There was so much information to put into my book, Cookie Dough in the Dark  that some of it had to added to the Vibrant Living Blog! And of course, I can keep you abreast of the best supplements in this section.

I have a love/hate relationship with supplements.

There are so many of them and do they really make a difference?

There is conflicting information about which ones to take and lots of great marketing to convince you that you need what they are selling.

So, why is my information any different?

Well, that’s where trust comes in knowing that I only want to give you the very best information and share what works for me and my clients.

Supplements should be chosen on what you body needs and not what someone tells you to take.

So, before you fill up your shopping cart, check out the following supplements below and see what could benefit your life.

I know that taking the following has helped with my gut health, energy levels, moods and lifted the daily fog from my brain! And , ask me any questions that you may have at [email protected]

The supplements recommended are intended to give you a basic foundation for optimal health. If you are taking any prescription medications, you should discuss adding in supplements with your pharmacist and/or medical doctor prior to taking any.

Why are supplements recommended?

It is very difficult in this day and age to live a healthy life and create a vital body without the assistance of a few key supplements.

Our foods have changed.

• They are being sprayed with pesticides, Roundup, insecticides, herbicides that we can’t see but we are ingesting.
• Our food is more processed and sweeter.
• It has been genetically modified.
• The soil is depleted in minerals.
• We overuse antibiotics, hormones and drugs in our livestock.  
• Industrialized farming has increased.
• Life is, unfortunately more toxic. We don’t sit, eat, chew, relax. We are go go go and it’s affecting our health.

It used to be true that if you simply ate a healthy diet following the recommended food guide, exercised a few times each week, got enough sleep, and drank some water, that you would achieve optimal health.

But not anymore.

I know it can feel overwhelming in these modern times and that’s why I’ve made it my life’s mission to educate and help you understand what you can do to live a VIBRANT, healthy and energetic life, for you and your family.

I choose as few supplements as possible to give you the best results. These are the fundamentals for you and your family to give you daily support.

• Juice Plus+

• Omega 3’s (not from fish)

• Collagen
• Mushrooms by Organo

• A daily probiotic

• Vitamin D

•  Magnesium

• Berberine

   

   

   My holistic nutritionist has been kind enough to give us access to her Full Script Account with a 10% off on any items.

  Why shop here – in one sentence…BETTER QUALITY

  Just remember that you get what you pay for, so don’t skimp when it comes to any supplement you may ingest.

  Click here to access MayAnne’s store and if you have any questions, ask them in the comments in the membership or in the Facebook group. I have suggested some brands.

   

Just remember that you get what you pay for, so don’t skimp when it comes to any supplement you may ingest. I've done the research and use these brands myself, family, friends and for my clients

 

Juice Plus+ Whole Food Nutrition

The average North American is getting 1.5 servings of nutrient dense vegetables per day which is falling short of the 13 daily servings recommended for basic health.

When I first heard about this Non-GMO WholeFood Nutrition, my immediate response was that I eat enough fruits and vegetables. But then I realized that most of the fruits and veggies I eat are being sprayed and that I’m ingesting that - yikes. I also realized that it’s tricky to get the servings and variety required each and every day for proper gut, brain and overall health.

I decided to take Juice Plus+ because it is JUST FOOD and came highly recommended from my nutrition friends that were taking them and because of the clinical research.

And frankly because it is NOT a multivitamin; it really isn’t even a supplement.

It is whole food.   

Juice Plus+ is also backed by clinical evidence. I look for gold standard research and JP+ is NSF, Non-GMO and Health Canada Approved.

If you find you are not getting your 7-13 recommended servings per day, and need to boost your micronutrients (decreases cravings when these deficiencies are corrected) 

Juice Plus click here for more information.

Juice Plus+ is non-GMO, whole-food based nutrition; including juice powder concentrates from over thirty different fruits, vegetables, and plants, to help enhance a healthy diet. Juice Plus+ helps bridge the nutrient gap between what you should eat and what you actually do eat every day.

I recommend the 2 blend (green and red lid) to everyone and if you are over the age of 40 and it's in your budget, I highly recommend the 3 blend (green, red and purple lid)

I take pride in personally placing my clients’ orders, ensuring it arrives at their front door for them and their families to enjoy with ease and simplicity. You can contact me at [email protected] to place an order or order it from here.

Omega 3's

These fats are called “essential” because your body cannot make them, they need to be consumed in the diet.  Your body needs to maintain a certain ratio of omega 3 to omega 6.  Most people have over consumed omega 6.  Omega 6 is found in vegetable oils, and low quality vegetable oils which are found in most packaged products.  Too much omega 6 in the body leads to inflammation causing a whole host of health problems.  

Supplementing with fatty acids high in omega 3 is crucial for most people to bring the ratio of omega 3 to omega 6 back into balance.  

Supplementing with a high quality fish oil or Juice Plus+ Plant Based Omega Blend can

• help to lower cholesterol
• balance hormones
• improve joint health and function
• reduce inflammation
• improve cognition and memory
• improve eye health 
• give you clear and glowing skin 

In addition to using Omega supplements you should also add healthy fats such as flax seeds, walnuts, hemp hearts, avocados and coconut oil into your diet to get a wide spectrum of the essential fatty acids your body needs for optimal health.

Product recommendations

Canada: Juice Plus+ Omegas without the fishy aftertaste because it's plant based, KRILL OIL by Sky Nutritionals (Kathy is a member of Vibrant Living Academy and I LOVE supporting her and her great products)Ascenta Nutrasea (vegan option - NutraVeg), Nordic Naturals Ultimate Omega (vegan option - Algae Omega-3), 

 

In addition to taking a daily Omega 3 supplement, be sure to consume a variety of healthy fats through your diet such as flax seeds, hemp hearts, raw nuts, seeds and their butters, avocados, coconut, olives, and many other plant-based, nutrient-dense foods to hydrate your brain, nervous system, and body from the inside out.

Athletic Greens

AG1 is a comprehensive nutrition solution formulated to support whole-body health with 75 high-quality vitamins, minerals, and whole-food sourced ingredients. Its powder form makes it highly absorbable, so your body can easily get the nutritional support it needs every day.

Pick up yours today by using this link https://fbuy.io/ag/2ecns3ag  and get 5 free travel packs and one year free supply of Vitamin D3 + K2.

Collagen

I continue to search for the best products for you and have tried many sources of Collagen.  This one definitely is making a difference for me. Liquid Bio Cell Pure Collagen from Modere.

Click here and save $10. and learn more about it. 

Collagen is a protein in our bodies found in connective tissue, muscles, bones, skin, tendons, and throughout the digestive tract.  It serves to hold various parts of the body together and gives skin and organs their elasticity and flexibility. Our body produces collagen on its own, but production decreases with age, diets high in sugar, and exposure to chemicals, so supplementing with collagen is helpful for many people. 

Did you know that Powder Collagen takes 20-30 mins to break down before the body can even START to absorb it?! ⏳️💫 That's why I've switched to Modere - I noticed a difference!!!
⠀
😍This Liquid Gold takes 1-4 minutes to absorb
😍We have THE ONLY ingestible, bio-available, liquid form of collagen/Hyaluronic Acid/Chondroitin Sulfate matrix
😍It will increase your hyaluronic acid (wrinkle filler) by 6000% in 28 days
😍Our collagen/HA matrix also holds 7 international patents!🎤
⠀
If you want:
⠀
✨Longer, fuller, healthier hair

✨Fuller lashes and brows
⠀
✨Less joint discomfort

✨ Glowing, radiant skin

✨Longer & stronger nails
⠀
It’s time to upgrade your COLLAGEN GAME and get the results you want faster 👏🔥

Do you have??
➡️thinning hair
➡️joint and back pain
➡️saggy skin
➡️wrinkles
➡️weak nails

Give me 28 days! It’s just not comparable. 🔥

Product recommendations:

Vital Proteins, Organika, Modere

Mushrooms by Organo - Coffee and Tea

Mushrooms are amazing, especially when you consume the right kinds.  Check out the Mushroom products here and let me know if you have any questions >> https://vibrantlivingwithtanya.myorganogold.com/ca-en/ 

Probiotics

These are the good bacteria that live all along your digestive tract.  They help to ensure the bad bacteria stay at optimal levels, support digestion, keep the immune system healthy (70% of your immune system is actually located in your gut), and support hormone production in the body.

The use of antibiotics wipes out your good bacteria and other lifestyle factors such as stress and poor diet lead to less than optimal levels of good bacteria - most people are severely deficient in probiotics.  If your digestion is not optimal (think gas, bloating, IBS), you seem to get every illness that’s going around, or you just don’t feel the level of vitality you would like to feel you likely need probiotics and Juice Plus+ 3 blend.

Product recommendations

*look for brands with 50,000 billion or more per capsule, I love Genuine Health Shelf Stable probiotics.

The best probiotics and prebiotics (all of her products) are from Just Thrive. It's in USD FYI. click here to check it out (NOT an affiliate link).

Genestra is available in MayAnne’s store and a fabulous brand.

Also you can include foods like raw coconut kefir, raw kimchi etc to your diet.

Vitamin D combined with K2

Vitamin D is crucial for so many different processes in the body, this vitamin functions more like a hormone than a vitamin.  You get vitamin D from the sun. UV rays react with the cholesterol in your skin to produce vitamin D. Most people, in particular those who live in a more northern climate or who don’t get regular sun exposure are deficient in vitamin D.  It’s important to get at least 20 minutes of direct sunlight each and every day on your skin.

Low vitamin D levels in North America and Canada are now being linked to an increased risk and rate of diseases such as:

• Cancer • Depression & behavioral issues such as ADD and ADHD • Multiple Sclerosis • Osteoporosis • Heart Disease • Infertility • Rheumatoid Arthritis & Osteoarthritis • Fibromyalgia • Alzheimer’s • Obesity • Insulin resistance and diabetes

Some of the more common symptoms of low vitamin D are:

• Fatigue • Muscle pain, weakness & cramps • Chronic pain • Weight gain • Restless sleep and/or insomnia • Poor concentration and memory • Headaches

Product recommendations

*look for a liquid vitamin D supplement instead of tablet or capsule. I like Orange brand and Can-Prev

 Pure Encapsulations and Douglas Labs are available in MayAnne’s store and a fabulous brand.

Magnesium

Magnesium is an essential mineral needed for more than 300 enzymatic reactions in the human body.

It is required for healthy bones, nails, skin, hair, and teeth, and protein and fatty acid formation.

It helps to activate B vitamins, support muscle activity and nerve transmission, relax blood vessels, clot blood, regulate body temperature, and ensures that intestinal mobility is efficient so that your bowels move well and function optimally. In laymen’s terms it helps prevent constipation. 

Listen to a great podcast here >>

Product recommendations:

ReMag Liquid Magnesium - this is currently what I am using as of Oct 2022  (I also take ReMyte Mineral Solution from the same website but this is in USD)

Magnesium Bisglycinate: Lorna Vanderhaege MAGsmart — 1–2 capsules before bed

CanPrev – Magnesium Bisglycinate — 1–2 before bed

Naturally Calm (drink) — 1–3 tsp. depending on age and needs, etc.

Check out brands available in MayAnne’s store.

Digestive Enzymes (not needed if taking Juice Plus+)

It really depends on the individual and if you need some digestive assistance. If you have been eating the average standard diet for the majority of your life, if you have ever taken a course of antibiotics, any form of medication than you may need some digestive enzymes.

You can take one to two tbsps. of raw apple cider vinegar (Bragg’s) mixed with some water before and/or after meals, to provide enough HCL (hydrochloric acid) in the stomach.

Digestive enzymes help to break down carbohydrates, proteins and fats from all the food you eat and turn it into energy and raw materials to be used in all of the body’s processes - they are extremely important!  

The body has the ability to make enzymes to break down all of the food necessary to keep that body healthy.  In addition, most foods in their raw form (think fruits and vegetables) have enzymes naturally occurring within them to assist in the process.  The problem occurs when the body is overloaded with too much food and food that doesn’t contain its own natural enzymes (over-processed food, lots of cooked food).  This is when digestion and metabolism start to slow down because the body cannot keep up with making enough enzymes.

Taking digestive enzymes as a supplement can assist the body in breaking down food while you are improving your diet and lifestyle to eventually bring the body’s own production of enzymes back into balance.

Product recommendations

Canada: NOW Super Enzymes, New Roots Plant Enzymes (vegan), take 1/2 tsp of raw apple cider vinegar before each meal.

Berberine

In our Vibrant Living Membership we have weekly group coaching calls that do a deeper dive into your health and wellbeing. We discuss how to balance blood sugars and insulin to decrease cravings and drop weight for good (amongst many other great things. Berberine is a powerful natural compound found in several plants including goldenseal, Oregon grape, tree turmeric, and barberry.

To appreciate berberine you must first understand metabolic syndrome (see Boost Your Metabolism Challenge in our Vibrant Living Membership) because the two go hand in hand. Berberine has such a wide range of health benefits because the mechanisms of action with berberine revolve around the co-occurrence of insulin resistance, obesity, high cholesterol, or high blood pressure (aka metabolic syndrome). Also, berberine has antifungal activity and can influence hormone balance as well. It truly is a remarkable herbal medicine.

It helps regulate many biological activities including lipids, glucose, and energy metabolism. Specific to blood sugar control and diabetes, berberine is also an aldose reductase inhibitor, which is important because aldose reductase is an enzyme that has been shown to worsen blood sugar issues in diabetics.

Take berberine to help lower fasting blood sugar and the blood sugar maker hemoglobin A1C, Lower blood pressure, lower CHO, helps against yeast infections because of its anti-fungal properties, PCOS, SIBO, weight loss. 

Berberine is an herb therefore taking the supplement is a great idea. 

Berberine is an alkaloid that fires up your metabolism by activating an energy-stabilizing enzyme called AMPK, often referred to as your “metabolic master switch”, to promote weight loss while supporting balanced blood-sugar levels and heart health.^†

Validated by over 4,000 scientific studies, Berberine has been shown to have a wide array of remarkable health-boosting benefits including:^†

• 20% reduction in blood sugar levels^*
• 25% lower "bad" LDL cholesterol**
• 36% lower triglycerides**
• Supports a healthy response to insulin
• Reactivates metabolism and enhances energy

Pick up at MayAnne's store or St. Francis tincture

Greens Powders

AG1 - Athletic Greens

 AG1 - Athletic Greens, click here for a 30 day supply, plus Viatmins D3+K2 drops and 5 free travel packs

Thank you for taking the time to learn more about your health and what you body needs for health!

To join our membership program, click here 

Yes, I want to crush my cravings >> get your guide here

I’m a wife and mum, personal trainer, fitness/pilates instructor, Behaviour Change Specialist, Nutrition Coach, Pain-Free Movement Specialist, author of Cookie Dough in the Dark, creator of Vibrant Living Membership - your ONE STOP shop for movement + nutrition + mindset..... among many other things!!  I’ve had many issues dealing with the scale going up and down, a muffin top that wouldn’t disappear, emotional eating binges that did not involve carrots and struggling with insecurity! Through all of this I just wanted to feel normal. I wanted to be happy like everyone else!

In my teens and 20’s I wanted the quick fixes, the magic pills, the fairy dust – whatever I could get my hands on to make me a lean, happy and sexy machine. Yup, found out it doesn’t exist. I wanted to cry!! I was so frustrated. I felt like I was going around and around until I was completely exhausted and back at the starting point. And when I talk with other women they feel that way too. So, I delved further into holistic health – the emotional, mental and physical – wrote a book, and have been in this field for many years helping 1000’s of women.

I discovered that by being smarter, not working harder, I could get the results I wanted and also for my clients. It started with some really small shifts that I will share with you over time. With this new knowledge, I felt ALIVE, VIBRANT and COMFORTABLE in my own skin. And my clients felt this way too!

My mission is to continue to help women step into the body they WANT. To feel confident & sexy, in control of their food choices and have their clothes fit just as they should while having the energy to live a VIBRANT life.

Ready to elevate your health? As a certified Behaviour Change & Nutrition Coach, I'd be happy to chat with you. Contact me at [email protected].

Healthy Hugs,

Tanya

https://tanyawillis.juiceplus.com/ca/en