Welcome back!

So…can a healthy pH help you lose weight? Yes! That’s because instead of eating processed foods that overload your body and deplete energy, an alkaline-friendly diet feeds your body whole, natural foods, for the best energy, digestion, and metabolism. Studies also show that a diet heavy in acid-forming foods promotes production of the stress hormone cortisol – which in turn promotes the accumulation of abdominal fat. In other words, pay attention to the pH scale and not your bathroom scale and your body will reward you back!

It’s so common for us to blame our extra stubborn pounds, particularly those around our waist-line, on too many sweets and carbs, and while that may hold some truth in many individuals it’s not always the main culprit. I can pretty much guarantee that where there is extra weight, there is an imbalanced pH and fluctuating hormones.

Cortisol a.k.a the stress hormone, is enemy number one. High levels are linked to abdominal fat-storage, memory loss, increased appetite, increased cravings and lower muscle mass, bone density and even libido…one of the best ways to work those sweets off! And you’re not even exempt if you are thin, suggest research from Yale University, which found slender woman suffering from chronic stress and high cortisol have more belly fat than people with normal stress levels, even those who carried more weight on their frames naturally.

So what can you do?

First off go back to yesterdays blog and begin to have a better understanding of your acid vs alkaline foods to choose from, secondly begin to understand that lower levels of cortisol are directly related to lower levels of stress.

Try deep belly breathing techniques, yoga and meditation, writing in a journal and always get a good nights sleep aiming to be in bed no later than 11pm lights out counting some zzz’s. Eat a high-protein breakfast within one hour of waking and never go longer than three – four hours without eating a meal or snack. If your stress levels are high trying using the herbal supplement Relora, which helps to lower cortisol and establish healthy sleep patterns.

One of the best ways to get yourself on the right track I have found both personally and with my nutrition clients and yoga students is by starting the day with a smoothie. It is a one-stop shop for all your dietary, pH and hormone balancing needs.

Here is an example of what you may put into your smoothie. Keep in mind that once you start moving a little deeper with whole foods and greens etc you can start to make this smoothies more intense, however for many in the beginning this is a great place to start. The recipe below offers a great source of protein, calcium, magnesium, potassium, fiber, essentials fatty acids, greens, iron,

1 cup of almond, hemp or brown rice milk

1 scoop of either Vega protein powder of Vegan+ by Genuine Health

1/2 banana and 1/2 cup frozen blueberries

1-2 tbsp either organic flax oil or ground flaxseed

large handful of organic spinach, kale or collards or serving of a complete greens powder like spirulina or Greens+

tsp cinnamon

purified water as needed

Blend all ingredients for 60-90 seconds  and enjoy!

I teach 13-15 classes weekly plus do my own swim, bike and run workouts in a week and this type of smoothie kicks off at least 5 of my 7 days of the week and keeps my tank charged and my body feeling amazing!

Stay tuned tomorrow for the final part of this pH series discussing how your pH affects your overall vitamin absorption, the health of your bones, how you can prevent serious illness and the best methods for testing your own pH levels.

Chat soon xo

Posted in Nutrition, Recipes, Uncategorized