My #1 Supplement

What is my #1 favorite supplement?

Spirulina! Hawaiian Spirulina is one of the most nutritious whole foods known to humankind. Does that peak your interest?

I first heard about Spirulina a few years ago. When I began to research Spirulina, I was pretty amazed at the huge list of possible benefits from taking it daily. I decided it was worth a try once I found it on sale at Costco online. I now take the suggested serving of three 1,000 mg tablets once per day in place of a multivitamin.

If this all sounds a little strange it might be worth reading what exactly spirulina is. Rather then rewrite what has already been explained much more clearly that I could ever attempt I will give you this link for an in-depth description: https://www.nutrex-hawaii.com/blogs/learn/what-exactly-is-spirulina.

Ok, so what are the potential benefits of these magical green algae pills? Spirulina offers health benefits to practically every organ and bodily function. Spirulina can strengthen your immune system, support cardiovascular health, reduce inflammation, improve your digestive system, help remove toxins from the body naturally, and more. It’s a good source of vitamins, antioxidants, and protein. I’ve read that one serving of Spirulina equals five servings of fruits and vegetables. Many people think that Spirulina may even help prevent cancer! I realize that’s a big claim and of course not guaranteed, but it’s worth it to me to take it daily to help stay healthy. If you want to dive in deeper, here is a more detailed description of the benefits: https://www.nutrex-hawaii.com/blogs/learn/benefits-of-spirulina.

I always recommend people do their own research before buying new supplements. If you aren’t sure if it’s a good fit for you then make sure to talk to your doctor. If you decide to buy Spirulina it’s important to find a high-quality product. I’ve done some research about the brand I use, Nutrex Hawaiian Spirulina, and I feel really good about how it’s grown and that it's not full of chemicals.

I’ve been seeing a lot of people online using green Spirulina powders in shakes and recipes. It sure makes some colorful, bright green food, but I am happy to swallow 3 tablets a day instead. If you buy the tablet form of Spirulina make sure to refrigerate the bottle once it’s opened. Don’t be surprised if you get a little whiff of a fishy smell when you open the bottle and take out the tablets. It is algae after all!

I know that high quality supplements can be super expensive, but I have been pleasantly surprised by the affordability of Spirulina. If you buy it on sale from Costco it only costs $29.00 for 120 servings. If you are on a tight budget or a numbers person like me then you might appreciate that the cost averages out to only $7.25 per month if you take one serving per day. It’s currently on sale (June 2018) so here is the link if you want to check it out: https://www.costco.com/Pure-Hawaiian-Spirulina-3000-Mg.,-360-Tablets.product.100107290.html. Even if it's not on sale, I think Costco is the most inexpensive place to buy it.

Have you heard of Spirulina before this? Do you think it’s possible that it’s as good for you as it sounds? Let me know if you have seen the benefits of taking Spirulina.

Schedule Your Workouts!

If you want to see results with your workouts you have to make them a priority and be consistent. If you work out sporadically then you will not see very much progress towards your fitness goals. The way I have been able to be consistent with my workouts is that I schedule them into my day. I always have a plan of when I’m going to get my workout in each day. Don’t wait until the morning to decide when you will exercise or what workout you are going to do that day. You have to decide ahead of time and put it on your calendar. If you don’t plan for it then the chances of actually doing it will be slim. If I know that I’m going to be gone all day then I will either plan ahead to wake up early to get my workout in or I will decide ahead of time to move my workout to another day like Saturday when I might not normally exercise.

Once you have an idea of what days and times you will fit your workouts in then you need to put them on your calendar and make them a priority. You might need to literally write it into your calendar or put a workout appointment into your iPhone calendar and think of it like any other appointment. Chances are you won’t feel like working out every day or you’ll wake up tired and think about skipping it, but if you have it on your calendar you are much less likely to skip it. You have to plan and prepare for your workouts just like you would for anything else important!

For many years I went to hour long classes at a local gym. I found classes and instructors that I enjoyed and that worked well with my schedule. Then I starting going consistently to three different class once a week. My favorites for several years were Turbo Kick, Strength Training, and Zumba. Although I didn’t physically put them into my calendar I knew each week that I would go to those 3 classes at their specific days and times. I rarely skipped them and if I knew I had to miss one I would try to schedule a different workout in to replace the one I missed.

For the last few years I have been doing at home workouts 5 times a week that I stream online through Dollar Workout Club. These workouts are around 10-20 minutes long and are HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training) workouts and since they are short I can fit them into my day pretty easily. These last few years I have rarely worked out less than 5 times a week. That may seem intense, but these workouts are so short that in order to get good results you really need consistency. I always feel so much better after my workout each day. The endorphins from a good workout put me in a better mood each day. My body gets nice and warmed up from each workout so I feel loose and limber. I always do extra stretching so I feel less tense in my shoulders and neck where I usually hold stress and stretching helps prevent soreness too. Working out can also help me sleep better at night. I often take Saturdays and Sundays off from working out, but if I go more than a couple of days without working out and stretching I feel a huge difference in my body.

Now you need to find some kind of workout that you enjoy (or at least don’t hate) and schedule it onto your calendar! It doesn’t have to be at a gym or even inside. If you hate normal workouts then find something active you can do that will be fun. If you like to be outside then plan a long walk, bicycle ride, jog, or a hike. Now it’s time to make yourself a priority and put your workouts on your calendar!

My Secret Weapon for Cheat Meals

I’m a big believer in a balanced approach to food and nutrition. I eat healthy meals 80%-90% of the time, but I always look forward to cheat meals and treats. I feel like this approach to food had been a big reason why I have been successful in my health journey over the last few years. If I restrict myself too much than I will be constantly thinking of those delicious foods I can’t have and I end up frustrated and grumpy. I usually plan cheat meals and treats for when I’m out with family or friends or on vacation. I recently was able to go on a weekend getaway out of town with my husband and was so thankful to have my secret weapon with me.

A few years ago I heard about digestive enzymes. At first, I was confused and wasn’t sure what the difference was between digestive enzymes and probiotics. They sounded similar and I was already taking a probiotic daily so I didn’t know if it was something that would be beneficial for me to use as well. I did some digging and research and found out that digestive enzymes can be a great tool for anyone to use with meals.

When we eat food our bodies naturally produce enzymes that help us digest our foods, but as we age our digestive enzyme production decreases. Taking a digestive enzyme supplement right before you eat can support digestion, nutrient absorption, and help alleviate gas and bloating. Have you ever had a big meal, cheat meal, or treat where you felt awful afterwards? Taking digestive enzymes can tremendously help your body’s digestive system. I like to take one or two digestive enzyme capsules with a glass of water before a cheat meal or treat. And I often take one digestive enzyme before most of the regular meals I eat to aid in digestion.

Not all digestive enzymes are the same so make sure you read the labels on any supplements before purchasing. Some might have added ingredients that you don’t want and some are made to only help digest one kind of macronutrient, such as dairy. The ones I take help with digestion of starches (carbs), proteins, fats, dairy, and fiber. I’m sure there are lots of great options out there, but I have been pleasantly surprised by the affordability and effectiveness of MRM’s Digest-All. You can currently buy a bottle of 100 digestive enzymes for only $13 on amazon: http://a.co/8mZUNlA. That means the cost to take a digestive enzyme capsule per meal is only $.13 (or $.26 if you take two capsules).

Taking these digestive enzymes has been a huge help in my health journey over the past few years. I consider them my secret weapon to help my body when I eat a cheat meal or treat. Even if you eat a clean diet 100% of the time you might still struggle with gas, bloating, or sensitivities to certain foods so these could be helpful for you. Of course, I’m not a doctor or health professional so if you have any questions do your own research or talk to your doctor.

Have any of you used digestive enzyme supplements before? If so, I’d love to hear how they have helped you.