I hope you had a great weekend! Mine was fabulous—I didn’t do any work on Sunday, and Joe didn’t have to work till Sunday evening, so we went to my Mom’s for Easter. I just have to say that my Mom is amazing. She was cooking for the weirdest crowd ever—Joe and myself (Joe is picky but he’d never tell anyone what he wants), my grandparents (definitely wanted a ham dinner), Fred’s kids (who are not kids, but one owns Philly Cheesesteak restaurants and his wife is pregnant, and the other is mostly a vegetarian who makes food choices for some health reasons). My Mom made a variety of veggie recipes, mostly from the Kripalu cookbook, then ham, rye, and swiss cheese for the ham eaters. She also made Chai Tea that made me realize what non-instant chai tea is supposed to taste like! Not only was that the best Easter dinner I’ve ever had, but it just made me think about how amazing my mom is. She really put her heart into that meal, and sincerely wanted everyone to be happy. I had expected to munch on some salad and call it a day!
The day felt like possibly the first time since my sister died that we were all getting together because we wanted to be together, and not just because we should spend time together on a holiday and make my grandparents feel like we’re normal. I often wonder why when we get together it always has to be about food, but it made sense yesterday. I know it’s a lot of work for my mom, and I’ve often just told her not to bother–she works hard for 24 hours in the kitchen and then everyone eats too much and it’s all over. This meal wasn’t like that (at least to me—maybe it was for my mom). What are your holiday meals like?
Topic Change: I was going to post about Stress/Metabolism this weekend, but I haven’t finished it yet, so I thought I’d do an easier one. Since I teach a college course called, Vitamins, Herbs, and Supplements, people always ask me what supplements I take. So I thought I’d just put them here, and tell you why I take them. This isn’t a recommendation!
Chlorella (Live Superfoods) – High in vitamins, chlorophyll, and protein. Gives me a lot of sustaining energy, a happy feeling, and was the key to normalizing a really wacky menstrual cycle (sorry guy-readers).
MSM (Jarrow-Amazon) – This is a sulfur compound, a great heavy metal detoxifier and supportive of healthy connective tissue. When I add a tablespoon to my water during a workout (it’s bitter, but I don’t mind the taste when I’m thirsty and sweating), I find that over time I am much more flexible and have fewer aches and pains. Typically, I have a lot of joint pain, especially in my hips. This helps.
Krill Oil (The cleanest fish oil I can find – Mercola) – Flax and chia area great for getting Omega-3’s, but they lack in EPA and DHA. These two things are essential to many aspects of health, including brain and heart health. An issue with low quality fish oil is that it can be contaminated with mercury and other environmental toxins that were in the fish. High quality krill is a good source because it was only alive for a short time (toxins don’t build up) and it renews itself super quickly. It is also high in antioxidants. If you don’t eat fish twice a week, you probably need to take a fish oil supplement.
Multi-vitamin/mineral (Mineralife – liquid) – Just covering the basics here. I like the vitamin/mineral combo—we often overlook minerals!
Vitamin C (Lypospheric) – Antioxidant/cell repair/skin health…and a lot more.
Vitamin B Complex (Lypospheric) – Coenzymes that help the body convert food to energy. Helps mental focus, plus includes vitamin B12 which I’m probably low on due to not eating a lot of meat. In my class, we have a big discussion about the use of mega-doses of B vitamins in energy drinks…and why it’s misleading!
Vitamin D – Due to lack of exposure to sunlight where I live, and my mom has osteoporosis so I’d like to boost my D, which helps with calcium absorption. It also helps with mood and energy level.
Probiotics (Syntol) – to help maintain digestive tract and systemic body bacteria. I have had so many issues with this over the years due to spending too much time on antibiotics and birth control pills. It took me decades to figure it out because I didn’t trace back my symptoms to the real problem. I’m convinced that this is key to figuring out (or at least dealing with) tinnitus and melasma issues I’m having. I just don’t know if it’s too late to fix the problems by just taking probiotics.
I also take other supplements on a symptom-as needed-basis.
Do you take any of these supplements? On an empty stomach, I take the probiotic. Then I take the B, C, and Multi together by stirring them into water 20 or 30 minutes later. I then take the vit D and chlorella. I guess it sounds like a lot, but I have specific and general reasons for all of them, and I feel much better when I take them! Watch Food Matters for more perspective on supplements.
I have some clients who believe that they should be able to get all of their necessary micronutrients from food. The problem with that is that (1) if you don’t eat fish, you’re deficient in DHA and EPA for sure, (2) the soil our current food supply is grown in is deficient in nutrients and minerals, (3) we don’t eat a varied enough diet based on the food supply (and where we live), (4) probiotics are very important to the body’s bacteria balance, and if you ever take medications or eat processed food and sugar, you’re probably out of balance–it can be really difficult to diagnose this because everyone shows different kinds of symptoms.
You can exist for a lifetime without taking any supplements, but I really believe that you can enhance your health, help prevent and treat conditions, and slow the aging process by supplementing your diet (no matter how good your diet is!).
My supplement students learn SO much during our course, and I love teaching it because I always learn something new too. There’s a whole world of herbs out there that can help us thrive, but we don’t generally know enough about them to make good choices about what to take. It’s just easier to take drugs recommended by a doctor. That’s just not my style 🙂
I made macaroons and granola this weekend…both turned out amazingly good–the macaroons are all different flavors: vanilla almond, vanilla orange, vanilla Dandy Blend (my favorite one!), chocolate, chocolate orange, and chocolate mint. Too much sugar in these for me in the form of maple syrup, but I tasted one of each 🙂
I’d love to hear what supplements you take and why!
Those macaroons look SO good!!! 🙂 I'm currently not taking anything, well I should say regularly. I have probiotics, prenatal (for the next year or so when we start trying), and red reishi, but I'm really guilty as I never take then consistently.
I am SUPER interested in knowing more about supplements. Especially calcium supplements.
your mom sounds wonderful – making varied foods for everyones tastes. I'm glad you had a nice day.
I do take a few supplements. Thanks for the overview – the only one here I do not take is chlorella, and I have been thinking lately about adding it, so it's great to know the benefit you feel! do you use powder or tablets?
I use the tablets…the powder taste is prohibitive for me (it tastes yucky,
so I ignore it in the cupboard!). I am always searching for the best quality
chlorella, and Live Superfoods is the most reasonably priced I've found
(less than half what I was paying before). I forgot to put in the post that
this also helps me a lot by reducing (even eliminating) carb cravings! Since
it's so high in protein, I have also noticed increased muscle tone without
doing extra work (maybe I'm misattributing that, but I don't think so!).
I'll throw in some calcium info soon…it's very interesting!
Both those macaroons and granola look amazing. I take a multivitamin, magnesium citrate (for, ahem, digestive issues), probiotics, and fish oil.
i loved reading your easter sunday wrap-up, lisa! aren't moms the best – i'm so glad you had a good celebration together, for the joy of being together and not out of obligation. we had an unusual celebration: lasagna and apple pie, all 100% homemade by mom! i think our moms are very similar in the way they enjoy showing love thru sharing their cooking and baking!
i take vitamin c, calcium, glucosamine, and vit d. i take a lot of vit c: 3000 mg per day. i rarely get sick and i fully credit this high vit c intake for that. i really enjoyed reading your vitamin and supplement info! i'd love to take a college course on this topic.
what a bounty of macaroons! the granola looks great, and i love that it's raw.
have a great easter monday!
well, this is sort of embarrassing, but I take the chewy adult vitamins, and I'm currently taking a multi. B vitamins, and omega-3s. I used to take the calcium and vit Ds also, but then I figured I was taking tums often enough and my multi has vit d.
I take probiotics occasionally (pill form), like after the flu or if my digestive system feels iffy. I never even researched whether or not that is even helpful, but I guess I just hoped so haha!
I eat a lot of fruits and veggies and nooch and bars to round out things too. I never know if I'm getting everything, but I try 🙂
Macaroons look FAB!
Okay all of your food looks great. I love all of the macaroons that you made. I do take vitamins. I change it all of the time though. I take e3live, a powdered multi that contain high compounds of vitamins and minerals. This covers most things and is from my N.D. I also take a complex for high stress situations. I do think vitamins and minerals are great. I am starting to use more herbs too though.
Your easter meals sounds lovely. I had my husbands parents over last night and it was nice.
I take Vitamin D too – the lack of sunshine in Michigan is insaneee – its a MUST for me! I have been looking for a good pro-biotic to take so I will def. take a look at this one!
Your macaroons are perfectttt! Where did you find your dehydrador?
haha WOW your mom is the best, she must have been bet out after catering for such different people haha.
I take a multivitamin, Vitamin D and calcium!
Glucosamine/MSM are lifesavers for runners! It keeps joint pain and stiffness away! I am also a 'very green' fan..its a trader joe's supplement full of algae, and condensed green goodness 🙂 And of course, the daily multiple!
i definitely think probiotics on an empty stomach are the most beneficial. Huge difference! And its so good to hear about your family time. A feeling of togetherness because you desire it not feeling obligated.
Hi Lisa!
Your Easter celebration sounded wonderful. Mom's are the BEST! I was elated to finally spend a holiday with my Mom after 15 years, myself. How sweet of your Mom to cater to everyone's taste buds! 🙂
Your macaroons look heavenly! Great pics, as well. Pardon, my drooling! 🙂
As far as supplements…first, I enjoyed your post…very informative. Daily, I take a raw Vitamin D, raw Vitamin B12, raw Calcium and a probiotic. In my smoothies, I alternate Liquid Chlorophyll and Spirulina powder. I add raw organic hemp seeds to my smoothies and salads.
Again, thanks for sharing your knowledge and helping “us” Thrive! 🙂
So I take calcium (Adora) although I'm beginning to think I take it more for the chocolate aspect than the fact that I don't drink cows milk. I need to research more into probiotics. For sures.
As far as DHA/EPA thank you SO much for pointing out that we are all lacking… I have a strong history of Alzheimers so this is something I don't want to mess with. I eat fish but not enough. I also eat chia, flax and hemp seeds daily. I have been giving the kids Nordic Naturals DHA jrs, but now that I read it, EPA's aren't covered. And this is what my pediatricians reccomended:-O
Love to hear your rec's
Ok I loved reading about the supplements you take! I used to take lots of supplements each day, but lately all I've been taking is a multivitamin. I keep telling myself to do some research on what to take and why, but I just don't seem to get around to it.
Thanks for the tip on Krill oil! I never heard of that but knew those facts about Omega 3 capsules. Just didn't know what the best kind to recommend was! Now I do!!
i just take one multi-vitamin for women's health. this post is very informative – thanks 🙂
The macaroons look so good!! Glad you had a good Easter! I didn't do any cooking either! My mom and aunts took care of everything! I've never taken any supplements.
EGCG from green tea (I like the extracts…and just put it in
water/smoothies/juice throughout the day) is also great for alzheimer's
prevention. Live Superfoods has one by Body Ecology that's caffeine free and
fluoride free!
I also heard that taking probiotics before bed is best (although harder to
do on an empty stomach then) because for some reason they “work” better when
your body is horizontal!
Thanks for mentioning 'very green' …I've never heard of it, but I'm a huge
fan of green supplements, so I'll check it out!
I have some E3Live in my freezer…I need to thaw some and add it to
smoothies!
I am really looking forward to getting more into herbs this summer. I
recently read of a place that has an herbal CSA—there isn't one around
here, but I would be all over that!
Do you take your vit C all at once? I've been reading about mega doses of
C, and I'm probably around 2000. The immune boost kicks in at 500mg, so I
read that it's best to spread out the C intake throughout the day…then you
get the immune boose multiple times!
Glad you had such a nice Easter! Your Mom rocks for accommodating everyones needs. broccoli salad- yum! Your macaroons also look gorgeous. I haven't had one of those babies in ages- so good! Normally I only take Calcium with Vitamin D. Since I became pregnant, I am on prenatal vitamins & and Iron supplement (as I became anemic quickly after becoming pregnant). Have a great evening
i take 2x500g three times per day: morning, lunch, evening.
if nothing else, at least vit c is water-soluble! 🙂
Lisa,
You are so right your mom is amazing and I am sure she felt that each of those 24 hours of work was worth it so you could all be together. I am so sorry to hear about your sister's death. My sister passed away in 2005 and I know what a void that can leave in your heart and family.
Thanks for sharing all the great info. I currently only take multivitamins and Vitamin C but have taken probiotics many times in the past.
What a wonderful mother! Holiday dinners can be overwhelming to start with, and add in different styles of eating for different members of the family,a nd it can get really stressful really quickly! Kudoes to your mother! I'm also really glad you had a great get-together! 🙂 Happy (late) Easter!
How are your macaroons so perfectly round? Amazing.
That easter dinner looks divine! Go Lisa's Mom!
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Ooooh how I'd love to gobble those macaroons right up! And I love the color that the berries add to the granola.
I take probiotics, triphala (an ayurvedic combination of cleansing herbs), a combination of ginko/ginsing/rodiola rosea when I need energy or am feeling run down/sick, flax oil, and a vitamin B stress complex.
I'm glad you and your family had a good get-together 🙂 I hope you're well!
I have researched Chlorella and don't see much evidence that it works. Do you think it may be placebo effect? Or have you seen other research tat I'm missing? I'm really curious because we sell that where I work and I get a lot of questions about it.
Also, krill oil is another one I get asked about a lot. I realize they aren't alive for long, but aren't they non-sustainable? I always thought krill was the food for the fish and that we were killing krill and therefore it was non-sustainable since we are killing fish in return. Does that make sense? I'd love to know more!
I haven't looked at many research studies for chlorella—the Western
researchers aren't going to study it because no one is going to make a lot
of money (pharmaceutical companies) from it! It's high in chlorophyll and
protein (and other things), so …it has things in it that I want/need to
increase in my die, and within days it had a noticeable effect on my energy
level and reduced carb cravings. I'm sure it would work differently for
different people—if a person already has a good energy level or doesn't
crave carbs (or craves them for a reason different than I do)…they
probably wouldn't see such a big benefit.
I haven't done research, but I have at least 6 clients who have begun taking
chlorella for a variety of reasons, and 5 of the 6 of them have said they
love the effects (their claims include: energy, muscle definition, improved
digestion, enhanced mood, decreased cravings/snacking). It's all pretty
subjective!
I think some manufacturers (Sun Chlorella) are promoting it as a
miracle…and I disagree with that approach. It's a superfood made of
certain things, and if a person is deficient or low on those specific things
it will probably help. In a majority of cases, I don't think it will be
harmful since it's a food and not a drug/chemical.
I think being skeptical is very healthy for any of this stuff, because it is
easy to buy into (and spend money on!) things that aren't worth it. In the
supplement arena, I just think every individual needs to explore things for
themselves and blend their values with their physical/emotional needs.
There is definitely a leap of faith involved when you're spending money and
looking for valid info. At the same time—I don't think anyone should take
something just because I (or any professional) swears by it!
Phew…apparently, I have a lot to say about that 🙂
Thanks for your thoughts!
Oh, and on the krill….I suggest checking out Mercola's website on that–he
has a video where he talks about the sustainability of krill. One of the
benefits is that it multiplies so fast that we don't have to worry about
damaging the supply. He's quite extreme on his opinions of things, but he
does a good job of describing that issue. One of the reasons I buy krill is
specifically because it is so sustainable!
Holidays can certainly get complicated with everyone's especially different tastes these days! So sweet of your mom to accomodate everyone. Sounds like a fabulous Easter! 🙂
– Beth @ http://www.DiningAndDishing.com
I'm happy your Easter was so wonderful! Your mom sounds like a pretty fantastic lady and definitely a wonderful cook…and your macaroons look amazing!
I'm glad you had a great time with your family for Easter! It's always nice when we can get together and not seem “forced” to be with our family!
Those macaroons look absolutely amazing! So beautiful all lined up!
You didn't have to make me so many macaroons for my birthday! 😉 I absolutely love the effort and love put forth by your mom for that amazing meal. What a stellar lady!!
Yummy!!! The Madre got me One Lucky Duck blonde macs, chocolate macs, and cinnamon bars for easter:) They are so good but SO so sweet! Save some nola and macs for me so we can have an eating party!!
major dehydration station for you
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Happy Birthday to You, Happy Birthday to You, Happy Birthday dear
Christin…..Happy Birthday to You 🙂
Send me your addy and I'll mail you some macs 🙂
I do take D and B12 and a multi vitamin. I am glad you had a nice time with the family. I apologize for not knowing (and will look through your posts) but I don't know how your sister passed. All I know is that I can't imagine. My sis is my best friend! Oh, and trying to watch the first episode of The Killings, really good, but hits so close to home for me that it's really hard to finish. But major kudos to your cousin!
I don't actually take any supplements. I do eat some fortified foods, like nutritional yeast and sometimes oatmeal. I don't really know how I feel about it — a big reason that I don't take any supplements is because I just can't afford it. But I don't know if there's anything I really should start taking…
I take a multi, a Vitamin D and an iron. I'm interested in taking more but I get so flustered when it comes to “take this when” or “take this with this” or “don't take this with that”!
I've always wondered about probiotic “pills.” My husband and I have been tempted to try them. This is very interesting! Currently I only take a multi-vitamin in the morning right before I eat a banana and drink coconut water. I didn't think I needed to take an extra D or B12 if my multi has 100 percent of the daily value. Maybe I'll look into it plus the probiotic. I am a vegetarian so I've started watching the supplements carefully (as in I need them!) I've considered taking a flaxseed oil pill too for omega3's.
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Hi again! Your blog is so interesting. Would you share the granola recipe? Why do you mention “sprouted” seeds? I can guess they are more nutritious?
Hi Maureen,
The granola recipe is here on the blog! If you go to the search box, type
in “super berry granola” and it will come up. It’s the best granola ever 🙂
I always at least soak the nuts and seeds for everything…they have enzyme
inhibitors that are “deactivated” if you soak them. That just means they
become easier to digest. Different nuts require different soaking times, and
after I soak them I often dehydrate them so they are crunchy again.
I have some fun nut and seed recipes I’m going to post soon—for cheese and
other weird things 🙂
Thanks for visiting and for the comments!
~Lisa
I’m so love this blog, already bookmarked it! Thanks.
Japan, for example, has focused on chlorella and
its capacity to help detoxify your body and reduce the effects of or clear away
toxic elements and substances which might be poisonous. Scientific studies in
the states and Europe have supported these results . Using this method normally
requires from 3 to 6 months and may depend largely on how much chlorella you
have added to your food consumption.
Wish I had the recipe for marcroons 🙂
Carrie