Shakeology Feature Ingredient- Amaranth

Amaranth

Health Benefits of Amaranth!

        Cholesterol – The oils and phytosterols in amaranth help lower cholesterol levels, including LDL (bad cholesterol) and triglycerides.

        Inflammation – The anti-inflammatory properties of amaranth can ease pain and reduce inflammation. This is especially important for chronic conditions where inflammation erodes at health, such as diabetes, heart disease, and stroke.

         Cancer – The same peptides in amaranth that protect against inflammation may also help prevent cancer. The antioxidants in this grain may also help protect cells from damage that can lead to cancer.

         Blood Pressure – The fiber and phytonutrients in amaranth lower blood pressure according to some recent studies. This grain tackles cholesterol, inflammation, and blood pressure, making it all around a good food for heart health.

          Protein – Amaranth is a very rich source of protein and this protein is also very bioavailable. The protein in amaranth is more digestible than other grains and has been compared to the digestibility of milk protein.

6     Lysine – Vegetables and grains are often lacking in this essential amino acid. Amaranth has a good amount of lysine which helps the body absorb calcium, build muscle, and produce energy.

7       Fiber – Amaranth is a high fiber food. This makes it filling and means it aids digestive health, cholesterol, blood pressure, and slows the absorption of sugars to let the body keep up with energy production.

8       Minerals – Amaranth is a very rich source of minerals like calcium, magnesium, and copper. It is also a good source of zinc, potassium, and phosphorus. These build strong bones and muscles, aid hydration, boost energy, and are vital in thousands of processes. 

       Vitamins – Amaranth is also a good source of many essential vitamins including A, C, E, K, B5, B6, folate, niacin, and riboflavin. These act as antioxidants, raise energy, control hormones, and much more.

      Immune System – Amaranth may boost immune function according to some studies, probably thanks to the potent vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.

  

Gray Hair – Amaranth helps prevent premature graying, mainly due to the minerals.

Amaranth has a modest amount of oxalic acid. It should be avoided or only moderately used by those with gout, kidney problems, or rheumatoid arthritis.

Interesting Fact:

This tiny- but- powerful food is actually a seed! Like quinoa, amaranth is not technically a grain but is the seed of the amaranth plant. One plant can produce up to 60,000 seeds. Great alternative when cooking for those who are celiac or gluten- intolerant. Amaranth is a complete protein, because it contains all the essential amino acids. It’s protein content is about 13 percent, or 26 grams per cup, which is much higher than for most other grains. To compare, a cup of long-grain white rice has just 13 grams of protein. Amaranth can be used in place of grains in recipes for those who are celiac or gluten- intolerant. 

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**Special thank you to Huffington Post and SunWarrior for the above research**

Creating Your "OWN" nutritional lifestyle choice?!

I jumped into the 21 Day Fix program as an experiment. Wanting to continue my knowledge and experimenting with ways to continue to perfect my own nutrition and food lifestyle choices. Going in I knew I was going to have to make adjustments as I am mainly Paleo So the lovely yellow container affords me sweet potatoes, my treat of almond milk and my 2 pieces of chocolate. At least I still get a few good things. 

When I originally went Paleo I followed the Whole 30 route and truly recommend that to everyone but that's a separate blog. Within a couple weeks of the whole 30 I started experiencing light headnesses, dizziness when standing etc. My response was to just power through as I was near the end of the thirty days (I'm not always super smart) once I began living a dirty paleo lifestyle I was able to get my BP issues in order mainly with yes I'm going to be honest potato chips- salt, salt and more salt! Good quality gluten-free real potato chips! Maybe not my best choice but it worked like a hot damn. 

Now entering into the beginning stages of the 21 Day Fix I was hit with my symptoms in less then 24 hours. Ridiculous amounts of dizziness, feeling like I was in a brain fog and even moments where I was concerned that I was going to black out. So I returned to my tried and true my Potato Chips. In a much smaller controlled quantity and started adding sea salt to my morning water. I saw some improvement but not enough to be safe. 21 Day Fix allows for carbs and although many items on the list are a still a no for me due to how they make me feel I decided to play a little bit. Finally I am out of my brain fog, my issues of light headnesses are less frequent but my stomach isn't happy. I am near the end of my first round and experiment of the 21 Day Fix. I have already started the reflection period and planning how I'm going to continue to play and create that perfect nutritional lifestyle that matches my body! 

My second round is going to consist of putting together what I love best of both lifestyle choices! For me the 21 Day Fix is the ultimate in accountability for me to eat my veggies! I need that accountability! I'm not a huge fruit eater so everyone's favourite purple is a work in progress for me and I will be aiming to hit half of my purple goal daily.  Now the paleo side of life.... I love how my body responds and performs using fat as it's primary fuel source. Unfortunately for me the 21 day Fix is limited on its allowable containers of fat. That is an area that I will be adjusting to fit my own personal nutritional needs. 

In researching other people who have experienced similar issues I have found some additional ideas and one that makes me smile! Carbs are still an important piece of the puzzle so I will be adding more sweet potatoes, pumpkin, using fruit for its carbs qualities and the exciting part I'm going to be including some white rice into my weekly meal planning! Oh yes you read right..... Formally known as white death will be joining my nutritional plan. I have no poor side effects from it and it's a food I love! I will also be making it a focus to complete my daily sea salt added to my morning water ritual. 

My long winded get to the point! Life is an experiment and so is our nutrition. Everyone's body works in a different way and has it's own side effects. No one cookie cutter style of nutrition works for everyone. Take the time to experiment and actually get to know your body! Complete a detox and clean up your system then add one food group at a time seeing how your body responds? Keep a diary if you need too? It's a very empowering process to actually be aware and learn what your body is trying to tell you! Be creative and create "your" own nutritional code that works for YOU! 

UPDATE!

Results from my Round 2 on the 21 Day Fix with Paleo inspiration! 

Down 8 lbs and lost 2" off my waist and an 1" off both my chest and hips! Oh yeah baby!

Paleo 101! A 30 Day Journey of Personal Discovery

I recently completed the Whole 30 and it was quite the journey. Talk about an eye opening experience on all levels. How your body reacts to foods that are even considered good for you never mind the stuff we know is bad? The mind, oh that dirty little devil! The mental is the challenge you need to be ready for. You have to “own that why” to get through the games your brain will play on you. The soul, actually understanding what it feels like to get a solid night’s sleep and I mean deep sleep. Dreams and the whole kabang.  The amount of side effects is amazing! I’m still only skimming the surface- Did I mention losing 2 dress sizes and somewhere around 11-14lbs?! Still not even scratching the surface!

I loved this program so much that I am creating on-going challenge groups to support others in this life changing experience. I have had a few challenge groups go through this journey and with each one I have taken notes on what I have seen as the keys for success!

        Knowing it’s time! Feeling it in your bones that you truly are sick of how you are feeling and enough is enough! I knew while reading the book “It Starts with Food” that this was it! I had finally found my nutritional guide. I saw the finish line before I even started. 

   Ability to create that defining “Why” that fits you. What is your reason for wanting change? What is the end result you are working towards? What are the benefits besides possible weight loss? ( Weight loss is only a bonus side effect of this journey) You will need to “own your why” throughout this journey so the strongest “Why” you can create the stronger you will be throughout the journey and the days that follow.

 Having an interactive open safe challenge group. The more interaction within the challengers providing daily encouragement to full out Day 3 venting of how horrible life is. Sharing your experience, being vulnerable and open improves not only your chances of success but of those on the journey with you.

 Willingness to get your hands “dirty”  This is a lifestyle change not a 30 day quick fix so you need to be prepared to do some work. Although some nutritional guidelines will be provided you will need to be prepared to do the majority of the work. If during the excitement of a new challenge it is too much to have to plan then what happens Day 31?! This 30 Days is all a lead up to living a healthy lifestyle come Day 31 on what hopefully becomes the rest of your life….. 

I am looking to help people who are motivated, willing to educate themselves before and during the journey. Willingness to share within a closed group setting and most importantly people who are willing to invest time and energy into their new healthier life! I am not looking to drive numbers and have x amount of people participating! I am solely looking for people who legitimately are ready and wanting change.

To be accepted into the Challenge Group:

·      You will need to have your clearly defined “Why”?!  Why is now the time? Why do you want to do this?  Presenting your “Why” privately to me and if you elect you can always share it with the group at the time of the challenge. I also need your preferred style of communication if you were to start straying from the tracks.

·         Purchasing the book "It Starts with Food" The book does a fabulous job of explaining the why in regards to food and it's effects on the body. All successful challengers have read the book. I provide a cliff notes version but nothing can replace the book. It was while reading the book I had my light bulb moment and knew that this was "it" finally what my body was looking for. Mentally I was already at the finish line before I even started. The book is available on both Chapters Indigo and Amazon or a downloadable version through the Whole 30 website. 

·         Purchase Shakeology. Officially with the Whole 30 shakes are a "no go". However, I have run one challenge group with only myself using Shakeology and another challenge group where it was an option. Proof is in the experiment that using Shakeology was an addition to the program. I know personally I saw changes faster and to a much higher degree then the other challengers. It helps curb those crazy cravings and provides the extra sustenance needed for your workouts. Going forward all my challenges will include the purchase of Shakeology the vegan variety. Your choice of either Chocolate or Tropical Strawberry. Shakeology does have a 30 day money back guarantee so if you don't like it and feel at the end of the challenge it didn't help you achieve your goals your welcome to return it no questions asked. 

Here is the link to the Whole 30 challenge and the downloadable book! 

http://www.whole9life.com/itstartswithfood/

Here is the link to Shakeology. For the challenge you want the Vegan varieties as they don't have whey protein a form of dairy. Chocolate or Tropical Strawberry

http://www.myshakeology.com/eatwellbeactive

If your ready message me at 2eatwellbeactive@gmail.com

If you still have questions please feel free to send them my way to the above email address as well.

This has the potential to be one of the biggest life changing decisions you will make 

so a quick "I'm in" comment doesn't suffice. You must forward an email. I put a lot of work and effort into make these challenges as successful as possible and I need to see that you are ready to put forth the effort to do your part to make this happen for yourself!