Tis the Season to be Grateful
Catching Up with Wonderful News As we embrace the changing seasons, it’s the perfect time to pause and reflect on the abundance surrounding us all. Whatever that looks like for you, in a world that of late seems filled with turmoil, it may be the perfect moment to look inward. I wanted to take a break from the typical blog and connect personally with my loyal readers. So much has happened since Gut Driven launched on February 23’. I am grateful for my growing audience and all the enjoyable feedback I receive through various platforms. Networking and social media have taken up much of my time lately, and I embrace creating new recipes in addition to educational videos and the weekly newsletter. As a result, I have had many unique opportunities presented for the book to reach a wider audience. Media services and word of mouth have allowed me to connect not only with like-minded individuals in the United States but also with exclusive possibilities and a global reach I would have never imagined a year ago. Additionally, I have had several recent interviews and happily anticipate sharing the media sources in upcoming newsletters. One that I am incredibly excited about is for a feature this December in a National Women’s Magazine. Furthermore, I am involved with a newly launched app out of the UK that exclusively educates and supports individuals diagnosed with osteoporosis. The mission statement is about community reach, education, and personalized guidance. Access to courses, events, live chats, and nutrition will be available. We all need strong bones! If you join, please connect with me on the app. The creator, Catherine Shaw, has many exciting events, professionals, and content in the works. Read more on SNAP I have also reunited with The Institute for Integrative Nutrition (IIN) as an ambassador and affiliate. They are including Gut Driven in their holiday gift guide! I am honored and thrilled as the gift of health is a beautiful journey anyone can embark on. Enrolling years ago, to begin my health coaching career has been an adventure and a rewarding transition. Who knew all the valuable and worthwhile connections, information, and awakenings that would present themselves because I took a chance? If you have ever thought of coaching as information for yourself or perhaps a career shift, they are having a fantastic Black Friday Sale next week. Please reach out if you want to discuss this, as I am always open to inquiries, questions, or concerns about the curriculum. I have also added some affiliate information to my site. I have officially connected with several reputable organizations that align with my message. ZivoLife is a small-batch microalgae company backed by science to deliver its proprietary nutrient-rich globally. Leaves of Leisure are quality caffeine-free teas curated with tasty with superior ingredients. They make for adorable stocking stuffers, hostess gifts, or just a comforting tea you can feel good about consuming. Thank you for being part of Gut Driven’s weekly newsletter. I hope to inspire and cultivate gratitude and a ripple effect of positivity, hope, health, and love in those looking for favorable changes. Friday Sale at IIN November 13th- 26th Use the Code GUTDRIVEN20
Understanding Diabetes/Gut Health
November is Diabetes Awareness Month I recall reading an article about diabetes long ago that stated we should all eat like we are diabetic. That statement stuck with me and interested me enough to study this ailment that affects more than 37 million Americans (1 in 10). Approximately 90-95% of that number is type 2 diabetes. Type 1 diabetes, also known as juvenile diabetes, is a chronic condition where the person is dependent on insulin because the pancreas is unable to make it on its own. Type 2 diabetes is when cells do not adequately respond to insulin needed to turn food into energy. Both are characterized by elevated blood sugar levels and swayed by circumstances such as genetics, lifestyle, and gut health. Type 2 has the same implications as Type 1, although Type 2 can potentially be avoided with attention to lifestyle modifications. With all the consideration that the gut microbiome is receiving, let’s look at how diabetes relates to gut health. Insulin is a hormone produced in the pancreas. Insulin resistance, the precursor to type 2 diabetes, is the result of your pancreas not being able to keep up with the demand of insulin needed, so in turn, our blood sugar rises, establishing a pattern and signaling a prediabetic situation that, if left unmanaged, turns into a chronic metabolic diagnosis. Being inactive and obese can also result in developing this condition. Emerging evidence also suggests that the microbial diversity of the gut microbiome can impact insulin sensitivity and glucose metabolism. 1. An imbalance in the gut microbiome, known as dysbiosis, has also been connected to the onset of diabetes. 2. Chronic inflammation and an unhealthy gut environment can further contribute to and exacerbate insulin resistance and the progression of diabetes. 3. Dietary fiber and the fermentation process in a healthy, supported microbiome produce short-chain fatty acids (SCFA.) This metabolic reaction has a positive protective impact on glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity. 4. The proper nutrients and a diet rich in whole food plants, whole grains, nuts, and seeds (prebiotics) are the fiber necessary for the development of SCFA’s in addition to probiotics promoting a healthy gut microbiome. 5. You are what you can digest, replacing the adage, “You are what you eat.” An unfavorable change in the gut microbiome can drastically affect the way our bodies metabolize vital nutrients we need to grow, repair, and heal. If the body is not effectively processing and utilizing sugars, insulin resistance is a risk factor not to be ignored. This ailment is exhausting for the body and can lead to concerning health problems such as heart disease, vision loss, and kidney disease. Symptoms, if any, are typically unnoticed as this is a gradual disease as opposed to Type 1, where symptoms can occur suddenly. Prevention and healthy lifestyle habits are crucial, and testing is as easy as a simple blood test. Symptoms include: Peeing a lot, especially at night Excessive thirst Very hungry Blurred vision Weight loss Tiredness Sore and frequent infections Dehydrated skin Adopting improved habits and lifestyle modifications will aid in controlling blood sugar and the optimal function of the pancreas. Managing weight can also reduce risk factors associated with high blood pressure and heart disease. Aging well and awareness is a proactive start. Speak to your medical professional if unsure or take this online quiz to assess your risk. In good health!
The Impact of Stress on Health
Headaches, Insomnia, Indigestion, Depression, Cardiovascular Disease, High Blood Pressure, Immune Health, Obesity, Irritability, Fatigue Whether your long-term stress comes from the routine demands of daily pressures, sudden or complex changes, or traumatic stress, the manner in which one responds can have critical consequences in developing severe health problems. The effects of stress on both physical and mental health are a very long list. The wear and tear of prolonged stress affects the natural order of the body, including cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, respiratory, endocrine, gastrointestinal, reproductive, and nervous system. Acute stress is something our bodies are well-equipped to deal with. However, chronic or long- term stress can have some serious consequences that shouldn’t be ignored. Science is uncovering many of the benefits of stress management. Practical strategies for reducing stress begin with awareness. In my personal experience, I never realized how anxious I had become until a doctor pointed it out to me. That awakening jumpstarted a significant shift to figure out what could be an effective game plan for me. Regular, but not excessive exercise Restorative sleep Daily mediation A supportive network Hobbies Faith and spiritual consciousness Cutting down on caffeine Get rid of the never-ending to-do list Clean nutrition Relaxation Doing the best I can and not taking everything so seriously Some of the key points mentioned below are areas where chronic stress plays an influential role: Mental Health: Anxiety, depression, insomnia, PTSD (posttraumatic stress disorder), and hyperactivity are heightened by prolonged stress. Living in a chronic state of flight or flight means the body shifts most of its energy because it perceives that you are fighting off a life-threatening situation. That constant adrenaline and cortisol release should be short-lived, but when it is not, powerful interactions with immune health and drawn-out illness can also occur. Gastrointestinal Health: Prolonged stress is damaging and may exacerbate issues such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), indigestion, and acid reflux. Our gut constantly communicates with our cognitive functions (the brain.) When there is an imbalance of good and harmful bacteria, our mental health pays the price and reacts with an adverse change in mood and decision-making. In the same way, when the body is unstable, the brain communicates with the gut, triggering pain, bloating, and discomfort. Hormonal Imbalances: A lack of menstruation, or irregular and painful periods, at times are normalized or band-aided with more hormones or long-term pain relief. In turn, there is a snowball effect of adverse symptoms along with autoimmune and reproductive diseases. With men, reproductive health, sexual desire, and immune health are compromised by ongoing stress. Endocrine Health: Unmanaged stress initiates an avalanche of events, forcing a reaction of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, the primary driver of endocrine stress responses and the production of stress hormones. This collection of nuclei that connect the brain and endocrine system signals the pituitary gland to produce cortisol in times of stress. Cortisol is beneficial as it provides the energy needed for a stressful event if short-lived, and our bodies recover in a reasonable amount of time. Impaired communication between the immune system and the HPA axis develops over time with extended amounts of stress and has been linked to numerous physical and mental disorders. Cardiovascular Health: The crucial actions of the heart and blood vessels work in sync to provide nourishment and oxygen to the body’s organs. Extended periods of stress accumulate in the heart from the additional pumping of blood and increased blood pressure. This chronic inflammation influences cholesterol, arteries, and the risk of heart attacks and stroke. While stress is a natural response to challenging events, excessive stress can be harmful. Techniques that inspire relaxation, proper nutrition, movement, and support are essential for maintaining balance and optimal well-being. As always, if you need additional support, a licensed psychologist may aid in identifying stressors, triggers, and challenges. Discovering actionable practices can assist in improving overall physical and mental well-being. In good health!
A Solid Foundation
Laying the Groundwork for Progress, and Sidestepping Perfection. We have all been to a place where we don’t feel so connected to our bodies. My Reset 90/10 program’s design supports making small, sustainable changes that eventually establish a supportive infrastructure of habits that work specifically for you and your goals. Making small shifts and exploring a new mindset devoted to your best health can be rewarded handsomely in the coming years, so let’s review the basic principles outlined in The Reset 90/10 program. 1. You are only as healthy as the food you can digest – meaning that if you are not properly breaking down nutrients you ingest to energize your cells, your attempts may be impaired by a compromised digestive system. Our health typically pays the price when the body must make concessions for faulty functions. 2. Your relationship with food and life should be fun and flexible. This lenient approach allows for freedom and flexibility so that a preoccupation with dieting does not rule out your best intentions. Letting yourself bend the rules occasionally will keep you on the optimal path. The mental side of food and nutrition is just as important as the physical side. 90/10 = 90% dedication, 10% downtime. That mindset becomes your laboratory for determining what works best for your needs and goals for three weeks. 3. You will eventually design your personalized maintenance plan. After three weeks, and as the Reset 90/10 plan unfolds, one becomes more intuitive about healthful choices in every aspect of their well-being. That attention, education, and understanding of the body’s cues serve as the supportive grounding of this plan for optimal health. 80/20 works for most, and 70/30 keeps one healthful without negative implications. This is your safety net and foundation for best health practices. Making daily progress starts with your commitment and small, consistent steps. With this perspective, routine falls into place.Celebrate your achievements; these manageable changes are reinforced daily as health and outlooks improve. Embracing the desire to improve health is not dieting; it’s lifestyle medicine and a foundational path to health beyond your newfound attitude. This ongoing journey lays the groundwork for transformation. Making daily progress sidesteps perfection and embraces the powerful motivation of consistency and effort. In good health!
Prebiotics vs. Probiotics
Let’s get better acquainted with the who, what and why. Many of us need clarification with prebiotics and probiotics in the journey for better gut health. One can become easily confused on any given day, especially in the social media world. Prebiotics and probiotics nourish the microbes in our microbiome. Both benefit your digestive health but perform their tasks in different ways. Taking a proactive approach to nourishing those microbes with natural food sources is an excellent first step. Microbes include trillions of bacteria, fungi, and viruses in and on your body. Beneficial and harmful microbes live in our microbiome, an ecosystem residing within us. These microbes give and send signals, feeding or fighting disease, controlling hormones, how we digest food, and determining immune health. Let’s start with prebiotics. These are high-fiber plant foods that you should be eating regularly to fertilize your gut microbes. Plant diversity is vital to flourishing and supporting immune health. Your fruits and vegetables, nuts, seeds, and whole grains are crucial prebiotic foods for this task. Switching up whole-food plant selections supports the proper functions of beneficial bacteria. Don’t get caught in a rut of eating the same fruits and vegetables regularly. We all do it; however, as you become more aware of the perks, picking out something new could prove an exciting experiment for your palate, and gut health. Probiotics are “live” cultures in foods (or supplements) that pass through our digestive tract and yield necessary, favorable bacteria. Probiotics have their place in supporting the gut microbiome, but it’s essential to understand that they only reside in our guts for a short time. As these transient probiotics temporarily pass through our systems, the goal is to aid in feeding good gut bacteria to maintain health and wellness. Natural probiotics include kefir, yogurt, and kombucha – if it says pasteurized, pass it by. Other food-related suppliers of live cultures are green olives (preserved and brined in salty water, not vinegar), miso, kimchi, sauerkraut (not pasteurized), tempeh, and pickles. Fermented foods naturally wipe out unwanted pathogens and maintain harmony. Restoring an unhealthy gut microbiome is achievable, and the best sources are not necessarily always in a bottle. As many strains of bacteria reside in our gut, boosting beneficial bacteria is sometimes best accomplished by these existing microbes feeding on the fiber we consume daily. While some forms of fiber cannot be digested in the body, there is a reason it passes through and acts as a fertilizer, stimulating the growth of what compromises a balanced, healthful digestive tract. The bottom line is we need both prebiotics and probiotics working in unison regularly to maintain optimal health. It is also theorized and essential to point out that a person with an immune-compromised system should take precautions with probiotics. When I was experiencing ill health, and because my immune system was weak already, some probiotic strains further exacerbated uncomfortable symptoms. Checking in with a trusted doctor with concerns and questions regarding supplementation is always advisable. Please see one of my newest plant-based stew recipes full of gut-friendly, nourishing sources of both prebiotics and probiotics. In good health!
Approaching Balance
Supporting the Notion and its Benefits The concept of balance is better defined on an individual level. We hear about, read articles on the subject, or crave balance, but how easily is it attained? An imbalance is often associated with uncomfortable feelings and discomfort. Hence, we seek symmetry. Therefore, we explore consistency and modifications to motivate and change the disparities. These imbalances are physical and mental, so how does one tackle that journey, the reflection, and what is needed to dig deeper than what we see in the mirror? Digestive health was a topic that caught my attention when I decided to focus more education on integrative nutrition. Optimal health is an inside job, as I learned quickly that the human body’s inner workings need harmony, attention, and self-care. If you are willing to heighten your awareness, balance will unfold. Self-advocacy receives much attention in the workplace, but what if we applied some of those principles to protect our well-being? Believe in yourself. Remember that prevention is early detection. Seek balance. Get the facts. Plan your strategy. Be accountable. My message is personalized nutrition because the more we put into it, the more we get out of it, but it’s personal. I pose the question, what are your goals? More movement, a new career, more me-time, or more home-cooked meals? But there must be a balance. Support your body’s innate wisdom to heal and get to the root of your inflammation by becoming your best advocate. Reduce unwanted stress, support your gut, and reduce pain by providing optimal digestive processes, movement, hydration, and nourishment on and off the plate to sustain body, mind, and spirit. Approaching balance is a healthy means to nourishing physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual factors, often viewed as the foundational steppingstones to harmony. Your decision to change requires determination and courage, the groundwork of advancement. Look past what you see in the mirror or a number on the scale. Effort keeps us focused on that inner success to create improvements for ourselves. Good intentions provide perks that impact food beyond the plate when considering progress with improved health and lifestyle achievements. How can you incorporate more harmony into your upcoming week?
October is Health Literacy Month
Health literacy is the ability to obtain, read, understand, and use healthcare information in order to make appropriate health decisions and follow instructions for treatment. Approximately nine out of ten adults struggle with health literacy. The objective is to become more familiar with your health, medical terminology, and accessing health information. Shedding light onto this much-needed aspect of wellness can hopefully enlighten one to become trusting with themselves and professionals who have their best interests at heart. Empowerment, education, and advocacy. Health literacy sharpens an individual’s skill to grasp and participate in the health care system to maintain good health. Successfully navigating the many aspects of health literacy may also enable one to tap into the body’s innate wisdom to heal. As we focus on health literacy this week, I would like to also connect with self-advocacy. For me, both subjects complement one another. One can weigh risks over benefits and ultimately make proactive decisions if comprehension becomes heightened. Therefore, taking action becomes a less stressful situation. I’ve taken my experience, my work with clients, and extensive research to offer a comprehensive guide to empower those looking for change and best health practices. Navigating a prognosis, diet, lifestyle interventions, drug instructions, interactions, and especially avoidance of long-term drugs can aid in making sense of a complex healthcare system. I draw from the wisdom of doctors and medical professionals who campaign for plant-based nutrition and advocate for lifestyle medicine practices, in addition to the latest scientific breakthroughs for balance and the advancement of wellness. Finding what works best is the personalized approach. I support more whole food plant-based options because of the health benefits to digestive performance. So, rest assured, please eat what makes you feel best, but consider more plant diversity, easy food swaps, crowding out processed and overly refined, and cooking/flavoring foods to appeal to and improve health. Could progress and development of basic skills weed out the need for many prescriptions, procedures, and preventable chronic illnesses that introduce the need for repair and recovery? With advancements in integrative therapies, awareness, and empowerment, perhaps we have become more resourceful than those before us, so quick to rely on a quick fix or band-aid a situation instead of root-cause healing and lifestyle medicine foundational practices. A national plan for improving Health Literacy also calls for more attention on educating people to live healthier and make well-informed decisions. Aside from understanding drug instructions and navigating our complex healthcare systems, what if a more holistic approach includes lifestyle modifications? The ripple effect would be prioritizing health, body, mind, and spirit awareness and clear communication from medical professionals to champion healthy behaviors across the board, promoting health and wellness nationwide. I started a volunteer internship with Doctors for Nutrition in the last several months. In November, they will launch a doctor’s challenge, encouraging physicians to implement a whole food plant-based diet for a month to understand the improved benefits. In turn, these professionals can genuinely assist and educate patients on lifestyle medicine practices and avoiding long-term medications. Furthermore, if empowering an individual’s ability to seek, find, comprehend, and utilize information and services were further developed, they would have the ability to make well-informed decisions and actions for themselves and others. Basic health literacy is fundamental to the success of each interaction between healthcare professionals and patients—every prescription, every treatment, and every recovery. Self- advocacy and rallying for an actionable plan to empower oneself support balance, becoming more proactive, and grasping a clearer bearing on health-related issues.
Self-Connection
How connected are you with yourself? Awareness, Acceptance, and Alignment. This is one definition I came across while researching the subject of self-connection. In simpler terms, self-connection is a state of being. A condition in which one would regularly check in with their emotions, both physical and spiritual needs, to achieve a higher level of wellness. In the process, honoring those needs would become more intuitive as one occupies their physical body. Sounds wonderful! How often do you check in on your emotions, self-worth, and that “good place” where you can grow as a confident person with purpose? When we are in that good place emotionally, does that advancement allow us to navigate how we interact, conduct daily conversations, and communicate feelings? Does true self-connection secure how grounded we are? Instead of having total strangers validate us, if we face the mirror, feeling centered and conveying value to ourselves before trying so hard to please others, could we genuinely be our authentic selves? Would that purpose shape robust mental health and well-being? Our positive social connections support better sleep and immune and metabolic health. Yet, in a time of social media capturing every “perfect” moment, our country is dealing with more depression and isolation than ever. We live for the acceptance, the followers, and the likes as we tune in daily to see how we rank. Looking for approval from acquaintances and strangers on these outlets is not ideal when dealing with the pitfalls of loneliness and isolation. Preferably, social media is not your go-to for validation of self-worth. However, if social media is not your retreat, that doesn’t mean you cannot become a victim of difficulties associated with disconnecting from your true self. Staying in touch with what makes you an individual goes back to self-care 101. Becoming comfortable with being alone can be an excellent activity for those looking to reconnect with their true selves. In addition, kindness extended to oneself as you would to another is equally important. The art of saying no. Daily movement. Gratitude. Creating a meditative space somewhere in your home to rest your mind. A meaningful and happy life is often clouded by obligations, misguided experiences, and conditioning going back to our youth. For example, some of us are very good at being caregivers. However, most caregivers are detached from the concept of self-connection. We can also work very hard to prove ourselves to the world. In the process, we can lose touch with our true purpose when allowing someone else to put value on our self-worth. As we become more acquainted with who we are and what makes us happy, our purpose, and relaxed in our skin, we can test the water around friends, family, and those we encounter in everyday experiences. If we become more vulnerable and feel like ourselves around someone who accepts our feelings and who we are, we are on our way to a joyful recognition every time we look in the mirror. If someone makes you uncomfortable for who you truly are, veto that associate, friend, or acquaintance. Or at least smile, walk away, and keep them at an arm’s distance. A newfound and sharpened intuition is awareness, acceptance, and alignment. Authentically, you are on a journey to shape and improve, likely to change over time with learned experiences, but anchored with a nod and smile every time you see your reflection in a mirror. In good health! ~ Ellen
September is Healthy Aging Month
What can you do to support your health as you age? We are all aging; it’s inevitable. Our bodies are breaking down with every moment that passes, so what are the secrets of the oldest living humans in the world? They don’t own expensive memberships to gyms or aren’t influencers, marathoners, or Ironman super-athletes. They have not simplified their lives with gadgets, apps, or food services that streamline time and efficiency. These centurions live in environments where they walk to pick up groceries when they aren’t harvesting their own. They take stairs, tend to their gardens, and socialize daily with friends, family, and community. They have purpose and actionable skills that give them and the lives of others meaning. These physical and emotional routines eliminate stress and keep these populations robust and meaningful, living way beyond the average life expectancy we typically see. These inhabitants of the “dubbed” Blue Zones are five worldwide regions from the mountains of Greece to the suburbs east of Los Angeles, where longevity and quality of life have been studied, chronicled, and broadcasted via documentaries. The criteria of a “blue zone” encompass high concentrations of centenarians, low rates of middle-age mortality, chronic disease, and dementia. The cornerstone of their many years on earth is embedded in the nine specific characteristics called thePower 9. Natural movement comes effortlessly by walking more to meet up with a friend, the store, or even taking the stairs. Walk your dog, move about the house, plant a garden. If you look at daily movement as an inconvenience, think about how inconvenient it may be in your future if you must rely on someone else for tasks, errands, and your social calendar. Purpose is linked to health and longevity. Start small if awareness of your purpose needs to be more precise. Expressing values, passions, gifts, and talents activates meaning and actionable skills into operation. Stress management and strategies to overcome the pitfalls of chronic inflammation come with more mindfulness of stress triggers. New routines that alleviate stress benefit both physically and mentally. Finding ways to naturally lower and move away from the prolonged stress response takes time, practice, and patience. Nutrition is vital, and crowding out the risks associated with the standard American diet starts with a new mindset. In addition, inhabitants of the Blue Zones adopt an 80% rule at mealtime. They do this by ceasing mealtime when their stomach is 80% full. This takes practice, but the system can be finetuned by stopping when you are no longer hungry and not overly full. Blue Zone inhabitants also close the kitchen down in the early evening. They eat a wide array of fresh seasonal whole-food plants in abundance and are quickly satiated with clean diets rich in nutrients. Plant-focused nutrients are a way of life for these civilizations, living vibrantly, disease-free, sharp, and full of clarity well into their 80s, 90s, and past the 100-year mark. Animal protein is considered a condiment, and only small amounts, if any, are eaten on rare occasions. Moderate alcohol consumption has also been associated with a longer lifespan. Friendship comes with benefits, as sharing your day with others has proved to be a tangible asset for those living in the Blue Zones. Daily social connections with friends and family have proven to be a superior trait of people living enriched, longer lives. So, turn off that computer, leave work at a reasonable time, and hone in on connecting more with those that bring you joy. If friends and family are not nearby, seek social groups that align with your values. The internet, your place of worship, or a library are excellent resources for providing meetups and social situations. Your “tribe” or inner circle is a positive affirmation of supportive and active footing contributing to healthy behaviors. In the Blue Zones, friendships are fundamental to wellness as the reinforcement of quality rapport is contagious and positively affects the mind. In addition, these circles add years to your life expectancy. Belonging and attending faith-based services. If you aren’t sure where to start, try asking a friend or neighbor and searching online for services that align with your core values. Loved ones first. Keeping aging parents and grandparents close by has been shown to not only raise life expectancy but having loved ones in or close to home also lower disease and mortality rates of children in the house. If we apply these principles to our daily lives, we could all reshape the environment around us and appreciate and extend the quality of life as we know it.
Making Choices
If You Change Nothing, Nothing Will Change Are you experiencing signs of inflammation in your body? Have you gotten warning signs or been told to make changes? If you think that eating non-processed foods and making better choices is a death sentence and you will never enjoy food again, that mindset will cost you your health. That choice is up to you. Let’s make a little shift in that attitude. Because I choose more whole-food-plant-based options, some think I am on a diet. It’s far from the truth, as I choose lifestyle practices like food to nourish, energize, repair, and grow. Overly processed foods, additives, fillers, and junk do not appeal to me. I’ve changed my pallet mostly to break a bad sugar habit I once thought was justified because I ate so well. That sugar addiction eventually caught up to me in a negative way, so I broke free from the dependence. And I’ve never looked back. In addition, I make movement a daily part of life. I also choose to manage stress instead of letting it control me. I choose to be void of inflammation because that choice supports better overall health. It’s not always easy and truthfully, some days I can rage, but I am more aware and dedicated to finding balance. My skin looks better, my bloodwork and health have improved, and I’ve created a stable foundation of small changes over time with the desire to prioritize all facets of my well-being. This is what healthy looks like for me. Find your balance. Choose health and your body will reward you for your efforts.