Boy, how time flies!

Dec. 23, 2015

Ugh! I have to apologize that it has been so long since I've blogged! The end of the year has been so insane, and I have gotten several emails asking what I've been up to and where have I been!
I can assure you it's all been good! I'm finishing up another book, this one is one Herbs and Supplements, I'm trying to expand my site, and with the holidays closing in fast, things just get nuts! 
So along with this craziness, as I'm sure you can all relate to, I'm getting less sleep and running around like a mad woman! I am trying to keep up with my health and keep my stress levels in check, but it's not always easy. The other day, I was up early after burning the midnight oil the night before, and I was pushing my limits. My sleep deprivation didn't hit me until about 1pm and I had a holiday party to attend to at my son's school so I knew I had to do something. So, I broke down and went to Starbucks. Yes, that's right I went to the ol' Buckys. I got a mocha and downed it like it was the last coffee I was ever going to have. I think I even burned my tonsils a little.
About twenty minutes later, this really weird feeling came over me. I was exhausted! Like WaBam exhausted and it hit me hard! I was dizzy and my eyes couldn't focus. I was wiped out! Wasn't the years' supply of sugar and caffeine supposed to take care of this? Now I felt even worse!   
I had very little time to figure my way out of this one, I had 37 fourth graders counting on my Christmas crafts! So I ran, better yet sludged my way, to my millions of health books and thumbed through, looking for anything to tell me what was up, until I found something that made perfect sense. First: don't consume a years worth of sugar in one sitting Second: when one isn't used to that much sugar and caffeine it can have an adverse effect.
Well, I do drink coffee, not a ton, but I do, and I do occassionaly go to Bucks. So why this time?
What I discovered is how you metabolize the caffeine and the sugar. I happen to have a very high metabolism, and even though it sounds like the coffee just wouldn't work on me because of that, strangely, depending on how the coffee is brewed will depend on how my body responds to it. If the coffee happens to have more sugar than coffee, my body could be responding to the excessive amount of sugar by actually crashing to protect it from overload. Instead of getting that super rush, my body actually shut down to metabolize the sugar. Sounds odd, but that's exactly what it felt like it was doing.
And come to find out there are a lot of people that go through this. I also know that some coffees have been harvested differently, or grown with a lot more chemicals. All these factors contribute to how I felt and how many others have felt when they drink coffee. I know that black coffee doesn't seem to do this to me and drinking my husbands acid free coffee gives me a lovley boost with zero side effects.
So what did I do to move me along in my zombie like state? I had a elementary school party to attend to!! I made a protein shake. I quickly mixed a scoop of good quality protein powder with some almond milk and chugged it down! Protein will counteract the effects of that sugar or caffeine crash. And it works quickly! Within ten minutes I felt like myself again, and I could go on with my day optimally.
So, if this ever happens to you, whether affected by a mugful of sugar/caffeine or just a crash from doing way to dang much this holiday, grab a protein shake. Protein gives you a boost of energy and it goes right to your muscles providing you with the much needed stamina to last the rest of the day. There are several types of protein, I actually alternate between a Whey or a Vegan Protein. Either is good as long as you're getting at least 16-25 grams per serving. Anything less won't do a whole lot.
Women need 45-60 grams of protein a day
Men need 65-80 grams
Children need 20-35 grams.
Good luck and Happy Holidays!!!!!!
Cheers!     

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