Amy's Inner Expert Leads her to Sleep Solution + more!

CLIENT: Amy Holton
Owner of Amy Holton Designs

PERSONAL DISCOVERIES:

TOMATOES: Significantly impact sleep quality and duration
• TURKEY: Impacts sleep quality
• CORN: Impacts weight holding
• SOY: Impacts digestion 
• DAIRY: Impacts weight holding
• WINE: Red or White impacts mental recall the day after

IN AMY'S WORDS:

"I actually found the Love Life Method over a year before I started the program, but it was never the right time. I was looking for a cleanse as I knew my body wasn’t quite right, but was determined to find one that was food based…not a fast. Being a bit obsessive (my husband would say “a lot”), it was never quite the right time. Finally, things slowed down and I jumped at the opportunity to go at it with full dedication. For me, working with the fantastic staff at the Love Life Method was truly a lot of fun. 


As I said to Kim when I started the program, it was an experiment with my body and I was to play the role of “Lab Rat.”  I’ve long been very interested in nutrition, various dietary practices and have quite a collection of books and websites on the subject. The program’s principles that food can affect the body as powerfully as a drug was in line with what I’d learned and believed through my own research.  Never mind I was armed with so many references, I chose to do the full, guided concierge program. I had some idea of what foods affected me, but I wanted validation from  someone with a tried and true, tested system. The Love Life Method taught me to trust my inner expert and to feel empowered by what my body was telling me.

I knew going in I’m gluten intolerant.  Further, I’d long suspected I reacted negatively to most grains…and beans, and corn which can be quite limiting when you’re gluten intolerant.  Immediately beans and rice were eliminated and symptoms subsided. When corn was later reintroduced, I reacted and it was promptly removed. A mild but chronic nasal congestion was eliminated with the removal of garlic, onions and later, citrus. I learned what protein sources my body responded to best. As I’d suspected, my body needs quite a bit of protein, but I did learn it didn’t need as much as I’d usually give it. 

Then there was the Holy Grail of food intolerances…tomatoes, peppers and turkey. I have long suffered from insomnia and was one of the great mysteries I was hoping to uncover. Sleeping 3-4 hours a night was not uncommon. As I started the program, I began sleeping so much better. Then we began reintroducing foods. Tomatoes are a favorite of mine and I love spicy food.  However, when we re-introduced nightshades, I immediately went back to my old sleep patterns. 

Tryptophan be damned, it happened again when we reintroduced turkey to my diet (though I learned I drop weight like a fiend eating turkey). Years of sleep issues were suddenly uncovered. Tomatoes are one of my favorite foods.  I used to keep a colander of cherry tomatoes on my counter and snack on them throughout the day. We love spicy food. Sliced turkey was a quick and easy protein fix on days I was too busy to make myself prepare a proper lunch.  Mystery solved. I miss my tomatoes, but the tradeoff is priceless.  Of course, it’s not that I can never have a tomato again or have to avoid Thanksgiving altogether, I’m just now empowered to pick my battles and make the decision to indulge in these favorites when I can afford a slow-moving day the next day.

A few days after I finished the program, we were to go spend several days with my family at the beach. I’d promised to bring a fresh salsa I regularly make that my family loves, though I knew most of the ingredients would not agree with me. I probably had 1-2 tablespoons of the salsa as I adjusted the seasonings…and I was awake all night! Proof positive that I had found my sleep nemesis. For all of the materials I’ve read, websites I’ve researched and options I’ve explored, the Love Life Method solved a life-long dilemma.  Now if I have a sleepless night, my husband (who was initially skeptical) will ask me, “What did you eat yesterday?”  It never fails that I can narrow my sleeplessness down to food.

All around the program was a great experience. Everyone was so wonderful to work with and I’ve recommended the program to so many others.  It’s interesting and eye-opening being the “Lab Rat.”  This program taught me a lot, validated what I thought was true and empowered me to trust my inner expert as the program teaches.  I always thought I knew my body quite well.  The Love Life Method taught me I knew it better than I thought…I just needed to trust my instincts.

Coconut Curry Seed Crackers - Our Obsession Continues!

Our obsession with seed crackers continues! Portable, high in protein, a whole food (if raw and dehydrated) - these are as good as it gets for healthy snacks.

Our new favorite: Living Spoonfuls Coconut Curry Crackers. The crisp crunch of the cracker pairs with the creamy, sweet and spicy infusion of your favorite Thai Coconut Curry Dish. We will be eating these regularly.

Note: They do contain nightshades and citrus - so if either of those is your poison, opt for one of our other recommendations. Everyone else - enjoy!


Available online or at JuiceLand on Barton Springs in Austin.

Kelly Kicked Cravings & Revved Up Her Energy!

CLIENT: Kelly McBride
Type 1 Diabetic, reduced insulin requirements by 65%

WEIGHT: 14 pound weight lost

PERSONAL DISCOVERIES:

• ARTIFICIAL SWEETENERS: Significantly Inflames Pain
• SOY: Increases Allergies and Negatively Impacts Digestion
• CITRUS: Impacts Mood Levels
• CHICKEN: Impacts Weight

IN KELLY'S WORDS:
"This has been a great experience and a wonderful learning opportunity! Losing 14 lbs in 6 weeks is absolutely incredible and the best part of the weight loss is that I was finally able to push past the plateau weight that I had struggled with FOREVER, and to keep it going!  

I’ve been a type 1 diabetic since I was two years old and daily insulin injections are part of my daily routine…that will never change, but a wonderful, unexpected outcome from this program was my 65% reduction in the amount of insulin I was taking every day. Talk about life changing!

The program takes work and dedication…and a lot of vegetable chopping, but it is worth it! To have more energy, to sleep better and to just feel so much better overall is worth the work.  It will change your life and your palate for the better!"

SeedWeed Snacks

So last month we featured these tasty little snacks we happily stumbled upon while road-tripping and we were immediately inspired to head to the test kitchen and try out a version for ourselves. We wanted to add a few LoveLife twists including using the least amount of sweetener by removing the brown rice syrup and sticking to the more flavorful maple as well as upping the seed factor. 


Easy to throw together, the end result is a crunchy, satisfyingly sweet and salty combo that makes for a great portable snack. The seaweed lends a briny spin and increases the overall mineral content while the seeds really work to satiate hunger and provide a pop of energy. Bring them on the road, the hiking trail or to work for a quick nut-free snacking solution.


If you have a dehydrator at home, even better! You could soak the seeds (all but the flax and chia) overnight and dehydrate the mixture for an even more nutritiously rocking snack.


INGREDIENTS:
Makes about 1/2 baking sheet

• 3 large, raw Nori Sheets (seaweed)
• 1/4 cup each of:
• Flax Seeds
• Chia Seeds
• Raw Sunflower Seeds
• Raw Pumpkin Seeds
• Sesame Seeds
• Scant 1/4 cup real maple syrup

INSTRUCTIONS: 

Preheat oven to 250 degrees. Mix together all the seeds with the maple syrup until all seeds are coated and the consistency is slightly tacky. 

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. With your hands (a bit of olive oil on the fingers makes for easy cleanup) press the seed mixture onto the parchment paper. We went with about 1/4 of inch thick. You could also use cookie cutters or form into thicker bars; the latter would require a longer baking time.

Pop the baking sheet in the oven. Because most ovens don't bake evenly you'll want to rotate the sheet about 15 minutes. Within 30-45 minutes you should start to smell the maple syrup permeate the house and the seeds turn a light golden brown, this means they are done. Remove from the oven and cool completely - this is where the crunchiness will really set in. 

Using a knife you can cut neat little crackers but we decided to use our hands to break apart the final result, more fun and just as tasty!