Health and Fitness Tip #74 - 19+1 Balancing Benefits of Warm Lemon water and Himalyan Salt Combo

19 Balancing Benefits of Warm Lemon water and Himalyan Salt Combo

Many of us have morning routines that are wonderful health practices — a morning meditation, a few yoga poses, a brisk walk around the neighborhood, or a delicious fruit-infused smoothie. Daily routines are vital to health and happiness, and this is especially true at the start of the day.

How about a quick and simple glass of warm lemon water with Himalayan salt? This simple drink can boost your morning health and wellness regimen — and it’s so easy to make.

A 10-ounce glass of warm lemon water with Himalayan salt in the morning can increase your immune function, decrease uric acid to fight inflammation, improve digestion, and balance your body. These benefits can be attributed to the vitamin C content of the lemon juice as well as the essential minerals contained in Himalayan salt.

1. Lemons are excellent for fighting inflammation. Lemons can help dissolve the uric acid in your joints, and also have been found to help build and repair tendons, ligaments, and bone. This anti-inflammatory property may be especially beneficial for people with rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis, according to an American College of Physicians study on osteoarthritis, published in the Annals of Internal Medicine (2000).

2. Aids in proper food and water absorption. A daily glass of lemon water with Himalayan salt may provide a better overall mineral balance, which promotes proper food and water absorption in your body, allowing essential nutrients to get where they need to be.

3. Balances your body’s acidity (pH). The alkalizing effects of lemon and natural salt are highly useful for managing your body’s delicate pH balance, which is crucial for optimal functioning of the body’s systems.

4. Boosts immune function. One lemon serves up 139 percent of your daily value (DV) for vitamin C. Squeezing one lemon into your morning is a natural alternative to that vitamin C supplement you may be taking.

5. It’s a detox for your cells. The all-natural Himalayan salt mixed with lemon juice and water helps to pull toxins from your cells, reducing cellular toxicity. This may reduce your risk for various chronic diseases, as well as make you feel generally awesome!

6. Reduces problematic cellulite. Natural salts like Himalayan salt have been used for centuries for skin care. Interestingly, most spa treatments for cellulitis contain some form of salt and/or citrus blend. A few daily gulps of lemon and salt water in the morning may firm up a few of those unsightly areas.

7. Clears up skin and adds a fresh glow. Using natural salt for skin problems, such as psoriasis and eczema, dates back to ancient Roman times. Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius’ doctor, Galen from Pergamum, used sea salt for skin diseases, according to Science Tribune (1999).

8. Useful for allergy season. It has been suggested that the combination of lemon and salt, specifically mixed into warm water, acts as a natural antihistamine for allergies. It may be the perfect alternative to those pink pills that leave you feeling drowsy.

9. Paves the way for better sleep. The natural hormone-balancing properties of lemon and Himalayan salt can be more than useful when it comes to bedtime. Getting the proper amount of sleep is essential for physical health, mental health, productivity, and much more. This hormone-balancing beverage can make an effective nightcap.

10. Helps controls blood sugar. The fiber content of lemons helps to balance blood glucose levels, which is useful for type 2 diabetes patients and prediabetics alike, according to a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine (2000).

11. Lemons may help detoxify your liver. Vitamin C is essential for producing glutathione, which plays a foundational role in detoxifying the liver. It also has antiseptic properties that are useful for liver function, as well.

12. Freshens breath! Lemon and Himalayan salt may not be the first things that come to mind when you think of fresh breath. However, the lemon and salt in this simple morning drink help kill the bad breath bacteria that build up while you’re sleeping.

13. May help you chill out. When you get stressed out, do not be so quick to reach for those prescription pills. You may be able to chill out and return to that state of Zen by boosting your vitamin C levels first thing in the morning.

14. Useful for reducing blood pressure. Lemons are not all about vitamin C and fiber. They also boast potassium, which is vital for flushing excessive sodium from the body.

15. Boost your libido! The vitamin C content and hormone-balancing properties of this morning beverage can help lift your mood. This might be all it takes to boost your libido, without the need for that little blue pill.

16. Gets you hydrated right out of the gate. Many people forget how important hydration is, especially after a seven or eight-hour sleep period with no water. Start your morning off right and get hydrated. The water, salt and zesty lemon will get your day off to the perfect start.

17. An antioxidant powerhouse vital for, well, everything! Lemon offers up a wealth of vitamins and minerals, while Himalayan salt boosts your mineral and trace mineral levels even more. The antioxidant and detoxifying properties of lemon saltwater pack a powerful, free radical knockout punch.

18. May improve your heart health. Lemons and real salt are both exceptional for increasing heart health on their own. However, when you combine the two into one vibrant morning drink, you get even more vital heart-thumping health benefits.

19. Natural salt supports electrochemical reactions in the body, while negative ions assist in healthy heart rhythm. Lemons are rich in vitamin C, which is, “associated with lower endothelial dysfunction in men with no history of cardiovascular disease or diabetes,” according to a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (2006).

20. Promotes digestive health. A glass of warm lemon water with Himalayan salt before breakfast, or any meal, helps signal your liver to produce the essential bile needed to clean out harmful gut bacteria. The fiber content and natural salt will also promote digestion.

New Recipe!!! FUDGY MUFFINS!!!

Flourless Banana Blender Muffins

Looking for a sweet treat that's healthy?!?

Look no further! These muffins are amazing!! And more on the fudgy side so you get that sweet treat from them!! Plus you can add chocolate chips to make them even sweeter!

BEWARE,,,,These will not LAST long at all in your house!! They are so good and addicting haha. I would freeze some so you can pull them out later for a sweet treat and that they don't tempt you to eat them all in 1 day. 

That may or may not have happened at our house. ;)

Way Back Wednesday - Kelly P.

#WayBackWednesday

This is one of my amazing coaches, Kelly! And the picture on the left popped is her 7 years ago!! And the picture on the right is her now. 😮

Her transformation story isn't about losing the weight, it's about finding the weights! 🏋🏼🏋🏼

The girl on the left was a Cardio girl! She would spend HOURS at the gym, doing the cardio machines, spin class, and aerobics, 5-6 days a week.

But she never lifted. She thought lifting doesn't give me the sweat or calorie burn that the classes and cardio machines give you. 😳

However, she wasn't getting the toned up, muscle defined body either.

She was told many times, especially by her husband that she needed to add weights to her routine if she wanted to see her body change.

 Like most of us women, she didn't want to bulk up or lose out on the calorie burn so it took her a long time to decide to trying the weights out.

Once she gave in and added weights / resistance to her regimen she started to see the change!

Not only did it help her body sculpt up, but it helped her with both of her pregnancies!!

And guess what now she isn't spending hours in the gym, she actually isn't spending any time in the gym, because she just doesn't have the time any more with 2 little ones.

 But she is still getting her workouts in and still doing weights with her at home fitness programs! And she is in better shape, feels better and is WAY more confident, then she has ever been! 

New Recipe!!! Black Bean Meatloaf!

Black Bean Meatloaf

Where area all my vegans, vegetarians, and meatloaf lovers?!?!

I am not a meatloaf person at all! BUT I must admit this recipe is pretty darn good! :) 

Plus it has more of a Mexican flavor to me than anything else!

This is a dish I definitely recommend you trying!! You will be thoroughly surprised!! 

HOT MESS EXPRESS HERE!!!

HOT MESS EXPRESS HERE!!! 🚉 😜

Hi My name is Jaissa Gerity Yahner and I am a HOT MESS!! 😁

Are you a hot mess? Are you looking for other hot messes to lean on?

I can help you! 😉

A lot of people keep telling me that they couldn't be a coach or even do a program because their life is a hot mess.

Guess what?!?!

You don't have to be perfect!  We are all a HOT MESS, one way or the other!!

Trust me! Life in the Yahner house is not perfect. It is a HUGE HOT MESS!! 😱

We don't live a perfect life, we are not happy 24/7, we don't have a STRESS FREE life either, and we don't eat clean 100% of the time.

I hate cleaning and avoid it most days, I throw tantrums, I fight with my husband, I stress eat, I allow the scale to bring me down some days.

But that is what I love about COACHING! They don't want you to be perfect! Perfect is SO over rated! Beachbody wants HOT MESS'S. 😉

We all have our own definition of a hot mess. And with coaching it helps you learn to tame your hot mess, to share about it , to have a family of others that can relate. It   also helps you stay accountable, it helps you learn to lean on others and not try to take on everything yourself. And most of all,it helps you realize that perfect doesn't exist!

Coaching had taught me that the perfect life is the IMPERFECT LIFE! 💕💕

So if you are a hot mess and you are looking to add more to your hot mess of a life, or to try and change it, I am here for you! 😍

#TeamFearlessDreamers are made of amazing hot mess ladies that have become my family and the ones I turn to when life gets messy!

Wanna know what coaching can do for you? Email me at jgerity83@gmail.com or fill out this application! Don't let your thoughts stop you from what could be the best decision of your life! It was mine!!

Health and Fitness Tip #73 - Pistachios and their benefits!

Pistachios!

Why pistachios not only taste delicious, but are also jam-packed with nutrition for a lean healthy body, and improved gut-health!

Some people mistakenly think that pistachios are a "fattening" food... but despite having loads of healthy fats, these yummy little snacks can actually HELP you to burn off stomach fat. 

Pistachios, as we now know, come in a nice natural tan colored shell with a mild-tasting, crunchy, green and yellow interior. Nuts have risen in popularity lately, but did you know that pistachios are probably one of the most nutritious of all nuts?

It's hard to compare anything to the nutritional benefit of nuts like almonds, walnuts, and pecans... but pistachios give them a run for the money!

Just a one-ounce serving of pistachios will give you over 30 vitamins, minerals and other super nutrients.

One of the best things about nuts in general, is that they are full of minerals that are VITAL to our body's proper functioning. And if you have paid much attention to nutrition news lately, you may be aware that minerals are getting harder and harder to obtain from our diet, and many people are mineral-deficient in one way or another.

So what are these great nutrients in pistachios?

Did you know that pistachios are full of copper, phosphorus, and manganese?

Copper is made up of multiple enzymes that help to create many of the necessary biochemical reactions in your body and also forms connective tissue. Manganese also helps form connective and skeletal tissue, and is instrumental in growth, reproduction and (this is good!) carbohydrate and fat metabolism. Phosphorus is very important for strong bones and teeth and works with calcium to prevent osteoporosis.

Other important minerals are magnesium -- necessary for more than 300 different important biochemical reactions in your body, and good for your heart and blood pressure; potassium --an electrolyte that keeps the body in the correct acid/base balance and also helps in forming proteins, metabolizing carbohydrates and building muscle.

Did you know that they are RICH in Vitamin B?!?

Pistachios are a rich source of B vitamins. B vitamins are essential for good nerve transmission, muscle building, a good mood, lots of energy, and infection-fighting power. They are also one of the highest protein nuts (as well as healthy fats), so they make a great satisfying snack that keeps your blood sugar and insulin at a good steady level.

In one study on pistachios and antioxidants, pistachios ranked up in the group with the highest amount of antioxidant activity above over 100 other foods. Antioxidants help to prevent free radical damage, which saves your cells and prevents aging and disease among other things.

We hear a lot about eye health and nutrients for the eyes lately, and guess what-- pistachios contain generous amount of lutein and zeaxanthin which prevent macular degeneration and other eye diseases related to aging.

Did you know that they are FULL of Fiber?!?

Pistachios are full of appetite satisfying fiber -- as much as a serving of oatmeal, but without all of the starch that oatmeal contains, which is generally just empty calories unless you're a super active athlete.

Nuts in general are a great source of fiber, which is valuable for fighting cancer, controlling blood sugar, and aids in a feeling of fullness. Most people only get about half the recommended amount of fiber they need in their diets, so eating pistachios will help add to your dietary intake.

Gut Health What?!?

 Recent research has found that pistachios are one of the most powerful foods in the nut family for improving gut health through the unique antioxidants and fibers that feed good bugs in your gut.

A University of Florida study showed that people who ate 3 oz of pistachios for 19 days during the study had improved levels of beneficial gut bacteria, and an increase in beneficial butyrates, which are substances formed from good bacteria that help to heal the gut lining.  This study also found that pistachios had more gut health benefits than almonds did.

With the increase in gut disorders and leaky gut lately (which can be a cause of autoimmune issues), this is good news that pistachios can be an important food to help heal your gut.

Healthy Fats

While eating extremely large quantities of pistachios would be a LOT of calories... the good news is that the protein, good fats and fiber in them are nutritious and satisfy so much of the nutrient needs of your body, it's VERY difficult to overeat them.

Even when only eating small servings of these nuts, they have been proven to provide a high rate of satiety. Besides, having to shell all those pistachios actually ends up making you eat them much more slowly, so the message to your brain that you are full happens on less nuts than if you were eating something already out of its shell.

NEW RECIPE!!! Chickpea Burgers

Chickpea Veggie Burgers

These burgers are easy to make and make a great alternative to meat and store bought ones!! These burgers are bursting with flavor!!!. Try them on the BBQ for a delicious meal perfect for a summer afternoon.

They seriously are amazing! I know when you think chickpea, burger is not even on your mind, BUT you have to try these they can be made in over or on George Forman too if you don't have a grill!


Serves: 6-8

Ingredients

1 can chickpeas, drained, well-rinsed,and mashed
½ red onion, finely diced
1 small zuchinni, grated
3 tbsp finely chopped cilantro
3 tbsp red wine vinegar
1 tbsp sriracha sauce
2 tbsp natural peanut butter
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp garlic powder
2 tsp black pepper
½ tsp sea salt
1 cup quick oats (gluten-free)
2 tbsp olive oil

Instructions

1. After draining and rinsing the chickpeas, place them in a bowl and mash them with a fork.

2. Add all the other ingredients to the bowl.

3. Use your hands to mix very well.

4, Form into 6-8 patties.

5 Cook on the BBQ around 400 F for approximately 10 minutes each side.

6. You can also fry these in a pan with some oil for 3-5 minutes a side.

Attachments area

Way Back Wednesday - Where it all began!

#WayBackWednesday

Today's transformation is brought to you by T25. But I am not here to talk to you about the program. I want to talk to you about the girl before T25.

The girl on the left was an avid weight lifter. She worked out hard 7 days a week. She lifted weights for 30-60 minutes and then ran on the treadmill or would run outside for 3 miles. Over all she was going 60-90 minutes a day of working out. 

The girl on the left had the mindset of "I worked out hard so I can eat whatever I want."

The girl on he left lacked confidence in herself. She had low self esteem and self worth. 

The girl on the left also did not believe in at home workout programs nor did she believe that 25 minutes was long enough to get a good workout.

However, due to a wedding coming up and the lack of time to get the run in, and since she moved 45 minutes away from work, she thought what the heck, let's try something new. 

This girl hid her purchase from her fiancé and when she watched the video before doing it, she thought, this is a joke. No way is 25 minutes going to have me sweating let alone losing weight. 

HA!! Was she wrong! 

Enter the girl on the right. 60 days later and she is in better shape than she has ever been before! She lost 14 pounds, gained a six pack, and learned all about healthy eating! 

But besides the weight loss and the healthy eating, the girl on the right, gained TREMENDOUS confidence in who she was, her self esteem grew along with your belief of self worth! 

AND wait for it......

It all came from an at home workout program that was only 25 minutes long!! 

So if you are skeptic, if you don't think working out from home can do anything for you, if you don't think a half hour workout can work for you, think again.  What do you have to lose? Weight? Lack of self confidence? 

Don't be like the girl on the left. Decide to become the girl on right. The girl who didn't just lose weight but GAINED confidence and belief in herself!

MARRIAGE ITS HARD!!!

MARRIAGE ITS HARD!!!👰🏼

Marriage is one of the hardest things I have ever done.

It's not all roses 🌹and puppy dogs 🐶 all the time.

Marriage takes work. It takes compromise. It takes effort. It takes communication. 👂🏼

Don't get me wrong, I would marry Rich all over again. He is the love of my life. He is my Prince Charming.

BUT...we both will admit, being married takes work. It's not like the fairytales you were told when you were younger, it's not always perfect and it's not always easy.

When you don't like something or you get mad at the other person, you just can't up and leave.

When the other person suffers, you can't just put up a brick wall and not feel the suffering too. 💔

When the other person wants to do something, you have to support them and encourage them, no matter what fears you feel.

Marriage is about compromise, communication, effort, learning, leaning on one another, and TRUST. 💖

This last month has been hard in the marriage department. And there are times I want to scream and run and hide, but what will that solve? Nothing.

Life isn't perfect. Rich and I don't have a perfect marriage.

BUT we have an unbreakable bond. A love and trust for each other that is stronger than the downs, the bumps, the stressors, and even stronger than scary life decisions we face.

Before I met rich I would have given up, walked away, or I would have done what I was taught, just brush it under the carpet and act like everything is perfect.

But it's not, we struggle just like others do. And the more we communicate with each other, even when it's hard to, the closer we get and the easier it is to face the road ahead of us.

I AM LOOKING FOR EMOTIONAL EATERS

I AM LOOKING FOR EMOTIONAL EATERS 🍦🍕🍟🎂🍬🍪🍩🍸🍹🍺

Have you heard of this book?

Whether you have emotionally ate once in your lifetime, once in a while, every MONDAY or every day...you KNOW the feeling. The feeling of remorse, guilt, unhappiness and frustration.

I've been there & I know a lot of you have too!!

Which is why I'm focusing my next online fitness group not only on workouts + eating healthy + staying accountable...but ALSO learning how to stop using FOOD to control our FEELINGS!

This group will be 3 weeks, where we focus on 30 min workouts, 🏃🏼 simple nutrition 🍎, along with reading the book food: the good girls drug.

Oh and we will be ignoring the scale ❌for the entire 21 days! Whoop whoop!! 🙌🏼🙌🏼

Are you game???

The first 5 ladies that commit to giving me 3 weeks, will get this book as a FREE gift from me! 📚

Comment "I'm in" below or message me for details and to get your copy!

This will be my first ever book club / wellness support group and I am super excited to have others join me!

This book is amazing and I can't wait to share all of the ahh-ha moments with you!

So, are you in? Email me at jgerity83@gmail.com to join and be one of the first 5 people to get your book free! 

#emotionaleater  #eatmyfeelings

Health and Fitness Tip #72 - Oils: Healthy Vs. Unhealthy

Oils: Healthy Vs. Unhealthy

ALL vegetable oils sold at the grocery store and in most restaurants are toxic to your body... they are all heavily refined, damaged fats that cause serious inflammation and damage to the cells of your body.  And yes, in addition to soybean oil, corn oil, cottonseed oil, this also includes health-damaging canola oil too as one of the top offenders.

Aside from sugar, vegetable oils are THE worst part of our food supply that cause the MOST disease.

On the other hand, you've also heard that the truly healthy oils and fats to cook or bake with are...

  -coconut oil,

  -extra virgin olive oil (for some uses, but not high heat),

  -macadamia oil,

  -and grass-fed butter.

But there's a problem with Coconut Oil...

1.  Coconut oil -- Although coconut oil has some extremelly healthy saturated fats called MCTs, along with tons of other health benefits, the taste often doesn't match certain savory dishes.  Coconut oil is great for baking, or anything sweet, but it just doesn't give the best taste for cooking eggs, veggies, and other savory dishes.  The coconut flavor can often overpower the other flavors in many dishes.

But there's a problem with Olive Oil...

2. Olive oil -- Although extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) is another very healthy oil with proven studies showing dozens of amazing health benefits, it doesn't provide the right taste for baked goods like muffins, cookies, cakes, or pancakes.  

But the REAL problem with olive oil is that most of the EVOO you find in the store isn’t really pure EVOO.  A major investigation (which was featured in the NY Times) exposed how some olive oil producers were “cutting” their oil with cheap, refined inflammatory vegetable oil and selling it off as pure EVOO.

In fact, researchers uncovered that 69% of EVOO sold in stores is partially fake, fraudulently diluted with cheap and inflammatory vegetable oils!  This is why I always recommend getting the highest quality EVOO you can find.

Cauliflower Crust Pizza!!!

This Recipe is AMAZING. I hate cauliflower but you can't taste it in the crust! Honestly, you would never know it was cauliflower!! My husband LOVED it and actually told me he liked it better than my almond crust pizza!!

PLUS - it counts as 2 greens instead of 2 yellows!! WHOOP WHOOP talk about a win win.

Toppings - I did for myself a pesto sauce and for rich a pizza sauce. They both were good. I just prefer pesto over red sauce!

I recommend trying this, it was easy to make BECAUSE i used the trader joes riced cauliflower. I have made the rice cauliflower by myself before and its just too much of a hassle and the clean up is horrid! This bag of cauliflower rice made it easy and actually made me want to make it again!

Definitely try this recipe out. You wont regret it!!

Oh and you don't have to make it dairy free - just replace the nutritional yeast with actually cheese, Parm for the crust and shredded for the topping.

Empowering!!

EMPOWERING

That is what the caption of this picture would say.
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Today was very empowering for me! 👑
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I grew up in a house full of girls and I was the middle child. I am an introvert and struggling with doing things, especially manly things, that are outside of my comfort zone.
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However, today, I had to step outside of my comfort zone and put my big girl panties on and do something I have NEVER done before! 😳
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I had to jump Larry! 😱
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Yes you read that right. 😂 Larry, our new pain in the butt member of our family, gets jealous when he doesn't get driven, and so he will just die!
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And today he did just that! I was headed to meet my dad when Larry wouldn't start. And you know what, 5 years ago I would have cried, 😢 thrown a fit, and needed a "man" to come fix this for me. I would not have believed that I would have had the knowledge and / or ability to jumps a car.
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But today, I had that belief! I had the confidence that I COULD jump a car!  That I didn't need anyone's help!
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And I was! I was able to jump Larry all myself!! 🚙
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Talk about an empowering feeling!! And that empowerment felt amazing!! Knowing that I could do this by myself. That I didn't need my daddy or Rich 💕 to come to my rescue and do it for me.
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That was the best feeling ever!!
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Ladies today I prove to you that you can do all things, yourself! You don't need someone to do it for you.
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YOU are strong enough, you are tough enough! And you powerful enough to to do all things including jumping a car! 💪🏻
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Believe in yourself and give yourself the empowerment and confidence that YOU CAN DO IT!!
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It's might be scary at first, but trust me it's  very empowering! 👊🏼
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Have you ever had to do something yourself that gave you that empowerment feeling? What was it? Share with me, let's celebrate 🙌🏼 each other's achievements!
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*****Side Note: you all need to invest in one of these boxes. This box jumps your car for you. You just set it on top battery, connect the colors to the matching knobs, and turn your car on!

Summer Ready Group - FORMING NOW

OMG!!! Did you know that there is only 50 more days till SUMMER?!?!

Are you ready? Will you be able to wear shorts, tanks, and a bikini with confidence and pride or did winter get the best of you and taken a toll on your health, workouts, eating, and confidence?

Don’t allow time to be an excuse this spring. Yes, spring sports have sprung too but if you want to be shorts and tank ready by summer than you can find 22 minutes a day to workout. Yes, that is it 22 minutes a day is all you need to have a confident body that you love! And you can have it, in time for summer.

And the best part about all of this is that  I am launching a Summer Body Ready Fitness Group. Can you commit to 22 minutes a day, 6 days a week for 8 weeks?

I will assist and support you the entire way! I will also give you tips on clean eating, meal planning and prepping, give you clean eating fun recipes that are delicious, quick and family approved!

Don’t be afraid to put yourself first for 22 minutes a day. Its OKAY!! You deserve to feel energized and good! You deserve to have confident in yourself!

Interested in my Summer Body Ready Fitness Group? Email me at jgerity83@gmail.com with the subject line SUMMER READY or fill out this application! Let's get Summer Ready together!!

Celiacs and the Weekends

CELIACS SUCKS!!

I live everyday with celiacs. Did you know it's an autoimmune disease?

It is. And it's one that affects me everyday. Either emotionally or physically.

And weekends it effects me the most!

Why?!?

Living as a celiac is hard, but the weekends make is SOOO much harder!

Think about it. What do you do on the weekends? You got out, drink, eat, meet up with friends, and have fun.

Not me. Having celiacs is like being an outcast. It's a curse yet a blessing at the same time.

Living in Greensburg, PA there aren't many actually only 1 gluten free restaurant. And you can only eat pizza so often.

All the other restaurants have a gluten free menu, but are cooked in the same kitchen, using the same utensils as the gluten menu items. So cross contamination happens. And to me it happens every time.

Yes, I am that sensitive to food and what I put in my body. Like I said a blessing and a curse.

So weekends are no fun. We don't go out. We stay in and I cook the same things. And let's be honest, not the best for a marriage. It's good to get out of the house, but we don't because my husband sees the pain I go through when we do.

So how does it affect me mentally?

A lot of people judge me for not going out, not just eating out and dealing with it, or seeing what happens. I get a lot, a crumb can't hurt you.

But it does.

It does hurt me. It hurts both physically and mentally.

Just because I am a health and fitness coach, doesn't mean I don't enjoy a treat meal once in a while, it doesn't mean I am perfect and don't eat junk.

I am no different than you are. I like a treat, and there are times I want the junk, but I can't! Again blessing and a curse.

If you have celaics, if you have an autoimmune disease, know that you aren't alone. Know that others feel these feelings too.

Health and Fitness Tip #71 - Lets Talk Digestion!!

 Nuts and Seeds and Digestion!

Nuts and seeds are common allergens and they can be very difficult to digest. Nuts and seeds contain phytic acid which is the storage form of phosphorus, and humans are unable to digest it. It binds to minerals like iron and zinc and prevents us from absorbing them. Phytic acid also binds to enzymes we need to digest our food. Since those with digestive issues already have impaired digestion, nuts and seeds can make the problem worse. If you do eat nuts and seeds, it’s important that you soak them overnight to remove the phytic acid.

Raw Fruits and Vegetables and Digestion

Raw fruits and vegetables with the skin are very fibrous and tough to break down and digest. Knowing that you can get more nutrients from raw fruits and vegetables vs. cooked, I always wanted to eat large salads with lots of veggies. However, I would feel miserable afterward. Peeling and cooking your vegetables helps break them down so they are easier to digest. Depending on the severity of your digestive problems, you may need to peel, cook, and puree your fruits and veggies for a period of time until your gut starts to heal. You can also see how you tolerate fresh-pressed vegetable juice. The juice extracts the hard-to-digest fiber, yet you are still left with the beneficial nutrients.

Coffee and Caffeine and Digestion

While high quality organic coffee can be a healthy beverage of choice, it is not always best for those with digestive problems. For some, coffee can cause cramping, diarrhea, and even constipation. If you’re suffering from these symptoms, coffee could just exacerbate them. Additionally, coffee contains caffeine which could be problematic for those with chronic digestive problems. Often time those with digestive issues like IBS, IBD, or leaky gut also have adrenal problems. Caffeine can stress the adrenals even more which just adds fuel to the fire. The key is to strengthen your adrenals, heal your gut, and then try adding coffee and other caffeinated beverages back in slowly.