Thanksgiving Platter = Yummy Tummy! 

This year was no exception to the rule of too many yummy items to enjoy. We've managed to keep it fun as we've grown our food base to include healthier options of food, and it just makes it more fun I think. And colors... well at my house the do equal fun!

The Purple Sweet Potato

They did a study on the purple sweet potato, which I've discussed online before for it's amazing health benefits, and how it's been used in the sports shake I have my elite athletes use. One thing they found was that the purple sweet potato color could be a possible candidate for the prevention and treatment of cognitive deficits in excitotoxic and other brain disorders.  Excitotoxicity is the pathological process by which nerve cells are damaged and killed by excessive stimulation by neurotransmitters such as glutamate and similar substances. Excitotoxicity may be involved in spinal cord injury, stroke, traumatic brain injury, hearing loss (through noise overexposure or ototoxicity) and in neurodegenerative diseases of the central nervous system (CNS) such as multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Parkinson's disease, alcoholism or alcohol withdrawal and especially benzodiazepine withdrawal, and also Huntington's disease.

What about the cranberries? 

Oh my, this really is my favorite. I cook up the cranberries with pears. Who knew they would be such an amazing combination? Cranberries are a powerful source of both vitamin C and fiber, and are only 45 calories per cup. In disease-fighting antioxidants, cranberries outrank nearly every fruit and vegetable--including strawberries, spinach, broccoli, red grapes, apples, raspberries, and cherries. When looking at the antioxidants of the whole cranberry, one cup has 8,983 total antioxidant capacity. Only blueberries can top that: Wild varieties have 13,427; cultivated blueberries have 9,019. So I always get my fresh cranberries, and then cook them slow. Cooking temps (350°F/175°C) will destroy the antioxidant levels, as well as the minerals and enzymes. So let it take some time, at a lower temperature.

Finally peas, carrots, carrots and peas... and mushrooms, onions and lots of fresh herbs are a plus at my table!! I love the nutrition, and I love Thanksgiving!

Your Thyroid Is Low 

You know it, because you feel it. But let me share with you that "Normal" is just the opposite. This last week I had my annual exam. I brought my blood test results and cortisol tests because you know if I were in an accident, the person they are going to go to for your medical records is the primary care physician. I don't like the idea of working with the left hand, and the right hand has no idea what you are doing.

She looked at every test result and said, "Well it all was in normal range." as well as, "I don't like to give women testosterone because you could start losing your hair, getting a mustache." >>> OMG!! o_0 Did I hear you correctly?

You see there is a reality beyond the "normal" numbers that they teach in medical school. I'm thankful that the doctor I have been going to for testing my blood work was able to read the results and know what was wrong with me. I'm thankful that she cares enough about her clients to heal them. Now, follow me on this whole crazy notion... who do you think goes into the labs to get tested? Sick people. If a lab creates its “normal” range based on test results from sick people, is that really a normal range? Does that tell us anything about what the range should be for health? This is why I want to learn more, and help more people. This week the general physician told me that all of my prior tests were "normal". So that's why I now feel so much better... I just went out and got WEIRD!! I prefer weird then, give me the bioidentical, super food weirdness any day of the week. Are you with me?

My Thyroid Was Low

Since I had my blood work done about six months ago I've been feeling better every day. In fact I'm starting to wake up early again, and not horribly tired all day. I am working out again, mostly hitting the yoga mat and some weight lifting, but it feels BLISSFUL!!

So let me share what my test results were, I don't know if it will be helpful to you, or anyone else. I shared it recently on my Facebook page, and hopefully you'll realize that just because one doctor says your levels look fine, you can keep searching for someone that knows that you do need supplementation.

How my levels were

Ferritin (which is our stored iron) was 8. It should be 90 or higher. Ferritin is the fuel for the entire hormonal system so let's say you are taking thyroid but seeing no results. It could be because you have low ferritin. I started with 1 iron supplement a day, and each week increased another until I got up to 4 capsules a day. I'm not taking the Food Based New Chapter Iron. I take the iron with the Whole Foods Acerola Chewable Vitamin C 500 mg - 2 with it, and 1 later in the day.

My Thyroid was TSH 2.680 and Triiodothyronine, Free was 3.0. I was put on 15 mg of Armour initially and then increased after 30 days to 30 mg of Armour.

My Free Testosterone was 0.3 - I do 1.5 ml of yam based testosterone cream a day.

My Progesterone was 4.3 - I do a pediatric dose of compounded progesterone (regular progesterone pills have peanut proteins in them) each night until a couple days before my period.

My estrogen was great, she recommended taking DHEA but it gave me major zit face. So I stopped. My vitamin D was 30.0 - I started with 5,000 IU a day, went up to 10,000 IU a day and am now back to 5,000 IU a day. It should also be up at about 100.

I did the ZRT Laboratory Cortisol spit test. The results are easy to read and you can order this test from Amazon to do on your own, or go through True Health or your local doctor's office. Shows you exactly when you are low or high - which of course is exactly what you need to do for using any supplementation. My doctor had me start taking 1/2 of the Cortisol Manager each night at bed time since that is when my cortisol was low.

The last few weeks I've started doing a full vegan plant based food nutrient complex, cellular vitality complex each day. I am now also doing the detox blend twice a day - morning and evening. Cleansing is an important component of preparing for pregnancy. Fertility cleansing consists of supporting the livers natural ability to cleanse itself as well as supporting uterine health and circulation. This in turn supports hormonal health and encourages a healthy uterine environment. I did a cleanse several months ago, and then did last month a 10 day cleanse as soon as I got back from vacation because I was pooped, I was craving nothing but sugar all day long.

Also this detox and the other whole food and cellular supplements I can take for prenatal throughout pregnancy, so that make me feel great if I get pregnant. I was told it could help with decreasing nausea taking the detox supplementation.

I also am taking Ecological Formulas Kelp. It has great levels of selenium, very bioavailable and has the iodine and kelp. Contains no corn, soy, yeast, etc.

I use essential oils but you must be safe about it if you are ttc get pregnant especially, and a lot of women should think about it. I've had quite a few friends using a blend of essential oils and these while doing IVF, and that needs to be addressed with your clinic, your doctor and your aromatherapist.

I'm now doing clary sage and geranium with fractionated coconut oil on rotation.

The recommendation is to not apply at the same time you do your iron. So I usually do this when I take my thyroid pill. The blend that was shared for those with metabolic symptoms was:

10 drops of clary-sage essential oil
10 drops of fennel essential oil
7 drops of geranium essential oil
3 drops of rose essential oil

Option 1: Add these amounts to 2 tablespoons of EVOO or Coconut oil and gently rub over the abdomen.

Option 2: Make the synergistic blend using these proportions and use 6 drops to a bath.

Option 3: Make the blend and use 5 drops synergistic blend to 1 teaspoon EVOO or Coconut oil or place in a vegetable capsule and take internally.

After reading more I determined that since my whole food complex has helped me so much because it's just food, so it can be taken while trying to conceive and not be feared as something horrible to take if you do get pregnant.

That's been my only concern during this process, the what if I were to get pregnant. You have to think outside of the right now, and consider that what if sometimes.

I hope that within the next year I'll be able to drop the thyroid supplementation as I've fixed the dietary issues. A lower carb diet, healthy real foods, good sources of omega-3's, ferritin levels getting up to normal, vitamins and minerals should correct the problem.

One note: I am not in need of estrogen, but I've read that you should not take oral estrogen with oral thyroid. The oral estrogen binds T4 so it cannot convert usable T3, which would make you more hypothyroid. Just FYI as you are working on your own endocrine system balance.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product nor anything written about on this blog is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. This blog is a purely entertainment practice. ;) As Always... consult your doctor and enjoy my opinion as just that. 

Team Beachbody Black Friday 2013 Deals! Turbo Fire for just $29.95!! Starts at Noon Wednesday! 

For a limited time only, get select Beachbody programs, equipment and supplements for the lowest  price of the year!!

It's Black Friday, early!! Sale starts today at noon! During the weekend of Black Friday/Cyber Monday, Team Beachbody® is offering deep discounts on a variety of select Beachbody products! The offer is valid for a LIMITED TIME ONLY starting Wednesday November 27th 12PM PST until Monday December 2nd 11:59PM PST. Offer quantities are limited and we’re expecting that some items will sell out quickly. 

Stay on top of your health and fitness goals during the holidays with Beachbody programs like P90X,
TurboFire and INSANITY: THE ASYLUM!! Save up to 69% on Beachbody programs, equipment and supplements. Keep your skin healthy and vibrant during the cold winter months with Derm Exclusive. It’s the perfect stocking stuffer! Give yourself, a friend or a loved one the gift of health and fitness this holiday season.

At noon jump on over to http://bit.ly/1bVPQTT and get yours while they are available!!

How are you celebrating the holiday this year? 

Are you celebrating Thanksgiving or Hanukkah? What is your favorite meal for the season? If you celebrate Hanukkah, do you feel like it overlapping Thanksgiving takes away from the sacredness of the holiday? I have many friends that are Jewish, and I know how much they put into getting their meals ready for holidays.
My husband's favorite recipe of the holiday is the fresh cranberry sauce from the Pioneer Woman, Ree. I keep joking I'm going to show up on her doorstep one day with my friend because she has an in. LOL... 

• 1 bag (12 Oz. Bag) Cranberries
• 1 cup Cranberry Juice (or Orange, Apple Or Any Ot¬her Juice Combination)
• 1 cup Pure Maple Syrup (not Pancake Syrup!)
• 3 Tablespoons Juice (you Could Also Do Orange Zest, Lemon Zest, Lemon Juice – Anything Citrusy)

How YUM!! 

Now what about getting the weight off after the holiday? 

Now, Don't wait any longer... Starting Monday, December 2nd, I will start a FREE 5-Day fitness challenge! 

Sign-up, commit to only FIVE days of working out, eating right, checking in, and share your before and after photos for access to a shopping list AND meal plan provided by me! This challenge will be ran through a Facebook group and you will be required to check in daily to remain a part of the group.

The work is done for you, all you have to do is show up! I have two three! different meal plans, one just basic and one is a FODMAP / Autoimmune meal plan... and of course one Paleo Vegeo meal plan!!

Fill out this form - https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1uxhKT0kyTv-rw7hi7g3akLv2-WsFq0htVicwWAuZe00/viewform - if you are interested in joining, refer your friends to the group to be entered to win an amazing short workout that really targets your trouble spots when you are in a hurry. Open to all - so don't feel shy.

Looking forward to the week! Looking forward to the challenge. How about you?