Category: Hormonal Health

Sneak Peak Recipe: Protein Packed Crepes (Grain-Free, Gluten-Free)

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This delicious recipe is one of the 60 grain-free recipes that can be found inside my book The 30-Day Hormone Solution. You can get your copy at hormonesolutionbook.com

Breakfast is hands down my favourite meal of the day. Often times I eat leftovers for breakfast. From salmon to chicken to beef, my morning meal is always protein packed. 

I often find that many of my clients eat too many ‘breakfasty’ type foods in the morning. I mean, I get it. This is what we were taught to eat. From cereals, to bagels to muffins and and drive thru breakfast sandwiches, these types of foods, do not fill you up, but instead fill you out!

Your body craves protein in the morning. It will help to stoke your metabolism plus balance your blood sugar which is key for weight loss, satiety between meals, managing PMS symptoms, headaches… and well, let’s just say that insulin is important in many (like hundreds) of important processes in the body. The more you manage it with food, the healthier you’ll feel overall. 

Managing insulin and blood sugar levels is at the core of everything I do with my clients. This is why women lose weight effortlessly and my clients have easier breezier cycles. 

So where do crepes fall into all of this?

Well, let’s face it. From pancakes, to waffles, to crepes, we all want a delicious breakfast, especially on the weekends when we can spend more time cooking in the morning and not feeling like we have to rush off to work. 

And as for crepes, it was my fiancé who really got me loving them. His family used to enjoy them regularly and for years now we’ve been trying to master the perfect gluten free crepe recipe. 

Trust me, there have been many fails, until this one!

This is the perfect crepe recipe ever! It’s so easy to make, it’s packed with protein from eggs and best of all, it’s gluten free! Now that’s the kind of crepe I want to indulge in. 

You can enjoy these crepes sweet or savoury. On the sweet side, I like to warm fresh berries and gently mush them, making a simple homemade jam or smearing on grass fed butter, almond butter and filling my crepe with fruit. 

On the savoury side you can make some scrambled eggs, sauté some spinach and roll it up in your crepe. 

The possibilities are endless! Hope you enjoy these crepes as much as we do 😉 

Protein Packed Crepes (Grain-Free, Gluten-Free)
Yields 5
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Ingredients
  1. 4 eggs
  2. 1 cup unsweetened coconut milk
  3. 1/2 cup tapioca flour
  4. 1/2 cup almond flour
  5. 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  6. 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
  7. Pinch of sea salt
  8. Coconut oil, for oiling pan
Instructions
  1. Combine all ingredients into a large bowl (minus the coconut oil) and whisk together until smooth. A few lumps may remain, that's ok.
  2. Heat a small amount of coconut oil in a skillet or crepe pan over medium heat.
  3. Add the batter to the pan using a soup ladle or 1/4 cup measuring cup, tilting the pan gently to evenly spread out the batter. You want a thin layer covering your pan. It's like making a pancake, but a thin and large pancake!
  4. Cook until the edges start to set, then gently flip and cook on the other side for about 1-2 minutes.
  5. Transfer the fresh crepe onto a plate or wire rack to cool and or eat right away, while still warm. Make remaining crepes with batter and spread on your favourite toppings!
Notes
  1. *We use a fairly large crepe pan which gives us approximately 5 crepes. Depending on the size of your pan, you can make smaller ones and more of them.
  2. *You can refrigerate any leftovers and keep in the fridge for 2-3 days.
Holistic Wellness https://holisticwellness.ca/

 

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Gluten Free Mongolian Beef & Broccoli Stir Fry

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As we approach summer, I think we’re all craving no-fuss weekday meals that can easily be thrown together and that don’t have us in the kitchen all night long. 

It’s all about capitalizing on that extra bit of daylight at the end of our work day and soaking up that sunshine. I mean…here in Ontario, we’ve waited for it all winter long, right? 

This one pan meal is not only simple and convenient but it’s also nutritious, hormone balancing and loaded with flavour. I think it makes the perfect no-fuss weekday meal! 

Enjoy it on its own or as a side dish, or my personal favourite, over cauliflower rice.

Did you know that cruciferous veggies such as broccoli actually help us to balance out our  hormones? It’s true. These foods help us to clear excess estrogen from our body. So, eat your broccoli ladies because it’s truly one powerhouse of a vegetable. 

Speaking of our hormones, we’re launching another round of our Metabolic Reset this summer. It’s going to be 8 weeks and we’re including tons of updated information, recipes and other goodies for you! 

As with most women, you might be suffering with hormonal imbalances such as low thyroid function, PMS, PCOS or menopause. Our 8 week high fat, low carb weight loss program is designed specifically for women so you can lose weight with ease and balance your hormones with delicious foods. 

It’s meals like this that you can enjoy in the Metabolic Reset program. One of the questions we’re often asked is, “what will I be eating?” Our answer? Food just like this! Delicious food. Easy to prepare food. Food that the entire family will love. 

So if you’ve been wanting to balance out your hormones and lose weight all without deprivation then get on our wait list here. 

This Mongolian Beef & Broccoli Stir Fry is gluten-free, grain-free and paleo-friendly. It’s a savoury dish with tender strips of beef and stir fried broccoli with a rich umami sauce with garlic, ginger and just a hint of sweetness. 

Mongolian Beef & Broccoli Stir Fry
This Mongolian Beef & Broccoli Stir Fry is gluten-free, grain-free and paleo-friendly. It’s a savoury dish with tender strips of beef and stir fried broccoli with a rich umami sauce with garlic, ginger and just a hint of sweetness.
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Ingredients
  1. 1 large grass-fed steak
  2. 3 Tbsp olive oil, divided
  3. 2 garlic cloves, minced
  4. 2 tsp ginger, grated
  5. 2 Tbsp Bragg’s all purpose seasoning (or extra Tamari)
  6. 1 Tbsp tamari
  7. 1.5 Tbsp coconut sugar
  8. 1/4 cup water
  9. 1 head of broccoli, cut florets
  10. 2 tsp rice wine vinegar
  11. sprinkling of sesame seeds, for garnish
  12. 1-2 green onions, thinly sliced
  13. pinch crushed red pepper, optional
  14. 2 cups cauliflower rice, optional
  15. sea salt
  16. black pepper
Instructions
  1. Remove steak from the fridge and let it come to room temp (about 30 min). Get a cast iron pan on the stovetop over medium heat.
  2. Pat the steak dry using paper towel and season generously with sea salt and pepper. Add 1-2 Tbsp olive oil to the pan.
  3. Sear steak in cast iron pan, about 3-4 minutes per side for medium cook (depending on the thickness of your steak).
  4. Remove steak from pan and allow it to rest.
  5. In the same pan, lower the temp and add 1 Tbsp olive oil. Add minced garlic, grated ginger and cook out for about 1 minute.
  6. Add Bragg’s all purpose seasoning, tamari, coconut sugar and water. Bring to a simmer for 4-5 minutes or until thickened.
  7. Add broccoli florets, cover pan and cook until bright green and slightly tender.
  8. Slice beef and add it back to the pan with 2 tsp rice wine vinegar for about a minute to coat it in the sauce.
  9. Portion out beef and broccoli and garnish with sesame seeds, green onion and pinch of crushed red peppers.
  10. Optional: serve over whole grains or cauliflower rice.
Holistic Wellness https://holisticwellness.ca/
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10 Keto-Friendly Dinners (Delicious, Low Carb & Easy to Prepare)

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The Ketogenic diet is a hot topic as of late. Some people use it as an approach to weight loss, while others use it as a way to balance hormones and heal their body. A keto diet can be incredibly helpful for balancing insulin and blood sugar levels, which in turn will lead to better overall hormonal health (and yes ladies, that means less PMS and PCOS symptoms for you!)

If you’ve been thinking about going Keto, I’m hooking you up with 10 Keto-friendly dinner ideas! Below are a mix of recipes with dairy, and some without. I often find there are a lot of keto recipes smothered in dairy and although I love cheese, it’s not something I eat often and can be quite inflammatory for some people. Everyone is different so I wanted to provide you with options. 

If you’re looking to try the Keto approach to weight loss, check out my 12 week online weight loss program specifically designed to help women burn fat (with delicious food of course!). This program is not about deprivation, but about supporting women’s hormones with healthy high fat foods. Click here to learn more about my fat burning program.

 

Continue reading “10 Keto-Friendly Dinners (Delicious, Low Carb & Easy to Prepare)”

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DIY All Natural Bronzer

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The sun is finally shining here in Toronto and the weather is getting hot (it’s about time!).

That means I’m pulling out my summer clothes, throwing my hair up and getting my summer beauty essentials ready. This means using a little bit of bronzer. 

I don’t normally wear bronzer throughout the year (unless I’m off to a video shoot and have a fabulous make up artist apply it for me), but in the summer time, it’s the perfect time to add a little extra glow and colour to my cheeks. 

But… as you know, I’m quite particular with my beauty care products and I won’t just settle for any product. It’s got to be clean, natural, free of parabens, fragrances and EDC (endocrine disrupting chemicals). 

Remember, what goes ON the skin goes IN, and although our bodies are very miraculous and smart and can filter through toxins and not 100% of everything gets into the skin, A LOT of it does and A LOT of it is dangerous, carcinogenic and can have a negative impact on our health and hormones. 

—> CLICK HERE TO GET YOUR [thrive_2step id=’6246′]DIY BEAUTY SECRETS [/thrive_2step]GUIDE FREE! <—

There was a time when I bought all my beauty care and skin care products from the drug store. As a young girl I could spend hours looking through all the makeup, glosses, hair products, scrubs and everything in between. 

Be sure to check out the safety of your beauty care products on the Environmental Working Group (EWG)’s Skin Deep database.

In my CleanBeautyU online program, I’ve recorded 10 simple DIY beauty care recipe videos. I’ll be teaching you how to make your own anti-aging facial oil, scrubs, whitening toothpastes, mouthwash, face masks, hair masks and so much more! Plus, you’ll have access to 6 CleanBeautyU Modules where I dive into all things gut health, detoxification, facial care, body care, hair care and dental health so you know EXACTLY what to do to heal your most pressing skin issues! Click here to learn more about this amazing program. 

In the meantime, get yourself in the kitchen and grab these “baking” essentials to make this simple and chemical free DIY All Natural Bronzer. 

Here are the highlight ingredients of this DIY Bronzer recipe:

Cinnamon – provides a gorgeous glow
Cacao – the real star of the show, this ingredient adds depth and darkness to your bronzer. Use as much or as little, depending on the shade that is right for you
Nutmeg – this ingredient is optional, but is does give the bronzer a really nice sun-kissed colour
Arrowroot, tapioca or powdered sugar – helps to lighten the bronzer overall. Use more or less depending on the colour that is right for you. 

DIY All Natural Bronzer
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Ingredients
  1. 1 tbsp cinnamon powder
  2. 1 tsp cacao powder
  3. 1 tsp nutmeg powder (optional)
  4. 2 tsp arrowroot or tapicoa powder (or use organic powdered sugar)
Instructions
  1. Adjust the levels of ingredients to your shade and mix together in a small bowl.
  2. Be sure to break up any clumps until it’s smooth.
  3. Place the powder into a clean, empty compact and pack it in firmly.
  4. Use an all natural bristle blush brush, swipe on your bronzer and viola!
Notes
  1. *Note - use the best, most natural (organic preferably) ingredients when making this bronzer. The 2 most important ingredients are the cinnamon and cacao powder (or cocoa powder), which will give your skin that gorgeous glow. If you don't have arrowroot or tapioca on hand, powdered sugar will work too!
Holistic Wellness https://holisticwellness.ca/
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Metabolism Boosting Breakfast Scramble

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Breakfast is definitely one of my favourite meals! In fact, I feel like you can eat ‘breakfast’ at any meal of the day. 

I always love seeing the reaction of my clients when they see their meal plans. Most of them will find foods such as chicken or beef as a breakfast option on their meal plan, or a combination of specific nuts and seeds with certain fruits all as a way to ensure adequate protein. And of course, then there’s eggs! My fav 🙂 

You might find it strange to eat chicken or beef at breakfast, but the thing is, breakfast is just another meal of the day, so any food can apply here. And protein is key!

In fact, if you’re starting your morning off with a bagel, cereal, granola, or a smoothie (that does not have adequate amounts of fat and protein), you can ensure you’ll be setting yourself up for some unstable blood sugar, combined with a slower moving metabolism, combined with a general feeling of fatigue later in the day. 

Know what I mean?

What you choose for breakfast plays a key role in hormonal health and metabolism. If you’re struggling to lose weight or are dealing with hormonal imbalances, such as PCOS, PMS, diabetes, menopause, hot flashes, insomnia, fatigue, stress, acne, hair loss or estrogen dominance,  you might want to take a look at what foods you’re choosing to eat to start your day. 

And of course, this applies to all your meals. Every time you eat is an opportunity to support your health and hormones, so why not choose the best foods possible? 

So what’s so great about my simple and delicious breakfast scramble? Well, aside from being simple and delicious, it contains a few key things:

  • Eggs – which provide you with protein, healthy brain feeling fats and numerous hormone balancing vitamins and minerals
  • Avocado – is loaded with vitamin E and monounsaturated fats, both of which are incredible for skin health
  • Asparagus – contains glutathione, a potent antioxidant that keeps your skin youthful and is found in every cell in your body! It scours our body for toxins, free radicals and heavy metals that pose a threat to our health and well-being and gives them the boot!
  • Spinach – is high in niacin and zinc, as well as protein, fiber, vitamins A, C, E and K, thiamin, vitamin B6, folate, calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, copper, and manganese – so basically, it’s a nutrient powerhouse!

This recipe is quick to make. I love chopping and prepping veggies a day before so they are ready in the fridge to add to recipes. Food prep is a life saver!

Enjoy the delicious and get that metabolism soaring! And if you’re looking for one-on-one support to lose weight and balance your hormones, fill out my online application here. 

And be sure to click here to download my FREE DIY Beauty Secrets eBook for gorgeous glowing skin! 

 

 

 

Metabolism Boosting Breakfast Scramble
Serves 1
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Prep Time
5 min
Cook Time
8 min
Prep Time
5 min
Cook Time
8 min
Ingredients
  1. 1 tablespoon ghee
  2. Handful of spinach
  3. 3 asparagus stalks, chopped into 1/4 inch coins/pieces
  4. 1/4 onion, roughly chopped
  5. 2 eggs, beaten
  6. ½ avocado
  7. sea salt and pepper
  8. herbamare
Instructions
  1. Add ghee to a skillet over medium heat.
  2. Add spinach, onion and asparagus and sauté for 3-5 minutes, until onion is slightly translucent.
  3. Stir in whisked eggs and cook for 3 more minutes until cooked through, being sure to mix and incorporate into the veggies.
  4. Top with avocado and season with salt, pepper and herbamare.
Notes
  1. Don't have spinach or asparagus on hand? Any veggie will work. Use chopped peppers, kale, mushrooms, chard, bok choy or any green veggie your heart desires!
Holistic Wellness https://holisticwellness.ca/
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Fat Burning Chocolate Smoothie

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Yes, I just said fat burning and chocolate in the same sentence 🙂

In fact, this smoothie isn’t just gonna help you become a more efficient fat burner, it will even give you more energy, mental clarity and focus. Who doesn’t need that?

As a women-preneur who spends much of her time writing and creating (and easily distracted by shiny objects!), I always need help in the focus department. 

Enter this smoothie. It’s become my new go-to for fueling my mornings, turning my brain on and helping me become more efficient at burning fat.

How can a smoothie do all of that you ask?

Well, that’s thanks to the superfood ingredients! 

Let’s take a look at what’s in this delicious concoction:

First up coconut milk – (the high fat kind FYI) contains beneficial fat called lauric acid, a medium-chain fatty acid that’s easily absorbed and used by the body for energy. This fat is good for you! In fact, it can help lower cholesterol levels and improve blood pressure. 

Secondly we’ve got collagen powder. From skin health, to protecting your joints, to fueling your muscles, boosting metabolism, and supporting leaky gut, what does collagen NOT do! (Oh, I should also mention that it’s great for cellulite too!). Brands I personally like are Great Lakes or Bulletproof. 

Third up we’ve got some sunflower lecithin which is super rich in choline. Choline is amazing for liver detoxification, helps with normal brain development, supports nerve function, energy levels and helps in maintaining a healthy metabolism. I order my sunflower lecithin from this site here. 

Fourth on the superfood ingredient list is cacao powder. Cacao is the raw unprocessed form of chocolate. Like, it’s the real stuff. It’s loaded with magnesium which an important mineral for detoxification and hormonal health. Brands I like are Navitas Naturals, Organic Traditions or Giddy YoYo. 

Fifth up are exogenous ketones. This is where the real fat burning happens. Ketones are essentially an alternative fuel source for the body (vs. glucose) that leaves you feeling energized and focused. Most of us are sugar burners (mainly because we eat too much sugar), whereas taking exogenous ketones helps you become more efficient at being a fat burner vs. a sugar burner. 

When you take exogenous ketones, you now have ketones available in your blood, which means you have fat available as a fuel source vs. glucose (ie. sugar!). 

So what the heck is a ketone you ask? When eating a low carbohydrate diet, the liver converts fatty acids to ketones, which serve as an alternative to glucose for energy for the brain, heart and muscle. Cool right?

Ketogenic diets were developed to help improve symptoms of epilepsy, but were also found to help with many other chronic health problems, like inflammation and alzheimers. 

Weight loss is a huge benefit of ketogenic diets due to lowered insulin levels and the body’s ability to burn stored fat. This is why my clients do incredibly well losing weight on my metabolic program. It is not a ketogenic diet, but it is a lower carb diet, helping my clients to become more efficient at burning fat.

Research is even showing that a ketogenic diet can help prevent and even kill cancer cells.

So let’s get to this delicious, fat burning, energizing smoothie! Hope you enjoy it as much as I do. 

And if you’re looking to get your hands on some exogenous ketones, send me an email at – samantha@holisticwellness.ca 

P.S. For anyone that wants to purchase ketones and give them a try, I will personally send you my 21-Day Clean, Lean and Green program. This incredible meal plan is loaded with over 30+ recipes, 3 weeks of meal plans and a complete grocery shopping list. It’s my way of commending you for taking a step in investing in yourself, trying something new and committing to better health. 

Again, just send me an email to get started 🙂 —> samantha@holisticwellness.ca

Fat Burning Chocolate Smoothie
Serves 2
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Ingredients
  1. 2 cups coconut milk
  2. 1 cup spring water
  3. 1 tbsp sunflower lecithin
  4. 1 tbsp collagen
  5. 1 tbsp cacao powder
  6. 2 packs of exogenous ketones (chocolate flavour)
  7. 1 tsp stevia (optional, if you feel you need a little extra sweetness)
Instructions
  1. Add all ingredients into a high speed blender and blend until well combined. Drink, dance, feel energized, supercharged and start becoming a more efficient fat burner!
Notes
  1. *Take this smoothie up a notch by adding in 1 tbsp of coconut butter for extra creaminess and fat.
  2. *Turn this into a "coffee" by adding in 1 tbsp of Dandy Blend (a delicious coffee alternative).
  3. *Serve it hot! Once blended, at it to a pot and heat it up on the stove.
Holistic Wellness https://holisticwellness.ca/
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The REAL Reason You Reach for Junk Food

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Ever notice that when Friday comes your week of eating well and staying hydrated goes right out the window? 
 
Trust me, I know the feeling. 
  
You spend the whole week working out, eating clean foods and then the weekend hits and you’re off to parties and events, and before you know it, you’ve had 1 too many glasses of wine, indulged in just a little too much sugar and you feel incredibly guilty for it. 
 
So here’s the deal… you’re human and these things are bound to happen! Just chill ok? 
 
If you find yourself caving into junk food all the time (not just on the weekends) and are struggling to find a healthy eating routine, it’s important to understand why you’re craving these foods in the first place. 
 
Sure, we could talk about will power, but honestly, it goes deeper than that. 
 
Your body wants so badly to be fueled with good food. If your looking for some much-needed energy, trust me, it doesn’t lie in the Grande Starbucks latte you like to enjoy or the sugar filled donut or cookie you slip in the afternoon.
 
There’s a few reason you reach for those foods…
  1. You’re stressed – this causes a serious imbalance in your hormones, particularly cortisol, causing you to crave comfort foods, such as bagels, pasta, donuts, cookies and anything else that is beige and filled with sugar.
  2. You’re blood sugar is imbalanced – you might have skipped breakfast, or decided a bowl of corn flakes with your antibiotic and hormone induced milk was the best way to fuel your body. Add a latte to the mix and well, you’ve just entered into blood sugar roller coaster zone. Good chance your memory won’t be as sharp and you’ll be cranky and moody most of the day.
  3. You’re body is asking for nutrients – most of the time we think we need to reach for sugar or carbs to fuel us, but really, our body is just asking for some nutrient dense food. Leafy greens, healthy fats, quality protein, this is what your body is really asking for.
  4. You’re actually thirsty, not hungry. How many times have you gone through the day only to drink coffee and tea and not even had a sip of water? Be sure to bring water with you everywhere you go and make it a point to stay hydrated all day long. 
  5. You’re distracted – yup, this is a common one. Your either on the phone, working on the computer or watching tv. Which often times can lead to boredom and so we decide to reach for food because it makes us feel good and causes even more distraction (from our boring tasks or work). Trouble is, we lose sight of what we’re eating, because in this case we reach for something fast and often sweet, and we over eat, not ever paying attention to the amount of food we’re shoving down our throats!
So how can you break out of an unhealthy eating rut?
 
Instead of trying to completely overhaul your entire diet, just pick one thing to start with. Maybe it’s to drink more water, or eat more vegetables, or incorporating a simple green smoothie into your diet. 
 
These small simple changes, over time, lead to incredible long lasting results. Overhauling everything in a day or week can cause you to feel overwhelmed and most likely give up.  
 
It’s also important to eliminate distractions! Don’t eat while watching TV, or while working on the computer or talking on the phone. Sitting down to eat is part of your self-care. Sit quietly, peacefully, be grateful for the food in front of you and remember to eat slow. There is no need to rush through your food. 
 
Here’s a delicious, blood sugar balancing smoothie you can make today that will support you hormones, increase your energy and provide your body with some much needed nutrients! It’s especially important to make a smoothie like this on those days when you know you might be over indulging. 
Lean and Clean Green Smoothie
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Ingredients
  1. 2 cups non-dairy milk
  2. 1 scoop of Progressive VegEssential All-in-One in Vanilla (I like this one because it not only provides protein, but a ton of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, omega's and fiber)
  3. 2 cups of spinach or kale
  4. Half a green tipped banana (not a ripe banana!)
  5. 2 tsp chia or flax seeds
  6. 1/4 of an avocado
  7. 1 tsp cinnamon
  8. Ice (optional)
Instructions
  1. Add all ingredients into a high speed blender and blend until well combined.
Holistic Wellness https://holisticwellness.ca/
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4 Keys to Resetting Your Metabolism for Successful Weight Loss

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It’s January 2016 and everyone is in health mode. I’m excited about this because I love seeing people get serious about their health and seek out help, coaching, join gyms and commit to better eating. 

I wish January was all the time! There’s always this excitement in the new year to get healthy and then come February (or shall I say Valentines Day) the healthy eating, along with the over indulgence with chocolates takes over. 

I’m not here to judge. I love chocolate and in a balanced and healthy plan, chocolate is a-ok in my books!

But today, I want to share with you 4 ‘unconventional’ ways of resetting your metabolism. Now… you may have heard of some of these before, but they are not often talked about in regards to metabolism and weight loss; until now. 

As you know, I specialize in weight loss and offer a comprehensive weight loss program and with my clients, there are rules! Of course, with any meal plan and weight loss protocol there are always rules, but these ones are a little different and I want to share them with you because as you embark on your own health journey, I want you to start incorporating them asap. 

Whether you’re looking to lose weight, get energized or balance your hormones, these rules can help to benefit you and your goals. 

Rule #1 – Leave 5 hours between your meals, or more simply, eat 3 meals a day. I’m sure you’ve heard me speak of this before, but the truth is, eating every 2-3 hours means your spiking your insulin levels constantly throughout the day. Taking a 5 hour break allows your insulin levels to drop, which allows for more fat to be burned. I was recently interviewed on the Paleohacks podcast about this and share some insights into mindset when it comes to dieting. You can listen to the podcast here. I also wrote an extensive article on this topic, which you can read here on my site. I go into more detail about why 3 meals are beneficial for hormones. 

Rule #2 – Eat an apple a day. Ok, you’ve heard of this one before, however, it’s not just any apple and it’s not just any time of day. Apples should be eaten as part of your meal, not as a snack, and you should look for more tart varieties like macintosh, gravenstein, jonathan or green varieties. Apples contain lots (and I mean LOTS!) of vitamins and minerals and can help to lower cholesterol and uric acid. They also provide pectin and cellulose, fibres that help your body detoxify.

Rule #3 – Water. Yup, another one you’ve heard of, but the truth is, most of us just aren’t drinking enough. You should aim to be drinking 1/2 oz. of water per pound of body weight. Water cleanses your body, helps to remove waste from the bowels, and supports fat loss. Calculate your water intake and start drinking before you’re thirsty!

Rule #4 – Take 2 bites of protein at the beginning of each meal. This means your fish, poultry, meat, beans or legumes, etc. Most of us dive into the carbs, but protein helps to effectively manage insulin spikes. When the stomach receives protein first, the pancreas reacts by secreting the hormone glucagon. This hormone actually works by blocking insulin production as well as triggering more satiety. Remember, lower insulin levels means higher fat burning. 

These rules are incredibly easy to implement, you can get started with them today! I love hearing from my clients how these rules have become second nature to them. They sit down to their meals with more awareness and more appreciation for their hormones and their health. 

If you’re interested in joining my online 8 week weight loss program, I can only accept 10 women into the group. Everyone receives their own comprehensive blood panel and customized meal plan, plus 8 weeks of coaching with me. After guiding over 60 women last year to weight loss success, I am so excited to bring this program to more women.

Whether you are in the U.S. or Cananda, you can join in on the group program and even get your labs complete near you! This program is by application process only. If you are interested, please take a minute to fill out the application. Once you’re application is received, I’ll connect with you to set up a complimentary consult call to discuss your health and goals in more detail.

Click here to fill out the application form.

I look forward to helping more women achieve weight loss success in 2016, regain their hormonal health and feel confident and vibrant in their bodies once again. Know that’s its possible. Anything is possible with dedication, commitment and a true desire to make change happen.  

Cheers to the happiest and healthiest 2016!

Check out some before and after photos:

Meet Elide. She’s lost 50lbs in just over 6 months. Not only has she lost weight, but she’s gone off her medications and reduced inflammation in her joints.

IMG_3411

Meet Elizabeth. She’s lost over 56lbs pounds in 4 months and her energy levels have increased dramatically. She’s started to run 5km and finally looks forward to being active again. 

ElizabethB&A

Meet Marisa! Only after 8 weeks into her program, Marisa has lost 20lbs. She has been incredibly dedicated to her program and looks amazing!

marisa_afterphoto

Click here to fill out the online application and let’s get you closer to your weight loss goals in just a few short months!

Your Qualitarian Nutritionist & Wellness Coach, 
Samantha, RHN
xoxoxo

 

 

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7 Reasons Why You’re Losing Your Hair and What to Do About it

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Hair loss. It sucks. 

I have many of my clients and women in general emailing me about their struggles with their hair.

From hair falling out to thinning hair to dullness and breakage, I hear your cries loud and clear. The good thing is there is a solution and more importantly, your hair loss can tell you what’s going on with your hormones and your health, so pay attention!

First off, let’s talk about why we lose our hair and what could potentially be the reason behind this sad loss…

Reason #1: Childbirth – this is an obvious one and although not all women experience pregnancy hair loss, having a baby means all your nutrients are going to baby first, before they go to you. Combined with the stress and lack of sleep that goes along with having a baby (I’m talking during pregnancy and post pregnancy), hair loss is a common side effect of all of this. 

Reason #2: Iron Deficiency – hair follicles requires a lot of iron and typically, due to heavy periods and stress, iron tends to be low in women. Ask your doctor for a iron test, sometimes referred to as “iron studies.” The typical range for iron is between 11-27. Ideally, you want to be on the higher end. If you are low, consider taking an iron supplement, specifically iron bisglycinate which is gentle on the stomach.

Reason #3: Your Thyroid – having too low or too high thyroid hormone could lead to hair loss as your hair follicles are very sensitize to thyroid hormone. Think of it like this, your thyroid governs metabolism in your body, so in regards to your hair, your thyroid governs the metabolism of hair growth, specifically hair follicles. Have your doctor check for thyroid antibodies, specifically Anti TPO (Anti thyroid peroxidase) and Anti TG (Anti thyroglobulin), which are the two autoimmune antibodies that attack the thyroid gland. Women who have high levels of these antibodies are diagnosed with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. 

Reason #4: Blame Your Birth Control – from depleting zinc (another critical hair nutrient) to shutting down your own production of estrogen and progesterone (which your hair loves), the birth control pill wrecks havoc on your hormones and in turn, makes your hair lack lustre, dull and causes it to fall out. Some pills actually cause a shrinkage in hair follicles due to containing more androgen like hormones. I’m sure you know my take on the pill, and if not, you can read more about that here and how to effectively come off of it. 

Reason #5: You Are Not Ovulating – this could obviously be due to taking the birth control pill (which of course stopping is your best defence against supporting your hair growth), or due to a condition such as PCOS. Ovulation is when you produce your beneficial estrogen and progesterone, which your hair so badly needs in order to grow and thrive. It’s important to track your cycle (either through an app or manually) as well as check cervical mucus throughout the month to know when or if you are ovulating. If you are thinking of coming off the pill so that you can support your hormones naturally or are thinking about having a baby, know that your hair loss could potentially get worse before it gets better. This is normal as your body (more so your ovaries) have to adapt to producing hormones again. 

Reason #6: Stress – I think we all know the detriment stress can have on our hormones and overall health. Having high levels of stress and not managing it effectively can lead to an imbalance in hormones, weaken your immune system and deplete important nutrients. 

Reason #7: A Really Shitty Diet – I think it’s safe to say that you know where I stand when it comes to food. If you’re diet is looking a little beige and lacking vibrant fruits and vegetables, healthy fats, pasture raised organic meats and variety, there’s a good chance your not getting essential nutrients and vitamins that help to support your hair growth. Ditch the sugar, ditch the coffee, ditch the processed foods and start eating REAL food. 

So now that we know what can cause hair loss, what can we do about it? Well, first you want to make sure you’ve taken care of all of the above issues and had important tests done. Then from here, there are a few things you can consider doing…

  1. Take an iron supplement, if you are low.
  2. Take zinc, roughly 15-25mg once a day on an empty stomach.
  3. Take magnesium, which is essential for progesterone production and helps to combat the negative effects of stress.
  4. Take Omega 3’s, like NutraSea or Nordic Naturals fish oil. You can also include more omega’s in your diet from cold water fish, such as salmon, mackerel, sardines and anchovies. Flaxseeds, hemp hearts and chia seeds are also great sources of omega’s and can easily be sprinkled into salads or added to smoothies
  5. Stop using generic drug mart shampoos and conditioners. With all the parabens, sls and toxic chemicals lurking in these products, they are doing your hair no good! Instead, try washing your hair with apple cider vinegar or choose organic and natural brands. I personally love living libations, curelle and beauty counter.
  6. Ditch the inflammatory foods, such as gluten, wheat, dairy and sugar.
  7. Eat more vegetables (preferably organic) and dark leafy bitter greens to support liver detoxification.
  8. Consider ditching the pill (and read this article here first)
  9. Be patient. I know we all want our hair to grow back fast, but the truth is, whatever is happening to your hair now, was most likely due to something that happened 3 months ago. Yes! Your hair has a ‘memory’ and is sensitive to whatever is happening in your environment, both internally and externally. Were you under lots of stress 3 months ago? Were you eating poorly? Stopped taking your vitamins? Think back 3 months to what might have happened in your life and with your body. 

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If you’re looking for hormonal help, want natural solutions to treating your PCOS, thinking of coming off the pill and at the end of the day, want your healthy hair back, email me at samantha@holisticwellness.ca and let’s arrange some time for a complimentary call. We can discuss if working together is the right solution for you! 

With lots of love,
Samantha, RHN
xoxoxo

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