10 THINGS MARKETED TO WOMEN THAT MAY NOT BE SO GREAT

Hannah MarkiewiczLeave a comment

1. NAIL POLISH

The majority of nail polish brands use an ingredient called triphenyl phosphate, or TPHP, that makes it last longer on the nail and prevents chipping. (This same ingredient is also used as a fire retardant)! It is known as a hormone disruptor, and it affects the function of hormones.

Researchers have linked hormone disruptors such as TPHP to early onset of puberty, neurodevelopmental problems and obesity. The last thing girls need in their bodies as they are developing rapidly is something that may play havoc with their hormones. (ewg.org)

Encouraging young girls and women of all ages to apply something onto their body that will mess with their hormones is such a disservice. And do not think that just because it is on a hard nail that it will not end up in your blood stream. Keep in mind that every inch of your body is made up of cells, and cells absorb everything that is put on them!

2. ENERGY BARS

Most energy bars/breakfast bars/weight loss bars that are clearly marketed at women are almost always soy protein based. Soy contains phytoestrogens. This chemical mimics the hormone estrogen, but is not the same as the estrogen made in the human body. When continuously consuming something that your body sees as a hormone can throw your balance out of whack. Hormones are in a constant harmonious balance, and anything that throws off that balance can cause a number of issues, especially for women. Estrogen, in case you did not know, is a key player in the woman’s reproductive system. Imbalances of estrogen can effect menstruation, mood, fertility, acne, hair growth, and menopause symptoms.

These phytoestrogens are actually a defense mechanism for the plants.

In their natural state, phytoestrogens exist within plants as a natural defense against herbivores. Plants secrete these hormones to modulate the fertility of animals that may eat them to reduce further attacks. (draxe.com)

So basically the plants give the animals their own form of biochemical warfare. They attack the fertility of the animal, therefore it is less likely to reproduce and create another animal that may eat the plant in the future. I don’t know about you, but I prefer to not eat plants that will attack me from the inside and purposely attack my future..

3. DEODORANT

Conventional deodorants use the heavy metal aluminum to block the pores to prevent odor.

Some research suggests that aluminum-containing underarm antiperspirants, which are applied frequently and left on the skin near the breast, may be absorbed by the skin and have estrogen-like (hormonal) effects. Because estrogen can promote the growth of breast cancer cells, some scientists have suggested that the aluminum-based compounds in antiperspirants may contribute to the development of breast cancer. (cancer.gov)

The rest of this article brushes the concern away, but for me, I am not willing to take the risk. In this active fight against breast cancer, isn’t it worth it to consider every possibility? Our pores are not designed to ever be blocked (see acne). Any toxins or excessive heavy metals found in the body are stored in the lymph to protect the body, and eventually be expelled through the urine or sweat. Plugging up pores does not allow the things to come out that need to come out, and instead, they are stored in lymph nodes.

Do you know where we have a lot of lymph nodes? In the breast tissue. Therefore, I will not be taking the risk of applying a heavy metal that may end up sitting under the breast tissue and not being expelled. Deodorants also contain parabens, which I will go over more in the next section.

4. SKIN CARE/MAKEUP

Sweet smelling perfumes and body lotions contain a multitude of dangerous chemicals, but one concern is parabens. Parabens are used in almost all makeup, skin care, and body care products. It is added to prevent bacteria and mold growth, to give the product a longer shelf life.

Parabens are disrupting to the endocrine system (hormones). They have been found in cancer tissue, and as their use increases, so has the number of breast cancer cases, and the age that it starts has also lowered.

The connection between endocrine disrupting chemicals and cancer is of particular concern. Children who are exposed to these chemicals from a young age may be predisposed to cancer at increasingly earlier ages. (mercola.com)

Parabens are found in deodorants and antiperspirants, shampoos and conditioners, shaving cream, toothpaste, lotions and sunscreens, make-up/cosmetics, pharmaceutical drugs, and food additives. (mercola.com) Most of these products also include ‘fragrance’ which is a loose, unregulated word. Companies can claim a fragrance as a ‘trade secret’ and therefore not have to disclose the ingredients. You never know what you are getting when the word fragrance is on the bottle.

5. VEGAN MEAT ALTERNATIVES

I will not go into all the reasons that I am technically anti-vegan, but one of the main reasons I will not buy meat alternatives is the ingredients. There are two things I avoid as much as possible, and that is soy and gluten. The problem is, these two ingredients are the ‘bread and butter’ of meat alternatives.

I have discussed soy above, and it’s effect on a woman’s hormones. Gluten is a part of wheat and other grains that is very hard for the body to digest. When the stomach tries to break it down, it actually damages the stomach lining and begins to allow food particles through into the blood stream prematurely (leaky gut symdrom), and can lead to autoimmune diseases or just irritated digestion. There are other things that gluten does in our body, but this one is most prominent, in every body and not just those who are allergic to gluten.

6. FRESH-PRESSED JUICES

For starters, I don’t believe all fresh-pressed juice is bad and that you should avoid it. That said, I do believe that it is a trend that has been taken out of context. Fruit has a high fructose level, but in its natural state, this fructose is packaged with the appropriate level of fiber and solid particles that must be chewed and causes the fructose to hit the blood stream at a slower rate. The issue with juice is that it takes that whole system and throws it out the window. Now you are consuming the fructose without the fiber, and in liquid form. Since there is less digestion to slow it down, the sugar is almost immediately hitting your blood stream, causing your blood sugar levels to spike more than they would have if you had just eaten the fruit whole.

With juice bars being such a trend right now, many people are downing a bottle on the regular. I do want to say though that there are worst things that they could be consuming, obviously. You still get most of the vitamin, mineral, and antioxidant benefits of the fruit, which is great. I just believe that they should be eaten in their original form to get all of the benefits. Also, doing a juice cleanse for a couple days can be beneficial as well to give your digestive system a break. But it should never be long term, and it should be more vegetable heavy, with some fruits included.

7. WEIGHT LOSS SHAKES

My first issue with weight loss shakes is the deception that if you just add in this one product, you will just start shedding pounds without making any other changes to your lifestyle. I believe this is one of the most pushed lies, and it is at the cost of the women who believe the lie. Stored fat is there for a few different reasons: hormone imbalance, poor diet, or lack of movement. All of these factors will continue while you spend all your money on shakes that are not miracle cures.

My other concern is that most of these shake are not even make with clean ingredients, and most of the time are loaded with sugar to make them appealing. Also, chewing your food is so much better for activating your digestive system and metabolism than constantly drinking your food in liquid form.

8. ACNE REGIMENS

Most highly-marketed acne regimens are just money-making schemes. They are so full of harsh chemicals, that they work for a time, but it comes back in full force once you stop using the product. (Proactiv anyone??) Skin is a delicate organ that is made to function a certain way, and quick fixes will always must make the matter worse in the long run.

Healthy skin must always start with a proper diet, and properly functioning hormones, which is something that is not taught. Instead, young girls and women are just sold products that just band-aid the problem, and live their life believing that it is something that they just have to live with.

9. CANDLES

Conventional candles are full of all kinds of chemicals, and very strong artificial scents. Most people don’t think about candles, since they are not going onto the skin and are not being ingested, but everything you burn, you are breathing it in. Every ingredient in that candle goes into the air when it is burned, and from there it goes into your lungs, and then into the bloodstream.

Opt for natural candles made of beeswax, palm oil, or soy if you must. Most natural candles are naturally scented, so you don’t have to worry about breathing it in.

10. FAT-FREE/SUGAR-FREE

This section is definitely one that I could go on and on about, but the very idea that fat-free and sugar-free items are marketed to women is so upsetting, because it is misleading, and actually more harmful than the fat and the sugar that they would normally be ingesting.

As for sugar-free, it can be a good thing, and simply have a natural alternative such as Stevia, which can definitely be a better option. However, most of the time, especially with sweeteners such as Equal and NutraSweet, the sugar is replaced with aspartame, which is considered by some a carcinogen.

Here is a list of adverse effects of aspartame, according to (mercola.com)

  • Brain tumors
  • Multiple sclerosis
  • Epilepsy
  • Chronic fatigue syndrome
  • Parkinson’s disease
  • Alzheimer’s
  • Mental retardation
  • Lymphoma
  • Birth defects
  • Fibromyalgia
  • Diabetes

And as for fat-free, the myth that fat makes you fat is the worst thing that has happened to our health, in my personal opinion. As fat consumption was demonized, chronic disease has increased. However, when fat-free is marketed to women, it is usually for the sake of weight loss.

High quality fat is essential for weight loss, but people are taught the opposite. When you take something out, something else takes its place. In the case of diet, sugar and refined carbohydrates almost always take the place of fat in one’s diet. Without going into depth on how the body uses fats and carbs when it comes to energy and fat burning (read more here if you would like!)

The issue with an uptake in carbohydrate intake in a fat-free diet is that an excess of refined carbs is one of the key players in body fat storage. Carbohydrates turn into glucose in the body, so when they are constantly consumed out of balance with fat (and protein of course), the body can only use so much. The extra glucose that is not needed is then stored as body fat.

Carbohydrates are also very quick burning fuel for your body. It burns up the energy so quickly that you either need to eat more, or you will get hungry sooner than you would with adequate fat in the diet. Dietary fat is a slow-burning fuel for the body, so you stay full longer, and do not need to eat as much to be satiated (feel full).

DO YOUR OWN RESEARCH

Don’t take my word for it, find one of these issues that resonate with you and look into it yourself. The market for products targeted at women is a huge industry, with billions of dollars being made on potentially harming the health of women, young and old.

When it comes to what we are putting in and on our body, we should be the most concerned. Chronic diseases, heart disease, cancer, and diabetes are some of the top killers in our country, and it directly correlates with the decrease in quality of our food and our products, all of which are produced in factories using chemicals to extend the cost and shelf life.

We all deserve better! Take your health into your own hands! And if you need help along the way, or have questions, please feel free to contact me, that is what I am here for.

BAKED PEAR PORRIDGE

Hannah MarkiewiczLeave a comment

Made for the hubby this morning, because we usually eat the same exact breakfast everyday (bacon and eggs of course), so we needed to change it up a bit.

1 pear
½ cup oats
Butter
Whole milk
Brown sugar
Lemon juice

Slice up the pear, lay the pieces in a cast iron skillet or baking sheet, sprinkle with lemon juice and how ever much brown sugar you want. Bake at 400 degrees for 10-15 minutes. Prepare the oats, add about a Tablespoon of butter and enough milk to get it to the consistency you want. Top the prepared oats with the baked pears, sprinkle more brown sugar! Serve warm, feeds 2.

REVIEW: THE OMNIVORE’S DILEMMA

Hannah MarkiewiczLeave a comment
The Omnivore's Dilemma , by Michael Pollan. Find it here .
The Omnivore’s Dilemma , by Michael Pollan. Find it here .

      I wanted to talk about this book, because A. It is a fantastic, educational, and entertaining book, and B. As a proponent of eating meat, I like to dig deeper into what that means, and why I am extra picky about the meat I eat. I believe this book gives a practical look at how we eat food here in America.

     The big idea of this book is really just laying out the truth of what it means to be an omnivore in today’s America. It lays out the journey of food, the journey that we may never think about as we just walk into a supermarket and put everything we need into a basket.

    The author, Michael Pollan, takes you through all of the behind-the-scenes of many of the most commonly consumed products in the American diet. He started out on a corn farm in Iowa. This was most intriguing to me because the town that he was in is only a few miles from where I grew up. Growing up in Iowa gave me a sense of pride for corn farmers, as everyone I knew grew corn and soy beans, including my family. I did, however, start to question it all as I left high school, and now I can’t stand the system. This portion of the book especially enforced all of my fears of how things were really run on those farms and the farmers themselves (not to mention the terrible living conditions of the animals.)

    In talking about the history of corn, Pollan painted a strange picture of the evolution of corn into what farmers now use today. I have never thought about a plant adapting in ways that they get the most benefit out of being harvested by a human. It really showed the great big picture of how everything works together, even if it is not the most ideal situation. Corn was not originally grown in straight lines, packed together, for hundreds and hundreds of acres, but now that it is, the corn as changed enough so that it can thrive and reproduce under those specific conditions.

    Pollan’s comparisons between conventional farms and farms such as Joel Salatin’s ‘beyond organic’ farm still blows my mind. We have taken such a self-sustaining system, and tried to make it work better for us (in terms of profit) while creating even more problems that would have naturally taken care of themselves, therefore causing more problems while trying to fix the initial problem. For example, confinement animals are in such close quarters to each other and to their feces, that they get sick. Then they need to be given antibiotics. These antibiotics go on to create superbugs, etc. Where as in the case of pasturing cows, they are spreading their manure around on grass, which in turn fertilizes the grass, the chickens eat bugs, and none is worse for it. The chicken is fed, the grass is fed, the cow is fed, and no one is sick.

    Now came the part of the book that I was dreading, the part where the author takes you on a psychological journey about the ethics of eating animals. I was afraid of this chapter because I just knew that he would make an argument against eating meat that I couldn’t counter. Instead, it asked questions that I think everyone should ask for themselves, but left me still convinced and certain that the circle of life is just as it should be, as long as we do it the right way and respect the animals that we eat.

    Another interesting section of the book was about mushrooms. He basically explained how mushrooms are unexplainable, and how the mystery of them is probably why people are so intrigued by them, and enjoy the risk of the hunt.

    Pollan brought all of this together by eating meals that he could trace back to their very beginnings. It really painted an incredible picture of complex our food system is, compared to how simple it used to be. I have always wanted to focus on shedding light on how there is a right way and a wrong way to eat animals, and help people make decisions based on that fact, and the same for conventional farming that leads to highly processed foods. Omnivore’s Dilemma struck a chord in me that has really inspired me to help more people actually think about what they are eating, where it came from, and who all it effected.

 

 

WHAT IS RELIC?

Hannah MarkiewiczLeave a comment

Hi! Just thought I would talk about why I chose the name Relic for my practice. As I began learning about nutrition, I realized how much we’ve messed it all up. We’ve refined, processed, and tried to reproduce what would be considered real food. We’ve demonized necessary nutrients, and replaced them with toxic ingredients that our body does not recognize and cannot use.

I was most intrigued by the writings of Weston Price, who studied people groups that were still eating what was native to them, and had not been exposed to refined foods or any sort of commerce or importing. He found they had low disease rate, strong bodies, and little to no cancer, heart disease, obesity, or diabetes.

My takeaway from it all was that there were certain things in this world that stood the test of time, and that we should never move away from. Relics. Something that used to be relevant, but has been moved away from. My goal is to walk side by side with people to help them move back to a lifestyle where they too can make changes to be free from disease.

Our bodies are incredible things, if they are given what they need, and not filled with foreign, toxic things. If you are interested in learning more or working with me, please send me a message, I would love to help!

CONTACT HANNAH

MATCHA MOCKTAIL

HannahLeave a comment
I recommend Vital Protein's Matcha Collagen . You get all of the benefits of the collagen with the antioxidants of the Matcha, and they even have a peach flavored option!
I recommend Vital Protein’s Matcha Collagen . You get all of the benefits of the collagen with the antioxidants of the Matcha, and they even have a peach flavored option!

Matcha Mocktail (by Vital Proteins)

Ingredients:

  • 1 ounce ginger simple syrup

  • 1 egg white

  • 1 scoop Matcha Collagen (buy it here) or just use regular ol’ matcha!

  • 4-8 ounces freshly boiled water

  • 1 t lemon juice

  • Honey, for drizzling

Ginger simple syrup:

  • ½ C coconut sugar

  • ½ C water

  • 1 large ginger root knob, peeled and sliced

Instructions:

  • 1. To make the ginger simple syrup: combine coconut sugar, water and peeled ginger in a pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce to simmer for 15-20 minutes until sugar is dissolved and syrup is fragrant (makes about a half cup). Strain and discard reserved ginger and set aside syrup.

  • 2. Place egg white in a large bowl. Using a hand mixer, whisk the egg white until stiff peaks form, about 5-6 minutes.

  • 3. Brew Matcha Collagen in cup of choice with freshly boiled water. Add in lemon juice and one-half to one ounce of ginger simple syrup and stir.

  • 4. Top with egg whites and drizzle with honey. Sprinkle matcha powder on top for added flair.

  • 5. Serve immediately.

 

 

GELATIN GUMMIES

Hannah MarkiewiczLeave a comment
This post contains affiliate links.
This post contains affiliate links.

INGREDIENTS:

1 CUP HEAVY WHIPPING CREAM (I USED ORGANIC VALLEY CHERRY CIDER)

2 CUPS 100% FRUIT JUICE OF CHOICE (I USED R.W. KNUDSEN’S CHERRY CIDER)

2 TABLESPOONS GRASS FED GELATIN (VITAL PROTEINS: FIND IT HERE OR GREAT LAKES: FIND IT HERE)

OPTIONAL:

1 TABLESPOONS MAPLE SYRUP

2 TABLESPOONS CHIA SEEDS

1 TEASPOON VANILLA EXTRACT

 

In a saucepan, warm up the whipping cream and fruit juice. Add the gelatin and stir until dissolved. Add in any extra sweeteners or optional ingredients that you would like. Pour the mixture into molds of your choosing, or into a flat pan. Chill in the fridge for at least in hour. Pop them out and enjoy! Or if they are in a pan, cut them into small squares, or use fun cookie cutters!

Store extra in an air tight container in the refrigerator. DO NOT FREEZE WHILE SETTING. They will melt into goo.

Why gelatin?

Gelatin aids the body in:

  • Digestion/gut health
  • Joint health
  • Supports sleep and mood
  • Satiety (feeling full)
  • Skin health
  • Mental functions
  • Strong bones

Quality matters.

Make sure whatever you buy is grass-fed, to be sure that you are getting all of the nutrients possible, without any added toxins such as hormones or antibiotics. I recommend Vital Proteins Beef Gelatin.

 

 

 

Find Vital Proteins Matcha Collagen here .
Find Vital Proteins Matcha Collagen here .

 

UNCOMFORTABLE

HannahLeave a comment

So last night, we spent Saturday night on a mountain in Idaho. Unprepared for what I was getting myself into, I followed 4 other people up a vertical trail. Mind you, my sore legs have only ever known the Midwest, the very flat Midwest. About half way up, snow appeared, turning into about a foot of frozen snow. We reached the top at sunset, which was stunning, but it also meant that the entire hike back down would now be in the dark. I was only wearing my mesh Vivobarefoot shoes, which are great for hikes, but not snowy ones. My toes and fingers went numb early on.

With just a couple headlamps and one flashlight, we hiked back down in the dark, slipping on ice and avoiding holes made from elk tracks. The worst part was when you would finally find some dirt to walk on for traction, just to find that it was just disguised ice. I fell at least a dozen times. I did not have a light of my own, so I was dependent on a headlight behind me and a flashlight in front. Occasionally, the light would go away as the guys would scan the treeline for bears or mountain lions. Once we made it past the snow, it was just a vertical jog down the remainder of the mountain. Although it was a relief not being on ice, it was just as hard on my tired body, as we basically had to run down steep inclines. I went down once again on the dirt and rocks, ripping my jeans. Four hours later, we were back at the truck.

This morning, my knee joints were extremely sore from all of the jarring jumping around going down, and I have a nasty knot and cut on my shin from the dirt fall. The multiple falls on the ice messed up my hands from catching myself over and over, strangely, the back of my hands, as if I had pinched the blood vessels. Any time my hands are lowered, they begin to throb, and the vessels are all swollen.

I saw all of this, not to complain, or even brag, but to just say how grateful I am for all of these new adventures. Sometimes you can get so caught up in eating right, taking supplements, going to the gym, that you never really just go out and let your body experience something uncomfortable and unnerving and tiring. Yes, I am sore, and yes, I may have complained a lot while we were out there, but I loved every second of it. Our bodies are capable of amazing things, and as important as it is to take care of them in the kitchen and gym, we have to let our bodies experience and do.

We could have just gone out to eat, and sat on the couch watching a movie, but somehow we ended up on a cold, dark mountain. That’s what life is about, experiences, memories, and being uncomfortable sometimes. We just get so used to being comfortable, with our heaters, A/C, and cars. But toughing out a situation every once in a while is good for the body and good for soul, resilience, and your mental wellness.

I am sure anyone that has done this particular hike is laughing at me right now for being so dramatic, but like I said, I am from Iowa/Oklahoma, where we have hills. And just hills. I am very inexperienced. Also, I went in very unprepared. This was not meant to be a mesh shoes kind of hike! That said, I am looking forward to many more of these kinds of Saturday nights. Go out and have your own adventure!

The view about a quarter of the way up Canfield Mountain.
The view about a quarter of the way up Canfield Mountain.

BACON-WRAPPED DATES

Hannah MarkiewiczLeave a comment

Ingredients:

Instructions:

  1. Preheat the oven to 400°F.
  2. Cut the bacon slices in half and set aside.
  3. Slice a lengthwise slit in one side of each date.
  4. Smear a bit of goat cheese into the dates, and squeeze shut.
  5. Wrap each date with a piece of bacon, with the ends meeting on the bottom. To secure, pierce through with a toothpick.
  6. Arrange on the baking sheet, being careful not to overcrowd. Bake for 8 minutes.
  7. Flip each date, and bake until crispy, about another 8-10 minutes. If they need more time, let them bake for another minute or so. Just watch to make sure they don’t burn.
  8. Let cool for 5 minutes.
  9. Serve and enjoy.
MONTCHEVRE GOAT CHEESE
MONTCHEVRE GOAT CHEESE
NATURAL GROCERS MEDJOOL DATES
NATURAL GROCERS MEDJOOL DATES
BEELER'S BACON
BEELER’S BACON

BACON E’RY DAY

HannahLeave a comment

Just wanted to do a quick blog about my breakfast. I eat bacon and eggs with salt every morning. I know, right? The FDA would hate me, which is why I do it. Americans have been following the FDA’s guidance since 1906, and we are sicker, fatter, and dying of heart disease, cancer, and diabetes at an alarming rate. Not very convincing if you ask me. Which is why I decided to learn for myself how the body works, how nutrients are used, and what causes dysfunction. What I found contradicted most everything I was taught growing up.

1. FAT IS NECESSARY.

Quality fat is needed for healthy cell wall formation, stellar brain functions, production of hormones, and as a slow-burning source of energy. However, quality is key with fat. Fats can go rancid if not taken good care of, or if they are from poor sources. This is especially true in meat, as the fat holds any toxins that were present in the animal. Therefore, be very picky about what you buy. Organic, pasture-based meats will be free of antibiotics and hormones, and also offer high nutrient levels, as they animals are allowed to eat what they are meant to eat, instead of grain and soy that most conventional farms feed the animals.

Fat is also a key player in weight loss. Don’t let the name fool you, eating fat does not result in fat accumulation in the body. Stored fat generally comes from excess glucose in the blood stream, which comes from sugars and extra carbohydrates. Someone that is avoiding fat naturally consumes more carbohydrates, which flood the body with more glucose than is need. In turn, that glucose is stored as fat for later use. Also, glucose provides quick energy, which you burn through quicker, and become hungry sooner. Fat provides sustaining energy that you can use over a longer period of time, which leads to eating less and eating less often.

2. CHOLESTEROL IS NOT THE VILLAIN.

Eggs are great sources of cholesterol, and this scares many people because their doctors have told them to be scared of it. Cholesterol is found in clogged arteries, so it takes the blame for heart disease. However, which some simple anatomy and physiology knowledge, you learn that cholesterol is like the firefighters responding to a fire. It is sent to where there is damage or inflammation, and once there, it patches up that damage. You wouldn’t blame the first responders for starting a fire they have come to put out, would you?

Cholesterol is a building block of hormones, brain function, and, as stated above, for regulation inflammation in the body. Inflammation and damage in the body comes from a number of other factors, whether that be excess glucose, leaky gut, or external toxins. If one was to halt the production of cholesterol with medication, or avoid eating it all together, the original root problems still run rampant, but now with nothing to hold them back. Many other issues ensue from this, as the lack of cholesterol halts the hormone production and brain functions as well.

So, bottom line, eat the eggs, yolk and all.

3. DO NOT DEMONIZE SALT.

Most people have begun to avoid salt because they are told to avoid too much sodium. I would like to state first that the excess of sodium that is causing most of today’s issues comes from processed, boxed, shelf-stable food. It is used for preservation, and therefore it is found in very large amounts in things such as canned soups, boxed meals, or basically anything that will not spoil if left out. Hundreds of milligrams of sodium sitting in a small can is a big difference from adding some natural sea salt to a meal. Natural, unadulterated sea salt is a fantastic source of so many different trace minerals such as potassium, magnesium, and of course, sodium. You need healthy levels of sodium and potassium to manage the flow of nutrients and water in and out of every single cell in your body. They are the gate keepers of the cells.

Basic table salt is processed beyond belief, therefore I recommend you get true sea salt, with no other added ingredients. I also use organic black pepper because it provides the nutrient bioperine, which aids the body in absorbing needed nutrients from whatever you are eating, making them bio-available. Also, salt and pepper just make anything taste good!

Obviously, there are days when we wake up and decide to make pancakes instead, but those are more like a treat now. I try to avoid anything that will spike my blood sugar first thing in the morning. This comes from sugary, sweet breakfast items like pancakes, bagels, cereal, juice, yogurt, oatmeal, pastries, etc. If your blood sugar spikes early, it will crash early. It’s simple roller coaster science. Start steady, stay steady. I honestly don’t crash in the afternoon like I used to, and I stay satisfied until I get around to lunchtime.

I do like to include a small fruit, such as a tangerine or banana, and sometimes I even wait an hour or two after my eggs and bacon. This is a good way to incorporate something raw and get the benefits from the life-giving fruit. Lastly, a nice big glass of water. My personal favorite way to drink water lately has been Ozark Springs carbonated water, especially the lemon-lime flavor. This way, it makes it more exciting to drink, but you also are getting good clean water, but still guaranteed the mineral content that is missing from many filtered waters.

There you have it, my mornings in a nutshell. Enjoy!

SAFER SKIN

Hannah MarkiewiczLeave a comment

Your skin is an organ. Not just wrapping. 

I believe that most people just see their skin as this bag holding all their insides together. Therefore, what you put on it really doesn’t matter because the skin protects your insides from the outside world. 

This is all wrong. 

Your skin is your largest organ, made up of cells that absorb anything you put on it. Whatever goes into those cells ends up in your bloodstream.  This is a bit scary, but just because we live in such a toxic world.  It doesn’t have to be that way though. You have complete control over what goes on, and in, your body. This is obvious with food, but what about body care products and makeup?  Most products are loaded with chemicals, artificial ingredients, and unnatural preservatives. All of those ingredients are going into your body, but how can anyone ever really know what they are getting?

That’s why I found Beautycounter. This is a company that has a long list of Nevers, meaning they know that some ingredients can be toxic, and they refuse to use them. They are also pushing for stronger regulations on what goes into body care products, and bringing more awareness to the damages those chemicals are doing to people. 

Click here to browse their products and to read more up on what they are about as a company. Message me with any questions!