This issue of Making a Difference! is brought to you by…
Lee Frisch
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In this issue…
♦ Your energy engine… VROOM! ♦ When it’s more than simple fatigue…
♦ How to get your vroom back! ♦ Why fatigue is often misdiagnosed…
♦ Shaklee’s “energy” team… ♦ More protein = more energy!
♦ Vitamins, minerals, herbs and supplements that boost energy… ♦ More protein = more energy!
♦ Fiber and energy… ♦ Healthy Shaklee recipes that your kids (and you) will love!
Activate your thoughts, and activate your life.
~ Dr. Forrest C. Shaklee, Sr.
Your energy engine…
Are you often tired, or just worn out? Poor diet, a lack of physical activity, and questionable lifestyle choices, all influence your energy level. If you frequently reach for a cup of coffee, sugary snack, or caffeinated energy drink to give you a boost, you’re making things worse! Nearly half of all American adults report problems sleeping, causing a lack of energy during the day. Workers with untreated sleep problems are at least 50% less productive than those who are well-rested.
Yes… fatigue is a serious problem… much more so than just drowsiness or a lack of energy at work. It can also affect your health in a major way!
Fortunately, there are some simple moves you can make to elevate your energy levels. You don’t need to nod off at your desk (not good), or behind the wheel of your vehicle (much worse). Even SMALL changes in your diet, lifestyle and physical activity can add up to BIG boosts in energy. We call this the “Vroom Factor!”… and it means staying away from the junk food so you’ll have plenty of natural energy all day long!
When it’s more than simple fatigue…
You could have something more serious like CFS if these symptoms are also present:
◊ Your memory is foggy; no focus
◊ Your throat is sore, scratchy
◊ You have unexplained pain in your muscles
◊ You have a severe headache
◊ Even after plenty of sleep, you don’t feel rested
◊ Pain that travels from one joint to another
◊ Enlarged lymph nodes in your armpits or neck
◊ Extreme exhaustion that lasts more than a day after physical or mental exertion
How to get your back!
People any healthy diet plans center around raw food. Why? Fruits, vegetables, nuts, berries and whole grains consumed as close to their natural state as possible, deliver the maximum amount of nutrients available, along with enzymes to assist in their metabolism. When food is cooked and processed… the more steps it takes to get to your table… the more health properties it loses.
Poor diet is often the underlying cause of exhaustion. The body is not getting the nutrition it needs to function properly… so your health starts to deteriorate. Eating a lot of processed foods… food packaged in a wrapper, box, bag or can… could be the cause of that worn out feeling you have.
When you know better… you do better
Start by eating more leafy greens… raw and organic whenever you can. Get 5 or 6 servings of fruits and vegetables every day. For protein, select grass-fed beef and pasture-raised poultry, cage-free eggs and 2 or 3 servings of omega 3-rich salmon and other wild-caught fish every week.
Drink Get Clean Water throughout the day, as it flushes toxins and harmful chemicals out of your cells. Green or black tea, coconut water, coconut milk and almond milk are also healthy drinks. Cut out sugar-filled sodas that actually rob you of energy.
Stop eating out. Prepare your own meals as much as possible. When you cook your own meals you know exactly what’s in them, and how they’re made.
Clean eating is your key to a nearly limitless number of health benefits. When you replace junk food with organic fresh fruits and vegetables, you’ll finally get your “vroom” back!
Why fatigue is often misdiagnosed…
Dr. James Wilson calls the adrenals “the glands of stress”. No bigger than a walnut and weighing less than a grape, your adrenals have a very important job… managing stress.
In his book “Adrenal Fatigue: The 21st Century Stress Syndrome”, Dr. Wilson talks about the adrenal glands…
“It is their job to enable your body to deal with stress from every possible source, ranging from injury and disease to work and relationship problems. Your resiliency, energy, endurance and your very life all depend on their proper functioning.”
When the adrenals are not healthy, you can develop adrenal fatigue or exhaustion. Your mental and physical energy levels plummet, you can’t concentrate, and even after a night’s sleep, you’re still tired.
Even though as many as 80% of all adults experience adrenal fatigue in their life-times, it is still often misdiagnosed because its symptoms mirror other conditions. Someone with poorly functioning adrenals may not report the condition at all and turn to energy drinks, coffee and sugar as a way to artificially boost their energy level. If they do tell their doctor, they may be advised to exercise more, get more rest and start eating better.
When adrenal fatigue is the real issue, it can lead to other health problems, including life-threatening Addison’s disease. Ask your doctor for a salivary cortisol test… the only reliable way to test for adrenal function.
Shaklee’s “energy” team…
No matter how healthy your diet is, if you want sustained energy every day, then taking Shaklee is the answer.
Start with a foundational program such as Life Plan Strip and Shake, or Vitalizer and Energizing Soy Protein. Either combo will ensure that you’re getting the essential nutrients you need for your cells to repair, rebuild, and start producing energy.
Then add B-Complex, a complete complement of all eight essential B vitamins that help convert food into energy. Shaklee’s patented delivery system for folic acid enhances the immediate release of this nutrient in the stomach, making it readily available for absorption.
One of our favorite energy-producing supplements is Liqui-Lea, a nutrient-rich tonic that is absorbed into the bloodstream quickly, providing immediate energy.
CoQHeart® with Q-Trol™ contains a proprietary blend of CoQ10 and resveratrol, ingredients that help produce energy to power your heart. Employing a heart-healthy olive oil delivery system, all natural CoQHeart delivers the CoQ10 necessary to provide the significant amount of energy the heart needs to function.
Vitamins, minerals, herbs and supplements that boost energy…
When you want more energy, don’t rely on that morning cup of coffee (or two or three) to give you a lasting boost. Yes, the caffeine will stimulate you for awhile, but once your body has metabolized it, the heightened energy boost is gone.
To have sustained energy, you need sleep, exercise and a healthy diet. And when you want an energy boost, the right supplements can do the job.
The Bs
To boost your metabolism, the B vitamins are critical. Vitamin B12 is especially important as it is required for proper red blood cell formation, neurological function, and DNA synthesis. However, since B12 is not made in the body, you must get it from food or supplements.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant that helps improves blood flow, increasing the oxygen and nutrients to the cells where energy is made. Vitamin E also reduces inflammation and aids in healing.
CoQ10
Cells use CoQ10 in energy creation. It assists in cellular metabolism by neutralizing free radicals that can interfere with cellular energy production. Inadequate amounts can lead to fatigue, high blood pressure and a blood sugar imbalance.
Ginseng
This herb is an adaptogen that helps reduce the effects of stress, anxiety and physical exertion, while it enhances stamina and increases energy.
Iron
This essential mineral delivers oxygen to the red blood cells and helps increase metabolic function. For those wanting to build more lean muscle, it helps with muscle tissue development and physical performance.
Magnesium
Magnesium is required for over 300 processes in the body, including the breakdown of glucose into energy.
Fiber and energy…
Fiber is often overlooked when it comes to energy production. And because fiber itself does not have any calories, it does not produce energy on its own. So… how does fiber help the cells produce energy?
Simple carbohydrates (sugars) that do not have much fiber, dissolve fast and flood the bloodstream with insulin, creating a sugar high followed by a sugar crash.
According to the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, complex carbohydrates break down more slowly and provide that steady flow of nutrients. Once the digestive process starts, the pancreas senses the influx of nutrients and releases just enough insulin to move those nutrients to the cells where they can be made into energy by the mitochondria in the process known as metabolism.
Many complex carbohydrates are also high in fiber, which helps even out the flow of nutrients, thus preventing a spike in blood sugar and keeping metabolism and energy levels high.
Given fiber’s role in energy production, doesn’t it make sense to add Fiber Plan to every Shaklee smoothie you make? We think so!
And here’s another delicious way to get your fiber…
More protein = more energy!
The main source of energy in human physiology comes from carbohydrates. So how does protein contribute to energy production?
You feel full longer
The problem with a carbohydrate-heavy diet alone is the lack of staying power. While you will feel full right after eating, the satiety soon wears off and you are left feeling hungry again, and… with less energy. But by consuming a diet with enough protein, you feel full much, much longer.
Lasting energy
By eating a diet of complex carbohydrates and protein, the rate at which the carbohydrates are broken down is slowed, thus making those calories last longer than if the carbohydrates were eaten without protein.
Improves quality of sleep
In overweight and obese individuals, a recently published study found when participants consumed a diet with more calories coming from protein, their sleep improved, leaving them refreshed and energetic.
Increases metabolism
As protein breaks down, it produces enzymes in the body that help speed up your metabolism, creating more energy that will last longer.
The best protein…
For high-quality, convenient protein products, look to Shaklee!
Healthy Shaklee recipes that your kids (and you) will love!
Here are a few tasty recipes for you and your kids. You’ll love them!
Red, White & Blue Pudding
Ingredients:
2 scoops Vanilla Life Energizing Shake
1 cup milk of choice
1/2 Tbsp. raw organic honey
Pinch of cinnamon
3 Tbsp. chia seeds
Ice as needed
Raspberries and blueberries for topping or fruit of choice
Directions:
Blend all ingredients except the chia seeds together until creamy. Transfer to a bowl, add the chia seeds and combine well. Let stand for 5 minutes, give it another stir/shake to break up any clumps of chia seeds, cover and put in the fridge to “set-up” for 3-4 hours or overnight. When ready to serve, divide the mixture between two bowls, top the pudding with berries of your choice and enjoy.
Chocolate Fudgsicles
Ingredients:
2 scoops Chocolate Life Energizing Shake
1/2 cup milk of choice
2 small bananas, ripe
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp pure maple syrup
Pinch of sea salt
Directions:
Combine all ingredients in a blender. Blend until creamy. Pour the mixture into ice pop molds and freeze overnight. To serve, run the molds under hot water to loosen. Your kids will love them!
Banana Protein Pancakes
Ingredients:
2 scoops Chocolate Performance Advanced Physique
1 large, ripe banana
a pinch of cinnamon powder
2 eggs
1/4 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt
Directions:
Mash banana in a bowl with a fork. Mix in all other ingredients until well combined. Spray a skillet with nonstick spray, then place on medium heat. Pour in batter and brown on both sides. Top with berries and enjoy!
And here are some additional recipes you and your family might like: