My Organic Lifestyle

Living an organic lifestyle or living a clean lifestyle has become so popular in the recent years.
Is it just a trend? We hope not!
Really though. . . this is how people used to live and how I really believe people should live. Cleaning up your body is crucial in living a longer, healthier life.
You must care for and nurture your body, it is the only place you will live forever.

Of course, people have their own way of clean living. . . here is mine.

My Most Important Rule: Eat REAL Food

You must eat unprocessed, whole foods. Preferably organic.
Many vegetables may come from farms which use pesticides, herbicides, or GMOs (Genetically Modified Organisms). We do NOT want those chemicals in our bodies!
Try to stick with organically and locally grown foods whenever possible. Locally, because foods that come from further away locations usually need to have some sort of preservative to keep them fresh.
Try to shop at your local farmer’s market.

Always read your labels!
Do your homework! Do NOT put any kind of ingredient in your body that you cannot pronounce. “If you don not recognize an ingredient, your body won’t either.”

Instead of just tossing these foods back on the shelf, try to find a healthy and satisfying alternative. . . What do we mean?

– Instead of fries, try baked zucchini
– Instead of white rice, try Quinoa or Farro
– Instead of pizza dough, try cauliflower pizza crust
– Instead of potato chips, try sugar snap peas & hummus
– Instead of M&Ms or Skittles, try frozen red grapes

You get the picture . . . just focus on ‘replace’ and not ‘remove’.

Eventually you will start to reach for those healthier alternatives, without thinking twice. AND you will stop craving those unhealthy snacks.

Enjoy the journey to living an organic lifestyle!
(Stay tuned for more ways to live YOUR organic life)

Green ‘Powerhouse’ Pesto!

This is my go-to recipe whenever I don’t know what to make for dinner. Whether it’s fish, chicken, or just simple pasta. I like it as a dip for vegetables or slathered over grilled fish or chicken. Or with fresh heirloom tomatoes. Try it with tacos!
I always get an “ooooohh” when my hubby sits down at the table. It will take you five minutes to make & adds so much flavor to your dishes.

Since it uses a fresh avocado for its creamy consistency, rather than pricey Parmesan cheese, it’s less expensive to make than traditional pesto.

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What you need:

  • 1 ripe avocado, peeled, pitted, and diced
  • 1 cup (packed) fresh basil leaves
  • 1/3 cup almonds (or pine nuts)
  • 3 cloves garlic, chopped
  • Juice of 1 lemon
  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste


Whip it up:

1. Combine avocado, basil, almonds or pine nuts, and garlic in a food processor or blender. With machine running, slowly stream in the lemon juice, olive oil, and water as needed to achieve a smooth pesto. Puree until completely blended and creamy.

2. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

3. Use immediately or keep, refrigerated, for up to four hours.

Enjoy!

Fight Infections Naturally

Don’t Underestimate immune-boosting herbs.
More and more immune-boosting herbs are being discovered to help fight infection. There’s no need to make a stop by your doctors office anymore…just head to your health food store.
Here are some helpful herbs to combat & prevent infections.
As Louis Pasteur said, Prevention is better than cure.

Easy Steps to Help You Fight an Infection

  • Eat lightly, making sure you get enough protein, which is needed to build immune cells, and keep war,m. If you have a mucus related infection, avoid dairy products
  • Increase your Vitamin C intake to 3 grams every four hours
  • Drink cat’s claw tea and consider adding ginger, echinacea drops and/or taking garlic capsules
  • If you have a cold, take one tablespoon of Sambucol four times a day
  • If you have a bacterial, fungal, or parasitical infection, take 10 drops of grapefruit seed extract 2 – 3 times a day
  • If symptoms worsen, find out what your infection is and, if necessary see your doctor, especially if you are bot better within 5 days.

A to Z of Natural Infection Fighters

Vitamin A
This is one key immune-boosting nutrient. It helps strengthen the skin, inside & out, and therefore acts as a first line of defense, keeping the lungs, digestive tract, and skin intact. By strengthening cell walls, it keep viruses out.
Dose to fight infections: 10,000 to 25,000 IU a day (for one week only)
Maintenance: 7,500 IU daily

Vitamin A can be toxic in large doses, so levels above 10,000 IU are recommended only for a short period of time.

Aloe Vera
Have immune-boosting, anti-viral, and antiseptic properties. It is a good all-around tonic, as well as a booster during any infection.

Antioxidants
Substances that detoxify free radicals. These include vitamins A, C, E, and beta carotene and zinc, selenium, and many other nonessential substances, including milk thistle, pycnogenol, lipoic acids, and bioflavonoids.

Beta-carotene
The vegetable source of vitamin A and an antioxidant in its own right. Red, orange, and yellow foods and fresh vegetables are the best sources. Drinking carrot or watermelon juice is a great way to boost your levels of this all-around infections fighter.
Dose to fight infections: 10,000 to 25,000 IU daily
Maintenance: 7,500 IU daily

Vitamin C
Vitamin C is an incredible antiviral agent. Viruses cannot survive in a vitamin C-righ environment. To achieve this, you need to take 3 grams of vitamins C immediately and then 2 grams every four hours.
Vitamin C is non-toxic, but too much can cause loose bowels. Decrease your dose if this becomes unacceptable.
Dose for fighting infections: 6 to 10 grams daily
Maintenance: 1 to 3 grams daily.

Bee Pollen
A natural antibiotic. It is probably better as a general tonic than a specific treatment. We love taking a spoonful every morning! Be careful if you are pollen-sensitive.
Dose for fighting infection: 1 to 2 TBS daily
Maintenance: 1 Tsp daily

Caprylic Acid
An antifungal agent derived from coconuts, primarily used for eliminating the Candida Albicans organism responsible for thrush.
Dose for fighting infections: 1 to 3 grams daily

Cat’s Claw
A powerful antiviral, antioxidant, and immune-boosting agent from the Peruvian rainforest. It contains chemicals called alkaloids, one of which is isoteridin, which has been proven to boost immune function. It is available as a tea or in supplement form.
Dose to fight infections: 2 to 6 grams daily
Maintenance: 2 grams daily

Vitamin E
Vitamin E is the most important fat-soluble antioxidant. You will find it in nuts, seeds, wheat germ, and their cold-pressed oils, but make sure they are fresh. Vitamin E is best supplemented everyday during an infection.
Dose for fighting infection: 450 to 900 IU daily.

Echinacea
A great multi-tasker with antiviral and antibacterial properties. The active ingredients are thought to be specific mucopolysaccharides. It comes in capsules and in liquid extract.
Dose for fighting infections: 2 to 3 grams a day (or 15 drops of concentrated extract three times daily)
Maintenance: 1 gram daily

Garlic
Garlic contains allicin, a substance that is antiviral, antifungal, and antibacterial. It also acts as an antioxidant, being rich in sulfur-containing amino acids. There is no doubt that it is an important ally in fighting infections, and a wise inclusion into your diet and garlic eater have the lowest incidence of cancer.
Dose for fighting infection: 2 to 6 cloves a day
Maintenance: 1 clove a day

Ginger
Particularly good for pain, inflammation, sore throats and stomach upsets. So, if you experience, arthritic pain, menstrual cramps, or migraine headaches, this is a great inclusion in your daily diet. It also has a warming effect on the body which is great for circulation. Put 6 slices of fresh ginger root in a thermos with a stick of cinnamon and fill it up with boiling water. Five minutes later you have a delicious ginger and cinnamon tea. You can add a little lemon and honey for taste.

Glutathione and cysteine
These are both powerful antioxidant amino acids. You will find them in many all-round antioxidant supplements. During a prolonged vital infection, they get depleted and it may be worth taking a supplement. The most usable forms are reduced glutathione or N-acetyl-cysteine.
Dose for fighting infections: 2 to 3 grams daily
Maintenance: 1 gram daily

Grapefruit Seed Extract
A powerful natural antibiotic, antifungal, and antiviral agent. It comes in drops and can be swallowed, gargled with, or used as nose or ear drops, depending on the site of infection.
Dose for fighting infection: 20 to 30 drops daily
Maintenance: 5 drops daily

Probiotics
Unlike antibiotics, these are beneficial bacteria that promote health. It is best to supplement them during a bacterial infection and after a course of antibiotics. The two most important types are Lactobacillus acidophilus  and bifidobacteria. These have been shown to halve the recovery time from a bout of diarrhea.

Selenium
An immune-enhancing mineral that also acts as an antioxidant. It is adundant in seafood and seeds, especially sesame, and is included in most antioxidant supplements.
Dose for fighting infections: 200 to 300 mcg daily
Maintenance: 100 mcg daily

St. John’s Wort
Particularly good for anything that penetrates the skin, such as a wound or skin infection. It is a good general tonic for the immune system.
Dose for fighting infection: 50 to 500 mg daily

Tea Tree Oil
An Australian remedy with antiseptic properties. Great for rubbing on the chest or using in the bath, steam inhaling or to help keep mosquitos away.
It does not let parasites and other insects like fleas, lice, or flies come near someone who has applied Tea Tree Oil on their body. It kills internal insects and worms too, such as intestinal worms because it can be absorbed by your body and skin.

Zinc
The most important immune-boosting mineral. There is no doubt that it helps fight infections. Zinc lozenges are available for sore throats. You will also find it included in more antioxidant supplements.
Dose for fighting infections: 25 to 50 mg daily
Maintenance: 15 mg daily

Raw Peanut Butter Brownie Balls with Coconut

Ingredients

  • 3/4C raw almonds
  • Tbs. raw cocoa powder
  • 12 pitted medjool dates
  • 2Tbs. all-natural peanut butter
  • shredded, unsweetened (organic, please) coconut – *optional

Instructions

  1. Place almonds in a small food processor or and process for about 30 seconds or until your almonds are finely chopped like almond meal. Set aside.
  2. Next, process the pitted dates until they become like a paste.
  3. Then, add the rest of the ingredients, including the almond meal, and pulse for an additional minute.
  4. Form dough in to balls and eat!
    If your having trouble forming & keeping them in balls, incorporate 2 tsp of raw honey.
  5. optional: Roll the balls around in the shredded coconut!Enjoy! They’re great as little ‘energy balls’ while your at work or a treat after dinner!

    For best results store in an airtight container in the fridge and eat within a week (trust me.. they won’t last that long!!).

Shrimp Scampi with Zucchini Noodles

All I can say is it’s so much better than real pasta!

Ingredients:
2 Tbs olive oil
1 pound jumbo shrimp, shelled and deveined
1 Tbs minced garlic
1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
2 Tbs freshly squeezed lemon juice
2 medium zucchini, cut into noodles (See Note Below)
1/4 cup white wine
Chopped parsley, for garnish

Directions:

Place a large sauté pan over medium-low heat. Add the olive oil and heat it for 1 minute. Add the garlic and crushed red pepper flakes and cook them for 1 minute, stirring constantly.

Add the shrimp to the pan and cook them, stirring as needed, until they are cooked throughout and pink on all sides, about 3 minutes. Season the shrimp with salt and pepper and then using a slotted spoon, transfer them to a bowl, leaving any liquid in the pan.

Increase the heat to medium. Add the white wine and lemon juice to the pan. Using a wooden spoon, scrape any brown bits from the bottom of the pan, cooking the wine and lemon juice for 2 minutes. Add the zucchini noodles and cook, stirring occasionally, for 2 minutes. Return the shrimp to the pan and toss to combine. Season with salt and pepper, garish with parsley and serve immediately.

Notes:
To cut zucchini into noodles, use a mandoline or a spiralizer.
Be careful when cutting your zucchini!
…. the pain was worth it.
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Apple Cider Vinegar Tonic

Here is a recipe for a great “tonic” OR “pick-me-up” OR “detox” drink!
Apple cider is so under-appreciated by so many…. just read our past blog: The Healing Power of Apple Cider Vinegar! You’ll be shocked!
We drink this every morning before breakfast to not only get a ‘boost’ but to cleanse.
Wait 30 minutes, then have a great breakfast!

Apple Cider Vinegar Tonic
8 oz. good quality water
1-2 tsp. Braggs Organic Apple Cider Vinegar
1-2 tsp. fresh lemon juice
1/2 tsp. honey
1/4 tsp. cinnamon (or to taste)
1/4 tsp. cayenne (or to taste)

Hope you like it! Share with your friends & family. We all want to feel great!

Paleo Shepherds Pie

This is your go-to recipe when your craving a “hearty” meal!

Step 1: Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Step 2: Boil 2 large, peeled, diced sweet potatoes until tender. Then drain.
Step 3:  (The fun part!) In a skillet, heat 2 Tbs. coconut oil.
Add:
1 onion, diced.
2 chopped celery stalks
2 diced carrots
Sautéed about 10 minutes.
Step 4: Add 1 lb. grass-fed ground beef or turkey
Along with 2 cloves of garlic, minced and 1/2 tsp. of each: thyme, black pepper, dried rosemary and salt.
Sauté until meat is cooked through.
Step 5: Stir in 2 Tbs. of tomato paste and 3/4 cup of organic beef broth. Simmer on low for about 10 minutes and spoon your mixture into your casserole dish.
Now, mash your tender sweet potatoes, adding 1/4 cup or less of coconut or almond milk until your potatoes are creamy BUT thick enough to hold shape. Stir in garlic powder, rosemary, or cayenne to taste. Spread potatoes over filling.
Bake about 30 minutes!

DONE!

The Healing Benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar

There are many other practical benefits to apple cider vinegar than just washing your fruits & veggies!

We love using apple cider vinegar on a daily basis. Its great for helping with digestion, helps stabilize blood sugar, helps with acid reflux. Granted, the taste is quite strong and takes some getting used to. BUT it’s wonderful for your body!

Lets heal our bodies with whole foods!

  • Apple cider vinegar helps remove stagnation in the blood. Meaning, it expresses energy outwards, moving it forward along its natural path and gets your blood pumping!  Some experts state that apple cider vinegar can even help with emotional stagnation. Feel like your stuck-in-a-rut? Drink some apple cider vinegar blended with water! it can create a balancing effect . . . and give you the push you need to clear your head, wake you up, and push you along your path.
  • Although apple cider vinegar is highly acidic, it has an alkalizing effect on the blood and urine, working to balance your body. It aids in the overall digestive process of your body stimulating the production of more hydrochloric acid and assists further down the line in the conversion of urine and blood into an alkaline forming state.
  • Apple cider vinegar is a natural solvent. Meaning, it can remove accumulations from the liver and gut from excess consumption of “rich foods”.  Have you been indulging in too much heavy, fatty foods? Non-organic meats?
    Rich pastas for dinner? Apple Cider Vinegar can give you a nice “cleaning” inside leaving you feeling quite good!
  • Not sure what you’ve been eating? (Hopefully, you do) Apple cider vinegar’s cleaning benefits can help remove worms & many other parasites from the gut. In today’s day this is a huge topic. Parasites and fungal infections are becoming more and more common among people. It can also help you heal from many fungal infections, especially the common nail fungus.  ~ Stick with apple cider vinegar to help protect against future parasite or fungus infections.
    Remember, many fruits and veggies can actually have parasites or funguses on their surface layers. So, know them out with apple cider vinegar.
  • Apple cider vinegar contains citric acid which helps dissolve kidney stones by softening them. It also acts as an internal cleanser that cleans and flushes out the kidneys to remove the formed stones. The alkalizing effect of apple cider vinegar helps prevent new kidney stone formations by dissolving the crystals that later form into stones. It also has acetic and phosphoric acids which helps to reduce the size or completely dissolve the kidney stones and allow them to pass freely. It also reduces or eliminates the pain that is caused due to kidney stones.
  • Apple cider vinegar is great in aiding skin conditions like acne. Of course, there are many causes of acne, but like mentioned earlier, apple cider vinegar works like a solvent. It’s great at cleaning things out of the body. This is exactly why you would see benefits with acne.
  • By far the most successful application of vinegar to date, is in patients with type 2 diabetes.
    Vinegar has been shown to have numerous benefits for insulin function and blood sugar levels:
    – Improves insulin sensitivity during a high-carb meal by 19-34% and significantly lowers blood glucose and insulin responses.
    – Reduces blood sugar by 34% when eating 50 grams of white bread.
    – 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar before bedtime can reduce fasting blood sugars by 4%.
    The Point: Apple cider vinegar has been shown to improve insulin sensitivity and help lower blood sugar responses after meals.

Don’t forget to use organic unfiltered apple cider vinegar, the “cloudy” kind, where you can see a blob in the bottle. That blob is known as “the mother,” and it’s full of probiotics and other beneficial bacteria. This kind of vinegar is the best to support immune function.

Also, it is said that people who have a somewhat weak digestion, experience watery stool or have a rheumatism should be cautious when using apple cider vinegar.
When is doubt, speak with your healthcare practitioner!


Our Fruit & Veggie Wash
Mix 1-2 TBS of raw organic apple cider vinegar with 1 galloon of good quality (or distilled) water.
It can actually PULL the toxins out of the fruits and veggies.

NOTE: If you don’t drink your tap water…don’t wash your food  in it.

Berries – Mother Nature’s Little Superfood

Here’s some Berry Good News! Don’t we all love good news?

Studies have shown that berries and other fruits provide broad-spectrum protection against heart disease, diabetes, cognitive decline and even cancer!

Of course we all know berries contain essential vitamins and minerals. However the National Institute of Health is discovering that the health benefits of berries go far beyond their traditional nutrients. Notice the deep red, blue and purple pigments found in blueberries, blackberries, grapes, etc.?
Extensive research has revealed that the polyphenols which create these deep colors provide powerful antioxidant protection. Known as anthocyanins, these nutrients combat oxidative stress, and can help with many major diseases such as Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, sclerosis, cancer and allergic disorders. Anthocyanin-rich foods provide multiple benefits that go beyond berries’ well known antioxidant activity, which include:

  • Enhanced glucose metabolism and reduced glucose absorption
  • Reduced formation and enhanced immune system clearance of amyloid, a protein found in the brains of Alzheimer’s patients
  • Programmed cell death in cancer cell lines
  • Antiviral, antibacterial and antiparasitic activity
  • Reduced capillary permeability and fragility
  • Improved neuronal cellular communication   

Now that we know the amazing effects of anthocyanin, here is a list of the sources considered by scientists to be the most potent.

 

 

Strawberry

  • Inhibit the growth of oral, colon, prostate, liver and breast cancers
  • Reduce cognitive decline in elderly humans.
  • Reduce the formation of unwanted blood clots, which lower total and LDL cholesterol
  • Improve lipid peroxidation
  • Decrease biomarkers of atherosclerosis
  • Help prevent heart attack and stroke

 

Blueberry

  • Enhance cognitive performance
  • Protect against age-related decline of memory and brain function
  • Improve cognition in Alzheimer’s disease studies
  • Help protect the aorta, lower blood pressure, and improve insulin resistance and glucose control
  • In the laboratory, blueberries induced the self-destruction of oral, breast, colon, and prostate cancer cells

 

Cherries

  • Exhibit potent cardiovascular and antidiabetic effects
  • Block inflammatory pathways associated with gout and arthritis (a 2012 study discovered that cherry intake reduced gout attacks by 35%)
  • Reduce blood levels of triglycerides, cholesterol, glucose, insulin, even the cholesterol that is stored in the liver
  • Rich in a phytonutrient called perillyl alchohol, which has been known to prevent the development, or limit the progression of, several cancer types including colon cancer

 

Pomegranate

  • Shown promise in reducing the risk of metastasis in breast cancer
  • Initiate apoptosis (programmed cell death) and inhibit the proliferation of prostate, lung, colon, and other cancers
  • Protect cardiovascular health by significantly reducing both arterial plaque, lowing blood pressure, and improving blood lipid profiles
  • Reduce inflammation in colitis, enhance drug antibacterial activity, and suppress inflammation and joint damage in rheumatoid arthritis
  • Supports the skin’s underlying structure and lowers the production of collagen-degrading enzymes, resulting in younger-looking skin

 

Prune

  • The prune is the fruit that is the MOST effective at both preventing and reversing bone loss, in part due to suppressing the rate of bone turnover.
  • Improve the body’s ability to absorb iron
  • Can help normalize blood sugar
  • Prevents over-eating
  • Lowers cholesterol
  • Protects intestines
  • Natural laxative
  • Great anti-Oxidant Source

 

Cranberry

  • Best known for their ability to help prevent urinary tract infections (they do this by inhibiting the adherence of E. coli to the urethra and bladder wall, making it easier for the body to flush them out)
  • Protect against gastric ulcers by preventing Helicobacter pylori from adhering to the stomach lining.
  • Display anti-proliferative activity in vitro and in vivo, against cancer cells of several different types; gastric, esophageal adenocarcinoma, breast, prostate, colon, and lung
  • Modulate blood pressure, inhibit platelet aggregation, and reduce inflammation

 

Grape

  • Block the proliferation of prostate, colon, leukemia, and other cancer cell
  • Highly active compounds in grapes protect cardiovascular health by helping to prevent platelet aggregation, LDL oxidation, and high blood
  • Reduce fatty streaks in the aorta, minimize inflammation, and prevent decreased blood flow to the brain
  • The polyphenols in grapes can help combat neurological diseases by potently inhibiting the production of neurofibrillary tangles, a primary marker for Alzheimer’s disease

 

Raspberry

  • Rich source of ellagitannin, an antioxidant which decreases the characteristics associated with metabolic syndrome, which is induced by a high-fat, high-carbohydrate diet, making it a useful dietary supplement
  • Protect against DNA damage in colon cancer cells, and inhibit colon cancer invasion
  • Efficacy against oral, breast, cervical, and prostate cancers by stimulating apoptosis in human cancer cells
  • Helps prevent the development of atherosclerosis through improved antioxidant status and serum lipid profiles

Goji Berry
Contain 21 Trace Minerals!

Vitamin A – a 1/4 cup serving contains 180% of your daily value.
Vitamin C – a 1/4 cup serving has 30% of your daily value.
Iron – a 1/4 cup provides 15% of your daily value

  • Increase energy level
  • Packed with fiber
  • Reduces inflammation
  • Enhances fertility
  • Loaded with beta-carotene which promotes healthy skin
  • Promotes longevity
  • Enhances vision
  • Rich in antioxidants that fight cellular damage

If you’re not a fan of any of these fruits (or you want to avoid the sugar), you can find extracts that will give you the same benefits as their fresh counterparts. For the fruit lovers our there (like me!) your addiction is validated!
You can enjoy your delicious berries knowing they are providing powerful health benefits and protecting your body from diseases!
Who says you can’t have it all?

FEEL GREAT WHILE LOSING WEIGHT

Don’t let a lack of energy be the downfall of your diet!

Ever give up on a diet because it left you feeling drained and sluggish? You’re not alone. Lack of energy is a common complaint from dieters. And if you’re feeling zapped, how will you have the strength to exercise or stay committed to the diet?

Unfortunately, certain diet plans set the stage for fatigue. You either don’t eat enough calories for energy or you don’t eat the right kind of calories for lasting energy.

Follow these dieting tips to maximize your energy.

Eat Healthy Carbs

Many diet plans are based on reducing the amount of carbohydrates you eat. Though these diets can help you lose a few pounds quickly, carbs give your body energy. Don’t get enough of them, and you’ll likely feel dragged out and drained. Carbs should account for around half of your total calories each day.

For someone on a 2000-calorie diet, this would be around 275 grams of carbohydrates. The Atkins diet limits carb intake to 20 grams daily, and the Zone diet lowers the daily amount of carbs to 40 percent of your daily calories.

If you’re on a carb-restricting diet, make sure you’re getting energy from nutrient-rich foods such as eggs, low-fat dairy, whole grains, and high-fiber foods like nuts and apples. Without enough energy, your body may not get adequate nutrition and your blood sugar may drop too low. Concerned with the dangers of restricting carbs? Talk with your doctor.

” The higher your energy level, the more efficient your body. The more efficient your body, the better you will feel and the more you will use your talent to produce outstanding results. – Tony Robbins”

Get Essential Nutrients

A lack of energy may be due to a lack of essential vitamins and minerals your body needs for optimal function. If you’re skimping on meals and snacks, you may be low on magnesium, B vitamins, or omega-3 fatty acids. Get at least 400 milligrams a day of magnesium. This mineral is found in leafy greens, whole grains, or peanut butter.

B vitamins play an important role in the way your body uses energy. Get these vitamins from fish, meat, poultry, dairy, eggs, green vegetables, or fortified grains.

Omega-3 fatty acids help regulate your metabolism and increase your energy. Found in fatty fish (salmon, tuna, and mackerel), walnuts, and leafy greens, omega-3s help improve your mood, energy level, and memory.
The bottom line is that if you’re restricting the number of calories you eat, you’ve got to make sure you’re eating nutrient-dense foods. No more processed, fried, or refined foods. And take a supplement if needed.

Drink Enough Fluids

One reason many people feel drained is because they are drained…of fluids. Dehydration makes you feel sluggish. If your organs aren’t receiving enough blood flow they can’t do their jobs properly. Keep up your energy by drinking water throughout the day. You’ll know you’re getting enough fluids if your urine is clear to pale yellow. Skip high-calorie or sugar-filled liquids and drink water or unsweetened green tea.

Eat Breakfast and Snacks

Don’t think that by skipping breakfast you’re doing your waistline a favor. Quite the contrary. Eating a healthy breakfast jump starts your metabolism for the day and gives you energy for the day.

Many people can’t make it until the next meal without feeling sluggish. The right kind of snack keeps your blood sugar regulated and helps you make it until dinner. Combine complex carbs, protein, and fat for lasting energy and a satisfied stomach. Try nuts with dried fruit, yogurt with granola, or whole-grain chips and salsa.

Get Enough Exercise

You may not feel like exercising, but it may be just what you need to improve your energy level. If you’re on a low-carb diet, resistance training may be your best option for successful weight loss. Be sure to get at least 30 minutes a day of moderate intensity physical activity.