Fantastic Life

Ask yourself this serious question *What am I doing to lower my stress?* . One proven successful way of lowering stress is engaging in an activity that brings you into a state of consciousness where you’re caught up in the present moment with no distractions. This is known as the flow state. Some people achieve their flow state through dancing, for others it could be snowboarding, or maybe yoga. Whatever activity you choose doesn’t matter as long as it is something that br...ings you enjoyment. So tell me, what activity brings forth your flow state? . #tiptuesday #stress #stressrelief #stressmanagement . . See more

How Does Fantastic Life Help Nutritionists? Estimated read time: 3 mins.... The world’s obesity levels have been increasing year over year. The WHO (World Health Organization) predicts that by 2025, one-fifth of the world’s population will be obese. Can you imagine every third person you meet is well on their way to acquiring one or more chronic illnesses? The role of a Nutritionist and Functional Medicine practitioner has become that much more important and needed. The various educational institutions cannot keep up with the current need/demand for nutritionists. Not everyone who needs a nutritionist will have access to one. Who are Nutritionists? Nutritionists are certified professionals that assess our current lifestyle and our habits, evaluate the state of our bodies, and then recommend the right steps we ought to take to restore a well balanced health. We often underestimate the effectiveness of nutritionists and tend to seek help from them only when we want to lose weight. For example, did you know there is such a thing as skinny fat? Yes, losing weight is associated with obesity, but then not all forms of obesity are the same. A nutritionist will determine our lifestyle habits and choices based on the shape of our body. The shape of our body gives nutritionists a clue of which type(s) of chronic illnesses we could acquire in the future if our lifestyle is unchecked. Nutritionists are not just a weight loss program - they are a niche group within the medical care community that plays a significant role in preventative health. Nutritionists reduce pressure on the medical systems, save us money in the long term and help us lead long and fruitful lives. How Does Fantastic Life Help Nutritionists? Fantastic Life is the personal assistant that a nutritionist needs to provide care to their clients. The Fantastic Life tool & tracker is readily accessible to help clients at all times when the nutritionist is not physically available. This tracker helps a nutritionist’s client: 1. Log and keep track of all that they consume - diligently, 2. Log and keep track of all their activities, including sleep, exercise and stress reducing activities, 3. Decide which foods to enjoy and which to avoid, 4. Breakdown meals into component ingredients for a more detailed and meticulous tracking of what is being consumed, and 5. Detect the trend they are setting, ie. Are they in a steady upward trend? Are they in a steady decline state? Or are they in a yo-yo pattern? Fantastic Life is an app that maintains that connection between a nutritionist and their client. Want to know more about how you would like to bring Fantastic Life into your practice - come talk to us at [email protected]. #fantasticlife #nutrtionist #science #medicine

Fantastic Life’s recipe for Bone Broth . Ingredients: Carcass of 1 whole turkey or chicken (left over bones) 1 turkey neck (optional)... 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar 4 quarts cold filtered water 1 large onion (ends cut off and skin may be left on) 3 stalks celery 2 carrots 1 bundle of parsley, rosemary, and thyme . Directions: 1. Place the turkey or chicken in a crockpot. 2. Add apple cider vinegar and pour the water to cover the turkey. 3. Let stand for 30 minutes. 4. Add chopped onion, carrots, celery, rosemary, thyme, and parsley in the crockpot. 4. Cook on low heat for 20-24 hours. 5. Check occasionally to ensure the turkey or chicken remain covered wth water and adding water as needed. 6. Removed the bones and veggies then strain the broth through a strainer into a glass jar. 7. Cool it to room temperature, then refrigerate for a couple of hours until fat raises to the top. 8. Season with sea salt, black pepper and turmeric. You can leave the skin of the turkey or chicken on or take the skin off the fat and use it for cooking oil. Drink 1-2 cups daily. Store in refrigerator for 5 days or store in the freezer to keep longer. Enjoy! . #fantasticlife #bonebroth #healthyrecipes . .

Hey Dads! If youre looking for a fun and healthy gift project you can do with the kiddos for Mothers Day, why not try our Reese Peanut Butter Cup recipe? Mom (and the whole family) will love these treats especially if shes keeping keto. Shell probably love seeing you and the kids work together to make these treats more than anything. Reese Peanut Butter Cup Ingredients: ... Crust: cup organic grass fed butter cup coconut flour cup almond flour/meal cup swerve cup organic peanut butter 1 tbsp. applesauce Topping: 1 tbsp. organic grass fed butter 1 cup dark chocolate (over 70%) 3 tbsp. organic peanut butter 2 tbsp. white chocolate chips (optional) . Directions: Crust: 1. Prepare 12 silicon muffin cups (regular size). 2. Put ingredients in a mixing bowl and mixed well. 3. Use a tablespoon to scoop the batter and put the batter in 12 muffin cups. 4. Use your fingers to cover the bottom of cup evenly. Topping: 1. 1 cup of dark chocolate, 1 tbsp. organic grass fed butter, 3 tbsp. organic peanut butter in microwave for 50 seconds. 2. Pour mixture melted chocolate on the crust cup evenly. 3. Place the cups in the freezer for 20 minutes. 4. Remove them from the silicon cups. 5. Cover it tight and store them in refrigerator. Voila! A delicious easy recipe to do with the kids for Mothers Day! The look on Moms face when she takes a bite will be the best gift! . #fantasticlife #reesepeanutbutter #healthyrecipe . .

Cacao Dark Chocolate Cookie *gluten free* Ingredients: 2 cups almond flour (or brown rice flour)... 1 & 1/3 cup swerve (icing sugar) 2/3 cup coconut oil 100 (g) 100% cacao dark chocolate 2 organic whole eggs 1 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 teaspoon sea salt 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon (optional) Directions: 1. Preheat oven to 350F. 2. Prepare two large mixing bowls. 3. In a large mixing bowl, mix together dry ingredients: almond flour, swerve, baking soda, cinnamon, and sea salt and set aside. 4. In another large mixing bowl, add wet ingredients: coconut oil, eggs and mix well until smooth. 5. Add dry ingredients into mixture of wet ingredients and mix well. 6. Add chopped dark chocolate in the mixture batter and fold well with your hands. 7. Use a small ice cream scoop (= 2 tablespoon) to make 24-26 cookies. 8. Bake for 10 minutes or until it turns a golden brown on edges. 9. Remove from the oven and set aside to cool down. Enjoy! #fantasticlife #healthyrecipes #cacao . .

Is Wednesday your cheat day? Yeah, us too.. Are you aware of the health benefits of of 100% cacao dark chocolate? - It is high in antioxidants.... - It is high in fiber and nutrients such as manganese, potassium, selenium, copper, magnesium, zinc, and iron. - It improves brain function. - It doesnt contain any form of sugar (completely sugar free). - It regulates HDL and LDL ratio. Craving chocolate yet? Stay tuned for our delicious Cacao Dark Chocolate Cookie - its gluten free! #fantasticlife #cacao #chocolate . .

Fantastic Lifes recipe for Bone Broth . Ingredients: Carcass of 1 whole turkey or chicken (left over bones) 1 turkey neck (optional)... 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar 4 quarts cold filtered water 1 large onion (ends cut off and skin may be left on) 3 stalks celery 2 carrots 1 bundle of parsley, rosemary, and thyme . Directions: 1. Place the turkey or chicken in a crockpot. 2. Add apple cider vinegar and pour the water to cover the turkey. 3. Let stand for 30 minutes. 4. Add chopped onion, carrots, celery, rosemary, thyme, and parsley in the crockpot. 4. Cook on low heat for 20-24 hours. 5. Check occasionally to ensure the turkey or chicken remain covered wth water and adding water as needed. 6. Removed the bones and veggies then strain the broth through a strainer into a glass jar. 7. Cool it to room temperature, then refrigerate for a couple of hours until fat raises to the top. 8. Season with sea salt, black pepper and turmeric. You can leave the skin of the turkey or chicken on or take the skin off the fat and use it for cooking oil. Drink 1-2 cups daily. Store in refrigerator for 5 days or store in the freezer to keep longer. Enjoy! . #fantasticlife #bonebroth #healthyrecipes . .

Bone broth. Aside from being super delicious, did you know gelatine, glycine, collagen, glucosamine, iodine and other healthy components can be found in bone broth? Now you know why chicken soup makes you feel better when youre sick! Here are some of the health benefits that bone broth, especially the collagen found in the broth, provides: - Boosts metabolism - Helps to lose fat... - Supports the liver - Helps to repair leaky gut & IBS - Helps to grow strong nails and hair - Supports regrowth of joint tissues which is excellent for osteoarthritis - Helps to relieve joint pain - Helps to balance hormones, like insulin, cortisol, melatonin, etc. - Supports healthy teeth and gums - Prevents clogging of arteries - Improves sleep quality - Helps to build lean muscle mass Who knew how much you could benefit so much from consuming bone broth? Add bone broth to your regular nutrition plan - you wont regret it! Want to know what other foods/recipes benefit your health? Sign up for Fantastic Life and get your own nutrition plan catered specifically for you! Stay tuned for our delicious bone broth recipe! #fantasticlife #bonebroth #collagen . .

Avocado is one of the foods that helps to alleviate stress and anxiety as it is also high in magnesium! Avocado also contains a higher amount of potassium than other fruits. It has high amounts of antioxidants such as vitamin E and glutathione. It helps to increase your body to absorb and protect other phytonutrients in vegetables and fruits that provide antioxidants. Add avocado in any dishes such as salads, smoothies, soup, and baking bread and cookies. Adding avocado in re...d meats ( like beef burger) will also reduce inflammatory compound Interleukin-6 (IL-6) compared to eating a beef burger without avocado. Check out the latest episode of Fantastic Life - Ask Veronica: Foods That Alleviate Stress, pt. 1 for more tips and information of foods that help with stress and anxiety. #fantasticlife #avocado #phytonutrients #stressrelief #covid19 . .

Think deeply and carefully about something. Focus ones mind for a period of time. Are some of the definitions that emerge when looking to define meditation. The benefits of meditation have been professed for centuries. Its associated with enlightenment, increased focus, sharpening the mind, stress reduction, improvement of self awareness, reduce anxiety and help with addictions. Any lifestyle change demands a concerted effort, focus, a conscious awareness of the change ...- a change in habits. And meditation helps. Is Meditation all about sitting and breathing? Meditiation is not just about assuming a yogic position, chanting mantras and focussing on breathing. Any activity that gets you to focus your mind, and get into the flow state can be deemed meditation. There are hundreds of ways of meditating. Some ways you can meditate are, drawing, painting, breathing exercises, etc. One of the best ways to get started with meditation is perhaps just with some breathing exercises. Breathing and learning how to breathe is very important. Breathing is such an essential part of living that we just take in oxygen and breathe out carbon dioxide whichever way we know. However when meditating and focussing on breathing, you can learn a well regulated and beneficial breathing. Technology is here to help us get started. There are quite a few apps out there that can help you to start meditating: 1. Insight timer 2. Headspace 3. Oprah & Deepak 21-day meditation experience These apps have been tailored to walk us through the journey from beginner to intermediate user and beyond. Start with the shortest meditation exercise and follow the guide in whichever app you choose. Gradually increase as your ability to focus and your awareness increases. The key is put your mind into it. Start slow, be consistent and practice every day. Stay tuned for our upcoming blog on breathing, the benefits of breathing and how best to reteach ourselves how to breathe right. #fantasticlife #meditation #breathe . . @ Abbotsford, British Columbia

Stress activates a cascade of nasty events within the body called the fight or flight response. It starts at the adrenal medulla (i.e. the adrenal glands), which sit on top of kidneys, and the pituitary gland in your noggin. These organs send signals throughout the body to increase heart rate, blood pressure, blood sugar level, respiratory rate, and muscle tension and decreased immunity, thyroid function, and blood flow to gastrointestinal tract. Stress is important as it pla...ys a role in helping get your body ready for flight/flight mode when faced with a dangerous situation, but when its chronically activated, especially in situations which do not require you to fight or flight, nasty downstream effects in the form of disease and illness proceed. Symptoms of chronic stress include: high blood pressure, high cholesterol, poor quality sleep, muscle and joint pain, chronic fatigue, depression, anxiety, heart disease, brain fog, headache, gastritis, and SIBO. One of the things that has proven to help lower stress is mediation. And in the recent Fantastic Life - Ask Veronica video she explains that there are 100s of ways to meditate. One way to ensure youre meditation is working is if you engage in an activity in which you achieve a flow state. A flow state being state of consciousness where you're caught up in the present moment with no distractions. For some, its dancing, for others, its snow boarding. Other examples include but are not limited to reading, yoga, arts projects, and yes meditation! Find the activity that frees you from worry and fills you with pleasure and joy in the present. Write it down. And try to do more of that. Youll thank yourself when your stress symptoms lessen and your feeling pretty good, or dare we say fantastic!? #fantasticlife #flowstate #meditation . .

How to curb sugar cravings? Here are 9 tips that you can try to follow to curb the sugar cravings and help with insulin resistance: 1. No sugar: Sugar stimulates insulin, the more the insulin in the body, the higher the chances of it resulting in insulin resistance. Foods to avoid are:... - Cakes - Doughnuts - Bagels - Starchy carbohydrates - Rice - Wheat based - Oatmeal (if you must consume oatmeal in moderation) 2. Stop drinking alcohol. 3. Stop drinking sugary drinks as that is direct injection of sugar into the bloodstream 4. Cortisol: If you lead a stressful life as we all do in todays times, the body continuously produces cortisol. An increase in cortisol automatically raises the blood sugar levels in the body. And when the blood sugar levels increase, the body is forced to produce insulin to normalize the blood sugar levels. If you lead a stressful life, make a conscious effort to part take in stress reducing activities such as: - Meditation - Dancing - Reading - Yoga 5. Sleep: Sleep has been known to help reduce and reverse insulin resistance. 6. Exercise: Exercise is known to increase insulin sensitivity which is the opposite of insulin resistance. Moving the body is important. Exercises such as walking, running, biking ought to help. 7. Consume spices such as turmeric and cinnamon as they help regulate blood sugar levels. 8. Healthy Fat: Add some healthy fat to the body. More than 55% of Protein is anti-ketogenic in other words, it gets converted into sugar. Find a balance between Fats, Protein and Carbohydrates. 9. You can also rely on the Fantastic Life eNutrition app to help guide you on what the right levels are and which foods you can eat and which foods you can consume to balance insulin, cortisol and the other hormones. . Check out our Fantastic Life blog post on Insulin Resistance: https://fantasticlife.ca/what-is-insulin-resistance/ #fantasticlife #snacks #insulinresistance . . @ Port Coquitlam, British Columbia

How Do I know if I have Insulin Resistance? There are several ways of determining if you have insulin resistance. Here are 3 ways to determine it:... 1. If you just consumed food and you still feel hungry when you should be satisfied. Explanation: When you consume food, there is enough of a supply of glucose in the bloodstream to feed the cells. However, because of insulin resistance, the cells refuse to acknowledge the message from insulin that there is enough glucose. The cell continues to feel and stay starved causing the body to continue to crave more food and/or desire more sugar. 2. Around 2-3 PM in the day and after lunch, if you feel sluggish, there is a very strong possibility that you have insulin resistance. 3. Visceral or belly fat is a sign of insulin resistance. Additionally one of the best ways to determine if you have insulin resistance or if you have a different body type is by answering the 85 questions on Fantastic Life. Insulin resistance is a metabolic syndrome and a precursor to diabetes. It can be reversed but requires a change in lifestyle, diet, exercise. The Fantastic Life eNutrition app helps you with determining what those changes are and how you could track the impact of those changes on your body on a daily basis. #fantasticlife #insulinresistance . .

Insulin resistance is the best described as the cells inability to respond and react to insulin. This is best explained through the following example: Say you consume a hamburger with fries and a sugary pop alongside an apple pie. All the sugars from these foods when they enter the bloodstream raise the blood sugar levels. To lower these blood sugar levels, the Pancreas kicks into gear and releases Insulin. Insulin is a hormone that acts as a chemical messenger to inform the... various cells in your body to start consuming the sugar available from the blood in your body in order to reduce the blood sugar levels to optimal levels of 70-100 mg/dL. Insulin sends a message to the blood cells to consume the glucose available, but the problem is the cells refuse to react to the insulins message. To counter this refusal, the Pancreas starts pumping more insulin to trigger the cells consumption of glucose. Over a period of time, this increase in insulin production and increased resistance of the cell results in abnormal amount of pressure on the pancreas, weakening the organ and its ability to produce insulin. For more information on this topic check out our Fantastic Life blog post: https://fantasticlife.ca/what-is-insulin-resistance/. Also stay tuned for part 2 of the IGTV series Fantastic Life - Ask Veronica: Insulin Resistance. #fantasticlife #insulin #insulinresistance . .

What does insulin do with all that excess sugar that we consume, or ie. How does insulin regulate blood sugar levels? The excess sugar that we consume is converted by Insulin into Glycogen and deposited in the liver and muscle tissue for use at a later date, like a reservoir of energy that can be converted from glycogen to glucose by another hormone called Glucagon, when our bodies need it. Glucagon like Insulin is another hormone that is produced in the pancreas.... ** Insulin Pancreas Glycogen Glucagon ** Lets say you consume carbohydrate-rich food like pasta, noodles, or an orange. To process and regulate the increase in blood sugar levels from eating these foods, the pancreas produces insulin. This insulin takes the excess glucose and converts it into Glycogen and stores it in the liver and muscle, thereby removing excess sugars from the bodys bloodstream. If you then skip a couple of meals and the blood sugar levels within the body drop the pancreas comes to the rescue again. The pancreases will release Glucagon into the bloodstream that will then pick up the stored glycogen in the liver and muscle and release glucose into the bloodstream to increase the bodys blood sugar levels. Insulin is required in our body to: * To regulate our blood sugar levels. * Store excess Sugar in the body. * Absorb Potassium & Amino acids. More insulin information can be found in Fantastic Lifes blog post: What is Insulin? https://fantasticlife.ca/what-is-insulin/ . #fantasticlife #insulin #bloodsugar . .

How is Insulin Produced in Our Body? Insulin is a hormone produced by the beta cells in the bodys Pancreas located on the right side of the body just under the rib-cage. The pancreas secretes insulin into the bodys bloodstream to convert certain food that we consume into sugar. Foods like: * Honey * Candy... * Chocolate * Cookies * Cakes * Chips * Rice * Potatoes * Sweet potatoes * Fruits * Bread * Pasta * Cereal Why does the body produce Insulin? The purpose of insulin is to reduce the bodys blood sugar level. When we consume foods that are high in starch, or carbohydrates, there is an excess of sugar-rich content entering our body. To maintain the optimal function, the body needs glucose (form of sugar) levels to be maintained within 70 to 100 Mg/dL (milligrams per decilitre). Our body just needs approximately 4 grams of sugar to maintain that optimal level of sugar. Insulins function is to process the sugar-rich foods and lower the bodys sugar levels to maintain optimal function. In a nutshell, insulin regulates our blood sugar levels. For more information on insulin, check out our blog post What is Insulin? https://fantasticlife.ca/what-is-insulin/ #fantasticlife #insulin #covid19 . .

Hormones are released by our internal organs to trigger certain bodily functions at the time that they are required. Hormones support or regulate our body functions. 1. They affect and support our growth and development... 2. They determine our ability and degree of metabolism 3. They support our sexual health and reproductive functions 4. They aid our cognitive function and support our moods 5. They regulate body temperature and thirst In a nutshell, hormones determine how we feel. Everything we do in life is controlled by our hormones - when it comes to our weight, how we sleep, our moods, blood pressure, stress management, reproductive functions, etc. Because hormones are at the core of everything we do it is important that we care about them and it is important that we balance them. Too much of one hormone over the other or too little of any one hormone can cause your body to develop serious health issues. There are ways to balance your bodys hormones, and Fantastic Lifes Instagram, Facebook and website blog talk about what you can do to balance your hormones through nutrition and lifestyle. And to make things even easier/more convenient Fantastic Lifes eNutrition app is available. Subscribing to our eNutrition app is like having a Nutritionist and a Functional Medicine practitioner in your pocket and available to you at all times. If youre interested in learning more: https://linktr.ee/Fantasticlife #fantasticlife #hormones #balancehormones . .

Do you exercise? And do you exercise consistently - at least 5 days a week? Consistency is more important than the time of day when you are able to exercise. Exercise plays a very vital role with our physical body and with our mental health. It releases a lot of endorphins which helps reduce stress and tension. It strengthens our body and helps build immunity. Exercising is important to our overall well-being with zero negative side effects. We lead such busy lives with commi...tments and schedules that finding time to exercise is often the number one reason why we dont exercise. However, to get the most out of exercise the key is to be consistent. Whether it is as simple an exercise as walking, consistently following that regiment is what drives change and results. Exercise does not produce the desired results overnight or in one session, and therefore sticking to a consistent schedule that works for you is important. If morning works per your schedule, then morning it is. If afternoons work then afternoons it is. Unless you are a bodybuilder, who has trained your body, avoid this - Do not exercise 2 to 3 hrs before going to bed. Exercise gets your body pumped up, which is not the state you would like to try to fall asleep in. . Read more in our blog When is the Best Time to Exercise?: https://fantasticlife.ca/when-is-the-best-time-to-exercise/ Veronica Yoo explains the importance of exercising! . #fantasticlife #exercise #consistency . . @ North Vancouver, British Columbia

What can I do to curb my snacking? Veronica Yoo, a Functional Medicine Certified Health Coach & Nutritionist of over 20 years has the following tips: When you start feeling like having a snack, find something to keep yourself busy. Often, we feel the cravings come on when we are bored and not busy or when the mind is not fully preoccupied with solving a problem.... There is a high probability that your body is dehydrated and your body is just craving water and needing solid food. Try drinking 500 ml of water and wait. If after 10 minutes of drinking water you still feel hungry, then you know your body needs food. Another suggestion is to increase the intake of fats by adding fats to your meal. Fats keep you fuller and for longer periods of time and compared to other foods fats have a lesser impact on your blood sugar. Lastly, try to increase your intake of potassium. Some potassium-rich foods are beet tops, Swiss chard, avocado and kale. Bananas is a popular and well-known source of potassium, but it does not have nearly as much potassium in it as the above-mentioned foods. For other tips watch the video and follow our YouTube channel for more rich content, click the link in or bio! To know what your body type is, or have your hormones evaluated to determine what your dominance is and therefore which foods you should consume and which foods to avoid - sign up at Fantastic Life. We are the worlds first hormone balancing eNutrition app that provides a holistic evaluation of your body type with a smart tracker that ensures you are staying on track. #fantasticlife #snacking #covid19 #eNutrition . .

Why do we snack? The little morsels of food that we consume in between major meals is called snacking. Which begs the question, why do we snack? Often times we snack when we are bored or unconsciously whether its while watching TV, reading a book, keeping the kids occupied with their activities, et al.... Although snacks do help to curb the hunger, the more you snack the more it becomes a habit. But the good news is, if you can create a habit you can break a habit! Is Snacking Good or Bad? Snacking is not bad if you are hiking, biking or engaging in an active lifestyle and miss your usual meal time. Almonds, walnuts or any other form of nuts or foods with healthy fats, proteins and carbohydrates are recommended. Mindless snacking is definitely bad when you are leading a sedentary lifestyle, trying to lose weight or wanting to maintain a set weight. In order to curb the urge, you need to constantly self evaluate why you're reaching for a snack. So, what is happening inside our bodies when we snack? When we snack, the blood sugar levels in our bodies spike. This increase in blood sugar levels several times a day trains our body to expect these spikes often and over time, our body to starts to crave it like an addiction. Ever wonder why some snacks can be addictive? Remember the slogan, Bet you can't eat just one!? When your blood sugar levels are all over the map, your body finds it really tough to to slip into the fat-burning mode. Why? Because our body is constantly getting fuel that it can rely on from snacks versus finding it from its own reserves. Read more about snacking in our blog I Want To Quit Mindless Snacking - click the link in our bio. . #fantasticlife #snacking #covid19 . . @ Fort Langley

During this Covid-19 Pandemic, when we are shopping for a minimum of 1 week or perhaps more than 1 week, what are those carbs, fats and proteins that you can stock up on without compromising on the nutritional value? Here is a nutritionists top list: 1. Proteins That Can be Stocked Select good sources of quality meats. No, hot dogs do not count as good quality meat unless they are made out of excellent quality cuts of meat...... We recommend getting good quality frozen meat & fish. Read the labels, verify the source. And if you have time, read online and check up on the manufacturer/supplier of the protein. If you are stocking up only for a week, research local producers and try to set up a weekly delivery of meat & fish. It is a healthy way of supporting local businesses and the economy as well. 2. Good Protein Sources for Vegetarians & Vegans Vegetarians and Vegans can consider the following options: * Spirulina * Quality source of plant based protein powder (made in hemp, brown rice, pea, organic soy) * Dry Beans * Peas 3. Complex Carbohydrates is the way to go. Do not compromise on nutritional value when thinking about Carbohydrates. We traditionally tend to consume high amounts of carbohydrates in terms of rice and wheat based derivatives. The more you process those foods that are already starved of nutrients, the less nutrition is available to your body. For example, Rice Crispies is a derivative of rice after processing it. Rice Crispies undergo more processing than white rice alone. As a result the nutritional value of rice crispies is much less than white rice. 4. Fermented Vegetables are excellent sources of Probiotics Fermented foods such as Kimchi, Sauerkraut, Olives, Pickles and other fermented vegetables are excellent sources of probiotics that support your gut biome. We recommend frequent consumption of these fermented foods to actively support your gut health. Remember Immunity starts in the gut. 5. Healthy Sources of Fat Fats are just as important as proteins and carbohydrates and hence ensuring a good quality fat makes it into your plate is vital. Good sources of Fats are; * Olive Oil * Coconut oil * MCT oil @ Kelowna, British Columbia

** Top Immunity Boosting Nutrients & Foods ** Probiotic foods are important for your gut health, which is a direct link to your immune system. Individuals have different ratios of gut bugs so if you arent sure what strains of probiotics your body needs, it is recommended that you get probiotics from fermented foods. Sources of probiotics: ... Non-dairy: fermented meats, fermented vegetables, kimchi, kombucha, miso, natto, pickled vegetables (raw), sauerkraut, tempeh, yogurt (no added sugar, plain, active cultures). Dairy: Acidophilus milk, buttermilk, aged cheese, cottage cheese, kefir, sour cream, yogurt (no added sugar, plain, active cultures). The body absorbs nutrients from consuming foods more efficiently compared to taking food supplements. Therefore, it is strongly recommended that you choose whole foods over food supplements. Moreover, you need to pay attention to foods that you can and cant digest because if your body isnt able to metabolize food properly, you wont be able to absorb nutrients that your body needs. If your body is not able to absorb the nutrients it needs, you will be faced with nutrient deficiencies and a weakened immune system. . For more information on How to build a healthy immune system to combat coronavirus check out our blog post at https://fantasticlife.ca/how-to-build-a-healthy-immune-sys/ . #fantasticlife #probiotic #immunebooster . .

How can I minimize the impact of canned food on my health? Fibre has been known to play a wonderful role in flushing estrogen out of the body. If you must consume canned food, we highly recommend eating canned food alongside fresh fruits and vegetables. Note: when we say fresh fruits and vegetables this does not include canned fruits and canned vegetables. Fibre from the fresh fruits and the fresh vegetables binds with the estrogen from the canned food to flush out some of th...e estrogen. Although, it is not known how much of the estrogen from canned foods the fibre can flush out. So what should I remember about canned foods and my health? * Foods that come in cans have a lining that may contain BPA BPA mimics estrogen hormone. BPA was used originally during estrogen therapy. * Frequent consumption of canned foods, leads to a constant exposure to BPA/Estrogen. * If you must have canned foods, pair your canned foods with a lot of fibre rich, fresh vegetables & fruits. Pro tip: Review the last 4 grocery receipts and write down the number of canned foods you purchased For each day in the last 7 days, identify how many days you consumed foods that came out of a can. Try to reduce the amount of canned food you consume. Have canned food free days. Try this for 1 month and monitor how your body feels. For more on canned foods check out the Fantastic Life blog post - link in our bio! #fantasticlife #cannedfood #bpa #fibre #covid19 . . @ Surrey, British Columbia

What is the truth about Canned Foods? Canned foods are completely processed and are packed in airtight containers to keep for a very long time. They are inexpensive and are very convenient. But that's where the benefits of canned foods end. Canned foods have a lining and this lining has been found to contain BPA - (Bisphenol A). Studies have shown that somewhere around 18 out of 21 canned containers contain BPA. ... The presence of BPA is also one of the reasons why there is such a big social movement to avoid the use of plastics, for example, bottled water, plastic containers etc. Avoiding plastic is also good for the environment! Prolonged exposure to BPA has been associated with health risks such as, Cardiovascular disease, Hypertension, Obesity and Cancer. Did you also know that BPA mimics estrogen? Our bodies dont need a constant exposure to and supply of estrogen. Prolonged exposure to BPA tinkers with your bodys overall hormonal balance, but this can be controlled by making decisions on the types of products that you use and foods that you consume. For more on canned foods check out the Fantastic Life blog post - https://fantasticlife.ca/is-canned-food-bad/ #fantasticlife #cannedfood #covid19 #bpa . . @ Port Moody, British Columbia

An alternative to fresh fruits and vegetables are frozen produce. Frozen fruits and vegetables are equal in nutritional value to that of fresh fruits and vegetables. For example, a frozen mix berry blend is an excellent source of good quality fruits. You can alternate between fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables to prolong the period between grocery visits. . #fantasticlife #frozenfruit #frozenvegetables #covid19... . . @ Whistler, Canada

No need to peel the skin off! . The skin of fruits and vegetables are packed with some amazing nutrients that help balance your bodys hormones. Eating fruits and vegetables with the skin on is beneficial to our bodies. Safe handling of fruits and vegetables is how you can still get the most nutrition out of fresh fruits and vegetables without risking infection.... . Safely handle fruits and vegetables by following these steps: . 1. Wash your hands - This will ensure that you are free of any virus particles. If youve been outside make sure to wash your hands. For additional protection, you may want to change your clothes and perhaps even take a shower. Showering eliminates any chance of transferring the virus to the fruits and vegetables. . 2. Wash your fruits and vegetables thoroughly. This ensures that you are washing away the virus. . 3. Place the fruits and vegetables in a container to be stored in the refrigerator. . Remember to stay safe, stay healthy and stay home. . #fantasticlife #washyourhands #fruits #vegetables #covid19 . . See more

** Top Immunity Boosting Nutrients & Foods ** Sources of Copper: Sesame seeds, cashews, soybeans, mushrooms (shitake), sunflower seeds, tempeh, garbanzo beans, lentils, walnuts, Lima beans. Sources of Folic Acid: Lentils, pinto beans, garbanzo beans, black beans, navy beans, turnip greens, broccoli.... The body absorbs nutrients from consuming foods more efficiently compared to taking food supplements. Therefore, it is strongly recommended that you choose whole foods over food supplements. Moreover, you need to pay attention to foods that you can and cant digest because if your body isnt able to metabolize food properly, you wont be able to absorb nutrients that your body needs. If your body is not able to absorb the nutrients it needs, you will be faced with nutrient deficiencies and a weakened immune system. . Click on the link in our bio for our Facebook blog post on How to build a healthy immune system to combat coronavirus. . #fantasticlife #copper #folicacid #immunesystem #immunebooster . .

** Top Immunity Boosting Nutrients & Foods ** Sources of Selenium: Brazil nuts, sardines, salmon, turkey, cod, chicken, lamb, beef. Sources of Iron: lentil, beans (black, kidney, navy), spinach, pumpkin seeds, beef, liver, shellfish.... The body absorbs nutrients from consuming foods more efficiently compared to taking food supplements. Therefore, it is strongly recommended that you choose whole foods over food supplements. Moreover, you need to pay attention to foods that you can and cant digest because if your body isnt able to metabolize food properly, you wont be able to absorb nutrients that your body needs. If your body is not able to absorb the nutrients it needs, you will be faced with nutrient deficiencies and a weakened immune system. . Click on the link in our bio for our Facebook blog post on How to build a healthy immune system to combat coronavirus. . #fantasticlife #iron #selenium #immunesystem #immunebooster . .

** Top Immunity Boosting Nutrients & Foods ** Sources of Zinc: Beef, lamb, sesame seeds, pumpkin seeds, lentils, garbanzo beans, cashews, quinoa, turkey. The body absorbs nutrients from consuming foods more efficiently compared to taking food supplements. Therefore, it is strongly recommended that you choose whole foods over food supplements. Moreover, you need to pay attention to foods that you can and cant digest because if your body isnt able to metabolize food properly,... you wont be able to absorb nutrients that your body needs. If your body is not able to absorb the nutrients it needs, you will be faced with nutrient deficiencies and a weakened immune system. . Click on the link in our bio for our Facebook blog post on How to build a healthy immune system to combat coronavirus. . #fantasticlife #zinc #immunesystem #immunebooster . . See more

Important information.

An Easter treat for you and your family, from Fantastic Life! . ** Mix Berries Creamy Cheesecake ** . No baking required/ cooking time: 15 mins or less... . Ingredients: Crust: cup raw almonds cup raw walnuts cup raw oatmeal cup grass fed butter 3 dates, pitted tsp. seasalt 1 tbsp. water Cheesecake: 2 cups raw cashews, soaked in water for 4-6 hours cup coconut oil 1 banana cup raw honey 2 fresh lemons tsp. sea salt Topping: 1 cup frozen mixed berries 1 tbsp. raw honey 1 fresh lemon Directions: 1. In a blender or food processor, blend all crust ingredients until consistency forms. 2. In a cake pan, dump the mixture of crust batter and press down to cover the bottom of the pan evenly. 3. Place in a freezer. 4. In a blender, blend all cheesecake ingredients until smooth. 5. Take the crust out of the freezer and pour cheesecake ingredients into the crust and spread evenly. 6. Place the cheesecake in the freezer. 7. In a blender, blend all topping ingredients until smooth. Take cheesecake out of the freezer and pour topping on top of cheesecake and spread evenly. 8. 1 cup of frozen mix berries to decorate on the top of cheesecake (optional). 10. Add whipped cream before serving, if desired (optional). 1 serving 1 slice / 12 400 cals, Protein 15 (g), Carbohydrate 27 (g), Fat 25 (g) Enjoy! Happy Easter! . #fantasticlife #happyeaster #healthyrecipes . .

Butter has had a bad reputation in the past few decades, because of the misguided belief that it can cause heart disease due to its high saturated fat content. But we now know that butter is healthy if you choose organic grass fed butter over butter that is made from milk that is conventionally grown cow. Butter contains nutrients such as, Vitamin A, B12, D, E, K2 and over 400 different fatty acids. Studies have shown that Butyric acid, short-chain fatty acid that is found... in milk fat helps reduce inflammation in the digestive system. The consumption of butyrate is also linked to other beneficial effects such as energy homeostasis, obesity, immune system regulation, cancer, and even brain function. Health benefits of organic grass fed butter: - Promotes weight loss. - Helps prevent diseases such as arthritis, cancer, osteoporosis, heart dísease, thyroiditis, and asthma. - Helps to prevent gastrointestinal infections. - Supports the digestive system and boosts immune function. We use butter in many dishes and it is important to know how it benefits your body. Fantastic Lifes eNutrition app provides you with the important knowledge of what foods keep your body healthy and your hormones balanced. Our smart algorithm understands the individual needs of your body and translates those needs to you in your personalized nutrition plan. Want to know how important butter is to your body? Download the Fantastic Life eNutrition app and find out today. #fantasticlife #butter . .

** Top Immunity Boosting Nutrients & Foods** . Vitamin E (Tocopherols) is required for the production of immunoglobulins, the immune cell antibodies that destroy pathogens. It is an extremely important nutrient for boosting immune systems. Sources of Vitamin E (Tocopherols): Sunflower seeds, almonds, spinach, Swiss chard, avocados, turnip greens, asparagus, mustard greens, pine nuts.... The body absorbs nutrients from consuming foods more efficiently compared to taking food supplements. Therefore, it is strongly recommended that you choose whole foods over food supplements. Moreover, you need to pay attention to foods that you can and cant digest because if your body isnt able to metabolize food properly, you wont be able to absorb nutrients that your body needs. If your body is not able to absorb the nutrients it needs, you will be faced with nutrient deficiencies and a weakened immune system. . Click on the link in our bio for our Facebook blog post on How to build a healthy immune system to combat coronavirus. . #fantasticlife #vitaminE #immunesystem #immunebooster . .

** Top Immunity Boosting Nutrients & Foods ** Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that increases the production of bodies and white blood cells that fight off infection. It increases levels of the antibody interferon, which coats cell walls that block entering viruses. Sources of vitamin C: All will be higher in vitamin C if consumed raw (uncooked): Camu camu, goji berries, strawberries, kiwi, lychee, papaya, citrus fruit, broccoli, red bell peppers, brussel sprouts, parsley.... The body absorbs nutrients from consuming foods more efficiently compared to taking food supplements. Therefore, it is strongly recommended that you choose whole foods over food supplements. Moreover, you need to pay attention to foods that you can and cant digest because if your body isnt able to metabolize food properly, you wont be able to absorb nutrients that your body needs. If your body is not able to absorb the nutrients it needs, you will be faced with nutrient deficiencies and a weakened immune system. . Click on the link in our bio for our Facebook blog post on How to build a healthy immune system to combat coronavirus. . #fantasticlife #vitaminC #immunesystem #immunebooster . .

** Top Immunity Boosting Nutrients & Foods ** Vitamin A: The body converts Beta carotene into vitamin A and enhances the function of your immune system. It increases the immune boosting cells and natural killer cells that are required for normal T-cell metabolism and antibodies. Sources of vitamin A: all red, orange, yellow, and green plant foods.... The body absorbs nutrients from consuming foods more efficiently compared to taking food supplements. Therefore, it is strongly recommended that you choose whole foods over food supplements. Moreover, you need to pay attention to foods that you can and cant digest because if your body isnt able to metabolize food properly, you wont be able to absorb nutrients that your body needs. If your body is not able to absorb the nutrients it needs, you will be faced with nutrient deficiencies and a weakened immune system. . Click on the link in our bio for our Facebook blog post on How to build a healthy immune system to combat coronavirus. . #fantasticlife #vitaminA #immunesystem #immunebooster . .

How to build a healthy immune system to combat coronavirus As of today, the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic has reached over 1 million cases within 3 months. People whose systems are immunocompromised, for example older adults and people with underlying clinical health conditions, have fears of contracting the virus, but weve recently learned that even younger healthy individuals can be impacted. Researchers at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity documented...Continue reading

A Nutritionists Guide and Grocery List for stocking up on food during the Covid-19 pandemic: Pasta - when thinking of stocking up, we think of foods like pasta and rice that keep for a long time. Pasta tastes great - but it's just that - it tastes great. Pasta is ok to have now and then, but there are better alternatives like Steel Cut Oats . Cereal - the reason why cereal tastes so good is because they are designed to taste good, in other words they contain a lot of s...ugar. Avoid sugar especially if our new reality is leaning more and more towards a sedentary lifestyle. . Almond and coconut flour - These are healthier alternatives for regular flour . And your baked goods taste just as good and in some cases they might even taste better. . Excellent sources of carbohydrates and fibre: Millet Ancient grain Wild rice, Black rice Quinoa Lentils . Unsalted, raw nuts and seeds . Beans - as they contain, fibre, protein, carbohydrates and fat. Try consuming dry beans over canned beans for healthier eating. . Nori (seaweed) - dry seaweed is an excellent source of iodine. . Herbs with anti-viral and anti-inflammatory properties: Rosemary Thyme Oregano Sage Basil Garlic Ginger Onion Turmeric Cayenne Pepper Black Pepper Cilantro Curry Parsley . Ensure that every dish that you prepare, has one of or many of these antiviral herbs to boost your bodys immunity. . And when in doubt? There is www.fantasticlife.ca. For your specific body type, trust the Fantastic Life eNutrition app to recommend the right ingredients that work for your body type. #fantasticlife #grocerylist #covid19 . .

https://youtu.be/6Tk9x5Av7yw Veronica Yoo, Co-Founder of Fantastic Life and Functional Medicine Nutritionist/Health Coach, is back answering your questions in the second episode of the Fantastic Life Series: Ask Veronica. In this episode Veronica talks about whats in a Nutritionists Grocery List during Covid-19....Continue reading

Anti-viral foods: - Astragalus - Echinacea - Garlic - Ginger... - Lemon balm - Zinc foods: Beef, lamb, sesame seeds, pumpkin seeds, lentils, garbanzo beans, cashews, quinoa, turkey, and dark chocolate ( over 75%) - Vitamin C foods: Bell peppers, papaya, citrus fruits, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, strawberries, kiwi - Selenium foods: Brazil nuts, tuna, sardines, salmon, turkey, cod, chicken, lamb, beef These foods can help keep your immune system strong during this pandemic. Antiviral foods can help your body fight off pathogens. Every dietary decision you make will either strengthen or weaken your immune system so please pay attention to what you eat - it could help save your life. #fantasticlife #antiviral #antiviralfoods #covid19 . .

Q: What is a virus? How can food help me? A virus is a genetic material that needs a host like you or me in order to infect and continue to produce more copies of itself. Heres an example of how a virus works: when a virus infects me, my immune system starts to control the virus. The virus then evolves and mutates, changing its genetic material over time to try to outrun my immune system. It is a constant battle between the host (my body) and the virus. Therefore, it is i...mportant to boost your bodys immune system to reduce the risk of the virus. Q: How can food help me? There are anti-viral foods that help boost your immune system. Examples of anti-viral foods are garlic, ginger, resveratrol, zinc, selenium, and vitamin C rich foods. You also need prebiotic and probiotic rich foods to keep your gut healthy because a healthier gut means a strong immune system. Exposure to the sun is recommended to get vitamin D to boost your immunity. Alternatively you can take vitamin D3 as a supplement. A list of anti-viral foods can be found on fantasticlife.ca. The Fantastic Life eNutrition app also incorporates anti-viral foods into your individual personalized nutrition plan. #fantasticlife #virus #covid19 #antiviral . .

A virus is a genetic material that needs a host like you and me. Its goal is to infect and make more copies of itself. It is important to note that it does not survive outside the host. It really needs the host to multiply and grow. You and I are hosts. It needs many hosts to become a society threatening menace like the COVID-19 type. When a virus infects me, my immune system tries to control the virus. This resistance that my immune system puts up, forces the virus to mutate... and evolve. Why? Because the viruss intent is to get around my defense system - my immunity, to get me sick. And thus it is important to strengthen this defense system, by boosting your immune system. Fortunately, nature has provided us with many antiviral foods. For a comprehensive list of which foods suit your body type - check us out at www.fantasticlife.ca https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4WBuOlGnq0k