Transforming 3 Energy Wasters into High Grade Fuel!

Wouldn’t you like to consider your body to be like a Ferrari?  If that’s the case, here are 3 high-grade fueling tips to keep your machine running in top-notch condition.

1) Caffeine:

If you suffer from sleepless nights, fatigue, pain, or dysfunction, caffeine may be a culprit. Could your morning fuel be revving your engines way too high only to leave you just short of the finish line? Caffeine has a half-life of 6 hours. This means that if you consume the average 200mgs of your favorite caffeinated drink in the a.m, by bedtime that caffeine mostly likely is still circulating. This can sabotage our rest and repair hormonal cycles and in effect our health and wellness goals.

A step in the right direction would be to replace your coffee or energy drinks with a less simulating drink such as Yerba Mate or Green Tea. A better bet would be to eliminate caffeine entirely for a few weeks and see how you feel. In the meantime, Peppermint or a Chai Rooibos tea may satisfy your warm drink ritual. Chai Roobios is especially lovely with some coconut milk and a dab of honey. Take a cruise through David’s Tea or your local health food store to find a tea that works for you.

2) Alcohol:

I like a glass of wine every so often. If you do drink, try switching to an organic wine or spirit. This way you avoid the extra toxins that can be a major drain on our bodies. Not forgetting the negative effects of alcohol on our liver, wine also is a highly refined sugar that can cause havoc with our blood sugar levels and our hormones. This can leave us feeling majorly depleted. If you do drink, enjoy in moderation and with a meal of good quality fat and protein. This will keep your blood sugars, energy, and body shape goals in check.

3) Sugar:

Sugar is one of the most pleasurable substances out there. The downside is that it’s also highly addictive and a major energy drainer. Sugar can be a challenge especially when we are in need of some comfort during stress-filled days. A sure way to get to the finish line while enjoying the sweetness of life is to switch to some of these healthier versions:

• 85% Greens and Blacks Organic Chocolate – Lower on the sugar scale, however high on the chocolate lover’s satisfaction.

• Organic Mejool Dates or Figs – These lovely pieces of sweet heaven are high in fiber and loaded with a ton of beneficial nutrients.

• Carob – Its not chocolate and anyone who says it is, in my opinion isn’t a chocolate lover. Yet, carob is a close 2nd and again is loaded with fiber and nutrients.

• High Quality Cookies – Check out the Internet for Gluten-Free Almond, Coconut, or Quinoa cookie recipes. These treats are high in fiber and protein, yet low in sugar, and they do not contain gluten, which can for most of us can be detrimental to our waistlines.

Remember, though, the key is to consume in moderation. Too much of a good thing is still too much.

Hope these ideas keep your engines revving high and happily for years to come.

Sarah Harris
Holistic Health and Lifestyle Consultant