Healthy Living Essentials

Over the past few months, I've been incorporating a few 'new to me' healthy living essentials into my daily routine and I have been wanting to share them with you!  I've shared a few of these over on my Instagram stories, but thought it would be nice to group them all together and link them for you in a blog post.  I'm not a nutritionist, so definitely research these to see if they'll fit your needs.  We also posted our favorite smoothie recipes here a few months ago, so make sure to check that one out.  Most of these can be added to give you an extra boost!  Scroll below for more info on why I've been loving each of these!

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1. MCT oil - aka Medium Chain Triglycerides.  This fat is more easily digested and sent to your liver quickly.  This helps in the metabolizing process.  Adding this to your smoothie will help you feel fuller longer.  They have been known to help give you more energy, better digestion and an improved mood (among many other things!).  You can also put this oil in your coffee for "bullet proof coffee", in salad dressings, and to cook with.  Coconut oil is similar, however roughly only 63% of the fatty acids in coconut oil are MCT oil.  I can definitely feel the difference when I don't add a healthy fat in my smoothies.  I'm hungry just an hour or two later.  Another healthy fat I like to use is almond butter.
2. D3 - I like this specific D3 because I can put it in my smoothie, it is tasteless and it absorbs much better in liquid form.  D3 helps improve mood, supports weight loss, strengthen bones and teeth, and helps boost your immune system.
3. Rhodiola Rosea - one of my favorite adaptogens, this helps with fat burning, gives you energy, and helps your body adapt to stressful situations.  I put this in my smoothies and I typically go between this and number 11.  I will sometimes use Moringa leaf as well.
4. Matcha - this is a powerhouse tea!  It has been shown to lower cancer risk, gives me a great energy boost, helps aid in weight loss, reverses cell damage and so many other things!
5. Orgain Organic Protein - this is my all time favorite protein powder and I've tried A LOT of them.  It doesn't make me bloated, it doesn't contain artificial sweeteners, contains the perfect amount of protein for me, doesn't have artificial colors, gluten free, soy free, and most are certified organic.  I tend to switch between different flavors and right now I'm on their chocolate peanut butter flavor.  I also like the Vanilla Bean flavor and Creamy Chocolate Fudge.  I also like their ready to drink protein (it has pretty mixed reviews on Amazon, but I like the Chocolate flavor!).
6. Probiotic - helps aid in digestion and immune support.  I really like this one because it's shelf stable (doesn't need to be refrigerated).
7. Acacia Fiber - I always add a fiber into my smoothies to help keep me full longer.  This one acts as a prebiotic helping with gut health.  It doesn't make me bloated either.  I switch between this and the flax seed meal from Trader Joes.  That one makes my smoothies a bit thicker.
8. Forté Amino Acids - I swear by this stuff.  I consistently take this after my workouts and it definitely helps reduce muscle soreness.  Plus it tastes really good!
9. Natural Calm - I love love love this stuff!  It is a magnesium supplement that really helps me calm down at the end of the night.  It also helps with regularity if ya know what I'm sayin'.
10. Curcumin - this is the most active component of turmeric which has been known to help reduce inflammation and is an antioxidant.  I put this in my amino acid drink after my workout to help with muscle soreness.
11. Ashwaganda Powder - this is another one of my favorite adaptogens to put in my smoothies.  This helps fight cortisol levels (which lessens belly fat) and helps me sleep really, really well.  I swear by it!  If you don't try anything else, try this stuff!
12. Vital Proteins - this is a collagen protein powder that helps with hair, skin, and nails.  I put it in my coffee and sometimes do one scoop of this and one of the other protein powder in my smoothies.

I hope you found this helpful in your search for the best healthy living essentials!  The best way to get most of these in for me, is adding them to my daily smoothie.  When I don't get in a daily protein smoothie with all these goodies, I can definitely tell a change in mood and my sleep isn't as great.  Again, you can see my smoothie post here.  Let me know if you end up trying any of these.  I'd love to know!  Thanks for reading!