Strange Daze Indeed

Isn't life strange? And wonderful!

Always Eat After 7 PM – Conclusions

By 7 Comments

Tracking Pixel

 

This post is brought to you by our sponsor, “Always Eat After 7 PM”. The opinions expressed below are my own.

Now that I’ve been following the Always Eat After 7 PM: The Revolutionary Rule-Breaking Diet That Lets You Enjoy Huge Dinners, Desserts, and Indulgent Snacks—While Burning Fat Overnight by Joel Marion over the past month, I wanted to share some thoughts with you.

Health and wellness are my priority and this program really seems to be helping me. It supports my immune system and I’m having less fatigue and pain from fibromyalgia. I am able to do more, have more energy, feel balanced and am more in tune with my overall wellbeing. I’m even sleeping better which was one of my main goals!

I love that Always Eat After 7 PM is based on tried and true research and the author’s personal experience. There’s a wealth of information and recipes that makes this one of the most-referenced and beloved books on my shelf.

For me this book has been very affirming as it supports ways of eating that are more natural and more healthful to me, and, because of this, I’ll be sticking with this ‘rule-breaking’ diet and continuing to explore new foods and trying more of the recipe ideas.  Let’s face it, we stay with things we love!

From the book:

Fact is, most diets are extremely narrow with regard to food choices and variety, and many even limit entire macronutrients altogether over the course of the entire program (think low-carb and low-fat diets). Three months with no carbs? No thanks. Such practices not only are entirely unnecessary, but make for a miserable, unsustainable experience.

A Votre Santé, my friends! Here’s to your health.

Links to my previous Always Eat After 7 PM posts:

First Post 

Update One

Update Two

Always Eat After 7 PM: The Revolutionary Rule-Breaking Diet That Lets You Enjoy Huge Dinners, Desserts, and Indulgent Snacks—While Burning Fat Overnight by Joel Marion is now available to purchase.

Learn more about the book and how to purchase here.

This post is brought to you by our sponsor, “Always Eat After 7 PM”. The opinions expressed below are my own.

 

Always Eat After 7 PM Update 2

By 7 Comments

Tracking Pixel
This post is brought to you by our sponsor, “Always Eat After 7 PM”. The opinions expressed below are my own.

 

When I started following the Always Eat After 7 PM: The Revolutionary Rule-Breaking Diet That Lets You Enjoy Huge Dinners, Desserts, and Indulgent Snacks—While Burning Fat Overnight by Joel Marion, some of my goals were to increase my energy, fortify my immune system and get better sleep.

After about a week, I really started noticing considerable progress! I’ve been interested in Intermittent Fasting and love that this book teaches me how to do it correctly and in ways that will most benefit my health.  I begin the day as suggested with a cup of hot water with lemon juice. It boosts my metabolism, helps my digestion, is an anti-inflammatory and also helps support my immune system.  From the book:

One of the simplest 3-Minute Fat-Burning Morning Rituals, lemon water is a glass of water mixed with the juice of one half of a lemon. This drink provides all the benefits of regular drinking water, which supports weight loss, digestive health, physical performance, and cognitive function.

And also, regarding the benefits of intermittent fasting:

Intermittent fasting really shines when it comes to improving the hormones that directly affect your hunger, blood sugar, and metabolism. One is insulin. IF combats insulin resistance, meaning that it helps your body use insulin more normally, thereby lowering your diabetes risk and boosting your metabolism.

I have been noticing that I have more energy for both work and for my family and friends. I feel more calm and feel healthier and am truly enjoying the food lists and the wealth of delicious recipe ideas this book provides.

My new favorite is the Chili Loaded Baked Potato. If you’re wondering how that can be healthy as I was, it’s actually a perfect combo of macronutrients which help stabilize blood sugar and regulate your cortisol cycle which keeps your body in fat burning mode. Combining the protein, carbs and fiber helps increase energy levels without the normal higher carb meal crash.

 

The No Bake Salted Caramel Bars are truly delicious also! I love making them ahead of time and keeping extras in the freezer when I want a treat after dinner or even before bed.

 

With such delicious food choices and without impossible restrictions, I  definitely feel that Joel Marion’s Always Eat After 7PM program makes dieting easy and eliminates 90% of reasons for resistance. If you find something you love, you just naturally want to stick with it.  With more energy and better sleep, I’m definitely sticking with it.  The program also seems to follow my natural biorhythms.

Bestselling author, Joel Marion, is a fitness expert and nutritionist debunking the myths underlying traditional dieting and offers a simple, highly effective weight loss program.Always Eat After 7 PM: The Revolutionary Rule-Breaking Diet That Lets You Enjoy Huge Dinners, Desserts, and Indulgent Snacks—While Burning Fat Overnight by Joel Marion is now available to purchase.

Learn more about the book and how to purchase here.

Here are links to my previous posts about my experience with the Always Eat After 7 PM program.

Post One

Post Two

 

This post is brought to you by our sponsor, “Always Eat After 7 PM”. The opinions expressed below are my own.

Always Eat After 7PM – Update

By 9 Comments

Tracking Pixel

This post is brought to you by our sponsor, “Always Eat After 7 PM”. The opinions expressed below are my own.

Hi all! Updating you on my progress with the Always Eat After 7 PM: The Revolutionary Rule-Breaking Diet That Lets You Enjoy Huge Dinners, Desserts, and Indulgent Snacks—While Burning Fat Overnight program.

Here is my initial post.

Bestselling author, Joel Marion, is a fitness expert and nutritionist debunking the myths underlying traditional dieting and offers a simple, highly effective weight loss program.

I’ve been really enjoying following the guidelines in Always Eat After 7PM. As I’ve mentioned, it is not difficult for me as I’ve never been a breakfast eater, preferring to eat in the evening. I’ve had success with it and love that the book has helped me refine my diet, letting me know which foods are better at what times and in what combinations. So far, I am sleeping better, my blood sugar and moods are balanced and overall I have better energy.

I am a big fan of the research Joel provides. We’ve been traditionally taught to avoid carbs, have an early dinner, and never eat before bed. But the fact is, the latest scientific research shows us this is not ideal.

From the book: A research paper published in Sports Medicine in 2014 showed that people who eat the majority of their carbs at dinner actually sleep better. Carb-induced, quality sleep decreases cortisol (a fat-storing hormone) and ramps up the production of your sleep hormones, serotonin and melatonin. Restorative sleep increases fat-burning hormones—the main one being growth hormone—overnight.

I always knew that if I had oatmeal in the evening or a popcorn snack, I was less stressed and slept better. Now, after reading this book, understanding why I am sleeping deeper and waking up feeling rested helps me to maintain this wellness goal of mine.

Here are some excerpts from an interview with author, Joel Marion:

What was the most surprising discovery when you were researching scientific data for the diet?

That almost everything my college education and certifications taught me was NOT grounded in published scientific research.

You’re a six-time best selling author, what is different about this book compared to your others?

Although many of the concepts are similar, the biggest difference is that you don’t have to deprive yourself of your favorite foods. You don’t have to deal with the burden of eating every few hours. And you don’t have to skip the carbs at dinnertime or avoid eating before bed.

How difficult is the Always Eat After 7 plan to follow?

It’s not. And that’s exactly why I wrote the book. While any diet is never truly easy, it can be more enjoyable and much easier to adhere to when you understand how Always Eat After 7pm works because it caters to our bodies natural instincts.

Always Eat After 7 PM: The Revolutionary Rule-Breaking Diet That Lets You Enjoy Huge Dinners, Desserts, and Indulgent Snacks—While Burning Fat Overnight by Joel Marion is now available to purchase.

Learn more about the book and how to purchase here.

This post is brought to you by our sponsor, “Always Eat After 7 PM”. The opinions expressed below are my own.

Car Repair During the Coronavirus Pandemic

By Leave a Comment

 

Although the world is temporarily shut down during this Pandemic, there are still essential items needed including medication, groceries and healthcare. This is a good time to ensure that your vehicle is running smoothly and that you have enough gas. I, personally, have a horrible record of my car not starting or needing repair at the most unfortunate times.

This winter, with freezing temps, my car which has served me well for many years, would intermittently not start. Usually just a jump start was required, but, of course, there are always the times that it is something more and you want someone qualified to be there for repairs.

I recently discovered RepairSmith and have been learning a great deal from their blog. Just click here to find some enlightening articles, especially in this difficult time.

RepairSmith is one of the easiest ways to repair and maintain your car. They offer upfront pricing, online booking, text and phone support, and a service warranty. And honestly, the best part during this right now with the COVID-19 Pandemic is that their expert mechanics come to you.

I love the idea of mobile mechanics as it is convenient and safer during these times. During the Coronavirus outbreak, RepairSmith has put no-contact precautions into place with their technicians via their ‘No-Contact Car Repair’ policy. If you schedule a repair with RepairSmith, their technicians will avoid direct contact during the appointment to ensure your safety as well as their own. You can leave your keys for them in a convenient location and handle all communication with them through your phone, including payment. I find that very comforting and reassuring as well as incredible easy.

Additionally, their technicians will disinfect all high-touch surfaces in your car such as door handles and side panels, as well as all highly-used tools and equipment.

If you need help with your car, please do check out the RepairSmithBlog – Your one stop for all things car-related.

As we all know, practicing good hygiene and safety precautions are crucial during this time. If you have to drive somewhere, make sure you’re doing so responsibly. If you go to the grocery store, wipe down the cart before you use it and practice social distancing as much as you possibly can. We all know that may not be easy in the drugstore or market, but, taking precautions and disinfecting, then later handwashing when you can, will help as well as giving you peace of mind which is so important.

Remaining calm in these times is not easy, however, stress really depletes the immune system and leaves us more open to infection. This applies at any time, and, even moreso during this COVID-19 Pandemic. We really need to take care of ourselves and those we love. Do your best to connect via phone call, text, Skype or FaceTime. Just checking in with a neighbor, friend or family member can offer much needed support. Try your best to stay hydrated and get enough sleep as sleep is so important for our health.

Please stay safe, my friends. We’re all in this together.

 

Disclosure: This is a partnered post with RepairSmith.

Save on Prescriptions with ValpakRx!

By 8 Comments

This post is sponsored by Savings.com.

Healthcare costs can be daunting. Earlier this year, I felt like I was jumping through hoops just trying to afford my prescription. I went back and forth between my insurance company and the doctor’s office and never succeeded in getting the medication covered. On top of that, the retail pharmacy price was shocking. While I was able to eventually pick up the script, we had to forego a lot that month.

There has to be a better way, right?

I’m happy to have found the free ValpakRx™ mobile app and prescription discount card. It took seconds to install and I was immediately able to find the lowest price on prescriptions at my local pharmacies. You can be sure that I’ll be traveling that extra short 15 minutes to get the best price which was considerably lower than what I had paid before.

Save on prescription costs with ValpakRx!

Not only can one have issues because insurance doesn’t cover the medication you need, often you can’t afford it due to a high deductible. This is where ValpakRx really helps. At least 80 percent of the time the ValpakRX nationwide discount card will save you money because the cost will be less than the pharmacy’s retail price.

ValpakRx has negotiated a discount rate with a national network of drugstores and retail outlets.

More than 35,000 stores have partnered with ValpakRx
The average savings is $61 per prescription.
Free for anyone to use.
No personal information collected.

The actual amount you will save varies depending on which pharmacy you use and which medication you buy. Use the prescription price lookup feature to get an idea of what your medicine will cost at different pharmacies in your area.

I’ve been telling friends and family about this and wanted to share this with all of you as I know that healthcare can often cause unexpected expenses and finding a way to offset these difficulties is a blessing.

I really like the mission statement of ValpakRx:

“We support our partners’ efforts to better the lives of Americans and to help make each community a better place to live. Our mission is to provide affordable prescription healthcare at the lowest cost possible. We believe the financial savings that cardholders achieve when they use our free Rx discount card will have a huge impact on their lives and give them access to practical, affordable healthcare solutions.”

I am a strong believer in fair healthcare for all and am passionate about wellness. Sign up today and find out how much lower you could be paying for your family’s prescriptions. Simply click on the image below:

Save on prescription costs with ValpakRx!

4 Health Benefits of Laughing

By 1 Comment

Have you taken the time to evaluate how you manage your health?

Experts keep finding more innovative ways to deal with new and ongoing health issues. They’ve explored techniques such as specialized diets, yoga, mindfulness retreats, and even self-help books. It can seem a bit overwhelming to find one that works best for you.

You can scroll through hundreds of self-help books on-line. Or, you can dream of attending that pristine retreat. It’s likely you will be surprised at how expensive some of these healthy practices can be.

You are not alone when you fear the cost of getting healthy, but there is a way to get fit on a budget. One of the least expensive ways to get your mind and body in shape is to laugh.

Comedians such as John Wynn or that newly released rom-com will surely give you a comedic break to reset your mind and body. And, if performance is not your thing, you can check out these four benefits of laughing that might change your mind.

Heart Health

A study done by the Mayo Clinic staff concluded that laughter increases how much oxygen you take in. The oxygen stimulates your heart, lungs, and muscles.

This also can lead to an increase in your heart rate and then decrease your heart rate and blood pressure, making you feel more relaxed.

Improve Your Immune System

If you are looking for a more long-term effect with the “medicine” of laughter, then how about an improved immune system?

Time and time again, people have been told about the effects that stress has on the body.

Research says that mental stress and strain can manifest into a chemical reaction that brings down your immunity. And, on the flip side, when you are positive and filled with laughter and happiness, there is a reverse effect on your immune system.

This also helps to relieve pain and improve your mood overall.

Psychological Benefits

Research published by the American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine says that being in a positive mood from spontaneous laughter (laughter induced by a stimulus) is thought to have positive cognitive effects. These effects include reduced stress, anxiety, and depression.

A great comedy show, hearing a funny joke, or just having some great fun with friends and family can increase positive thoughts. The results? Positive psychological benefits.

Increases Personal Satisfaction

There is a significant focus on personal satisfaction in this day and age. Everything is about gaining or mastering yourself and making sure that you are enjoying every moment. Who knew we all need to laugh a little more to start feeling more satisfied with ourselves?

Conclusion

Options for getting or remaining healthy can become overwhelming and daunting. If you have found yourself on the get healthy hamster wheel, take some time to have a good laugh and don’t stop laughing.

There’s a reason they say, “Laughter is the best medicine.”

Can’t Fall Asleep? You’re Not Alone

By Leave a Comment

Sleep that knits up the ravelled sleeve of care The death of each day’s life, sore labour’s bath Balm of hurt minds, great nature’s second course, Chief nourisher in life’s feast. – William Shakespeare

Eat healthily, sleep well, breathe deeply, move harmoniously.
― Jean-Pierre Barral

sleepcollage.jpg

For as long as I can remember, I’ve been a night owl. My Dad was a night owl. My Mom was an early bird. She caught the worms and we, well, we just were not morning people.

You know those people who can fall asleep at the drop of a hat, in the car, on a plane, as soon as their head hits the pillow, I’ve never been one of them.

I’ve had jobs over the years that fit my sleep patterns well: late-night catering, bartending, freelance writing.  In college, I wrote my best papers at 3 am. I brought up my wacky sleep patterns last week when I went to see my doctor and she said, “Yes, you are a writer.” Sure, indeed. In my case, the muse is fickle. She loves quiet and loves to dance when everyone else is sleeping.

This is all well and good, but, you see, I am not a vampire, and the world operates on a different schedule. Meetings, interviews, job assignments, meals, family, friends – they all require me to follow their lead.

So, I have struggled with my bouts of insomnia. The earlier I have to get up, the harder it is to fall asleep.

I have tried many different options. Some work better than others. I’ve tried no caffeine or spicy foods in the evening, meditation, herbal teas, essential oils, listening to the sound of the ocean on tape. While the real ocean works well, the tape never really did it for me.

Some ideas that I’ve been implementing are designing my ideal bedroom for sleep. This includes dimming the lights about an hour before bed to help shift both body and mind into sleep mode, creating a peaceful environment with calming colors and an uncluttered space, keeping the temperature cool, getting the right mattress, pillows and sheets, and incorporating soothing scents like lavender. What I’m loving most right now is my Yorkville weighted blanket.

I did a lot of research and shopped for a long time before I found the perfect one. I do feel it’s an individual decision as to which blanket strikes your fancy, however, I definitely recommend them to help with relaxation and sleep. The blanket feels like a hug or a very gentle massage and incorporates deep touch pressure stimulation. For my fibromyalgia, it’s a dream whether I’m using the blanket at night or anytime I’m feeling overall pain.

Something else I’m working on is not having the tv or the computer on too close to bedtime. That’s a challenge for me, but, it truly helps as the bright light from the computer is not sleep-inducing, but rather the opposite. My morning yoga and walking instead of driving when possible is helpful as is a warm bath before bed, especially when I add epsom salts and essential oils like lavender, orange, frankincense, bergamot or jasmine. Believe it or not, a bowl of oatmeal helps me sleep as does a glass of tart cherry juice.

Most of all, I try not to stress about not sleeping, because that’s the surest way to not fall asleep.  I don’t try to sleep anymore, I just allow my body to relax and do some breathing techniques.

I’ve found that a good night’s sleep keeps me healthier, from having less fibromyalgia pain to being more effective at work. Waking up refreshed helps me face the day with a bright outlook and much more resilience, whatever the day may hold.

morning

 

Bon Rêves Mes Amis!

 

Treating Pain Naturally with Avacen

By 18 Comments

As someone with fibromyalgia, I am always looking for natural ways to help with pain. Between family, friends, work, exercise, errands and volunteering, my days are pretty busy and I try to make the most of them.

Enter the Avacen 100, a unique non-invasive FDA-cleared device for arthritis, muscle and joint pain relief and muscle relaxation. When I got a chance to try it out, I was excited! I went into the experience completely unbiased and had some wonderful results.

First, let me tell you about the Avacen 100. It’s a compact, portable device that you can set up in your living room or bedroom and you can take it with you if you go on a trip as it’s not too heavy at all.

I use mine first thing when I start my day and at night before I go to bed. 15 minutes is recommended, but, you can tailor it to your individual needs. I find it very relaxing while using it, and it’s nice to have the ‘me time’, but, you could easily be on your phone or watching tv while doing it.

I love that I don’t have to go to a doctor’s office and can have a treatment at my leisure. So convenient!

I found this video to be extremely helpful for explaining how the Avacen 100 works:

I also would love to tell you some of my personal experiences.

This past winter I had a really bad fall on the ice and smashed my head on the ground. Turns out I had a concussion which took a very long time to heal. I was getting headaches every day and a tightness in the area of the injury. It also compromised my thinking.

The day that I got the Avacen, I remember I was using it and watching Jeopardy. This may sound weird, but, I could feel it opening up the stuck area of my head injury. The pain began dissipating and I felt a relaxation. I could think more clearly as well. As I went on using the Avacen, I felt my head injury heal. This, to me, was pretty miraculous. I do believe this had to do with increased oxygen and circulation to the area of injury. This was a benefit I was not expecting as I had hoped this would help with my muscle and joint pain so I was really happy. That healing has continued over a few months and I no longer have pain in this area nor headaches.

 

 

The treatments have helped me with fibromyalgia, inflammation, as well as joint and muscle pain and I find them extremely relaxing before bed which helps me to fall asleep at night. The increased circulation I feel has also helped my brain to function smoothly. I credit the Avacen also for alleviating my pain from carpal tunnel syndrome as well. As I am always writing and using my computer, this can really slow me down.

The AVACEN 100 has E.U. CE Mark Approval and Health Canada Approval for the temporary relief for arthritis, muscle and joint pain; muscle relaxation; temporary relief of widespread pain associated with fibromyalgia; and the increase of microcirculation.

The Avacen 100 is not cheap. The Consumer Device is $3,995 with a 60-day money-back guarantee, but, it can cost you less than doctor visits and expensive injections which can come with side effects. In a recent survey, 7 out of 10 Avacen users were able to stop taking their prescription drugs after they began treatments. There is also a pretty awesome lease-to-own option for $149.50/month. You can call 800-763-8116 or go to the Avacen website for more information. The customer service with them is incredible, so why not give them a call if you are interested. The commercial unit is $6,995.

Their logo says Pain Free is Freedom and I truly agree. I wish you all health and healing.

This is a partnered post with Avacen and The Chronic Illness Bloggers Network, however, all opinions here are strictly my own.

 

Enter to #Win a Bundle of Every Day Optimal #CBD Products – Pain Relief #Giveaway

By 5 Comments

I have been given this product as part of a product review through the Chronic Illness Bloggers network. Although the product was a gift, all opinions in this review remain my own and I was in no way influenced by the company.

I’m a firm believer in a few things. 1) Life is not meant to be filled with suffering and stress and 2) If you can find a natural, safe way to help you to enjoy your life more, then go for it!

Have you heard about or tried CBD oil? It’s very popular right now for treating pain, inflammation, anxiety, sleeplessness, and many other issues. It is available online and also through medical dispensaries. Since I have fibromyalgia with a lot of daily pain impacting my life, I was especially interested in trying it.

In case you are wondering, CBD stands for Cannabidiol. Cannabidiol is a cannabis compound with significant medical benefits. While it does not make people feel high, it can be pleasantly relaxing.

There is a growing body of evidence that suggests CBD possesses medical potential for natural relief from : knee pain, shoulder pain, joint pain, pain from arthritis, muscle soreness and tenderness, headaches and migraines.

In my case, I have found that it provided a sense of calm and helped with my muscle and joint soreness. Evidence suggests that CBD is a potent anti-inflammatory, and, since inflammation is the cause of so many diseases, CBD has the potential to help so many. For those with Arthritis, Fibro and similar pain and inflammatory issues I would recommend giving it a try and seeing if it works for you.

So many of my friends use it to help with their pain and anxiety and tell me that it has done wonders for their sleep problems.

So, dear readers, whether you have tried CBD products or are new to them, I have an awesome giveaway for you!

Thanks to the folks at Every Day Optimal CBD, one of my readers will win a bundle of products including:

1 Bottle of CBD Gummies, 1 600mg CBD Tincture and 1 FibroRelief CBD Bottle

Every Day Optimal Products

Entering is simple, just enter via this link and include your email address.

All entries will receive a 10% off coupon code!

All entrants must be 18+ and live in the U.S.

This giveaway will end June 4th.

About Every Day Optimal CBD Oil

Every Day Optimal CBD is the nation’s leading supplier of USA made CBD oil products. Specializing in producing clean, pure, authentic CBD products with absolutely zero THC. All their products are derived from industrial hemp and are free and clear of any heavy metals, pesticides, and contaminants that may be found in other companies’ products. Their unique and powerful line of CBD oil products can be used to treat a wide variety of ailments and promote overall health and wellness. Check them out here.

*CBD oil made from the entire hemp plant is readily available online and is legal in all 50 states, as long as the THC level is less than .3 THC on a dry weight basis, thanks to the Agricultural Act of 2014, AKA the “Farm Bill”.

Life can be stressful enough so why not try something natural to ease your day and allow you to enjoy life to the fullest?

 ENTRY LINK

 

Get your kids to eat more veggies? Yes, with a school grant from Action for Healthy Kids!

By Leave a Comment

Parents can be a formidable force for change in schools, especially when it comes to starting health and wellness programs. Ensuring that our kids are eating healthier foods, learning about nutrition, and being more physically active in school not only sets them up to learn lifelong healthy habits but, according to a growing body of research, it helps them be better prepared to focus and learn in class. Studies also show when parents are involved in a child’s education, their children demonstrate higher academic achievement, better attendance, better social skills, better-eating habits, increased physical activity and less emotional distress.

Yet, despite wanting to do what’s best for students’ health, many schools lack the necessary resources to implement health and wellness practices that help students eat better and stay physically active. That’s why Action for Healthy Kids (AFHK) has announced a new Parents for Healthy Kids grant just for parents for the 2018-2019 school year. The grants, which are provided through funding from ALDI, are designed for parents, caregivers and parent-groups (e.g. PTAs, PTOs) to lead school-based physical activity and nutrition initiatives and to engage more parents and family members in student and family health.

If you’ve ever thought of starting a school garden, getting kids to eat more fruits and veggies at school lunch, or finding ways to ensure they get more physical activity in and get the wiggles out during the school day so they can better focus in class, then this grant opportunity is for you. If you can think of a way to improve school and student health, AFHK can help you do it. In addition to providing schools with needed funding (grants up to $1,000), AFHK provides grantees with technical support and resources to activate their grants successfully.

Parents can learn more and apply for a grant by April 13, 2018 by visiting ParentsforHealthyKids.org/Grants. While you’re there, check out the resources to help you get involved in school health, and sign up to receive news your family can use to create a healthier school and home, today!

This sponsored post is brought to you by Action for Healthy Kids and coordinated by Wendy’s Bloggers.

influnenster-Debra
%d bloggers like this: