get healthier, more energetic and vibrant, more clear with a better functioning brain as the years go by.

We will get older but we don’t have to get old. Like Wayne Dyer said, “Don’t let an old person crawl into your body” (ahahaha, I always liked that). Here are some more uplifting quotes from Wayne if you need a mental lift.

This is another example though of why it’s important to listen to our bodies. Years ago I wouldn’t have paid attention. Yet we aren’t just “hearing things” and it’s not “just our imagination”; our bodies are talking to us constantly and we have to learn how to listen to it.

It should be our mission to become its friend and advocate, to understand what it tells us in order that we become the best version of ourselves. So that we can live vibrant, energy filled and clear thinking lives. You can know your body better than any physician and I encourage you to keep looking for answers and solutions that will help you to be the best you you can be. Not just for you but also for those who you love you.

In my next post I’ll be sharing how I realize and am still realizing how much a healthy (or unhealthy) gut can affect our entire body. I’m hoping this can be enlightening and even life-changing for many of you.

Until then, eat well, move your body (even if only a little bit), and be good to yourselves.

3 Simple and Powerful Remedies to Nix Fatigue and Brain Fog

In my last post I told you I’d share a few nutritional tips I use to fight fatigue, gain energy and battle brain fog. I’ve experimented with lots of things (all legal, lol), and though simple, I’ve found these three to be valuable and soo effective.

The key is consistency. Remember this is a journey and a lifestyle not some one shot wonder. Done on a consistent basis, this’ll help increase your energy and help you fight the good fight against brain fog.

Many of us are often on one diet or the next in order to lose weight…fit into a special dress for a special occasion, or just cause we wanna look and feel better.

Yet during the process of dieting we’re often miserable and whatever short term gains we make are often soon gone because we can’t stand not having our favorite piece of cake or the glaze donuts sitting in the break room or the cheesy cheeseburger that your taste buds are demanding (my weakness by the way).

We sabotage ourselves. We give up and we’re left with a sense of frustration and “what the hell to do now” feeling.

We can create results by just cutting back and not totally giving up the foods we love

But what if instead of completely giving up everything we love, we cut back on those foods that don’t serve us while adding in significantly healthier foods that can really make a difference in not only how we feel, but in our actual health.

In some cases these nourishing foods have been responsible for dropping unhealthy cholesterol numbers, decreasing high blood pressure, cutting down blood sugar levels and even losing weight. Keep in mind that for me the goal is getting you to a state of energy and clarity.

But the side benefits of these foods is not to be ignored. And I’m not talking having to become a gourmet chef to do it. Instead I’m talking about simple methods and foods that pack powerful nutrients which in some cases can actually reverse many health issues. Let’s get to it shall we?

Smoothies – Okay I’m not gonna pretend you’ve not heard this stuff before but I pledge on my girl scout cookies that if done right these things work. But before you get all giddy thinking you’re gonna be slurping down some sugar-laden delight, uh uh girlfriend, pump the brakes. Only nature’s ingredients are used here. I’m talking about blueberries, mixed berries, spinach and kale, raw beets, hemp seeds, chia seeds, carrots, pineapple, bananas, avocados, cucumber, cacao powder, and raw honey. And that’s just some of the options.

Now don’t go gettin’ freaked out on me. It may not sound like something tasty but smoothies are surprisingly refreshing and when you consider the huge payoff of adding these nutrients to your food fare in such a simple effortless way, well, I say it’s worth it.

None of us are getting any younger, I don’t care if you’re only sixteen. So start taking control of how your body feels? It’s your power so choose to wield it. If not today, when?

An investment in a good blender is an investment in you and your family’s health

All you need for a good smoothie is a blender. If you can invest in a NutriBullet that’s even better. It breaks down the contents of your smoothie into easily digestible components, ensuring your body gets a hold of the full benefit of the food. You can look into buying a NutriBullet here. And you can find easy delightfully delicious, powerful smoothie recipes here.

One thing that’s important that I do all the time with my smoothies and something I highly recommend is adding a protein powder. I also always add at least one cup of a leafy vegetable like spinach, kale, or arugula.

It helps me to get my daily recommended dose of veggies and the protein powder ensures my muscles get what they need in the form of amino acids. It also helps to keep me full without the fat. I use a vegan protein powder because I’ve found that whey protein makes me bloated. I also like to add organic coconut oil and powdered chlorella or spirulina. You can find various protein powders here and you can read more about the super nutrient chlorella here.

Herbal Teas – I’ve come to love and appreciate herbal teas especially since I’ve significantly decreased my coffee consumption. I especially like green tea and am still amazed at how many options there are. Organic, green tea with mint, or with ginger, with lavender, I could go on and on. Some of my other favorite herbal teas for both energy and brain boosting power is ginger, gingko biloba (yes, it comes in a tea), and my all-time favorite, gotu-kola. Herbal teas can not only help you fight fatigue and boost your brain power, but they can assist in weight loss, lower blood pressure and fight free radicals. You can read more about these herbs here.

Water – I’m sure you’ve heard this before – drink lots of water. I know I had but never really thought it was important enough to make a difference in my energy levels or help me combat brain fog. Boy was I wrong (one of the few times..kidding). I’ve increased my every day water intake by about six more servings a day, sometimes more. I use to mostly get my hydration from the water that was in my coffee, in my wine (ha! It’s true), and a couple of glasses of water a day but only when I was thirsty. That was far from enough.

At that time I found water to be boring and unsatisfying, you know, like ordering a cheeseburger but they forget the cheese. Even when I cut up lemon or cucumbers to put in it, just didn’t hit the spot.

But one day when I was doing a detox, my sister picked up some sparkling lemon water for me (she’s thoughtful like that). I fell in love with it. I can drink two bottles of that a day. I find it more effective for the “plumbing” than regular water also – if you know what I mean.

I like Arrowhead because it only has three ingredients (bubbles, water, and lemon) but they have other fruits as well and I’ve enjoyed most of them.

Be sure to buy only sparkling water that has no sodium so you can avoid the bloat. For more info on how dehydration can make you tired and foggy read this enlightening article here.

There you have it folks. I promise if you try these three things on a consistent basis you’ll begin to start feeling improvements in just a couple of weeks. Have fun with it, and stay tuned for more of my easy life-changing tips in my next post.

Until then, blessings!

What to Do if Your Thyroid is Making You Sick

One of the things people want to know about my quick thyroid surgery story is,”Did the thyroid surgery help you with fatigue and brain fog”? My answer: “Almost immediately”.

Before the surgery not only did I have fatigue and brain fog, but I had only what I can describe as a general malaise. You know when you just don’t feel right? I mean I knew I felt tired all the time and I knew I felt a serious lack of clarity in my thinking, but I also had this general feeling of just not feelin’ right, and I had begun to feel this was simply my lot in life, that this was normal and how people felt. But it wasn’t.

Now listen to me folks. If you’re walking around not feeling well and tired all the time, experiencing brain fog and stressed out, that’s not normal and you don’t have to feel that way.

You can make a choice to feel better and to be happy.

It’s not imprinted in the universe that you have to feel bad all day everyday just cause you do. There is a way up and out, a light at the end of the tunnel, you just have to be willing to find out what that is for you.

What I’ve done to move myself out of that state may or may not work for you. I’m consistently tweaking the process and I’ve found some things are more effective than others. My goal is to give you information to help you as well as to encourage you to know you can feel better. And to give you ideas on how to make that happen.

To see if your thyroid has symptoms of sickness read this…http://hypothyroidmom.com/10-signs-you-have-a-thyroid-problem-and-10-solutions-for-it/

As I’ve mentioned before start with a check up with your healthcare practitioner. And always always, before taking any of my suggestions, discuss them with your doctor.

Some of us are taking medications, whether it’s for allergy, thyroid, blood pressure, diabetes, or whatever – and it’s important that the supplements I talk about be discussed with your doctor to make sure they don’t interact with your medications. Here is also a way you can check. of course your doctor may have more to say…http://www.webmd.com/interaction-checker/

Alrighty then, now that we’ve got that clear, ( ha ha..get it? clear? see…we’re talkin’ about brain fog and stuff..well..never mind…

Let me tell you how the surgery immediately helped.

It was a successful surgery and I was blessed to have a great team of physicians who are very good at what they do.

I was immediately relieved about that but was told it would probably be a few weeks before I would be able to, “have my voice and speak normally”. I was released after three days and I really really looked forward to being taken care of by my family. I mean c’mon, I get to get waited on hand and foot for a couple of weeks. Nice, right? Wrong!

I felt waaay better than what I expected and in about two days that became obvious to my family.

Not only that but by the third day I had completely regained my voice (much to the dismay of others), and so they basically told me I had one more day to get waited on and then they needed me to fix the vacuum cleaner. Wth?

So up and at’m I felt and up and at’m I went. I mean it was almost involuntary, I felt that much better. It was hard to stay in bed so I didn’t. I began to resume my normal activities in less than two weeks and even embarked on a new exercise program. As each day passed I felt better and that general sense of malaise remarkably was no more. That still bewilders me to this day, how the thyroid surgery removed the feeling of just not feelin’ right.

Of course thyroid surgery may not be necessary for you (let’s hope not), but the thyroid is considered the “engine” of the body, and we know when our car engine ain’t running right, well hell, neither is the car because it is the car! To learn more about the thyroid and what you can do to help it function better, take a peek at this…https://womenfightingfatigue.com/is-your-thyroid-sick-my-quick-thyroid-surgery-story-and-how-it-changed-my-life/

So get your thyroid checked, and while you’re doing that, discuss taking the supplements I mentioned in the previous posts to fight fatigue and brain fog.

Stay tuned for my how I changed my nutrition to continue to help me to fight fatigue, regain energy, and diminish brain fog. As a footnote, this is not a diet but foods and nutrients I began to add for daily consumption that have helped me to see the light at the end of the foggy tunnel.

Do These Three Things to Fight Fatigue and Brain Fog

Sorry guys to keep you waitin’ on my top three tips to fight fatigue and to combat brain fog. I’ve been busy fighting fatigue (lol). Anyway, shall we get to it? I say we shall.

These three steps help kick up my energy and increase my focus. When I don’t consistently do them my productivity drops like flies (eewww).

Some of these you may not like but keep an open mind and give it a try, if only for just a week. Keep in mind the longer you try them, the more effective, and the sooner you’ll see a shift in your energy and clarity.

Give up coffee. There, I said it. Now after you calm down and stop screaming at me via your electronic device, consider the facts. First let me say I’m aware there are numerous studies that proclaim the benefits of caffeine. Caffeine has been shown to improve energy, concentration, and even aid in weight loss. And I’m also aware that about 68% of Americans consider themselves addicted to the delectable brew. So why give it up?

Because too much of a good thing ain’t good. And, too much coffee can exhaust the adrenal glands.

What the hell is an adrenal gland you say? Defined by the National Institute of Health, “Adrenal glands are small glands located on top of the kidneys. They produce hormones you can’t live without including sex hormones and cortisol. Cortisol helps you to respond to stress and has many other important functions”. To find out if your adrenals are burned out, you can take this quiz: http://drhyman.com/blog/2013/09/17/push-pause-button-adrenal-burnout/?form_submit=success

According to Dr. Josh Axe, adrenal overload or adrenal burnout can show up looking like:

Trouble waking up
Depression
Muscle weakness
Poor focus
Decreased libido
Fatigue
Cravings for sugar
Weight gain
Increased allergies
Muscle tension

http://draxe.com/3-steps-to-heal-adrenal-fatigue/

If you’re a regular or heavy coffee drinker and you’ve got any of these symptoms then it’s time to consider giving up coffee and give your adrenal glands a much needed rest.

You don’t have to give it up for the rest of your life, just 21 days, or two weeks, or even a week.

Your adrenals would have the opportunity to rest and to function for your body more the way they’re supposed to.

Try it for a week and see how you feel. I’m telling you, it’s been a huge part in helping me to have more energy. I use to average two cups of coffee about five to six days a week, and I’ve noticed much more energy since I’ve stopped drinking coffee regularly.

Every now and then I have a craving for a nice hot cup of brew so I allow myself the indulgence. But if I get greedy and go for a second or third day of coffee my body puts up the “stop” sign by giving symptoms of brain fog and fatigue and soon after I begin to feel like crap. So, it’s worth a try, trust me.

Take Bacopa Monnieri. I know what you’re thinking. Ba what? Bacopa Monnieri is a perennial herb and has been used in India for traditional and medicinal purposes for thousands of years but also is commonly used in China, Taiwan, as well as in the United States. It also has origins in Ayurvedic medicine.

There have been numerous studies on this herb. Two studies done in both Australia and the U.S. showed “Bacopa improved study subjects’ ability to retain new information and helped them improve their visual processing speed in as little as three weeks”.

I’m telling you, taking this supplement has helped me so much and if I run out I begin to feel the difference in about ten days. Also, I prefer the extract as I believe the extract is more effective.

Take Rhodiola Roscea. Aw man, another vitamin you say. You’re darn tootin! I love this supplement and when I don’t have it my energy levels suffer. I’m not exaggerating.

Rhodiola is a plant and the root is what’s used as a supplement. It’s used to increase stamina, strength, and mental capacity, and has also been used to curb depression, high cholesterol, diabetes and even liver damage.

Try one or all of these tips in your daily life. I can tell you that each one will and can make a significant difference if you just give them a try.

Be sure to check with your doctor before starting any exercise or vitamin program.