Healthy Lifestyle Hacks

There are so many tools, tips, and tricks that help make a healthy lifestyle easier.  I recently shared a video with my fellow Mastery students in Chef AJ and John Pierre’s Ultimate Weight Loss Program and it made me realize just how many of these things I use, on a daily basis!  Hopefully you’ll find a few little tricks or ideas in here that will make your life so much easier!  

In full disclosure, there are some affiliate links here.  If you choose to purchase something after following one of my referral links, I may receive a small contribution from the company.  Please rest assured that I only recommend products here that I truly believe in!  Using my link helps support the educational work I do with this blog.  Thank you!

Foam Rollers That Keep me Mobile
I try to stretch and work on mobility exercises as often as I work out! It helps to keep me limber and injury-free.  Here are some of my favorite tools to get the job done. 
Basic Foam Roller
Lacrosse Ball for deep tissue release
Roll Recovery 
Body Back Buddy – back massager
DoYogaWithMe  Free website with hundreds of yoga videos.  Just select your time – 5 mins up to 120 minutes, type of yoga, and level.  There’s something for everyone here, and it’s all free! 

Stress and Cravings Busters

Essential Oils: Cravings buster, stress reducer
I like to use peppermint or clove oils to fight cravings for junk food.  I just put a drop of either oil in a 4 oz glass of water, swish like a mouthwash, and spit it out.  I love lavender on a diffuser bracelet (see below) to help keep me calm and balanced.  Here’s a link to my own page to check out DoTerra oils.

Green Powder: Cravings buster
These are a great way to fight cravings.  I put 1 tsp of green powder in a 16 oz water bottle and sip it throughout the day.  The leafy green vegetables alkalize my palate and dissolve all cravings for sugars.  John Pierre recommends Health Force’s Vita Mineral Green and Greener Grasses.  I use both and they work amazing!  It may take some getting used to, but I’ll warn you – the worst it tastes to you, the more you need it!  Essential Oil Diffuser Jewelry: Cravings buster, stress reducer
These have helped me tremendously to keep essential oils around me all the time without having a room diffuser in my purse!  There are necklaces and a bracelet available here.

Time-Saving Kitchen Hacks

Instant Pot Pressure Cooker  I can’t say enough good things about my IP!  I have a 6 Qt and an 8 Qt and I use both!  I love the large volume of the 8 Qt but I prefer the smaller one for steaming veggies because they get done faster and are therefore cooked more to my liking! 

Air Fryer  I have the PowerXL that you can find at Sam’s Club or some other places online.  I have the 5.6 Qt which is the smallest size I would recommend.  Even if you’re only cooking for 1, it’s nice to have the floor space of the 5.6 Qt.  This is the only brand I’ve used in my home, personally, but I’ve heard many great things about the Breville Air and I’ve demo’d the Philips Avance as well and it was wonderful.    

Produce Storage  I just love the design of these containers.  They have enough air flow that my produce seems to last a lot longer.  I make a huge chopped salad and it stays fresh all week for me!  Here’s a video about my chopped salad madness.

Supplements

Beet Boost – use the code “StrongerTogether” for 15% off and free shipping  Beet Boost has a whole dedicated blog post on the way, but in the meantime, I’ll share this is one of my athletic performance secrets!  I drink a serving on the way to the gym to help prime blood vessels for oxygen delivery, and I often take a second serving to aid with recovery and fight inflammation.  It’s the tastiest way I know to get 4 beets and 40 tart cherries in a wee little glass on the way to work out!

Vitamin B12   A must for vegans since we don’t eat the animals that are eating the soil that harbors the bacteria that produces B12.  
Vitamin D  Recommended for anyone that lives in northern climates that doesn’t get enough consistent sun exposure to produce our own Vitamin D, and particularly for vegans who aren’t consuming fortified cow’s milk products. 
Turmeric – Use the code JP for free shipping  Extremely potent anti-inflammatory.  Read more here. 
Amla – May help control blood sugar.  Check out Dr. Greger’s video to see how it stands up against pharmaceuticals for controlling cholesterol, inflammation, and blood thinners. 
DHA/EPA Fatty Acids (Omega Zen)  This may be a good supplement to consider if you’re eating a very low fat diet.  Talk to your physician about testing your fatty acid levels.
Encapsulator – This handy little tool helps me to consume turmeric and amla which are otherwise unpalatable for me!  We simply set up the tray, fill them up with the supplement we’re utilizing, cap ‘m quik, and we’re good to go!
DIY Capsules – You’ll need empty capsules if you’re going to start this DIY project.  It’s really not as hard as it may seem! 

If you ever have questions about any of these products or suggestions, please let me know!  I’ve been experimenting for quite a while and would be happy to share any of my experiences!  Comment below or send me an e-mail if you prefer! 

Disclaimer:  This is not intended as medical advice.  Please consult your physician before making any changes to your daily supplements.