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How a healthy smoothie a day can change your life

 


For years, my alarm would go off at 4:50am, I would snooze for 10 minutes, then the smell of my coffee brewing (that was already set up the night before) would drag me down the stairs to my kitchen. I didn't have much time to make breakfast while I was getting ready for work, packing up a lunch, and getting my daughters ready for daycare. I would make oatmeal in the microwave, or a piece of whole wheat toast with jam. I would rush out the door to get to the hospital for my 6:45am shift. I would be non-stop busy from the minute I walked in the door. By around 9am my stomach would hurt I was so hungry. I would feel anxious and couldn't concentrate on the simplest medication order until I ate. I always had a cliff bar in my lab coat pocket that I would go quickly eat in the bathroom because I had no where to take a break. Then for the rest of the day I would eat about every 2-3 hours, always starving and anxious by the next time I ate. By 3pm, I was exhausted, and craving something starchy like my kids goldfish or a bag of pretzels, inhaling them uncontrollably until it was dinnertime. I thought this was normal for me.

Around the same time, I was becoming very interested in nutrition and read a lot of books and blogs. I got a nice blender because my friends were buying one but I haven't regretted that purchase. I experimented with smoothies, protein powders, and lots of recipes I found online. I got my kids drinking smoothies too.  I started making a smoothie when I got up and drink on the drive to work or while I started my shift. I began to notice I was feeling full for way longer, less shaky, anxious, and irritable. I could sometimes skip the snack or eat maybe a hard boiled egg because I didn't crave or need the sugary cliff bar. Then by 3pm, I had more energy for my "2nd shift" with the kids, and would be okay with a healthier snack like veggies and hummus. I started to have more energy, focus, slept better, and lost weight.

I learned how important it is to eat a balance of protein, fat, and fiber to stop the blood sugar roller coaster I rode for decades. I still make a smoothie almost every day.

That's why I decided to do a mid-summer reset and have a free 5-day Smoothie Challenge starting July 31st. It will be laid-back because it's still summer and they are not a lot of work, but will get us back on track.  We can head into Fall feeling less sluggish and bloated and more confident and energized! I will share my smoothie tips and recipes, and we have each other so we won't be doing it alone:) 

Join me by clicking the link and invite a friend along too:) I look forward to having you.

https://bit.ly/free5daysmoothiechallenge

Join my Private Facebook Group Busy Mom's Self-Care Community at https://bit.ly/masterherhealthFBgroup for exclusive ideas!


Stephanie

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