adrenal -

January 20, 2017

How to Have More Energy: Five Ways to Start Your Day Better

Do you struggle with fatigue? If you’re like most of us hanging around here, you want to know how to have more energy. You’ll be glad to know I’ve got a few tricks up my sleeve and I’ll share them below!

Why so tired?

We all struggle with fatigue for various reasons, but I’m a firm believer that being a mom doesn’t have to be one of them. I can attest that even after becoming a mom to four busy boys, my energy levels are better than they were when I was a teenager!

It is not normal to always be tired, even if the demands of motherhood are high.

Fatigue can be caused by a number of factors, including:

autoimmune disease
chronic infections
vitamin and mineral deficiencies
poor sleep habits
poor diet
high stress levels

For most of us, the above factors tend to overlap and feeling energized feels like an uphill battle. Let’s lay out a few things you can start doing right now so you can learn how to have more energy.

How to have more energy and start your day off better: five tips

These are things I personally have prioritized in my own life and have had great results in improving my energy levels.

1. How to have more energy: go to bed earlier

This seems like a no-brainer, but how many of us don’t make it a priority to go to bed earlier? It’s too easy to stay up once the kids have gone to bed to catch up on housework, spend time with your hubby, or just mindlessly zone out on Netflix (I’m guilty of all of the above!).

I have been able to go from going to bed between midnight and 1 am every night to going to bed between 10 & 11 most nights, and often before 10. Here’s how I did it:

I got the kids on a better bedtime routine. Instead of letting them sit around and watch TV because I’m tired and need a break, I try to focus on quiet games and books and avoid TV in the evenings. I started putting them to bed earlier, and, surprisingly, it doesn’t take long for kids to adjust to an earlier bedtime.
I make myself get in bed. Even if I didn’t get the kitchen spotless. Even if I think of things I need to do. I honor my body’s need for rest above other things.
I take a hot epsom salt bath and rub down with magnesium lotion, as magnesium helps induce relaxation.
I put my phone away. Even though I want to watch one more episode of Gilmore Girls. Even when Lorelai’s love life has me on the edge of my seat.
I take herbs or practice counting methods to get to sleep quicker if I need to. You can read about the herbs I use to help me sleep better here.

2. How to have more energy: take adaptogens

I’ve written pretty extensively about how adaptogens have improved my health because they support the adrenal glands. I went from having insomnia, being constantly exhausted and cranky, and losing handfuls of hair, to reversing all of those symptoms.

I fall asleep easily and sleep through the night (if my kids are nice enough to let me, that is); I have more energy and am more even-tempered and patient; my hair grew back and I now have awkward baby hairs to show for it.

Adaptogenic herbs have been one of the main reasons for all of these improvements, and they are uniquely capable of increasing energy when mama needs it, while simultaneously inducing calm when mama’s stressed out. They adapt to your needs.

My favorite adaptogenic herbs include:

Rhodiola- Reputed to be more powerful than other adaptogens, rhodiola supports mental and emotional health by improving the ability to deal with stress, as well as increasing blood flow to the brain. It also combats the effects of excess adrenaline.
Astragalus- Another effective adaptogen, astragalus is helps to support the nervous system and negate the effects of stress. It is quite nutritive, as it contains protein, calcium, magnesium, silica, iron, and vitamins, all of which help to strengthen the body as a whole and impart energy.
Ashwaghanda- Also helpful for calming the nervous system and promoting restful sleep, ashwagandha boosts strength and vitality. It modifies the harmful effects of stress on the body and promotes calmness.
Eleuthero- Known as “Siberian Ginseng,” eleuthero increases vitality, improves mental and physical performance, and protects against stress. It lowers blood-pressure and has powerful anti-fatigue effects.

Make your own powerful adrenal support extract using these easy instructions. I take a dose of adaptogens first thing in the morning and again in the afternoon if I start to feel fatigued.

3. How to have more energy: eat liver

Yup. Unless you are in the baby boomer crowd, you likely didn’t grow up eating liver, and therefore, probably consider it yucky. However, liver is packed full of nutrients that will have you feeling more energized in no time!

Liver is

an excellent source of high-quality protein
nature’s most concentrated source of vitamin A, all the B vitamins in abundance, particularly vitamin B12
one of our best sources of folic acid and a highly usable form of iron
a good source of trace elements such as copper, zinc and chromium (liver is our best source of copper); an unidentified anti-fatigue factor; and CoQ10, a nutrient that is especially important for cardio-vascular function
a good source of purines, nitrogen-containing compounds that serve as precursors for DNA and RNA

Don’t like eating liver? No problem. You can easily take it in capsule form.

When I’m really on the ball, I make my own liver capsules using this tutorial, but more frequently, I stock up on pre-made liver capsules. These are what I’m taking right now, and I take four capsules every morning before breakfast. (Use code FAMILYHEALS10 for 10% off!)

4. How to have more energy: wake up with magnesium

While some types of magnesium, like Epsom salts and transdermal oils and lotions, can bring calming and relaxation, other types of magnesium provide energy.

I’ve recently been using an awesome type of magnesium that contains not one, not two, but three types of superior magnesium, along with the important cofactor boron for better absorbability. It’s called Wake Up Maggie and it does just that- wakes you up.

Wake Up Maggie is better than coffee to start your day off right. The unique combination of magnesium malate, taurinate and orotate is designed to pep you up and keep you alert for the day ahead.

One scoop of Wake Up Maggie provides 200mg of highly-absorbable magnesium as:

• Magnesium malate
• Magnesium taurinate
• Magnesium orotate
• PLUS 1.5mg of Boron

Get Wake Up Maggie here.

5. How to have more energy: cut sugar

Finally, if you want to start your day off more energized, ditch the sugar.

While it’s best to eliminate sugar altogether from your diet (read about the best natural replacements for sugar here), if you are concerned about starting your day off with more energy, cut out the pastries, breads, and cereals for breakfast and replace them with a high-protein breakfast with good fats and carbs.

For me, the perfect breakfast combo includes pastured eggs, clean bacon or sausage, and a sweet potato.

Find what works for you and fuel your body rather than fatigue it by kicking the refined carbs and sugar to the curb.

And if you want to sleep better, keep the sugar away late in the day as well, as it will prevent you from getting proper rest.

Small changes= big results!

Want to have more energy? Prioritize your sleep, support your energy levels with herbs, eat liver, take the right kind of magnesium, and keep the sugar away.

You’ll see big improvements in energy by making these small changes.

Have a friend who needs to know how to have more energy? Be sure to share using one of our links below!

November 19, 2016

The Herb You Should Be Taking Every Day: Rhodiola Rosea

If you’ve read about how I healed severe adrenal fatigue, you know I’m a huge proponent of not only raising healthy kids, but of mamas taking care of themselves and supporting their own well-being. When my adrenals crashed really hard last year, I found myself exhausted and barely able to function. In that state, it’s impossible to take care of a family adequately. Thankfully, Rhodiola Rosea can help with that.

In this post sponsored by Perfect Supplements , I’ll tell you about how Perfect Rhodiola Rosea can help you feel more energized and better handle stress so that you can feel your best.

BE SURE TO SCROLL TO THE BOTTOM FOR A DISCOUNT CODE.

All about rhodiola rosea

I first learned of rhodiola rosea when I was researching adaptogenic herbs for adrenal support. I was immediately intrigued because, according to my research, it seemed to be more powerful than other adaptogens.

What are adaptogens?

Adaptogens are herbs that adapt to your body’s needs. They can both provide energy when needed, as well as a calming effect when necessary. I use adaptogens to provide energy and vitality to get me through the day homeschooling my four boys, to help me deal with stress and anxiety as it arises (and with four busy boys, let’s be clear- it arises!), and to help with sleep.

Rhodiola rosea is a powerful adaptogen in that it not only provides all of the above support, but so much more!

Rhodiola is a beautiful perennial native to the Himalayas, which is also found growing in Asia, Europe, and North America. It’s primarily known for its ability to increase physical and mental endurance and strength.

Rhodiola rosea uses

Let’s look at the main functions of this powerful plant:

Brain health

Rhodiola is a powerful brain tonic that can help with anxiety and depression, as well as improve memory and concentration.

These “mental” issues arise for any number of reasons, not the least of which is poor nutrition and gut health. However, the powerful constituents in rhodiola can combat the effects of anxiety on the brain by calming the nervous system and mitigating the effects of cortisol (the stress hormone).

Case studies have found that rhodiola rosea can help with

anxiety
depression
biopolar disorder
OCD
PTSD
and more.

In his book Rhodiola Revolution, Dr. Richard P. Brown reveals that many of his patients who were unable to achieve ideal mental health with prescription drugs, were able to do so with rhodiola. Indeed, he says, “In all of the studies to date, the herb has significantly lessened mental stress and anxiety while enhancing mood and intellectual performance.” He goes on to say “In recent studies, scientists have determined that besides acting on neurotransmitters, antidepressants affect the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis- an essential component of the stress response system. Rhodiola rosea does the exact same thing.”

Energy and vitality

I think we can all relate to some level of burnout. Our modern lifestyles demand that we go, go, go, and perform, perform, perform. Self care is not taken seriously in today’s society.

Not only do our busy lifestyles prevent us from making proper nutrition a priority, they keep us going on adrenaline and caffeine, so we don’t realize how depleted we are until it’s too late. As a busy mom, I know how hard it is to put responsibilities aside in favor of peace and relaxation- there’s always too much to be done!

Rhodiola rosea not only negates the negative effects of stress by stabilizing cortisol levels, but it bolsters the immune system, which is often working overtime to make up for lack of self care. Poor sleep habits, combined with poor diet and lack of vitamins and minerals, put stress on the immune system. When the immune system struggles to keep us healthy, infections can set in, which leads to conditions like chronic fatigue.

Rhodiola strengthens the immune system by increasing the production and activity of special cells that fight bacteria, viruses, and even cancer, thereby promoting increased energy and vitality, and better overall health.

Stress management

When we are stressed, our adrenals, those little glands that rest above the kidneys, release the hormone cortisol. Rhodiola enhances the parasympathetic nervous system (responsible for regulating our stress response), improving our ability to overcome stress. Not only that, but it lowers cortisol levels, thus allowing the body to come to a more relaxed state, even in the midst of stress.

Interestingly, rhodiola rosea works best under stress: “It’s a potent antidote to today’s hectic, high-anxiety world,” says Dr. Brown.

Nervous system health

Because our brain cells are huge consumers of energy, when our energy stores begin to wane due to modern stress and lifestyle choices, our nervous system begins to suffer. We see decreased mental capacity, and malfunctions of the nervous system that result in conditions like Parkinson’s disease.

Rhodiola supports the nervous system by reducing stress and increasing energy stores. These functions, combined with the powerful anti-oxidant properties in the herb, help to promote nervous system health, thereby improving brain function and its communication with other body systems.

Management of behavioral disorders

Children who suffer from behavioral and developmental disorders like ADHD and autism have a number of underlying conditions which contribute to these problems. Rhodiola rosea improves attention, concentration, memory, and learning, which those with attention deficit disorders struggle with.

By calming the nervous system, increasing mental capacity, improving sleep and stress response, and reducing aggression and angry outbursts, rhodiola offers a number of benefits from children suffering from these conditions. (I have seen improvement in my son’s behavior since incorporating rhodiola and other adaptogens into his supplement routine.)

Cardiovascular health

Finally, rhodiola improves cardiovascular health, firstly, by lowering stress, and, therefore, lowering blood pressure. Not only that, but it enhances heart function by helping to bring balance to the autonomic nervous system, which reduces the likelihood of an irregular heartbeat.

In addition, these functions help to slow and regulate heart rate, which decreases the demand for oxygen, lowering the risk for heart attack.

Why Perfect Rhodiola Rosea is different

With so many rhodiola supplements on the market, how can you choose one that will be of high-quality, is affordable, and, most importantly, will be effective?

Perfect Rhodiola Rosea:

is 100% wildcrafted, directly from the Siberian mountains
comes directly from Dr. Ramazanov (akd, the “Father of Rhodiola”)
contains recommended 3:1 ratio of ROSAVINS to SALIDROSIDE
is 100% freeze dried to keeps nutrients intact
is always 100% lab tested for purity
comes with a 100% money back guarantee

I have used Perfect Supplements for years and have always been happy with their products. I was thrilled when they recently reached out to me and asked me to tell you about what they have to offer.

The company not only offers fantastic supplements, but they have a huge commitment to keeping their products eco-friendly by using organic, wildcrafted, and natural, sustainably-sourced ingredients. They also support communities through charitable donations and educational outreach.

Best of all, Perfect Supplements offers all of this at fair and reasonable prices, so you don’t have to sacrifice quality for affordability.

To make their supplements even more affordable, Perfect Supplements is offering The Family That Heals Together readers 10% off their order with the code FAMILYHEALS10. When you combine this offer with their already low prices, PLUS free shipping over $99, PLUS additional discounts that kick in when you order 3 or more products, we’re talking about saving some major cash. I love when companies go out of their way to get their healthy living products into your hands!

You can check out the rhodiola rosea supplement here, then go check out all the amazing products they offer here, including cordyceps mushrooms for immune health, liver capsules for an amazing nutritional boost, and several types of powdered greens you can add to smoothies and more for an even more nutrition.

Have you tried rhodiola rosea? If not, what are you waiting for? Improved energy and mental clarity awaits!
Be sure to share using one of our links for friends who need to know about rhodiola.

March 19, 2016

How to Make Sole Water, and Three Reasons Why You Should!

Sole water boasts lots of health benefits, and may even help to heal adrenal fatigue. Read all about the benefits and how to make sole water below.

With so many purported health benefits, you need to know how to make sole water, but you also might want to know why you should.

Sole water (pronounced “sol-ay”) may be a key ingredient to healing adrenal fatigue. That’s why you’ll find it in our adrenal fatigue recovery protocol.

Best of all, many people notice the benefits almost immediately!

There are three main reasons to drink sole water:

Sole water is rich in minerals

Salt gets a bad rap for causing high blood pressure, but did you know that good salt has tons of good health benefits? Salt is an amazing source of trace minerals, many of which you can’t easily get anywhere else. By making a strong salt water infusion, you are jam-packing it with these minerals, which include iodine, copper, zinc, magnesium, calcium, and more!

You may be wondering how to choose good salt, not only to make sole water, but also for every day culinary uses. Here are a few good options:

Real Salt– a favorite for use in cooking, flavoring, and this sole water. You can buy it in bulk if you use a lot of it. Real Salt comes from ancient sea beds in the US (Utah), so it is not subject to modern-day ocean contamination. It is pink with flecks of other colors and can be gritty due to the high mineral content.
Himalayan salt– also mined from ancient sea beds, Himalayan salt is pink and is also rich in minerals.
Celtic sea salt– gray in color, Celtic sea salt is also a good source of minerals.

These are all good options and boast benefits that refined white table salt does not, as white table salt is not only stripped of nutrients and bleached, but sometimes contains additives.

(See the recipe for Brown Butter Blondies with Salted Caramel for a really good excuse to use good salt in the kitchen!)

Sole water supports detoxification

Sole water helps the body to detox unwanted toxins and pathogens, by helping to improve hydration and absorption of nutrients.

Salt is antibacterial and may assist in removing bacteria from the body.

When our body is well hydrated and nourished, the immune system is strengthened, and our bodies are better able to fight off pathogens as well as eliminate toxins.

Sole water= energy

Because of the high mineral content, sole water promotes energizing on a cellular level, nourishing your body from the ground up.

The word “sole” actually translates to “sun” in some languages, which is fitting considering the energizing effects sole water has. This is one major benefit many people notice from drinking sole water.

Each of these benefits is intertwined, and really all go back to the high mineral content.

How sole water can became your secret weapon

If you’re struggling with symptoms of adrenal fatigue, you may want to give sole water a try. These symptoms include:

abnormal fatigue
blood sugar roller coaster
excessive crankiness
weight gain or loss
insomnia or other sleep disturbances
lack of interest in sex
hair loss

Sole water is a cheap and easy solution and many people notice a difference within a couple of days of drinking sole water!

Energy levels improve. Blood sugar begins to stabilize. Hair stops falling out.

Incorporating sole water into your protocol may just be the missing piece you need for recovery.

How to make sole water

All you need is a cup of salt (see above for suggestions), a quart-sized jar with a plastic lid (like this) and filtered water.

Put 1 cup of salt in the jar, then fill it the rest of the way with filtered water.
Cover the jar tightly with a plastic or other non-metal lid and give it a shake.
Let sit out on the counter overnight. (I leave mine out all the time, as the salt water will not spoil.)
If the cup of salt is completely dissolved, add a little more until it doesn’t dissolve. This is how you ensure the water is totally saturated.
Take 1 teaspoon in the morning on an empty stomach (you may need to work your way up to this) in a glass of water.

You can work your way up to a tablespoon in the morning, and can even take another tablespoon once or twice more in the day if you feel the need it. You should always start slowly and work your way up to the dose that feels right.

How to Have More Energy: Five Ways to Start Your Day Better

Why so tired?

How to have more energy and start your day off better: five tips

1. How to have more energy: go to bed earlier