Over the course of my 25 years of being a nutritionist, I have seen plenty of health fads come and go. Some were just plain silly (the cabbage soup diet) while others were flat out dangerous (detox teas).

But there has been one trend that began about 15 years ago and has lasted the test of time. Actually, it’s even more popular now than ever before...

Greens Powder

It feels like the term "greens drink" has become synonymous with getting healthy and losing weight. If you want to be healthy like the pros, you have to chug a green drink every morning.

But is this true?

The answer here may surprise you…

NO, you don’t need to start your day with a green drink every morning in order to be healthy.

So if that’s the case, why would you even want to?

The top two reasons I see almost daily among our members are…

CRAVINGS and ENERGY.

There are so many reasons a high-quality greens powder can be a great addition to your weight loss eating plan but, hands down, the top 2 reasons I see all the time among our members is that it helps them control afternoon cravings and it helps them avoid the afternoon energy crash.

Why would that be?

First, a quality greens powder (and we’ll discuss a bit more about quality in a second) helps to fill any nutritional gaps you may have. Even healthy eaters can experience these deficiencies since it's near impossible to cover all of your vitamins and minerals each day, no matter how great your eating plan is.

But greens powders do a great job of filling in those nutrient holes which in turn help your body combat cravings for sugar more easily.

How about energy?

This one, as well, has to do with a potential vitamin deficiency so many people suffer from without even knowing it (especially women)... Vitamin B12.

A good dose of Vitamin B12, especially in the morning, does a great job of providing your body with natural energy throughout the day, helping to prevent any energy crashes later in the afternoon.

And this isn’t a stimulant/caffeine type of energy. It’s a nice, steady, "I feel like I had a good night’s sleep" kind of energy.

So with these great benefits, could there be a downside to using a greens powder?

The biggest downside I see is supplement manufacturers all jumping on the bandwagon to produce the next popular supplement, while cutting corners and not focusing on quality. Many of the greens powders you find on Amazon or even in some large retail stores are not 3rd party tested and are chock full of fillers and additives.

Here’s just a few of the ingredients I found in the most popular greens powders sold on Amazon:

• Guar gum
• Sunflower oil powder
• Natural flavors (an unregulated term)
• Sucralose (yes! An artificial sweetener in a so-called health drink)

Now, along with the list of not-so-great greens powders, there are some really great ones out there, typically not sold on Amazon, but sold directly from the company, which I think is always the best way to go. The only issue with these powders is that they all cost way over $60 a container which is definitely pricey and would be difficult to continue to purchase consistently.

That is why I set out to create what I feel is one of the highest-quality greens powders without any fillers, nasty ingredients, or artificial sweeteners of any kind, at a price that makes it more available to all of our members.

Energize was designed specifically to fill in any potential nutritional gaps and give you a great dose of Vitamin B12 to support your body’s energy production all day long.

"I recently subscribed to Energize and am amazed at the results! I no longer want snacks in the morning and I’m down to two cups of coffee unintentionally! Sometimes I only have one!

I noticed a difference within a week in comparison to the other greens supplement I had been on for years. I have crazy energy throughout the day now and almost no food cravings. This is the best greens supplement I’ve ever taken." - Amber K., New Life Promise member and Energize subscriber

Stop cravings and enjoy all day energy with Energize -> see HERE

If you're struggling with cravings or having enough energy to get through your busy day, Energize would be a great addition to your already healthy eating plan.

"I just wanted to say I’ve been using the Energize green powder supplement for about three days and honestly after the first day, I could feel a difference, more energy, more positive. I noticed it again yesterday that late afternoon I still felt good and I’ve been recuperating from being sick all winter and I just want to say thank you so so much and to let you know it’s wonderful!" - Anita S., New Life Promise member and Energize subscriber

The post Is this just a health fad? appeared first on New Life Promise.

Scour the shelves of any health food store and there seems to be a supplement for every ailment. And now, in the age of the internet, just a quick search for said ailment will produce a myriad of ads for every miracle cure in a bottle.

With all that being said, I’m actually a big fan of supplements... for that purpose... to supplement a healthy eating plan and potentially target some specific health issues that need specific attention.

But with so many options, how do you choose?

Below I have listed the 5 supplements we currently offer in our Live Smart Nutritionals supplement line. Since every person’s needs are different, you may need some, all, or none at all... and that’s ok!

Energize Daily Greens Powder

Energize is our all-natural, energizing greens powder that is chock full of vitamins, minerals, digestive enzymes, and pre- and probiotics. My favorite part about Energize is that it does not contain caffeine or dangerous stimulants, so the increased energy comes from the natural ingredients that support your body to make its own natural and sustained energy.

The post What Supplements Should I Take? appeared first on New Life Promise.

If you or someone you love has been told they have high cholesterol, this article is a must-read.

I just finished watching an interview with Dr. Robert Lustig M.D., author of Metabolical, and wow… my mind is blown!

I’ll give you a brief summary of the key takeaways below, but trust me—it’s worth watching the whole thing, especially if you've been told by your doctor that you have high cholesterol.

To find it, search "Understand Your CHOLESTEROL PANEL & Metabolic Health Tests - the ULTIMATE Guide Dr. Robert Lustig" on YouTube.

Now, I’ve known for many years that eating foods high in cholesterol and fat does NOT cause high cholesterol levels in your body. There are countless studies and books written by leading doctors that support this truth.

But somehow, despite all this science, so many people still think that foods like eggs, shrimp, red meat, butter, and healthy oils (like coconut oil) are the problem.

I’m here to tell you… they are NOT!

I would scream it from the mountaintops if I could! This is so important.

The real culprit? Can you guess?

SUGAR! (And refined carbs come in at a close second.)

It all boils down to your metabolic health—how well your body processes glucose and handles insulin.

Here are some key points from Dr. Lustig’s interview that everyone should know:

• Triglycerides: When measured in a fasting state, they tell you how your liver handles carbs and sugar in your diet.
• VLDLs and triglycerides: Your liver converts sugar into fat and packages it into VLDLs (a type of cholesterol).
• Small dense LDL: This is the harmful type of LDL that can lead to plaque formation and cardiovascular issues.
• Triglyceride-to-HDL ratio: This is a crucial marker for insulin resistance and heart disease risk.
• Fasting insulin levels: These can give you insight into your liver function and overall metabolic health.
• Sugar and refined carbs: These contribute to liver fat, but exercise and intermittent fasting can help reduce it.
• Cholesterol panel interpretation: It’s essential to understand how the different markers work together. The total cholesterol number? It’s often misleading.
• Triglycerides and HDL: Their ratio tells you more about your liver health and heart disease risk than the total cholesterol number.
• Small dense LDL and liver fat: Sugar consumption and liver fat cause high levels of small dense LDL, which is more concerning than your total LDL levels.
• Insulin resistance: This, often indicated by elevated fasting insulin, is a key factor in chronic metabolic diseases.

Making lifestyle changes—like cutting back on sugar, exercising, and intermittent fasting—can go a long way toward improving liver health and overall metabolic health.

So, what do you do if your lab results show high cholesterol? Here’s exactly what I’d tell you:

1. Ignore the total cholesterol number. Instead, focus on the ratio of triglycerides to HDL. If it's 1.5 or lower, you're in great shape! (The lower, the better.) My own recent blood test showed triglycerides at 88 and HDL at 98, giving me a ratio of 0.9—which, according to Dr. Lustig, means I should live forever… lol!

2. Ask if your fasting insulin levels were measured. If not, go back to your doctor and ask for that test. This will give you much deeper insights into your metabolic and liver health.

3. Cut out refined sugars and carbs. If you’re already following the New Life Promise meal plans, this is exactly what we do in the first four weeks.

4. Exercise is non-negotiable. If you’re not exercising yet, start with walking, and then work up to strength training three times a week.

5. Begin taking an Omega-3 supplement immediately. “There's strong evidence that omega-3 fatty acids can significantly reduce blood triglyceride levels.” as reported on the MayoClinic website. I’ve already written extensively on how the quality of Omega-3s you buy is vital so here is the one I recommend to all of our members:

Pure, clean, and effective OmegaPure-> Get your OmegaPure HERE

*NOTE - Dr. Lustig does recommend intermittent fasting, though I typically don’t for women. Men seem to do well with it, but for us ladies, our hormones (especially during perimenopause and menopause) can make it a little trickier.

But I promise, even without intermittent fasting, these changes can make a world of difference.

Take Patricia G., for example—a member of our NLP family. She started her journey in January, and by May, her cholesterol levels were fantastic. Here’s what she shared:

"I began this journey not necessarily to lose weight, but to get healthier. In December, my cholesterol was high, and I was prescribed medication, which I couldn’t take. I found this program, and something about it just felt right. I followed the plan faithfully, and I even enjoyed the food! By May, my doctor told me my cholesterol levels were great—better than they’ve been in years. I’m so thankful to be part of this group. Never give up—just take it one day at a time!"

With these tips, you’ll be well on your way to getting your cholesterol under control. If you'd like some additional help with losing weight, look no further than the New Life Promise plan!

Not Already a New Life Promise Member! -> Click HERE to start today

The post Should You Be Worried About High Cholesterol? appeared first on New Life Promise.

Are you suffering from arthritis pain?

So was one of our wonderful members, Roberta, until she made one tweak in her health plan...

I have taken InflamCALM for a month now and I positively love it. I am 81 years old (not quite sure how I got here so fast) and have arthritis in my right knee, hip and lower back. Not only can it be very painful but I have been walking with a limp, which I hate. Since almost immediately the pain has subsided and the limp is much better...sometimes not there. I am not healed, the issue is still there but doesn't hurt and is not controlling me. So grateful.

A study reported in Harvard Health tells us why:

This particular study published in BioMedical Central Journal reported that curcumin (the active ingredient in InflamCALM) may help ease symptoms of osteoarthritis.

In the study, researchers enrolled 139 participants, all who suffered from knee osteoarthritis that was at least moderately severe and required treatment with NSAIDs (non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs).

For one month, they were given either the NSAID diclofenac or curcumin.

Here's what this study found:

• Both treatments relieved arthritis symptoms and helped to a similar degree: 94% of those taking curcumin and 97% of those taking diclofenac reported at least 50% improvement.
• People reported fewer side effects with curcumin. For example, none of the study subjects taking curcumin needed treatment for stomach trouble, but 28% of those taking diclofenac needed treatment.
• Those taking curcumin lost, on average, nearly 2% of their body weight in just four weeks - that's 3.5 pounds for a 175-pound person.

Of course, this is just one study, and everyone's pain, arthritis, and overall health is very different. But this does offer those who are suffering from arthritis pain a more natural and healthier alternative to pharmaceutical drugs.

Arthritis literally means "joint inflammation," so if we know that inflammation is at the root cause, we can take many anti-inflammatory measures to get it under control.

Here is what I would recommend:

Begin by eliminating the greatest inflammatory culprits. If you had a raging fire in your home, you would not continue to pour gasoline on it. Likewise, "pouring" sugar, processed foods, and refined starches on your arthritis is only making the situation worse. Start with whichever is the biggest culprit for you (maybe sugar), and watch how quickly your pain begins to subside.

Next, add in some anti-inflammatory heroes. Some of my favorites are blueberries, broccoli, avocado, fatty fish (like salmon), and extra virgin olive oil. Thankfully, your New Life Promise and LiveSmart meal plans make this super easy since we always make it a point to include as many anti-inflammatory foods as possible.

And last, but certainly not least, begin taking a natural supplements that is chock full of curcumin. The active ingredient in our InflamCALM formula is Curcumia Longa and is a powerhouse when it comes to combating chronic inflammation.

Is InflamCALM right for you? -> See more HERE

If you're currently suffering from arthritis or any other inflammatory condition, I highly recommend you add this quality turmeric supplement to your daily routine. Alongside a healthy eating plan, it is one of the best ways I keep my body from accumulating any unnecessary inflammation.

Overcome chronic inflammation – get your first dose of InflamCALM here »

The post One Small Change for Arthritis Sufferers appeared first on New Life Promise.

There is a word that has become rather trendy in the health space that you have probably heard countless times...

Inflammation.

As much as I do my best to stay away from fads and trends, this word should continue to receive as much attention as it has.

A majority of the nagging health ailments many people suffer from today can be attributed back to increased inflammation in the body. This makes our jobs of keeping ourselves healthy rather simple... decrease inflammation in the body as much as possible.

But simple doesn't necessarily mean easy.

Two supplements I have been recommending for almost my entire career as a nutritionist have been Omega-3s and Turmeric, both of which are absolutely incredible for lowering nagging inflammation in the body.

But with those recommendations has come the question...

"Isabel, what's the biggest difference between Omega-3s and Turmeric, and which one should I take?"

Great question.

Let's first take a quick look at each one individually.

Fish oil, the best source for quality Omega-3 fatty acids your body can use, contains Omega-3s, specifically DHA and EPA, which our bodies cannot make on their own. These fatty acids are critical for the optimum function of our brains, hearts, muscles, and joints (just to name a few), and it's vitally important that we get them from either food or supplementation.

Because the majority of people today are not getting enough foods like salmon, sardines, and anchovies in their diets (and honestly, it would really be hard to), supplementation is highly recommended.

Turmeric, on the other hand, contains curcumin, which has the power to decrease inflammation and pain in the body just as much as over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like Advil and Motrin. It accomplishes this by several mechanisms, including the COX-2 pathway blocked by NSAIDs.

That is amazing news for people who find themselves dependent on these anti-inflammatory drugs just to function well throughout the day. If you can accomplish the same pain relief with something natural that is also providing your body with other incredible benefits, that will always be a better choice than a drug that also comes with dangerous side effects (stomach ulcers and other serious gastrointestinal issues).

With both Omega-3s and Turmeric having such incredible benefits, it most definitely would be difficult to decide between the two.

My first recommendation is to take both if possible. I always lean on the side of fewer supplements, but these two are an important part of any anti-inflammatory protocol. It has also been shown that Turmeric has the power to enhance the benefits of Omega-3, which is another great reason to take them together.

But if that is not possible for you right now, I completely understand.

If I had to help you choose just one, here are the questions I would ask...

Do you have a family history of heart disease, high cholesterol, or high triglycerides? Or are you suffering from any of these conditions yourself? -> Go with Omega-3s

Do you have a family history of diabetes or other blood sugar related illnesses? Or are you suffering from any of these yourself right now? -> Go with Omega-3s

Do you suffer from joint pain, arthritis, or muscular pain often? -> Go with Turmeric

Do you suffer from consistent digestive issues like bloating, gas, constipation, or diarrhea? -> Go with Turmeric

Do you have a history of Alzheimer's or dementia in your family? -> Do your absolute best to take both.

So the answer to which one you should take is highly dependent on your current situation.

Remember that I have done all the hard work for you and sourced the absolute best Omega-3 and Turmeric supplements without any of the dangerous fillers and additives that can be found in most other brands. They are also both priced way below the amount many other companies would charge for supplements of this quality.

Heart disease, high cholesterol, high triglycerides, or Diabetes -> Click HERE for OmegaPURE

Joint Pain, Arthritis, bloating, and gastrointestinal issues -> Click HERE for InflamCALM

The post Which Is Better for Me, Omega-3 or Turmeric? appeared first on New Life Promise.

In my early 30s, I met a woman who had a bit of a scary experience with a simple Botox procedure. Shortly after, unrelated to the first woman, I met a few other women who were experiencing some challenging side effects from what they thought was the result of the Botox and fillers they had recently received.

Hmm, I thought to myself. Why not just let yourself age gracefully? That's what I'm going to do.

Well, what I'm realizing now, at 45 years old, is that was a very easy statement for a 30-year-old to make. The wrinkles had not quite set in yet, and my eyes were still lifted and bright.

"Just let yourself age gracefully," I tell myself daily, while almost every single one of my family and friends is so easily and quickly erasing the tell-tale signs of aging with a simple injection that somehow miraculously erases these wrinkles in just one appointment.

Now, let me be clear. If you have decided to get some of those procedures, no judgement at all... really. For me, the choice to not use any injectables on my face is a direct result of my lifelong health challenges and how I have been able to overcome them naturally.

That is not to say that I intend to "overcome" aging. I just feel like I have worked so hard to heal myself from a lifetime of digestive issues, that adding in an outside factor that may rock the boat is just not worth it.

Does that mean I can't be proactive about my aging? Absolutely not. There is so much you and I can both do to naturally age gracefully in the best way possible.

Here are just a few things I am currently doing to keep my skin glowing and smooth as I approach my later years.

1. Water and anti-inflammatory food. I'm putting these two together because if you’re reading this post, chances are you’re already following the New Life Promise program and eating mostly anti-inflammatory foods. You are also probably already following our recommendation to drink half your body weight in ounces of water each day. Giving your body the hydration and the proper nourishment it needs is the absolute most important strategy when it comes to aging well… not just in how you look, but in how you feel.
2. Sleep and stress. Nothing, and I mean nothing, will age you faster than lack of sleep and overwhelming amounts of stress. If you haven’t already done this, it is critical to make sleep an absolute priority. Turn your phone off at least one hour before bed and begin the wind down process. This will allow your body to produce and release the right amount of melatonin so you’re able to fall asleep and stay asleep. As for stress, I highly recommend you have a minimum of one stress-reducing strategy in your tool kit. Some ideas might be a short walk in nature or a quiet 10-minute prayer session mid-day. My new favorite in the morning is doing some light stretches while I listen to instrumental worship music. It really helps me start the day in a peaceful place instead of hurried and crazed.
3. Collagen, collagen, collagen. You may already know that I’m a huge fan of collagen. Collagen is a protein in our body that serves as one of the main building blocks for your bones, skin, hair, and nails. It is what keeps our skin from sagging, giving us that youthful look. Starting in our late 20s, our bodies begin to naturally produce less collagen, which is why we see a difference in our skin overall. The great news is that collagen is so easy to supplement with (probably easier than any other supplement). You can add one scoop to your morning coffee or tea or in your nightly herbal tea and make it a simple addition to your daily routine.

But as I began to research collagen and aging more and more, I realized that the best collagen formulations were the ones that used all 3 types of collagen (Type I, II, and III) to target several different areas of the body. On top of that, there were a few critical nutrients that could greatly support the graceful aging process even more.

That is why I decided to include all 3 types of collagen (bovine collagen, chicken cartilage, and marine collagen) as well as horsetail extract, bamboo extract, and hyaluronic acid in our new collagen formula.

See exactly what's inside SkinREJUV -> Click HERE

If you've never heard of some of these ingredients, here's why they are such great tools for aging gracefully...

Type I collagen helps support smooth, firm skin and strong, healthy hair and nails.

Type II collagen helps support healthy bones, joints, and connective tissue and supports digestive health.

Type III collagen supports your blood vessels, muscles, tendons, and major organs.

Horsetail extract is a powerful anti-aging nutrient that protects your cells from "free radical" damage. It promotes skin elasticity and hair and nail strength.

Bamboo extract stimulates collagen production on a cellular level while improving firmness in skin, hair, and nails.

Hyaluronic acid speeds up the wound and scar healing process while drawing in much-needed moisture for improved skin hydration.

Wow. With a line-up like this, you absolutely can't go wrong.

All these ingredients, along with some extra vitamin C and B vitamins, are included in our brand-new collagen supplement, SkinREJUV.

See exactly what's inside SkinREJUV -> Click HERE

The post Botox, Fillers, and Injectables appeared first on New Life Promise.

If you haven't heard of turmeric, or you're wondering why everyone is running to add this bright yellow spice to everything they drink or eat, here's the lowdown...

Turmeric is now considered by many experts to be the single most powerful and beneficial herb on the planet for combatting and preventing disease. WOW! Now that's something worth talking about.

This delicious root (most often used as a spice in Indian cooking) contains the active compound curcumin, which was first identified more than 200 years ago, as an anti-inflammatory molecule.

This is critically important to us because many of the most prevalent diseases today – cancer, heart disease, arthritis, type 2 diabetes – can all be linked back to one major culprit... INFLAMMATION.

In fact, inflammation is so closely tied to heart disease, obesity, and diabetes that it is now considered one of the leading causes of premature death around the world... YIKES!

So, it is in your best interest to do everything you can to prevent and greatly lower any amount of dangerous inflammation inside your body. And yes, turmeric (specifically curcumin) is one of the best ways to calm chronic inflammation inside your body. (I'll get to exactly how to do that in just a second.)

And if being a powerful anti-inflammatory compound was not enough, the curcumin molecule also has tremendous anti-aging, anti-oxidant, anti-microbial, and anti-viral properties.

Not to mention...

• Lowers high blood pressure
• Eases persistent aches and pains
• Increases energy levels and feelings of vitality
• Makes you feel years younger
• Helps with skin problems
• Promotes joint function, mobility, and flexibility

So, how can you get the most benefit from this delicious spice to enjoy all these incredible advantages?

Well, people mistakenly think that a few shakes of turmeric added to their lunch or dinner will do the trick, but that is not the case. To receive the incredible anti-inflammatory benefits of turmeric, you must take 1,000 mg every day. If you aren't taking 1,000 mg a day, it's unlikely you'll get the desired results and health benefits.

You also want to be sure you're absorbing the turmeric you take... because there's no sense in taking it if your body can't absorb it, right?

Raw turmeric is poorly absorbed by the human body, but once you add black pepper, BAM, it can now be effectively absorbed by your digestive system.

With all those considerations, I have sourced and produced one of the best, bioavailable turmeric supplements available. Not only does it contain over 600 mg of turmeric your body can use per capsule, but it is also free of any unnecessary fillers or synthetic ingredients.

My #1 recommendation for high-quality turmeric => Live Smart Nutritionals InflamCALM

If you're currently suffering from any of the inflammatory conditions mentioned above (heart disease, type 2 diabetes, arthritis), I highly recommend you add this quality turmeric supplement to your daily routine. Alongside a healthy eating plan, it is one of the best ways I keep my body from accumulating any unnecessary inflammation.

Overcome chronic inflammation easily with quality turmeric – get your first dose of InflamCALM here »

The post Is Turmeric Too Good to Be True? appeared first on New Life Promise.

Do you ever wonder why some people seem to lose weight so easily while others struggle to make the scale move even 1 ounce?

You know, the ones who maybe eat just one extra healthy food that week and, all of a sudden, they've lost 2 pounds? While others (maybe even you) follow every healthy rule in the book, only to see tiny creeps of change in your body?

I've definitely questioned this phenomenon often as a practicing nutritionist for over 20 years now. And to serve my clients and group members to the highest level, I really needed to figure out the missing link that separated the most successful clients from those who continued to struggle with their health and weight.

Why was it that some clients...

• Felt satiated, satisfied, and free of cravings following their new meal plans;
• Saw decreases in the scale at a healthy rate and saw changes in their bodies consistently; and
• Kept the weight off and maintained their healthy habits for months and years to come

While others - who had the same meal plans and nutrition information - continued to struggle and stay stuck in their old unhealthy habits?

Some of my most successful members will tell you they didn't have some sort of superhuman discipline or motivation. They had the same struggles as everyone else, the same 24 hours in a day, and very similar resources and information as those around them.

So what was it?

This may sound too simple to be true, but it really was just... ENERGY.

When your body is producing the right amount of energy on a daily basis, everything just falls so easily into place.

• Your metabolism burns fat and carbs at a rate that is healthy and gives you the energy to accomplish your daily tasks.
• You sleep well at night, therefore feeling much more energized the next day to meal prep, walk, and stick to your healthy eating plan.
• You don't experience energy crashes throughout the day and therefore don't need chocolate, carbs, or tons of caffeine to overcome them.

When you feel like your body is running on all cylinders, the cravings, the struggles, the plateaus just naturally fall away.

And I'm not talking about "fake" overly caffeinated, artificial energy that comes from dangerous stimulants, energy drinks, or loads of coffee. I'm talking about the smooth, stable energy your body is designed to produce to help you feel like you can take on each day without crashing.

If stable, feel-good energy is something you are currently struggling with, I have something special to help you with just that...

My brand new superfood greens powder, ENERGIZE.

The post The REAL Reason 80% of Dieters Fail appeared first on New Life Promise.

The many benefits of Omega-3s are becoming common knowledge, with even most doctors recommending Omega-3 supplements to their patients. With this increase in popularity, you may be wondering whether or not Omega-3s are a good fit for you and your current health goals.

With the list of benefits that come from including this easy-to-take supplement in your routine, I can confidently say yes! For most people, an Omega-3 supplement can be a game changer when it comes to their health.

Why should you include Omega-3s in your diet?

Omega-3s have been shown to...

• Improve risk factors for heart disease
• Lower triglycerides
• Help to normalize blood pressure
• Decrease bad LDL cholesterol and assist in increasing good HDL cholesterol
• Reduce overall inflammation in the body
• Improve eye health and vision
• Stabilize blood sugar and improve insulin resistance
• Accelerate metabolism and enhance weight loss
• Help hair growth and smooth skin
• Improve bone and joint health
• Fight depression and anxiety

Wow! With a list like that, it's no wonder Omega-3 has become one of the most popular supplements on that market.

Can you get enough Omega-3s from food?

Supplements should always be, well, a "supplement" to good wholesome foods. I always believe in food first before supplementation, and the following foods are a great addition to your daily meals to increase your intake of Omega-3s each day:

• Wild-caught fish, especially salmon, mackerel, and herring
• Canned fish such as sardines and anchovies
• Flaxseeds and chia seeds
• Walnuts

The challenge with these foods is that the most abundant amount of Omega-3s do come from fish sources. Many people don't eat fish daily, whether that is because of taste preference or availability. It is also not advised to eat fish every day because of the potential mercury content (although the ones suggested above are lowest in mercury). So, even if you are having fish a few times per week and including some nuts and seeds in your diet, chances are you are still not getting the recommended amount each day. That is why supplementation is often recommended and needed.

How do you find the best Omega-3 supplement?

Supplements in general are much more accessible these days, which is very convenient but can also be very dangerous. Many supplements can now be found at your local grocery store, pharmacy, or big-name online retailer... but this does not mean they are of the best quality. Many times, it is just the opposite.

Let's start with online retailers, specifically Amazon. You can find pretty much anything on Amazon... I mean anything! Unfortunately, many of the products sold are knock-offs and not regulated properly. Many years ago, I would often purchase supplements and food items on Amazon, but now I absolutely don't under any circumstances. They have been so many cases of Amazon sellers buying knock-off products, relabeling them to look like the original, and then selling them on Amazon for a lower price. This is not only annoying; it is downright dangerous.

If you are going to buy supplements online, I highly recommend you purchase straight from the company, even if it is a little more expensive. Not only will you be ensuring you are getting the actual product, but you will also have a company you can easily contact if something is not right. (Have you ever tried to contact an Amazon seller? They make it virtually impossible to reach a human if you have issues with your order - it's all automated and sometimes complicated.)

What about stores like Costco?

Wholesale stores like Costco now also carry a variety of supplements, often at much cheaper prices than you can find at a regular supermarket, pharmacy, or online. Because these types of wholesale stores do not specialize in supplements or health items, they do not typically carry the highest quality supplements available. Even when they do have a brand I recognize and consider to be "good," I am wary of the shelf life and how long it has been there. This is particularly important with Omega-3s as you do not want to purchase one that has gone rancid with time.

I absolutely love Costco (and similar warehouse stores) for bulk paper items, household goods, and some food items. I can check the expiration date and the actual food item for freshness, and they have some great deals! But I do not purchase any supplements at these types of stores.

Why Live Smart Nutritionals?

With every supplement and everything you put in your body, quality is of the utmost importance. That is why I worked hard to find, source, and produce one of the highest-quality Omega-3 supplements now available.

We are excited to now have OmegaPURE as part of our Live Smart Nutritionals line of supplements.

With OmegaPURE, you can feel confident knowing you are giving your body the purest form of Omega-3s without any added fillers or dangerous rancid oils that are found in many on-the-shelf Omega-3 products.

Live Smart Nutritionals Omega-3 Fish Oil => This is the one I use daily

The post This Is Why You Need Omega-3s appeared first on New Life Promise.

Mornings can be tough, even for the most organized person. With work, kiddos who need to get ready for school, and a to-do list that gets longer by the minute, it may be hard to feel like you can fit in all your healthy habits in the morning.

I can completely relate, which is why I've simplified my morning routine into just a few items that allow me to have a productive morning in a calm way... which then leads to a day that is productive and calm (although calm is always subject to change... LOL).

4:00 a.m. - Rise and shine!

I know, I know, that's early! But I absolutely love the quiet of the morning, and I love that I get about 2 hours to myself, in complete silence, before anyone else gets up.

After brushing my teeth and cleaning my face with alcohol-free witch hazel, I go to the kitchen and fill a large glass mason jar with 24 ounces of water, the juice of 1 lemon, and a few shakes of Himalayan pink sea salt.

I sip on this and hydrate my body while I read my Bible for 15-30 minutes and say my prayers. If you don't have that much time to dedicate to your prayer time in the morning, make it however long you need to. There is something so powerful about starting your day with God's word in your heart and in your mind. It sets me up with the right focus for the rest of the day.

5:00 a.m. - I make my warm Maca drink.

Maca is a plant native to Peru and is available in powder form. It is one of my favorite superfoods (for women especially) because it can help to balance hormones, reduce menopausal symptoms, enhance energy, and decrease anxiety and depression. I started using Maca every day after giving up caffeine because I wanted to drink something that was natural and would taste good. Not only do I feel a very natural energy boost, it also tastes delicious.

Isabel's Morning Maca Drink
Servings: 1
Ingredients
1 tsp Maca powder
1 tsp raw carob or cacao powder
1 Tbsp collagen peptides
Cinnamon and stevia, to taste
1 cup boiling water
½ cup homemade or ¼ cup canned coconut milk

Directions
Put the Maca powder, carob or cacao powder, collagen, cinnamon, and stevia in your favorite mug. Add hot water (almost boiling) and then add coconut milk.

I sip on this drink while I work for the next hour. Newsletters just like this one are written during that time.

6:00 a.m. - Exercise time.

By this time, my 2 kids are up and stirring. I know this because I can hear the Legos from 3 rooms away... LOL. Sometimes they join me in my workout, or sometimes they just play for 30 minutes. They know this is mommy's exercise time and it's important.

7:30 a.m. - We all start to make breakfast together.

My kids are old enough now that they can help so this goes pretty quickly. We are all usually at the table eating in about 15 minutes.

This is when I drink my ENERGIZE Essential Daily Greens. As I'm getting my breakfast together, I make 2 glasses of green juice for me and my husband and we drink it while we're hustling around the kitchen.

ENERGIZE gives me the energy I need to get through my busy days. There have been just a few times that I've missed my morning dose, and immediately I can tell the difference and not just in my energy levels. When I don't have my morning green juice, I feel hungry during the day (which is not very typical for me). It's almost like that mega dose of micronutrients fills in any nutritional gaps I may have and keeps me nourished and satiated all day long.

Mornings don't have to be crazy and frantic. Just a few simple tweaks can help you get a healthy and peaceful start to your day. If you haven't already included ENERGIZE Essential Daily Greens in your morning routine, I promise you, you will feel the difference almost immediately.

I'm ready to boost my energy levels – Get your ENERGIZE greens HERE »

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