Happy Holidays! The holiday season is upon us, and if you’re determined to shed some pounds before the year ends, you’re in the right place! While many people anticipate gaining weight during the festive season, we’re flipping the script. Here are 10 effective tips to help you lose 10-15 pounds by Christmas and set the stage for a healthier start to the new year.

1. Go Green for Rapid Results:

Load up on nutrient-packed green leafy veggies like kale, collards, spinach, turnip, mustard, and beet greens. Whether you juice them, make a green smoothie, or incorporate them into your meals, these greens will not only aid in weight loss but also cleanse and energize your body.

2. Chill With the Red Meat:

Limit your red meat consumption to 2-3 times a week. Opt for leaner protein sources such as fish, seafood, and chicken. This change helps reduce saturated fat intake and contributes to a healthier, more balanced diet.

3. Say NO to These 5 Foods:

Eliminate five key culprits now until Christmas: white sugar, white rice, white potatoes, white bread, and white pasta. This simple step can accelerate your weight loss and improve overall health.

4. Hydrate with a Purpose:

Stick to water and green tea exclusively for now until Christmas day. Ditch sodas, diet drinks, and store-bought juices. Green tea, in particular, not only adds flavor but also boosts energy, aids in fat burning, and slows down the aging process.

5. Clean the Gut, Lose the Gut:

Some of your excess weight is not all fat; some of it is excess toxins and waste that need to be eliminated. Consider incorporating Tummy Focus as a colon cleanse solution and do a 7-day or 10-day colon cleanse to help you remove toxins that are causing excess weight in the body.

6. Be Inspired:

Sometimes you need some motivation to lose weight. Read about others’ success on their weight loss journey and let this motivate you. If others are losing weight, you can do it too! Read these inspiring success stories.

7. Move More Stress Less:

Make a small but impactful change by opting for stairs over elevators or escalators. Additionally, prioritize stress reduction over the next 21 days. Adequate rest and distance from stressful relationships can contribute to belly fat reduction and overall well-being.

8. Minimize Stress and Drama:

Take a break from stress-inducing situations and people. Optimize your mental health by reducing interactions with those who cause unnecessary drama. Focus on relaxation and self-care during this holiday season.

9. Upgrade Fast Food Choices:

If fast food is unavoidable, opt for healthier choices like oatmeal for breakfast or salads for lunch and dinner. Make conscious decisions to choose nutritious options wherever you eat, maintaining a focus on better food choices.

10. Join JJ’s Finish Strong Challenge:

For a structured weight loss plan, consider joining JJ’s Finish Strong Challenge — a weight loss challenge running from October to the end of the year. This challenge promises to help folks lose 30 pounds before 2024, providing a supportive community and effective strategies for success.

Bonus: Educate Yourself for Long Term Success:

Knowledge is power when it comes to weight loss. Instead of relying on outdated advice, equip yourself with the latest insights. Be sure to download my app, Level Up with JJ Smith to stay connected with a supportive and like minded community all focused on the goal of looking and feeling our best! Also, read and re-read my books, to gain valuable knowledge for a healthier and more sustainable weight loss journey.

This Christmas, give yourself the gift of a healthier, happier you. Follow these tips, embrace the challenge, and step into the new year with confidence and vitality!

Does it seem like no matter what you do, your cravings for sweets just won’t go away? If you struggle with sweets like I do and so many others, it is likely due to the fact that your brain has developed a sugar habit that is very difficult to break. Constantly craving sweets starts off as just a habit but can quickly escalate to an addiction. Although it may seem unusual to think about, sugar addiction is a real thing and it can have a negative impact on your health much like addictions to other substances like alcohol or drugs. Dopamine, the chemical that causes “feel good” emotions, is released into the body when sugar-containing foods are consumed. Every time you eat a sweet sugary snack or drink your favorite sugary beverage, sugar appeals to your brain and makes you feel happy, better known as dopamine. The psychological effect of sugar is that it causes the release of this dopamine and can stimulate the creation of serotonin, a hormone that can improve your mood. It’s a combination of a chemical reaction and nostalgia.

The fact that your brain constantly and subconsciously craves sugar is the secret that food makers work so hard to keep from you. The body starts to develop a tolerance when certain foods are consumed frequently or in excess. Once your brain develops a dependency on sugar, greater amounts of sugar needs to be consumed to have the same benefits. The use of drugs and alcohol follows a similar pattern, developing gradually into dependence and addiction. Similar to these chemicals, sugar makes the brain crave more leading to potential physical and psychological effects as well as long-term health risks.

Risks of sugar addiction?

Some risks of sugar addiction may include:

• Weight Gain/Obesity
• Diabetes
• Cardiovascular disease

A sugar addiction can turn into a vicious cycle. When you first consume sugar, it tastes delicious and gives you a “high” because your brain releases dopamine. Your insulin levels rise as a result of the sugar, which lowers your blood sugar levels. Your appetite and hunger rise as your blood sugar levels drop. Once again, your body will seek sugar to satisfy any hunger cravings or uneasy feelings, even if they are only temporary. Sugar is very addictive. Up to 75% of the processed foods you consume include a sweetener, and even consuming so-called “healthy” amounts of it can result in health issues. When you consume sugar, both the inside and outside of your body experience unhealthy degeneration. Every year it seems we learn more and more about how extremely dangerous and lethal even modest doses of artificial sugar can be.

Do you have an addiction to sugar? Here are 5 warning signs to watch out for. If any of these describe your behavior, you may have a sugar addiction:

1. You experience sugar withdrawal
2. You hide or deny your sugar habit
3. You use sugar as a means of motivating yourself or as a reward
4. You crave sweet and salty foods even when you’re not hungry
5. You go out of your way to get sugar

Drop the sugar habit

Eight out of ten Americans are attempting to reduce their sugar intake, according to the American Heart Association. On average, adults take in about 77 grams of sugar daily. Over the course of a year, that comes up to nearly 60 pounds of sugar. That’s like carrying around 12 sacks of sugar. Imagine putting that into your body!

The Mayo Clinic advises giving your body a two-week break from sweets if you’re committed to stopping your sugar addiction. Try to limit yourself to foods with little to no added sugars or sweeteners; aim for less than 5 grams of added sugar per serving. But remember, this doesn’t have to be an entire detox.

Begin by avoiding sugary beverages. They are the sole problem, being responsible for roughly half of the added sugars consumed in America. Up to 10 teaspoons of sugar can be found in a 12-ounce can of soda. In just five or six gulps of your favorite soda, you can consume more sugar than you should each day.

Look for words that finish in “ose” as a general rule, such as sucrose, fructose, glucose, maltose, lactose, or dextrose. This indication makes it easier to identify additional sugars. Also, don’t be fooled by ingredients that seem healthier for you.

Making healthier choices

Start by including more whole foods in your diet, such as whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and lean meats. Natural sugars are still present in many fruits and vegetables, but the starch and fiber in these foods slow the digestive process and make you feel fuller. Read WebMD’s blog post on healthy carbs to find out more.

If you need an after-dinner snack that can fulfill your sugar cravings without making you feel like you’ve cheated, choose fruits like blueberries, raspberries, or blackberries as berries are typically a low-sugar option.

While giving up those sugar-filled beverages is difficult, try replacing them with water or flavored sparkling water. Without the additional sugar or calories from soda, the carbonation will imitate the fizz from your favorite drink.

Be cautious of hidden sugars that are frequently added to low-fat goods while choosing foods at the grocery store. Fat tends to give things flavor, therefore cutting it out of products might make them tasteless. To make their products more palatable, food producers add sugar back into their products. Any health benefits you may believe a product with less fat offers you may be offset by its high sugar or additive content. It’s vital to keep in mind that breaking poor sugar habits doesn’t require an abstinence from sugary foods or drinks. Take charge instead by adding a little sugar. For instance, as a reward for yourself, add a little honey to your yogurt; which is the better alternative for pre-packaged flavored yogurts with additional sugar.

Tips to break from your sugar addiction

• Add your own sweetener
  • For example, start with an unsweet iced tea, then add your own sweetener:
    • Splenda
    • Truvia
    • Stevia in the raw
• Watch for artificial sugars
  • Look for words that finish in “ose” as a general rule, such as sucrose, fructose, glucose, maltose, lactose, or dextrose.
• Avoid sweetened drinks
  • Soda, sweetened teas, sugary sports drinks

Sugar is full of empty calories and has little to no nutritional value. These calories have the potential to make you gain weight, which raises your risk of heart disease and stroke.

In actuality, sugar isn’t much different from a delicious fast food meal or a comfort food item. Because of their high glycemic index, these carbs convert quickly to glucose. You may feel wonderful throughout this quicker digestive process, but hunger will quickly set in since sugary foods lack nutrition and leave you feeling unsatisfied.

Get in touch with your primary care physician to find out more about how to implement changes before you make any dietary adjustments or think about eliminating sugar from your daily routine. If you have additional questions, post them on the JJ Smith Facebook Community page.

A lot of people have a general sense that a colon cleanse is beneficial for their health but many have questions on how to do one safely and naturally. I want to make sure you have the information you need about natural colon cleansing and the signs that suggest you may need one.

I put together this colon cleanse FAQ as a one-stop resource for all your questions related to colon cleansing. Now, if you don’t see your question answered here, please post it on the JJ Smith Facebook Community page and I’ll make sure to answer.

What is a colon cleanse?

The purpose of a colon cleanse is to force the colon to expel its contents and draw out old fecal matter. One of the main theories behind colon cleansing is the belief that undigested meat and other foods can cause mucus buildup in the colon. This buildup produces toxins, which enter the blood’s circulation, poisoning the body. Thus, colon cleansing is a naturally easy way to detox toxins from the body or neutralize them and clear out excess mucus and congestion.

Why do I need a colon cleanse?

Natural colon cleansing has several health advantages, including improved digestion and weight loss. However, there are many other health benefits you should be aware of. A colon cleanse can help solve digestion troubles like irregular bowel movements or constipation. In addition, natural colon cleansing helps the body get rid of harmful toxins which can poison your blood and cause irreparable damage to your brain, heart and other major organs.

What does the colon do?

A crucial component of your internal plumbing system is the colon. The tubular organ operates continuously to eliminate waste from your body. The colon, which is a component of the digestive system, collaborates with the stomach and small intestine to eliminate stool and keep your fluid and electrolyte balance in check. Water, certain nutrients, and electrolytes are taken out of partially digested food by the colon. The remainder passes through the colon, is stored in the rectum, and is expelled from the body through the anus as solid waste. By removing toxins, increasing energy, and strengthening your immune system, colon cleansing enhances health.

Colon cleansing is great for folks who struggle to have a bowel movement every day. Constipation is no fun as anyone who has experienced it can surely attest. When you undergo a colon cleanse, you reduce the likelihood of constipation. Some people rave about the benefits of a colon cleanse and its ability to decrease bloating, gas, and constipation. However, for me, it’s the detoxification benefits of eliminating impacted toxins and acidic waste from the digestive tract that provides the biggest benefit.

A poor diet that deprives someone of essential nutrients can cause the intestinal walls to become lined with a plaque-like substance that is not healthy. Colon cleansing not only helps remove the junk from intestinal walls, it also allows waste to pass off more freely. The other noticeable benefit is the elimination of diarrhea, which is normally caused by toxins and can cause problems for the whole process of solidifying the waste.

How will I know if I need a colon cleanse?

Oftentimes, your body will let you know if there’s a problem. Troubles with digestion and/or irregular bowel movements are clear indicators you may need a colon cleanse. However, do not overlook these seemingly commonplace indicators of distress on your body. They too may point to signs that it’s time for a colon cleanse:

1. Continuous weight gain
2. Generally tired or fatigued
3. Lack of a full night’s sleep
4. Less frequent bowel movements

Do not ignore or brush these symptoms. They could point to future serious health complications that could be solved more immediately with the help of a colon cleanse.

Is colon cleansing safe?

When done moderately, natural colon cleansing is safe. Regardless, see your doctor to make sure you use them as effectively as possible. Possible side effects of intense cleanses include:

• nausea
• vomiting
• dizziness
• dehydration
• electrolyte imbalances
• cramping
• perforation (a tear in the rectum)
• infection

Stop your cleanse immediately and consult your doctor if any of these symptoms appear. If you choose to try colon cleansing through an oral supplement (like my Tummy Focus) then be sure to read the ingredients thoroughly. You want to look for supplements that are packed with ingredients such as herbs, plant fibers and natural laxatives.

Congratulations for taking charge of your health!

I hope this colon cleanse FAQ answers your questions about colon cleansing, detoxing, and health benefits.

Remember to subscribe to my mailing list to stay up to date with my latest articles, books, and products to help you lower your blood sugar, kickstart your metabolism, support your liver health, and live your best life.

So many of you are contacting me with your questions about blood sugar and how it impacts your health. Thank you for staying curious and being invested in your health and wellness. Knowledge truly is power – the more you understand about the connection between blood sugar and your weight, health, and energy levels – the better.

My goal with this blood sugar FAQ is to give you one resource for all of your questions about high blood sugar symptoms, how to lower your blood sugar, and how your blood sugar levels affect your ability to lose weight and keep it off.

This FAQ is organized into two sections:

• General blood sugar questions and answers
• Blood Sugar Focus product specific questions

To stay up to date with the latest on blood sugar and your health, subscribe to my mailing list.

What is blood sugar?

Blood sugar is a key energy source and it helps deliver nutrients to your organs, muscles, and nervous system. Blood sugar is often referred to as glucose.

The foods and beverages you consume are your blood sugar source. Your blood sugar levels fluctuate based on the types of foods and drinks you consume. Foods that are high in fast-acting carbohydrates or sugar cause your blood sugar levels to spike, giving you a temporary energy boost.

Why are my blood sugar levels important?

Your blood sugar levels are important because they impact your health, energy levels, and ability to lose weight and keep it off. When your blood sugar levels are too high or low, you are at risk for a range of serious health complications.

The consequences of a blood sugar level that is outside the normal range for adults, include type 2 diabetes, hyperglycemia (high blood sugar), hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), obesity, heart disease, immune system impairment, seizures, nerve damage, blood vessel and kidney issues, and vision problems.

Maintaining normal blood sugar levels makes it easier for your body to:

• Reduce your risk of disease and illness
• Properly absorb nutrients from food
• Lose stored body fat and maintain a healthy weight
• Maintain consistent energy levels.

What causes my blood sugar levels to fluctuate?

There are three primary causes for fluctuating blood sugar levels:

1. Food. Your body breaks down everything you eat and absorbs it in different ways. Carbohydrates are converted to blood sugar, impacting your energy levels and stored body fat. Carbohydrates from drinks like soda or energy drinks are absorbed more quickly than the carbohydrates in oatmeal or bread. Eating high carbohydrate and sugary foods causes your blood sugar to spike, encouraging your body to store fat.
2. Exercise. Because your body uses blood sugar for energy, the amount of exercise you do causes your blood sugar levels to fluctuate. If you exercise regularly, your body slowly adjusts the way it uses insulin, this can help you keep your blood sugar levels inside the normal range for adults.
3. Insulin. Insulin is a hormone made by your pancreas and is essential to blood sugar level regulation. Insulin helps you absorb blood sugar into your bloodstream. People with type 1 diabetes cannot produce insulin and have to inject it daily to ensure correct blood sugar absorption. If you have type 2 diabetes, your body produces insulin, but is not able to use it properly, causing an excess blood sugar in your bloodstream.

What is the connection between blood sugar and energy?

The foods and drinks you consume are converted to blood sugar and this is what gives you energy. The American Diabetes Association explains the connection between blood sugar, energy, and body fat:

When you eat, your body breaks food down into sugar and sends it into the blood. Insulin then helps move the sugar from the blood into your cells. When sugar enters your cells, it is either used as fuel for energy right away or stored for later use.

When you eat high carbohydrate or sugary foods, you cause your blood sugar levels to spike. This gives you very short bursts of energy followed by a feeling of fatigue or sleepiness. If you eat too many foods high in carbohydrates, it is difficult for your body to absorb and use this excess sugar. Instead of using this excess sugar for energy, your body converts it to stored body fat.

What are high blood sugar symptoms?

Do not ignore high blood sugar symptoms and signs, these can be an indicator of a serious health problem. If you are experiencing high blood sugar symptoms, please discuss them with your doctor.

Mild high blood sugar signs and symptoms include:

• Frequent peeing: to help remove excess blood sugar, your kidneys work overtime, forcing you to pee frequently.
• Constant thirst: because you’re peeing so much, you become dehydrated and very thirsty.
• Very low energy: high blood sugar makes it difficult for your body to process insulin correctly, making it difficult to get the energy you need.
• Increased hunger: when you’re low on energy, your body wants more blood sugar so it can create the energy you need, and the only way to get this is from food. This hunger triggers a secondary response tricking your body into converting blood sugar into fat and storing it for future use, making it very difficult for you to lose weight.

Please do not ignore these signs and symptoms of moderate to severely high blood sugar. Contact your doctor immediately if you or someone you know has these signs and symptoms:

• Blurry vision
• Excessive thirst
• Light-headedness
• Hot, dry, flushed skin
• Drowsiness, restlessness, or struggles to stay awake
• High heart rate and weak pulse
• Deep and rapid breathing
• Stomach pain, vomiting, or no appetite
• Very strong, fruity breath.

What will lower my blood sugar?

We all struggle with stress eating, the mid-afternoon snack attack, and blood sugar spikes that leave us lethargic and low. When you can maintain consistent blood sugar levels, you have more energy throughout the day, can more easily release stored body fat, and prevent the onset of serious health conditions.

To lower your blood sugar and keep it within a normal range for adults, follow these blood sugar level tips:

1. Cut down on the amount of fast-acting carbohydrates you eat. Fast-acting carbohydrates are the foods that spike blood sugar, such as white bread, soda, candy, baked goods, and white rice or pasta. Instead of these fast-acting carbohydrates, eat more slow-acting carbohydrates like whole wheat bread, brown rice, large flake oats, sweet potatoes, couscous, bananas, lentils, and butternut squash for a steady energy release during the day and stable blood sugar levels.
2. Exercise regularly. Exercise helps you relieve stress, build muscle, burn calories, and regulate your insulin levels. Regular exercise trains your body and muscles to use blood sugar for energy and fuel, preventing the storage of excess body fat and insulin resistance.
3. Focus on fiber. Fiber is essential for good digestion, easy pooping, and slowing blood sugar absorption. So many people miss out on fiber because they are not eating fruits, vegetables, and slow-acting carbohydrates. A high-fiber diet helps you regulate your blood sugar levels and makes you feel full, preventing you from overeating.
4. Stay hydrated. When you pee, you flush extra blood sugar from your body. When you’re dehydrated, you stop peeing, causing a buildup of blood sugar and the trickle-over impacts of high blood sugar spikes and weight gain.
5. Manage your stress. All of us stress eat. When we stress eat, we turn to our favorite carbohydrate- and sugar-rich foods. This causes a blood sugar spike, low energy, an increased appetite, more eating, and weight gain.
6. Take a supplement proven to promote healthy blood sugar levels. Blood Sugar Focus naturally reduces glucose absorption and production. This proprietary blend of herbs and minerals supports healthy blood sugar levels, helping you to lose weight, maintain consistent energy levels, and provides specific support for pre-diabetes and diabetes.

What Vitamins and Nutrients Help Stabilize Blood Sugar?

The good news is a healthy diet that features a wide variety of fruits, vegetables, fiber, lean proteins, whole grains, and healthy fats can give you the key nutrients vitamins you need to maintain stable blood sugar levels.

However, there are times when it’s hard to eat a healthy and balanced diet every single day. You’re busy! I’m busy – I get it. I found it’s easier to drill down and make sure I get the right nutrients and vitamins for blood sugar health when I’m reminded of exactly what my body needs.

These vitamins and nutrients help stabilize blood sugar:

• Cinnamon: this soothing spice and common baking product may help give your body’s cells support when responding to insulin. A 3-month study of people with type 2 diabetes who took either 120 or 360 mg of cinnamon extract before eating breakfast had an 11% or 14% decrease in their fasting blood sugar.
• Gymnema Sylvestre: this herb is very common in Ayurveda to treat and manage diabetes. Studies suggest that gymnema sylvestre may lower sugar absorption in your stomach and help improve how your cells absorb sugar from your blood.
• Eriomin Glucose is a clinically studied blend of flavonoids formulated to address prediabetes. This completely natural and science-backed blend helps maintain blood sugar levels within the normal range.
• Alpha-Lipoic Acid: often called ALA, this powerful antioxidant is created by your liver and is available in some foods including broccoli, spinach, and red meat. This super antioxidant may strengthen insulin sensitivity and change how your cells manage the sugar in your blood.

What is the Best Blood Sugar Supplement?

The best blood sugar supplement is completely natural and uses ingredients proven by science to help support stable blood sugar levels, improve insulin management, and is safe for people with diabetes, pre-diabetes, or insulin resistance.

The best blood sugar supplement has the following health benefits:

• Healthy sugar and carb absorption
• Normal insulin sensitivity
• Healthy inflammation response
• Healthy cell function
• Healthy weight management

I want you to make an informed decision about the blood sugar supplement you use. Make sure you read this entire FAQ about blood sugar, Blood Sugar Focus. The more informed you are – the more you’re in control of your health and wellness!

What Are the Benefits of Blood Sugar Focus?

Blood Sugar Focus is a dietary supplement that helps you naturally maintain your health, weight, and energy. Blood Sugar Focus helps to maintain normal blood glucose levels, supports stable insulin sensitivity, maintains a healthy inflammation response, and reduces your carbohydrate and sugar cravings.

Who is Blood Sugar Focus For?

Blood Sugar Focus is helpful for people who are pre-diabetic or diabetic. Blood Sugar Focus is clinically proven to maintain blood glucose levels within the normal recommended range and support normal insulin sensitivity.

Because Blood Sugar Focus stabilizes blood sugar levels and prevents blood sugar spikes, people who want to lose weight benefit from Blood Sugar Focus. When your blood sugar levels are stabilized, your body is in fat-burning mode and no longer stores the energy from carbohydrates, sugar, and other foods as fat.

How Do I Take Blood Sugar Focus?

Start your health journey with 2 Blood Sugar Focus capsules after dinner with a glass of water. If you want to accelerate your health progress, take 1 additional capsule with breakfast.

Always remember to consult your doctor before taking a new supplement and follow their dosage recommendations.

What is Eriomin and Why is it In Blood Sugar Focus?

Eriomin is a patented and clinically (human trials) proven blend for blood glucose management. Eriomin is clinically proven to maintain blood glucose levels within the normal range, help support normal insulin sensitivity, help manage a healthy inflammation response, and to reverse prediabetes.

Read more about Eriomin Glucose and why it is included in Blood Sugar Focus.

I hope this blood sugar FAQ answers your questions about the connections between high blood sugar and your health, weight, and energy levels. Make sure you subscribe to my mailing list so you can keep up with my latest articles, books, and products to help you stay slim, feel great, and live your best life.

Remember high blood sugar levels can lead to serious health consequences – please talk to your doctor if you’re experiencing any high blood sugar symptoms.

Eriomin Glucose is a clinically studied blend of flavonoids formulated to address prediabetes. This completely natural and science-backed blend helps maintain blood sugar levels within the normal range.

I want you to know all you can about managing your blood sugar levels naturally and safely. For me, Eriomin Glucose is a life-changer. In fact, Eriomin Glucose is one of the key ingredients in Blood Sugar Focus.

Now, remember, your blood sugar levels impact every aspect of your life. Your energy levels, belly fat, overall health, and disease prevention are all linked to your blood sugar.

It’s important to me that you know why we use the ingredients we do in Blood Sugar Focus. There are no secrets here! I want you to know what you’re putting in your body and why!

Keep reading to learn:

• More about the facts, science, and research around Eriomin Glucose
• The health benefits of Eriomin Glucose
• Blood sugar levels and how these impact your health
• 6 ways to lower your blood sugar naturally

Subscribe to my mailing list and join the JJ Smith Facebook Community page to stay updated with the latest from me on your blood sugar levels, health, and feeling and looking fantastic.

What is Eriomin Glucose?

Eriomin Glucose is a clinically studied blend of flavonoids uniquely formulated to address prediabetes. Eriomin’s proprietary blend is primarily composed of Eriocitrin. Eriocitrin is clinically shown to support healthy blood glucose function, generate potent antioxidant activity and help manage inflammation within the healthy range.

Eriomin is extracted using Ingredients by Nature (IBN’s) proprietary extraction process and is patent protected.

Now, I don’t want to get too deep into the science behind Eriomin Glucose, but it’s important you know what I know about this Blood Sugar Focus ingredient. Here’s the latest research about Eriomin Glucose and blood glucose levels:

Eriomin’s unique multi-functional support was studied in a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, first-of-a-kind human clinical trial. 103 prediabetic subjects consumed one capsule daily (200 or 400 or 800 mg Eriomin or placebo) for 12 weeks. The trial used standard testing measures, including the Oral Glucose Tolerance (OGTT), which shows how quickly glucose is processed by the system, and the Hemoglobin A1C test (HA1C), which averages blood glucose levels over the past three months.

Supplementation with Eriomin showed improvement by all subjects in all three areas of prediabetes management after 12 weeks. In addition to this across the board improvement, an average of 24% of subjects who received Eriomin returned to normal fasting glucose levels, showed markers of increased glucose tolerance and successfully addressed prediabetes.*

What are the Health Benefits of Eriomin Glucose?

The Eriomin website lists these health benefits of Eriomin Glucose:

• Helps maintain blood glucose levels within the normal range.
• Helps support normal insulin sensitivity.
• Helps manage a healthy inflammation response.
• Supports healthy cell function through increased antioxidant activity.

The Eriomin website explains more about Eriocitrin and what it does:

Eriomin’s proprietary blend is primarily composed of Eriocitrin. Eriocitrin has been clinically shown to support healthy blood glucose function, generate potent antioxidant activity and help manage inflammation within the healthy range.

The Eriocitrin in Eriomin is of the highest purity available and extracted from mature lemon fruit at various maturity stages for a more potent extract.

Checkout this summary from a recent study evaluating the effectiveness of different doses of Eriomin titled Effectiveness of Eriomin ® In Managing Hyperglycemia and Reversal of Prediabetes Condition: A Double-Blind, Randomized, Controlled Study:

Short‐term intervention with Eriomin, at doses of 200, 400, or 800 mg/day, benefited glycemic control, reduced systemic inflammation and oxidative stress, and reversed the prediabetic condition in 24% of the evaluated patients.

What is Blood Sugar and Why Does it Matter?

Blood sugar is a key energy source. Blood sugar helps deliver nutrients to your organs, muscles, and nervous system. Blood sugar is often referred to as glucose.

Your blood sugar levels are important because they impact your health, energy levels, and ability to lose weight and keep it off. When your blood sugar levels are too high or low, you’re at risk for a range of serious health complications.

The health risks of consistently high blood sugar levels outside the normal range for adults include:

• Type 2 diabetes
• Hyperglycemia (high blood sugar)
• Obesity
• Heart disease
• Immune system impairment
• Seizures
• Nerve damage
• Blood vessel and kidney issues
• Vision problems

The American Diabetes Association explains how blood sugar works to fuel your body and support your health:

When you eat, your body breaks food down into sugar and sends it into the blood. Insulin then helps move the sugar from the blood into your cells. When sugar enters your cells, it is either used as fuel for energy right away or stored for later use.

How to Lower Your Blood Sugar Level Naturally

To lower your blood sugar naturally, remember these 6 blood sugar management tips:

1. Reduce the amount of fast-acting carbohydrates you consume. There are two types of carbohydrates: fast- and slow-acting. Fast-acting carbohydrates give you an instant energy spike. Think of foods like soda, white bread, white pasta, or candy. Slow-acting carbohydrates give you a slow and steady release of energy, preventing your blood sugar from spiking. This includes foods like whole wheat bread, large flake oats, brown rice, sweet potato, berries, quinoa, and more.Try to replace some of your fast-acting carbohydrates with slow-acting carbohydrates. For example, swap white bread with whole wheat bread, potatoes with sweet potatoes, instant oats with large flake oats, or white rice with brown rice.
2. Add more fiber to your diet. Most of us do not get enough fiber. Fiber is essential for slowing sugar absorption, good digestion, and easy pooping. A high-fiber diet helps you regulate your blood sugar levels. An extra bonus is these high fiber foods help you feel full, so you can more easily manage your appetite and prevent overeating.Some of my favorite go-to high fiber foods include pears, strawberries, avocadoes, bananas, carrots, beets, lentils, and chickpeas.
3. Move your body. Daily exercise helps you build muscle, calm your mind, and helps you manage your insulin levels. Regular exercise trains your muscles and body to use blood sugar for energy and fuel, preventing insulin resistance.
4. Manage your stress. Stress is part of modern life. It’s important to find the balance between good stress and bad stress. Bad stress is the type of stress that triggers us to stress eat.When we stress eat, we eat fast-acting carbohydrate and sugar-rich foods. This causes a blood sugar spike and a rush of energy followed by an energy crash which tricks you into thinking you need more food, causing you to eat more, and ultimately gain weight.
5. Drink water. Staying hydrated is critical to helping you regulate your blood sugar levels. When you pee, you flush extra blood sugar from your body. When you’re dehydrated, you stop peeing, causing an accumulation of blood sugar which triggers high blood sugar spikes and weight gain. Aim to drink 1 gallon of lukewarm water through-out the day. If you’re working up sweat, make sure you drink extra water. I like to start my day with a big glass of lemon water.
6. Choose natural supplements to help promote healthy blood sugar levels. You know the benefits of Eriomin Glucose and how it helps address elevated blood sugar levels, inflammation, and oxidative stress. The great news is that Eriomin Glucose is a key ingredient in Blood Sugar Focus!Blood Sugar Focus is a proprietary blend of herbs and minerals that support healthy blood sugar levels. My all-natural science-backed supplement helps stabilize your blood sugar levels, helping you lose weight, maintain consistent energy levels, and provides specific support for pre-diabetes and diabetes.

Above all else, I want you to feel good about what you put in your body. Remember, my supplements are all-natural, science backed, and I use them myself!

Learn more about Blood Sugar Focus. Read my Blood Sugar FAQ where I answer lots of questions about blood sugar, weight gain, energy levels, and getting back into your skinny jeans.

Don’t be shy! Subscribe to my mailing list and join the JJ Smith Facebook Community page. Get chatting with others like you who want to feel good and look good!

Please note, the statements about Eriomin Glucose have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

Please feel free to read the Eriomin website for all details about Eriomin.

For many people who have tried other weight loss strategies, intermittent fasting is one that works and enables easy and consistent weight loss. Because you can choose the intermittent fasting method that meets your lifestyle needs, it’s much easier to follow and achieve success.

Intermittent fasting can result in a range of health benefits including weight loss, increased energy, mental clarity, stable blood sugar levels, and healthy liver support. However, intermittent fasting is not for everyone and this eating approach should be fully researched and understood before switching to this eating pattern.

Please consult your healthcare practitioner before starting intermittent fasting. Do not start intermittent fasting if you have an eating disorder such as anorexia or bulimia, are underweight, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or under the age of 18. If you’re taking any medication for any condition including diabetes, please discuss this with your doctor before beginning intermittent fasting.

In this blog, I share with you the key information you need to know about intermittent fasting including how to do intermittent fasting and tips on intermittent fasting for weight loss. Make sure you do your research before starting intermittent fasting – take your time to understand the different ways to do intermittent fasting and the health benefits of intermittent fasting.

Remember to subscribe to my newsletter for my latest articles, programs, and products about all things liver health, blood sugar support, detoxing and cleansing, intermittent fasting, and whole-body health.

What is Intermittent Fasting

Intermittent fasting is an eating and lifestyle approach, cycling between periods of eating and extended fasting. Intermittent fasting does not restrict the types of food you eat and drink.

The key facts on intermittent fasting you need to know:

• There are 6 popular intermittent fasting methods. Popular strategies include 16-hour fasts or twice-weekly 24-hour fasts.
• After 12 hours of not eating, your body enters fat burning mode. This is why most intermittent fasting approaches recommend a minimum 12-hour fasting period.
• Intermittent fasting is an eating style or pattern – it is not a diet.
• The human body is capable of functioning without food for long time periods. Fasting has been around for as long as humankind. Fasting is practiced for a range of spiritual and religious reasons.
• Intermittent fasting does not place restrictions on the types of food and drink you consume. However, there are some dietary recommendations that enable an easier and more successful intermittent fasting experience. As well, depending on the type of intermittent fast you follow, you might consume a reduced calorie level for specific time periods.
• During fasting, your body changes at a cellular and molecular level. Some of these changes make it easier for you to burn stubborn body fat and repair cellular damage.

Please remember intermittent fasting is not for everyone. Many people cannot adjust to fasting periods and experience side effects such as low energy, light-headedness, and fatigue.

If you do not feel well with intermittent fasting – do not continue this eating approach. People who have an existing medical condition or take medication should consult their doctor before fasting.

What are the Health Benefits of Intermittent Fasting

Intermittent fasting can result in health benefits – but only when it is done safely, naturally, and responsibly. Restricted eating is not right for everyone and should be done with close attention to how your body is responding, both physically and mentally.

These three key health benefits of intermittent fasting highlight why fasting is so popular:

1. Easy to lose belly fat and stubborn body fat. When you skip breakfast twice a week or only eat during an 8-hour time period, you turn on your fat-burning mode known as ketosis, kickstart your metabolism, balance your blood sugar levels, and can more easily lose weight and keep your curves.
2. Improved liver health. Intermittent fasting has trickle-down health benefits for your liver. Because your body uses stored fat for energy during fasted periods, your liver is not overwhelmed with insulin spikes, working to burn off excess carbohydrates and fat, or processing additives and toxins from the foods you consume. This creates the ideal situation for a natural and safe liver cleanse, making it easier for you to heal and support your liver, lose visceral fat, and limit your risk of fatty liver disease.
3. Reduces the risk of serious health conditions and disease. Obesity, belly fat, and stored body fat are primary contributors to numerous health conditions and disease. Any loss of extra stored body fat is beneficial in improving liver function, stabilizing blood sugar levels, and reducing the risk of fatty liver disease, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and some cancers.

John Hopkins neuroscientist, Mark Mattson, Ph. D., has studied intermittent fasting for 25 years and in a recent article he said,

Many things happen during intermittent fasting that can protect organs against chronic diseases like type 2 diabetes, heart disease, ag-related neurogenerative disorders, even inflammatory bowel disease and many cancers.

6 Ways to do Intermittent Fasting

These six popular approaches to intermittent fasting underscore how easy it is to incorporate intermittent fasting into your lifestyle. There is no “right” approach – choose the intermittent fasting approach that fits your lifestyle.

1. 16:8 Method
   Fast daily for 14 – 16 hours and eat during an 8 – 10 hour window. The simplest way to do this is to not eat after supper and to skip breakfast.Some people follow this strategy daily and others do it only once or twice a week. You have the flexibility to follow this however you like. Choose an 8 – 10-hour window for eating such as 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. or 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. – this eating window should fit easily into your routine and habits.Be careful not to overeat during the eating period – this is common when people start fasting and worry about being hungry or low on energy. Eat your normal meals and focus on balanced nutrition.
2. 5:2 Diet
   Eat normally for five days a week and eat only 500-600 calories for the remaining two days.Also known as the Fast Diet, this is the most popular intermittent fasting approach. With the 5:2 Diet you may choose for example to eat normally Monday – Wednesday, fast Thursday, eat normally Friday – Saturday, and fast Sunday.The key is to have one day between fasting periods and to eat normal sized meals. On your fasting days, focus on highly nutritious meals with ample fiber and protein and make sure you’re staying hydrated. You may choose to eat three meals or two eat only lunch and supper. Do what feels right for you.
3. Eat Stop Eat
   This intermittent fasting approach includes a 24-hour fast twice a week.During the 24-hour fasting periods, you can consume water, tea, coffee, and zero-calorie beverages.Choose two non-consecutive days for your fasting days, for example Monday and Wednesday. Eat normally on the remaining five days, but do not overeat or think you need to compensate for your fasting days.Healthline explains a method for following Eat Stop Eat: If you’re fasting from 9 a.m. Tuesday until 9 a.m. Wednesday, you’ll make sure to eat a meal prior to 9 a.m. on Tuesday. Your next meal will occur after 9 a.m. on Wednesday. This way, you ensure you’re fasting a full 24 hours – but no longer.
4. Alternate Day Fast
   Requires you to fast every other day. You may choose to consume no calories on your fast days or to limit calorie intake to 500 calories.On fasting days, you can drink as many calorie-free beverages as you want. If you’re following a modified Alternate Day Fast, you can consume up to 500 calories of food.For many people, a modified fast is easier to sustain both mentally and physically.
5. Warrior Diet
   This is a more restricted type of intermittent fasting, requiring you to eat only small servings of fruits and vegetables throughout the day and one large meal in the early evening.This is an extreme approach to intermittent fasting and puts people at risk of missing out on crucial nutrients.Please read this Healthline article carefully before proceeding with the Warrior Diet – and make sure you contact your doctor beforehand.
6. Spontaneous Meal Skipping
   This intermittent fasting approach gives you the most freedom, allowing you to skip meals when it makes sense for you.Similar to intuitive eating, if you find you’re not hungry in the morning you may skip breakfast and another day may not be hungry for lunch, so you skip this meal.It’s important with this approach you do not ignore hunger signals or skip multiple meals in a row. As well, focus on highly nutritious meals and staying hydrated. If you’re active, do not skip meals around exercise or work-outs – your body needs these calories for recovery.

One of the main reasons people follow intermittent fasting is the minimal impacts it has on their daily routine. Success comes with choosing an approach that is right for you and by not stretching or extending the fasting periods – more fasting or prolonged fasting does not mean better outcomes.

If you’re curious about intermittent fasting, post on the JJ Smith Facebook community page – there, you’ll connect with other people who, like you, want to take charge of their health.

6 Tips on Intermittent Fasting for Weight Loss

Remember these six tips for intermittent fasting for weight loss:

1. Food quality matters. Make sure you’re eating nutritious and balanced meals. Try to incorporate liver superfoods into your diet and check out my recommended recipes. Fasting does not mean you can eat low-quality or junk food during your eating periods – your body needs essential nutrients to support your health and wellness.
2. Do not overeat. Many people fear being hungry during their fasting periods and as a result overeat during the eating periods. Eat normal meals, focus on fruits, vegetables, protein, healthy fats, and slow-acting carbohydrates.
3. Stay hydrated. Restricting food intake does not mean restricting your water intake. Your liver and all other organs need water to function properly. On your fasting days, try to start your day with a large glass of lukewarm water and aim to drink 2 to 3 liters of water throughout the day.
4. Break your fast slowly. It’s tempting to dive into a big meal after fasting – but this will likely result in digestive problems and can cause you to overeat. Take your time, chew slowly, enjoy your meal, and focus on nutritious food.
5. Be consistent. There is no magic solution to weight loss or improving your health. Like any other healthy lifestyle change, you cannot stop and start intermittent fasting and expect results. Everyone is different, some people lose weight very quickly with intermittent fasting and for others it can take longer to see results. Don’t get discouraged!
6. Adjust your workouts. On your fasting days do not do intense or long endurance workouts. Your muscles need calories to fuel your workouts and help you recover after working out. On your fasting days, do light yoga sessions, go for walks, or take a rest day.

Above all else, pay attention to your body when you’re intermittent fasting. Do not ignore intense hunger signals or signs of lethargy, dizziness, or fatigue. Intermittent fasting is not right for everyone – if you don’t feel good doing intermittent fasting – this is okay.

There are lots of other healthy and safe options for losing weight and regaining control of your health. You may be better suited to my 14-Day Keto Smoothie Cleanse or 10-Day Green Smoothie Cleanse or following another approved weight loss approach.

Remember, the priority is on making safe, natural, and lasting lifestyle and habit changes that you feel good about. Above all else, I want you to reap the rewards of feeling great inside and out!

Read my blogs about healthy living, weight loss, liver health, and getting the most out of your life. And browse my website to learn more about my programs and supplements that can help you take control of your liver and whole-body health.

Learn how a liver detox can help you ease the signs and symptoms of high estrogen

It’s super frustrating when you’re doing everything right and you still can’t lose your belly fat.

I get it! I’ve been where you are. Even with a super healthy diet, staying hydrated, and moving my body – I still struggled with stubborn belly fat. And then I learned about estrogen dominance.

I knew about low estrogen levels during perimenopause and menopause, and how the changes in my hormones cause my body to change and trigger a range of side effects. But no one
told me about estrogen dominance or high estrogen and this impacts how I look and feel.

The last thing I want is for you to struggle with the symptoms of estrogen dominance. In this blog I explain estrogen dominance, give you the signs and symptoms of high estrogen, and share the 6 steps I followed to lower my estrogen, detox my liver, and ultimately get my sexy back!

You can also use HORMONE FOCUS to naturally support hormonal balance. Hormone Focus supports healthy estrogen levels and helps get rid of stubborn fat around the belly, thighs and arms caused by hormonal imbalances. It also relieves hormonal symptoms such as night sweats, mood swings, fatigue, water retention and poor sleep to help you improve your energy and vitality.

If you have questions about estrogen dominance or want to connect with people like you who put a priority on health, make sure you join the JJ Smith Community Facebook page and sign up for my mailing list.

What is Estrogen Dominance?

Estrogen dominance is one of the most common types of hormonal imbalances in women. Estrogen dominance or high estrogen occurs when there is too much estrogen in relation to the amount of progesterone in your body.

While this imbalance can be caused by the normal fluctuating hormone levels in the body, occurring during ovulation, perimenopause, and menopause – many people overlook the impacts lifestyle can have on estrogen levels.

In fact, estrogen dominance can be attributed to high levels of xenoestrogens in the body. ScienceDirect defines xenoestrogens as “foreign estrogens, substances that are close enough in molecular structure in estrogen that they can bind to estrogen receptor sites with potentially hazardous outcomes”.

We can accumulate xenoestrogens through exposure to plastics, pesticides, chemicals, food additives, and unfiltered water. Over time the level of xenoestrogens accumulates in the body, causing serious health impacts including estrogen dominance, low sperm counts, fertility issues, obesity, hormone-sensitive cancers, thyroid problems, and more.

And when this high level of xenoestrogens is combined with too little progesterone or too much estrogen, it becomes even more critical to understand estrogen dominance and how it affects your life.

Remember, estrogen dominance is about more than belly fat and extra weight, it has large implications for your health and wellness.

8 Signs and Symptoms of Estrogen Dominance

I want you to know these 8 signs and symptoms of estrogen dominance. Now, it’s important you do not ignore these signs because they can indicate serious health concerns and issues. Always talk to your doctor about any unexplained signs and symptoms.

The Hormone Health Network lists these 8 signs and symptoms of estrogen dominance:

1. Weight gain, mainly in your waists, hips, and thighs.
2. Menstrual problems, such as light or heavy bleeding.
3. Worsening premenstrual syndrome.
4. Fibrocystic breasts (non-cancerous breast lumps).
5. Fibroids (non-cancerous tumors) in the uterus.
6. Fatigue.
7. Loss of sex drive.
8. Feeling depressed or anxious.

All too often we don’t notice these signs and symptoms, accepting them as simply part of getting older. I know – because I did this! I assumed the stubborn belly fat, tiredness, and mood swings were normal for a woman in her 40’s.

Thankfully I learned about estrogen dominance and how to rebalance my estrogen levels so I could get back to feeling like my energetic and sexy self. Remember, you should not suffer in silence – if you don’t feel right, speak up and talk to your doctor.

The Connection Between Your Liver, Your Hormones and Your Health

The liver is your body’s purification system, cleansing your blood and body of harmful exposure to toxins, chemicals, processed foods, and by-products of our busy lifestyle including alcohol, tobacco, cleaning chemicals, and beauty products.

But overtime, your liver can become overloaded, making it difficult for your liver to keep functioning properly. This poor liver function can result in the accumulation of xenoestrogens and toxins – leading to the overwhelming problem of estrogen dominance and additional health impacts.

As I explained in Your Liver: What It Does and Why It’s So Important To Your Health, along with cleansing your blood, your liver has four other critical roles:

1. Creates and stores energy. Your liver creates, stores, and exports fat keeping it available as an energy source. However, when your liver is overwhelmed, you end up with excess stored fat and risk the accumulation of belly fat.
2. Creates protein. Along with helping you build and maintain muscle, protein is also responsible for blood clotting, helping you fight infections, and moving critical substances in your blood.
3. Hormone regulation. The liver is a key player in keeping your thyroid, adrenal, cortisone, and sex hormones (estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone) balanced. There are over 50 different hormones circulating in your bloodstream, helping you to think, move, sleep, and recover. Every hormone, organ, and internal process is connected, so when one hormone is out of balance, you feel the impacts.
4. Metabolizing carbohydrates and fat. A healthy liver means you can burn calories and fat, making it easier for you to stay slim and lose inches. Think of your liver as your fat-burning organ!

Every organ and system in the body is connected, so when your liver is not functioning properly, you end up with high estrogen levels, extra belly fat, fatigue, mood swings, and risk of serious illness include fatty liver disease, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and some cancers.

How to Detox Your Liver to Lower Your Estrogen Levels and to Lose Belly Fat in 6 Steps

To detox your liver to lower your estrogen levels and lose belly fat, do the following:

1. Be toxin aware. Use natural beauty products and cleaners, limit your exposure to tobacco, fertilizer, and insecticide, avoid food additives, and wash your fresh produce.
2. Drink one gallon of lukewarm water a day. Space this out during your day. I like to add lemon to my water to aid in the detoxification process.
3. Eat a healthful and colorful diet. Your liver needs essential nutrients, vitamins, minerals, and specific nutrients from vegetables and fruit to heal, regenerate, and stay healthy. Eat liver superfoods like nuts, berries, turmeric, coffee, oatmeal, grapefruit, and fresh fruit and vegetables.
4. Move your body and work up a sweat. Your skin is a major detoxifier and when you sweat, you release harmful toxins and leftover substances from your body. Exercise helps you burn calories and build lean muscle mass.
5. Limit alcohol. Excessive alcohol can destroy or damage critical liver cells and scar your liver. During your liver detox and to help lower your estrogen levels, stop drinking alcohol and give your liver a break from processing this toxin.
6. Use HORMONE FOCUS. You can also use HORMONE FOCUS to naturally support hormonal balance. Hormone Focus supports healthy estrogen levels and helps get rid of stubborn fat around the belly, thighs and arms caused by hormonal imbalances. It also relieves hormonal symptoms such as night sweats, mood swings, fatigue, water retention and poor sleep to help you improve your energy and vitality.

I’m super thankful I learned about estrogen dominance and how to regain control of my hormones. The combination of a natural liver detox and using bioidentical hormones has allowed me to relieve my estrogen dominance symptoms and feel better.

Remember, estrogen dominance can be treated – it does not need to rule your life. Once your hormones are rebalanced, the belly fat melts away, the bloating ends, your energy increases, and you feel like yourself again.

For a more detailed discussion of estrogen dominance, as well as 6 other hormonal imbalances attributed to weight gain, check out my book, Lose Weight Without Dieting or Working Out.

Learn about the benefits of detox water

Staying healthy and looking your best requires a fine balance of healthy lifestyle habits. Sleep, diet, exercise, and water play a huge role in how you feel and look.

In this blog I want to talk about water. Yes – water! Water and staying hydrated are key to supporting your liver health, giving you energy, aiding in weight loss, and keeping your organs functioning.

I know many of you struggle to drink enough water. I get it – you’re busy and sometimes a glass of plain water simply isn’t appealing.

It’s much easier and delicious to make a coffee, drink a soda, pour a glass of juice, or indulge in fancy coffee shop drink. These beverages taste great and give you a short-term energy boost, but soon enough you’re feeling lethargic, puffy, and irritable.

This is because you’re not drinking enough water! According to the Mayo Clinic, women need 11.5 cups of water per day and men need 15.5 cups. This is water – not coffee, tea, soda, or juice. And if you work-out or are doing a natural liver detox, you need even more water.

The good news is, there’s a delicious way to blast the bloat, get rid of the headaches, find more energy, and even help with weight loss – detox water. Detox water is easy to make and it can help you feel and look your best.

Keep reading to get all your questions about water and detox water answered. I tell you why water is critical to your health and weight loss, explain detox water, and share my favorite detox water recipes.

If you have any questions or want to know more about detox water, make sure you join the JJ Smith Community Facebook page, sign up for my mailing list, and read my 7-Day Apple Cider Vinegar Cleanse book.

Why You Need to Drink More Water

You need to drink water because it is essential to life. Almost every organ and body system requires water to function. Staying hydrated is one of the easiest and natural ways to stay healthy and support your body.

The Mayo Clinic highlights how water functions in your body:

• Regulates body temperature
• Moistens tissues in the eyes, nose, and mouth
• Protects body organs and tissues
• Carries nutrients and oxygen to cells
• Lubricates joints
• Lessens burden on the kidneys and liver by flushing out waste products
• Helps dissolve minerals and nutrients to make them accessible to your body

And water helps prevent constipation, removes bacteria from your bladder, aids digestion, boosts your metabolism, and helps with weight loss.

You lose water through your breath, sweat, and when you pee and poop. This is why you need to stay on top of your water intake and make sure you’re hydrated. Water is essential to looking fantastic and feeling great.

What is Detox Water?

Detox water is water infused with fruits, vegetables, and herbs. Detox water contains almost no calories (water doesn’t contain any calories) because natural ingredients like lemons, berries, spinach, mint, or cucumber are infused rather than juiced or blended.

Detox water takes plain boring water to the next level. When you squeeze fresh lemon juice into a glass of water or fill a pitcher with water and sliced cucumber, you’re creating hydrating and delicious detox water.

This flavorful water makes it easier for many people to drink enough water and offers a range of health benefits including aiding in weight loss, improving digestion, and improving your mood and energy levels.

How to Make Detox Water

To make detox water follow these simple steps:

1. Fill a glass or pitcher with water.
2. Chop up some fresh fruits and/or vegetables.
3. Add the natural fruits and vegetables to your water.
4. Leave on the counter or in the fridge to infuse the flavors or drink immediately.

I know – it’s that easy! And to get you started and show you how easy it is to make and drink detox water every day, here are some of my favorite detox water recipes.

• Apple Cider Vinegar Detox Water: add 2 tablespoons of unfiltered and unprocessed apple cider vinegar, a dash of lemon, and a pinch of cayenne pepper to 6-8 ounces of water. If you prefer a sweet detox water, add a small amount of stevia. To drink, add a small amount of this healthful water to a large glass of water.Apple cider vinegar detox water helps remove toxins, aids in digestion, supports liver health, and improves circulation. Drinking diluted apple cider vinegar water before every meal helps stimulate your metabolism, so you can burn fat faster and reduces the amount of time fat stays in your digestive tract.
• Cucumber Detox Water: slice half a cucumber, slice a lemon, and add this to a pitcher of water. For a bit of zest, add fresh mint leaves. This detox water tastes best when it has infused overnight in the fridge.Cucumber detox water helps aid your digestion and flushes out toxins. Drink this after meals.
• Mint Ginger Detox Water: peel and slice 2 inches of fresh ginger, slice one cucumber, slice a lemon or lime and add these ingredients plus 10 fresh mint leaves to one gallon of water. Let the water infuse for three to four hours.Ginger is a superfood, used in all cultures for flavor and for its health benefits such as calming nausea, soothing a sore throat, and anti-inflammatory properties. Drink mint ginger detox water through-out the day. For an evening drink, add some hot water to a mug and top it off with this healthful detox water.
• Pineapple Lemon Mango Detox Water: add cubed mango and pineapple and half a sliced lemon to a pitcher or large glass of water. You can drink this immediately or let it infuse for an hour so.Pineapple lemon mango detox water is packed full of health benefits thanks to bromelain, an anti-inflammatory enzyme in pineapples and the Vitamin C in the lemon. Additionally, mango helps you get rid of belly bloating and puffiness.
• Lemon Detox Water: simple squeeze one fresh lemon into a large glass of water. Drink immediately.Lemon detox water is a great way to get hydrated first thing in the morning. I like to start my day with a large glass of lemon detox water. When I do a natural liver detox, I make sure I have a large pitcher of lemon detox water ready to drink.
• Alkaline Detox Water: this water is a hydrogen-rich water which detoxifies the body and gives your skin a young, smooth, and elastic appearance. Alkaline water has a higher pH level, making it less acidic than regular water.The easiest way to make alkaline detox water is to squeeze a lemon or lime into a glass of distilled water. Using distilled water ensures there aren’t any additives or artificial ingredients in your detox water.

Detox water is super versatile. Feel free to experiment and add your favorite fruits, vegetables, and herbs to water. Fresh berries, sliced oranges, basil, cinnamon, turmeric, watermelon, and sliced grapefruit are popular detox water ingredients.

Do you have a favorite detox water recipe? Share it with the JJ Smith Community Facebook page – help spread the word about the health benefits of detox water.

Trust me, once you start drinking detox water, you can’t stop. You really can feel the powerful impacts of hydration when you drink detox water daily. More energy, better digestion, fresh breath, a flatter belly, and an end to bloating are just some of the benefits of detox water.

This is the perfect time to make hydration a priority. You’ll feel better inside and out and as an extra bonus, you’ll have more energy, better digestion, and less belly bloat.

To help you stay motivated, read my 7-Day Apple Cider Vinegar Cleanse book – it’s packed with meal and drink recipes to support your body’s natural detoxification process and to jumpstart your journey to permanent weight loss.

Not only do you feel better when you eat a balanced diet and stay properly hydrated, you’re also giving your liver the support it needs to function correctly. It’s so important to be cognizant of how food can heal and harm your body. .

When you consume too many fatty, sugary, or processed foods or eliminate entire food groups from your diet, it’s very difficult to give your liver the nutritional support it requires. And to top it off a diet high in processed foods, sweets, or high fat foods puts an extra burden on your liver, forcing it to work overtime to process and metabolize these foods.

One of the best things you can do for your liver health and to improve liver function is to eat a varied and balanced diet. This means including lots of brightly colored fruits and vegetables, lean sources of protein, whole grains, and healthy fats.

But it’s one thing to read about eating a healthy diet and learning about liver superfoods – and it’s a totally different challenge to put this into daily practice.

But it’s one thing to read about eating a healthy diet and liver superfoods, and another thing to incorporate this advice into your day-to-day. I know – I’ve been there, struggling to figure out what to eat to keep my metabolism firing so I can maintain a slim, sexy waistline. In this blog I share with you what I’ve learned about how to eat for liver health and I give you tips on how to make eating for liver health delicious and easy.

Join the JJ Smith Facebook community and to connect with others who are making liver health a priority. Share your favorite recipes featuring liver superfoods and ask any questions you have about liver cleanses, liver health, and healthy living. And be sure to sign up for my mailing list where I share my top tips and advice on liver health, losing belly fat, and how to stay healthy.

The Connection Between Food and a Healthy Liver

You are what you eat. Health is wealth. These two sayings resonate deeply with me and emphasize the importance of a healthy diet. But today, with our on-the-go lifestyle it can be very difficult to put a priority on food quality and remember how it impacts every aspect of our well-being.

Now, I know you’ve read the articles, watched the documentaries, and listened to the podcasts about the connection between food, a healthy liver, and overall wellness. This information has been shared over and over again.

So instead of repeating what you already know, I drill down into the essential facts about food and your liver health. When you’re struggling to get in your five-a-day or to stay hydrated, try to remember these essential 15 food and liver health facts:

1. Too much sugar and fat in your diet can cause fatty liver disease.
2. A fatty liver cannot function properly, leading to additional health impacts.
3. Obesity is one of the leading causes of preventable disease including diabetes and cardiovascular disease..
4. Too much visceral fat and belly fat can impair liver function.
5. Your liver metabolizes carbohydrates and fat into energy, builds protein, eliminates toxins, and removes harmful chemicals.
6. Liver superfoods can help your liver heal and reverse some types of liver disease.
   You are what you eat.
7. Alcohol consumption speeds the build-up of fatty acids in the liver.
8. A high fiber diet helps your liver process toxins and prevent a build-up of bile in your digestive system.
9. Insulin resistance and high blood sugar can cause irreversible liver damage.
10. A healthy liver diet includes eating foods from all food groups.
11. Too much salt causes inflammation, bloating, and water retention, forcing the liver to work overtime.
12. Drinking coffee and tea can prevent liver fibrosis and cirrhosis.
13. Detoxing your liver naturally can help your liver heal and recover from toxic overload.
14. Food can both heal and harm your liver.

I really want you to remember your liver health is integral to your good health. According to the American Liver Foundation, your liver is depending on you to take care of it so it can take care of you.

Think about this excerpt from the American Liver Foundation website on the importance of food, your liver, and lifelong health:

If you eat a healthy diet, your liver “tells” you that you’re doing a great job. You get the message because your liver is able to function properly and, provided your overall health is good, you feel in great physical shape.
If, on the other hand, you aren’t careful with your diet, your liver is defenseless. When you consume fatty or fried foods, and pile on the salt, your liver literally is under attack. If you don’t help your liver, it can’t help you. The result: Liver disease and, possibly, disorders that could affect other organs. Of course, it’s important to maintain a healthy weight. In addition to eating a healthy diet, exercise regularly.

How to Make Eating for Liver Health Easy and Delicious

Food does so much for us – it gives us energy, heals and repairs the liver, makes us feel fantastic inside and out, and is essential to a happy, balanced life. I want you to enjoy eating while still packing your plate with healthy liver foods.

Follow these six tips to make eating for liver health easy and delicious:

1. Stock up on fruits and vegetables. Brightly colored fruits and vegetables are packed full of nutrients and are natural flavor boosters. Add some blueberries to your morning bowl of oatmeal, throw a few handfuls of spinach into your smoothie, and bake some healthy carrot muffins.
2. Wash, chop, and organize your produce. It happens to all of us, we buy a bunch of vegetables, put them in the fridge and forget about them. Instead, as soon as you get home, wash your vegetables, chop them up, store them in clear plastic containers – this makes it much easier to snack on vegetables and to whip up meals like stir fries, soups, and casseroles quickly and easily.
3. Meal plan and bulk cook. Sit down and plan your meals for the week and dedicate one evening or afternoon for a bulk cook. It’s so much easier to eat healthily during the week and resist take-out when your fridge and freezer are stocked with ready-to-eat and heat meals. As an extra bonus, get your kids involved so they can get an early start on learning about the importance of a healthy diet.
4. Focus on your meal. Do not eat in front of the television or while browsing the Internet. Put your smartphone away and sit down at the table to eat. Think about chewing your food and enjoying your meal. This helps slow down your eating, preventing overeating and bloating.
5. Eat your favorite treats. Yes, eat your favorite treats. Restricted eating or banning foods does not do anyone any good. Choose one night a week to have your favorite treat. Maybe it’s a Friday night visit to the ice cream shop or a Saturday pizza night with your extended family.
6. Try new recipes that include top liver superfoods. It’s easy to get bored with your cooking routine. Look for recipes including top liver superfoods like avocado, berries, oats, grapefruit, coffee, nuts, ginger, turmeric, and green vegetables. Take a look at these healthy liver diet recipes from the Canadian Liver Foundation for a pizza party, black bean brownies, and easy slow-cooker recipes. I included some of my favorite liver superfood recipes in my blog about top liver superfoods.

Remember, above all else, eating should not be stressful. Don’t stress because you didn’t get in all your servings of fruits and vegetables or you had an extra scoop of ice cream. Life is too short to stress about this!

I want you to think about what you’re eating and understand the connection between food and your liver health. Slowly but surely incorporate new liver superfoods, cut back on sugar and processed foods, and add more fruits and vegetables to your diet. This is the best way to make eating for liver health a regular part of your day.

Remember, I’ve got lots of great information about detoxing the liver, supporting your liver health naturally, and belly fat on my blog. To stay updated about my new programs, products, and blog posts, sign-up for my mailing list where I share extra tips and advice about looking and feeling fantastic.

The liver has been dubbed the fat burning organ because it is responsible for breaking down and eliminating toxins in the body, as well as breaking down fats. Therefore, liver cleansing is essential to improve our body’s detoxification capabilities to help burn body fat and boost metabolism.

One easy way to cleanse the liver and turn your body into a fat burning machine is to take herbs/ supplements such as milk thistle, dandelion root, and burdock. I am so passionate about cleansing the liver, I went into the “woodshed” with my team and called upon physicians, chemists and nutritionists and developed my own liver cleansing product, LiverFocus! That’s right, liver cleansing is so important to me I went out and created my very own liver cleansing supplement! Look for it on Amazon later this Summer.

Enough about my LiverFocus, let me explain another way to detox and cleanse the liver. Castor oil packs are just as important as liver cleansing supplements. Castor oil packs are typically used by naturopaths to help stimulate and detoxify the liver and help it function optimally.  Here’s how it works: a castor oil pack is placed directly on the skin to help increase circulation, improve digestion and healing of the tissues and organs underneath the skin.  By stimulating the lymphatic system, castor oil speeds up the removal of toxins from tissues, which promotes healing.

In an experiment in our Slay at Any Age private Facebook group, some folks even lost up to 4” from their waist overnight from the use of castor oil packs!

Liver cleansing and detoxing  increase the body’s fat burning mechanisms and speeds up your metabolism. However, the benefits don’t just stop there.  Liver cleansing and detoxing relieve headaches and chronic pain, removes dark circles from around your eyes, increases lymphatic circulation, reduces inflammation, and improves digestion. So many amazing benefits from liver cleansing I can’t stop raving about it.  Quite simply, it’s one of my favorite detox methods!

Until next time,

JJ