June 18, 2020June 18, 2020

Top 3 Guide to Natural Fat Burners and Body Boosts That Really Work

Balanced nutrition is key, BUT these can help!

Even though balanced nutrition is the key element to success here, I believe that supplements can play a very useful role in this balance.

The foundation is a nutrient dense, properly prepared diet and the pillars are what support you and make you beautiful and functioning.

Extra support can be very beneficial.

Focus on the foundations of your nutrition and then experiment with herbs because they are like tools that unlock elements of biological metabolism.

Your body has unique needs.

The truth is that the best diet plan is the one that is best for you. The only way to learn what is best for you is to listen to the wisdom of your own body. A professional can assist you in learning how to understand the needs of your body. For example, people can work with me one on one.

No matter what, I’ll still share with you some of the best fat burning supplements that I have experienced and believe in.

Be careful if you have a sensitive stomach already. Some of the supplements below can be fairly stimulating.

Amazon links are affiliate links.

1. Matcha (green tea powder)

If you have been following me for a while, this will come as no surprise to you.

Matcha provides some of the most nutrient dense source of caffeine possible. The antioxidants from matcha are loaded in free radical scavenging capability, while a significant source of amino acid L-Theanine nourishes the brain.

The green tea amino acid, L-theanine (L-THE) is associated with several health benefits, including improvements in mood, cognition and a reduction of stress and anxiety-like symptoms.

The benefits of matcha is something that is worth reading a book about.

2. Phycocyanin (the blue spirulina algae)

Used to be very rare as a supplement, but has lately gained accessibility due to advances in growing and extraction technology. This is still considered a complete food, which means that it is full of vitamins, minerals, proteins, antioxidants and much more.

Previously, I talked about the benefits of green superfoods. I still concur with those benefits. However, blue superfoods are on the rise (despite still being more rare).

The blue pigment has a very high antioxidant ability. I actually think my eyes improve when I consume this supplement.

There is a level of naturally occurring abundance of phenylethylamine, considered to stimulate the brain. It also stimulates the metabolism and is great for exercise and fitness related events.

3. Apple cider vinegar

Also known as ACV, apple cider vinegar boasts a powerful reputation in the natural health community for blood sugar benefits.

Even though it is acidic, it is still alkaline forming due to the way it interacts with the body.

Many recent scientific investigations have documented that vinegar ingestion reduces the glucose response to a carbohydrate load in healthy adults and in individuals with diabetes. There is also some evidence that vinegar ingestion increases short-term satiety.

It is versatile as it can be used in salad dressing and refreshing beverages.

Apple cider vinegar is great for dealing with cravings. That’s also why I really like the Kevita brand of products.

Caution: Perhaps fat burning should NOT be a primary goal.

Let me be clear. While I do help clients burn fat and gain muscular development that is balanced, my primary duty is to teach people actions they can take to support the foundations of health like digestion/elimination, blood sugar regulation, and stress management.

You will understand the foundations of health in future blog posts.

As you understand the foundations better, you can begin to play with more advanced ideas relating to your nutritional enlightenment.

Burning fat can be rewarding.

You don’t need me to write a blog post about the benefits of being lean, do you? Did already

Besides, you probably already know that there are many untapped benefits in developing strong lean muscle and healthy range of motion in all of your joints.

I just wanted to share a few tricks that I use to keep my body fat percentage in the teens or below for years on end.

Please follow this blog with the follow blog button.

Dear readers, you’re great. Blog followers, you’re the best.

May 29, 2020May 30, 2020

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11 Diet Tips from the Probiotic Lifestyle: Why Feeding the Gut Microbiome Slows Down Aging and Can Save Your Life from Preventable Disease!

Bio-diversity is essential for human health and evolution!

Even though I can’t prove it, I believe more than 99% of all human diseases can be prevented or managed by nourishing the gut. My personal mission is to help your microbiome become more robust, diverse, and balanced. It will make your life way better and it will also have beneficial consequences for the collective human microbiome (another way of saying our collective health as a species).

Benefits of Diverse Gut Microbiome

Shreiner et. al provide us with an overview of the evidence to show that a healthy microbiome supports the following:

Healthy metabolism, absorption of nutrients, and ability to inhibit tumor growth, particularly in the colon.

Microbiota promote immune homeostasis and, “influences immune functions at all levels from the initial innate defense to complex acquired responses.“

Use of antiobiotics are associated with increased cardiovascular risk factors. (Measured through plasma TMAO levels or trimethylamine-N-oxide)

“Clostridum difficile is a disease that results from critical changes to the gut microbiota and is effectively treated by microbiota-based therapy.”

Inflammatory bowel disease and Crohn’s disease is related to a lower microbial diversity and a dysbiosis or imbalance of the gut. Treatment by professionals may be focused on increasing the diversity and richness of beneficial micriobial species in the gut and biome.

Good news: The Gut has some plasticity.

By eating a diversity of healthy foods, you will get an abundance of antioxidants, fiber, and other ancient plant wisdom.

“The quality of being easily shaped or molded.”

“The adaptability of an organism to changes in its environment or differences between its various habitats.”

The not so good news: the older you are, the harder it will be.

Why it is harder for people who are older? It is not about your numerical age. It has to do with the fact that years of consuming high glycemic foods that have been stripped of fiber, antioxidants, and other vital essences have allowed undesirable bacteria species to overpopulate.

Furthermore, many people who grew up on cereal and processed foods are going to struggle more to reach their fitness goals later on in life. It’s not fair, at all. There is hope though, so read on.

Undesirable bacteria become squatters that you can’t evict. Once upon a time, they contributed something of value to your system, but now they are leeching nutrients from you and not giving you much back in return. Biologically, these bacteria create bio-films that protect their opportunistic environment inside your gut.

You can degrade these bio-films over time with herbs, enzymes, fermented foods and more (note: Amazon affiliate links). I’ll be covering this in depth in future posts as well.

Here are some general tips to think about when looking to enrich or improve the diversity of your microbiome.

For the pursuit of microbiome enrichment, you may consume the following:

1. Fruit from a tree that is tasty

2. Leaves from a plant that is hardy (kale).

3. Fungi from a birch tree (chaga)

4. Roots that also grow edible leaves (carrots, beets, etc.)

5. Red color leaves (chard), purple color leaves (purple kale), green color leaves (cabbage), and so on.

6. Nuts from a tree

7. Leaves that have been cultured (sauerkraut)

8. Dairy that has been cultured (Kefir, see my kefir post. I’ll be writing an extensive Kefir guide coming up because it is that important).

9. Fruit from trees that is fatty (avocado, olives)

10. Selections from the allium genus (onions, garlic, shallots, chives)

Benefits of onion and related species: full of enzymes, performance enhancing antioxidants, and minerals for blood sugar regulation.

11. Herbs / foods that make you hot or sweaty (peppers)

This should at least be enough to get you started and stimulated with some nutritional ideas.

It is important to note that one size does not fit all with nutrition. You are diverse, therefore you must learn what is best for you.

You can have guidance from practitioners who can support you in this journey. You can also learn from testing and experimenting — be mindful and honest about how your food is affecting you in order to make progress this way.

Stay tuned for more updates!

We’ve had an exciting time around here with a solid one post per day for three days straight! Let’s keep up the momentum.

The people who need us will find us, as long as we keep publishing. I hope you revisit here and join this growing community.

I invoke the powers of will to serve you in your fitness journey.

Sources:

Heiman ML, Greenway FL. A healthy gastrointestinal microbiome is dependent on dietary diversity. Mol Metab. 2016;5(5):317‐320. Published 2016 Mar 5. doi:10.1016/j.molmet.2016.02.005

Davis CD. The Gut Microbiome and Its Role in Obesity. Nutr Today. 2016;51(4):167‐174. doi:10.1097/NT.0000000000000167

Shreiner AB, Kao JY, Young VB. The gut microbiome in health and in disease. Curr Opin Gastroenterol. 2015;31(1):69‐75. doi:10.1097/MOG.0000000000000139

Body Composition disease prevention Fat Loss Nutrition, Immunity, and Digestion

May 28, 2020May 28, 2020

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If your knowledge is ego-driven, you will never reach nutritional enlightenment

Do you already know what to eat?

I have noticed a very common cycle for people who are trying to improve their bodies by letting go of excess weight.

They know that if they just eat a certain way, then they will deserve the outcome of weight loss.

There are two issues with this. The first is that they think they already know, which leaves no room for the unknown to reveal itself. The second issue is that they become too attached to the outcome instead of becoming fully immersed in the process.

If your cup is already full, then how will you receive the wisdom of the ancients? You must first empty your cup.

Nutritional enlightenment involves at least three layers of your being.

I will briefly introduce these three layers and expand upon them in future articles.

1. Your subconscious and deeper primal processes.

We can categorize this as that which you are not consciously aware of, but acts as a compelling force nonetheless.

2. Your conscious thoughts that you are actively aware of.

These are the thoughts and feelings going through your mind that are most visible or readily identifiable. While these are extremely important parts of our reality, we may focus on it too much or even drown in toxic ideas that influence us away from supporting our deepest needs.

3. Our social selves and how we physically interact with the world.

I can think of other ways to guide us than being ego-driven. Perhaps we can be soul-driven or others-driven. While the ego is necessary for individuals in order to operate in this world, never lose sight of the fact that every single thing in the universe is connected. I believe that most nutritional problems that people face are due to a disconnect with the nature of life and living things.

You have the opportunity to absorb the vital forces of plants and living things on a daily basis, rather a privilege! You can honor the sacrifice by intentionally directing your energy towards the healing process (whether individually, community, or globally).

And…

YOU can manifest a life of wellness and abundance!

Fall in love with the process and let go of attachment to outcome.

I think a reason why I haven’t been updating the blog enough is because I have been focused on outcome. I want this blog to reach a million views, I want this blog to change people’s lives, I want this blog to one day support me financially. To be honest, while those outcomes would be positive, I feel an anxiety about whether I am even capable or worthy of it. Yet, I feel drawn to something compelling about helping others through this channel.

The process is about what we have now in this moment and every part of the process should be honored and respected. Failures are not failures, they are feedback and opportunities for regrowth. Maybe we need to hurt today so that we can love tomorrow.

I just know that there are unlimited possibilities, but we’ll only have this moment once.

Are you on the path to nutritional enlightenment?

I’d love if you followed the blog and made a comment about something that resonated with you.

Stay tuned for more.

Blog & Personality Body Composition Nutrition, Immunity, and Digestion Power of the Mind

May 27, 2020May 28, 2020

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5 Mindsets of Elite Runners

Running is extremely important right now.

There are so many excuses to quit.

Heavy breathing, burning quads and the possibility for injury?

Please, explain the importance of running so that I can go out and expose myself to these uncomfortable forces for the greater good.

1. Running is freedom.

Take a moment to appreciate that you have the capacity to bipedal your way through this life as many others have not been offered such privilege or have had it taken away from them.

Arizona. OTF class, 2013.

While running, there is freedom to express one’s authentic spirit and to traverse the gravitational vibes of Earth’s divine presence. I seek unlimited. With this comes the mindset that allows for inclusion and transformation of any and all things.

2. Running expands the mind, not just the body.

It is a mistake to try and think less while running, unless that’s working for you now.

I think it is better to open the mind to the possibility of greater rhythm and flow.

You can really feel the energy flowing through your body this way, especially as you run tall, elbows back and behind, engaging the core, lifting knees high off the ground, and kick back with excellent glute activation.

3. Realize that the question is more important than the answer.

Maybe, let go of telling your body what to do and do more about asking about what it can do.

For example, instead of saying, “I need to run faster, I can’t do this, it hurts,” perhaps it should be more like, “what is the deeper motivational reason to keep going?” “how centered or heart-focused am I right now, can I lift my chest a little higher? “does this effort bring me genuine, healthy pride?”

I don’t mean to be rude here, but the only reason average runners stay average is because they aren’t willing to go deeper. Going deeper means confronting vulnerable areas of your psyche. While we are all vulnerable, nobody is truly average so keep reading on.

4. Energy intake must have meaning.

When I speak of energy in this case, I am referring to the type of energy you put in your mouth.

Yes, food. Elite runners understand the importance of good nutrition.

Everything has a symbolic and spiritual nature.

First, let us expand on the idea of, to have meaning. This word has been used for over 700 years and it relates strongly to, “sense.” Additionally, “the act of remembering,” and, “that which is intended to be expressed.”

Energy that is devoid of meaning has been stripped of its essence. It can be argued that it has lost some vital force that once gave it more meaning. The isolation of energy from purpose has stripped too many people of their health. Diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and many gut issues may arise because the foundational pillars of healthy normal function have crumbled.

Meaningless food example: refined sugar.

Refined sugar has been stripped of its original meaning which it was once symbolized by its plant form.

Now, take me back to my trip in Colombia, where I sipped on fresh raw sugarcane juice. Here, you have a different nutritional reality because the enzymes and other vital forces remain active in a fresh juice form. That’s not to say it was without a, “con,” as I’m sure it still raised my blood sugar more than needed.

Colombia inspired my nutritional adventures by offering me fresh raw sugarcane juice on this scenic lake.

Rule of thumb: food should be recognizable to its original form.

I will go on much deeper into the DNA of healthy nutrition later, so stay tuned for that.

5. Recover.

I have a belief that survival is a deeper value than longevity. That is perhaps one reason why some people keep running day in, day out, even with nagging pains that they’re neglecting. Caution: even though pain often comes from a nagging area in the body, there are likely deeper imbalances that must be addressed.

Furthermore, boundaries must be set with relationships to yourself and others. I have been guilty of prioritizing my exercise and offering less time for other people in my life. This is an area that I am trying to improve upon.

You can be extraordinary if your mindset allows for freedom.

Thank you, person on the internet. Please follow the blog and interact with me in the comments.

Body Composition disease prevention Fat Loss Fitness Nutrition, Immunity, and Digestion Power of the Mind Sports & Athletics

January 27, 2020

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Is Mushroom the Missing Cure-All against Obesity and Modern Disease?

Mushrooms may actually be more than fungible.

I believe that mushrooms can contribute a great deal to humanity’s progress. I think that if we are to create a legitimate space force moon-base and want to travel to other parts of the universe, then mushrooms can play a role in such an advancement.

The future and the present greatly rely upon both ancient and innovative nutrition.

Disclaimer: This is information is for educational purposes and not intended to treat or cure any disease since you are a person reading from anywhere in the world.

May have strong anti-fungal benefits against undesirable overgrowing of candida and yeasts in the body.

Culinary and medicinal mushrooms may actually have anti-fungal properties against other opportunistic and undesirable in large amounts fungus like candida. This is not to say that mushrooms alone will solve the problem alone because lifestyle is important.

Basically though, mushrooms contain a multitude of nutrients that help the immune system like no other.

Blood sugar support and fat loss.

My favorite benefit of mushrooms might just be how well they support fat loss in my experience and others. Even others coaches at OTF have been drinking mushrooms and experiencing the benefits (shoutout Coach Bobby drinking mushrooms at OTF!).

There are nutrients that may promote healthy normal function of the liver, kidney, and more. This promotes normal, healthy detoxification processes and of course the opportunity to allow the fat cells to reduce their energy through their own enzymatic mechanisms. In other words, metabolic processes are supported and that may give some impetus to fat cells to release adiponectin, the fat burning hormone.

These compounds exhibit their antidiabetic activity via different mechanisms. This article presents… the efficacy and mechanism of medicinal mushrooms for glucose control in diabetes, including the inhibition of glucose absorption, protection of beta-cell damage, increase of insulin release, enhancement of antioxidant defense, attenuation of inflammation, modulation of carbohydrate metabolism pathway, and regulation of insulin-dependent and insulin-independent signaling pathways.

Mushroom powders and extracts are especially great for anybody doing intermittent fasting and who want to promote liver function.

Are you interested in mushrooms like chaga?

Extremely powerful antioxidants, anti-inflammatory components, anti-aging benefits.

Mushrooms often contain fibers that are unique, which are fermented by the gut microbiome, which then, “learns,” from the wisdom of the mushroom. I love that mushrooms grow in the ground and trees. Mushrooms have been around for over 600,000 million years. In comparison, recognizable humans are said to have be only 1-3 million years on this planet.

Because mushrooms must process the living or decaying material without the benefit of sunlight as energy, they have evolved strong systems which interact with bacteria, viruses, and other fungal species.

Some of the most amazing mushrooms live on birch trees and are wild harvested in Maine as well as in the Siberian Forest. Truly a gem of nutrition, something most people will never realize what how much they missed out on.

I’ve used this chaga and it is pretty good. You can check the current price at Amazon.com.

Evolve bacteria in your gut to fight disease of modern times.

Something strange inside me clicked this year after I read about how bacterial species can evolve (transfer genetic information laterally) in hours responding to that which is ingested or exposed to.

Lateral gene transfer is evolution real-time.

My goal is to absorb a wide variety of ancient genetic information from plants and healthy living things.

I believe that if I evolve my gut, then I can prevent the common sickness and exist with passion well into my 90’s. I aspire to be an example for others even though I struggle at times.

We should strive for variety in our nutrition, especially plant variety.

How many fresh foods have you neglected or literally never even tried? What if you changed that?