Created to be Super Heros

Because I am a mom of a seven year old little boy, I am quite familiar with all things super hero. I know all of my Marvel characters and all the DC characters. This stuff is a big stinkin deal to my Jack. I teach him about life, he teaches me about super powers. I am pretty sure I am a super hero too... I can make $10 by spending $1000 on my Nordstrom card. I can take the most random, end of the week grocery items in my fridge and make a delicious edible meal. And I wear spandex almost every single day. But whether or not you wear spandex God made you a super hero too! He has created all of us with the incredible ability to heal!!! I'm telling you that is some crazy Wolverine kind of super power. And he is kind of my favorite because he is all emotionally vulnerable and crazy hot.

So why am I comparing you to a sexy albeit incredibly super hairy X-Man who suffered through having metal alloy admantium bonded to his skeletal structure and is just waiting for the right woman to come along and make him whole again. Sorry....I kinda let that get away from me there for a second. :)

Aaannnnnyyyyyways...Wolverine has the power of self-healing and guess what???? WE DO TOO!!!

Seriously...no joke. That awesome super power is called...dun ta da....INFLAMMATION!!!

What?!? Hold up. Inflammation is evil and bad and we hate it and want it to die die die!!! So maybe I share some anger issues with Mr. Howlett. (That's right, I know Wolverine's last name.) But let's take a look at God's purpose for inflammation and discover just how incredible our bodies are.

So let's say we are on a date with Logan, aka Wolverine. Listen, if you are a dude and reading this don't pretend like you aren't stinkin excited to be on a date with Wolverine. So we are enjoying our very paleo dinner at a very fancy smancy restaurant. People are snapping pics and asking for autographs when all of a sudden Wolverine's hand blade thingy slips and stabs you in the arm! Worse things have happened on first dates...don't freak out...your body is already working to heal itself.

First your cells release these immune proteins called cytokines. These bad dudes (bad as in awesome) widen your blood vessels which increases blood flow and therefore that is why your injury site is now feeling warm and turning red.

Then your blood vessels carry leukocytes (white blood cells) and plasma to the injured area. The blood vessels become more permeable which allows the leukocytes and plasma into the damaged tissue which leads to fluid build up...swelling.

Then the hormone, bradykin is released which increases your pain sensitivity and tells your brain to keep your arm still Stupid, so you don't injure it further.

Then those leukocytes get to work and start healing the injury. Pretty stinkin awesome if you ask me. Granted a stab wound may take a bit more care but it had been a paper cut you would be good to go.

And all of that is how inflammation is intended to work. God's plan was for inflammation to be a good thing, a super power, but once again our own choices have gotten in the way of God's perfect plan.

We crazy nuts have messed it all up because now inflammation is considered a bad thing because we have WAY too much of it going on in our bodies due to...

• Diets high in sugar, processed carbs, industrial fat, and gluten
• Low Omega-3/High Omega-6
• Lack of sleep
• Too little activity or exercise
• Too much activity or overtraining
• Stress

Don't freak out! I know you just looked at that list and one of those things pretty much screamed at you. It's okay...I've got a plan.

Step one: Stop eating that junk. Eat paleo for crying out loud! Protein, veggies, fruit, good fats...easy peasy.

Step 2: Take some fish oil to get those Omega-3s back up. This is really important. It isn't just one more pill for you to add to the handful you already take or remember that you should have taken after you have already made it into work. Omega-3s are anti-inflammatory. They reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, reduce cognitive decline, reduce symptoms of ADD/ADHD, relieves depression, reduces arthritis, lupus and fibromyalgia pain, and much more. Read up on it. It is really important to take a good quality fish oil. Purity is a big stinkin deal. We do not have purity standards for fish oil in America so you have to do your research...or you can stop into the Sunshine Shoppe where were have done the research for you. :)

Step 3: You have got to get some sleep. I know...not enough hours in the day and all. Totally get it. I'm there with you. But there is no arguing that sleep is invaluable. Make it happen. Set a time and make yourself go to bed every day at that time regardless of how long you laid there the previous night before falling asleep. It takes a bit for your body to figure out that you are doing something good for it. Don't watch tv to fall asleep. Turn off all electronics. Breath, relax, pray. If that doesn't help try some magnesium, melatonin, Gaba, passion flower or valerian root.

Step 4: Go do something. Lift something heavy. Get a friend to walk with you every day. Park in the furthest parking spot so that you are forced to walk as much as possible. Take the stairs. Play outside with your kiddos. Get a standing desk at work. Sign up for a boot camp. Come get crossfitty with me. Anything. Just move.

Step 5: Pace yourself. You are not a machine. You are a breakable human being. Your super powers only go so far. Understand your limits. Listen to your body.

Step 6: So stress, huh....Ummmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.....no idea. Actually if you are doing steps 1-5 your stress will be reduced significantly. Stress happens. Make changes in your life to eliminate the sources of stress or find ways to manage how you deal with those stressors.

AND NOW FOR THE YUMMY RECIPE....

Adding more salmon to your diet will help knock those Omega 3s up. Try out this yummy recipe from one of my favorite paleo blogs...PaleOMG.com.

Cilantro Salmon Burgers with a Cilantro Lime Vinaigrette

Ingredients

For the patties

• 1lb salmon, skin removed or canned salmon from Wild Planet
• 1 egg, whisked
• ½ cup almond flour
• 3 stalks celery, chopped small (yes, small)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro
• 1 tablespoon green onions
• 1 tablespoon dijon mustard
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon pepper
• ¼ teaspoon ground ginger

 

For the vinaigrette

• ⅓ cup olive oil
• 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro
• 1½ limes, juices squeezed
• ½ lemon, juices squeezed
• 1 tablespoon honey

Instructions

1. Add all your patty ingredients to a food processor, except for the celery. Once everything is mixed, fold in the chopped celery.
2. Make patties however big you want.
3. Place on hot, greased skillet and cook on both sides for about 3-5 minutes or until cooked through.
4. While the salmon burgers are cooking, make the vinaigrette.
5. Add all vinaigrette ingredients to the food processor. Taste to perfect! Add salt if needed.
6. Top burgers off with vinaigrette.