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The Swiss Secret to Optimal Health and Beauty
by Dr. Kellyann
on May 30 2014
A radio host shared with me recently that I have a unique approach to healing and nutrition. He wanted to know where this came from. So I told him about my “Swiss experience” and how it has changed my life and made a difference in the way I see patients and the world. I am one of a handful of doctors in the U.S. trained and certified in Biological Medicine by one of the world’s leading experts and physicians, Dr Thomas Rau, of the Paracelsus Clinic in Switzerland.
I studied under his tutelage for about two years. People come from all over the world to this clinic to find out about the Swiss secret to optimal health. Its methods arise from the distinct medical traditions of Switzerland and Southern Germany, which, in the 500 years since the experiments of the original Paracelsus, have evolved into a more holistic and natural science of health.
Biological Medicine focuses on the body as a whole, instead of just treating symptoms, to determine the true reasons why people are ill and provide an overall wellness solution. This experience has changed my life. I have seen the body heal in unbelievable ways. I have seen people go from the depths of hopelessness to leading fulfilling lives. I have seen how things I never thought affected our health absolutely do. I have seen patients who simply did not want to get well, but chose to die. I have learned the will to live can go both ways — you can will yourself to die the same way you can will yourself to live.
When I completed my program there, I left with several takeaways. Among them, one was piercing: “Paradigm is everything.” Let me explain.
Here’s what I discovered from my Swiss experience and how it can help you:
I remember the first time I visited Switzerland. I couldn’t believe how clean the air felt as it bathed my body. My lungs felt like they were expanding more with every breath of the country’s ultra-pristine air. I didn’t have a long flight, since I was living in London at the time, but I remember feeling a jolt of energy when I landed, like the “plane icky-ness” was exhaled out of my body in a breath or two. I’d felt this sensation one other time.
It was in North Dakota the day after a blizzard. North Dakota is without bright lights or big cities, so the air is pretty clean, but the post-blizzard air had a sensational clean-crispness about it. There was something extraordinarily different about the air in Switzerland, though, compared to any of my experiences, as if it had been filtered in some way. Maybe it’s the Swiss Alps that run across the country, or all of the beautiful lakes, or maybe it’s the climate, which never seems to be too hot, too cold, or too humid. Whatever it is, there’s certainly magic in the air.
This got me curious. I began observing and interviewing the people around Zurich. I asked questions in shops, eateries, local markets, and health food stores. I would sit at a café and journal at the end of my day while overlooking the most incredible mountainous views. I noticed five facts immediately:
The Swiss have stunning skin.
The Swiss have insanely bright clear eyes.
The Swiss are not overweight.
The Swiss did not start telling me about their laundry list of doctors or illnesses, even when I provoked, and as I “instigated,” they just smiled. They didn’t get annoyed, which was interesting to me.
The Swiss did not (and I have rarely seen this) look or sound stressed-out whatsoever.
I wanted in on this. The fresh air was definitely a catalyst of these physical “tells,” but that Nancy Drew affliction I have (if you have seen me speak anywhere, you know what I’m talking about) led me to believe there was more to the story. I discovered that the Swiss have a very different thought process when it comes to modern medicine. We can all learn something from this. In fact, I believe this is the biggest health secret… that shouldn’t be a secret!
When it comes to looking and feeling good, there’s more than meets the eye.
When it comes to humans, what you see is not what you get. Humans may look like walking skeletons that can talk, but we are much more. Those who are brimming with health (such as the Swiss) innately understand this important concept: We are not just physical bodies, but also energetic ones. This is critical to understand. You must start looking at your body in terms of atoms and molecules… not just skin and bones.
Think of your body as an enormous ball of energy — so vast it could light up an entire city. Whatever you do in life that fuels the energy you have within makes you healthy and gorgeous. Hair shines, eyes glimmer, skin glows, weight shifts. You have vitality. This is the true gauge of health. Have you ever known someone who makes you think, “Hmm, they have great energy”?
The source of this energy is their inner vitality. When you start thinking about that, paying attention to it, you will notice you do make different choices. In Switzerland, for instance, I found it fascinating that most everyone has a homeopathic doctor. They go to emergent care doctors when needed, of course. But they do what they can to heal themselves in the least invasive way possible, because they understand this energy cycle.
They don’t want to disrupt the natural energy flowing through their bodies, so they aren’t quick to just dump anything in. Here’s a snapshot of two different thought processes. Of course I had to name them after two of my fave movies. Ask yourself, where do you fall?
Terminator View:
We are made like a “Terminator,” a biological entity of skin and parts that eventually wear out. The body’s consciousness stems solely from the electrical reactions in the brain. Illness just happens to a person because of bad genes or unfortunate exposure to viruses or bacteria, and drugs and surgery are how we return the body to balance.
Matrix View:
Our body has an energy matrix. We are electrical beings, not just structural ones. We think atoms and molecules, not just skin and bones. We know our body has an innate consciousness that helps direct us. We believe that genes express themselves according to our lifestyle. The way we eat, live, and move has an enormous impact on our health.
We know that being unhealthy can be a result of constant dysfunctional energy patterns played out in our lives. Most importantly, we understand that we are in control. Health is a byproduct of choices. It really comes down to building a better body, cell by cell. Everything rises and falls on the health of your cells. By using practices that I learned from my Swiss doctors—like cleansing and detoxifying your body, regulating pH balance through diet, and eating to strengthen your immune system and maintain optimal health and energy—you will get what you want.
Whether it’s to look better, feel better, heal better, get glowing skin, or have a youthful body and mind for years to come, you can obtain it. Think of your body like any other ecosystem. It really is self-healing and self-regulating. When you dump anything into your body that doesn’t belong, there is a ripple. There is an effect. Only provide your body what it needs, because otherwise natural production will go down. When you give your body anything it doesn't need, the consequences can be disastrous.
Address stressors, deficiencies, and toxicities beyond food as well. Supply your body with the right resources and remove interferences, such as bad food and negative relationships and thoughts that don’t serve you. When you start changing your paradigm and looking at your body as an ecosystem, you will lean into a stronger, healthier, and younger body and mind. Or maybe, just maybe, since the Swiss people consume the most chocolate per capita, it's just the chocolate that's got everybody glowing ... wink!
Keep thinking big and living bold!
Blog
Lessons form Paris: Sauce Ravigote
by Dr. Kellyann
on Apr 27 2014
I used to live in London, so I was a quick Eurostar train ride away to France. Needless to say, I took full advantage and spent many a weekend hanging out in the French shops and eateries. I was like a roving reporter tasting, touching, smelling and listening. It was actually through my experiences in France that made me understand cultural nutrition and how much it matters.
France is where I learned how foods are savored and enjoyed in social settings and how down right sexy good clean food can be. The “eat to live” philosophy may be how many of us view good clean eating. I say different. If we pay attention to just one thing (like the French do) we can spend a lot more time living, laughing and getting lost in the rapture of good meals. When you stay in France, you’ll find a very small fridge. In fact, you’ll find a very minimalistic kitchen all-together.
They really don’t need a lot of pantry and storage space, because the French aren’t in the habit of “stocking up.” The French eat fresh, unprocessed foods with minimal ingredients. They believe food quality matters and they have community around them when they eat. Here’s the hitch… they still make incredible meals. Whether it’s French fancy at Le Meurice, or your grabbing a bite at Café Angelina, (my favorite Café across the pond with best hot chocolate worldwide, which I dubbed liquid pudding) you experience great taste and flavor with minimal ingredients.
Seemed everywhere I explored with my backpack and notes, the only heavy people were the tourists. Huh. There’s something to learn from this. Check out the Sunday Morning Bacon recipe, Sauce Ravigote.
Keep thinking big and living bold!
-Dr. Kellyann
Cafe' Angelina, Paris
Bonus
Hard boiled eggs still lingering? Here's some suggestions:
Spicy deviled eggs or create your own deviled eggs with of the flavored mayo’s we already did. Stuffed with avocado or guacamole.
Scotch eggs
Stuffed peppers
Cobb salad
Chef’s salad
Tuscan spinach salad
Salad Nicoise
Any of many kinds of egg salad: avocado, curried, herb, with bacon, with ham, etc. Again, a good opportunity to use flavored mayo’s.
Blog
Defending Paleo (On National TV with a Live Audience)
by Dr. Kellyann
on Feb 27 2014
Just a few days ago, a producer from Bethanny, as in the Bethanny Frankel Show, called to ask me if I’d like to be featured on her show. Even with a trip to LA planned just a day away from when she called, I jumped at the chance. The more opportunities to spread the word about Paleo, the better! This time, I was to showcase all the benefits of living a Paleo lifestyle and was to be pitted against a doctor who didn’t believe in Paleo. Yikes, right?
But no problem. I know the backstory, the inside story, the success story, the you name it story, as it relates to Paleo.
Three days later, a car pulls up in front of my home with a driver ready to chauffeur me to New York. I stayed in a beautiful hotel across from Central Park — a great spot to get inspired for the show!
Then, just a day later, and voila, I’m standing my ground in front of a live audience. That live audience, incidentally, made the experience all the better.
My take-away? Whatever you believe to be true … whatever you believe in … stand your ground! Be who you are. Speak up. Make a difference. And never, ever, waiver because of popular vote or general consensus. It’s one sure way to grow and feel like you are alive.
P.S. A day or two ago, it was announced that the Bethanny Frankel Show will continue through May. Im sorry to see the show end, and I’m glad I had the opportunity to make an appearance as an expert. Check the show out on March 7th, when I’ll be on. I’ll also post the link here to the recording, in case you miss it.
Keep thinking big and living bold!
-Dr.Kellyann
Blog
Blogger on a Mission: Result Time!
by Dr. Kellyann
on Feb 19 2014
I’ll be featured on Toxic-Free Radio today at noon EST, checking in with radio host Debra Lynn Dadd as she finishes her 30-Day Reset journey. I’m betting she discovered, quite simply, how food makes her healthy, and how putting real foods first changed her body condition dramatically in just 30 days.
You’ve heard me go on and on about the 30-Day Reset because I seen it work time and time again, and believe in it. Show host Debra also believes in living a toxic-free life, so, naturally, she thought the 30-Day was a good idea for her. Getting rid of dietary toxins just made sense to Debra, and she’s not the type of person to drag her feet. In fact, we both got a good laugh over the fact that she went to the store and stocked up on the 30 Day Reset “yes” foods immediately after the call!
I’ll ask her about various conditions she may have had, how much weight she lost, how she looks and if she continues to go Paleo for life. This is the part where you get to create personal-play, and maybe go Paleo 80 percent of the time, or whatever works best. It will be interesting to find out what Debra decides.
Whether you care about Paleo or not, Debra is a must-hear and has written several books on toxic-free living. She is the authority on creating a toxic-free home and so much more. You may have caught her on the Today show and in the New York Times. Catch her — and me! — again today! Hopefully Toxic-Free Radio and Debra’s 30-Day journey will be enlightening for you.
Just click here to listen in!
Keep thinking big and living bold!
-Dr. Kellyann
Blog
You Can Survive Gluten-Filled Holiday Parties
by Dr. Kellyann
on Dec 22 2013
It might seem that Christmas just wouldn’t be Christmas without the gluten-filled sweets and treats that you’ve become accustomed to since childhood. But new traditions can be just as rewarding as old ones — and sometimes the old ones can be updated without anyone being the wiser. Here, I cover how easy it can be to start new and healthy traditions, as well as some tricks to bring old traditions into your new primal lifestyle.
This can be challenging, to be sure. Aunt Betty seems to always have a platter of cut-out sugar cookies and Uncle Joe likes to offer you a cold brew as soon as you walk in the door. These are, of course, foods and beverages that don’t fit into your guidelines. Then there’s work! How many times must we walk to the coffee/tea station at the office only to find another box of chocolates from a vendor or a plate of cookies from the boss’ wife? These work treats can be a big tease.
And how about those more-frequent happy hours that occur this time of year? Or that spur-of-the-moment call from a friend who says, “Let’s meet for a holiday toast!” Do know that if you give in once in a while, it’s no big deal. But do be careful! These little hiccups can quickly get way out of hand. (Remember my post on how the average person gains about a pound every holiday season? That’s the one pound that doesn’t go away … so imagine in 15 years being 15 pounds heavier!) And that’s just the holiday season! Take a moment to count the number of special occasions throughout the year. There’s New Year’s Day in January, as well as Super bowl Sunday, which is a major celebration for some people.
In February, you’ve got Valentine’s Day, followed by Easter, July Fourth, birthdays, weddings, anniversary parties and graduation celebrations. There’s a reason to celebrate during every month of the year, and if you indulge at every gathering, you can seriously disrupt your healthy habits in a way that’s counterproductive. But here’s the thing about the holiday season that I always remember: This is a time to focus on conversations, laughter, and camaraderie with your favorite people. It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking that a party is primarily about the food and the cocktails, but really, it’s about enjoying social interaction with people you like.
If you take the focus off the food and drink, and shine your attention on the people, you’ll enjoy the occasion more, and following your primal guidelines will feel effortless. The key is to learn how to enjoy your holiday social life and take part in holiday celebrations without feeling deprived — and without compromising your healthy new habits. Holiday Tips for Having the Best of Both Worlds: Plan and Prep: You probably know by now that it’s much easier to guarantee your success of eating clean when you invest a little time in planning and preparation. This eat-think-and-be-merry principle definitely applies to making the most of social situations, too.
With just a little prep — and a willingness to actively change your public behavior — you can enjoy parties as much as ever without sacrificing your eating principles. Meeting friends or family out on the town? Do your research: A quick, advance review of a restaurant’s menu can mean the difference between a relaxing, enjoyable meal and a gluten-infused nightmare. Read all the options on the menu and decide what you’re going to order before you go. Then when you arrive at the restaurant, don’t even open the menu — just revel in the knowledge that you know exactly what you’re ordering and sip on a glass of sparkling water with some olives or lemon while your dining companions make their decisions.
BYOF: Okay, bringing your own food isn’t always possible or appropriate, but in many cases, it works like a charm. Let people know that you are fine, but that your body can’t tolerate or is sensitive to many foods, or that you are sticking to a special regime and that you have your own food but will enjoy their salads, etc. To avoid a stare-down with a tray of lasagna, I will take advantage of vegetables and salads or protein (if it’s served without sauces or breading).
Eat Before You Go: If your big night out is dinner in a restaurant with friends, you probably don’t need to eat before you go and can follow my trick above about looking up the menu ahead of time. But a party at a friend’s house or an afternoon of holiday shopping might call for eating ahead so that you won’t derail good habits. Eat a solid Paleo meal before you go and bring Paleo-friendly snacks with you to sustain you, if you get hungry, or to give you something to eat when your companions indulge in a snack along the way.
Enlist Help: Tell your family and friends that you are sticking to your new food habits. That will shed light on why you’re not gulping beer, noshing on sugar cookies, or diving face first into the plate of appetizers you usually order. They might tease you a bit, but when they realize you’re serious and that it’s important to you, they’ll probably also encourage you and may even think about their own lifestyle and how they might want to try a primal diet.
Be Firm: You might be surprised to learn that for the most part, no one else will really notice when you change your habits. And if they do, they most likely won’t care too much. If someone gives you a hard time — a waiter, a co-worker, a “friend” — simply look them in the eye and say with as much steel (and patience) in your voice as possible, “It’s important to me that I eat this way. I’m sure you understand my desire to be as healthy as possible.” Tell them succinctly why you live the lifestyle you do and I’m betting no one will argue with that.
If you’re with friends or family members who want to know more or seem open to learning, here’s what I like to say: (It's what I like to call my dinner party pitch) “I love being healthy, feeling really energized and looking my best. Eating real, unprocessed foods gets me there. The concept is simple really. It’s just eating foods that our body metabolizes and digests best, so naturally I function better. This lifestyle is easier than you think and I actually learned to adapt almost every dish I used to eat to primal. The food tastes fantastic. For me, it’s a no brainer. I love the food, I look better, and I don't feel sluggish anymore or deal with any health conditions.”
Eat When You Get Home: Congratulations! You did it! You went to a holiday party and avoided chicken wings and 2-for-1 cocktails. When happy hour turned into dinner, you ordered a salad with grilled chicken while everyone else ate burgers and fries. Now, back at home, you’re feeling proud, but also a little hungry. Now is the time to celebrate with a solid, Paleo snack. Put on your pajamas and snuggle in to enjoy a restful sleep knowing that come morning, you won’t have a food hangover. Sweet dreams. Hope these suggestions help you survive your next holiday party!
Keep thinking Big and living BOLD!
Blog
by Dr. Kellyann
on Nov 17 2013
Jen Sinkler is the author of the blog Thrive with Jen Sinkler
So you probably want to know about the "giveaway" piece of this. Here you go: I'm giving away 3 signed copies of these bad boys! I just have one question: Tell me what you want out of all of this Paleo stuff. Living Paleo can take you from where you are now, to where you want to be. Tell me, where do you want to be?
The bottom line question: What do you want Living Paleo to do for you?
To Enter: Post to comments and tell us your goal - what do you want Living Paleo to help you achive in 2013.
Deadline: 11:59 p.m. Eastern on Friday, January 18, 2013. I’ll randomly select three winners and make the announcements/notification on January 21.
Restrictions: None! All my friends around the world are invited to enter!
Ready? Set? Well for the love of 2013...Go!
Live bold, think big – and find your power!
Dr. Kellyann
Blog
Paleo Weight Loss & Fitness with my Top 10 Performance Foods
by Dr. Kellyann
on Aug 01 2013
You cleared out your cupboards. You stocked your kitchen with healthy Paleo foods. Now its time to go Paleo-plus, as in stocking up on primal super foods that will undoubtedly help you get you from where you are now to where you want to be.
Primal super foods work overtime in the multitasking department — they heal the gut, decrease inflammation and flood your cells with nutrients that are more often needed over any others. In fact, super foods help you heal at the deepest of possible levels, from the inside out. This helps to boost your immunity and your energy levels. As well, super foods help you perform at your very best.
Push away that toaster, rice maker and deep fryer and get ready for some good old-fashioned super foods that will move your performance needle far.
1. Unrefined coconut oil
Unrefined coconut oil is a favorite oil with which to cook. It can be used for high-heat cooking (and the oil won’t get rancid, which is often a big problem with other oils). Even if you start out cooking with healthy oil (such as olive or macadamia oils), the high heat can oxidize the oil (which means the oil becomes damaged or rancid) and you end up with unhealthy oil. When you use unhealthy oils, you create inflammation in the body, which is the backstory behind many modern-day diseases, including heart disease.
Coconut oil also is a good replacement for butter, because it’s solid at room temperature, and provides a creamy, delicious taste. With its anti-bacterial, anti-aging and anti-inflammatory properties, it’s a sure bet you’ll boost your immunity for better performance using coconut oil.
2. Sweet potatoes
I would wager just about all of my “chips,” if betting on sweet potatoes as the food that leads in athlete recovery. These great vegetables give your body the energy you need to refuel and recover. They’re superior to white potatoes because they contain more beta-carotene (that's why they have that beautiful orange glow) and contain no anti-nutrients, unlike white-potato skin. Anti-nutrients, incidentally, can cause gut disturbances and nutrient-depletion … who wants that? Dice them, sauté them or mash them with a little cinnamon and nutmeg, and you’re all set!
3. Grass-fed meats
It’s critical for the success of a Paleo athlete to get the right nutrients in his or her body for a beneficial workout, and to re-fuel well for recovery. This is where grass-fed meats really pay off, as they are more nutritious then conventionally raised meats. Grass-fed beef, bison, lamb and goats have less total fat, saturated fat, cholesterol and calories than most other meats. Grass-fed beef also has more vitamin E, beta-carotene, vitamin C, and a number of health-promoting fats, including omega-3 fatty acids and “conjugated linoleic acid” or CLA. CLA may be one of our most potent defenses against cancer. In fact, in a Finnish study, women who had the highest levels of CLA in their diet had a 60 percent lower risk of breast cancer than those with the lowest levels. Switching from grain-fed to grass-fed meat products places women in this lowest risk category. Researcher Tilak Dhiman from Utah State University estimates that you may be able to lower your risk of cancer simply by eating one serving of grass-fed meat each day. You would have to eat five times that amount of grain-fed to get the same level of protection.
Tasty Tip: The fat in grass-fed beef is so healthy that you can actually eat it — no need to trim the excess fat!
4. Eggs
Protein plays a big part in the Paleo athlete’s life. Whether you need to pre-fuel with protein and fat, or you need to recover with protein and dense carbohydrates, eggs are your go-to source. They’re a quick protein source that you can have at the ready whenever you need them.
Eggs are filled with vitamins and minerals, including choline and biotin. These two minerals are pretty important because the biotin turns what you eat into energy, while choline moves cholesterol through your bloodstream.
Tasty Tip: Don't put the brakes on eating eggs because you fear their cholesterol. Almost everyone produces less cholesterol in their bodies based on how much they consume in food. Studies show that dietary cholesterol doesn't have much affect on blood cholesterol.
5. Homemade bone broths
Bone broths provide ridiculously awesome deep healing. These broths are flavorful liquids made from boiling animal bones for an extended period of time, often with vegetables or herbs, and then straining out the solids. The resulting broth is rich in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and amino acids, which make you perform at your best. Bone broth is a powerful healer that reduces inflammation, heals infection, boosts immunity, stimulates bone health, heals the gut and even has a calming effect. For a great bone broth recipe, check out Chapter 18 in the Paleo Cookbook for Dummies.
Tasty Tip: Bone broths heal the digestive system, which helps your immune system strengthen and enhances hair, skin and nail health. In addition, joint pain disappears and your body naturally de-toxes. You can even give some of this liquid gold to your pets — they’ll grow the healthiest coat you can imagine.
6. Organ meats
You may be asking why anyone would want to chow down on organ meats. But because these meats are so nutritional, it’s totally worth becoming familiar with them. Athletes are always looking for the best sources of protein, and organ meat is definitely one of them. Kidney, liver and heart all have a high concentration of fat-soluble vitamins, and they’re one of the best sources of Vitamin D. That Vitamin D boost should be a huge motivator, since many people have severe Vitamin D depletion. Organ meats also have essential fatty acids, which are great for the brain and that membrane that lines your cell walls. The most important thing to know about shopping for organ meats? Quality matters. It’s essential you get the finest quality available because not only is deep nutrition found in organs, toxins are stored here as well. To avoid this, purchase organic, free range which will have considerably lower levels of toxins.
Tasty Tip: For more information on healthy organ meats, go to www.grasslandbeef.com/storefront.bok.
7. Fermented foods
Since the gut has a lot to do with overall health and performance, fermented vegetables (or perhaps dairy, if tolerated) can be a great part of your food choices. Fermentation uses beneficial bacteria that are great for gut health. Try kimchi or sauerkraut, or ferment some beets or carrots for fermented vegetable choices.
If you are one of the few that can tolerate dairy, then fermented dairy is an option as well. Just be sure and choose raw, fermented, full-fat dairy such as cultured butter, yogurt, kefir, and cheese — you’re getting a healthy fat, a fermented food, and conjugated linoleic acid, which possesses tremendous healing effects.
8. Full-fat coconut milk
Paleo athletes love full-fat coconut milk. It’s high in saturated fatty acids and medium-chain triglycerides (MCT), which are both easily burned as fuel by the body.
Coconut milk also is a wonderful substitute for heavy cream or yogurt. Buying full-fat is important because the lighter versions are simply the full-fat version, watered down.
Tasty Tip: Always check the labels. Avoid brands with sulfites or added sugar.
9. Berries
There’s no arguing … berries taste great and are perfect for adding to a post-workout meal. Low in fructose (you definitely want to keep fructose on the low side to avoid blood-sugar spikes), berries rank high in antioxidants and nutrition. If you can’t get them fresh, frozen berries are a great substitute. In fact, one should always have a spare bag of frozen, unsweetened berries in the freezer.
Tasty Tip: For a super luscious way to eat berries, drizzle full-fat coconut milk over them. You’ll feel like your indulging in a sweet. The good news: Berries aren’t overkill, so they don’t create sugar cravings.
10. Meat jerky
Athletes often want to refuel with a snack immediately following their work-outs. Paleo snacking is different than the boxed and packaged snacks of modern day. With a little imagination and willingness to try new things, you will find great post work-out options, such as meat jerky. The trick is to find a healthy source that doesn't include added sugars or processed ingredients. Making your own jerky is a good idea if you want to avoid lots of added salt or processing — there are many recipes online.
Besides being tasty, jerky is convenient, high in protein and easy to take just about anywhere.
Tasty Tip: When purchasing jerky, read labels carefully. Avoid nitrates, MSG, soy, gluten or added sugar. Jerky should be free-range with no antibiotics or added hormones. One of our favorite brands is Steve’s Paleo Goods.
Blog
These Days, This Author is 'Booked' Solid!
by Dr. Kellyann
on Jun 09 2013
All Work and No Play Makes This Author a Dull — but Smarter! — Girl ... You may think I’ve been pretty quiet lately, and that I flat-out disappeared. That’s not quite the case … I’m on a mission for you and your health. These past several weeks have been full-speed-ahead on a variety of projects. I love what I do and have taken on super-human workloads to the tune of about 15 hours per day for … well, a long time. I’m not complaining — not one bit. I’ve lived with my high-energy self for a good while.
I’m intense and focused, which are traits not embraced by everyone. Speaking of focus, my vision is super-clear and if anything crosses my path that is not congruent with my vision, it’s an immediate "no.” I love living that way and I suggest you give that philosophy a try. It makes work and lifestyle choices a lot easier! I’ve channeled my recent research and findings into several outlets this past year. In a nutshell (a Paleo-approved nut, of course), I’ve been busy with:
- Living Paleo for Dummies (2012, Wiley). I co-authored this book with celebrity Paleo chef Melissa Joulwan. It’s been selling like crazy and is becoming one of those classic "must-have" reference books. I’m really proud of the book and blown away by the unbelievable sales, which tells me people care about health in a big, big way. Amazon gave it a great review by such Paleo pros as Melissa Hartwig of Whole9, the Paleo Parents, Nom-Nom Paleo; Paleo fitness guru Pat Flynn of The Chronicles of Strength; and the absolutely lovely and popular Paleo chef Arsy of Rubies and Radishes.
- Boosting Your Immunity for Dummies (2013, Wiley). I worked with Dr. Wendy Warner, M.D. on this enlightening book. She’s a brilliant holistic doc who was coined by Dr. Oz as the doctor with whom he trusts his family! A great all-around health and wellness book, it shares solutions for combating everything from the common cold to autoimmune diseases and even cancer — all naturally. Boosting also dives deeply into food and Paleo nutrition. Also outstanding: the recipes, courtesy of celeb Paleo chef Melissa Joulwan of theclothesmakethegirl.com and Primal guru Mark Sisson of marksdailyapple.com. We garnered a 4 ½-star rating from Amazon, and are receiving great feedback from some of the best doctors in the United States!
- Paleo Cookbook for Dummies (August 2013, Wiley). Remember The Joy of Cooking? Well this 360-page wonder is truly “The Joy of Paleo.” No kidding. Go ahead and think of one possible cooking/recipe/Paleo-transitioning question and you’ll find the answer in this book, the quintessential solutions guide for Paleo-passionate cooks. As the author, I invited nine Paleo greats to contribute to this treasure, and 75 percent of the recipes are whole30(™)-approved. You can pre-order on Amazon, as it’s not slated to be out until mid- to late-summer.
- Paleo Fitness for Dummies (December 2013, Wiley). Working with fitness guru Pat Flynn of thechroniclesofstrength.com, we’ve created a book of veritable blue-ocean stuff. There is NOTHING like it in the marketplace. I was the luckiest girl in the world to have met the smart, talented (and very funny) Flynn at a Mastermind gathering in Philadelphia, where we became instant friends and made this book happen. If you want the absolute cutting-edge ON FIRE fitness info., this book is for you.
Our goal was to help readers burn fat and get them insanely lean and strong … in just minutes a day. - Just Signed a “Sa-weeet!” Contract on Another Book. I promise that it will be awesome, and that's all I’m saying about that for now! Check back in a few days and you’ll get the update on my latest home-delivery ventures.
Blog
by Dr. Kellyann
on Nov 17 2012
What exactly is GRIT?
I know it sounds like the stuff that ends up between your bathroom tiles - all icky and stuff. Nope, not the grit I'm talking about. When you think of Grit, think of someone like Jack Canfield who was told by 144 publishers to "hit the road Jack" before finally landing a publisher that said "yes" to his manuscript called Chicken Soup for the Soul. What did his grit investment get him? Well, he and his co-author Mark Victor Hansen became best selling authors selling over 115 million books worldwide. How about Sylvester Stallone?
He was completely broke, living in his car, but somehow found it within himself to not only sell his screenplay for the movie Rocky, but got even "grittier" (something you should know about me... I love to make up words) and scored the leading role in the film as a complete unknown. The Grit factor even pays off in character roles. If you caught the Hunger Games, you were probably perched at your seat completely compelled by the main character Katniss Everdeen, who's grit is the basis behind the entire gripping storyline.
Where does grit come from? Were these people given a special gift? Nope. Were they taught grit? Nope. Do they know something other people don't know? Well, maybe.
Grit comes from your WHY.
Your why is what drives you to plow forward. It's your purpose. It's a goal or a mission that you want to fulfill so deeply - your physiology won't let you stop plowing ahead, even when turbulence hits because as sure as I'm standing, it will.
Grit is the byproduct of your mission. When something is so meaningful, so important, you sink your teeth in like nobody's business. It's when you want something so badly that it doesn't matter what life throws at you. The wheels can come off the wagon, and you just keep going.
Why am I mentioning this stuff? Well, because your health, your effervescent, and your energy levels are directly proportional to how much you are living your purpose. This is a HUGE factor when assessing your health outcomes.
It's like this:
Your WHY + Your GRIT= Your Overall Success in Life
No doubt, there are days I feel like saying screw my purpose, screw git. I'm going back to bed - with a damn bag of Twizzlers, and what's it to you anyway? But before long, that internal drive takes over. That purpose that flows through my veins and I get back up - battle wounds and all.
So it may seem like an oversimplification to just ask the question: What's my WHY? But when you take the time to discover this, there's no going back. Life may not get easier, but I can promise you will feel a greater sense of "inner brilliance."
Thanks for stopping by!
Live bold, think big – and find your power!
Blog
by Dr. Kellyann
on Oct 16 2012
Cheers! Welcome to my first blog post on drkellyann.com. This website is dedicated to helping you launch your crazy awesome life! I’m so glad you’re here! Here’s what’s on my mind: Putting yourself out there is, well…. no joke. It’s risky, a lotta work, and downright scary as all. So an intelligent person may ask, why do you even bother?
I learned something very early in practice - I’m in the solutions business. People came to me wanting solutions and strategies to create a better life. Finding those solutions became my complete focus. I began to dig deeper than I knew I could, and ended up spending ½ my life doing so. I was on a scavenger hunt looking for answers, and travelled literally around the world to find them. It was my passion, my obsession and definitely my personal journey. These are the questions that clunked around in my brain:
How do we get well, stay well and look damn good doing it? How do we fight aging and live longer, stronger and disease free?
After years of studying the habits of different cultures, learning from the créme de le créme docs, and spending time working with many patients, I found answers. Ridiculously simple solutions to many of the outrageous (and totally preventable) problems that cause so much suffering today. If you have a message that may inspire someone to create a better life, you gotta go for it. To me, it’s a moral obligation - and that’s why I bother. I have an obligation to help you develop the habits to get well, stay well and look amazing - because I know, it’s your birthright.
With a couple of strategies, you can finally clear out all of the confusion and make your life simple… and with simplicity, you get results. So, I may be shakin’ in my shoes starting this new adventure, but it’s not about me being comfortable. The message I have is bigger than that. It’s about helping you to move towards a better life. Every week I’ll give you your daily dose news, tips or inspiration to help you decide, commit, and Get. It. Done!
I know that you get a lot of junk in your in-box every day. I don’t like it when marketers email me everyday. I promise I will never do that. I respect your time and your privacy. Thank you for reading – and please – email me anytime to let me know how I can help you. Live bold, think big - and find your power!
Dr Kellyann
