Hi friends! I’m so excited to welcome Brian Murphy to the podcast today! I tracked him down at the Biohacking Conference because I loved his company, their mission, and his overall energy and vibe. I could tell he was just a genuine, cool, positive person, and I knew he’d be an amazing fit for the show.

Here’s what we talk about today:

– What are adaptogens and how do they work?

– Our broken food system and the purpose behind Living Prana

– Cultivating a positive mindset and creating motivation, even when you don’t feel like it

– His tips for being Healthy In Real Life

– and so.much.more.

171: The power of adaptogens with Brian Murphy

Here’s more about Brian and his background:

Brian is the CEO and co-founder of LIVING PRANA, a functional food company transforming unhealthy packaged foods with nutrient-dense superfoods. He is a champion for reform of a U.S. food system to provide food that creates health, raising the bar on transparency, integrity and sustainability for the businesses feeding America.

A former investment banker and strategic growth leader, he has invested in, advised, and built businesses for the past 15 years, working shoulder-to-shoulder with many entrepreneurs and leading growth for private equity-backed and public companies. Brian is a Chartered Financial Analyst. Combining this business experience with mindfulness practices, Brian is leading an evolution into a new conscious business paradigm that is accountable to its community, stakeholders and to the planet.

In 2016, Brian hit a radical turning point as significant stressors drove his physical and mental health into a crisis – he called off a wedding, lost 65 pounds and sold his first business. This unlocked his passion to inspire others to prioritize their well-being using food as medicine after saving his own physical and mental health with functional foods. As Brian furthered his spiritual discovery, the path illuminated for him to create businesses that fulfill a greater purpose aligned with his transformation while healing people and the planet.

In 2020, after the beginning of his spiritual journey, Brian flipped the keys on a longstanding successful corporate career to bet on himself as an impact creator and align his personal values with his entrepreneurial efforts. After his lifelong physical health struggles, his involvement in the business side of surgery and watching health decay of his loved friends and family, Brian dedicated his impact to build businesses that help optimize physical and mental wel

Comparing Signos and Nutrisense in today’s post! You can also use my code GINA50 to try out Nutrisense if that’s the one you decide to do. 

Hi friends! How’s the morning going? I have a full day of client calls and am looking forward to a yoga class later today. I’m also going to insert a new CGM AFTER yoga, because hot yoga makes it fall out of my arm. 😉

Today I wanted to talk a little bit about monitoring glucose levels occasionally, because it’s been one of the most empowering things I’ve done in my health routine.

Blood glucose is a critical indicator of your overall health, affecting everything from energy levels to weight management, and even mood. By using a Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM), you can gain real-time data on how your body responds to food, exercise, sleep, and stress. Today, I wanted to share a comparison of two of the most popular CGM options on the market: Signos and Nutrisense. (You can read my full Nutrisense review here.)

I’ll break down the pros, cons, and which one I recommend.

Signos Vs Nutrisense: My Honest Review

Understanding the differences between Signos and Nutrisense can help you choose which device and app best suit your needs. Both offer valuable insights into your glucose data, but they cater to slightly different audiences with unique features and functionalities.

What Is Signos?

Signos is a cutting-edge CGM platform that focuses on using real-time glucose data to provide personalized nutrition and weight loss insights. What makes Signos unique is its AI-powered approach to weight management, making it a favorite among those looking to optimize their diet and exercise routines for better health outcomes.

How Does Signos Work?

Signos works by combining a CGM sensor with a powerful app that uses AI to analyze your glucose data. They use a Dexcom sensor, which is placed on the back of your arm and continuously monitors your blood sugar levels. The Signos app then interprets this data, offering personalized recommendations on when and what to eat, as well as how to adjust your lifestyle choices to maintain stable glucose levels. It also syncs with your Apple Health and Google Health information.

Signos App Features

AI-Powered Weight Loss Insights

The standout feature of Signos is its AI-powered weight loss recommendations. The app analyzes your glucose readings in real-time and suggests actionable steps to optimize your diet and exercise routines. This feature is particularly beneficial for those looking t

Sharing tips on how to prep daytime meals and snacks in just two hours.

Hi friends! How are you? I hope your week is going well! Don’t forget to check out the amazing HigherDOSE Labor Day sale here! You can use FITNESSISTA20 for 20% off sitewide (excluding bundles and full-sized saunas).

Now that we’re back into school and activities for the kids, I’ve had to dedicate Sunday to prep, plan and clean. I get everything set up for the week, and since the weeknight evenings are so busy, I try to plan our meals and grocery shop around what’s going on. (For example, if I know Tuesday is a late night with activities, I feed the kids early, make something in the Instant Pot, or dedicate it a takeout night. We have takeout or restaurant meals 1-2 times per week max, so I try to make it count!)

Life gets busy, and finding time to prepare healthy meals can feel like a challenge. But with a little planning and a solid strategy, you can set yourself up for a week of nourishing meals in just two hours. In this post, I’ll walk you through how to prepare a week’s worth of healthy eats with a focus on efficiency, deliciousness, and balance. Grab your meal prep containers, turn on some music, and let’s goooooo!

(PS if you’re looking for more ideas, you can download my free Meal Prep Blueprint guide here!)

How to prep for a week of healthy eating in two hours

Why Meal Prep?

Meal prep isn’t just about saving time; it’s also about making sure you have healthy options on hand. This way you’re more likely to FUEL yourself with healthy eats (instead of getting busy and skipping meals), or choosing options that are simply convenient (like takeout or pantry snacks). When you have a fridge stocked with ready-to-eat meals and snacks, it’s easier to stick to your health goals. Plus, meal prepping can be a fun and creative way to experiment with new recipes and flavors.

Getting Started: Your Meal Prep Plan

The key to successful meal prep is organization.

Start by gathering your ingredients and kitchen tools. Then, follow this step-by-step guide to prepare a week of healthy meals in just two hours. I’ve attached the recipes below, but here’s how I would structure the timing to get everything finished in two hours:

HOUR ONE:

– Preheat the oven to 350

– Start boiling water for the eggs

– Put the chicken in the Instant Pot, spices, and turn it on so the chicken is cooking (recipe #4 below)

– Prep the chocolate protein oatmeal bake (#1 below) and put it into the oven

– Add the eggs to the boiling water (#2 below)

*While the oatmeal, eggs, and chicken are cooking, prep the meat for the meatballs (#7 below), and chop veggies for the raw veggie snacks (#6 below) and store in the fridge, and chop the veggies for roasted veggies (#3 below) and set aside. Toss the veggies for roasting with olive or avocado oil and salt and pepper.

* To finish up hour one, remove the chocolate protein oatmeal from the oven and allow to cool. Shred the chicken and set aside to cool before storing, and

Hi friends! Happy Friday! What’s going on this weekend? We have the usual basketball and dance scramble, and we’re meeting up with my dad and stepmom for dinner, and hanging out with friends on Sunday. I hope you have a wonderful weekend ahead.

It’s time for the weekly Friday Faves party! This is where I share some of my favorite finds from the week and around the web. I always love to hear about your faves, too, so please shout out something you’re loving in the comments section below.

8.23 Friday Faves

Fashion + beauty + random:

A scavenger hunt parenting hack.

Had the best anniversary with the Pilot and our babies. We had dinner at Hacienda del Sol, which was low-key and lovely.

So excited to be working with Dr. Honican at Longevity Health on some Bioenergetic Testing. I’ve wanted to try this forever, so I can’t wait to get my results back. (This test is different than the HTMA test that we offer, so I’m excited to see the difference and overlaps in my results from previous tests.) You can check out my podcast with Dr. Honican here!

Revolve 20% off ALL beauty!

They have quite a few amazing finds, like:

my favorite Tarte lip balm (just ordered two more for Liv and myself)

the perfect travel jewelry organizer

just ordered this eye brush set

an acupressure mat kit

this gorgeous glow balm

one of my go-to clean fragrances

the best sleep mask in a gorgeous print

Sharing some tips about sugar cravings, healthy foods to curb them, why you should enjoy a sweet treat when you want one, and why fueling yourself throughout the day is the key to feeling satisfied and energized.

Hi friends! How’s the day going? Are you excited about the return of fall? It’s bittersweet for us! I hope you have a wonderful day!!. 🙂

For today’s post, let’s talk about sugar cravings!

Sugar cravings make you feel the urge to eat something sweet, and it’s super common. It can also lead to overeating, as tons of sugary foods can satisfy your sweet tooth for a second, but also make you feel hungry and wanting more just as quickly. Some common causes of sugar cravings include: poor sleep quality, hormones (oh hey, PMS), being dehydrated, restrictive eating styles, and deprivation throughout the day. Today, I’m sharing a roundup of foods and strategies I enjoy to fight sugar cravings and hope that these tips are helpful for ya.

Healthy foods to curb sugar cravings

(10 years ago, I would have never posted these pics. My posture is slouchy and I don’t like the way my stomach looks. But, this is real life, and this is my real body, so there ya go.)

Make sure you’re getting enough protein

Protein is the building block of our cells and also adds a satiety factor to our meals. They’re so much more filling when there’s a protein component, and as it’s important to preserve muscle tissue as we age, high-protein food continues to be something you should include in your meals and snacks.

Some sources of protein you might consider:

– Greek yogurt

– Cottage cheese

– Chicken

– Fish (shellfish, salmon, tuna)

– Eggs

– Tempeh

– Lentils

– Red meat

-Deli meat

– A quality protein powder

Get fiber throughout the day

Foods that are high in fiber are also high in micronutrients (vitamins and minerals) and antioxidants, plus they can improve digestion. In your meals and snacks, try to include veggies with high water content, and eat the colors of the rainbow throughout the day. Each week, I like to grab a ton of veggies and roast them on a sheet pan. I’ll add these veggies to wraps, scrambles, and salads throughout the week. (Also, when you roast them, it makes them easier to digest. If you have a hard time digesting raw salads, roasted veggies may be an awesome solution.)

I’m also a huge fan of fermented foods, like kimchi and sauerkraut, and chia seeds increase fiber intake.

Foods that are naturally sweet (as opposed to foods sweetened with artificial sweeteners or added sugars) can also be sources of fiber in your diet, like fruit! I love berries, a couple of medjool dates stuffed with peanut butter and topped with sea salt, or a handful of dried fruit and nuts.

Read more