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​It’s pretty dreadful and it’s going to take a little while to heal completely. I attribute it to late nights working and a lot of stress! 

What is Adrenal Fatigue?

The adrenals are part of the endocrine system and one of their functions is hormone production. Many times hormone imbalances are caused when the adrenals are stressed. When the adrenals are stressed, all other systems of the body suffer. It’s a domino effect that leaves you feeling horrible.

When your adrenal glands are over tired from being overworked, your lack of sleep, environmental toxins and even scars that are stressing your nervous system, adrenal fatigue sets in. 

I’ve had 3 miscarriages through the years. One of the functions of the adrenal glands is maintaining pregnancy. I always thought it was low progesterone that contributed to my miscarriages and that makes perfect sense if you look at it by way of the adrenal glands. Since they are in charge of secreting hormones, if you are imbalanced, the adrenals may be the culprit. 


What are the Signs of Adrenal Fatigue?

According to Dr. Joseph Mercola, common signs of adrenal fatigue include:

• Fatigue and weakness, especially in the morning and afternoon
• A suppressed immune system
• Increased allergies
• Muscle and bone loss and muscular weakness
• Depression
• Cravings for foods high in salt, sugar or fat
• Hormonal imbalance
• Skin problems
• Autoimmune disorders
• Increased PMS or menopausal symptoms
• Low sex drive
• Lightheadedness when getting up from sitting or lying down
• Decreased ability to handle stress
• Trouble waking up in the morning, despite a full night’s sleep
• Poor memory

 

What Can I Do To Heal Adrenal Fatigue?

I have almost every symptom on that list. My adrenal fatigue goes in cycles and I’ve been feeling symptoms this time around for about 3 months. I was tested by a Nutritional Response Therapist and I am currently on a nutrition program designed for adrenal fatigue. ​

Something I’ve done over the last few years is drink an adaptogen herbal tea before bed. This was recommended to me by an herbalist friend of mine, Sarah Powell from Lilith’s Apothecary. 

Instructions:
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1. Blend all ingredients in a bowl.
2. Store in an airtight container.
3. To Brew:
4. Place 2 TBS of herb mix in a medium saucepan.
5. Pour 1-2 cups of hot water over herbs.
6. Bring to a quick boil and lower heat.
7. Allow to simmer 15-20 minutes.
8. Strain, and sweeten if desired.

​Note: If you steep/simmer too long, this blend will become bitter. 

I also recommend the Adrenal Fatigue Handbook and Meal Planning Guides that I’ve linked to below. 
Taking care of yourself and getting enough sleep and nourishing food is crucial to adrenal health. Do not ignore these symptoms. Your body may be screaming at you to do something to help yourself! You need to listen!
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For more information about adrenal fatigue, please visit Dr. Mercola’s Website.

All of these herbs are available at Mountain Rose Herbs.

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Be nourished. Be happy.

What’s a quick and easy way to pack a bunch of immune-boosting foods together into a delicious drink? The answer is my Healing Elderberry Smoothie. It’s quick and easy to make and could be the yummiest way you’ll ever have to give your immune system just what it needs to keep you feeling your best.

Benefits of Elderberry

This smoothie contains a number of powerful ingredients to nourish your body and boost your immunity. It has lemon, which is not only jam-packed with vitamin C but is also well known for fighting off infections and preventing and treating the growth of bacteria.

Additionally, this smoothie has honey, which we already know helps soothe a sore throat. But did you know that honey, in its raw form, has also been used for hundreds of years to treat infections and aid in wound healing? Yup, it’s true!

My recipe calls for manuka honey, which has even more antibacterial properties than the typical honey you find at your grocers. This kind of honey can also improve oral health, ensuring your mouth has just as much good bacteria as it does bad. And manuka honey helps our digestive systems – gut health is vital for keeping our immune systems strong.

You may need to visit your local health food store to find manuka honey, but don’t worry if you can’t locate some. Organic raw honey will work just as well in this recipe.

Substitutions and Variations

If you don’t eat or are sensitive to dairy, you could try substituting the Greek yogurt with coconut yogurt or lactose-free yogurt. These are vegetarian, vegan, Whole30, and gluten-free options.

While this recipe calls for honey, you can substitute it for another sweetener like Agave nectar, molasses, maple syrup, or stevia according to your preference. Remember not to overdo it with the added sweetness. A little goes a long way.

If you want to skip the added sugar altogether, use a well ripened-banana and a dash of vanilla extract. The riper the banana, the sweeter it tastes.

For variation, you could use your favorite frozen fruit, such as raspberries or cherries.

Storage

If you have any leftover smoothie that you can’t drink right away, you can make popsicles! Just put them into popsicle molds and stick them in the freezer.

Don’t have popsicle molds on hand? No worries! Pour the remaining smoothie into an empty ice cube tray. When they’re ready, you can add a couple of little frozen cubes of goodness to your next smoothie or add a cube or two to warm oatmeal.

For another DIY option, pour the leftovers into small wax-coated paper cups, cover with plastic wrap secured with a rubber band, then insert a popsicle stick and pop it into the freezer. When it’s ready, remove the plastic and cut away the cup. If you have kids, this can be a fun activity to do together.​

Now, are you ready to see the recipe? Let’s do this!
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Drink to better immune health with this delicious smoothie. Your taste buds will be delighted, and your sore throat soothed by just the right mix of fruit and honey in this healing drink recipe. 

Prep Time: 10 minutes 
Cook Time: 5 minutes 
​Servings: 4 servings
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Directions:

1. Pour the elderberry and lemon juice into a blender.
2. Add remaining ingredients.
3. Blend until smooth.
4. Serve and enjoy.

A Delicious Way to Boost Immunity

This recipe is a delicious way to get a blast of powerful nutrients and immune-boosting benefits all in one. But don’t wait until you start to feel a cold coming on to drink it. Whip up a batch every so often to help keep your immune system functioning at its best.

If you try this recipe out, let me know what you think in the comments (tag me on Instagram @reallifeoutlaw). I’d love to see how yours turned out!

Have you tried any of these before? Do you have further questions about them? Let me know in the comments!

Be Well & Thrive!