January is Thyroid Awareness Month!

Okay, I know this isn't THE most exciting topic, but I tried to make it so by putting an exclamation point at the end of my title. :)

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I pulled this information from http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/thyroiddiseases.html.

Your thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland in your neck, just above your collarbone. It is one of your endocrine glands, which make hormones. The thyroid helps set your metabolism - how your body gets energy from the foods you eat.

Millions of people in the U.S. have thyroid diseases. Most of them are women. If you have a thyroid disease, your body uses energy more slowly or quickly than it should. A thyroid gland that is not active enough, called hypothyroidism, is far more common. It can make you gain weight, feel fatigued and have difficulty dealing with cold temperatures. If your thyroid is too active, it makes more thyroid hormones than your body needs. That condition is hyperthyroidism. Too much thyroid hormone can make you lose weight, speed up your heart rate and make you very sensitive to heat.

There are many causes for both conditions. Treatment involves trying to reset your body's metabolism to a normal rate.
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As many of you know (because it's on my ABOUT tab), I have Hashimoto's Disease (hypothyroidism) which is an autoimmune disease. I'm going to go through some of the things that I do on a daily basis, with the hopes that it might help someone else.

In dealing with this over the past 8-ish years, I have found that I have to make sure that I take my thyroid medicine according to the instructions (sounds simple - but really - it's a science all in itself). For MY medicine, here's what I have to do every day (and I know many fellow hypothyroid friends who do the same): upon waking with an empty stomach, the first thing I do is take my thyroid medicine with a big glass of water. Then, I am not allowed to eat or drink anything for about an hour. After the hour mark, I take my allergy/asthma medicine. Since no vitamins or supplements are allowed for 4 hours within taking my thyroid medicine because they could affect absorption, I drink my Shakeology for lunch. Yes THAT's what is in my thermos everyday...in case you were curious. ;)

Also, I try to be VERY careful about the food that I eat. If it's "bad" for me, I know I will have to work harder to not gain weight from it. So, I TRY to stay away from "bad" food, but I am human after all. :D In addition, I have found that if I stop working out, I will put lbs back on. So, I am very regimented with my workouts as well. I know it sounds like a strict life, but I also know what obesity can do to your health (read my 'GIVING BACK' tab and you'll know why).
I can't lie, it's an uphill battle, especially in the world of weight loss, but good health is sooooooo worth it.

If you think that you might have a thyroid problem, do your homework and figure out what symptoms you have. Next...please see a doctor (they will make you get a blood test or two) and then start taking the necessary steps to control this disease.

Good luck!

You want to know all about supplements? You got it!

When you are involved in a workout program it's super-important to fuel your body with the right "stuff".  What you eat or drink can affect your progress in building muscle, losing weight, and in how sore you are (or aren't) the next day.  I super-love the "P90X Results & Recovery formula" and I drink it every Saturday morning when I teach (back to back - Turbo Kick followed by Yoga Pump - 2 hours).  That drink is what gets me through hour 2.  You see, my energy reserves are so depleted by the time I get to the second class, that I sometimes feel dizzy and just tired.  I had been searching the supermarkets to try to find something to help me with this particular problem and then I found the R&R formula.  Just when I was ready to give away my yoga class, I found something that made me be able to keep it...for that I'm thankful!  (I <3 my yoga peeps!)

Shakeology 3 Day Cleanse

I get people all the time ask me...what is the Shakeology 3 Day cleanse?  Well, here is what you need to know, are you ready...?

- 3 days (maximum)
- calorie-restricted (800-1200 per day)
- nutrient-dense eating plan
- flushes toxins
- used as a 'jump start' or 'plateau breaker'

Possible results
- weight loss
- feeling cleaner, healthier
- less bloat

Below is an outline of the program. (It is the same for all 3 days.)

Start: One cup green tea
Breakfast: Shakeology (with water and ice only – may add ½ piece fruit)
Snack: One piece fruit
Lunch: Shakeology (water and ice only) followed by one cup green tea
Snack: Shakeology (water and ice only) – can drink this after dinner instead
Dinner: Salad with greens, 3 servings of veggies, 4 ozs of grilled white meat or fish (or tofu, beans, of vegetarian) and 2 tablespoons low-fat salad dressing

NOTE: you can eat your salad for lunch instead of dinner if you prefer

DRINK LOTS OF WATER

NO DAIRY (EVEN ALMOND MILK/ RICE MILK)

The cleanse is made to do with exercise, but not INTENSE exercise. Also, it is not recommended to do the cleanse more than once a month. Remember that bodies are different and will have different reactions and results, so it is important to pay attention to how you feel. If you have an adverse reaction - STOP. If you have any medical conditions or questions, ask your doctor.

Good Luck! :)

Holiday Shakeology Recipes - 'tis the season...for chocolate!

It's time for the CHOCOLATE Shakeology HOLIDAY recipes - how can I not post these?

Gingerbread Man
½ tsp. cinnamon
½ tsp. ginger
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 cup skim milk

Minty Mocha Chiller
½ tsp. peppermint extract
½ cup almond milk
½ cup cold coffee

Apple Pie
½ cup diced apples
¼ tsp. cinnamon
½ cup water
½ cup apple juice

Candy Cane Surprise
¼ tsp. peppermint extract
1 cup water

Cinnamon Roll
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 cup skim milk

Chocolate Pecan Pie
8 pecans
½ tsp. butterscotch extract
1 cup skim milk

Here’s how to make it: For each of these delicious recipes, add 1 serving of Chocolate Shakeology and ice to taste (add more ice for a thicker shake) to the ingredients listed. Mix in blender until creamy.

You’ve got the choices: Fresh or frozen fruit. Regular, skim, almond, or rice milk (the more milk you add, the creamier). And almond butter instead of peanut butter—use whichever you like better. Enjoy!

Get your D!

I'm not one to go out of the house without sunscreen on, and I'm indoors quite a bit, so, when I went to my Endocrinologist about 4 months ago, he decided that he wanted to check my Vitamin D levels.  The results came back and I am in the "deficient" range with regard to this vitamin (shocker!).  He told me to take 2000 IU per day.  So, I am. 

I have to admit that I didn't expect to really "feel" different but I can't believe how much better I am sleeping!  It's unreal!!  In addition to better sleep, studies are showing that the right amount of Vitamin D can help with:  weight loss, joint pain, sleep, depression, Parkinson's, heart disease, colon cancer, breast cancer, and osteoporosis.  I have a feeling there are more that I could list, but there are GREAT stats reported in these specific areas in the video found at the link at the bottom of this post. 

Now, next time you see your doctor, have your Vitamin D levels checked and discuss proper dosage for you.  You may end up doing yourself a HUGE FAVOR!

http://www.fox2now.com/videobeta/db5f1c05-55f6-424b-9fc0-d012f680a4fc/News/STLMoms-Vitamin-D%22%3Ehttp://www.fox2now.com/videobeta/db5f1c05-55f6-424b-9fc0-d012f680a4fc/News/STLMoms-Vitamin-D

SUPERYUM! Shakeology recipes...

For those of you who are looking for recipes for their Greenberry Shakeology - here ya go - yummy!!!


Orange Sunrise
½ cup orange juice
½ cup water


Very Berry Squeeze
½ cup strawberries
½ cup raspberries
½ cup orange juice
½ cup water


Almond Honey-Licious
1 cup almond milk
1 tsp. honey


Pineapple Sunset
½ cup strawberries
½ cup pineapple juice
½ cup plain nonfat yogurt
½ cup water


Here’s how to make it: For each of these delicious recipes, add 1 serving of Greenberry Shakeology and ice to taste (add more ice for a thicker shake) to the ingredients listed. Mix in blender until creamy.

You’ve got the choices: Fresh or frozen fruit. Regular, skim, almond, or rice milk (the more milk you add, the creamier). Enjoy!

In case the doctors haven't convinced you already