May 14, 2020

Beyond Logic: Why your Fat Burning, Weight Loss, Nutrition, Health, Eating, and Dieting Goals Must Have a Spiritual Component

If weight loss was as simple as basic arithmetic, calories would be the only information that you needed.

Nutrition is full of layers upon layers from the human aspect to understandings of energy transfer throughout the universe. If fat loss was as simple as calories in vs calories out, humans wouldn’t be facing the unprecedented obesity epidemic of 2020s.

Obesity itself isn’t even the problem. What lies beneath obesity and excess can also be found in normal weight people as well. The problems are:

Metabolic disease including diabetes etc.
Inflammatory processes dangerously overactive for a period of years. (dysfunction and eventual scarring)
Toxic relationships with food and a highly detached and simultaneously capitalistic (exploitative) food supply chain.

You need guidance in order to delay instant gratification and to gain protection from succumbing to the temptations of excess.

Learning how to have a healthy relationship with food is not an isolated activity that one can simply switch on from day to day. It is important to look at food as more than just energy.

I am very interested in the essence of that which we consume. Perhaps you would benefit from a broader definition of energy than just a measure of heat or work done within a period of time.

Because we have our energy needs met, we need to look at food in two ways: as a source of wisdom/information and a source of material to create our cells.

We have an amazing capacity to access the wisdom of food. I’ll give you some examples:

Cooking to make nutrients more bioavailable
Cooking to reduce anti-nutrients such as the lectins on kidney beans (never eat raw kidney beans)
Cooking to kill / deactivate potential pathogens
Fermentation methods to increase the biological value of food (bacteria such as lactobacilli in sauerkraut)
Fermentation to increase enzyme activity (catalysts for biological processes)
Fermentation to deactivate natural plant defenses and/or toxins
And more…

Of course there are many foods that are perfect raw such as avocado or blueberries.

We also have great methods of food preservation in our refrigeration units, WHICH MEANS YOU HAVE NO EXCUSE TO NOT PLAN AHEAD.

One day, you will realize your own natural intuition about food. Until then, you need a plan, framework, or some sort of guiding knowledge to help you make progress through your mistakes.

Here are my own personal reasons to have a spiritual component in my nutrition.

1. At the beginning of the universe, there was darkness and there was light.

If we are to believe the Big Bang theory, then every person likely shares a star as a common ancestor. To say that we came from the stars is basically factual knowledge in astrophysics and quantum mechanics.

In essence, nutrition has far more depth and layers than science can ever show. My goal is to illuminate some of these darker areas in our understanding so that we can make progress forward instead of dying from disease of modern times.

2. Light nourishes us, but it can also burn us, therefore a balance must be sought after.

Energy balance obviously is the key to healthy weight. It is important to accept the offerings of nourishment while also protecting yourself from that which causes disease.

I’ll give you a practical example of protection within nutrition:

Red meat is carcinogenic, but if you eat kimchi with garlic along with it, it is possible to protect yourself from the cancer causing chemicals.

3. Don’t just eat for yourself: Eat for your future generation, eat for your ancestors who never had the opportunity to indulge, and eat for the people around you.

Eating for the future generation is about reducing the risk of intergenerational trauma and helping your children reach their potential. High quality foods containing a variety of antioxidants will help your sperm or eggs maintain integrity.

Eating for your ancestors is honoring the long and arduous journey to get here. And what I mean by here is that we live in an environment of relative food security. In fact, most of us have abundance and excess. Be thankful for these offerings.

Eating for the people around you is about setting a great example and inspiring others. It’s okay to have weak moments because your vulnerabilities should be seen as an advantage. At the same time, when you are capable of strength through healthy nutrition, it will be like a cloud of inspiration that gently sprinkles purity of motivation on those around you.

4. The human spirit may be pure, but without nourishment of the physical body, the output can become corrupt.

In one of my favorite home school classes, we watched Star Wars. The lesson at the end is that while an entity is seemingly pure evil, there is still good inside everybody.

My theory on why so many powerful people have become corrupt is that they lack nourishment. Of course the nourishment they lack could be in the form of emotions or other ways. Just think though, if you are constantly eating processed food, then you will constantly have high inflammation, and then over time parts of your body will begin to degrade, rot, or scar.

I believe many corrupt people have experienced scarring in parts of their brains or nerves from a lifetime of poor nourishment (or anti-nourishment like refined sugar, alcohol, etc). Some of these people will be the crazies you see on the street, while others will be the crazies that you read about in the history books (Hitler comes to mind).

This might be an unpopular opinion, but I believe that deep down, even the spirit of Hitler still had light within.

Nutrition is one very important way that we can protect ourselves from evil forces. Don’t become a Hitler. Eat your vegetables.

5. Everything is interconnected AND the universe is accelerating.

The universe is accelerating, meaning that galaxies are moving away from each other at a faster rate and in some cases maybe moving towards eachother at a faster pace. I see this as a metaphor for humanity and the acceleration of technology.

We are moving faster towards something. Will you sit back, eat junk, and accept your fate?

Or will you take a stand for yourself and fulfill your destiny?

I hope this nourishes your spirit in some way so that you can gain daily motivation towards nutritional enlightenment.

Thank you for reading and stay tuned. Follow the blog, please.

March 19, 2020

— Leave a Comment

Top 5 Raw Honeys for Anti-Viral, Immune Support, Antioxidants, Vitamins, Minerals, Enzymes, and More

Real honey has proven therapeutic benefits.

Most people will digest honey well and experience the benefits of it.

Honey is one of the most perfect survival and storage foods as bacteria and viruses won’t be able to grow and honey contains a tremendous amount of energy and nutrients. It has a low moisture content, which keeps it preserved for longer periods of time. Even though you can store it, the nutrient value remains high.

I’ve compiled a list of some of the most powerful honey’s that I have personally consumed, experienced, and rated.

Top 5 Most Beneficial Raw Honey’s for antioxidants, immune support, health, vitamins, minerals, enzymes, micronutrients, phytonutrients:

Let’s just go ahead and start this list!

1. Tualang Black Honey

Did you get sticker shock when you saw the price?

Most people are not accustomed to eating wild food and they might benefit even more from something like this. The darkness of the honey (black) indicates significantly higher antioxidant value than your typical grocery store bought honey. The wisdom of nature is strong in this one. Research has backed this up.

Findings thus far show that, TH has antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimutagenic, antitumor, and antidiabetic properties, in addition to wound-healing attributes.

Even though this might be the most expensive honey you buy, no doubt the value is there.

This stuff tastes good to me, but just know that it will be more bitter than the normal honey you might be used to.

2. Manuka Honey

Most people have heard about the topical benefits of manuka honey, but not everybody knows that it is just as healthy to use internally. I used to work at a supplement store years ago and people would come in to buy manuka honey to heal their wounds. More research suggests that it is also great for dental, oral health and so much more.

“Therapeutic Manuka Honey: No Longer So Alternative”

Our results showed that honey, in general, and particularly manuka honey, has potent inhibitory activity against the influenza virus, demonstrating a potential medicinal value

Manuka honey has a pretty smooth texture and taste. It goes great with greek yogurt in my opinion!

3. Marri or Jarrah Honey

These honey’s I’ve listed can be pretty intense. Thick and dark, sweet but subdued. The flavor is unique for sure.

Jarrah and marri honey: A liquid goldrush of medical benefits

Independent testing of jarrah and marri honey in New Zealand in 2016 found that it had stronger antimicrobial properties than the much prized manuka honey

“Diversity is a very good thing because … what we end up with is stronger therapeutic outcomes.”

The good stuff is out there. I hope to bring awareness to it!

4. Wild Oregano Honey

If you’ve been in the alternative or holistic scene for a bit, you’ve probably heard of the benefits of oregano oil for the immune system, but you may not have heard about oregano honey. First off, yes, there is a nice spicy aroma that hits you when you open this jar of honey. It is quite an experience to enjoy the flavors and the immune boosting benefits.

Namely, melanoidins content, phenolic content, electrical conductivity, and mineral content were shown to be positively influencing the gained antibacterial activity.

This is a truly special and unique honey. I personally feel that oregano oil extract is a bit too harsh on my body, so if I can experience the benefits of oregano in a wild/raw food form, then I’m all for it.

5. Black Seed / Cumin Honey

Just like the other honeys, the flavor is intense. The antioxidants are high and the price is a good value considering the benefits.

…[used] as a natural remedy for many disorders like cough, jaundice and gastrointestinal disorders.

There is a common Islamic belief that the black seed is a panacea (universal healer) which is a remedy for all ailments

I really enjoyed this honey and will be buying it again.

Will you let food be your medicine?

I cannot diagnose, cure, or prescribe anything for you… only educate.

I implore you to redefine your view of, “natural / alternative,” health.

We need for “alternative remedies” that actually work for people to go mainstream. Including food such as raw honey into your lifestyle could provide many nutrients that you didn’t even know you needed!

Stay tuned. Follow the blog for updates.

Body Composition disease prevention Nutrition, Immunity, and Digestion supplements

January 28, 2020January 28, 2020

— Leave a Comment

Transforming your 2020 Body through Global Fitness Science

Recently, our studio launched the OTF transformation challenge 2020.

The challenge is in its second of eight weeks and it encourages healthy behavior through workout frequency and recovery.

Throwback pic at the studio after a sweaty workout

I am always interested in what Orangetheory shares with people.

Just the other day, Dr. Rachelle Reed, Director of Global Fitness Science at Orangetheory Fitness, had some responses related to the Orangetheory Fitness Transformation Challenge 2020.

Five Quotes about Fitness Science from OTF Director:

“Starting on the floor (rower) can be beneficial if your main goal is improving strength; that way, you can prioritize great form with a heavier load during the floor block!”

Prioritize great form with heavier loads. Develop that high quality, long-lasting, balanced muscle tone to give you opportunities for freedom.

“Helping members improve their health behaviors is the main point of the Transformation Challenge.”

We invite people to consume foods in the colors of a rainbow and post pictures of beautiful nutrient rich meals for the other supportive people in the Facebook group.

“Check into your nutrition pre- and post-workout to make sure you are fueling your body properly!”

If you are struggling with energy and recovery, you should definitely consider pre and post-workout. I almost take it for granted myself since I experimented with so many supplements through vendor gifts. In case you’re wondering, my favorite energizer for coaching and for morning and working out has to be Matcha + Chlorella. I just love the smooth energy and how it impacts my cognitive and metabolic function.

“We expect our members to lose 1-3% body fat over an 8-12 week period! Of course, this depends on so many factors – like what you eat, how active you are, your sleep quality and quantity, etc.”

Okay, let me share my honest opinion here while supporting OTF at the same time. I think she is referring to the average of members, they will lose 1-3% body fat over an 8-12 week period.

This may be true for average. Average, you are not!

May you transform magnificently! If you really need something, you will find the way. The truth is that recovery is the key to transformation. Workouts need to be challenging and varied, while recovery is the other 23 hours.

If you aren’t getting the result, believe that something might need to change.

With nutrition and rest, seven weeks is plenty of time to make a difference.

Besides, even if you lose 0% body fat, but you still did high intensity workouts 3x per week consistently, that still counts for some success as it benefits health, fitness, and longevity!

“The American College of Sports Medicine, recommend that adults participate in at least 150 minutes of aerobic activity each week plus at least 2 days of strength training on all major muscle groups, in order to enjoy the benefits of an active lifestyle. But, there is a dose response relationship, so a bit more (like 300 minutes and 3 days of strength training) can have slightly better benefits associated. This translates to about 3 classes of OTF a week, plus [everyday active movement]”

I think, “3 days of strength training,” would represent nearly three hours of strength training. Most people can agree that Orangetheory does not provide that amount of strength training per three Orange 60’s. Therefore, it could be beneficial to perform more strength exercises at home or a convenient location.

Maybe you could do some slow and controlled push-ups at home just before you eat a meal. Try to get a nice pump in your chest, shoulders, and triceps with a slow and controlled push up where you actually feel each and every muscle fiber contracting. Even two or three sets of 5-15 push ups a few times a week can make a big difference.

A lot of people have random weights or implements at home that they can use for bicep curls or exercise bands for glute bridges and deep burn in the glute muscles.

I love great workouts!

I often want to give people heavier loads just by putting weight in their area.

I do think the key to gaining strength at OTF is to be pro-active about your own challenges.

Try to eliminate as many muscular imbalances as possible.

Hope you found this useful.

Make sure to follow the blog for updates.

Shoutout to all of the OTF people that I’ve come in contact with over the years and to the people reading now!

Nourish up!

Body Composition Fat Loss Fitness Orangetheory Seattle

January 27, 2020

— Leave a Comment

5 Reasons Your Body Love Carbs

Would it be sweet to enjoy carbs and be lean 365 days a year?

This doesn’t have to be such an unusual concept.

Activity + nutrients + recovery = fit body.

Most active people can thrive on a balanced diet that includes plenty of fats, proteins, and yes, CARBS!

I’m here to give you a brief list of the benefits of various food known for containing high carbohydrates.

1. Some of the best fiber in the world comes from foods high in carbohydrates.

Various types of beans, lentils, and peas are very high in fiber. Berries like raspberries contain significant amounts of fiber. These foods also provide most of their calories from carbohydrate sources and that isn’t a bad thing. Keep reading for more.

2. Fiber is an extremely important energy source for anti-aging purposes.

I just wrote, “anti-aging,” in the title for more effect.

The truth is that all cells benefit from the energy extracted from fiber. It’s true that our human cells are unable to extract and absorb energy from fiber, but that is actually a good thing because it allows the gut microbiota to break down and utilize the fiber.

As a result, beneficial bacteria in the gut can convert fiber into short-chain fatty acids that can be used as energy directly within the human cells.

I believe that fiber is one of the key elements for fat loss because it’s a nutrient that provides no calories in the traditional sense, yet it gives valuable cellular energy provided through bacterial fermentation that occurs inside the gut. Furthermore, this energy is particularly beneficial in the organs and brain so that the systems in the body can operate functionally.

3. Genetic expression is altered through nutrition.

Fiber impacts your genes, yes.

Components of dietary fiber may influence gene expression indirectly through changes in hormonal signaling, mechanical stimuli, and metabolites produced by the intestinal microflora. In addition, consumption of water-soluble fibers may lead to changes in gene expression mediated through indirect mechanisms that influence transcription rates. In the large intestine, short-chain fatty acids, including butyric acid, are produced by microflora. Butyric acid can indirectly influence gene expression.

Let’s look at cranberries for more:

Cranberries possess a distinctive composition of phenolic compounds, including three classes of flavonoids (flavonoids, anthocyanins, and proanthocyanidins), catechins and an assortment of phenolic acids that induce various biological effects, such as antioxidant, enzyme activity modulation, and gene expression regulating effect.

4. Carbs before a workout can make your workout better and help you feel improved mood afterwards.

It makes sense that if you fuel a high intensity workout with something that includes carbohydrates, you’ll have more energy to be productive during the workout. You might be able to do something you’ve never done before. Then after the workout, you feel great. You go have a nutrient dense meal with balanced carbs, fats, and protein and you recover your body.

You burn fat while you sleep.

5. Carbohydrates are delicious.

I read a story about a tribe of people who would go hunting for animal meat and they were very serious about it. They would be stalking some animal in the jungle, forest, or plains and then somebody would notice the buzzing of a bee. All of a sudden, they forget about the animal and go hunt for the honey because that was more valuable to them.

Honey: The O.G. Carb. Don’t let refined sugar replace this nutritional badass.

There are obvious survival reasons for why humans have developed a taste for the sweet. Truthfully, not many experiences in life are more enjoyable than having the flavors and sweetness of foods dancing in your mouth. I acknowledge that.

I would never expect somebody to stop enjoying food just to get lean and ripped abs. I’m here to tell you that there is a balance that can be achieved and that healthy food can be delicious with a little bit of planning and creativity. The more practice you get at preparing healthy food, the more you can look forward to eating that which actually nourishes you.

In Carbclusion,

Carbohydrate containing foods support health of the gut microbiome, promote healthy inflammatory response, provide nourishment of the cells, and may even promote anti-aging.

Quality is everything when it comes to carbs, and portions are also important. The best part of carbohydrates for people looking to burn fat is definitely fiber. The fiber helps to make you feel more satiated while still giving the cells plenty of energy via bacterial metabolites.

Antioxidants are the next best component of foods containing carbs. It’s important to maintain healthy levels of inflammation (not too much, not too little) because if the inflammation is too high, then disease is more likely. For disease to exist in your body, there must be inflammation. Consuming antioxidant-rich carbohydrates is beneficial for managing inflammation.

Follow the blog for more on fitness, nutrition, and more.

I’ll keep writing, you keep coming.

Body Composition Fat Loss Fitness Nutrition, Immunity, and Digestion

January 20, 2020

— Leave a Comment

Transformation and 5 Big Reasons Body Composition Matters

I quit dieting in 2010.

Have you realized that some things were just so temporary, ill-fated and too futile to continue doing?

For me, the thought going on a diet is rarer than the thought of me eating candy or drinking soda. You would really have to search and dig deep to find any reason for me to go on a diet. Maybe, you could pay me to go on a diet.

Lifestyle & Environment are keys to unlocking meaningful health.

No longer is it, “You are what you eat,” because now the phrase is, “You are what you absorb.”

Even more, components of our intake that we do not absorb either needs to be processed by the digestive system and detoxified otherwise undigested nutrients could become a serious harm. In truth, you’ll never get the results you want without supporting the gut and digestive process in some way.

Reasons to Care about Body Composition.

I wanted to provide some background motivation for people who are interested in transformation, especially as it relates to body composition, muscle hypertrophy, and the slimming of adipose cells.

1. Adipose tissue, otherwise known as body fat, can disrupt the hormonal system and cause inflammation.

Body fat is not simply a caloric storage unit. Body fat is much more complex than that. Body fat is part of the endocrine system and is contributes to inflammatory and metabolic diseases due to the inflammatory hormones it releases.

Excess adipose tissue = excess inflammation = onset of metabolic diseases = painful pathway to death.

2. Muscles are essential to quality of life.

Strong, balanced muscles are a blessing to all those who wish to enjoy quality movement and an upright posture. We don’t often appreciate our muscles until we get injured or lose function somehow. Becoming older does not mean you have to suffer from a bad back, hips, knees, or shoulders.

Muscles support the body and can take a lot of the stress off of your joints. Muscles can store carbohydrates in addition to the plethora of amino acids in muscles. Muscles can be broken down into essential nutrients to support brain function in times of need.

Furthermore, muscles can atrophy and muscles can hypertrophy in hours or days. Because our bodies can regenerate muscle cells so quickly, they are greatly affected by the nutrients we ingest on a daily basis.

3. More muscle = more bone mineral density.

Along with strenuous physical activity, bones are encouraged to store valuable minerals which not only makes the bone stronger, but also regulates crucial features of human metabolism.

For example, the minerals in bone regulate human pH so that if you consume something highly acidic like soda, your body will actually pull calcium from the bones in order to balance the acidity of the soda.

People who drink a lot of soda or consume a lot of sugar are more likely to get osteoporosis.

Other foods may be acidic and contains acids, but due to the minerals are actually more alkaline forming in the body. For example, lemon juice contains minerals that nourish the body, while soda contains ingredients that deplete the body.

4. You get to make choices in how you will eventually perish and what your end of days will look like.

We will all die, that’s a fact. Knowing that I will die one day gives me courage to love today. However, there is a big difference between dying from preventable diseases in your 60’s and 70’s vs living an active lifestyle into your 90’s.

People who are in their 20’s and 30’s are trending to experience diseases earlier and more frequently than the baby boomers did during their 40’s and 50’s. If you consume the standard, mainstream food products and eat food mostly for coping… well let’s just say be glad you are reading this now, because transformation is on the horizon.

By caring about your body composition, you will be able to stand tall and proud, and you will be able to set an example for your grandchildren and your great grandchildren.

5. Confidence and physical appeal.

In my experience, true confidence does not come from having a nice body. True confidence comes from accomplishments and overcoming challenges.

How can you turn your challenges into opportunities to help yourself and others?

Barriers are a gift. Barriers and obstacles are what you wash away or transform into something more meaningful and productive for you. We generally need some sort of suffering or misery in order to transcend quickly. All thoughts can be reframed and all questions can be asked in different ways.

Are you willing to transform yourself from deep within?