Making Holidays Merry and Bright

Day 3: Healthy Simply Fit Baking Mixes

I like a lot of protein in my house and I need quick, healthy meals—breakfast included.
I use this mix for pancakes and waffles. Think Kodiak Cakes, but better. Simply Fit baking mixes offer 15 grams of protein, are gluten free, sugar free and have become a family favorite. I even make them ahead and freeze them for an even quicker breakfast when I’m in a hurry. I warm up the frozen Pancakes for one minute in the microwave and I pop the waffles in the toaster add a little butter and /or syrup and a healthy breakfast is ready to get me through my holiday errands,

By the way, Simply Fit also makes Muffin mixes and Double Chocolate Brownie mix too.
$17.99 for 23.5 ounce bag.

Sustain’s sucralose comes from Sugar Beets!

Making Your Holidays Merry & Bright

Day 2: Mela-Out Magnesium

Because we all need a good quality magnesium for a million reasons. Drinking Mela-Out Magnesium will help you relax and feel calmer so you can better manage everyday stress.*

Mela-Out was developed for maximum absorption. When you feel stressed, your nervous system releases hormones that cause your muscles to become tense, your heart to pound faster, and your breath to quicken.

Magnesium relieves muscle tension, which has a dramatic impact on the level of stress you feel. Magnesium also promotes digestive regularity, helps relieve restlessness, improves sleep, and even minimizes cramping after exertion.*

In short…calm mind, better sleep and better recovery from all your holiday plans. I know I Stress less with magnesium as nature intended with Mela-Out.
$24.59

* This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

OSTEOARTHRITIS vs RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS 

Ever wondered how osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis differ? Both can cause joint pain and stiffness, but they have distinct causes and treatment approaches. Understanding these differences is key to managing symptoms effectively BUT knowing the proper nutrition path can help one live a life free of pain and discomfort.
When one is first diagnosed with a disease, it’s easy/normal to feel weak, to feel like a victim, to question “why me”. But when I discovered the huge role that nutrition plays when it comes to fighting and overcoming disease, I felt inspired. This knowledge, this truth of proper nutrition can allow you to truly take charge of your health once and for all.

If you have a medical diagnosis that requires treatment, please know your doctor most likely will NOT give you a protocol of proper nutrition to go alongside it. WHY? Because ….. 

  • They were never educated on nutrition
  • They treat you the way the insurance industry tells them to treat you 
  • The insurance company does not want nutrition to be part of their protocol because they don’t make any money on that!

I can’t give medical advice but I certainly can help build a plan of attack to boost your immune system and address symptoms.
If you need assistance, please ask! I’m only a zoom away and you’d be shocked at how much you can learn that will positively impact your future health!

Does Diet Impact Hair Loss?

Absolutely.

Certain dietary habits can worsen hair loss:

  • Sugar
  • Alcohol 
  • Zinc and Biotin (B7) Deficiencies
  • Insufficient Protein (This is common among women)

Also having Covid or the Flu can cause temporary hair loss. But there are foods and nutrients you can consume to hair promote hair growth.

  • Quercetin: promotes blood flow in the scalp
  • Vitamin D: 5 studies found higher levels protective against hair loss. 2000 IU’s/daily minimum
  • Iron: supplementation improved growth in women; absorption is best when paired with vitamin C; dietary sources include spinach, lentils, and almonds. 
  • Cruciferous vegetables: (e.g. broccoli, cauliflower, kale, sprouts, etc) have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory phytochemicals, especially sulforaphane. 
  • Soy: Especially edamame and tofu

Remember, women lose 50 – 100 strands of hair per day which is part of the natural growth cycle.

What does it mean when you hear someone say “I suffer from autoimmune”?

It’s such a broad statement. For instance…..

  • In rheumatoid arthritis, the immune system targets the joints, causing pain, swelling, and stiffness.
  • In lupus, it can damage many parts of the body, including joints, skin, and kidneys.
  • In type 1 diabetes, it destroys insulin-producing cells in the pancreas.
  • In multiple sclerosis, it attacks the protective sheath around nerve cells, causing issues with communication between the brain and body. 

But they can share the same symptoms: Fatigue, fever, muscle aches, joint pain, skin problems, and digestive issues.

Most autoimmune are chronic, meaning it is ongoing with no cure. Those that suffer are told by the medical community that it’s their cross to bear as they manage their symptoms with medicationBut here’s what I have experienced and witnessed dozens of times over:

Nutrition plays a HUGE part in not only managing the symptoms but also addressing root cause. Traditional medicine will tell you that autoimmune diseases are caused by genetic and environmental conditions, and I would agree that they can play a role. But I also believe that since the medical profession is not trained in nutrition, that is why they throw their arms up in the air and prescribe medication.

I’m not anti-medication, but understand that medicine is a risk/reward situation. They ALL come with warnings and/or side effects. Nutrition does not and that’s always my first line of offense AND defense.

Do you suffer from an autoimmune and want to take better control of your health?
Let’s talk.
Solutions could be lying right under your nose.

To learn more about autoimmune disease, click here.

Want To Look Younger?

Vitamin C, through food and supplements, can make a difference. 

A 2025 study published in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology reveals that vitamin C doesn’t just protect the skin as an antioxidant. It helps special enzymes in your body prompt certain genes to turn back on. In your skin, these are the genes that tell cells to grow, renew, and stay resilient. 

This was a 3D study mimicking human skin. What makes this study especially important is the delivery method: the vitamin C was administered in a way that mimicked systemic delivery, like what happens when you consume vitamin C through food or supplements, not topical creams. That means what you put IN your body is just as important (if not more) than what you put on your skin.

Even though Vitamin C can be absorbed, you can increase it’s bioavailability. Bioavailability refers to how well a nutrient is absorbed and used by your body. Even if you consume a vitamin-rich food, it won’t make much of a difference if it doesn’t get absorbed efficiently. 

With vitamin C, absorption can vary depending on how you consume it…..and what you consume it with. The Journal of Nutrition published that when Vitamin C is combined with polyphenols and flavonoids, intestinal absorption is improved.

Here are some food pairings that optimize vitamin C bioavailability:

  • Citrus fruits + green tea: Green tea polyphenols help stabilize Vitamin C and enhance its absorption.
  • Bell peppers + olive oil: Healthy fats in olive oil may help improve the absorption of vitamin C.
  • Broccoli + onions: Onions contain Quercetin, a flavonoid that supports Vitamin C stability and function.
  • Strawberries + dark chocolate: Cocoa flavonoids offer antioxidant synergy with vitamin C and may support its stability in the digestive tract.

So if you are motivated to look younger, consider the pairings and consider your Vitamin C Supplements.

Is flour as bad as sugar? 

Yes. Both sugar and flour have a very high glycemic index, which means they both spike your blood sugars. 

  • White sugar has a glycemic index of 65 and a glycemic load of 65
  • White flour has a glycemic index of 70–85, and a glycemic load of 53–65

What about BROWN sugar and WHOLEWHEAT flour?

With brown sugar, it just changed colors; it is not any healthier. With wholewheat flour, the glycemic index is slightly lower because of the increased fiber.

I recommend going for the most fiber-filled flour you can find. The fiber mix I use, which is virtually 5x more effective than Metamucil, can also double as flour. It’s an all purpose fiber mix with 16g of soluble fiber/serving.

For more ways to balance your blood sugar, contact me!

One Particular Supplement Could Potentially Lower Your Risk of Skin Cancer!

A study recently published in JAMA Dermatology has found that nicotinamide, a derivative of Vitamin B3, is linked to a reduction in non-melanoma skin cancers in people who have already had skin cancer.

This was a significant study, 34,000 veterans, who had previously been diagnosed with skin cancer. Researchers found those who took 500 mg of nicotinamide twice a day for at least a month after being diagnosed with their first skin cancer had a 54% reduced risk of developing another skin cancer compared to those who didn’t take the supplement. It was also associated with a 14% overall reduction in the risk of getting future skin cancers.

Nicotinamide (B3) has anti-inflammatory properties and can help skin cells repair themselves after UV damage. 

Takeaways:

  • 500 mg is a very high dose so it will be sold as a stand alone supplement.
  • Taking a B complex supplement is essential for your overall health. So most won’t need to take such a high dose, but most DO need a B complex.
  • Check your label to make sure it has “Niacin” or B3.
  • Also be sure the B vitamins are “Methylated”. It will state this on the label. If not, don’t buy it. 50% of the population has the MTHFR gene, so chances are you don’t know if you have it or not. Play it safe and buy methylated B vitamins.

Support Your Body’s Natural GLP-1

— Through Food!

At R3, we’re all about helping your body work the way it was designed to. One powerful hormone that plays a big role in managing hunger, cravings, and blood sugar is GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1). While some medications mimic GLP-1, your body can naturally support its production through smart food choices!

Here are some foods that may help your body release more GLP-1 naturally:

🥦 Fiber-Rich Choices:
  • Whole grains like brown rice, quinoa, and oats
  • Legumes (beans, lentils, chickpeas)
  • Fruits such as berries, apples, and pears
  • Veggies like broccoli, Brussels sprouts, and spinach

🥑 Healthy Fats:
  • Avocados
  • Nuts (almonds, walnuts, pecans)
  • Seeds (flaxseed, chia)
  • Olive oil

🍗 Protein Power:
  • Lean meats (chicken, fish, turkey)
  • Eggs
  • Dairy (Greek yogurt, cottage cheese)
  • Plant proteins (tofu, tempeh)

🍵 Bonus Boosters:
  • Spices like turmeric and cinnamon
  • Green tea
  • A little dark chocolate (70% or higher!) 🍫

Remember: Not everyone will experience the same results, but eating a balanced variety of these nutrient-rich foods supports blood sugar balance, satiety, and long-term wellness — the R3 way. I can help!