Let's Talk Supplements!
Happy Sunday everyone!
This week's topic is one of my favorite things to talk about! I have been receiving a lot of questions about health supplements and what it actually does to benefit your overall health. So first, let's talk about the elephant in the room. Are health supplements part of crash diet fads? Well yes, but also no! It really is all about how you use them and what you are using them for to aid your current diet. With anything, abuse of a supplement can lead to harmful impacts but that is if you are using them in the wrong ways or trying to achieve unrealistic or harmful body goals. I primarily use health supplements that compliment my already nutritious diet. I won't dive too deep into my routine because that'll be a post for another day!
However, my best friend, Cara Van Weelden, is here today to introduce you all to a healthy way of using supplements and if it works into your overall routine. Cara is a Certified Ortho / Trauma Physician's Assistant, former Division 1 athlete, who just so happened to play with me at Loyola University Chicago. She is also currently an Arbonne Area Manager, working on becoming a Regional Vice President. She is extremely knowledgeable in this topic and I am excited for all you readers to absorb the information she is sharing today. Below, Cara discusses information regarding Arbonne and her overall nutrition routine. What is Arbonne? Arbonne offers a holistic approach to beauty, healthy and wellbeing, focusing on the whole person to help them flourish inside and out! Arbonne offers nutritional, skincare, and cosmetic products worldwide that are vegan, cruelty-free and formulated gluten-free! If interested, check out the following link: https://www.arbonne.com/us/en/arb/colleentriezenberg
Take a read, and let me know if you have any questions for Cara or myself, enjoy!
Contact information: Cara Van Weelden
Instagram: @tuccimama
"Since changing my daily routine roughly 4 years ago I noticed so many positive benefits to my overall health. I am able to maintain a steady weight, as well as a steady weight gain with both of my pregnancies. For me, personally, my postpartum journey was by no means easy, but I believe the healthy changes I made to my diet beforehand allowed me to get back on track easier. I seriously owe it to the 30 Day Healthy Living Program which gave me the rest I needed to get my gut back in check and to make healthy choices with food.
I continue to use the following products or “supplements” on a daily basis because of the positive benefits I continue to see. Everyone is different in what their body needs but this is what absolutely works for me. I start every morning with my green shot. The greens shot contains Arbonne’s BeWell Superfood greens, a blend of 36 superfruits and veggies in one scoop. I continue to eat fruits and veggies during the day but this just adds that extra nutrients that sometimes my body doesn’t get from foods. This shot is also a great source of fiber. With being a working mom, I am ALWAYS on the go, so this helps ensure I receive the proper amount of my daily dose of vegetables and fruits.
Next, I add the Arbonne’s Gut health Digestion and Microbiome Support. This is a daily MUST for me because it is a prebiotic and probiotic, as well as it contains enzymes to help support a healthy GI tract and it helps to reduce any bloat. I don’t eat a lot of dairy or yogurt for that matter, so this is a nice healthy alternative. Lastly I add in Arbonne’s SkinElixir collagen builder. Because our collagen production goes down as we age, this is a great vegan form of collagen to help boost collagen production for our hair, skin and nails. It contains Vitamin C to increase collagen and also Hyaluronic Acid which helps to retain moisture for our skin.
One of my most favorite morning rituals is making my protein shake! This has been a game changer for me because I would oftentimes not eat, not eat enough or simply something not healthy. I choose Arbonne’s protein because it is formulated without Whey, dairy or gluten. It is plant based protein derived from peas, cranberries and rice. It tastes AMAZING and I like to add healthy carbs and fast for a nice variety to start my day. Typically I add in a powder form of a MV. Arbonne offers their BEWELL Daily MV & Mineral which I love because I also don’t have to worry about choking down a large pill or get the nauseating after effects. It contains 22 vitamins and minerals that help fill the gaps in your diet. Not too mention, there are endless amount of fun shake recipes, so I am always trying different variations to mix it up!
And now FIZZ! The last thing I use pretty much daily is Arbonne’s Energy Fizz. Fizz sticks do have caffeine in them, but it is a natural form derived from green tea and guarana. This has helped me kick my coffee habit. I love the taste of coffee and enjoy a cup every now and then but i don’t like the way it makes me feel. Because it is filled with so many awesome vitamins it helps boost my energy without giving me the jitters or that crash you get with most energy or coffee drinks. I love that it also helps keep me hydrated unlike coffee which always leaves me dehydrated. There are plenty of different fizz flavors, some popular ones are strawberry, pomegranate and citrus flavor! They are always surprising us with new flavors!!
The most important note! I don’t use the supplements to replace things in my diet but rather to help fill the gaps in my day to day diet and to also help support my cognitive and muscle health. I did my research and there are definitely questionable supplements out there. Don’t just take a vitamin because you are told to do so. Read up on what is in that vitamin and know how it works for your body! The ingredient policy with Arbonne is next to none and they have done 3rd party clinical trials to back up all their products. Most over the counter Vitamins and supplements don’t have standards when it comes to their ingredient policy, so be sure to read your labels.
Arbonne has completely altered my lifestyle for the better, and I cannot imagine not having it part of my daily rituals! It has helped transform my body inside and out, and I am healthier for myself, my husband and my kiddos! Let me know if you have any questions at all, I would be happy to assist on ways that some of these supplements may fill in the gaps for you!