Fight the Flu & Cold with these 4 Natural Home Remedies

It’s time to check-in and give you a couple tips and tricks to help you succeed at the January Fitness New Year New You Challenge.

This past week, you followed the January Fitness Challenge Workout Program and you hit the gym (or home gym) to work on toning and building a foundation by doing compound exercise movements, such as the Deadlift and Barbell Squats. You are probably a little sore, so please make sure to utilize the active rest day and give yourself a physical and mental break so that you can #gohardorgohome for week #2.

If you don’t let those muscles rest, you will just keep yourself from making any progress (such as strength and endurance gains). So get that rest! What’s a good active rest activity? Shopping at the mall! Reward yourself with a new workout outfit!

What’s one of the top 10 reasons a person stops working out? They get sick! And once they take a week off, because they got the flu, they have a really hard time getting back into the habit of working out regularly. So what is a good solution to this problem? Do everything you can to ensure you don’t get sick.

Easier said than done, right? The key here is your immune system. You need to keep that immune system functioning at its highest capacity during flu season. How? Consistently consuming a healthful diet (little-to-no alcohol, no smoking, avoid processed food, low sugar intake, LOTS of dark green leafy vegetables, lean proteins, LOTS OF WATER). Eating as “clean” as possible is the key.

But let me share a few immune system boosting tips, including a little natural home remedy secret concoction that I take daily during cold and flu season (or even when I’m traveling in “high risk” areas like airports/planes/buses).

#1 – Taking a Probiotic and taking Magnesium for optimum digestive health [yes your digestive system health directly affects your immune system]

#2 – Taking Vitamin D3 and Zinc

#3 – Taking Bee Pollen before going on a trip where I will be in “high risk” areas, like airports/airplanes/buses/trains or if you’re starting to feel a cold coming on taking bee pollen can help keep the cold at bay.

#3 – My Secret Concoction – drinking 8 ounces of filtered water with 3-4 drops of 100% Pure Oregano Oil stirred in – this not only helps improve your digestive health but it seriously helps fight off the cold and flu (even if you’ve already contracted a cold, it can help your body fight it off faster) [please make sure to dilute oregano oil, take it according to directions on bottle]. I take it every night, right before going to bed.

That’s it, quite simple, but it REALLY works to boost my immune system so that I can stick with my workout regimen and keep hitting it hard at the gym!

Rock on and stay strong this week during week #2 of the January Fitness New Year New You Challenge!

I am not a doctor.  Any recommendations I make about weight training, nutrition, supplements or lifestyle should be discussed between you and your doctor because working out involves risks. The information provided on BraveAngel.com is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.  Never disregard professional medical advice, or delay in seeking it, because of something you have read on this website or from our products or services.  Never rely on information on our website, from our products or services, in place of seeking professional medical advice.

Rise & Rain Or Shine 21 Day Workout Challenge

Enough chatter, let’s get straight to the fact of the matter…
Those who workout in the morning tend to be fitter, healthier, and happier…

Why?

1. Fitter & Healthier? Obviously, working out will help ensure better fitness and health…but getting your workout done in the morning before the daily onslaught of surprise errands and overtime work hours that we sometimes can’t avoid and keep you from getting your daily workout in for the day…therefore, those that workout in the morning, tend to have more consistency in keeping up with their workout regimen because they have no excuses.

2. Happier? Starting your day off right, getting your heart rate up, the release of serotonin and endorphins, the sense of accomplishment, not having to worry about how you will fit your workout into your busy day…these are all things that lead to happiness!

3. Better sleep? Yes, because you know you will be waking up early and need to be well rested, you will get to bed on time and earlier than if you didn’t have a early morning workout scheduled.

There are many more reasons, and I will not bore you or try to convince you. If you want it bad enough, you will join us! Tomorrow, May 22nd, is the start of a 21 Day Challenge. The challenge is simple. Every morning, before you get your day started, I want you to do a workout. Three days will be active rest mornings, in which you will walk yourself (or your dog) for a nice brisk walk. So really, I’m asking you to take part in a 21 Day (18 Workouts) Challenge. Easy right? Yes!

How does it work?

1. The night before, I will post the following morning’s workout assignment on the Brave Angel Facebook page. So this means you need to go our Facebook Page, “Like” our page, and check the page the night before for your workout assignment.
2. The next morning (before 9:00am) you will do the workout that was posted the night before on the FB page (or do your own workout).
3. After you complete your morning workout, you will “check-in” (below the workout assignment posted on our Facebook page) by commenting with your workout achievement for that morning. *Post the # reps of the bonus exercise of the day that you did and your workout duration (Ex: If you did a 45 minute workout and the bonus exercise of the day was Burpees and you did 50 reps of burpees, then you would comment, “50 Burpees/45 minutes”)
4. The winner will be the one who clocked the most repetitions of the bonus exercises of the day and the most minutes clocked for workout duration.

What’s your motivation? Whether your goal is to kick your arse into gear, slim down, tone up, release stress, or get free stuff, this challenge is for you!

And just to be nice…I’m going to give a prize to the winner of this challenge!

THE WINNER GETS A FREE WORKOUT TANK TOP OF THEIR CHOICE FROM THE Brave Angel Shop!

So if you want to take part, go to our Facebook Page, “Like” our page, and check the page each night, beginning May 22nd, for your workout assignment!

For a head start in the competition, join me tomorrow morning for a pre-Challenge workout (I will post the pre-challenge workout assignment tonight on our Facebook Page), and I will count the reps & minutes that you clock tomorrow morning toward your numbers for this Challenge (so make sure to check-in after you complete your workout)!

Push yourself, but remember, always modify any workout routine to your preference, skill level, and for your individual health & fitness goals.

Take a look at the newest additions to our Brave Angel Motivational Workout Clothing Line

Yours Truly,

Brave Angel

Brownie Batter Bowl & Burpees

Chocolate, there are just some things we can’t live without!

Have you ever made brownie batter, and then realized that you’d rather just eat the raw brownie batter instead of baking it, so….you eat 1/2 of the raw brownie batter and then realize you no longer have enough batter to make the brownies, so….you just put the other half of the batter in the fridge for tomorrow!?? Well, after you have eaten the brownie batter, you probably realize how you just undid all of your workouts and healthy eating for the past couple of weeks and then beat yourself up about it…

To quench your brownie batter craving (or chocolate craving, or craving for something sweet and decadent), I have put together the below guilt-free recipe that you can whip up in just 10 minutes. Use this recipe as a foundation to build upon and create your own sweet treats that satisfy your personal taste and cravings. Just make sure that if you add ingredients to this recipe, they are in line with your health & fitness goals!

Brownie Batter Bowl: *Gluten-free, Dairy-free, Grain-free, Egg-free, Low-sugar

• 2 tbsp organic Almond flour
• 2 tbsp organic Coconut flour
• 1 tbsp organic Ground Flax seed
• 1 tbsp organic Chia seed
• 2 tbsp organic Extra Virgin Coconut Oil
• 2 tbsp organic Raw Cacao or organic Baking Cocoa
• 2 tsp of organic vanilla extract
• 1-2 dashes of Pink Himalayan Sea Salt
• 4-5 mini spoons of organic Pure Stevia Extract Powder

Start with 1 cup of water in a small 2-3 quart saucepan. Turn heat on low-medium. Add the almond flour, coconut flour, and ground flax seed and stir until mixed thoroughly. Then add in water (a tablespoon at a time) until a cream of wheat or cupcake batter consistency is achieved. Now add in the rest of the ingredients, adding water as needed to maintain a cupcake batter consistency.  Do a taste test before turning off stovetop heating element. Add salt or stevia to your liking, the more coconut oil you use, the creamy it will be. Pour brownie batter into your favorite bowl. This recipe makes two servings, so either share with a worthy soul or eat half and save the rest for tomorrow! Whatever you do, please don’t eat the brownie batter right before doing the workout below….it won’t end pretty…

P.S. – you can make this batter and pour it into a cupcake pan and then bake at 350F degrees in an oven for about 10 minutes to make actual brownies. Or make pancakes or waffles with the mix. If you opt to bake the mix or cook up pancakes or waffles, I would add in 1-2 tsp baking soda (and 1-2 more tablespoons of coconut oil – for brownies only) to make the turn out better! OR…you can take the brownie batter (recipe as-is above) and throw it in the freezer and in about four hours you have some pretty amazing brownie batter ice cream…

100 Rep Burpee Challenge:

Warm-up:Do jumping jacks for 1-2 minutes.

Burpee Challenge: Perform 100 reps of BURPEES!! My tip is to do 10 reps at-a-time until you reach 100 reps.

The key to this workout is to take it one move at-a-time. Tackle each burpee with passion, and tackle in sets of 10 reps at-a-time, until you get to 100 reps. Then move onto the bonus round if you dare! Your arms, bum, abs & heart rate will be on fire when you are done!

Bonus round:Grab a jump rope and jump rope for 5 intervals of 45 seconds jumping rope and 15 seconds rest (5 minutes total).

Push yourself, but remember, always modify any workout routine to your preference, skill level, and for your individual health & fitness goals.

Pin below “Workout Roadie” to your Pinterest board so that you can take this workout on the road with you to the gym or at-home!

Also, take a look at the newest additions to our Brave Angel Motivational Workout Clothing Line!

Yours Truly,

Brave Angel

It Did What? 5 Secrets About This 12 Minute Workout

High Intensity Interval Training, that’s where it’s at!
Why?

1. It only takes you 12 minutes to do this workout, 12 MINUTES!

2. Instead of only “burning calories” during your workout (like running does), you continue to burn for up to 36 hours post-workout, I like to call it a metabolic boost.

3. It’s a highly efficient workout technique because it not only helps you blast away fat but also helps you build lean muscle mass, and get nice & toned.

4. Because it is only 12 minutes, it helps you keep your sanity. Sometimes a 45 minute cardio & strength routine just seems too daunting to attempt. H.I.I.T workouts are perfect for those days that you are either in a rut, in a rush or just yearning for a change up in your daily workout routine.

5. H.I.I.T. routines are short because they are very challenging. When you’re about half way through each 4 minute segment, you may feel like you just can’t go on, well just push through it, one set of 20 seconds at-a-time, and you’ll get there!!! Just do your best & forget the rest.

Enough talking, now get to work!

Brave Angel – 12 Minute HIIT – Arms, Legs & Abs

This workout involves just three moves, that’s it!

1. For each exercise move, you will do 8 rounds of the following interval:
   1. 10 seconds rest
   2. 20 seconds all-out max effort
   3. USE AN INTERVAL TIMER, it must be timed exactly. No more than 10 seconds rest or 20 seconds effort!!
   4. 8 rounds = 4 minutes
   5. Rest 1 minute before moving onto the next exercise move/4 minute HIIT circuit
   6. You will challenge yourself to hit 8-10 reps for each 20 second interval.
      1. I used two 15 LB. kettlebells, but feel free to use dumbbells, a barbell, or your dog….just make sure you choose a weight that you max out in 8-10 reps.

This workout takes 12 minutes, post your reps, weight used and how you did in the comment section below! I want to know your results!

1. Kettlebell Thrusters: 4 minute HIIT circuit (10 secs rest, 20 secs max effort; 8 rounds)
2. Pike Jumps: 4 minute HIIT circuit (10 secs rest, 20 secs max effort; 8 rounds)
3. Kettlebell Scissor Crunch & Reach: 4 minute HIIT circuit (10 secs rest, 20 secs max effort; 8 rounds)

Push yourself, but remember, always modify any workout routine to your preference, skill level, and for your individual health & fitness goals.

Pin below “Workout Roadie” to your Pinterest board so that you can take this workout on the road with you to the gym or at-home!

Also, take a look at the newest additions to our Brave Angel Motivational Workout Clothing Line!

Yours Truly,

Brave Angel

3 Reasons Why This Bacon & Buns Challenge is Back in Black This Spring

Here in the U.S. we’ve had a rough winter, and all of us are ready for Spring….and along with Spring comes Bacon & Buns!
Why Bacon & Buns?

Well, first of all, warmer weather means CAMPING SEASON! And when I think of camping, I immediately picture (& smell) bacon cooking on the campfire just after dawn, as the sun has just risen and everyone is waking up and rolling out of their tents. After a long winter, I have cabin fever, and can’t wait to spend a weekend camping in the back country with my close friends.

Nothing beats a long weekend with your friends, completely removed from the hustle & bustle of the city, disconnecting from this technologically overloaded society we live in, and just fully decompressing from the monotonous routine of eat, sleep, work, play, & repeat! So yes, Spring & bacon are like peas and carrots. I must note, that I am talking about Turkey Bacon that is……god, Turkey Bacon tastes so good and doesn’t come along with all the fat that regular pig bacon does, so it is essentially guilt free! You can eat your turkey bacon & have your strong, fit & toned Brave Angel physique too!

Secondly, with Spring, also comes warm weather & your chance to roast those newly toned buns in the sun!

Thirdly, bacon is simple, so I’m going to give you a straight-to-the-point lower body 500 REP BUNS ON FIRE workout to go along with your bacon, check this out!

This workout involves just four moves, that’s it! You will challenge yourself to hit 100 reps for each move. And if you do the bonus combo move, you will have done 500 REPS!!! This workout took me 35 minutes, post your times in the comment section below! I want to know your results!

Brave Angel – 500 Rep Bacon & Buns On Fire Challenge

Warm-up: Do intervals of 10 seconds of plank hold and 10 reps of jumping jacks for two minutes.

Buns On Fire Challenge: Perform 100 reps of each exercise move. My tip is to do 10 reps at-a-time until you reach 100 reps. Then move onto the next exercise.

1. Donkey Kicks: 100 reps/leg
2. Prisoner Jump Squats: 100 reps
3. Donkey Side Kicks: 100 reps/leg
4. Sprinter Alternating Jump Lunge: 100 reps (1 lunge/leg = 1 rep)
5. Bonus Combo Move: 100 reps
   1. 10 Reps Plank Jacks + 10 Reps Mountain Climbers (1 knee tuck/leg = 1 rep)

The key to this workout, is to take it one move at-a-time. Tackle each move, 10 reps at-a-time, until you get to 100 reps. Then move onto the next move. Your bum, abs & heart rate will be on fire when you are done!

Push yourself, but remember, always modify any workout routine to your preference, skill level, and for your individual health & fitness goals.

Pin below “Workout Roadie” to your Pinterest board so that you can take this workout on the road with you to the gym or at-home!

Also, take a look at the newest additions to our Brave Angel Motivational Workout Clothing Line!

Yours Truly,

Brave Angel

 

Reveal Those Abs With This 37 Minute Workout

Yesterday was all about breathing in the fresh Spring air, soaking in the sunshine & torching calories!
If you are yearning for a simple, straight-to-the-point workout, check this out!

1. Don’t forget to warm-up: Do some intervals of 10 reps of bodyweight squats and 10 reps of mountain climbers for two minutes.
2. Make sure to throw on your running shoes, put on some blood pumping tunes, and hit the pavement!
3. Run for 2 minutes at a moderately challenging pace. Choose a route that has some hills!
4. After 2 minutes, stop, and do 5 push ups on the sidewalk.
5. Run for another two minutes at a sprinting pace.
6. Then stop, drop, and give me 5 more push ups on the sidewalk.
7. Do these two intervals – 2 minute sprint paired with 5 push ups – until you hit 50 push ups total (8 more sets for a total of 10 sets of these two intervals).
8. Now run for 1 minute at all-out effort (that you can maintain for 1 minute).
9. Then stop & do 5 burpees (no push up, but add jump tuck).
10. Run for another 1 minute at all-out effort, then stop & give me 5 more burpees with a jump tuck.
11. Do these two intervals – 1 minute all-out effort run paired with 5 burpees – until you hit 50 burpees total (8 more sets for a total of 10 sets of these two intervals).
12. Now……puke, and pat yourself on the back!

I didn’t puke, and you won’t either! Of course, please always modify any workout routine to your preference, skill level, and for your individual health & fitness goals. The best thing about this workout was that it was a perfect way to zone out after a long, hard day at work and bask in the sunshine of Spring….instead of being inside a stinky gym!

Pin below “Workout Roadie” to your Pinterest board so that you can take this workout on the road, literally!

Also, take a look at the newest addition to our Brave Angel motivational workout clothing line!

Yours Truly,

Brave Angel

 

Vegan 5 Course Meal – Nat’s Test Kitchen

It’s day #16 of the 30 Day Macrobiotic challenge. I FEEL AMAZING! (I had a little ‘hiccup’, ate adzuki bean dip I made that had gone old and it made me feel sick for a day or two, but I learned now how long beans ‘keep’). I’d like to give a shout out to my friend and the host of the 30 Day Challenge, Kara Mejia, for the amazing results I’m experiencing as well as the recipes I’m sharing in this post. Kara taught me and the 30 day challenge group these recipes last week and I tested out my skills this past weekend for mother’s day. Everything turned out great…with the exception of the lemon ‘cheese’cake (which was my fault, I learned quickly that arrowroot is NOT a good sub for agar agar lol).
Kara Mejia has some great info, recipes and a blog. So be sure to check it out so you can have the positive experience too!

Website: Cooking with Kara

Blog: Natural Body Makeover

So, here it is…my 5 Course Vegan/Semi-macrobiotic Mother’s Day dinner!

Cream of Celery Soup:

1. Whole head of celery
2. Nayonaise w/mustard (to taste)
3. Green Onions (one stalk)
4. Olive oil (2 tbsp)
5. Water (slowly add as blending to bring to right consistency)
6. Sea salt (a few dashes)
7. Heaping tsp of sweet white miso
8. For creamy: add avocado, zucchini or cauliflower
9. For a kick: add cayenne pepper
10. Blend in blender and garnish with cilantro

Served with Pinto Ginger Hummus:

Hummus:

1. 2C cooked Pinto Beans
2. Pinto bean broth
3. Cumin (start with 1 tsp, add to taste)
4. Blend and slowly add in below ingredients until right consistency
5. Add olive oil, flax or hemp seed oil
6. Add grated ginger 1tsp & salt to taste
7. Optional, garlic and/or sweet potatoes

Next we had a fresh cut romaine salad with citrus lime vinaigrette:

Romaine w/Citrus Lime Vinaigrette:

1. In the bottom of large bowl add the following.
2. A few tablespoons apple cider vinegar
3. 2 TBSP olive oil
4. Juice of one organic lime
5. Pepper & tiny dash of salt
6. Fresh or dried basil, cilantro
7. Optional: add fresh grated ginger
8. Now add chopped romaine on top and mix, place in fridge and let flavors infuse salad.

For the main entree, I cooked up the famous ‘Grain Burger’!

Grain Burger:

1. Brown Rice: 2C serves 2 people
2. Beans (1/4 beans:1 rice) *re-cook beans w/dash salt
3. Spanish oregano
4. Roasted ground pumpkin seed w/dulse flakes
5. 1C grated carrot, celery, onion
6. Juice from bean stock
7. Garlic (a couple dashes)
8. Onion powder (I didn’t have any so I added green onions)
9. Red pepper flakes (dash)
10. Cumin (a few teaspoons)
11. Combine ingredients into patties and roll in Oat Flour (I used coconut flour)
12. Cook in pan in toasted sesame oil (I used sunflower oil)
13. Plate up with chopped cilantro on top & a squirt of miso mayo!

As you can see I substituted a few ingredients for what I had in my kitchen. I used adzuki bean pate, but you can use chickpeas or lentils that aren’t pureed. Also, I used brown rice but quinoa works as well. If you don’t have spanish oregano just use regular oregano. These are so yum!

Lastly…I made Lemon ‘Cheese’ cake…which didn’t turn out as I wanted but we still ate it! I couldn’t find agar agar at the store so I used arrowroot, but this did not give the desired ‘cheesecake’ effect. But, I threw it in the freezer and it became more of a lemon sorbet ice cream cake of sorts and tasted pretty damn good for my first go at this awesome dessert! Will be trying this one out again with the agar agar next time! The recipe below is the ‘right’ way to do it with the agar agar, so let me know how it turns out for you!

Lemon ‘Cheese’cake turned Lemon sorbet ice cream cake…

Vegan Lemon Cheesecake:

1. Crust (make first): This crust is phenomenal!
   1. Throw 1-2 C Walnuts, 1 C Dates, and 1/4 C brown rice syrup in food processor and blend until ingredients stick together
   2. Combine and press into bottom of pan (coat pan with olive oil first)
   3. Optional: Bake 10 minutes at 350F (don’t let walnuts overcook/burn)
   4. Once pan cools, place in refrigerator while you make the filling

1. Filling:
   1. Extra Firm tofu
   2. 1/2 C brown rice syrup
   3. Lemon Juice (2-3 lemons)
   4. Blend all ingredients, taste and adjust accordingly
   5. Prep 2 TBSP Agar Agar
      1. 1/2C Apple Juice or water & 2 tbsp agar agar
      2. Stir in stove top pot, let dissolve
      3. Bring to simmer and cook until clear (10 min)
   1. Then add agar agar to blender, blend and put right into pie crust

1. Let sit in refrigerator for at least 2 hours

We (my mom, boyfriend and I) were fully satisfied after this fabulous 5 course meal. We felt good too! Not weighed down or groggy after a large meal with animal products. I must say that I absolutely LOVE vegan. As of right now, I’m not turning back and I’m going to keep experimenting with fun, new vegan and macrobiotic recipes. I always felt bad about eating animal products and now I can eat knowing that I’m not only being good to my body but also to the environment, animals & earth!

It’s truly amazing the variety of really fun and delicious recipes out there that are vegan & macrobiotic. The best part is that you feel better physically and mentally after eating. Clearer mind, better digestion, energized and ready to enjoy your day! I’ve been enjoying researching and finding new vegan and macrobiotic recipes to try out for the weeks to come. It makes ‘meal’ time so much more exciting and fun to cook in this new way. A lot of the recipes you can throw together with no cooking at all, and it’s for the most part, totally unprocessed ingredients. Truly ‘clean’ eating. As I’m learning and getting into the swing of things, I’m able to throw together amazingly yummy, wholesome meals and snacks in minutes. I urge you to try out some vegan and macrobiotic recipes, you’ll feel so good, physically & mentally! Especially if you’re trying to drop some excess weight or body fat!

Health & Happiness, Nat