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**

A Fitness Page doesn't = Fitness Expert!

   There are many of us out there who are like me that love to share our journey and our passion for health and wellness. Each one my have their own speciality and actually be a subject expert on a certain topic. For many pages it's just average Joes and Janes sharing and using their journey to encourage others. Although it is a wonderful compliment to have people reaching out by asking for advice and opinions please be cautious who you are going to for that advice and opinion! Yes I am certified yoga instructor and I'm happy to provide some ideas on general add in to your practice, moves that will help with tight areas etc. I have recently been receiving messages involving actual injuries, people in the process of recovering, chronic pain issues asking for advice. This is where I become scared! Myself personally I will message back and always with a bucket load of my own questions and they will always include- Have you spoken to your doctor? Have you seen physio? What was their recommendations? Etc, etc.... My fear is this is your health and well-being! It isn't possible for anyone to be able to provide truly helpful beneficial information without having actually spoken to the individual, qualified them with a dozen to hundred questions and partnered with other medical experts if necessary. Please be wary of where you going for your health and fitness questions! Ask yourself, is the person your speaking to able and qualified to help you?! Free advice could come at a HUGE cost to your health and wellness!

On a side note* This post is not to discourage your messages because I truly do love hearing from you! When you do send those question expect that you will be receiving several questions back?! There's no quick, easy answers out there! Stay healthy!

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!