Adrenal Fatigue: The Reason I {almost} Quit Coffee

{Me ... just over four weeks ago}

I am not even sure how I can concentrate enough to write this blog post.

I can't focus.
I have a headache.
I keep zoning out.
My ADD is off the charts.
I'm a little moody.
Okay I'm a lot moody ... I cried for NO reason yesterday .. twice.

Why? CAFFEINE WITHDRAWALS!!!!
(The withdrawal symptoms got better after a couple days thanks to THIS product. Keep reading.)

My name is Stacy.
I am a coffee addict.
I am on DAY THREE of a "caffeine cut" in an attempt to give my adrenal glands a little break/restore. ((More on the Adrenal Restore product I'm using a little further down... keep reading.))

Firt things first ... I have not totally cut out caffeine. I just can't. But I have cut it DRASTICALLY!!

A couple times a year I do something called an ADRENAL RESTORE cycle. Every time I've done it in the past I've had ALL the coffee I usually have daily and just cut out pre-workout.
Not this time. I'm doing it right. Well almost right. Right would be cutting out caffeine 100% .. but I seriously couldn't do that. But I was pretty darn close!

So how much caffeine did I cut out? ALMOST all. A typical morning for me consisted of 30 ounces of coffee every morning.  During the cut, I did 3/4 deaf and the rest regular. So guessing I got 50-75 of caffeine (max) ... that is a BIG difference compared to what I was getting before!

I also would have a late afternoon coffee pick-me-up about 1-2 hours before training. It was usually another 20oz thermos. During the cut, instead of that 2nd thermos, I had either Green Tea, a Vital Proteins Collagen Matcha Latte, mushroom coffee, mushroom elixirs, or some other hot tea. That varied from either ZERO to 60mg of caffeine in the afternoon.

I have also cut out ALL stimulant based pre-workout. I actually did that a LONG time ago. Somewhere around Olympia. So from October until this "cut" .. I had stopped having stimulant pre-workout DAILY and would only take a stimulant pre-workout AS NEEDED (this is the one I use.) Instead, I used a NON-STIMULANT pre-workout like THIS one or THIS one. So I simply continued doing that (never taking the stimulant one) during the Adrenal reset.

WAIT A SECOND! REWIND! Did I said MUSHROOMS in the paragraph above? Yes, I did and I'm not talking about the kind we like to put in salads or stir fry, ha!

Wanna know more about MUSHROOM COFFEE and MUSHROOM ELIXIRS -- CLICK HERE.

These products deserved a blog of their own! So make sure you CHECK IT OUT after you read this so that you can determine if they are something you may be interested in!

I'm blown away by them and am now doing a TON of research on ALL KINDS of Adaptogens .. not just shroomz!

Ok...back to caffeine and ADRENAL RESTORE (the product I'm used to re-set my adrenals.)

WHY is it important to do an Adrenal Reset?

The adrenal glands are responsible for regulating the production of over 50 different hormones, most importantly adrenaline, cortisol, DHEA, progesterone, and testosterone.

Physical things like overtraining, and mental things like nerves, general stress, chronic anxiety, and other external stressors can cause adrenal function to become impaired. This causes the balance of adrenal hormones to shift and excess cortisol begins to be released into the system.

Over time the adrenals become taxed and worn down, leading to a group of symptoms that have collectively come to be known as adrenal fatigue. Adrenal fatigue includes, but is not limited to: being tired for no reason, feeling rundown and overwhelmed, having trouble getting up in the morning even though you’ve had a full night’s sleep, sweet and salty cravings, difficulty recovering from illness, heavy dependence on caffeine and energy products just to function and not really feeling the kick from them anymore.

The good news is that it doesn’t have to be that way and with a steady treatment and a little break from some of the stressors, adrenal function can be fully restored.

HOW do I do it?
I use a product called ADRENAL RESTORE. It is amazing! I try to do this two times a year. At the END of contest season and then again JUST BEFORE prep starts. No real reason for the timing. It's just easy to remember. You can do it ANYTIME and the most effective time would be when you FEEL like you need it! That is pretty easy to determine. Is your coffee not giving you the energy it once did? Do you find yourself needing more? How about pre-workout .. does it just not give you the same effect? Those are all signs that your adrenals aren't functioning properly.

When our adrenals aren't optimal our bodies aren't functioning properly! Andrenal Restore™ brings together a potent complex of vitamins and herbs that have been proven to treat adrenal fatigue at its origin, not just mask the symptoms. The potent ingredients of Adrenal Restore have been shown to help reduce physical and mental stress, minimize caffeine headaches, reduce cortisol levels to help minimize fat storage and optimize natural energy levels. At the same time, the ingredients of this powerful formula come together to aid in the production and release of adrenal hormones back into the body. Defeat stress and minimize cortisol production with Adrenal Restore. *

FAST FORWARD TO THE END OF MY ADRENAL RESET.

The headaches and brain fog went away after about 3 days. After a few days, I also didn't notice much of a difference as far as energy levels being lower! However, I did notice that I was sleepier when it was time to go to bed, which is a perk for me since I suffer from Insomnia. I credit the withdrawal symptoms going away because of ADRENAL RESTORE!! The ingredients in this product help with the "caffeine headaches" and "brain fog" that often comes with doing a caffeine cut!

The plan WAS to go back to my regular caffeine consumption after 4 weeks. While I've gone back to much higher levels of caffeine ... I'm still not having as much as I used to! In using the adaptogens listed on THIS blog ... I don't really need to!

I did start incorporating my stimulant pre-workout back in (MegaWatt V2) on the days I feel like I need the extra push! And the best part .. IT WORKS AGAIN! My adrenals were so taxed that even pre-workout didn't really do much! Now I remember HOW GREAT it can be to give you that little extra push to train harder/longer!

Okay .. so that is my story. I wanna know YOUR STORY!
Have you had success in cutting caffeine? If so, tell me what you did!
Are you SCARED to try cutting out caffeine? If so, why?
Jump over to my Instagram page and let's chat about it!!

As always if you have questions about Adrenal Restore or any 1stPhorm product ... send me an EMAIL!

You can always get FREE FAST SHIPPING and 110% money back guarantee by using my link: www.1stphorm.com/stacy.

XoXo,
Stacy


**Some products and links may be AFFILIATE links. Meaning I may or may not recieve commission or product as part of a sponsorship or affiliation with the company. But please know that any product I post about I use and stand by.**

6 Gut Friendly Foods For Your Kitchen (Plus Anti-Inflammatory Gummies Recipe)

Hey Fit Fam,

Improving gut health doesn’t have to be a difficult feat if you keep gut healthy foods in your kitchen. We all know that gut health is important, but many of us don’t realize just how much of an impact the foods we eat play a role in how we feel, think and behave. Before you plan your next shopping list, read more about the foods that can improve your life in more ways than one.

6 GUT FRIENDLY FOODS FOR YOUR KITCHEN

YOGURT

• Spoon your way to a better digestion with a cup of yogurt. 
• Yogurt contains probiotics, which are a powerhouse for digestive health. Probiotics are live micro-organisms that promote health benefits when consumed and support the "good' bacteria in the gut (3).
• Look for yogurts that contain live cultures-an active bacteria that has been shown to help promote in overall gut health and aid in reducing digestive distress (12.)
  
  (I know it's not some fancy flavored yogurt. But we are talking about GUT HEALTH. Probably the best yogurt on the market for this would be Nancy's.)

CAYENNE PEPPER

• Spice up your day with a sprinkle of cayenne pepper in your meals.
• Research has shown that cayenne pepper can assist in bringing necessary enzymes to the stomach which ultimately aid in metabolizing food (1).
• Also, a great aid for relieving intestinal gas as it encourages peristaltic motion - the movement of muscles located in the digestive tract (2).

AVOCADO

• Avocados are not only a delicious addition to any meal, they are also a one-stop-shop for a wide array of vitamins and nutrients, and are full of potassium, fiber, magnesium, and monounsaturated fats (4). 
• Fiber is largely found in avocados with approximately 4.5 grams per half, which contributes to healthy digestion as a result of its ability to feed the ‘friendly’ bacteria and remove waste in a minimal amount of time (5). 

ROOIBOS TEA

• Gut healthy foods don’t necessarily have to be a food! 
• Steep a warm cup of sweet and flowery rooibos tea for its digestive health benefits. Even add a scoop of Vital Proteins Bone Broth for an added digestive boost.
• Rooibos tea is rich in nutrients such as manganese, iron, zinc, and calcium to promote a healthy inflammatory response. Studies have shown that rooibos tea has the ability to promote improved digestion and abdominal comfort (6). 

QUINOA

• Quinoa is fiber-rich with a whopping 5 grams per cooked cup (8), mostly consisting of insoluble fibers which help to deliver friendly bacteria to the gut (7). 
• Rich in antioxidants–which flush out free radicals from the digestive tract (10)–and other minerals, quinoa boasts, even more, iron, fiber, and zinc over other common grains (9). 
• Magnesium is the star player in quinoa, where one cup can offer 30% of the recommended daily amount (9).

VITAL PROTEINS BEEF GELATIN
(my number one GUT HEALER)

• Gut healthy foods can be made even healthier with an all natural supplement. Maintain a digestive support with supplements such as Vital Proteins Beef Gelatin.
• Gelatin is most beneficial for improving the lining of the digestive tract and combating intestinal damage which ultimately prevents permeability (11). Gelatin is slower to digest, moves through the GI tract further and coats the small intestine.
• Beef Gelatin and Collagen Peptides' nutritional benefits vary only slightly. The main difference is how they're used. Gelatin works best while cooking, or with hot liquids, soups and broths. Both can be used cooking, but Beef Gelatin dissolves well in warm liquids, gummies, parfaits, hot teas, and more.

Anti-inflammatory CBD Gummies

You can omit the CBD if you want or don't have. But not sure why you would! It is AMAZING for inflammation! Check out THIS BLOG on how I am using CBD and am "Healed Not High" and THIS BLOG for any confusion as to what HEMP you should and SHOULD NOT be buying!!

INGREDIENTS:
1/2 cup water
4 tbsp. Vital Proteins Beef Gelatin

1 heaping scoop 1st Phorm Lemonade, Apple or Blueberry BCAAs
3 cups mixed fresh or thawed frozen strawberries, blueberries or apples (pending BCAA flavor)
 *Can omit if you want to get carbs elsewhere or want no carb gummies*

DIRECTIONS:
Add the Beef Gelatin to 1/4c of the water in a small bowl. Stir and set it aside for 3 minutes to let the gelatin bloom.

Mix the other 1/4 of the water, bcaas and 1 full dropper of UNFLAVORED IGNITE CBD OIL.

If adding the berries add the berries and sweetener large blender.  Blend on high until smooth.

Pour the berry juice (if used) and BCAA/CBD mixture into a medium saucepan and place over medium-low heat.

Add the bloomed gelatin and continuously until the gelatin is melted.

Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the magnesium, if using.

Pour into silicone molds or a large glass dish.

Refrigerate until solid, about 2 hours for molds or 4 hours for a large dish.

FREE SHIPPING for all US VITAL PROTEINS orders - HERE
FREE FAST Shipping on all 1st Phorm orders - HERE

**Some products and links may be AFFILIATE links. Meaning I may or may not receive commission or product as part of a sponsorship or affiliation with the company. But please know that any product I post about I use and stand by.**

Sources
(1) Maji, A. K., & Banerji, P. (2016). Phytochemistry and gastrointestinal benefits of the medicinal spice, Capsicum annuum L. (Chilli): a review. Journal of Complementary and Integrative Medicine,13(2). doi:10.1515/jcim-2015-0037 (2) “Spices Exotic Flavors & Medicines Chile Pepper.” History & Special Collections UCLA Louise M. Darling Biomedical Library, 2002. Accessed 27 Feb. 2017. (3) Guarner, F., Perdigon, G., Corthier, G., Salminen, S., Koletzko, B., & Morelli, L. (2005). Should yogurt cultures be considered probiotic? British Journal of Nutrition,93(06), 783. doi:10.1079/bjn20051428 (4) Lu, Q., Zhang, Y., Wang, Y., Wang, D., Lee, R., Gao, K., . . . Heber, D. (2009). California Hass Avocado: Profiling of Carotenoids, Tocopherol, Fatty Acid, and Fat Content during Maturation and from Different Growing Areas. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry,57(21), 10408-10413. doi:10.1021/jf901839h (5) Naveh E., Werman M. J., Sabo E., Neeman I. Defatted avocado pulp reduces body weight and total hepatic fat but increases plasma cholesterol in male rats fed diets with cholesterol. Journal of Nutrition. 2002;132(7):2015–2018.(6) Gilani, A. H., Khan, A.-u., Ghayur, M. N., Ali, S. F. and Herzig, J. W. (2006), Antispasmodic Effects of Rooibos Tea (Aspalathus linearis) is Mediated Predominantly through K⁺-Channel Activation. Basic & Clinical Pharmacology & Toxicology, 99: 365–373. doi:10.1111/j.1742-7843.2006.pto_507.x (7) Slavin, J. (2013). Fiber and Prebiotics: Mechanisms and Health Benefits. Nutrients,5(4), 1417-1435. doi:10.3390/nu5041417 (8) Repo-Carrasco-Valencia, R. A., & Serna, L. A. (2011). Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa, Willd.) as a source of dietary fiber and other functional components. Ciência e Tecnologia de Alimentos,31(1), 225-230. doi:10.1590/s0101-20612011000100035 (9) Nascimento, A. C., Mota, C., Coelho, I., Gueifão, S., Santos, M., Matos, A. S., . . . Castanheira, I. (2014). Characterisation of nutrient profile of quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa), amaranth (Amaranthus caudatus), and purple corn (Zea mays L.) consumed in the North of Argentina: Proximates, minerals and trace elements. Food Chemistry,148, 420-426. doi:10.1016/j.foodchem.2013.09.155 (10) How to Help Digestion. (n.d.). Retrieved April 19, 2017, from http://www.healthguidance.org/entry/14432/1/How-to...(11) Cardile, V. (2012). Gelatin tannate reduces the proinflammatory effects of lipopolysaccharide in human intestinal epithelial cells. Clinical and Experimental Gastroenterology, 61. doi:10.2147/ceg.s28792 (12) Guyonnet, D., Chassany, O., Ducrotte, P., Picard, C., Mouret, M., Mercier, C., & Matuchansky, C. (2007). Effect of a fermented milk containing Bifidobacterium animalis DN-173 010 on the health-related quality of life and symptoms in irritable bowel syndrome in adults in primary care: a multicentre, randomized, double-blind, controlled trial. Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics,26(3), 475-486. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2036.2007.03362.x

CBD Consumer Confusion: Not All HEMP Contains CBD

 CONSUMER CONFUSION: Does your HEMP even have CBD? The difference between Hemp Seed and CBD Hemp.

 Hey Fit Fam,

Several times a week I have people message me telling me they purchased “CBD” or have started “taking hemp” since reading my blog “Healed Not High”. 

While it makes me SO HAPPY to know that people are looking into the amazing healing benefits of CBD, what bothers me is that at least half of the people that message me have purchased a product from their local health store, etsy, or whatever popped up as cheapest in a google search. 9 times out of 10 it's either NOT even CBD or the purity and quality is unknown.

As for PURITY and QUALITY of TRUE CBD .. check out my blog HEALED NOT HIGH where I touch on ALL THINGS CBD!

But lets dive into where a ton of confusion lies. People seem to think that anytime they see the word HEMP .. that means they are also getting CBD. NOT THE CASE!

Hemp Seeds = NO CBD
Hemp Protein = NO CBD
Hemp SEED Oil = NO CBD

Although CBD can be derived from Hemp and neither oils have psychoactive effects like THC ... CBD and hemp oils are made from different parts of the plant and have different purposes.


Hemp derived CBD Oil (often labeled as Hemp Drops or Hemp Oil) is generally used for medicinal purposes, treating inflammation, pain, sleeping disorders and even certain types of epileptic seizures.

Hemp Seed Oil is made by applying pressure to hemp seeds in order to squeeze out the oil. But since there is almost no CBD in hemp seeds, there is no CBD in hemp seed oil!!

CBD is present in the stalks, flowers and leaves of the hemp plant (not the seeds.) Those componants are what is extracted to make things like Hemp Drops, Hemp Oil, Full Spectrum CBD Oils, etc., because they DO contain CBD!

There is substantial confusion in general, but it doesn't help that many companies are marketing hemp seed oils at crazy prices and often implying that the products offered contain CBD - when they do not.

You should carefully read the ingredient label on any food or nutritional product including CBD oil products. Just because a product says ’hemp-extract’ on its label does not necessarily mean that cannabidiol, or CBD, is the extract contained in the product. Considering that there are over 80 compounds contained in hemp, the term ‘hemp extract’ could signify an extract other than CBD. So you may be buying products labeled as hemp extracts under the impression that CBD is contained in the product, when there may be none! READ CAREFULLY and if you are still confused ask the company if it contains CBD. If they say YES .. ask for an an independent lab analysis of their product indicating the presence of CBD and how much! Speaking of "how much" .. remember that if a product does have CBD .. the mg listed on the front of the bottle (100mg/250mg/500mg, etc) is how much CBD is in THE ENTIRE BOTTLE .. not in ONE serving!

Bottom Line .... Hemp has been on store shelves for decades and even in many skin care lines contain hemp (remember the "Hemp Soap On A Rope" by Bath & Body Works) .. but these products are NOT CBD!

Hemp Seeds and Hemp products are GREAT for your health and have their own long list of benefits  but it's important to know that they do NOT contain cannabinoids! So by all means .. consume hemp protein, hemp seeds and slather on some hemp lotion. But if you are looking for the healing/health benefits of CBD .. you aren't getting it from those sources!

Also, remember that CBD isn't a "one and done" type product. You must use it every day! So while it's great that many smoothie shops are offering CBD add-ins (be careful with this as many are calling their hemp CBD when it's just hemp SEED oil as described above) ... you need to be taking it daily! So while it certainly won't hurt ya, one smoothie a week infused with CBD isn't going to provide medicinal benefits! Not to mention, you should ask these places HOW MUCH CBD they are putting in your smoothie! I wonder if they even know?!

There is one company that I currently use that is HC FREE because their CBD is derived from HEMP! SO they can ship to you legally! (read THIS blog for more).

**NOTE THIS COMPANY MENTIONED ALSO OFFERS THC PRODUCTS AS WELL but their CBD products do NOT contain THC**

here is the company I use
IGNITE CBD 

There are MANY other Hemp Based THC Free CBD Companies and products out there and lots of them are legit and trustworthy!

The big issue is PURITY. The black market for Hemp CBD is a sad reality. So I suggest YOU DO YOUR RESEARCH!ASK FOR LAB REPORTS and stay on top of doing so when you re-order ... to ensure you are using a QUALITY product. Otherwise you risk putting something into your body that is contaminated ... or contains no real CBD and is a waste of your money!

For the above reasons, you must use caution if grabbing CBD at a health store, gas station or grocery store. Legit brands are now starting to carry their products at these locations ... just familiarize yourself with the brand before buying! Many answers can be found with quick google search .. but if you want to be safe ... take picture, call or email the company with your questions, and buy it the next time you go to the store!  Chances are the sales associates and clerks at these stores have not been educated on CBD and would have NO IDEA if the product is pure/tested! Better safe than sorry!


XoXo,
Stacy

** I am not a doctor. I am not an expert. I am not licensed. All information in this blog is based on my PERSONAL opinion and PERSONAL experience using CBD. I am not responsible for anything you all choose to do when it comes to THC, CBD, etc.**

CBD Removed from WADA Banned List

 CBD Removed from the WADA Prohibited List

Hey Fit Fam

Considering all of it's health benefits, it's hard to believe that anyone would ban CBD or see it as anything other than an all natural alternative to prescription drugs (See blog Healed Not High.)
In fact, ATHLETES are one group of people that could benefit from CBD the most! Check out this article FORBES did in 2016! 

But did you know that the World Anti Doping Agency (WADA) sees CBD as a banned substance!? Well I should say .. they consider it one .. but only until January 1, 2018!!

In case any of my MMA, Crossfit, Powerlifting, Natural Bodybuiding, or any other friends that compete in a a WADA drug tested sport missed the HUGE news, Cannabidiol (CBD) has been removed from the 2018 World Anti Doping Agency (WADA) Prohibited List. 

Every year, WADA publishes a review on the changes they’ve chosen to make within their prohibited list. This annual review includes newly added prohibited substances, current regulations on listed substances, and the removal of substances, like CBD! Whoo Hoo!! ((This news actually came out early October .. but thought it was worth a mention!))

Just goes to show that more and more people are seeing CBD for what it is ... a natural substance that HEALS and DOES NOT (and can not) make you HIGH! It's so great to see the ignorance, assumptions, stereotypes and stigmas going away and being replaced with TRUTH!!

For more on CBD you can check out the following blogs!
Healed Not High
Pot For Pets

As I PREACH .. you have to do your research before you purchase CBD. With it's gaining popularity comes BOGUS COMPANIES! Here is the company I currently use and trust.

IGINTE CBD

Xo
Stacy

#30ForTheKids Christmas Challenge

 Hey Fit Fam,

If you follow me on Instagram then you know that last week I talked about the "wait till the new year" mindset many people have and how BAD of an idea this is. I gave a few tips that may help you get a JUMP START to any fitness goals you have in mind. You can check out the post HERE.

Here is a way you can get in THIRTY minutes of EXTRA ACTIVITY in for the next 30 days and also GIVE BACK to those in need.

My sponsor, 1st Phorm, is doing something called the #330forthekids challenge!

HERE IS WHAT WE ARE ASKING YOU TO DO:

Take 30 minutes of your time, for 30 days, donate $30 to help support less fortunate families and get a jump start on 2018.

To participate, you must do the following:

Donate $30 to the go fund me account (CLICK HERE)

Share this Photo on any of your social media platforms (Instagram, Instagram Story, FB, Twitter, etc.)
Please @ mention ME (@stacymccloud) so I know you are participating!!!

Tag @1stphorm

Use #30forthekids #1stphorm and #iam1stphorm hashtags

The daily workouts you can choose from:

30 minutes on the stair master
or
100 push-ups, 200 sit-ups, & 300 air squats
or
Run 3 miles.

Choose one of the 3 workouts above for the next 30 days. While 1st Phorm doesn't say you can "modify" these workouts .. I'm sure they will allow it! Ha!

For example .. if you are NEW to fitness I wouldn't suggest RUNNING 3 miles. Walk, Jog or do a combo of the two. Or if you can't do the step mill for some reason ... pick another piece of cardio equipment. You can always MODIFY push-ups to be "assisted" with knees on the ground. You can also do these push-ups/sit-ups/air squats as "super sets" with the workout you are already doing. So instead of RESTING between training sets .. throw in sets of the above until you have done them all!

If you miss a workout during the 30 days, it cost you $5 penalty (payable to the Go Fund Me page)
If you don’t join by Dec 2nd at midnight, buy in fee is an extra $5 (tack it on to your $30 on the Go Fund Me Page.)
((obviously honor system is in effect here))

Grab your friends, lets kit fit and help! Participating in this challenge is not only a great way to give back and spread Christmas joy, but you will also prevent some unwanted pounds and get a jump start to a more fit healthier version of you in 2018.

The goal is to raise 20k this Christmas to give to a variety of charities and adopt local families in need.

We are going to need everyone’s help to make it happen!
Stacy

TO PURCHASE 1ST PHORM SUPPLEMENTS with FREE FAST SHIPPING and 110% money back you can use my athlete link --- www.1stphorm.com/stacy.
But please EMAIL me first so we can see what products will work best or YOU and YOUR needs! You do need to use the link with each order to get the free shipping!

MY CURRENT 1ST PHORM STACK -- as of 12/1/17:
MicroFactor - EVERY MORNING!
Adrenal Restore - 2x a day (I am doing an adrenal reset. More on this coming soon.)
GDA - with first meal of the day and/or any really high carb meal
Creatine OR AlphaCre - PreWorkout (I'm doing NON stim preworkout during the adrenal restore)
Phormula-1 & Ignition - Post Workout
BCAAS - 1 scoop in my gallon of water that I drink each day. Also sometimes IntraWorkout.
Level  1 - in various amounts at different times of day in things like my Breakfast Cake, Protein Ice Cream, Smoothie Bowls, etc.
Glutamine - 5g 2-3x a day for recovery and GUT HEALTH
OptiCore, Night T or an of the other 1st Phrom sleep aids - 45 min before I want to go to bed

My Favorite Things: BLACK FRIDAY & CYBER MONDAY DEALS

Hey Fit Fam

Just wanted to give you all a little ONE STOP page to go to for any of my favorite companies that are having BLACK FRIDAY and/or CYBER MONDAY deals, coupons, NEW RELEASES, etc.

Many of these places you can use MY CODE or LINK for ADDITIONAL savings (such as Free Shipping, etc.)  So make sure and use the code and use the HYPER LINKS in this post in order to make sure you are getting all the goods!

Every sale has a different start and end date! So pay attention when on their websites!

Happy Shopping :)
Stacy

Oh and stay tuned and make sure you SUBSCRIBE to the blog. I always do a Merry FITMAS Gift Guide! It will be coming out SOON!)

1st Phorm
My favorite supplement company and the only one I've used for over FOUR YEARS is having a pretty major WHILE SUPPLIES LAST Black Friday Sale (actually it started the Wednesday before Black Friday.)

I've mentioned a million times that the reason I stand behind and use 1st Phorm (and later became an Athlete) is because of QUALITY! It's the only brand I can use and have ZERO STOMACH PROBLEMS!!! Why?!? Because they don't fill their products with a ton of crap and use a process called LOW TEMPERATURE PROCESSING!!! There are literally less than a handful of companies that do this because it costs more. But the result means you are not only getting what the label says you are getting ... you get a quality product that won't give you stomach discomfort/bloat/gas, etc!

The BLACK FRIDAY DEALS they have going on are:

They also released a TON of new apparel and new products (new pre-workout, new Level 1 flavor, etc.) 

I have SO MANY staples and my "regime" changes based on if I'm in off season or on prep, etc.
But a FEW things that I CAN NOT LIVE WITHOUT. You can find them all on www.1stphorm.com/stacy .. just use the search bar! This link gets you FREE SHIPPING and 110% money back guarantee! Also any of the HYPER LINKS above should get you those deals as well. Just look for my name "Stacy" in the top right hand corer!

LEVEL ONE - I use this in all my baking, protein ice cream, smoothie bowls, etc.

MicroFactor - Every single vitamin, mineral, probiotic, greens, EFA, etc., that you need all in a single daily pouch! This makes life SO EASY!

Glutamine - Not only good for recovery but AMAZING for GUT HEALTH!!

Creatine - I either use this alone or use one of their PreWorkouts which already has Creatine in it.

Pre Workout -- Any or ALL! It depends on what you are looking for in a pre-workout. FULL product discriptions are under each product!

GDA - this is NOT a "carb blocker" ... there is no such thing. Go to the product page to read details but essentially it just helps MOVE the carbs where you WANT them to go. I take this at my highest carb meal of the day (except post workout)

Adrenal Restore -- I do this TWO times a year. About to start it next week! If you feel like caffeine or pre workouts no longer "work" for you .. chances are you just need to give your adrenal glands a little reset. THIS is the product that will help with that!

BCAAs - One scoop in my gallon water jug a day. Plus ONE scoop post workout (or pre workout if I'm not eating before for some reason. This is a MUST for anyone that does "fasted" cardio.)

Phormula-1/Ignition - This is my FAST ACTING post workout carb and protein. Take the second you are done training and then have your normal post workout meal about an hour later!

VITAL PROTEINS

 One of my FAVORITE companies is GIVING AWAY a product with purchase! If you have always wanted to “Mix & Match” Vital Proteins collagen products like I do .... but didn’t really want to invest in more than one kind.. here is your chance!!

All you have to do is purchase $75 worth of VP products and you get a FREE 5oz container of Collagen Peptides FOR FREE. Also, If you want to purchase additional 5 oz. canisters of Collagen Peptides, they will be available for $15 on our website, while supplies last! SO basically .. STOCK UP!

I don’t blame you if you wanna keep the freebie for yourself .. but this would also be a great gift!
It even has a cute little “gift tag”  :)

THIS DEAL IS ONLY GOOD FROM NOW UNTIL CYBER MONDAY and you need to use THIS LINK (or any that I've hyper linked in this blog or the one on my Instagram bio.) 

These will take you straight to the 5oz Collagen Peptides that you get for FREE.  Add this to your cart, pick your $75 worth of other products and then enter the code "PEACELOVECOLLAGEN” at check out!!

Confused on WHICH Vital Proteins Collagen products may be best for YOU?! Please check out THIS blog I did or EMAIL ME! I'll be checking emails all black friday weekend! I’ll help you decide. But you should aim to get in 20g of Collagen a day from whatever product you choose!

My favorite are: Beef Gelatin (green lid) - Unflavored Beef Bone Broth Powder (or ckn) - Chocolate Coconut Water Collagen Whey - ANY of the peptides (the one you get for free, the flavored ones, etc.) I also use the BEAUTY BOOST pills daily! I mix and match these to get in a minimum of 20g a day! My favorite way is in my FROTHY GUT HEALTH COFFEE ... SWEET EGGS .. or my SMOOTHIE BOWLS (more recipes for these coming soon)

So just to RECAP .. here are the GIVEAWAY DETAILS:

*Use THIS LINK or the one on Instagram (this also gets you free shipping in US)


*Fill your cart with at least $75 worth of Vital Proteins products (including your 5 oz. canister of Collagen Peptides)
*Apply code "PEACELOVECOLLAGEN" at checkout. Code will deduct price of ONE 5 oz. Collagen Peptides in your cart.

*Add any additional Collagen Peptides for only $15 each while supplies last!

PREBIOTIN PREBIOTICS 
Get a FREE box of Prebiotin Stick Packs with any order online (www.prebiotin.com)

Also I'm not sure if it will work with this promotion .. but it's worth a try!! You can use the code BODY17 for 25% off ANY day .. ANY time!

Check out my blog THE OTHER BIOTIC for why I use this product DAILY and how it works hand in hand with your PROBIOTICS (for probiotics I use the one in the MicroFactor pack by 1st Phorm)

FOXY ATHLETICS
MY FAVORITE APPAREL COMPANY just released the version two of their popular CARLA leggings! Of course they are called ... CARLA II :) I love these because they fit is PERFECT but also because of the CELL PHONE POCKET(s), the fact they are SQUAT APPROVED and just so dang comfy and flattering!!! They are having several deals ... free t-shirt with some purchases, up to 40% off some items and FREE SHIPPING .. but only if you use MY CODE (STACY) at checkout!
www.foxyathletics.com --- If you have questions hit me up. But they do fit true to size!
SALE goes LIVE 6pm eastern on Black Friday! Do NOT wait to order because sizes always sell out fast!!




 

Healed Not High: How CBD Saved Me

I am HEALED not HIGH. How CBD has healed me of almost all of my digestion issues from Celiac Disease.

Disclaimer: I AM NOT AN EXPERT. I AM NOT QUALIFIED TO GIVE ANY TYPE OF MEDICAL ADVICE. I AM A CONSUMER AND A BELIEVER AND WROTE THIS BLOG TO SHARE MY EXPERIENCE. PLEASE CLICK ON TEAL HYPERLINKS WITHIN ARTICLE FOR MORE INFORMATION.

If you are looking for the 100% THC Free Companies or THC/CBD blends I PERSONALLY standby they are all listed at the BOTTOM of this entry. Just skip to the bottom if you don't care about anything else!

Check out my other CBD blogs:
CONSUMER CONFUSION
POT FOR PETS


Hello Friends,

This is a long one!! So read it when you have some extra time!

In case you are new to the blog or my socials I should begin this post by telling you I have a TON of gastro problems. In 2006 I was diagnosed with the auto-immune condition Celiac Disease (after being mis-diagnosed and very sick for 5 years.) I also have IBS-C and unknown issues that cause me stomach bloating and hit/miss constipation.

This is a video post I made on Instagram earlier this year about what an episode can look like. (FlashPlayer is being crazy on here. If it won't work just click on the hyperlink.)

I've been strictly gluten free since 2006 (when I was diagnosed with Celiac) but I still have unexplained and sometimes very severe bloating, pressure, fullness and constipation. I've tried a gazillion medications, powders, pills, diets, etc. Some have had a small success and other have had none. I have good months and bad months but overall the unexplained bloating and irregular bowel movement have made life pretty miserable.

It especially makes competing as an IFBB Bikini Pro very hard. I could work my butt off and not be able to go to the bathroom or have an "episode" of bloating and my entire physique be RUINED in a matter of seconds!



For the past couple months I have been using something that has helped more than ANYTHING else ever has! Unless I eat something that would naturally cause bloating ... the bloating is pretty much GONE! I've also had ZERO pain and ZERO unexplained flair ups AT ALL (explained flair up would be the accidental ingestion of gluten. Which by the way ... did happen a few weeks after started this new treatment. I took a dose of one of my tinctures and within 15 min my pain went from a good 20 to maybe a 3.)

What is this "magic" that seems to be the ONLY thing giving me my life back?! There are many names for it .. pot, weed, cannabis, marijuana, lol. But no .. really it's none of the above. Well, not exactly. It's a non psychoactive COMPOUND that is in marijuana called ... CBD.

I didn't plan to announce to the world that I am a medical marijuana card holder last week .. but when a first of it's kind clinical trial was breaking news on all major news outlets I felt like I needed to go ahead and speak up!

To expand on my Instagram Post (which you can see here) my primary care doctor (who also specializes in medical marijuana) believed that CBD could benefit me due to my condition. I very hesitantly gave it a go. I think I had my card issued for like a month before I got the courage to go to a dispensary and get my "goods", haha! (Full transparency here. I'm not a pot smoker and never have been. I it back in like 1998/1999 and hadn't touched it since then.)


Since most people following my journey do so because they have similar STOMACH issues ... I want to make it VERY CLEAR that I use CBD for symptoms (inflammation/pain) related to having Celiac Disease. I DO NOT take it because of bloating that could be from food or poor diet. I have extreme internal inflammation from a MEDICAL condition. I don't want anyone with belly bloat to believe this is some magic solution for bloating. Bloating is often controllable by simply changing your diet, taking out or limiting certain foods (fodmaps, gluten, lactose, etc), increasing fiber, or even decreasing fiber, increasing water intake, taking probiotics, taking the Prebiotin brand of prebiotics, digestive enzymes, glutamine and even stomach massage. CBD is not going to fix a poor lifestyle or food related bloating!  I can still get belly bloat if I over do it on fiber, eat too many fodmaps that affect me, too many gassy veggies, or slack on taking my other supplements mentioned above.

While the bloating and pain are essentially "cured" ... the CBD does NOT seem to be helping with the constipation aspect of my stomach issues. I saw a nurse the last time I went to the dispensary and she suggested a specific strain of CBD in VAPE form. Essentially if I feel like I "can't go" I take a couple of deep hits while sitting on the toilet and ... just wait. I've only tried it twice and neither time produced any results. That said .. constipation is NOT a condition that has shown to benefit from CBD so I wasn't expecting results.

I am so excited to share this journey with you all. I know there is a lot of confusion/ignorance surrounding "medical marijuana (which creates judgement and misconception) but I'm willing to make a few people uncomfortable in an effort to EDUCATE those willing to listen and more than ANYTHING hopefully help others that may have a medical condition in which CBD may help!

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Photo Courtesy: Leafly

WHAT IS CBD?
There are THREE active ingredients in Cannabis. Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of the most prevalent chemical compounds in the cannabis (Marijuana) plant. Unlike the more famous and well known molecule THC, CBD is completely non-psychoactive.... meaning that it does not make you high. 

THC = High (but not necessarily if it's in low doses. Many CBD oils contain trace amount of THC yet still have ZERO psychoactive affects) and pure CBD = NOT HIGH.

I'll say it another way .... THC is the stuff that gets you high; CBD (cannabidiol) is the stuff that makes you feel better. Depending where CBD is sourced will determine how much (if any) THC it has in it and if it will make you have any"high" or not.

Image Courtesy: upressonline.com

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF CBD?
Cannabinoids bind to special receptors on your cells called cannabinoid receptors. It acts on the body’s endocannabinoid system, creating physical changes in the body, which can be beneficial in many ways. Certain receptors are heavily concentrated in the central nervous system while others are found in almost every organ of the body. Cannabinoid receptors are found in the skin, digestive tract, and even in the reproductive organs! So you can see why/how CBD can help with a WIDE variety of ailments!!

Preclinical trials over the past four decades have found that the CBD shows promise as an:

anti-inflammatory
antioxidant
neuroprotectant
anxiolytic
antidepressant
analgesic
anti-tumoral agent
anti-psychotic
Patients with more chronic conditions such as cancer and epilepsy often use medical cannabis oil extracted from high-CBD varieties of cannabis.

Also as mentioned earlier in this post, A FIRST OF IT'S KIND actual CLINICAL trial was released this week that shows that CBD . The fact that a CLINICAL trial was finally done is HUGE!
Read about it HERE.

HOW CAN I PURCHASE CBD?

To buy CBD derived from Cannabis you must live in a state where medical or recreational cannabis is legal. For medical ... you will see a doctor licensed to recommend you receive your medical cards. If you have an approved condition and are approved by the state you get your card and then simply go to a local dispensary to get it. If you go to a good dispensary, the people there can help you decide which type/method is best for you/your condition! I go to Essence Vegas and they have been WONDERFUL! They even have a nurse on staff some days! However nobody in Vegas carries the THC/CBD blend that I love most! I have to go to California to get that. But I hear they are expanding soon (more on this company below.) If you live in a state where rec is legal .. lucky you .. just walk in, ha

WHAT IF YOU DON'T LIVE IN A STATE WHERE MARIJUANA IS LEGAL or DON'T QUALIFY FOR A MED CARD? HOW CAN I PURCHASE CBD?

You can purchase it online. However it must be derived from HEMP, not cannabis. One manufacturer of hemp derived CBD created THIS state-by-state chart that breaks down CBD laws by state. As far as I know HEMP derived CBD is legal in all 50 states. However you MUST keep in mind that all of the hemp derived CBD on the market is effective or SAFE! Lots of scams out there, especially now that CBD is becoming so popular.

I have looked into a few hemp based brands that I feel safe recommending for those of you that can't go to a dispensary.. Here is the MAIN ONE I currently stand behind and USE MYSELF.  I'll include links at the bottom of the blog with much more information! So keep reading!

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE IN CBD THAT COMES FROM CANNABIS and CBD THAT COMES FROM HEMP?

Hemp Plant: Photo Courtesy Waking Times

There are two types of CBD products available: products derived from “hemp” and products derived from “marijuana”.

The CBD found in both of these plants is essentially the same, it’s the legal definition that is not.

The main difference when thinking of hemp CBD vs cannabis CBD are the differences in levels of CBD and THC the oil contains.

In short, hemp CBD oil and cannabis CBD oil are the same. CBD is CBD. The difference is that CBD derived from the hemp plant is federally legal, whereas CBD derived from cannabis is not.

Now .. there has been much debate if CBD derived from industrial hemp has the same properties as cannabis-derived CBD. People argue both sides. Personally I have tried CBD from both cannabis and hemp and WITH THE BRAND I AM USING I did not notice a difference! Meaning .. both worked just as well for me!

Those that believe it holds the same medicinal properties state the following as "facts" (ie - opinions.)

*Agricultural hemp and medical marijuana both come from the Cannabis Sativa L. plant.
((However as I showed you above. Keep in mind that medical marijuana can also come from the Indica plant ..which naturally has more THC.)

*Agricultural hemp, which is often referred to as “hemp stalk,” grows differently than THC-containing cannabis, and looks similar to bamboo.

*As long as agricultural hemp plants are pollinated by members of their own crop, the genetics will remain similar with low levels of THC.

The biggest concern I would personally have about CBD from Hemp is where you buy it! There are many things to consider when it comes to potency and safety. I certainly wouldn't be going to Ebay or Amazon that is for sure! Also be aware of Social Media. While it seems there are LOTS of legit companies selling CBD .. some look really shady to me! See the next section for more tips below on what questions to ask when purchasing online.

photo courtesy: Leaf Science

I am probably doing a crappy job at explaining the difference in the two. I liked THIS article I found online because of the graphics. They make it pretty easy to understand I think. THIS is also a good one from leaf science that also probably does a better job than I am of explaining the difference. BUT please keep in mind when googling articles .. most places have some sort of bias toward one side or the other :)

HOW CAN I PURCHASE CBD DERIVED FROM HEMP?
Online... but please be careful! If you do choose to order hemp derived CBD, you want to do your research and ASK A TON OF QUESTIONS before you order.

I would ask the following:

**Are your products and batches tested by third party companies for quality and purity? They should PROVIDE TEST RESULTS on their webpage. If not, ASK THEM for them! If they will not provide this ... MOVE ON!

**Where is your hemp grown (region/country, etc)

**Where are your products manufactured?

**What is the dosage of the actual ACTIVE CBD?

I thought THIS was a great article that explains a little more IN DEPTH why you should ask these questions as well as some others they suggest you ask before purchasing.

At first (when I wrote this article originally) I only used CBD derived from cannabis and got it at a medical dispensary in Vegas. However, I ran out a while back and it was out of stock EVERYWHERE because recreational cannabis went legal here and they couldn't keep up with supply/demand! That forced me to RESEARCH and try another company or two that was HEMP based (100% THC FREE.) I am so glad because not only can I have a SAFE company to suggest to ALL of you .. but due to their extraction methods and TYPE of CBD ... I actually PREFER using this 100% THC company I found - most of the time! *they do also have THC options if you live in an area where their brand is available* 

WHICH HEMP DERIVED COMPANIES DO I STAND BEHIND?!
For both THC FREE CBD and my THC/CBD blends ... most recently I love/use a company called IGNITE CBD.

I've tried several (trusted ones) and seen great results with all of them. In the end, this one has just been my favorite after lots of trial and error. That is the thing about CBD .. you may have to play around with dosage, methods and even brands since they often offer different blends, etc.

There are MANY other Hemp Based THC Free CBD Companies and products out there and lots of them are legit and trustworthy! The issue is PURITY. The black market for Hemp CBD is really bad right now. So I suggest DOING YOUR RESEARCH, ASKING FOR LAB REPORTS and staying on top of doing so when you re-order ... to ensure you are using a QUALITY product. Otherwise you risk putting something into your body that is contaminated ... or contains no real CBD and is a waste of your money! This is why I would be cautions when possibly purchasing at a health store, gas station or drug store. Many legit companies are starting to launch at these locations but chances are the sales clerks at these stores won't be much help. It's always best to research the company before you buy it!


HOW DO I PERSONALLY TAKE CBD?
I touched on this above and there are many ways. You can smoke it, vape it, put it under the tongue in drop or liquid form (often called a tincture), eat it in edibles, take it in a capsule, drink it in beverages or sprinkle on food in pre-made spices that are on the market, rub it on your body using a balm/lotion, soak in an infused bath, etc.

How you use it should depend on WHY you are taking it. A good company that you purchase from should be able to guide you!

I prefer to MICRO-DOSE meaning I take several small(er) doses throughout the day in order to keep a steady stream of CBD in my body at all times.

I use a hemp oil under my tongue every morning when I first wake up. I will use a it again in the  afternoon OR I'll hit a CBD or CBD/THC vape. Then before bed I take a pen that DOES have THC. I have found that a good 1:1 ration of thc/cbd is best for ME. Anything more (thc) and I often wake up after only 4 hours of sleep and CAN NOT go back to bed. But this is VERY INDIVIDUAL!! You will have to play around! That said .. HIGH doses of CBD have been known to create the same effect if you can't/don't want to use a product with THC in it!

By the way .. you can't overdose on CBD ... so don't worry about that, ha!

IS CBD SAFE?
When purchased from a Medical Dispensary I feel 110% confident in saying the answer is YES.
Cannabis (in general) is actually so safe that it's basically impossible for an adult human to ingest a fatal dose. Keep in mind CAUSATION and CORRELATION aren't the same!!! Over dose is how people directly die from using "drugs" (and CBD is not a quote/unquote drug.) They indirectly die from getting "high" (lots of THC) and having an accident of sorts .....BIG difference.

Additionally, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration drug sheet for marijuana (that means it has THC .. again very different than just CBD) reports that no deaths from marijuana (yes even with THC) overdose have ever even been recorded!! So if marijuana (with THC) is that "safe" obviously the compound CBD is VERY safe!

As far as HEMP derived CBD goes. As I stated above ... be cautious. There are indeed tons of scammers out there when it comes to the "hemp seed oil" market. I can only stand behind the couple of companies linked in this blog. However I'm sure with your own research you could find others that are safe/pure!

IS CBD LEGAL?
Unfortunately, the answer to this question is complicated. Every country has its own cannabis laws, and CBD is more readily available in some regions than others. In the United Kingdom, for example, CBD was recently declared as medicine by the National Health Service (NHS).

In the United States the legality of CBD will depend on where it was sourced (as explained above.) Here is that chart again that breaks it down state-by-state.

WILL CBD MAKE ME HIGH?
I've already answered this but since this is the BIGGEST misconception about CBD I want to address it again. NO ... CBD (even CBD with low doses of THC) will NOT make you high.

Even when I used a tincture that was not THC free ( had a VERY low dose of THC since it' was derived from cannabis) it never made me high and did not impact me in ANY WAY as far as the way I "feel". I can drive, work, etc.

If you are still worried about this. Simply use CBD derived from HEMP. Such as the IGNITE brand I suggest above.

WHAT ABOUT MUNCHIES? I THOUGHT MARIJUANA MAKES YOU WANT TO EAT? 
When it comes to CBD this is totally FALSE. I take it everyday and there is zero difference in appetite. The "hunger" you hear about is a sometimes a side effect of THC. Which is why many people (such as cancer patients) use a Medical Cannabis that CBD as well as higher amounts of THC.

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Okay friends .. there you have it. I AM NOT AN EXPERT. I AM NOT QUALIFIED TO GIVE ANY TYPE OF MEDICAL ADVICE. I AM A CONSUMER AND A BELIEVER and wrote this blog simply to help educate you on what I've learned about CBD. Also I am hoping to EDUCATE people that YOU DO NOT HAVE TO GET HIGH TO GET HEALED!!!! Please have an open mind and educate yourself from ignorance!

I found a webpage with a TON of more in-depth info and I highly recommend you check it out HERE. They cover many other questions you may have .. especially when it comes to Medical Marijuana with THC. Many medical conditions CAN greatly benefit from CBD with equal or even higher doses of THC (which would typically cause a "high" of SOME sort.) But I'll let you research all that on your own since this blog is mainly about CBD.

As mentioned above .. full transparency here ... I am also taking tinctures/vapes that contain both CBD and decent amounts of THC. I have one that I DO NOT use daily but "in case of emergency" or in "high stress" situations (which can cause Celiac flare ups.) It is a cbd/thc blend with still relatively low levels of THC compared to the CBD. It still does NOT make me high... but I wouldn't drive if I use it. As I showed you in the beginning of the blog ... I was exposed to some gluten and got very sick back in March.  I had JUST started CBD that very week. I used the tincture that has CBD and THC and within a few moments I was almost most pain free! I couldn't believe it!

Also ... as mentioned above ... I suffer from Insomnia (I've had sleep issues since I as a child) and I have tested out a vape pen that is a CBD/THC blend. Within 5-10 min of a few puffs .. there is NO WAY I can keep my eyes open!!!! It also makes me stay asleep ALL NIGHT LONG!

I'm so grateful for Medical Cannabis...which led me to try Hemp based CBD. I often wondered about MY PLACE in our big cross country move from Tennessee to Nevada last year. I left my career, family and friends behind. I was happy to do it for my husband, but now I see that God had a plan for me in moving here as well. I would never have looked into CBD had I not moved to a place where cannabis was legal (and in return learned so much about 100% THC Free Hemp based CBD.)

I have no problem saying it has changed my life. #CBDSaves

XoXo
Stacy

Feel free to comment below with questions and your experience with CBD! You can also EMAIL ME. I am NOT an expert but I'm happy to share my experience with you!

CBD I USE -- IGNITE CBD THC FREE (oil and vapes)

CBD/THC Blends I use -- Vape Pens, etc.