mermaid Protein Shake

Here’s a recipe that’s sure to make a splash! The Mermaid Protein Shake recipe is made by layering blends of our shake mix with fresh fruit. And because it’s a nutritious, balanced meal replacement packed with the vitamins and minerals your body needs—there’s a lot to “shell”-ebrate! This shake is really something special, perfect for your themed mermaid birthday party or just because you want to make a splash with a tasty protein meal. Don’t let the name fool you, this is my husband’s favorite shake recipe.

Mermaid Protein Shake Recipe

Ingredients:

2 scoops Strawberry Cream Shake
1/2 cup raspberries
1/2 cup blueberries
8 fl oz water
2 fl oz strawberry flavored water (Clear American, Walmart)
Desired Amount of Ice (4-6 large cubes)

Directions:

1. Blend 4 fl oz water, 1 ox flavored water, ice, 1 scoop shake, and blueberries.
2. Pour mixture into the bottom of a glass jar.
3. Blend 4 fl oz water, 1 oz flavored water, ice, 1 scoop strawberry shake and raspberries.
4. Layer kiwi mixture on top of blueberry mixture.
5. Mix all together if you have no time to layer. You can also replace the fruit with 1/2 scoop blue raspberry Hydrate. Enjoy!

Share with 3 friends who NEED this recipe in their lives! 👇 💖

Obesogens

Hey everyone!

We’re back from holiday. We usually take Thanksgiving through mid-January off. (Psssst…you can do that when you have a thriving virtual health food franchise! Hit us up and we can show you how!)

Back to it now, I wanted to tag in real quick to leave you with a quick thought about obesogens! It’s a nasty word most people haven’t even heard!

We blame weight gain on eating too many burgers and burning too little fat, but scientists are discovering that the chemicals we’re exposed to every day are an enormous part of the obesity epidemic!

Called obesogens, or endocrine disruptors, these chemicals actually alter the regulatory system that controls your weight—increasing the fat cells you have, decreasing the calories you burn, and even altering the way your body manages hunger.

There are five MAJOR obesogens I’d like to discuss today.

Bisphenol-A (BPA)

Bisphenol-A (BPA) is a synthetic compound found in many types of products, including baby bottles, plastic food and beverage containers, as well as metal food cans. BPAs structure is similar to estradiol, the main form of the female sex hormone estrogen. As a result of their similarities, BPAs bind with estrogen and wreak havoc in the body especially for females. BPAs have consequently been linked to breast cancer.

Phthalates

Phthalates are chemicals used in manufacturing to make plastic more soft and pliable. They are found in food containers, beauty products, paint, shower curtains, toys, and pharmaceuticals. Studies have shown that men are especially susceptible to phthalates. Like BPAs, phthalates are endocrine disrupters. They affect weight gain by inhibiting hormone receptors called PPARs. PPARs are involved in metabolism. Studies not only show the weight gain connection but specifically the increase of waist circumference and insulin resistance. As you know, insulin resistance further compounds unhealthy weight gain. One study actually found that phthalate metabolites in the blood correlated with type 2 diabetes!

Atrazine

Atrazine is one of the most commonly used herbicides in America. It has been banned in Europe for more than a decade due of groundwater contamination. Atrazine is also an endocrine disruptor that has been linked to birth defects in humans! Here in America, there is an overlap between the areas that use the most atrazine and the prevalence of obesity. Studies have shown atrazine to damage mitochondria in rats, decreasing their metabolic rate and increasing abdominal obesity.

ORGANOTINS

Organotins are a class of synthetic chemicals used for many different industrial purposes. One is a fungicide called tributyltin (TBT). It is applied to boats and ships to prevent the growth of marine organisms on the hull. It is also used in wood preservatives and some industrial water systems. Many lakes and coastal waters are contaminated with TBTs. Tributyltin is harmful to marine life and has been banned by various regulatory authorities. In one test-tube study, tributyltin was found to cause the rapid fat cell growth and reduction in their production of leptin. In yet another study, tributyltin exposure for 45 days caused weight gain and fatty liver disease in mice. There is also evidence that in utero exposure to TBTs may increase the number of fat cells, which may promote fat gain!

PERFLUOROOCTANAOIC ACIDE

Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) is a synthetic compound used for various purposes. It is an element of non-stick coating made with Teflon. It’s also found in microwave popcorn. PFOA has been discovered in blood samples of over 98% of Americans. It has been linked to diseases such as thyroid disorders, low birth weight, and chronic kidney disease. In a particular study, mice exposed to PFOAs while developing led to increased insulin, leptin, and body weight in mid-life. If you’d like to know more about this one, I highly encourage you to watch The Devil We Know documentary on Netflix!

Avoiding obesogens entirely is impossible in the modern world. However, there are a few things you can do to limit your exposure and also to detox your body of what you cannot prevent. Here’s what to do:

• Avoid foods stored or packaged in plastic containers
• Use stainless steel or quality aluminum water bottles
• Use glass not plastic bottles to feed your babies
• Use iron or stainless steel cookware instead of non-stick
• Use natural, organic cosmetics and household cleaning products
• Incorporate NUTRITIONAL CLEANSING into your health routine

Our nutritional cleansing system helps rid the body of toxins already stored in fat. This is also key in healthy weight management as the body stores toxic overload in fat cells. Toxic overload is the excess toxins that cannot be filtered and removed in a timely fashion by the kidneys and liver. In today’s modern world of toxin absorption via obesogens, wifi, cell phone, radio/tv waves etc, we are all in a TOXIC OVERLOAD scenario at all times. We are absorbing toxins at a rate faster than our bodies can naturally remove them. This is why it is nutritional cleansing is so important! For more information on nutritional cleansing, click here! 💪❤️💪❤️

Read 4 More Info On Obesogens👇🏼

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3279464/…

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Obesogen

HONEY GARLIC SHRIMP

This honey garlic shrimp is an extremely popular recipe on our blog because it’s not only delicious, it’s a super quick and easy dinner recipe. Ready in 20 minutes, this healthy entree will definitely be a much appreciated add to your regular dinner rotation. Serve with brown rice and vegetables, grill on skewers, or serve over salad.

Prep Time 15 mins
Cook Time 5 mins
Total Time 20 mins 
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Asian
Servings: 4
Calories: 241 kcal

Ingredients

• 1/3 cup honey
• 1/4 cup soy sauce (I use reduced sodium)
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic
• optional: 1 teaspoon minced fresh ginger
• 1 lb medium uncooked shrimp, peeled & deveined
• 2 teaspoons olive oil
• optional: chopped green onion for garnish

Instructions

1. Whisk the honey, soy sauce, garlic, and ginger (if using) together in a medium bowl.
2. Place shrimp in a large zipped-top bag or tupperware. Pour 1/2 of the marinade mixture on top, give it all a shake or stir, then allow shrimp to marinate in the refrigerator for 15 minutes or for up to 8-12 hours. Cover and refrigerate the rest of the marinade for step 3. (Time-saving tip: while the shrimp is marinating, I steam broccoli and microwave some quick brown rice.)
3. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Place shrimp in the skillet. (Discard used marinade.) Cook shrimp on one side until pink– about 45 seconds– then flip shrimp over. Pour in remaining marinade and cook it all until shrimp is cooked through, about 1 minute more.
4. Serve shrimp with cooked marinade sauce and a garnish of green onion. The sauce is excellent on brown rice and steamed veggie side fixins!

UNICORN Protein Shake

Treat yourself to a thick and creamy Unicorn Protein Shake! It tastes like a mystical party in your mouth from somewhere over the rainbow — except this version is low calorie, low all-natural sugar, and high protein. This healthy shake recipe is an easy way to satisfy your cravings in about 5 minutes. It’s also a SUPER fun way to perk up unicorn themed parties for any age/occasion!

The Unicorn Protein Shake is made by layering blends of our healthy shakes and fresh fruit. And no, you’re not dreaming—this shake is equally as magical as it appears! It’s a nutritious, balanced meal replacement packed with the vitamins and minerals your body needs.

Share with 3 friends who NEED this recipe in their lives! 👇💖

Yes, Your Fat is Toxic

By Michael Colgan, Ph.D.

Before we get started, I wanted to interject that Dr. Colgan has been a nutritionist to Olympians for over 50 years. He is also one of our health and wellness team members! Now, back to Dr. Colgan’s informative post:

From the annual reports of the American Lung Association, the North American urban environment is now the most toxic it’s been in history, puffing clouds of toxins more deadly than even during the Industrial Revolution (1). Most of the industrial chemicals and pesticides that have created this disaster are lipophilic, meaning they mix easily with fat—your fat (2).

Worst are dioxins, furans, polychlorinated biphenyls, polybrominated biphenyls (PBDs) and organochlorine pesticides. They also include plastic exudates like phthalates and bisphenol-A and aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons. Because most were deemed harmless when first introduced, they are everywhere (2,3).

PBDs and related flame-retardants and stain-proofers, for example, are used on carpets, furniture, mattresses, curtains, waterproof coats, shoes, gloves, even infant jammies. After a decade of effort, the environmentally responsible company, WL Gore, that makes Goretex, finally got the last of these chemicals out of its products in January 2014.  Many other companies seemingly couldn’t care less.

To avoid acute poisoning, your body removes the toxins from your bloodstream and stores them in your body fat. As the burden of toxins increases, it causes the body’s defence systems to makes more and more fat cells to store them (2-4). Without any change in food intake, you grow fat as a goose.

In 2006, Bruce Blumberg of the University of California, Irvine, first coined the term “obesogens” to describe man-made chemicals still widely used today in PVC products. Obesogens increase body fat regardless of diet. Blomberg showed that these chemicals caused a large increase in the body fat of mice independent of what they ate (3).

Ok…let’s pause right here to reflect…OBESOGENS INCREASE BODY FAT REGARDLESS OF DIET…👀…proceed:

By 2011, hush-hush scientific conferences convened by the National Institutes of Health identified numerous industrial chemicals in current use as obesogens. Regardless of even the most nutritious diet, they will increase your number of fat cells, and increase the size of your fat cells.

Wha?!?!?! 🤯

If you eat clean and exercise regularly, yet suffer from cottage cheese cellulite, Bispheno-A may be a culprit. Bisphenol-A reprograms your surface fat cells to hold more fat, until they finally burst (herniate) to make the unsightly bumps under the skin (5).

🙋🏻‍♀️ This was me! Since I started nutritional cleansing, I’ve had a DRASTIC reduction in the appearance of cellulite! Despite still needing to release quite a few more pounds to reach my goal health zone, the chunking is disappearing a little more with each cleanse day!

Fat cells require a ton of energy for the body to grow them. So obesogens also increase your appetite and food cravings (6). If you find all this hard to believe, look up my references or Kristina Thayer, Ph.D, Director of the Office of Health Assessment of the National Toxicology Program (6).

The high levels of obesogens in human breast milk of the majority of mothers provides ample evidence that you are carrying a lot of obesogens in your fat, right now, this minute, as you read (7). Because we don’t know how to care for our environment, human body fat in the US and Canada has become a potent store of industrial toxins that slowly leach out of the fat to cause continuous low-grade poisoning of blood, muscles organs, and brain.

By absorbing more unavoidable toxins daily, you also make more fat cells and bigger fat cells in the process, regardless of your diet. Now you know one big reason why many people who eat very clean all the time and work out regularly still carry an inch or more of fat all over their bodies.

You can fix this problem. As a constantly renewing organism, the miraculous human body is eminently cleanable. Regular cleansing routines stimulate the body’s superb cleansing systems in the lymph system, liver, kidneys, bile duct, and elimination organs to flush toxins from the body.

I favor the 30-Day Nutritional Cleansing System which emphasizes a high intake of clean water, intermittent food reduction, complete protein and micronutrient nutrition, and an alkaline regimen with effective botanicals. In independent peer-reviewed research at the University of Illinois at Chicago, this system, used for 12 weeks, resulted in a remarkable average loss of 3.6 kg (7.9 lbs) of body fat, while maintaining lean mass (9). These results are superior to most dietary systems tested.

Lead researcher Krista Varady, Ph.D., concluded, “The subjects showed better weight loss and better visceral fat loss.” Getting visceral fat and its stored toxins out of your abdomen in this way is far better for your health than merely losing weight. I know of no better way to stay nicely lean and keep toxins at bay, than this 30-Day Nutritional Cleansing System.

References

American Lung Association, State of the Air Report, 2013, http://www.stateoftheair.org/Accessed 9 April 2014.

Schug TT, Janesick A, Blumberg B, Heindel JJ. Endocrine disrupting chemicals and disease susceptibility. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol. 2011;127:204–215.

Grun F, Blumberg B. Perturbed nuclear receptor signaling by environmental obesogens as emerging factors in the obesity crisis. Rev Endocr Metab Disord.2007;8:161–171.

Kim MJ, Marchand P, Henegar C, Antignac JP, Alili R, Poitou C, et al. Fate and complex pathogenic effects of dioxins and polychlorinated biphenyls in obese subjects before and after drastic weight loss. Environ Health Perspect. 2011;119:377–383.

Janesick A, Blumberg B. Endocrine disrupting chemicals and the developmental programming of adipogenesis and obesity. Birth Defects Res Part C Embryo Today Rev. 2011;93(1):34–50. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/bdrc.20197.

Thayer, Kristina. National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences.

Tang-Péronard JL1, Heitmann BL, Andersen HR, Steuerwald U, Grandjean P, Weihe P, Jensen TK.  Association between prenatal polychlorinated biphenyl exposure and obesity development at ages 5 and 7 y: a prospective cohort study of 656 children from the Faroe Islands. Am J Clin Nutr. 2014 Jan;99(1):5-13. doi: 10.3945/ajcn.113.066720.

Tang-Péronard JL1, Heitmann BL, Andersen HR, Steuerwald U, Grandjean P, Weihe P, Jensen TK. Association between prenatal polychlorinated biphenyl exposure and obesity development at ages 5 and 7 y: a prospective cohort study of 656 children from the Faroe Islands. Am J Clin Nutr. 2014 Jan;99(1):5-13. doi: 10.3945/ajcn.113.066720.

Klempel MC, Kroeger CM, Bhutani S, Trepanowski JF, Varady KA. Intermittent fasting combined with calorie restriction is effective for weight loss and cardio protection. Nutr J. 2012, 11:98. Doi: 10.1186/1475-2891-11-98

Adaptogenic Herbs

Many of you hear me yammering on about adaptogens. Here is a glimpse of the ingredients in just one of our products…now you know!

Adaptogens

🌱Ashwagandha: An herb similar to Indian Ginseng (Winter Cherry) chosen to combat physical stress

🌱Schizandra: A Chinese herb used for chronic fatigue, normalizing blood sugar, blood pressure and other bodily functions, while increasing the body’s resistance to disease

🌱Tribulus Terrestris: Known as Puncture Vine, has a detoxifying effect on the liver and improves the blood supply to muscles and the brain, while increasing endurance. Athletes use this as a safe and natural alternative to steroids. It helps hormonal and libido problems in men and women.

🌱Siberian Golden Root: An herb from the mountains of Eastern Siberia that helps you recover from mental and physical workloads. It reduces exhaustion and improves memory and brain activity. As an anti-fatigue, anti-depression herb, it is known to improve athletic and sexual performance.

🌱Siberian Ginseng: The main adaptogen responsible for athletic recovery, while increasing endurance and lean muscle. It is used to improve energy levels, protect the immune system, and increase mental sharpness. Millions take it daily.

🌱Siberian Rhododendron Caucasicum (S.R.C.): A unique non-toxic species of Rhododendron found only in the Caucasian Mountains of Russia at elevations of 10,000 to 13,000 feet. In the Republic of Georgia, there are records of 23,000 Georgians over the age of 100; based on a population of only 3.2 million people. This rhododendron is the secret to their longevity. Studies show that S.R.C. improves heart health, blood pressure and cholesterol, arthritis, depression, gout, increases blood supply to the muscles and brain, and is highly anti-bacterial. It is also being used to reduce fat and is a natural and selective fat blocker. What a list!

🌱Nepali Shilajit: Translates as “Destroyer of Weakness and the Builder of Strength.” Shilajit is harvested off the sides of the cliffs in the Himalayas. Its list of health benefits is as long as Siberian Rhododendron Caucasicum, above. It is high in trace minerals and supports longevity in ways too many to list here.

🌱Maca Extract: Maca is a root vegetable grown high in the Andes; known as the Incan Superfood. Maca is high in amino acids which play a role in sexual function; making it known for its sexual performance properties, along with enhancing fertility, memory and energy.

🌱Wolfberry: This Asian herb is known for treating diabetes, repairing damaged liver cells, kidney function, and improving vision. It contains 500% more vitamin C than oranges, more beta-carotene than carrots, over 19 amino acids and 21 trace minerals, along with B1, B2, B6, and vitamin E. The extraction process is vey important because most of the health benefits are in the berry’s skin. Wolfberry has been used for centuries for its anti-aging benefits.

Important Nutrients That Improve Your Health

🌱Bamboo Extract: The stem is used as the highest known source of natural silica; approximately 70% silica. It strengthens the skeletal system, much the same way it does for the mammals that exist on it. It improves digestion and aids the cardiovascular system and elasticity of the arteries. When our level of silica declines, we see hair loss, bone loss, and premature aging of the skin. It is an essential daily supplement.

🌱Aphrodisiac Herbs: Along with Shilajit, Maca extract, Siberian Golden Root, Schizandra extract, Ashwagandha, are added Velvet Bean and Ginger Extract. Velvet Bean is popular in sports nutrition with its ability to increase testosterone and stimulate growth hormone. We know Ginger aids in digestion, nausea, and sexual dysfunction.

🌱Fulvic Acid: Fulvic Acid is a molecule that carries nutrients into the body. It neutralizes free radicals and heavy metals, and recharges the cells: becoming a natural electrolyte. It is important in helping the body absorb nutrients, and returning the cells to a normal state. Today’s spotlight product contains 23% Fulvic Acid coming from the Nepali Shilajit.

🌱MSM (methylsulfonylmethane): You may be familiar with MSM as an essential nutrient in stimulating the production of collagen and protecting your joints. It is thought to be a necessary building block for proteins. Since sulfur levels are lower in arthritic joints than healthy joints, MSM may help in getting sulfur to joints that are low. No one is exactly sure how it works, just that it does. Other Included Extracts and Nutrients:

Extracts:

🌱Sorrel Flower: used for its astringent properties. Bacopa: supports memory, concentration, and brain function.

🌱Harada: is a natural detoxifier for the colon, which in turn, clears the skin.

🌱Amla: (Indian Gooseberry) rebuilds tissues and increase red blood cell count.

🌱Wild Blueberry: improves short-term memory, balance and coordination.

🌱Hibiscus: helps lower cholesterol and reduce heart disease, similar to red wine.

🍏Kiwi: helps with respiratory-related issues, and protects DNA from damage.

🌱Watermelon: is high in beta-caroteneandis 40% higher in Lycopene than tomatoes.

🌱Stevia: a South American herb that supports the immune system, digestive system liver.

Other Nutrients:

🌱Alpha Lipoic Acid: As a cell protector, it is one of the most powerful anti-aging substances; impacting nearly every cell in the body. It also is an anti-inflammatory as well as a vitamin B booster.

🌱Betaine Hydrochloride: is a digestive aid which primary function is to produce pepsin, a digestive enzyme that breaks down proteins in the stomach.

🌱Citric Acid: obtained from lemon and lime juices, and used as a natural preservative.

🌱Black Strap Molasses: a powerful nutrient rich in trace minerals and iron; is a natural by-product of refining sugar.

Vitamins:

Contains Vitamin B1 (Thiamin), B2 (Riboflavin), B3 (Niacin), B6 (Pyridoxine), B12 (Cobalamin), Folic Acid (a B vitamin), Vitamin C, and Zinc.

Other

Quartz Crystal Mineral Water: The water for this product is sourced from waters that run around an old quartz mine in the Arkansas Mountains. This water is rich with silica, calcium, magnesium, and trace minerals; necessary for bodily functions.