The Benefits of Collagen

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Updated: December 28, 2022

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Collagen is needed as We Age

Collagen is something I have always heard about but never really applied it to me until the last few years. I remember when I was younger seeing those Skincare commercials that would come on for aging skin and not even think about them. Now I start to take notice.  Now don’t get me wrong black women age well it’s the gift of melanin.

Nonetheless, we still age and elasticity, especially for someone who has lost a significant amount of weight, are not the same.  That is what initially peaked my interest in Collagen.  I was needed something to help this mom of three reduce her stretch marks and cellulite.

So, I gave it a try, and I found so many more benefits than the vanity of tighter skin. I found that it can help with my heart, liver, metabolism and so much more and I have been hooked ever since.

Age is a Number

When you hit the mid-twenties your ability to produce collagen begins to decrease the rapidness also increases as your age does. Depending on your diet you can add it, but most people don’t eat what they need to reverse the effects of aging.

That is why I recommend it  to my clients, friends, and anyone who says, “Man your hair looks really healthy.” I have been taking Collagen as a Supplement for over two years, and my hair is the healthiest, shiniest it has ever been.  My nails don’t get brittle during season changes anymore, and my skin has improved too.  A healthy lifestyle along with Collagen can be attributed to all of these things.

Collagen is such a natural, tasteless supplement that you can add to anything and get what you need for your body to function better. I have seven reasons why I suggest that you start finding creative ways to take it or just add it to your water bottle and chug away. No matter what you do, you should add this to your routine now!

7 Reasons you Need Collagen

7.  Helps to improve skins and nails

This is what initially made me seek Collagen as a supplement.  There was a study done with two group of women ages 35-55. Group A was given a placebo; group B was given one serving of collagen daily. (Schunck, Zague, Oesser, & Proksch 2015)

After eight weeks there was a visible improvement in the women who were given the Collagen skin tightness, moisture, roughness, appearance of stretch marks and cellulite.  There were also no adverse effects on the women who ingested the Collagen for eight weeks.  Like I said before, this is why I started using Collagen, but after a few weeks, your reasons would switch. Mine did!

6.  Helps with Digestive issues

Collagen has been known to really help patients who suffer from IBS, Chron’s disease, acid reflux and other digestive problems to help reduce or eliminate the symptoms.

It is an essential amino acid. It aids the connective tissue in your digestive system which can help “Seal and heal” your digestive lining. Usually, the cause of these issues is from inflammation of these connective tissues from poor diets of processed food.

A healthy diet that is not processed and adding Collagen to your diet can help restore the damage that has been done through poor diet choices.

5. Helps to reduce joint degeneration and joint pain

As we get older, the collagen that is in between our ones and joint begin to decrease. That is was cause the joint stiffness and aches and pains that we associate with aging.

Adding collagen supplements will help ease your joint discomfort as it will add that collagen that your body needs to provide less tension and more mobility in joints.  This is also fantastic for healing joint injuries and repair. I know that using it daily has helped me to recover from my ankle injury.

There have been studies that show athletes who increased there Collagen intake suffered less severe or no pain in previously injured joint injuries. (Clark, et al. 2008)

4. Helps to Boost your Muscle Mass, Metabolism and Energy

A study showed when you combine Vitamin C and Collagen it’s almost like magic, and it helps make the Collagen a more usable source of protein that is quickly absorbed. (Borumand & Sibilla 2014)

This is great when your body is seeking protein to build muscle or increasing your metabolism and an energy boost.  The Collagen Endurance has the perfect combination that makes this a great Pre or Post workout supplement.

Now, these boosts can only be seen with exercise activity, proper nutrition, and the consistently taking Collagen supplements for at least 12 weeks. I love drinking mine while I workout!

3.  Stronger Hair, Teeth, and nails

Collagen is the protein that is basically the foundation of your hair, nails, and teeth.  The degeneration of it as we age causes these things to weaken. Taking collagen will increase collagen  in your body that will make your hair, nails, and teeth stronger.

Personally, my nails are no longer brittle when the season change. My hair doesn’t get split ends as often. I don’t know if my teeth are stronger, but if I am the only Senior at the nursing home with my own teeth. I will be grateful for the collagen I took while I was young.

2. Increase your Liver Health

This one was a shocker, but as I was looking at research studies for Collagen, I found this to be very interesting and for some people could be life-saving.  Collagen is usually found in soft tissue and connective tissue.

The same “Seal and heal” Properties it has for your digestive lining you can think of the same concept for your liver. In the case of your liver in acts as an antioxidant in your liver. Flushing out the toxins and optimizing your liver health.

There are detox diets that promote a high amount of collagen intake for several days to reduce the effects of alcohol abuse and others things that can cause poor liver health.

I don’t recommend nor do I know if these detoxes work. There are studies that show that Collagen is great to cleanse your liver and support your health. (Mato & Lu 2007)

1.Helps you have a Healthy Heart

Collagen has been found through studies to help the body release fatty buildup that can be found on artery walls. (Nutrition Review, 2016) Allowing blood to flow optimally causing less stress on  the heart and allowing it to work at it’s best!

February being Heart Health Awareness month I found that this is the most important benefit of taking this supplement.

According to The Heart Truth, “Heart disease is the #1 killer of women in the United States.  One in four women dies of heart disease.  For African-American women, the risk of heart disease is especially great.  Heart disease is more prevalent among black women than white-women as are some of the factors that increase the risk of developing it, including high blood pressure, overweight and obesity, and diabetes.  But there’s good news too: You can take action and lower your chance of developing heart disease and its risk factors. In fact, women can lower their heart disease risk factors.  In fact, women can lower their heart disease by as much as 82 percent just by leading a healthy lifestyle.”

I would start by adding Collagen today!

What is Hydrolyzed Collagen?

It is a concentrated amino acid blend that is easier to digest, supports your bodies natural healing , doesn’t congile and is rapidly absorbed in your body for better nutrition.  It is great to help replace and repair cartilage damage and loss that is due to activity or aging.

Great Lakes gelatin is really affordable considering others in the market. It is the Original Collagen they were selling it before it was cool.  It’s taste great or actually the unflavored taste like nothing and it’s has one ingredient.  On-the-go convenient packets that you can take anywhere.

I have been trying my Great Lakes in everything from my oatmeal, smoothie bowls, soups, in my bulletproof coffee you name it.

So, if you don’t have any, grab you some, now because you should be living every day with GreatLakes Gelatin!

I also went LIVE on my Facebook Page the other day! It’s something NEW I am trying this year so I would love for you to Check it out and Subscribe and share if you found it helpful!

Do you  use Collagen? Did you know that you should be?

 

References

Schunck, Michael, et al. Journal of Medicinal Food, Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., 1 Dec. 2015, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4685482/.

Clark, K L, et al. “24-Week study on the use of collagen hydrolysate as a dietary supplement in athletes with activity-Related joint pain.” Current medical research and opinion., U.S. National Library of Medicine, May 2008, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18416885.

Borumand, Maryam, and Sara Sibilla. Clinical Interventions in Aging, Dove Medical Press, 2014, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4206255/.

Mato, José M., and Shelly C. Lu. “Role of S‐adenosyl‐L‐methionine in liver health and injury.” Hepatology, Wiley Subscription Services, Inc., A Wiley Company, 26 Apr. 2007, onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/hep.21650/full.

NutritonReview.org. “NutritonReview.org.”Nutrition Review, 18 July 2016, nutritionreview.org/2013/04/collagen-connection/.

 

This post was written in partnership with Great Lakes Gelatin Company and Fit Approach “#LiveWithGLG” Campaign. Although, I am being compensated my thoughts and opinions are my own check out my full disclosure policy 

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Getting Down at the Barre: Sweat Pink NJ First Event

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Updated: February 14, 2018

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Launch of Sweat Pink New Jersey

We were laughing-well kind of; our thighs were quivering, and I think I found a new muscle in my butt that now hates me but it was such a fun time! Last night, Sweat Pink NJ was hosted at Revolution 360 for our Sweat Pink Chapter Launch.

Sweat Pink

Sweat Pink is a community of active women (and men!) globally who love to sweat and socialize! It is a fitness group will include outdoor adventures, meetups, and monthly workouts. We just are a bunch of health enthusiast who wants to support other health enthusiasts. It really is that simple. People always ask me what it is? Yep, no catch! There are so people who just want to motivate and inspire other people. I am one of them, and if you are too then you should join us and become a Sweat Pink Ambassador!

Sweat Pink Ambassador?

I’ve been a Swear Pink Ambassador for three years. After my second Blogfest high I wanted to be more involved with the active women that I have over the last three years known through Social Media and blogfest.

(Have you heard about Blogfest? If you are a health enthusiast or fitness influencer, I URGE you to come, and we can meet in real life!)

These group of women are so supportive, inspiring and encouraging and just encouraging to be in a group of amazing women’s from all sorts of backgrounds, states and fitness passions.

We are stronger together, and I have never gotten such a sense of community like Sweat Pink.  When the email blast came out they were looking for Chapter Leaders I jumped up and raised my hand.

New Jersey has so many great opportunities to get active and coordinating events to have women from different backgrounds come together, and Sweat seemed like a great idea for 2018.

I set my goals, resolutions or whatever at the beginning of the year and the Top 3 are to get women together to help each other. I have some fantastic plans, and God is laying out some exciting things in the near and distant future in this area.

When the ladies at Sweat Pink started to help me set up the group, I was a lot anxious, but if all our events are like the Launch, I have no worries.

Revolution 360

First I had to find an equally empowering studio to have our first event! Revolution 360 is a Boutique gym in Moorestown, NJ my hometown.  My little town had grown a lot from when I was a kid. Part of that growth is gyms like Revolution 360 which is just walking distance from my old childhood home.

Nilsa is the owner and teaches lots of challenging sweat dripping classes. What I LOVE about Revolution is we don’t play any baby weights there; it is an all but one guy staff and of certified amazing instructors.  We all have our own weight loss fitness journey, and we do not play.

Resolution 360 offers a variety of classes: Strength and Conditioning, Booty Barre, Zumba, Butts and Guts, Cardio Circuit (yours truly teaches), Bootcamp, Tabata and always adding great and new classes that get members results.

Showing women how to properly train with heavy weight and getting rid of all gym intimidation;  While Nilsa starts to kick your butt once she turns on that mic.  This woman is a truly and genuinely loves to serve people.  She has a servants heart and will go out of her way for anyone that she meets. She is an amazing instructor and loved by everyone.

Booty Barre at Revolution 360

Nilsa did not disappoint in the least.  There were moments in the class I had to close my eyes and pray and then others where we felt super sexy doing some hip shaking and then again tears of pain-in a right way and oh and we were cracking up. (An extra ab workout)

The group of women who came was so fun, outgoing and although some ran, spin, or only took group classes.  We were got together and had a good time.

Now the event was Barre Now Wine Later, but there was no wine. It was Bring Your Own, and nobody drank. So, we sipped on water and ate some snacks and reflected on the last 45 minutes of getting our butts kicked.

These Ladies came out for a good workout, to hang out with other active women and have a good time which is what I hope for our events. I met some new Ladies who rather be moving on a Saturday night then sitting on the couch- my kind of women and will be adding to our Sweat Pink NJ family.

Sweat Pink New Jersey 2018

We have so much planned for this chapter and are working on some fun events, team races, and nutrition workshops.  I am eager to meet more women and celebrate each other this year.  If you are an active women whatever that activity may be and you want to get busy, you should join us at our next event until then you can find us on facebook!

Are you looking for a group to just chill or get sweaty with active women?

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Hamburger Salad with No Carb Buns

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Updated: June 2, 2018

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Hamburger Salad is a new take on classic meal

Hamburger Salad is one of those meals that without the bread has no carbs, but the bun is the second best part of the burger, am I right? Why have no carbs and your buns too? Week 2, of Carb Cycling and I have to say it is not going as bad as I had envisioned it before trying out this new way of eating.  It still requires the same amount of planning and prepping as my typical meal plan did. I am still eating lots of yummy food taking in 2300 calories of protein and produce.

Carb Cycling

I have just rearranged my meals to be lower in carbs or no carbs on certain days.  There is only one difference my high carb day is kind of like a “cheat day,” and I don’t believe in cheat days or partake in them. I think in the 80/20 rule and lots of grace. 80% of the time I eat proper portions and types of food and 20% of the time I indulge in a birthday cake, pizza, or a sweet treat that I want.

It’s all about balance when making a lifestyle changing, and when I hear diet, my rebellious nature starts making plans on how to avoid it.  When meal planning this week I thought what can I feed my family and not have to make a huge difference in what I am eating. Also, there has been a horrible lie spread around that healthy food has to be nasty. I am making it a point to prove that appalling myth false.

hamburger salad

Eating Healthy on a Budget HACK

Hamburger salad is a monthly staple and really yummy. It’s on our 30 day favorite meals list which allows my family to basically eat 30 different meals a month. I have managed to make a list of about 30 (actually 43 meals) that my family loves and only one person may complain if I set it on the table. I use this when planning out my meals week-to-week.  I have been meal planning for years because it keeps me sane, I don’t have to worry about what I am making for dinner which is half the battle.

Saves on groceries

It keeps my grocery bill low and on budget by planning out my meals I can utilize what I already have and just get what I need. I am on a mission when I hit the grocery store because it is one of my least favorite chores to do is grocery shop. I like to get in and get done.  It also keeps everyone on one page. I am not the best meal “prep-per” its something that I am working on.

Easy to make

Hamburger Salad is super easy like all my meals. The thing that gives it pizzazz is the super easy sauce. It taste like a classic burger on a bed of lettuce and its a fun healthy way to eat a classic.  I replaced your classic hamburger bun with a Cloud Bread Bun which has less than 1g of carbs making this an excellent meal for a Carb Cycle No Carb day and very filling.  What’s a classic meal with a twist that your family loves?

Print
Hamburger Salad (or Cheeseburger)

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

Hamburger Salad (or Cheeseburger)

Ingredients

  • 1 lb. ground chicken
  • 1/2 cup onions
  • 2 cloves of garlic
  • 2 plum tomato diced (1 sliced)
  • 1/4 cup of scallions sliced
  • 2 Tbsp Coconut or Olive Oil
  • 1/2 cup of True Made Food Ketchup
  • 3 Tbsp of Mustard
  • 2 Tbsp or pickles diced
  • Salt and pepper to tast
  • Avocado, sliced (optional)

Instructions

  1. Saute onion and garlic in Coconut or Olive Oil for 2-3 minutes
  2. Brown Ground turkey in Onion garlic
  3. Mix Ketchup, mustard, salt and pepper in small bowl
  4. Add Ketchup mix to browned turkey
  5. Add pickles and tomatoes let simmer 5-7 minutes
  6. Serve on a salad mix with toasted buns or Cloud bread

Notes

For Cheeseburger Salad just add shredded cheese

Schema/Recipe SEO Data Markup by Yummly Rich Recipes
https://faithfueledmoms.com/hamburger-salad-no-carb-buns/

 

 

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Four Ways to Get Your Family to Eat Clean

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Updated: January 5, 2020

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How to convert Drive Thru Junkies to Clean Eaters

It was like a movie….The most amazing thing happened the other night at dinner my kids fought over the last brussel sprout did you read that correctly my kids fought over the last brussels sprout. I never thought that the battle over clean eating would be won. Two years ago that would have never been the case. After a long road, my girls try new things every other week willingly. They look forward to baking new goodies to try and have mostly adopted a healthy lifestyle. Don’t get me wrong they’ll still welcome without hesitation a Happy Meal but from a recovering drive thru junkie family. Always driving around. Going places and never enjoying what was in front of them.

How to change your family to a clean diet

About two and a half years ago I decided to try to change our processed food lifestyle into a “clean eats” lifestyle. I probably got it from a blog post or Social Media. At first, I tried to try it on my own, but then I was invited to a meeting. I was introduced to information about GMOs, wheat, corn and soy mayhem. I left the meeting wanting to feed my family better and putting my foot down. We didn’t go cold turkey, but there was a drastic change in our shopping and meals. I stopped using helper sides: mac and cheese, rice sides, pasta sides; Anything that came preseasoned; canned goods, baking mixes. All donated or thrown away. That left me with food that you had to prepare every meal from scratch.

Homemade meals every night without my “just add water” side was an overwhelming task. I tried a few different methods of meal prep too and then I found a system that works for me. The more I became fluent in processed free, clean eats that took less than 30 minutes it became easier.

cleaneats

We are not 100% Clean Eaters and that’s okay

Now I tell people we are about 85% clean that leaves 10% “real ingredient” processed and 5% junk. What I would define as real ingredient junk, are foods that are processed in a kitchen other than my own but has real ingredients. I buy pasta, rice, quinoa, oats, dried fruit, nuts, etc. I also buy chips, crackers and frozen pizza for my kids and husband. We’ve come a long way from our old diet and are still progressing forward.

The 5% junk those are McDonald’s Happy Meals, donuts from D&D ,birthday cake, icecream, and a Philly Pretzel is my middle diva’s weakness. We live by an 80/20 rule trying to honor our temple but living in grace. I know that eventually, we will be fully clean. My girls can’t even eat school lunch anymore because it makes their stomach hurt. Treats and desserts last longer in my house now too. When I do bake, I try to use natural sugar such as date paste and raw honey. I will also use pure cane sugar, but either way treats last longer.

So, as I watch them fight over a Brussels sprout (I’ll have to make more next time). I am so grateful that I learned how to honor my temple better and my family initially rebellious and unwilling came around and preferred a clean lifestyle too.

cleaneats

Four ways to get your family on board with a clean lifestyle

1. Pick 5 have them pick five processed foods they can’t live without (french fries and frozen pizza is ours) Although, once in a while I get away with homemade french fries.
2. Family favorites try to make family favorites healthy and from scratch. Your rendition probably tastes a lot better than Stouffers.
3.Meal Prep & Plan You don’t have to precook all your meals. I don’t! I make a list for the week compare it to our schedules. I like to preseason and label the meats and freeze. That way it’s defrosted, bake, grill, whatever and mostly prepped. Vegetables clean and bag in advance. I don’t cut mine, but they are washed, dried and stored, or you can make everything in advance, freeze and have ready to throw in the oven. Whatever is going to prevent you from stopping at the drive-thru on the way home or grabbing a precooked processed meal.
4.Slow down so you can speed up. Going cold turkey will cause your family to revolt and not adopt. Ease them into it and give them grace. They didn’t decide to change their lifestyle mama ( or daddy) did so they may be slow to adopt. They will fight you, stay strong and just try to make fresh alternatives. The younger they are, the easier it is, but eventually, everyone will feel want to continue to feel better and hopefully they’ll be fighting over Brussels sprouts too.

Are you trying to eliminate processed food from your diet? Did you

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I am doubting my limits in 2018

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Updated: January 29, 2018

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I ended my 2017 pretty eventful. I have never been an athlete until recently, so I never injured myself until the middle of December. I want to say that I was doing some really cool lift or crazy feat of strength, but nope, not me I was warming up took a small hop and tore my ATF Ligament in my ankle. Oh OUCH, right?

It initially sounded worse than it felt but four weeks into recovery and yep, that bad boy hurts.  I have never been seriously injured, and I have also never been active every day, so both have had their mental ups and downs.  Reflecting can be nice because you can have a new appreciation for events, things and moments.

Putting and end to doubt

2017 was the best year that I have had in a long time and truly was for so long the year has ended, and I wished I would have done more, tried things, experienced more and limit myself less.

Last year, I ran the Tough Mudder, and I went to the race alone. Yep, I had intended to go with a team, but the only person that I kind of knew on the team couldn’t go last minute, and that left me all by myself. I wasn’t going to go for that very reason. I actually cried a little on how pathetic it was that I had no one to do the race with, but I still drove out there all alone.

By Godcidence I quickly was on a team of misfits.  We all had been left to go the race alone. Somehow, some way and stumbled upon each other and did the run as a team; we called ourselves “Team-No Team.”  I haven’t spoken to any of those people since that day, but they were part of a pivotal moment in my fitness journey.They helped me change my mindset.

That Mud Run was my beginning goal realized. When I had set out on this fitness journey, it was after I had run the Rugged Maniac at 205 lbs. 5ft 3 inches tall. I vowed to myself to run the race again in better shape, and I set out on that mission.  Then the day of the race came, and I did it alone.  It was the most empowering moment because I realized that I could do anything that I set my mind to there is nothing limiting but myself.  That day awakened a women who now see’s mountains as potential to be conquered.

Stop Limiting My Options

I couldn’t have found the Gixo app at a better time. So, I am starting the year off with one foot, can’t train like  I used to, can’t train others and I need a little motivation.  One day in a bit of pity party I decided to download the Gixo app and give it a try.  Sometimes you just need someone to tell you what to do.  I tried the Total Core class because I figured I didn’t really have to modify the instructors will for me (even better) and fell in love.

It’s just what I need right now while I am home and can’t get to a gym.  I can pick a class schedule, join others so I won’t feel so alone and real-time see and talk to the group instructor who was able to modify the moves for me.  They also made a note so now when I pop into other classes they already have some modifications for me.  It was the motivation I needed to get back to a new routine and new workout program until my ankle heals from home.

My injury is the “mountain” that I am beginning my year with and while everyone rushed to the gym January 1st, and I have to watch from the sidelines, and it stinks! But by Godcidence I was asked to participate in the Fit Approach, and Gixo App Campaign which I am absolutely in love with and I started a little early because I need to tell myself these things. I needed to remind myself that the limits that I have set are only in my head, that we can do anything that we give our heart and desire to and something that I always know to be true is that I am the daughter of a limitless King.

I am so excited to be joining forces with Sweat Pink and Gixo App to try new workouts.I am looking forward to sharing with women and remind them that we are limitless. We can do it alone, do it scared, follow our dreams, be all the things if that is what we choose to do. What we cannot do; is put the limit on our potential.

Would you join us in spreading a message of positivity, inspiration and motivation and share what or who makes you limitless this month? You can use hashtags: #IAmLimitless

But I am curious to know; How are you going to live Limitless this year and will you join us in spreading the message of our untapped ability to be limitless?

 

 

This post was written in partnership with Gixo Fit and Fit Approach “I am Limitless” Campaign. Although, I am being compensated my thoughts and opinions are my own check out my full disclosure policy 

 

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