The benefits of seaweed just keep piling in…have you tried it yet? If you missed the background, kelp would be my #1 pick to get you moving and feeling better in no time. You can look back to past posts for more information on kelp and other healthy seaweeds, but today we’re going to look at some new research on a certain fiber in kelp that helps significantly with weight loss – something many of you have asked for advice with.

According to Sherry Baker, Health Sciences Editor at Natural News, recent studies at Newcastle University in the United Kingdom have identified a specific fiber in kelp that helps the body to absorb less fat…by up to 75%. After testing more than 60 fibers in the laboratory, the research team discovered that alginate (that specific fiber in kelp) actually helps prevent fat uptake and storage in the body vastly more effectively than harmful, over-the-counter, anti-obesity treatments. I hope you heard that clearly – it’s natural, healthy and far more effective than conventional treatments!

People everywhere are desperately turning to the next solution for fat loss – and growing frustrated because the product either doesn’t work, or it works with side effects WORSE than the extra weight itself. Here’s my advice: go natural. Many times the reason for issues with weight control isn’t the actual main food itself; it’s just the additives, preservatives and other miscellaneous chemicals that wreak havoc on your body.

Go from the packaged turkey or chicken with 10-15 ingredients on the label to fresh, organic poultry (with just one ingredient, by the way!). Instead of snacking on a trail mix with 37 ingredients – almost none of which are why you bought it in the first place – buy the fresh, organic nuts, seeds and fruits yourself. Many times it’s these simple changes that will allow you to not only have more health and energy, but also get rid of the blockages to fully being able to control your weight. Your hormones will thank you!

On an ending note, Dr. Brownlee (head of the research time) and his colleagues are now excited to get this research out there and applied in the real world. They see many possibilities in adding this natural fiber into the foods people are already eating on a regular basis. The benefits are two-fold: one, there’s a greater chance of lowering and/or avoiding obesity, and two, consumers get all the benefits of a diet higher in fiber. We know that a diet high in fiber not only helps with blood sugar control, but can aid in weight loss and control, lower LDL cholestrol levels, and even slash the risk of colon cancer. How’s that for a natural fiber found in seaweed?

So where to go from here? Continue making simple, easy switches and pay attention to the ingredient labels on the foods you buy each week. Go simple and go natural, and be easy on yourself. And, if you’re feeling adventurous, add in some seaweed to a smoothie or your favorite dish this week!

Unleash Your Vitality,

– John Brackett

Leave a comment below and share your thoughts, ideas and opinions on this post!

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If you’re new to the concept of green smoothies, then you’re in for a treat. If you’re already familiar with them, then I’d love to hear your take on this post – as well as your personal favorites. If you’ve been around me for any length of time, you’ve probably seen me down at least a few “green smoothies”. What are these wild green drinks and why on earth would you want to drink one?

Green smoothies are fruit smoothies with added greens…blended in. It almost sounds outrageous until you get ahold of one and experience it firsthand. The truth is, green smoothies actually taste just like fruit smoothies, but deliver an unparalleled level of nutrition and personal energy for your day.

This morning is the perfect example: I woke up and relaxed to a tall glass of water first thing, and then made my way downstairs to the home gym setup for an amazing budokan workout (a vigorous blend of yoga, martial arts and meditation). The best post-workout meal? You guessed it: a green smoothie. If you’re ready for the challenge, I’ll give you today’s recipe: 2 cups of water as a base, 3 large bananas, 4 medium apples, a few handful of mixed berries and several large leaves of collard greens…all blended together. The net effect is a large, green smoothie; the net taste is a refreshing blend of bananas, apples and fresh berries.

If you’re looking for a way to have more energy in your day, feel better all day long, clear up your skin and just enjoy life more in general, green smoothies are one of the fastest ways to get there. It’s a daily ritual for me that’s second to none in health and fitness, but perhaps more importantly in mental clarity and peak performance. I like having a clear vision of the day ahead of me, and really being able to enjoy that day to the fullest.

Here’s the basic recipe so you can start enjoying life-changing nutrition today: 1.5 – 2 cups of water as the base, plenty of your favorite fresh fruits (like bananas, mangoes, papayas, apples, etc) and keeping it simple with 1-2 types of fresh greens (think spinach, kale, collard greens, swiss chard, lettuce, etc). You’ll find that the blender brings those greens down into such small particles that their absorption into your body brings in a rush of good health and wellbeing. You’ll find mental clarity and energy for your day, just from a green smoothie that tastes amazing anyway!

The challenge is on the table: just make one green smoothie for yourself within the next day or so. I promise you’ll be blown away!

Unleash Your Vitality,

John Brackett

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This week’s post is on something you can start doing tomorrow morning, and ideally every morning from here on out. It’s not a complicated routine, it’s not a certain meal, and it takes less than 30 second to do. What is it? This morning ritual is starting your day off with a large glass of water!

Sure, it sounds simple. But really think about how you start off every morning. Do you only occasionally start it off with a large glass or two of water? Do you head right over to breakfast and pour yourself a bowl of cereal? I’m not trying to put off your breakfast here! Here’s the small tweak: instead of doing your morning routine and then eating breakfast before heading out, pour yourself a tall glass or two of pure, clear water before you go about that morning routine. While you do your routine (shower, brush your teeth, whatever it may be) that morning hydration is surging through your body, getting things moving and cleansing the entire system…all before you even sit down for breakfast!

The reason I called this post “Weight Loss, Detox & Water” is because when you start to really get into this ritual every morning, you’ll find that the water does two things: it cleanses and detoxifies you, and it dramatically enhances weight loss. You already know that starting your day off with water leaves you feeling more energized and hydrated. But having a good amount of water first thing in the morning also gives your body a chance to go to work and get some of that debris out of there! Some of the most radical weight loss stories I’ve heard, mostly from women losing anywhere from 50-150 lbs, involve this one simple morning ritual. Don’t underestimate this one!

If you’re interested in weight loss at all, I really recommend just adopting this one quick habit. Try it for 7 days and see if you notice a difference in your weight, in how “light” you feel from starting to move out more toxins and wastes. Even better, make it a 21-day challenge and set a goal for yourself! While I know not everyone reading this wants to lose weight, I can guarantee that you’ll want to move as much waste out of your body as you can! Waste can do one of two things: stay stuck in your body and drain your energy levels or be flushed out. I’ll choose the second!

Try this one out if you haven’t picked up that morning ritual of starting out every day with 1-2 glasses of pure water. It’s worth the walk to the kitchen ;)

Unleash Your Vitality,

John Brackett