SHOP IT: iHERB

I love love LOVE talking shop! If you need a great supplier of natural anything, iHerb has fast become my go-to site. Through all my reading and research I have compiled quite a list of things to try- many of which I had never heard of and definitely had not seen on the shelves. So I was pretty excited to check out this site and find everything and more. I started with skin care since this crazy winter left my skin wanting, but my wish list keeps growing with teas, foods, candles, and products for home.

Above are the products I am currently using and loving- my favorite is probably the jojoba oil! All of them are noteworthy though, so if you are looking for masks I love the Ayurveda mud mask, enzyme mask and healing rough spots all over with straight MSM cream.

Happy Shopping ♥

ORANGE SMOOTHIE

This week has not been an easy one so today I am recharging my energy center with nourishing food, crossing things of my long to-do list, and spending time doing what feels good. It is always good to step away from a stressful day/week/moment and reflect on re-centering. I know I tend to just keep plowing forward through life's madness and I burn myself out. So quiet days like today are a little healing for the soul! One of the things I have been waiting to try is a sweet potato smoothie- sounds weird right? But I love sweet potatoes so this sounded like a little glass of heaven!

Ingredients:

1 banana

4 slices of baked sweet potato

cinnamon (to taste)

hemp seed 

1 cup coconut milk

 It was frothy, light and delicious- I will definitely be working this one into the mix more frequently.

And for an update on my 30 day pilates challenge- I am happy to say that this week was my half way point! I am feeling amazing and noticing that the routines that were kicking my tail a few weeks ago are feeling less challenging (as in, I can get through them a little more gracefully and with less cave woman noises and cursing). I am down 5 inches total and I can actually see a difference. I think the before and after photo reveal is going to be a lot of fun!

What are you looking forward to this weekend?  Phase Two of spring cleaning has been calling my name, I am thinking some more purging is in my near future ♥

THIS V. THAT

Today I posted a picture on Instagram of my 'Splurge' meal from the weekend. Whats my definition of a splurge? Pretty much any meal that has a higher calorie count, and maybe a naughty food, like fries! My meal consisted of a vegan black bean burger with a big salad and fries- when I calculated all of the calories and nutritional values I got curious at how it would measure up against fast food. My big plate full of food was only 50 calories more than a single Big Mac! Crazy! and Awesome!

It got me thinking about the food choices I make- and the choices that everyone makes! Every piece of food that passes our lips is a choice. Even though my splurge meal was larger and heavier than a lot of my dinners through the week I still felt good afterward. Now had I swung through the drive thru would I have felt as awesome? Probably not.

Since changing my diet over to a cleaner one my body reacts a lot differently to processed foods- its an almost immediate discomfort. I am acutely aware when I have strayed too far from my healthier habits, and I am so grateful that my mind and body are on the same page. I wasn't always so intuned, I ate all sorts of crap and never realized that feeling crummy was directly related to the foods I had ate.

So what choices are you making these days? Are you choosing processed, fatty foods or are you actively seeking healthier alternatives? Do you think about what you are eating and how it makes you feel afterward?

I challenge you this week to be mindful of how you feel after your meals- you don't even have to change your diet, just think about how that food has made you feel and how it has nourished you. Did it nourish? Or do you feel heavy and tired afterward? Then try adding in a light healthy meal, maybe its vegetarian or maybe you choose a leaner meat than usual, balance it with a grain and veggies and watch your portions. Pay attention to how that meal makes you feel.

Once I started noticing differences between the foods I was eating it became a lot easier to maintain a healthier lifestyle, saying no to processed foods at the grocery store was no longer a challenge. I actually crave fruits now and salad is hands down one of my favorite meals! I'm not saying I am perfect- I still have moments of weakness. But when I stray it is a lot easier to get back on track these days. Let me know your choices these days, and if you play along with this little challenge I would love to know what you discover! ♥

clockwise from top left: 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 

FROM THE GIRL WHO FAKED ILLNESS IN PHYS ED

Good afternoon and Happy Monday! This past week flew by, it had its ups and downs and in-betweens. I have been spending a lot of time reflecting on areas of my life that could use some improvement. I don't know about you but I tend to tackle one thing at a time- get one moving in a better direction and then start on the next. Diving in all at once tends to overwhelm me mentally. That is why I find journaling so incredibly helpful- it helps me sort out my thoughts and prioritize what I want to work on next! I have been so focused on healthy eating and rebuilding my spiritual strength that I had kind of let my goals for fitness fall by the wayside, and I had it all in black and white to prove it.

As the season is changing my energy is coming back, I have more of a productive vibe going, spring cleaning in full swing, and new challenges are begging to be created! Of course this time of year magazine racks, news stories, blogs, and everything in between are all about getting that 'bikini' bod and finding that 'slimmer thinner you'. These always get me thinking about my own state of being. Fitness comes and goes in my life- from the days of feigning illness to get out of P.E.- my parents are nurses so I came up with some pretty fancy ones! To times of insane commitment (7 days of activity, the one time my thighs didn't touch!) and times where my only activity was the meandering walks with Stella (she is pretty lazy) but what I would really like in life is a workout routine that I love enough to do consistently throughout the week, a routine that falls somewhere in the middle of a crazy gym rat and couch potato :)

I have been slowly integrating several different activities into my workout week- no cries of boredom from me! Yoga has been amazing for me since starting it in November. My initial goal was to practice 6 days a week but realistically I get 5- 6 days is a good week! I have been participating in the Backbend Madness challenge for the month of March on Instagram and it has definitely been a challenge. Sometimes too much of one. The thing with Yoga is to accept where you are in the present and just let it flow. I have let a few poses get the better of me and one ended in a not so pretty pout party. Its definitely a lesson in humility and mindfulness. I can't deny myself though that my flexibility, strength, and comfort in my own skin has improved since starting this journey!

Now that the weather is better Nate and I have started running again. We do the C25K app and practice different intervals about 3 times a week- we are not training for a 5k. I thought we may develop a passion to, but by week 4 we realized we didn't really care to 'train' we simply wanted the joy of running in a way that made us happy!

So with these two under my belt I was feeling pretty good. But I am not quite where I want to be. I know that over the years that I was stressing over work, emotionally eating, sleeping away unhappiness, and not taking care of myself physically, I was allowing pounds to creep on slowly but surely. The number on the scale does not define us but feeling fit and healthy is priceless and a large part of how we convey our self worth. Now that I am in a place of loving myself more and enjoying life more fully- and actually not taking naps everyday! I am in the place where I am ready to shed those extra pounds. Yoga and running have been great, I am excited about my flexibility and I love getting my heart pumping but I felt like there was another element missing. So this weekend I finally committed to doing a month of Cassey Ho's POP Pilates too! Hello toned bod- I'm coming for you!

For 30 days I will be doing some sort of physical activity, monitoring my calories with My Fitness Pal, and tracking my progress in my planner. I am excited! I am excited to see change. More than anything I want to feel strong- for the first time in my life I would take stronger over thinner (funny how that changes, huh?) Why I am sharing this here is for accountability. I have a tendency to have 'secret' projects of self improvement that don't pan out and a large part of that is I keep it to myself. Telling all of you is an ultimate motivator. We all have struggles in our growth, be it fitness or otherwise and I hope that by sharing my ups and downs of this challenge will help motivate you towards your goals! Even if you were the kid who sat out in P.E. today is a new day and you are a new person, just as I am- and it excites me everyday to think about the growth potential of myself in any given 24 hours!

Do you have big goals you are thinking about tackling or have already started working towards? ♥

KICKING OLD FOODIE HABITS

Every now and then I have a terrible time with eating clean. I seem to endlessly crave foods I have long cut out- like mac n' cheese, and I'm not talking about the kind made with Daiya ;) I am always in a state of progress- not perfection- when it comes to eating and I know that I am way better than I was even 6 months ago, but it doesn't make days like these any easier. Since changing my food habits in August of last year I have had plenty of opportunities to practice techniques to get me through the rough spots. Sometimes old habits just die hard but here are my go to's to keep on track...

Address why you are craving- Is it a situation? Emotions? Sometimes we find ourselves really wanting a cheeseburger and beer when we are out with our friends because that is what we used to do together. The comfort of the familiar and emotions tied to people and situations can be powerful. A lot of times simply acknowledging how we are being affected gives us enough power to make changes.

Try a new healthy snack option- peruse the aisles of your health food store, find a new recipe for clean sweets, or try a new fruit.

Have a stash- have one at home, the office, your car, wherever you find yourself getting cravings. Put healthy snack options that are your favorites and you know will help satiate the want to 'go crazy'. Don't let unhealthy options be easier to obtain than the healthy ones.

Have a small serving of what you are craving- not everyone will agree with this, but I have had  successful experiences with this method. Are Cheetos your weakness? Get a small serving, eat them slowly, and as you do, pay attention to how this junk food makes you feel compared to your healthy snacks. I guarantee you that you will not feel awesome after this- it actually helped turn me off to some of my old favorites!

Find clean food/ healthy habit inspiration- Thank goodness for Pinterest, Instagram, Tumblr, and blogs. Sometimes flipping through a Yogi's instagram feed or searching clean food photos on Pinterest are enough to motivate me and inspire me to stick to it.  Especially when you find a role model that consistently inspires you- this can help remind you of what it means to you to eat clean and take care of yourself.

Whatever method I go with to kick a craving I always go right back to clean eating! Its not about guilt tripping yourself. I used to be very critical of myself when I would fall off the bandwagon and that honestly made me slip up even more! I have to love myself during the good and bad and remember that every day is a step closer to being a happier and healthier me ♥

NATURES BOUNTY

I thought  changing from vegetarian to vegan was a big adjustment- it took a lot of thought, pre-planning, and research... and clearing of the pantry. Lots of clearing of the pantry! But as the obsessive evolver that I am, I obviously was looking for the next step to better health despite my just feeling comfortable with veganism. So in comes eating raw. I do it in the simplest of manners- no dehydrators, nothing fancy. Just me and natures bounty. I get organic when possible, and have been branching out to try things that intimidate me- starting with tropical fruits.

I never want to not try a fruit or vegetable because it intimidates me- I come from the corn, potato, and meat region of America and I never want to find myself pigeon-holed into that mentality. Picking up a new fruit every time I am at the store, like passion fruit or a papaya has slowly opened my mind and expand my palette for a new array of flavors. I found that I really love passion fruit, it was an amazing surprise (and here I was intimidated by its looks! Goes to show, don't judge a book by the cover) and I learned I really am not a papaya fan- however I am looking forward to using it in summer smoothies!

Not everything is readily available for me that I want to try but I will travel a distance to obtain it, simply for the joy of trying it! I am on the hunt for some durian, fresh figs, dragon fruit, star fruit, fresh coconut, and I definitely want to branch out to some new greens- I tend to purchase kale, romaine, and baby spinach on the regular. There are so many options out there! Being more open minded and willing to taste a variety makes me more grateful for nature, feel nourished, and honestly, I just feel better from the inside out!

What are some fruits and vegetables you have tried that were not the norm for you? Loved them or hated them? And I will gladly accept recommendations! ♥

LOVING AFFIRMATIONS: A PARTNER EXERCISE

In the spirit of all things love this month here is an affirmation exercise that can be done with a partner or a friend. Everyone benefits from more positive energy and loving affirmations that both nurture your own soul but that of your partners simultaneously. I came across this practice in Shakti Gawain's Creative Visualization, and loved how simple but powerful this back and forth affirmative conversing works.

Begin by facing your partner and look into each others eyes.

Take turns going back and forth saying affirmative statements and then accepting them. There are several ways to state them, play around with the different phrasings.

Example: Janae: Nate, you are a creative, talented, skilled person.
                Nate: Yes, I am.

                Nate: I am a creative, talented, skilled person!
                Janae: yes, you are!

You may feel silly at first, kind of like you're in a poorly written play, but come from a sincere place in your heart and it will create an amazing bond. Believe what you are saying and let it manifest in you, both the words you are giving and receiving and you will feel a powerful energy for both you and your partner. As you practice this, add in throughout the day affirmative communication to your partner, send text messages, an email, and make sure to remind them everyday that they are amazing beings. ♥

SIMPLE SALAD AND COMPLEX EMOTIONS

A client of mine shared this easy and time saving method of jarring your salads ahead of time- its pretty genius! Put all of of your heavier veggies in first (I did cucumber, broccoli, carrots, cauliflower) and then add your greens (I did shredded leeks as well). When you are ready to nosh simply add dressing, shake, and pour onto a plate! I made 5 days ahead of time and am loving how easy it is to grab and go in the morning.

This past weekend I had an awakening at the grocery store. Odd, right? I know. It was a slow and steady awakening and I think I finally just gave in to really reflect on the change that has been happening within me.

Grocery shopping used to be a simple weekly chore that just had to be done. Make a list, make the time, and get it done. I never gave it much thought. I bought what was familiar and never paid much attention to others carts.

It all seemed so simple until I started my food journey a little over a year ago. Until I equipped myself with the knowledge of the food industry and started educating myself on what a healthy diet should really look like. And now grocery trips have become this strange emotional roller coaster that I wasn't prepared for. Experiencing a gamut of emotions from frustration, pride, sadness, anger, hope. Frustration that organic is hard to come by at my local big box grocer and expensive; Pride that my cart is typically full of leafy greens and bright produce by the time I hit checkout, and that I had budgeted to do so. Sometimes I experience sadness- as I look in others carts and see processed, sugary, chemically engineered foods and very little of the natural goodness I've come to look for. And I have to wonder if the owner of that cart doesn't know about healthy eating? Do they know they deserve healthy food? Do they not have the finances to provide their family with wholesome food? Knowledge is power- and I so desperately want them to know the joy of an organic apple!

And I get angry. Angry that natural food is not the norm for many. Angry that I too, fall victim of choosing a product because it is easier or cheaper. I know better! I want everyone to know the better options are and have the finances to fill their kitchens.

But at the end of the day I know I simply have to accept all of those feelings. They are all a part of how I have come to be where I am. And I have to move on to being hopeful. Hopeful that one day everyone will have the knowledge I have, and then some! Hopeful that people will start to vote with their dollar and choose healthy natural items over engineered. Hopeful that everyone will know what it tastes like to eat natural food, not depend on milk and dairy, and treat the world with more kindness.

It wasn't until this past weekends trip to the store that I let myself sort through all of this that I had been feeling for awhile. I have decided that it is definitely better to experience these waves of emotion than to feel nothing at all. I choose passion over complacency any day. Have you ever had an awakening over something that once seemed so simple? ♥

OUTFIT No. 38

 Lauren Conrad for Khols Blazer // Target blouse // Old Navy Rockstar Denim // Forever 21 Ring and shoes //

 Betsey Johnson Bag

I love Valentines day. I look forward to the break in the winter bleakness for the opportunity to revel in all that is pink, red, and glittery. I realize that I am one of a small group who loves this holiday so dearly- most people scoff and proclaim their dislike, and dare I say, hate of the holiday. Yes, jaded love can make this holiday seem like one for those in committed happy relationships. So cupid may not have struck you yet but I say forget cupid, and simply love yourself! 

Having a loving relationship with yourself seems as delightful a topic to approach as loving your enemy. When you reflect on how you treat yourself, is it with the kindness and compassion you would bestow on a friend- or do you harshly criticize and tear yourself down like a mean girl?

I know my own shortcoming is harsh criticism. I am my worst critic- I make ridiculous standards to hold myself to and am quick to chastise myself when those standards aren't being met. To what point?! It makes for a lot of negative energy flowing through me to bring myself down and lessen my worth.  People compliment me in some way and my immediate response is to brush it off- I can do better! This is my downfall, and an area I am trying to work on everyday.

As progressive people we like to be better and do better. And that is healthy. But what isn't is when you fail to accept where you are today and reward yourself for getting to the present. 

In my daily affirmations one of my favorite things to write out is that I love who I am today. If you don't love yourself today, how can you love what you are tomorrow? A major attitude adjustment has to occur from the negative to that of acceptance and gratitude for what you have today- otherwise the abundance of the universe only sees dissatisfaction and that is all you will receive, more dissatisfaction!

Love yourself today. Write out a list of things you love about yourself- physical, emotional, mental. When you are looking in the mirror while getting ready for the day, look yourself in the eyes and tell yourself you love who are. If others can love you the way you are, then why do we find it so hard to love ourselves as well? By loving ourselves we soften and open our hearts to loving others even more. Anger will soften, judgments will lessen, and on a whole we become more at peace with the love that is in all of us. 

I believe it is our nature to love- that good honest love is built into our DNA as humans. So this month, in the spirit of pink, red, glitter, and hearts- affirm to yourself everyday that you love you.

I promise it will be amazing ♥

A NATURAL APPROACH TO SKINCARE

Over the last year I have slowly been changing my approach to life to a more natural one. Organic food, plant based cleaning products, natural cosmetics, reduce reuse recycle and the like. As I keep making these changes I can't help but look and ask whats next?

It seemed like the natural progression to look at my skin cleansing regime. I have struggled with adult acne since I was 19- it has plagued me, ran up doctor bills, and has led me down the slippery slope of abrasive washes, creams, and pills. You come to the point where enough is enough and know there has to be a natural remedy to this madness! Mine has been particularly irritated lately and was one of my motivators to cleanse last weekend- it also gave me the last push to start seriously researching natural ways to care for my skin.

What I used:
Honey (a natural anti-bacterial)
coconut oil (cold pressed- this will be your moisturizer)
apple cider vinegar (acts as toner)
containers*
Label maker

What I did:
I boiled all containers to disinfect and then allowed them to air dry. Using two pots, I used one for the honey and one for the coconut oil and utilized a spray bottle version for the apple cider vinegar (This toner elixir is 3 parts vinegar and 1 part purified water). I labeled the containers because hey- I have a label maker so why not use it?!

The honey is the face wash- obviously it is sticky so I concentrate on my t-zone and jaw line. Using a cotton ball I then rub the vinegar/water mixture all over my face avoiding the gentle skin around my eyes. And last but not least, I dab coconut oil as my moisturizer. I have super dry skin so I start with a little and work in more as I need it and in the spots that dry out quickly. Its best to layer this on as needed, too much and you run the risk of an oil slick on your face! No bueno!

* After reading some more it is more desirable to keep coconut oil in a dark container. So keep it in your medicine cabinet if you have a clear container like I do here. I will be searching for some pretty dark glass apothecary jars to transfer mine to!

I have been using this system for about a week now and love it! It's inexpensive, natural, and good for you and the environment- win win win. Hopefully between this and diet my skin problems will become a thing of the past. What skin care products have you used and loved? ♥

YOGA BEGINNER GUIDE: HASTA MUDRA

When learning a new practice its important to actually learn it. Understanding goes a long way with practicing yoga. Since starting something that has mystified me were the different hand postures, or Hasta Mudras. Why on one pose were we making this posture and in the next a different? So I decided to do some research.

This diagram shows the most common postures that I have seen, and below are descriptions of each one. Hopefully knowing these will help you deepen your practice and atune you to watching even the smallest of details, including your hands!

Gyan Mudra (Knowledge): The most commonly seen Mudra, used to dispel psychological barriers such as stress and anxiety. This posture exercises memory and concentration. This Mudra is very powerful in channeling the positive energy and focus into a pose.

Vayu Mudra (Air): This Mudra dispels excess air from your body alleviating pain in the chest and rheumatic pains.

Prana Mudra (Life): This posture activates energy within your body, said to reduce fatigue and tiredness, and helps improve the immune system

Prithvi (Earth): we are all a part of earth, our food and living is dependent of it so this symbol represents all aspects of our bodies from our tissue to our hair. This posture elicits vitality, strength, and endurance.

Shunya (Emptiness): This Mudra helps to close space within our bodies and heals ailments affected by space, including earaches and feelings of numbness anywhere in your body.

Varuna (Water): We are mostly water and hydration should always be a priority. This Mudra encourages water metabolism to rehydrate throughout your body, and encourages healthy digestion through saliva and mucus production.

Surya (Sun): Representing the fire within us, this posture helps maintain body temp and metabolism and sharp vision.

This is just a basic understanding of these particular hand postures. All of these inter-relate and play off of the others depending on your bodies need. There are 32 Mudras in total to learn and all have very specific design so further reading is beneficial, especially if you practice yoga/meditation for healing purposes!

image via google image

JUICE / RAW CLEANSE

When you are trying something new, either diet or fitness, a routine or whatever, sometimes it can be hard to see the changes taking place. We get so caught in the moment, the bigger picture can seem out of focus. And we will drop it sometimes, because we don't realize how good it really was for us!

This is what happened to me when it came to eating a vegan diet. I stepped back from it a bit in December, let myself loose in a way, and didn't think much of it. Until this past week I started to take note of all the physical and mental differences that have occurred over the last few weeks: broken out skin, lack of mental clarity, and lethargy to name a few. I wasn't OK with these steps 'backward'.  So I resolved this weekend to do a 3 day cleanse of homemade juices and raw fruits and vegetables. Hoping to jump start my body into going back into the lifestyle I didn't even acknowledge was doing me so much good.

So the plan- 3 juices a day. 2 servings of raw veggies and 2 servings of fruit. Herbal tea, water, and hot lemon water constantly. I wanted to do juice only but was concerned with working weekends I wouldn't be my best self, so the decision was made to work in raw plants. I read up on both cleanses and felt a hybrid would work just as well!

Juicing isn't all fairy dust and good health, its kind of hard work! Here are some of my juicing best practices that might help if you're new to the juicing game:

Clear out fridge and make a list-  You will need lots of space when you get home from the grocery store! Gather your recipes (I used the 3 day reboot with Joe guide) and create detailed lists. Also account for any fruits and veggies you don't want to juice.

Juice in small batches- a lot of people out there say to juice fresh, but my schedule doesn't allow that. So I store them in airtight jars and they still taste great a day later!

Prep Prep Prep! I wash, peel, cut, and dice everything and divide into bowls for each juice (Hello, Type A juicer!) according to the recipes. 

Enjoy- Nothing tastes quite like a fresh juice. Try a variety of colors and play with the balance of fruits and veggies. Its easier to enjoy fruit juices where as leafy dark green juices can be an acquired taste- but if you visualize the goodness it goes down much smoother ;)

What are your juicing successes/ best practices?  ♥

FAVORITE YOGA TOOLS

Since diving into yoga three months ago I have learned a lot. I had no idea setting out that there were so many things to help beginners learn and adapt poses and I slowly started accumulating some tools  that I would see used on other blogs and Instagram (an amazing yoga community is on IG, I highly recommend searching through)

No, I am not sponsored by Gaiam (I wish!) but I do really love their products and their mission. These are a few of the products I have purchased and use in my practice daily:

Yoga Mat: An obvious essential- I have this two toned purple one and love it, easy to clean and fairly light weight.

Grip Socks and Gloves: These have been one of my best investments, no sliding feet in downward dog and solid grip for crow!

Strap: If you can't quite reach your toes in pigeon or dancer pose this strap helps you deepen your stretch. Also, once you move on to handstands/headstands these straps can be used for stability.

Blocks: Used for various exercises and supports. I like gripping one between my ankles and doing Boat pose repetitions- best lower ab work out ever.

So for any other beginners out there- explore and read up on what might work into your routine! I can't wait for the day when I can do a lot of poses on my own without assistance but until then I can appreciate these for what they help me do ♥

IN THE PURSUIT OF GOOD HEALTH

In all honesty, I'm not that balanced of an eater. I try, golly do I try. But things come up, meals on the fly happen pretty frequently, and in general I am not that great at planning meals ahead. The idea of taking vitamin supplements in the health world is a touchy subject. Half say they are a great addition to your health routine and the other half say that you shouldn't need supplements because your food should be providing it.

Though I do agree with the group that relies on food for nutrients, its not always practical or sane of me to believe that my meals are providing my daily dose of goodness so after reading a lot I came up with these 6 vitamins to boost my health!

B6- Boosts the immune system, aids in nervous system functions, aids in red blood cell formation, and supports digestion. Some studies have even found it helps with pms symptoms so two thumbs up there!

B12- the 'energy' vitamin, B12 plays a large role in breaking down carbs into glucose which creates more energy and decreases fatigue/lethargy. Essential for digestion and helping breakdown bad cholesterol and supporting healthy blood pressure. Missing out on healthy skin and nails? B12 will help with that along with keeping your brain healthy by regulating the nervous system.

Chelated Magnesium- I was drawn to this vitamin for the promise of it helping subside headaches and muscle aches. Important for bone health, healthy bowel function, and helps regulate blood sugar levels. Magnesium kind of does a little of everything!

Chelated Iron- we all know the importance of iron to blood health, the benefit of chelated iron is its bound to amino acids which makes the supplement more similar to how iron is found naturally.

Biotin- wanting to look like you stepped out of a Pantene commercial and wish your nails would stop breaking? Yea, me too! Thats what I added biotin to my regime. Biotin also helps metabolism functions

D- this vitamin is mostly associated with the sun so in the fall/winter months I like to add this vitamin. Helps with the absorption of calcium, and supports healthy muscles. defends against a slew of diseases and boosts energy levels.

So we will see how I feel in a few weeks, I even got Nate in on it. No matter what side of the vitamin argument you fall on I think that everyone should take into consideration their own bodies needs. I believe in the practice of trial and error, so finding what works for you and makes you feel good and healthy is key. So here is to good health! ♥