BUT WHYYY DO OUR PERIODS MAKE US CRAVE EVERYTHING?!

So this is usually how things play out for me…

A week before I start I’ll just be chillin going about my day doing my thaaang and out of nowhere BOOM “If I don’t get some sort of pasta in my life right now, someones going to die” Then everything gets put on hold until I can figure out what i’m going to do in order to get some pasta. I think last time I ended up going to my local whole foods and got a container of mac n cheese.

Ah - everything’s good. Until Its not. 4 hours later and BOOM… I NEED FRO YO!!

This goes on for 1-3 days then I start and it’s NO APPETITE at all because my stomach feels like there’s an alien devil inside of it and I have back cramps, stomach cramps and feel like I haven’t slept in at least 7 days. 

I think a day or two after that is when I try to get my life back together. Just to start the 3 week countdown until i have this much fun again.

So my question is WHYYYY do we have cravings??

What the hell is going on that I can eat healthy 99% of the time and then out of nowhere need a pizza or a mac n cheese sandwich in my life. (Made that up in 5th grade, best invention ever.2 pieces of bread and butter with mac n cheese in between…I don’t actually recommend it but…damn. its good)

So when we are getting ready to have our periods, our estrogen is fluctuating on a f-ing roller coaster having the time of its life while we suffer.

When this happens, our stress hormone cortisol starts to fluctuate, as well as our hormone serotonin which increases our feelings of happiness and contentment. 

If cortisol (stress) is up and serotonin (happiness) is down, we’ll crave simple carbs, fats, and sugary treats. This is because our body knows that simple carbs (sugar) will raise our happiness hormones quickly.

If our cortisol (stress) is raised but our happy hormone serotonin is regular, we’ll crave the fats and carbs but not necessarily the sugary treat. (croissants, bagels, peanut butter etc)

If you’re craving chocolate then that is most likely your body telling you that you are deficient in magnesium. 

These cravings along with bloating, mood swings, sleepiness and irritability can start 7-10 days before we start and sometimes last into our cycle. 

Thats a lot of time to be hungry and pissed. Not to mention that on top of just the cravings, we actually do feel hungrier during menstruation because our caloric needs fluctuate throughout the cycle.

Meanwhile, we’re just trying to live our lives and get our bods on point. 

So what can we do to reduce the cravings, control the cravings and reduce the bloat???

Check it:

- If you’re on your period now and want to eat everything, try starting your morning with protein and whole grains! This, opposed to sugary pancakes or cereal will help keep your blood sugar levels balanced for the rest of the day.

- In the middle of the day eat fresh produce. It is filled with water and fiber which helps reduce bloat and put off hunger as well as cravings.

- Magnesium can decrease cramping, insomnia, headaches, water retention, anxiety, and sore swollen breasts. Reach for cocoa and put it into your shakes, oats and green veggies. Also if you want to get this through chocolate, be sure to get one that is at least 70% cocoa. Or, get like me and get a magnesium supplement!

- Focus on WHOLE GRAINS AND HEALTHY FATS (one of my fav snacks is toast with almond butter and a banana with honey, really hits the spot)

- Have a craving? Then have it! Don’t ignore it. You’re already sensitive so don’t deprive yourself of that meal you want. No one need to know that you’re crying over a lack of burgers and french fries in your life. Modify whatever you can though, for example I would get a veggie burger with sweet potato fries.

You will be hungrier than usual, ITS NORMAL. Our uterus wall is shedding, we’re eliminating toxins and we’re dealing with any bottled up emotions from the previous weeks, this TAKES ENERGY FROM US!

LISTEN TO YOUR BODY! If you feel exhausted, let yourself rest, if you feel alright and think you can hit the gym to raise those happy hormones for 0 minutes, then do it!

we all go through it so lets learn how to go through it the best….? way…..

Periods SUUUUUUCK but they can suck less.

peace out.

STOP EVERYTHING - I'M OFFICIALLY A TEA PERSON.

Breaking News: I’m a tea person

You know why I think I always hated tea? Because if I want to wake up, I want to do it now. I don’t want to wait for that to happen because it’s hard enough. Which is why every morning for who knows how long I'd wake up and get a double shot capp with some foamed almond milk and get on with it.

But! Just over the last two days I’ve been drinking tea in the morning and at work because I figured mayyyybe I shouldn’t be spending 30 dollars a week on coffee..(I never allowed myself to do the math till just now. That’s ridiculous. Sorry wallet )

And then a miracle happened yesterday. I got up at 5:30, took a shower, got ready, ran some errands and was 30 minutes early to my 7:30 am interview.

I actually knew what I wanted to get at the grocery store WITHOUT a list. That definitely never happens I’m indecisive as fuuuuh.

And then I usually fall asleep at 11:30, whether I’m in bed or driving (super scary) but last night I got home at midnight and cleaned my entire house AND woke up at 7 today.

All I’m saying is this tea has some serious benefits and if you can manage to wait a little bit for the energy to kick in, then you’ll have lasting energy all day. You think more clearly, you have endurance while you’re working out, it helps with your waist line and helps rid of toxins from your body.

Black tea has the most caffeine so I reach for either 2 cups of that or some Japanese green tea with honey.

Give it a try :)

YOUR SUMMER BOD TRAINING AND MEALS

HALLELUJAH! The time has come where my days consist of bathing suits, big t-shirts, sandles, snacks and tanning.

Im throughly enjoying working from home, writing blogs by the pool and getting outside for my exercise. So since iv’e been home more I wanted to share with you guys some healthy and refreshing drinks and snacks I’ve been having, along with my exercise regimen I’ve been doing, sound good?!

Heres what a day looks like:

BREAKFAST:

- if I’m only doing cardio that day then I don’t have as many carbs so i go with my yogurt breakfast.

     - ½ cup fat free yogurt//fresh berries//mixed nuts (pistachios, almonds, walnuts, dried cranberries) and chia seeds.

- If I’m doing cardio and weights that day then i’ll have either:

     - 1 piece ezekiel toast with MCT oil, 2 eggs whites, ¼ an avocado and fresh salsa

     - 1/3 cup cooked oatmeal with fresh berries

EXERCISE: (Legs and Booty)

- 30 minutes on the stair master or elliptical OR a run outside if i’m not doing weights. 

( 3 sets of 15 for each exercise. When I do weights I also do 30 mins of cardio first)

- leg press (85 lbs) // inner/outer thigh abductors (70 lbs) // jump squats // walking lunges (30 lb barbell) // calf raises (hold 20 lbs) // regular squats (slow) // Deadlifts (30 lbs) // Clam Exercise (with a band above your knees) // Donkey Kicks on Cable Machine (30 lbs)

LUNCH: Now you Need Protein! 

I’m simple. I like things that are healthy, easy to make, and good. For lunch i might have one of these.

- Can of tuna with sriracha and Trader Joes spicy flaxseed tortilla chips

- Protein Shake

- Egg White and Veggie wrap (sauté bell peppers, broccoli, and spinach. Use a whole wheat wrap)

- Spicy Black Beans with steamed broccoli and salsa.

This is usually when i go tan, write, read, maybe grab a chai tea latte (with MTC oil)

SNACKS THROUGHOUT THE DAY:

Apples and chunky almond butter // Air Popped Popcorn // Mixed nuts // Carrots and Hummus // Juice // 

Now go out there and enjoy the 90′s ! 

HEALTHY ON THE GO

Quick healthy foods are necessary. We’re in a hurry, we need a snack, so what do we grab?

This is actually a question that I get asked  A LOT! People are curious what i grab when i’m in a hurry that will satisfy, be healthy and convenient, SO here’s a list of some of my favorites :)

- Apple and Crunchy Almond Butter -  (i once got stopped at an airport for having a butter knife in my purse, so maybe just don’t take it there but other than that, girls we know theres definitely room for an apple and a little almond butter in our purses. Or just cut it, add almond butter, then set it in a tupperware container.)

- Air Popped Pop Corn - So low in calories and carbs and it excellent to have around to satisfy your salty craving and make you feel like you’re eating a lot, when you’re not!

- Juice - I know for some this may not sound very satisfying but it really is! All that nutrition fills you up and is soooo good for you! It’s also a great option if you need some energy or if you want something sweet they make organic pressed juices from coconut meat, cocoa, agave and all sorts of sweet stuff. Tastes like chocolate milk its sooo bomb.

- Fruit & Yogurt - This is healthy, quick, and easy to eat even in the car ! The protein in this fills you up and the berries help reduce cravings!

Just a few items to keep in mind !!