Healthy Weight Loss Archives

Stop Emotional Eating with Hypnosis

Today I have a very special video, talking to my friend and renowned hypnotherapist Grace Smith. After so many of you shared that you are “eating your emotions” and “stress eating”, I wanted her to share with all of us how her work can help us all stop behaviors that can become highly destructive and downright unhealthy.

You see, Grace’s work has helped thousands around the world stop emotional eating, lose weight more effectively than ever before and fall in love with their magnificent bodies where it matters most… inside your subconscious mind.

Because if your conscious mind wants something (to lose weight) and your subconscious mind wants something else (to stay the same), the subconscious will win every.single.time.

It will sabotage success from the inside out until things return to the status quo…

Unless you learn how to access and upgrade your subconscious mind directly.

Grace’s BRAND NEW BOOK “Close Your Eyes, Lose Weight” will teach you exactly how to do just that.

Her book will also teach you:

✔️Magical Meal Prep + Motivation to Keep Going ⠀

✔️The Fundamentals: Chew, Hydrate, Stop! ⠀

✔️Limiting Beliefs That Have to Go ⠀

✔️Intuitive Eating ⠀

✔️Train Your Brain to Crave Exercise ⠀

✔️Freedom from Emotional Eating ⠀

✔️Overcome Eating When Bored ⠀

✔️ Upgrade How You Reward Yourself ⠀

✔️ The People and Places That Trigger You ⠀

✔️ Putting the Law of Attraction to Work⠀

✔️ How to Cope with Unwanted Attention ⠀

✔️ Overcome the Fear of Success ⠀

✔️ Learning to Love Yourself for the Long Run ⠀

Due to the fact that we’re all more isolated than ever, there are two ways that you can enjoy “Close Your Eyes, Lose Weight” and the wisdom inside that will help you to transform your relationship to food and your body, for the long term.

Option A: Self-Study

Purchase your copy of “Close Your Eyes, Lose Weight” here today and make your way through the book, it’s daily journal pages, and it’s accompanying digital resources website on your own, in your own time.

Option B: Group Study

Enroll in Grace’s 90 Day Live Weight Loss Challenge (launching on May 1st) and join a community of like minded souls from all over the world who are committed to making their way through the 12-week journey laid out inside “Close Your Eyes, Lose Weight,” TOGETHER. You’ll receive additional bonus videos each week, live Q&A chats with Grace each week, and most importantly, you’ll receive ACCOUNTABILITY. Click here to learn more about the Group Study option!

You’ll see me inside the Group Study program myself as I’ll be providing you all with a bonus lesson on the meal plan that I created for “Close Your Eyes, Lose Weight”…

That’s right! Grace asked me to create the official “Close Your Eyes, Lose Weight” meal plan and I can’t wait for you to get your hands on it and for me to walk all Group Study participants through it in even greater detail <3

If you have any questions feel free to reply to this email.

Otherwise, give yourself the gift of freedom from emotional eating during this time of heightened fear and uncertainty by choosing either the Self-Study option or the Group Study option.

How To Manage Stress-Induced Diarrhea and Constipation

The stress of today’s world, now compounded by the COVID-19 pandemic can lead to digestive disruption that could manifest in either constipation or diarrhea, among other uncomfortable symptoms.

The recurring feelings of worry, the sadness, anger and frustration related to our current reality and even your present social situations (whether you feel alone/isolated or overwhelm with too many around you), leave us in an emotional “flight, fight or freeze” state where your body constantly feels like it’s in danger, stress hormones are over produced and all kinds of tummy issues materialized.

If you are the kind that is experiencing loose stools, here are a few tips that can help:

Reduce the amount of caffeine/caffeinated beverages for a few days
Avoid oily foods
Reduce alcohol consumption also for a few days
Practice the 4-5-7 breathing technique
Use probiotic rich foods like miso or kombucha
Take instead ginger to manage discomfort and improve digestion
A strong black tea or blackberry tea can help control diarrhea as its tannins have a dehydrating effect, decreasing secretion of fluids in the intestines

If, on the other hand you’re experience stress-related constipation, here are a few tips for you:

Give yourself time in the bathroom to empty your bowels, this is NOT the time to be bashful
Use a step to elevate your feet when using the toilet
Workout: especially movements that help you move your core and your upper body in opposite direction to the lower body
Drink a TON of water (and avoid caffeinated drinks too)
Practice the 4-5-7 breathing technique
Use papaya sprinkled with lemon
Use Cascara Sagrada – My GO-TO (I rarely use Senna, it’s too harsh)

In a couple of days, I will be sharing with you a special surprise video showing you how to manage stress and stress-eating in the pandemic era, stay tuned!

Five Veggies That Burn Belly Fat

Belly fat, why are you still with me? That’s the question most of us have asked of the little extra round soft stuff in our mid-sections. Belly fat is not just about how we look but more importantly, how we feel and how we stay healthy long term.

Scientific studies have now shown that fat around your belly is a potential precursor to heart disease and can put you at risk for diabetes, chronic inflammation and other health issues.

Sadly, most of us struggle to lose that pesky fat that seemingly refuses to leave our bellies. Especially if you have a sedentary lifestyle, you can only expect that belly fat to get larger still.

Luckily, there are whole foods now easily available in most markets across cities that have natural belly fat burning abilities. Consuming these foods can be a great compliment to slowly reducing fat from your abdomen and achieve your healthy living goals.

Some of the ingredients that have fat-burning abilities are also anti-oxidant, high in fiber and densely nourishing, making them superfoods in the true sense of the word.

Let’s check these amazing foods that can help you lose belly fat:

1. Mushrooms

One of my favorite superfoods, mushrooms are immunity powerhouses. You can find dozens of edible mushrooms in supermarkets but my favorites are shiitake, maitake and portobello. They have been known to promote weight loss and fat burn by regulating the levels of glucose in the blood. They are also rich in protein and can help you increase your metabolism, resulting in eventual fat loss.

2. Cauliflower

Cauliflower has become a go-to option for folks who don’t want to eat starchy foods like potatoes or rice. Cauliflower contains phytochemicals that can help enhance fat loss in the body. It is a highly versatile vegetable that can also help regular digestion, making it easier for your body to absorb nutrients and prevent fat storage.

3. Asparagus

I often consume mushrooms and asparagus together. For some reason, they go together really well. Asparagus contains the chemical asparagine, an alkaloid that acts directly at a cellular level to break down fat within the body. Also highly versatile and can be consumed roasted, in stews and stir fry’s alike.

4. Cucumbers

Cucumbers are highly cleansing, filling and rich in vitamins. They are ubiquitous in the juicing world, especially because they are water rich and help you feel fuller longer, eventually helping you consume less calories.

5. Pumpkins

Who doesn’t love pumpkins? They are relatively dense (because of their high fiber content) yet low in calories. Pumpkins are common in weight loss programs as one of the few starchy vegetables “allowed”. They will help you feel full, grounded and satisfied when you are consuming less calories than normal.

Why losing Weight Is Hard (And What You Can Do About It)

What is the one thing you might be missing that could lead to long term, healthy weight loss. For years, dieters have been told that less calories equal more weight loss. But the truth is a lot more complex than that (you already know that!)

Set Point Weight... Have you heard about this concept? Set Point Weight is a concept that believes that each person’s brain fights to keep a pre-determined weight where the body functions at an optimum or comfortable level. It’s like a thermostat, that different people keep at different temperatures to stay comfortable.

Learn more in the video and follow these 3 simple steps:

1. Change the structure of your diet.

2. Change the structure of your gut.

3. Change your background.

What do you think about this concept? Does it make sense? Are you willing to try just a wee bit harder to reach those weight loss goals? Let me know in the comment section below the video.

5 Surprising Reasons why I use Apple Cider Vinegar all the Time (And The Best Way To Take It)

Yes, we all know how amazing apple cider vinegar is but do you know how good? Here are the top 5 reasons why I take it all the time and the best way to take it!

(Hint: scroll below the video to see the benefits and get a discount code)

Weight Loss:Many people drink apple cider vinegar to help with weight management. Consuming it daily is thought to:

help reduce bad cholesterol
fight off cravings
reduce abdominal fat

Overall, it seems like apple cider vinegar is useful as a weight loss aid, mainly by promoting satiety and lowering blood sugar and insulin levels.

Can Kill Many Types of Harmful Bacteria

Vinegar can help kill pathogens, including bacteria. It has traditionally been used for cleaning and disinfecting, treating nail fungus, lice, warts and ear infections.

Can help manage blood sugar levels and even fight diabetes

Type 2 diabetes is characterized by high blood sugar levels, either because of insulin resistance or an inability to produce insulin.

However, high blood sugar can also be a problem in people who don’t have diabetes. It is believed to be a major cause of aging and various chronic diseases.

Can Reduce Candida

Candida is a naturally occurring bacteria in the body, often associated with yeast infections and negative bacterial overgrowth. The natural enzymes in apple cider vinegar can help the body get rid of yeasts associated with candida overgrowth in humans. Candida excess symptoms include foggy brain, excessive tiredness, poor memory, sugar cravings and others.

Can Lower Cholesterol and Improve Heart Health

Heart disease is currently the world’s most common cause of premature and preventable deaths. There are a few biological factors linked to heart diseases and those factors can be improved by consuming vinegar.

An observational study from Harvard show that women who ate salad dressings with vinegar had a reduced risk of heart disease.

But this type of study can only show an association, it cannot prove that the vinegar caused anything.

So, how do you take it, how much, for how long?

You can take the raw apple cider vinegar directly from a bottle (mixed with water) every day. But that is often hard to take for a lot of people because:

it has a harsh, acidity taste
can cause people to gag or even get nauseous
the acidity in the vinegar can damage your teeth enable in the long term

A better option is to take it in capsules, like the ones from Apple Cider Vinegar Superior

This one is infused with Spirulina and kelp and all you have to do is take 1 capsule with each meal (3 capsules per day).

If you’re interested in getting it, simply visit:

Apple Cider Vinegar Superior
Use Code JOVANKA15 for a 15% discount

6 Sugar Craving Hacks

Today, most of us struggle with sugar cravings and more than a few of us are downright sugar addicted! So what to do?

While there are a dozen options I can recommend, especially involving herbal remedies, I wanted to share here the top 6 hacks: quick and easy ways that are scientifically proven ways to help you reduce your sugar cravings in the short term and give you a chance to slowly learn to control and reduce your sugar intake.

Check them out here:

1. Breathe – activates parasympathetic nervous system
2. Raw Apple Cider Vinegar – Take it in pills or liquid (1 TSP in a glass of water)
3. Cinnamon spice – use in your smoothies, oatmeal, breakfasts and even soups
4. Shake around or walk around for just 5-10 mins drastically reduces your post meal sugar spike
5. Eat sour foods. When you crave sugar, eat foods that are sour and bitter. This helps to counteract sweet cravings. Include bitter ingredients like endive, dandelion greens and kale into your green smoothies or green juices. I also recommend drinking lemon-infused water daily.
6. Add fat to your meals – slows down your gastric empty

Do you know of any others? Let me know in the comments section below!

How To Curb Late Night Binging

Craving sweet, salty or fatty foods late at night? Even after you’ve had an awesome day full of nourishing foods, plenty of fiber, and water!

You’ve done everything you can and you still have those pesky cravings. How to curb them? This video will show you what I do to help me not un-do my healthy day!

Here’s the list of the tips mentioned on the video:

Consume more nutrients through the day
Spread out your water
Avoid bringing crappy food into the house
Have raw cacao powder
Take cinnamon bark tea
Have sex
Increase healthy oils in your meals
Peppermint essential oil

Hope you enjoy them!

The Secret to Being “Holistically Slim”

The process of slimming down starts in our minds and soul. It begins with a realization that our bodies deserve to be treated like luxury vehicles, like 5-star hotels. Very often, in my coaching practice, I help people change the internal conversation and create habits that lead to gratitude and happiness within, regardless of what the outside package look like.

So, in many ways, I teach my clients that weight loss and slimming down is as much about mindset and emotional wellbeing as it is about the foods that you eat.

Fellow coach and founder of Holistically Slim, Sarah Anne Stewart and I sat down to discuss our approach to a healthy diet and shared our views with you here. Check out the video:

Below the video, tell me: what does it mean for you to be Holistically Slim? Let me know!

My Diet Is Better Than Yours + Elimination Recap

Thank you so much for tuning in to ABC’s MY DIET IS BETTER THAN YOURS. It was an incredible experience and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

As you probably now know, I was ousted by my contestant at the end of Episode 2 (Whaaaa)… That means, no more #vegan diets on prime time (for now)…

Here’s a video with a recap of what happened

Here’s the thing: The cookie was not the problem. Neither was the diet. Weight loss is a byproduct of a healthy lifestyle. It is impossible to judge the effectiveness of a particular diet based on how many pounds somebody loses in a single week. I did wish I could stay longer and show the world the amazing goodness of a compassionate lifestyle.

I have no doubt that a plant-based diet works. There is no better proof than what I see in the mirror every morning. After all, this lifestyle is what keeps me looking and feeling amazing well into my 40’s.

Give a plant-based diet a go, it changed my life; it can change your life too! And DON’T FEAR THE COOKIE!

Enjoy the show this week and let’s root for Taj to reach her goal!

So what’s your take on what happened? Share by leaving a comment below! Thanks.

My Diet Is Better Than Yours + Jovanka Ciares, ABC, jovanka, shaun T

New ABC Show “My Diet Is Better Than Yours” Hosted by Shaun T & Starring Jovanka Ciares!

AH-MAZING NEWS! I’ll be starting along with 4 other celebrity trainers and Shaun T of Insanity Workouts on a new show that will air on ABC prime time. The show, called “My Diet Is Better Than Yours” and will premiere on January 7th at 9/8pm C.

This is an amazing opportunity to showcase alternative treatments and healthy living practices to mass audiences.

You’ll get the full scoop on the show’s premiere but what I can tell you right now is that my health coaching system, the Wellness Smackdown™ will be showcased as one of the 5 expert plans for people to follow to lose a significant amount of weight, improve their health and feel great again.

I’m honored, humbled and ECSTATIC to be chosen for this opportunity. And especially excited to show the world, and my communities (the Hispanic and Black communities) that it is possible to heal and thrive using the wisdom of the ages. And of course, a great chance to make the worldwide wellness and compassionate lifestyle communities proud!

This is a dream 10 years in the making. Please join me on January 7th to check out the series premiere!

Here’s one of the TV promos:

[youtube]https://youtu.be/Jk5lKN7MNcA[/youtube]

I’ll be sharing my own personal insights about the show and the process of coaching someone in front of national TV here on my video blog so make sure that you sign up for my newsletter so you don’t miss a beat!

In the meantime, please be well!

Vegan Mushroom Risotto Recipe

Do you like to eat healthy and enjoy recipes that are fun and tasty but hate the fact that many yummy recipes are covered in cheese and other not-so-healthy ingredients?’

Well, I have a treat for you on today’s video! A Vegan Mushroom Risotto that’s amazing and oh-so-healthy!

When I started changing my diet, I experienced the same thing. I loved creamy dips at parties and dishes like risotto but I knew how bad they were and I wasn’t interested in putting crappy ingredients in my body any longer.

That was the inspiration for my first cookbook e-book, “COOK!”. One of my favorite recipes on this e-book is this vegan risotto recipe that I created with my friend Jenne Claiborne of Sweet Potato Soul.

Check Out the Books Here:

Jenne cookbook http://www.21dayveganblueprint.com/5-ingredient-vegan-cookbook/

Jovanka’s Cookbook: https://jovankaciares.com/ebook-bundle

Smoothie Recipes For Weight Loss

This is one of the easiest smoothie recipes for weight loss. But it can be done as a juice or a smoothie (retaining the fiber). It’s a truly awesome recipe to help you burn fat from around the belly, increase your metabolism and lose weight.

As a smoothie, I normally use it as my breakfast, and if you make it as a juice (with a high power juicer that eliminates the fiber), you can have it in the morning, on an empty stomach and then have a healthy, high-protein mid-morning snack, like hummus.

Check out the short, fun video and recipe below:

Get The Boku Protein Powder Here

Get The Lakanto Sweetener Here

Recipe Below:

1 cup frozen unsweetened raspberries
3/4 cup chilled unsweetened coconut milk
½ cup of blueberries

2 TSP of Boku Protein Powder (vegan)
1 inch fresh ginger
1 tsp fresh lemon juice

1 TSP Lakanto sweetener (optional)

2-3 ice cubes, optional

Best Natural Sugar Substitute

What is the best natural sugar substitute in the market? I’m always looking for healthy alternatives, researching and trying new ingredients to share with you here. Sugar, who we now know it to be pretty dangerous and bad for our health is also one of the most consumed substances on earth. Sugar is everywhere and we are all a little addicted to sugar. And unfortunately, it is making us really sick and unhappy in the process.

So, while I strongly recommend you to limit your sugar intake to whole, fresh fruit in the morning, what about those instances when you absolutely, positively MUST has a little sugar? Or perhaps you need an alternative for a recipe?

Check out the video below to learn what it is and why it’s so awesome!

Get It On Amazon Here

This new sugar option who is a great natural sugar substitute is also one of the best sugars for diabetic people. Diabetic patients can use this sugar for many reasons. But first, let me show you what it is!

Lakanto is a zero calorie and zero GI alternative sweetener that can be used as an equal replacement to sugar in recipes. Lakanto is made from fermented erythritol, which is the sugar alcohol found in grapes, pears & mushrooms, to name a few. It is also extracted from his Asian fruit called the luo han guo fruit.

Lakanto as I mentioned is excellent for diabetics, people with candida or anyone looking for a healthier option to sugar because of it’s zero GI, so it doesn’t raise your sugar levels.

I bought this one on Amazon but you can get it in most health food stores in many parts of the world.

Foods That Detox Every Time You Eat Them

As the weather gets warmer and you get excited about the prospect of going to the beach and enjoy the sun on your skin, many of us scramble to lose as many pounds as we can, get our skin to glow and our complexion to shine. You can enjoy all of these every day of the year by consuming these amazing foods that detox your body every time to eat them.

No need for cleanses and juice only diets. Just add these foods that naturally detox to your diet and you’ll help out your natural detox channels.

This video will give you lots of food options and will show you why they are so amazing for you!

How many of these amazing foods do you consume every day? Let me know in the comments below!

And feel free to share my new fun Infographic below!

Share / Comment / Enjoy!

Food Allergy Elimination Diet

Ever wonder how to do a food allergy elimination diet? IF you are having food allergies or intolerances, you might want to eliminate certain foods from your diet for a few weeks, allow your body to heal and then slowly re-introduce foods to help you learn what helps and what doesn’t.

And on the comments below the video, tell me: Have you tried something similar before? If so, what was your experience? Let me know in the comments below the video!

And feel free to share my new fun Infographic below!

Share / Comment / Enjoy!

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