Good Morning!

In last weeks email, I shared several thoughts about the importance of routine.

If you missed it (and routine is something you struggle to find or feel you’re lacking) go back and read it.

Today + for the next few Sunday Wisdom’s, I will share some of my personal routines that I think have made siginifcant differences for me – in my blood sugar, gut health, my ability to regulate my nervous system (aka how I manage stress), my sleep and my workouts. That I also feel are generic enough routines that they would work as well for you too (if you’re not already doing them).

I’m starting with the routine I established about 3 years ago that I think has made THE biggest impact on my body’s ability to regulate blood sugar (read: I have FAR less sugar cravings and can easily go 4-5 hours between meals – assuming I am eating plenty of protein + nutrient dense meals) without getting super hungry or feeling the need for a snack.

Every. Single. Morning – rain or shine, home or traveling – I wake up, within 15 minutes, I have a glass of filtered water with a pinch of good salt, followed by 1-2 tsp Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) and 1/2 – 1 tbsp Whole Leaf Aloe Vera Juice.

Here’s why:

The Salt in my water is for electrolyte replenishment and adrenal function.

The number one fuel for our adrenal glands (those little glands that sit right above your kidneys are big helpers in regulating blood pressure, immune function, metabolism and ability to manage stress – they are important and often overlooked!) is salt! (Not just any salt – GOOD salt – see below for my suggestions.)

The ACV gets bowels going (ideally we’re all having a bowel movement within an hour of waking), stabilizes blood sugar, helps reduce inflammation and supports detox pathways.

The Aloe helps soothe gut lining and increases the body’s ability to make bile to help breakdown foods more efficiently so we absorb more nutrition, digestion is smoother, and because we’re absorbing more – we have more energy.

Personally, I do my salt with water and then simply take a swig (yes, a swig) out of the ACV bottle and another bigger swig out of the Aloe Vera Juice bottle.

BUT, if you’re not used to the ACV – it can be tough on its own. In which case – I suggest: salt in water >> drink all but 2-3oz >> add a splash of ACV and Aloe – shoot it back.

I suggest sticking with this for a full 30 days before you decide if it’s for you or not.

My go-to brands for each are:

Crucial 4 m-Salt or Redmond Real Salt

When I travel – I pack a small baggie of one of the above salts. I like to use these baggies for this and my supplements when traveling.

Willy’s Organic Apple Cider Vinegar or Bragg’s ACV

I use these ACV packets by Trace Minerals when I travel.

Lakewood Organic Whole Leaf Aloe Vera Juice

I use these capsules by Core Formulas when I travel.

As always, I am here for questions!

If you decide to start incorporating some or all of this into your routine – I’d love to hear what you observe!

xoxo

Alix