My Must-Haves For a Healthy Holiday Season
I find that as soon as summer comes to an end and the holiday season kicks off my clients start to stress about getting sick, gaining weight and what the heck to cook. Some rush into a new gym routine, others order take-out to save time, and the smart ones ask me what to do.
The days are getting shorter, the holidays are quickly approaching, and people are just overwhelmed. Isn’t this time of year supposed to be jolly and fun? Well, I don’t know about you, but I believe in being prepared for the stressors life throws our way. I am going to share a few of my favorite health goodies along with ideas for how to use them in delicious ways. I hope you enjoy my hacks for maintaining wellness and even thriving throughout the busy holiday season.
I am going to start with my top 2 Bulletproof products since they are having a sale starting NOW.
This medium-chain triglyceride extracted from coconut oil, also known as MCT oil is one of my favorite ways to boost your brain and body without compromising flavor. MCTs are a special type of saturated fat that our body can turn into energy very quickly. Don’t confuse it with coconut oil or try to substitute a lesser quality MCT oil.
Keep in mind that not all MCT oils are created equally. Quality matters and that’s why Brain Octane is my go-to. (Let’s just say that other brands might make you run to the bathroom or feel nauseous.) Bulletproof Brain Octane does not use palm oil (so they are environmentally friendly) and are not extracted using solvents like so many others on the market. Using a high-quality medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) oil is one of the most important players in reaching ketosis AKA burning fat.
Stirring a little bit of Brain Octane Oil into your morning coffee or whisking it into your salad dressing will help keep you energized, focused and strong during the hectic holiday season.
So what can you expect from incorporating Bulletproof Brain Octane Oil into your routine?
No more brain fog
No more feelings of starvation, wanting to eat everything and anything aka (HANGRY)
No more 2pm slump
Increased energy and focus
Feel full longer
Fewer sugar and carb cravings
My Recipe for Bulletproof Pumpkin Spiced 'Latte' will hit the spot and is far better than any sugar-laden drink from your local cafe. Bulletproof Brain Octane Oil is something I always take when traveling, and is one of those health hacks that you will want to add to your routine. I’ve incorporated it into many of the recipes in my cookbook, The Mexican Keto Cookbook.
2. Activated Charcoal
Charcoal has been used as medicine as far back as ancient Egypt. It is one of my must-haves for holiday indulgences, travel and natural first aid.
Incorporating activated charcoal into your detoxification regimen is a game-changer. It absorbs all of the bad stuff and flushes it out; I am talking everything from food, stress, lifestyle, the environment, industrial chemicals, pesticides, additives, secondary smoke, pollutants, and heavy metals. If you are like me and like to enjoy some “bad stuff” like pizza and vino every so often, you’ll definitely want to keep this on hand. The charcoal itself absorbs chemicals and reduces your absorption of toxins, reducing inflammation, bloating, and gas.⠀⠀
What is it exactly?
Activated Charcoal is not the same as the charcoal you put on your BBQ, so don't go using that! It is simply the byproduct of burning a carbon source, and in Bulletproof’s case, coconut shells. Coconuts yield a higher quality supplement as opposed to other products that are made from bamboo or wood.
How does it work?
It has millions of tiny pores that absorb toxins in the body. Think about this, if you spread out 4 capsules of Bulletproof Charcoal it would be the same surface area as a football field. The porous, highly-absorbent surface has a negative electric charge that attracts positively charged unwanted toxins and gas. Make sense? Binding to the bad guys and excreting the out through your stools, creating black elimination.
NOTE: Activated charcoal should never be taken within a couple of hours of your vitamins and medication because you will NOT absorb them! Hence do no order the superfood juice with charcoal cause you won’t absorb any of the goodness!
Reasons to use it:
Gas and bloating
Digestion
Detoxification - drugs, heavy metals, poison, chemicals
Hangover
Eating something your allergic to
Teeth whitener
Bug bites
DIY face mask
Jet lag
PRO TIP: Take 2-3 capsules immediately before and immediately after you ingest something that might be heavy in toxins in order to get the most benefits (this includes alcohol).
Check out my no hangover detox drink in my upcoming Mexican Keto Cookbook as well as 100 other high-fat, low-carb and anti-inflammatory recipes.
Torie’s Tips for Avoiding Holiday Hangovers:
Be sure to invest in this activated charcoal. In short, it absorbs unwanted toxins in the body. It’s great for aiding in most gut issues such as food poisoning, food reactions, bloating and gas.
1. Stay hydrated before you even arrive to the event, drink a ton the day of and then a glass between each alcoholic beverage.
2. Take 4 capsules of activated charcoal before drinking wine or beer. Take them after drinking if consuming liquor. Hard booze is put through a filtration process, unlike beer & wine. Bulletproof Activated Charcoal is my favorite because it’s tested for quality and is an overall clean product.
3. Stick to one type of alcohol. If you choose mixed drinks, choose the clear types (vodka & tequila) and add water instead of soda water. The added C02 adds acidity in the body, so, unfortunately, I advise to stay away from the bubbles.
4. Add lemon or lime to your cocktail instead of sugar, juice or soda. Lemon is naturally alkaline!
5. Don't forget to eat! Stick to high-quality fats and protein if the options allow. Stay away from processed and sugary foods, they just add to the hangover.
6. Choose high-quality wine like Dry Farm Wines or from my fav place to shop Thrive Market