This post is a sponsored conversation brought to you by Whole Foods Market. As always, all opinions are my own.
This summer has been a whirlwind! I am back to teaching classes and having a blast. Between summer travel, BBQs, “momming” and starting this new chapter as a Barry’s Bootcamp Instructor, my nutrition and supporting my immunity are of the utmost importance. I focus on eating well, staying hydrated and getting enough rest.
When consuming meals throughout the day, nutrient density is something I focus on. Nutrient-dense foods contain vitamins and minerals with little or no saturated fat, sodium or added sugar. Essentially, they give you the most “bang for your buck” so to speak. Think: dark leafy greens, with bright tomatoes, chickpeas and pumpkin seeds combined with avocado and lemon and you have a simple, delicious and nutrient-dense meal to fuel your day.
Although you can get most of what you need from the foods you consume, I like to think of supplements as my “insurance policy”. Sure, supplements can be your daily multivitamin or omega-3, but seeds, powdered greens and certain oils like MCT oil can boost to your day in a convenient way. For example, I love starting the day with Amazing Grass powdered greens. Using my juicer is delicious, but by the time I juice all the fruits and veggies, I am left with a mess. I can bring my Amazing Grass Green Superfood Powders with me to have nutrients from greens anytime, anywhere.
Often, I talk about my morning ritual, and breakfast and hydration are two of the main components. I like to think about my morning as purely functional. I start the day off with 16 oz. of water. Lately, it is one glass of regular water and one glass of water with Amazing Grass Green Superfood for Immunity or Amazing Grass Brain Elixir with Greens and Adaptogens. I just started supplementing my mornings with adaptogens about a month ago and I love them.
I always add something to my coffee. Has been for years. Lately, I have been holding off on the butter or heavy cream, but I like to add vital proteins collagen peptides or Vital Protein collagen creamer for an added protein punch and ONNIT MCT oil for energy. MCT oil is comprised of the medium chain triglycerides of the coconut. I love adding some to my coffee a little while before I work out. I have it on the go or froth it up to sip and enjoy it for a few minutes before my little guy is up and raring to go!
Oats are my go-to for breakfast. Why? Because you can constantly change them with your mood and you can make them both sweet and savory. After mixing cooking the oats in non-dairy milk, I like to add an additional protein source like Garden of Life Plant-Based Protein or egg whites. When choosing a plant-based protein powder I choose Garden of Life because it has no added sugar, 18 different amino acids, 30 grams of protein and probiotics. Then, I always add my seeds: chia, flax and hemp are my go-to’s. I like to add seeds to pretty much everything. Avocado toast, oats, energy bites, etc.
With all of that said, supplements cannot replace a nutrient-dense diet, regular exercise and quality sleep, but supplements can help you fill in the gaps. There is no “magic pill” or one-size-fits all supplement and although quality supplements can be an added expense, they can add so much value to your life. That is why you can find me shopping the Whole Foods Market supplement sale! It is the best time of year to stock up on all of your favorites vitamins, protein powders, oils and seeds!
On August 4-6 you can get 25% off all supplements and if you are an Amazon Prime member like me, you can receive an additional 10% off all supplements.