By Erin Stokes, ND

As we enter into the Spring season, we may have distanced ourselves from some of the health goals we set earlier in the year. We are here to help re-inspire you!  Spring is the perfect time to “Love Your Body”.

Let’s start at the beginning…

....the beginning of the day that is.  One of the best ways to Love Your Body is to renew how you start each morning.  Most of us are in a rush to get somewhere, whether it’s taking our kids to school, or getting ourselves to work (or both!).  I encourage my patients to meditate for 10 minutes first thing every morning, and watch how that simple investment changes the rest of the day.  Make the commitment to set the alarm a little earlier, and offer that as a gift to yourself.  After your morning meditation, you may want to reach for a cup of coffee.  Whether or not you do, be sure to also reach for MegaFood Organic Greens.  It will alkalize the body and help neutralize the acidic effects of coffee.  It also gives your body an incredible boost of nutrient dense, antioxidant rich organic foods – broccoli, kale, spinach, carrot, raspberry, blueberry, and pomegranate, just to name a few.  It includes two of my favorite green foods, spirulina and chlorella.  This formula has key ingredients to boost energy levels, support healthy liver function, and promote digestive regularity.

Once you have had your Greens drink, and are making breakfast, there are two key supplements to keep in mind, Adrenal Strength and Thyroid Strength. Breakfast is the perfect time to be thinking about these Specific Response Formulas, since both are best taken first thing in the morning.  Talk with your local health care practitioner to see if one or both of these formulas is appropriate for your health care needs.

The adrenal glands are the body’s stress response system.  In our modern, busy lives, I find that almost everyone can benefit from adrenal support.  MegaFood Adrenal Strength contains nutrients to nourish the adrenal gland, while also providing a very unique herbal blend that helps modify the way your body responds to stress.  After taking this formula for a couple weeks, many people report that they are coping with the stressors in their lives more easily, and feel less “reactive”.

The thyroid gland and adrenal gland are both part of the endocrine system and are connected to one another.  Symptoms of low thyroid function, or hypothyroidism can include fatigue, depression, decreased mental function, constipation and dry skin. MegaFood Thyroid Strength is a powerful yet gentle formula that helps nutritionally promote thyroid function by providing the building blocks for thyroid hormones. Both Thyroid Strength and Adrenal Strength also contain Sensoril, a patented extract of Ashwagandha leaf and root which has been shown to have several health benefits including helping maintain healthy cortisol, a hormone which is secreted in high amounts when we are dealing with stress.  High levels of cortisol inhibit thyroid function, so keeping cortisol in check is vital to thyroid health.  Taking Adrenal Strength or Thyroid Strength consistently each morning can help re-balance your endocrine system.  Again, be sure to talk with your practitioner to find out which one is best for you.

Now you are on your way to Loving Your Body by starting your day out right!

by Sahaja Douglass

I once asked my spiritual teacher, “Amma, if I become pregnant, how should I care for myself and the baby?”  Her sage advise (spoken in deep, honey-toned Malayalam) was, “ Rest, especially during the first four months.” Simple. Practical. Profound. What best nourishes and nurtures a developing baby and pregnant mom is to chill out.

Preparation for the BIG CHILL
Throughout history, when couples wanted to expand their families, they PREPARED!  Purification rituals were conducted for the woman and for her man, the blessings of spiritual leaders or prominent community members were sought, and plans were made by family members to nurture the pregnant woman so she could rest, relax, pray and spend her time in ways that made her feel happy. Usually, couples followed a specific diet that helped with fertility and nourishing their baby.

Not any more. Modern life is fast, furious and often stressful. Typically, if a woman makes plans to connect with her baby, it happens after birth, even though the baby’s development is critical from the start. 

Brain Science
Prenatal neurological research demonstrates the negative effects stress has on the baby’s brain development; a stressed out mom produces chemicals called catecholamines, which send messages to her baby that there is danger in the world. In response to this warning of danger, the parts of the brain that are involved in “fight or flight” develop more “hair triggers” and the areas of the brain involved in social intelligence, compassion, healthy interdependence and peace are stunted in their development. This does not happen as a result of minor daily irritations, like traffic or burning a lasagna, so don’t worry!

 However, if a mom is chronically stressed it’s not good for her baby! The increase of babies born with developmental challenges and childhood diseases is worthy of attention and can inspire us to take greater care when planning for conception and pregnancy.

So, what can we do to invite and support babies that are healthy, happy and spiritually attuned?

We can:
1.    Rest
2.    Meditate and pray
3.    Practice gentle yoga
4.    Eat nutritious and organic whole foods and take a quality whole food prenatal
5.    Detoxify our home environments
7.    Listen to soothing music
8.    Turn off the tv (and computer after you’ve read this blog)
9.    Take walks in nature
10.  Lovingly gaze into the eyes of our Beloved