First, a disclaimer. So that I can continue to pour myself into sharing the best of what I know with you for FREE…to help you enjoy your best possible life in a body…I use affiliate links for products I personally use and recommend to you. These are at no additional cost to you. In fact, they often come at a discount when you use my link.

But enough talk about me. Let’s talk about you. What do you think of me?

Just kidding!

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Drugs: To Do, or Not to Do

Pharmaceutical drugs such as antibiotics can be harmful. This is not controversial.

Prescription drugs may at times be needed, but they come in a package that includes negative “side” effects.

Look, “side” effect is a marketing term. Drugs have effects, some of which you aim for…and others which you don’t. These unwanted effects are a toxic cost we pay for the sake of the drug’s benefits.

Since drugs do come with a cost to our health, do you think it’s maybe a good idea to try safer, more natural methods first, and turn to drug therapies when we feel strongly that safer avenues would prove ineffective?

Antibiotics Literally Wreck Your Immunity

You might wonder…is it really that serious? 

One of the scientific terms in this paper (referenced below) describes the detrimental effects of antibiotics as “antibiotic-induced perturbation of immune homeostasis.” It’s a mouthful, I know, but at first bite…does that sound good to you? It’s a complicated way of saying antibiotics throw your immune system off.

How “off”?

WAY off! The paper goes on to say:

Since Alexander Fleming discovered the first antibiotic (penicillin) in 1928, thousands of antibiotic substances have been extracted from natural substances or have been artificially synthesized. The emergence of antibiotics has protected humankind from assaults from various pathogenic bacteria and saved millions of lives during the last century.

However, extensive use of antibiotics also negatively impacts human health.
A growing number of studies have shown that [use of] antibiotics…contributes to numerous diseases, including diabetes, obesity, inflammatory bowel disease, asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, depression, autism, and superinfection in critically ill patients.

Superinfection?!

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Drug Dependency (and how to avoid it)

Let’s look at it this way.

Antibiotics kill bacteria. That’s good, right?

It would be all good…except that pharmaceutical antibiotics take a bazooka gun to a knife fight, effectively killing both the disease-causing and the disease-fighting bacteria.

Taking a round of prescription antibiotics is like dropping a bomb in a town and killing half a million civilians just to take out one enemy invader.

Beneficial bacteria populate your gut and make up 70%-80% of your immune system.

Antibiotics destroy them.

Experts estimate it takes 2 years to make up for those losses…assuming you don’t take another round of antibiotics first…

…but it’s highly likely you’ll need another round long before any replenishment occurs because…

well…

the drug intended to “help” your immune system actually wrecks your immune system.

Wrecking your immune system is the “side” effect of using antibiotics.

That is, antibiotics are likely to destroy 70%-80% of your immunity, leaving you fairly defenseless in the case you’re exposed to another “bug,” which, in turn, makes you increasingly drug dependent.

Conversely, a robust immune system can be exposed to pathogens on a regular basis with little to no effect. This is why some people “never get sick” despite working in the same office and living in the same house with affected/infected people.

They are equally exposed but their immune system takes out the foreign invader before the invader has a chance to say ‘what the bleep’.

As the writers of the medical paper addressed…antibiotics have helped millions of people, but not without many paying a cost up to and including cancer, diabetes, depression and even obesity, to name a few.

Note—neither the writers from the medical journal nor I am saying that antibiotics “cause” but that…especially with multiple uses…they directly contribute to these and other health problems. 

There’s no shame in utilizing these when they are truly needed… 

It’s just that it’s better not to need them.

The best way to avoid taking on the negative effects of drugs (and becoming drug-dependent) is to take on health promoting habits, instead.

Good food, herbs, spices, essential oils, and supplements make health so much easier.

You don’t have to eat “perfectly” or be a health nut to add a few good things to your daily habits and seriously equip your body to run better, feel better, look better.

Year-Round wellness

“Let thy food be thy medicine.”

These four treats can be enjoyed year-round, all the time, more than once per day if you like, and will not only support your body’s natural healing, but also help you maintain that health…the natural result of which is dis-ease prevention.

The key is that you enjoy these health promoting superfoods regularly and often.

Alrighty, hopefully that was ‘nuff said. If you have any thoughts or questions on this please share in the comments! As for our list of yummy elixirs, here are three you can start benefiting from TODAY. 

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THREE YUMMY Immune-boosting-health enhancing drinkables 

Hot Cocoa…and…Mushrooms?

This first one sounds like it would taste the weirdest but it is DEEEE-LISH!! I’ve tried a couple of brands and the Om hot chocolate is my favorite both for its taste and especially its unique formula.

While the others I’ve enjoyed include one super ‘shroomy, the Om Mushroom Superfood Organic Hot Chocolate has FOUR of the best super shroomies for health, immunity, and beauty, plus Ashwagandha. This formula is enough to make health geeks (like me) giddy!

Here are some of the benefits most often associated with each ‘shroom:

• Chaga: anti-aging, immune supportive, antioxidant
• Lion’s Mane: supports memory, mental focus, clarity, nerve health
• Turkey Tail: powerful immune support, anti-inflammatory
• Reishi: adaptogen, anti-stress, immune supportive, helps “chill out” an over-active immune system

Taken together in this blend, you’ll get a wonderful cocktail of body boosting natural food-medicines to support brain, sleep, energy, fitness, healthy nervous system, balanced emotions, and yearlong vitality and immunity.

Add the mushroom cocoa powder to your mug and stir with hot water or your fave fancy milk. I always like to add things. I think it’s just my need to create, or because I’m a lush. Some of my add-ins include ginger peppermint tea (makes it taste like a spiced cocoa), maybe a dollop of vanilla coffee creamer or a little more (non-sugar) sweetener, and vanilla collagen powder.  It’s so good…and unlike with antibiotics…it actually is all good!

ACV Shot

Shots, shots, shots! I remember when that song first came out. I wasn’t much of a drinker then nor am I now, so I never thought I’d be echoing the sentiment. Alas! Things change. I’m into shots now…but my shots usually include:

• Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV)
• Lemon juice or doTERRA Lemon essential oil
• Water
• Honey, monk fruit, and/or other wholesome sweetener
• doTerra’s On Guard essential oil OR powdered spiced like Cinnamon, Clove, Ginger
• Touch of cayenne

 Why ACV?

Apple Cider Vinegar:

• boosts immunity
• supports faster recovery
• soothes a sore throat
• restores healthy pH
• helps balance blood sugar
• helps lower blood pressure
• enhances fat loss
• increases satiety (so you eat less)
• reduces heart burn (have some before meals)
• improves mineral absorption for healthier bones and tissues
  improves gut health which improves ALL health…

…to name a few of many, many associated benefits.

It probably goes without saying that this one’s not for the faint of heart, especially with that dash of cayenne! Keep in mind you can make this is as mighty or as mild as you want. As long as you have about one tablespoon of ACV, you’re getting a good active dose. All the rest is quite literally “gravy.”

If you’re making your own, dilute with water and add whatever you like to make it yummy. Do this regularly and it won’t be long before you see why it is SO worth it!

Try a shot a day to help keep the sniffles away…or if you’re feeling run down, try one in the morning and one in the afternoon for an extra boost.

Make your own shots using Bragg’s Organic ACV OR try these yummy pre-mixed ACV shots.

Matcha

Matcha is a bright green powder ground from green tea leaves. It is a much-loved staple in Japan that is loaded with antioxidants, plus vitamins and minerals to support health, longevity, energy, and immunity.

• High in EGCG (a powerhouse antioxidant) to reduce inflammation
• Helps fight infections
• Chlorophyll content triggers cellular purification and detoxification
• Enhances fat burning
• Improves energy and mental focus

Blend the powder with hot water or non-dairy milk. Use a whisk to achieve that traditional frothy goodness. Use full fat coconut milk for added decadence, or maybe go for an iced version with a touch of vanilla and sweetener of your choice.

Just tea: Try these single serving packets for a delicious Mug o’ Matcha  by Mighty Leaf.

For recipes: Try this high quality culinary grade matcha by Kiss Me Organics to add health boosting matcha to your recipes in baking, cooking, frappes, smoothies, and preparing raw homemade snacks.

Premixed treat: If you really want a treat, enjoy a pre-mixed Matcha Latte powder. There are many yummy blends out there. This one by Naturealm is combined with super shroomy Lion’s Mane (BONUS!) plus coconut milk and honey in a dry powder. Yum

Matcha is a wonderful morning elixir or midday pick-me-up. Enjoy one or more servings every day to support health, immunity, and vitality. 

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Final Words

What I love about this short-list is that all these ingredients are accessible and easy to implement. Some may find they are an acquired taste especially if they are newer to the world of food-based supplements. But for many, they’ll be an instant hit. And with a little love and customization, you might even forget they’re medicine.

Ever wish you could hire a Nutrition Coach to help you design a customized meal plan suited to your body, your preferences, and your goals? Join my online Nutrition Program to get started right away (game changer!), and if you’d like more personalized coaching, email esse111@gmail.com with “Personal Nutrition Planning” in the subject line. Can’t wait to meet you!