Category Archives: Reviews

7-Day Liver Detox Plan before the holidays – The last minute guide to getting into better shape before 2021

When is the best time to start this plan?

NOW, but realistically, check your calendar and pick a week when you don’t anticipate any special events that involve a lot of foods. You can do this before the holidays to rejuvenate your liver and repeat it whenever you are feeling sluggish, lack of concentration, having skin breakout/acne/hyperpigmentation, having bad breath, brain fog, or just to kick start a long-term healthier lifestyle. 

Add 1 good habit and abandon 1 bad habit from your lifestyle each day of the detox.

Day 1

Limit your daily eating window to 12 hours. For instance, if you take your first bite of food at 9 am, you would finish your last bite of food of the day by 9 pm. During the fasting period, you can stay hydrated with water and consume unsweetened coffee/tea. 

❌ Avoid Alcohol

Day 2

✅ Lose excess belly fat to lower inflammation and reverse liver damage. Get enough sleep and ramp up your workout: Exercise for 45-60 minutes most days of the week and be more physical active during the day.

❌Avoid added sugar or artificial sweeteners.

  • ex. Diet/regular soda, sugary cereals, sugary yogurt, whipped cream, sweetened condiments such as some teriyaki sauce/spaghetti sauce/soy sauce/honey mustard/ketchup

 

Day 3

✅ Drink 1-2 cups of Detox juice a day:

    1. Combine 1 Tbsp apple cider vinegar + juice 1/2 lemon + ½ teaspoon of raw honey + 8 oz water  and/or
    2. Juice 1 beet + 2 slices of ginger + 3 carrots   

❌ Avoid refined carbs.

  • ex. Bread, pasta, burger

Day 4

✅ Eat 1 serving of choline-rich food a day.

  • ex. Egg, chicken, beef, broccoli, salmon

❌ Avoid refined oils.

  • ex. soybean, safflower, vegetable, canola or sunflower oil

Day 5

✅ Aim for at least 3 cups of vegetables and 1 fruit a day. 

❌ Avoid ultra-processed and packaged foods.

  • ex. instant rices, instant noodles, cold cuts, ham, bacon, sausage, hot dogs, canned soups, frozen meals/pizza

Day 6

Start your meal by eating half of the veggies> then protein + more veggies > finishing it with carbs.

❌ Avoid fried Foods.

  • ex. French fries, donuts, falafel, churros, arancini, fried chicken, pakora, General Tso’s chicken

Day 7

✅ Practice food and lifestyle changes first, then consider supplements.

  • Supplements for liver health: Milk thistle, Artichoke, Dandelion Root, Curcumin, Vitamin D3, Resveratrol. 

❌ If you have liver disease, stay away from raw or undercooked shellfish.

  • ex. Oysters, calms

Related

💚 Learn how to create/order balanced meals at home or in the restaurants

💚 Are your supplements safe? 

 

healthy snacks, energy balls, snacks, protein balls, post-workout snacks, pre-workout snacks

Healthy Snack recipe: Fudge Power Protein Balls + Garden of Life Raw Meal and Fit Protein Powder Review

According to studies, keeping a flow of working 52 minutes at a time and taking frequent healthy work breaks may boost productivity. Try to make this 15-minute no bake healthy protein balls during your next meeting break to also boost your nutrition, refresh the mind & creativity, and reduce stress.

Check out the step-by-step video instructions: Protein Balls VLOG recipe

Garden of Life Raw Organic Meal (Chocolate)

  • Packed with 44 superfoods
  • 20 g of clean protein per scoop from 13 raw sprouted ingredients, along with greens, healthy fat, 7g of Organic Fiber, 1.5 billions probiotics & enzymes (promotes gut health), plus 21 vitamins and minerals.
  • 56% Protein.  RAW protein—since heat and processing can denature proteins.
  • Free of gluten, soy, dairy, tree nuts, filler ingredients, artificial colors, flavors, sweeteners or preservatives. 
  • Less than 1 g of sugar
  • Suitable for those with lactose intolerance or sensitive to whey (ex. bloating/flatulence)
  • Delicious and simple way to sneak in nutrients fast
  • Keep you full for hours to support weight management 
  • Can be combined with other healthy foods to replace small meals/snacks to support a healthy weight 

Garden of Life Raw Organic Fit

  • 28 g of clean protein per scoop from 13 raw sprouted ingredients, along with greens, healthy fat, 8g of Organic Fiber, 3 billions probiotics & enzymes (promotes gut health)
  • 61% Protein.  RAW protein—since heat and processing can denature proteins. Higher protein and fiber to keep you full longer
  • With added Svetol Green Coffee Bean Extract, cinnamon), and Chromium to help maintain blood sugar levels and build lean muscle mass when combined with proper exercise
  • With added organic Ashwagandha to help combat stress, boost energy & metabolism, improve sleep quality, and may help fight cravings
  • With added 5g of naturally occurring branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) to help build lean muscle mass
  • Free of soy, dairy, added sugars, filler ingredients, artificial colors, flavors, sweeteners or preservatives. 
  • Suitable for those with lactose intolerance or sensitive to whey (ex. bloating/flatulence)
  • Delicious 
  • Less than 1 g of sugar

Related: Inc. Productivity 

養生茶, bedtime tea

Healthy late-night snack: Best Bedtime Tea to promote better sleep quality, everyday detox, and skin health

Bedtime Tea
bedtime tea

Bedtime Detox Tea

Isabel
Bedtime Tea for better sleep, everyday detox, skin health, and more
Prep Time 1 minute
Cook Time 18 minutes
Resting Time 5 minutes
Total Time 21 minutes
Course Drinks
Cuisine Chinese
Servings 2 people

Ingredients
  

  • 4 cups Water
  • 6 pieces Jujubes (red dates)
  • 1 handful Goji berres
  • 2 bags Dandy Liver Detox Tea
  • 2 tsp Raw honey
  • 1 tsp Apple Cider Vinegar
  • 1 Egg (optional)
  • 1 drop  Astragalus (or 3 slices of dried Astragalus root) (optional)
  • 3 pieces Dried longans (optional)

Instructions
 

  • Boil water in a medium pot
  • Wash jujubes, goji berries, dried astragalus root (optional), and dried longans (optional)
  • Place jujubes, dried astragalus root (optional), and dried longans (optional) into pot. Bring to a boil and reduce to simmer for 15 minutes
  • (Optional): Carefully drop the egg into the center of the whirlpool and let it poach for 3 minutes
  • Turn off heat. Add teabags and goji berries. Cover pot and let it steep for 5-10 minutes
  • Stir in raw honey and apple cider vinegar. Serve warm

Notes

  • Longan is used to calm the mind, support sleep & digestion in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) 
  • Organic Jujube/Dried dates 
  • Organic Goji berries Since the vitamins in goji berries are water-soluble, you can also chew them directly without soaking into hot water to maximize nutrient absorption. Soaking goji berries into hot water can soften the dried berries.  
  • Local raw honey may alleviate seasonal allergy symptoms.
  • 1 egg = 6 grams of protein = can help balance blood sugar level and promote better sleep 
  • Dandy Liver Detox Tea (dandelion root, milk thistle seed, lemon peel, and more)
  • Astragalus = Immune booster 
Keyword bedtime, bedtime snack, bedtime tea, detox, healthy recipes, healthy snack, sleep better, sleepaid, tea
Latte, Latte Art

Not all coffee beans are created equal

Top 10 Health Benefits of moderate coffee consumption ☕☕☕

Moderate coffee consumption (~ 3 cups per day) is associated with a lower risk of:

  • Alzheimer’s
  • Liver Disease (fatty liver, liver cirrhosis, liver cancer )
  • Congestive Heart Failure
  • Type II diabetes
  • Stroke
  • Parkinson’s
  • Prostate Cancer
  • Premature Death
  • Depression
  • Multiple kinds of Cancer 

Moderate coffee consumption may also promote/improve:

  •  Longevity
  • Cognitive function and memory
  • Mood
  • Weight loss
coffee, toxic-free coffee, best coffee beans

Purity Coffee☕: 

  • High-end, Antioxidant-rich, Toxic-free, Certified organic coffee 
  • Tested against out of 49 of the top brands (including Starbucks, Lavazza, illy, Trader Joe’s , Bulletproof,  Equal Exchange, Seattle’s Best , Dunkin’ Donuts, Life Extension, etc)  and have the highest level of antioxidants (2-10x more)
  • Source only the highest quality beans (top 1%) year to year from different region or farm to ensure purity and higher antioxidant levels
  • Fresh beans.  Roast weekly for maximum health benefits and taste
  • Use nitrogen flushed bag and k-cups to prevent oxidation (fresh until you open the bag).
  • Exceptional Taste 
    • Here’s what coffee expert Tracy Allen had to say about Purity Organic Coffee: “Due to the quality of the coffee, the flavor notes of cocoa, English walnuts and citric fruits resonated clearly”

5 Fun Coffee Facts ☕:

  1. Coffee is a top source of antioxidants in the American diet
  2. ORAC scores (antioxidant values in 100 g of the tested items) in some common foods & beverages:
    • Coffee: 2780
    • Red Merlot wine: 2607
    • Blueberries: 4669
    • Spinach: 1513 
    • Turmeric: 127068 
    • Orange juice: 726
  3. Main antioxidant in coffee: Chlorogenic acids
  4. Light roasted = More antioxidants; Dark roasted = Less antioxidants
  5. 8oz of coffee= ~95 mg caffeine 
    • According to FDA “For healthy adults, the FDA has cited 400 milligrams a day—that’s about four or five cups of coffee—as an amount not generally associated with dangerous, negative effects. However, there is wide variation in both how sensitive people are to the effects of caffeine and how fast they metabolize it”

Tips☕:

  • Drink an additional morning cup of Joe after a night of drinking alcohol 
  • Use a chemical-free paper filter or french press
  • Filters can remove some of the coffee oil (if you are watching your cholesterol or triglyceride levels) 
  • Use an air tight container or vacuum-sealed bag to store coffee beans to maintain freshness
  • Grind coffee just before you brew it to maximize taste and antioxidants
  • Limit coffee consumption for those with familial hypercholesterolemia 
  • Avoid/limit caffeine for those with caffeine sensitivity 

P.S. ☕

🌻Purity Coffee are showing their appreciation to those on the frontline of the pandemic. “We have been matching all coffee ordered by new customers this past April and gifting it to medical workers across the country. We still have a ton of coffee donations queued for shipment, but so far we’ve been able to send out over $20,000 worth of coffee to doctors, nurses, hospital staff, and first responders throughout the United State”s.🌹

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Visit PurityCoffee and Use Code: IWONG20 for 20% off + Free Shipping
Upgrade Today!

RELATED: Check out my VLOG review 

The difference of OTC/Store Grade Supplements VS. Pharmaceutical Grade Supplements

Is there really a difference between store-grade supplements VS. pharmaceutical-grade, professional-grade supplements? Review this chart and decide. 

supplement comparison chart

‼️ Beware of adulterated supplements!

The FDA found hundreds of unapproved pharmaceutical ingredients, such as Sildenafil (active ingredient in Viagra) , Sibutramine (banned weight-loss compound), and Steroid-like ingredients during the past decade. You can check if your supplements, drugs, foods, cosmetics, beverages, pet foods, medical devices, or tobacco products on FDA’s page here to see whether it has been recalled or subject to safety alerts. Read more about the adulterated supplements on The Journal of American Medical Association (JAMA)

❗️ Even with uncontaminated vitamins and minerals,  labels on the unregulated products don’t always contain the ingredients and amounts (less or more) they claim and may be made with forms that are hard to digest.  Without knowing what you are actually getting or able to absorb from these products, you may be surprised to find you are deficient in certain nutrients you have been taking via popular supplement brands for months! If you are interested in taking a micronutrient or genetic test, please schedule a Discovery session to learn more. 

Some of the brands I trusted: 

  • Xymogen
  • Pure Encapsulations
  • Klaire Labs
  • Designs for Health 
  • Douglas Labs
  • Integrative Therapeutics 
  • Ortho Molecular
  • Metagenics 
  • Gaia Herbs 
  • DiVinci Labs 
  • Transformation Enzymes 
  • NuMedica
  • Master Supplements 
  • Nordic Naturals

If you are interested in Xymogen formulas, please contact me for practitioner code to order online.

Order below or discover some of my favorite products and access my practitioner’s discount here 

Purchase products through our Fullscript virtual dispensary.

KIND Bars: A boost of Nutrients and Flavor

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Savor the Flavor of Eating right with :

  • a variety of colorful fruits and vegetables at every meal;
  • oats, quinoa, buckwheat, brown rice, sweet potato for fuel;
  • healthy nuts & seeds for snacks;
  • more plant-based protein

One of the nutrition questions I get from many of my patients is regarding the high fat content of nuts. It is true that many nutrient-dense plant foods such as Avocados, Nuts & Seeds, Dark Chocolate, Coconut, Tofu, Edamame are high in fat. They naturally contain unsaturated as well as saturated fat.  Here are some things you should know: The presence of saturated fat in a plant-source, whole food doesn’t label a food into the unhealthy category if it is loaded with more essential vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids. In fact, the healthy fats, which make up the majority of the fat content in the above high-fat plant foods help reduce LDL cholesterol and lower the risk of coronary heart disease.

Here are some things you should know: The presence of saturated fat in a plant-source, whole food doesn’t put a food into the “unhealthy” category. You have to look at the complete nutrition profile.

My new favorite Kind Bar- The Cashew & Ginger Spice Bar contains 200 Kcal, 14g Total Fat, 2g Saturated Fat, 4g Sugar, and 6g Protein. It tastes incredible and it’s way healthier than candied ginger!

Photo Source: kindsnacks.com
Photo Source: kindsnacks.com

Epidemiological studies suggest that regular nut consumption is unlikely to contribute to obesity and may even help in weight loss and lower the risk of hypertension. Raw nuts and seeds consumption, (especially walnuts, flaxseed, chia seed) have been associated with cancer risk reduction. Go Nuts with 5 oz serving weekly to maximize the benefits of their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. According to the INC and USDA National Nutrient, the following equal one ounce of nuts:

Photo Source: INC and USDA National Nutrient 150-157 Data Base for Standard Reference, Release 19, 2006.
Photo Source: INC and USDA National Nutrient 150-157
Data Base for Standard Reference, Release 19,
2006.

If you are looking for the perfect sweet & salty granola-like bar, I would recommend KIND Bar’s Maple Pumpkin Seeds with Sea Salt. Each Bar contains 150 Kcal, 5 g Total Fat, 1 g Saturated Fat, 6 g Sugar, 3 g Protein. It contains all the healthy grains I like: Oats, brown rice, millet, oat flour, buckwheat, amaranth, and quinoa + a subtle maple flavor blend with the nuttiness of pumpkin & sunflower seeds. It makes a great chewy snack packed with amazing nutrients. Pumpkin seeds are rich in zinc, magnesium, and Omega 3 Fatty Acids, which are great for your immune system, bone and heart health.

source: kindsnacks.com
source: kindsnacks.com

Bottom line: Fear not the fats in nuts & seeds. You can read more about the latest nutrition research about nuts here.

 

What's on my office bookshelf?
What’s on my office bookshelf?

Organic Plant-Based Protein Powder: Epic Protein

Epic Protein

Do you need protein supplement?

Generally speaking, you are likely getting enough protein if you fuel your body with balanced, real, whole foods on a daily basis. It is unnecessary and can be harmful to strain on your kidneys and waistline with excess amounts of protein intake (especially animal protein). While I advocate nourishing your body through whole foods whenever possible, a high-quality protein powder can be a convenient choice under certain circumstances (ex.midnight cravings, pre-workout boosting, quick workout recovery, vegan bodybuilding). However, I’m pretty picky in choosing a high quality plant protein powder. I stay away from artificial sweeteners or coloring, and I favor products with 100% organic, high quality amino acid profile, and added super foods (ex. Probiotics, Digestive enzymes, Goji berries) that are delicious, easy to dissolve and swallow.

I’m really Happy with Epic Protein. This superfood-enriched protein powder has the cleanest ingredients I have seen. It’s nutritious, non-chalky, and delicious. The primary protein sources in Epic are Sprouted Brown Rice, Yellow Pea, and Sacha Inchi. Together, This high quality powder is an excellent choice for muscle growth, energy and endurance boost.

Product Highlights

  • 100% plant-based, organic, non-gmo, raw, gluten free and hypoallergenic
  • high protein content (19-26g per serving)
  • Great source of iron
  • Rich in antioxidants
  • O grams of fat, sugar, sodium
  • No additives, “natural” flavoring
  • Complete amino acid profile with a balanced ratio of BCAAs for optimal protein synthesis
  • Creamy and Delicious
  • Sweetened with Stevia leaf

Protein Source:

 Sprouted Brown Rice-The sprouting and fermenting process activate the enzyme activity between the amino acid bonds (similar to protein hydrolysates), which may increase protein content and aid better absorption, excellent for muscle repair.

Yellow Pea– Hypoallergenic and easy to digest, which is not likely to cause bloating or gas. It is high in BCAAs (branched chain amino acid), great for muscle building.

Sacha Inchi- AKA SaviSeeds- provides 8 grams of complete protein per ounce. This superfood is rich in vitamin E and ALA omega-3 fatty acids, which may promote abdominal fat loss, reduce cholesterol levels, and prevent heart disease.

While EPIC powder is fine enough to dissolve in water and have a full-bodied sweetness flavor by itself, I like to mix it with organic no sugar added coconut water or homemade soy milk. Each flavor supplies all of the essential amino acids and an exotic blend of nutritious superfoods. My favorites are the Original, Green Kingdom, and Chocolate Mocha.

Original:

  • 26 grams of protein per serving
  • Rich in phytochemicals and prebiotics from Jerusalem Artichoke
  • Contain antioxidant rich Cranberry Seeds that help fight free radicals

Green Kingdom:

  • 20 grams of protein per serving
  • Creamy texture, rich real flavor and full-bodied sweetness with no ‘fake’ aftertaste
  • Exotic blend of land and sea greens including kale, indian moringa and spirulina
    • Spirulina, an antioxidant-rich algae with protein, B-vitamins, calcium, and iron. Packed with Gamma Linolenic Acid (GLA), which may regulate blood sugar and prevent cravings.

Chocolate Maca:

  • 19 grams of protein per serving
  • Creamy texture, rich sweetness with no ‘fake’ aftertaste.
  • Packed with antioxidant-rich cacao and adaptogenic maca root.
  • Raw cacao contains living enzymes, rich in magnesium, calcium, and iron
  • Contain Ceylon Cinnamon- a natural sweetener and powerful antioxidants that may help regulate blood sugar levels

Epic Protein is the current plant-based protein powder I recommend to my clients and friends. If you would like to learn more their products and give it a try, please visit www.sproutliving.com

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