I'm sitting here listening to a podcast by my organic chem professor, preparing for today's exam, and thinking about everything I need to do today. If you've read my blog a while, you know I stay fairly busy. Being busy doesn't always/usually lead to making healthy choices when it comes to eating. Some days I'm either to tired to cook or was too much in a hurry in the morning to set up the crock pot.
This is why I'm excited to be getting ready to start Shakeology. It is a healthy alternative for days where maybe you didn't do so well eating wise (sometimes I skip 1 to 2 meals and then end up binging later). So in order to make sure I'm getting the nutrition I need, I'm going to start using Shakeology. First, I'm going to order the new Shakeology trial packs so I can decide on which flavor I like best. Each sample pack contains 4 single-serve packets of Shakeology (2 Chocolate, 1 Vanilla, and 1 Greenberry), a copy of the Shakeology Welcome Guide, as well as 6 mouthwatering recipes. I'm not a big fan of chocolate, but I think if I make a smoothie with some fruit out of it I'll like it better. I've been told the strawberry Shakeology is good, but that's not included with the sample pack...so maybe later. The sample pack is available from Beachbody for only 19.95 (plus s/h of course).
I'm excited to get my new business off and running. There is so much potential, plus the added accountability with my own health journey.
Thursday, October 24, 2013
Friday, October 18, 2013
Something to Think About
In my advanced metabolism II class we had to read and write a synopsis on an article about vitamin synthesizing bacteria. It was mostly about lactic acid bacteria and Bifidobacteria that make B vitamins (such as folate, riboflavin, B12) in our (and other mammals) gut. The article poses a question on how adding these bacteria to foods may help with the natural vitamins in the foods. I also had to find a few other articles that supported or expanded on the topic. One went further on the lactic acid bacteria and how it's possible to engineer the gene in one Lactobacillus to make it produce more of the gene that activates the enzyme needed to produce folate. More gene= more enzyme= more folate. Good for under developed countries or those who have severe vitamin deficiency (except for the whole gene modification thing, I suppose there could be possible drawbacks).
Anyway as we discussed our research in class we also touched on how when bacteria colonization begins at birth (before birth the gut is sterile, mom's bacteria doesn't cross the placenta). In vaginal birth, especially (c-section babies get different bacteria and have to wait longer to build up their colonies), these healthy bacteria build up the natural defense and set the groundwork for the bacteria (lactic acid bacteria, Bifidobacteria, bacteroides) that we want there to produce vitamins and help with digestion.
The professor mentioned fecal transplant (sounds gross I know) and how transplants from skinny mice to fat mice made the fat mice lose weight and vice versa. I did some research this morning and found similar studies. I also found some studies/articles where a diet high in fiber/whole grains and low fat helped increase good bacteria and decreased bacteria that produced harmful metabolites. It also helped rebuild the natural defense that we grew as babies but lose when we eat the typical American diet.
A great article I found was on motherjones.com. It is called "Are Happy Gut Bacteria Key to Weight Loss" just click on the link to read it. It's long but an interesting read. It starts with saying how orange juice helped with blocking an inflammatory response to eating McDonald's meals. Which is more likely the vitamin C doing it's anti-oxidant job, but still an idea for that occasional junk meal. Just order a drink or food high in fiber and vitamin C to consume before or with the meal to help counteract the bad stuff.
The article also says foods high in oligosaccharides (and I think it mentions polysaccharides)may help with helping good bacteria health, but then if you have to follow a FODMAPs diet you may be screwed. Well maybe not, just follow the FODMAPs protocol given by your dietitian and when you start adding foods back, hopefully some of the those won't affect you so you can feed your bacteria.
My takeaway from this, as I'm trying to incorporate things I learn into my own healthy lifestyle, is that one should make sure to eat less sugar, less fatty foods, more whole grains, more veggies, foods high in anti-oxidants (vitamins C, A and E...however I don't recommend taking supplements(especially A since you can have too much), just make sure your eating your fruits and veggies and you're good). I'm going to try and make meal plans based on what I learn and see how it all goes.
Have a great weekend dear readers.
Anyway as we discussed our research in class we also touched on how when bacteria colonization begins at birth (before birth the gut is sterile, mom's bacteria doesn't cross the placenta). In vaginal birth, especially (c-section babies get different bacteria and have to wait longer to build up their colonies), these healthy bacteria build up the natural defense and set the groundwork for the bacteria (lactic acid bacteria, Bifidobacteria, bacteroides) that we want there to produce vitamins and help with digestion.
The professor mentioned fecal transplant (sounds gross I know) and how transplants from skinny mice to fat mice made the fat mice lose weight and vice versa. I did some research this morning and found similar studies. I also found some studies/articles where a diet high in fiber/whole grains and low fat helped increase good bacteria and decreased bacteria that produced harmful metabolites. It also helped rebuild the natural defense that we grew as babies but lose when we eat the typical American diet.
A great article I found was on motherjones.com. It is called "Are Happy Gut Bacteria Key to Weight Loss" just click on the link to read it. It's long but an interesting read. It starts with saying how orange juice helped with blocking an inflammatory response to eating McDonald's meals. Which is more likely the vitamin C doing it's anti-oxidant job, but still an idea for that occasional junk meal. Just order a drink or food high in fiber and vitamin C to consume before or with the meal to help counteract the bad stuff.
The article also says foods high in oligosaccharides (and I think it mentions polysaccharides)may help with helping good bacteria health, but then if you have to follow a FODMAPs diet you may be screwed. Well maybe not, just follow the FODMAPs protocol given by your dietitian and when you start adding foods back, hopefully some of the those won't affect you so you can feed your bacteria.
My takeaway from this, as I'm trying to incorporate things I learn into my own healthy lifestyle, is that one should make sure to eat less sugar, less fatty foods, more whole grains, more veggies, foods high in anti-oxidants (vitamins C, A and E...however I don't recommend taking supplements(especially A since you can have too much), just make sure your eating your fruits and veggies and you're good). I'm going to try and make meal plans based on what I learn and see how it all goes.
Have a great weekend dear readers.
Monday, October 14, 2013
That Awesome New Thing...
In my last new post I mentioned something about a new thing. Well, I've decided on being an Independent Beachbody Coach. I love the Beachbody workout vids and Shakeology is drinkable (though I'm not a great fan of the chocolate..so I need to try the others. It's probably just me not liking chocolate drinks). Anyway, I'm reading through everything now and working on setting up all my websites and such.
I think this will be a great opportunity and it will hold me very accountable on my path to be a better me. Working on living up to the name of this blog especially the definition of the word awesome: impressive and frightening: so impressive or overwhelming as to inspire a strong feeling of admiration or fear. Well not so much the frightening or overwhelming, but I would love to be seen as impressive, and to inspire strong feelings of admiration.
So if any of my dear readers want more information on Beachbody products, you can click on these links: Beachbody, Shakeology, and Ultimate Reset. As for me, I'm going to restart the Hip Hop Abs vids and will be ordering some Shakeology. My goal is to post updates at least weekly. I'll also be posting on a Twitter page I created for my business. You can find me HERE.
Well Dear Readers, I hope all of you have a blessed evening with sweet dreams.
I think this will be a great opportunity and it will hold me very accountable on my path to be a better me. Working on living up to the name of this blog especially the definition of the word awesome: impressive and frightening: so impressive or overwhelming as to inspire a strong feeling of admiration or fear. Well not so much the frightening or overwhelming, but I would love to be seen as impressive, and to inspire strong feelings of admiration.
So if any of my dear readers want more information on Beachbody products, you can click on these links: Beachbody, Shakeology, and Ultimate Reset. As for me, I'm going to restart the Hip Hop Abs vids and will be ordering some Shakeology. My goal is to post updates at least weekly. I'll also be posting on a Twitter page I created for my business. You can find me HERE.
Well Dear Readers, I hope all of you have a blessed evening with sweet dreams.
Thursday, October 10, 2013
Another quickie update
Hello dear readers, sorry I've not been keeping up on posting. I'm still planning on doing so more regularly.
I didn't win the last dietbet game I was in. I'm not sure about doing another anytime soon. Right now I'm concentrating on consistency in my workouts and choosing healthy foods.
Not too much to post today, I have to get to studying for my advanced metabolism test today. I also have something awesome in the works that I'll share soon.
Have a wonderful day dear readers.
I didn't win the last dietbet game I was in. I'm not sure about doing another anytime soon. Right now I'm concentrating on consistency in my workouts and choosing healthy foods.
Not too much to post today, I have to get to studying for my advanced metabolism test today. I also have something awesome in the works that I'll share soon.
Have a wonderful day dear readers.
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