For natural energy, I try and chose natural and healthier options. I have begun thinking about this daily energy as a process of ups and downs, rather than something continuous and constant. It’s more natural to have a low period or two during a day versus constant up because of band aids and quick fixes (coffee, stimulants, etc).

Move over, wheatgrass. There’s a new superfood in town.

I have been adding blue green algae to my routine for about 2 years now and I’ve really noticed a difference in my energy level.

There are two kinds of blue green algae: that from fresh water and that from the ocean. The fresh water blue green algae is from a lake in Oregon called Klamath Lake. The blue green algae from the ocean is termed Spirulina and comes in a powder/flake or tablet form. I add spirulina flakes to smoothies and juices or sprinkle it onto a salad. I take blue green algae in liquid form and usually take a shot of it in the morning and mid day during my energy shift. Lately I’ve been putting the liquid algae (I use E3 Live brand) into an ice cube tray and dropping it into a glass to melt so that I have an ounce or two at my finger tips instead of freezing and defrosting the whole bottle once or twice a day. I found that I got lazy and would rather not go through the process before I was putting it in an ice cube tray.

The technical term APHANIZOMENON (genus) and FLOS-AQUAE (species) are actually zoological terms of classification that literally mean “invisible living flower of water” in Greek.

Algae capitalize on the direct energy of the sun more than any other food. Primitive as they may appear, most are highly efficient photosynthesizers. Algae utilize light energy from the sun, carbon dioxide from the air, and hydrogen from the water to synthesize its bio-chemicals. Klamath Blue Green Algae is unique among all food grade algaes in that it also metabolizes molecular nitrogen directly from the air to produce proteins and other nitrogen containing bio-molecules.

What are the benefits to adding this to your diet?

• increase in mood and mental clarity
• Immunity booster
• for healthy hair and skin
  
• fights off aging (powerful antioxidants-fight free radicals)
  
• feel good food-helps with serotonin
• detoxifies our bodies: liver, GI Tract
• Green Foods in general help with cholesterol problems (regulates gallbladder and liver)
• 10-30x more nutritious than land vegetables

You can begin feeling the effects of blue green algae by trying Spirulina in your smoothie at a juice bar (most have it) or you can try a shot of E3 live. I would suggest trying it a few times before purchasing it to see how it works with you and if you like the effect on your body. I’ve tried several supplements or superfoods some people LIVE by, only to find out it makes me feel off. These are all suggestions, find what works with your body, experiment with many options, and ask lots of questions!!

Many of my clients ask me what they can take for help with gaining more energy. First of all… Lets take it to the basics. What IS energy?
Energy: “the strength and vitality required for sustained physical or mental activity.”
Obviously you need calories to exert energy. But WHICH calories you bring in is super important.

Before talking about what to ADD to your diet or routine, lets talk about what to TAKE AWAY. If you eat processed or sugary foods, you are sure to crash right after you eat. If you drink caffeine, you are also guaranteed to crash later on.

The first thing you should do is cut down on both these things and find healthy swaps for them. For example, instead of having soda drink water, instead of coffee try tea, a kombucha or a green vegetable juice for energy.  (more on these later!)

After making these changes, you will absolutely begin to feel a difference in your energy level.

Also, so vital…SLEEP! 

While people lift weights for muscular strength, do Yoga and Pilates for flexibility, spend hours a week for cardiorespiratory strength and endurance, and count calories for body composition—there is one thing that hardly ever gets named as part of a person’s fitness regiment. The irony is that one thing may very well be one of the most important components of health and fitness—that thing is sleep. Make sure you are getting enough for YOU and your body. Try and settle down an hour before you want to get to sleep, turn the lights down, turn the computer/tv off (stimulation for the brain) and read, meditate or take a bath. Make sure you have a routine and attempt to get to sleep around the same time each evening. 

If you still feel drained or low energy, you can begin to add healthy supplements and superfoods to your regiment.
Here are some of my favorites for natural energy:

• blue-green algae
• maca
• bee pollen
• ginseng and royal jelly

More to come about these!!!! For now… start on the sleep and cutting back on caffeine

one thing at a time…