The Art of Holistic w/ Jessi

I can do hard things!
Do you ever have to remind yourself of this fact? 🧐

And have you ever had the realization that if you really want to hit your goals, you have to up your A game?!!

That’s me right now.

A couple of months ago I thought what I was doing was enough…

- I changed my eating habits
- Cut out most fats/oils
- Cut out most processed foods
- Began eating mostly whole foods plant based

But I’ve realized that “mostly” doing these things will only ALMOST get me the results I want.

Sure, I’ve lost weight… almost at my goal.
I feel great… most of the time.
My cholesterol tumbled down to a better range… not best.

Are you seeing the same pattern I see? Mostly changing my habits almost gets me to my goals… not completely.

The problem with that is when you have a serious health issue, you want to solidly hit your goals. Not mostly!

It’s time.

I know what I have to do. I was told at the beginning of this journey that if I didn’t go all in, I would be disappointed with the results.
Lesson learned.

That’s me today. 😔

I don’t want to just survive cardiovascular disease.
I want to thrive!!
So, here is to the rest of my journey…

I’m adopting only raw fruits and veggies for my first two meals each day (Y’all pray for me! 🙏😂) with healthy cooked wfpb meals for supper.

The shirt I’m wearing today says “She believed she could change the world so she became a health coach.”

I’m not a coach because I have all the answers. I’m a coach because I know we all need support to do the things we know we need to do.

And it’s time to REALLY change my world!
💕 💚 🌱

So, I will post my journey here. My hope is it will inspire those of you that are also struggling.

I have a feeling most of us are 🫶🏻

If you need a friend or coach that knows how hard life and health is but also knows how to help you, reach out!

We are all just caterpillars on our way to becoming butterflies!!

XO,
Jessi 🦋

The medical field has its place. Don’t get me wrong…

BUT!!! Nutrition is one of the most important, if not THE MOST important factor in long term health!! In my current job, I see the medical field starting to shift toward better acknowledging this role but it’s past time for this to be a broader part of the med school curriculum.

Education is the first step!








🦋

Many times in life, we just need a little extra spice to makes things exciting again. Tonight I thought I’d try my hand at vegetable curry to spice up my vegan lifestyle… 😳😳🔥🥵

I spiced it up alright! Lol!!! It’s so yummy though…

White bean toast with fresh fruits and veggies…

😋

There is SO MUCH truth in these statements! It’s time we take action to put proper nourishment into our bodies.

XO,
Jessi 🦋

In memory of many, in honor of all… ❤️🤍💙

Thank you to the brave men and women who wore or currently wear the American uniform to protect our country! Some of you did not return home and some have not returned home the same… Your service will never be forgotten or taken for granted.

God bless the fallen..
God bless those currently serving…
And God bless your families for their sacrifice!!!

Happy Memorial Day!
🇺🇸 🇺🇸

May God continue to bless America!!

I had to reshare this…

🎤 ⬇️

Do you ever feel pressured and overwhelmed…

Me, too!

So I gave myself leave to just feel it and sort through some things before pressing on.

I feel life renewing in me now where I was completely poured out.

If you are feeling less than sub par, it’s ok to take a step back and do what you need to do to heal and replenish.

You’re worth it!

XO,
Jessi 🦋

Made some southwest salad and dressing tonight… Delish! 😋

Things that make me go… Hmmm! 🤔

Potatoes have become one of my favorite foods since going vegan.
I can make air fried potatoes (fries sans guilt!)and vegan cheese with these beauties along with many other fabulous recipes.

Shepherd’s pie, anyone?! 🥧

They are easy to grab on the go when time doesn’t permit cooking and drive thru is beckoning…

But what really gets me when I think about fast food is how just the image of it makes me crave it even though I haven’t had it in quite a while now. I mean, seriously?!!

The additives and preservatives put in this food are so highly addictive, not to mention deadly!

I’m grateful for this journey! Never would I EVER have thought I’d be grateful to have illness that requires giving up foods that I loved… but I am.

They didn’t love me back!!

They made me sick!

So, visit your local farmer, the farmers markets that will be popping up soon or grow some of these luscious gems yourself…

Did I mention they are packed with protein?!! 😉

Bon appetit!

XO,
Jessi 💕

Energy boosting, fiber filled, cholesterol busting, heart loving smoothie! 🥤🥬♥️

- 1c greens
- 1/2 apple
- 1/2 lemon (juice only)
- 1c carrots
- 2 celery stalks
- 1/2c gf oats
- 1/4c almond milk
- 1 serving Thorne amino complex
- 1tsp Moringa powder

NOTE to my diabetics:

Putting fruits and veggies into smoothies and juices causes them to have a stronger impact on blood sugar levels. I mitigate this by taking my insulin 20 minutes prior to my first sip.

We’ve got this!

Enjoy…

XO,
Jessi 💕

You will want to read this… ♥️ WOW!

I won’t tell you that transitioning to a whole food plant based vegan lifestyle has been easy.

Stay with me!

In fact, it was one of the most difficult decisions I’ve ever made because changing lifestyle is so much more than just food…

It’s a belief system.

It’s memories.

It’s no longer gathering with friends and family to celebrate over decadent foods.

It’s having to relearn what you thought you already knew how to do.

It’s wanting to make your grandma’s favorite recipe and eat your daddy’s cooking that makes your mouth water just thinking about it.

It’s emotional.

It’s hard.

So. Many. Things.

But it’s also turns out to be one of the BEST decisions I’ve ever made for my health.

Having two autoimmune diseases (yes, I’m transparent! 😄) has caused their own issues and put me at increased risk for others.
Hello, cardiovascular disease. 💔

I always considered myself a pretty healthy eater and active most of my life.

It wasn’t enough.

Let me repeat that…
It wasn’t enough!!

It turns out the things our society is being sold as healthy, these things are actually killing us!

Not my opinion.
Proven facts!

I’ve learned, though, that if you are at increased risk of health issues for any reason, you must take active steps to know better and do better.

Your life DOES depend it. And just as importantly, your wellbeing depends on it.

I don’t know about you but I don’t want to just survive.

I fully intend to thrive!!

If you’re still reading this, I want to tell you that I had follow up blood work yesterday from December. We were checking my cholesterol progress since completely overhauling my food.

These are the facts:
1. My total cholesterol has dropped a whopping 60 points!
2. My LDL (the bad juju!) has dropped 42 points!!

And let me tell ya… I feel AMAZING!

This. Is. My. Why. ♥️

Praise God for giving me the knowledge and strength to make these changes, and for these INCREDIBLE results!!!

********************

If you have health concerns and you need help, I am here FOR YOU. We can do hard things together.

XO,
Jessi 💕

Happy Wednesday, you awesome peeps! 🥰

Whoop❗️There it is‼️

Who else feels this⁉️Been doing some hardcore praying and positive self talk to retrain my brain to
STOP the INSANITY…

Fears and trauma do NOT have the final say❗️

They do NOT define us‼️

Take your thoughts captive❗️

Speak life over yourself‼️

Align yourself in agreement with what God says about you‼️

You are fearfully and wonderfully made ♥️

XO,
Jessi

Did you know… ⁉️

Delicious garden fresh tomatoes are likely to induce feelings of happiness and lightness, or maybe that’s just my reaction! 😉

Besides their delicious flavor, tomatoes 🍅 are packed with nutrition! Check out their benefits below:

- Help improve heart health
- Decreased risk of cancer
- Aid in immunity
- May reduce risk of Type 2 diabetes
- Support brain health

Happy noshing…
Jessi 💕

Spring is almost here! ☀️🌿💕 Give your body the fuel it needs to enjoy the beautiful weather…
XO, Jessi 🦋

Being a health coach and nutrition specialist doesn’t make me immune to life’s health challenges but those challenges do make me a compassionate and sympathetic coach eager to learn and share more ♥️

Praying through how I can better serve my autoimmune/chronically ill co-warriors…

If you have suggestions or thoughts on information you’d like me to share more of, please send me a message. I want to hear from you.

Your voice matters!

XO,
Jessi 💕

Happy Wednesday! 🦋

Superfood smoothie bowl with homemade granola 🫐

It’s what’s for breakfast!

Homemade vegan black bean burgers, air fried potatoes and cashew thousand island dressing… 😋
So good!

WHOA!!! 😱

You don’t have to take my word for it but data from nearly 10 million people that participated in a vast array of different health studies proves this to be true…

It’s not easy in our society to avoid highly processed foods but it’s worth it to start making changes to avoid them!

XO,
Jessi 💕

Did you know?!! 🤔

People tend to want to make healthier choices for a variety of reasons:
- Summer is coming
- More energy
- Fight disease
- Lose weight
- Support physical activity
- Because a family member had a disease you’d like to avoid!

The list goes on…

But most self sabotage by thinking it’s all or nothing… there is a mentality that “everything has to be changed right now and if I don’t change it all right now, I might as well give up!” 🤦‍♀️

Let me ask you, though…

Have you ever heard the old saying that Rome was not built in a day? If not, let me translate… it means that progress takes time! 🕰️

Take one small step at a time and get so used to it that it’s like putting on your shoes each day.

Make it a habit!

Then, add another and then another in the same way.

These small changes will each add up to HUGE health benefits!!

You‘ve got this!

XO,
Jessi 💕

Food is preventative and healing medicine! 💚

To learn more, IM me…

XO,
Jessi 💕

If a mic drop was ever deserved, it’s following this statement!! 🎤 ⬇️

God made our bodies miraculously and because of His intricate design, our cells are so very smart!

I’ve read and seen this situation time and time again, though… so MANY accounts of people either thriving or barely surviving because of things they think or say to or about themselves. Things they believe to be true whether they actually are or not…😳😱😳

BUT YA’LL!

We have the authority to speak life over ourselves.
To speak actual truth.

Stop destroying yourself from the inside out!!!

XO,
Jessi 💕

Happy Valentine's Day! ❤️

Just gonna drop this life altering tip right here… 💚💕

XO,
Jessi

Have you ever thought about your why…? 🤔

Why do you want to increase your exercise?

Why do you want to lose weight?

Why do you want to make better food choices?

Why do you want to stop smoking?

Why do you want to have more energy?

Why? Why??! Why??!?

🤷‍♀️ 🤷‍♀️ 🤷‍♀️

And why does it matter?!!

Because knowing your why will help you make better choices when you feel like giving in.

It’s your deep rooted motivation.

It gives meaning to your goals.

It keeps you engaged and motivates action.

What’s your why?!!






Follow me

Have you ever thought about your why…? 🤔

Why do you want to increase your exercise?

Why do you want to lose weight?

Why do you want to make better food choices?

Why do you want to stop smoking?

Why do you want to have more energy?

Why? Why??! Why??!?

🤷‍♀️ 🤷‍♀️ 🤷‍♀️

And why does it matter?!!

Because knowing your why will help you make better choices when you feel like giving in.

It’s your deep rooted motivation.

It gives meaning to your goals.

It keeps you engaged and motivates action.

What’s your why?!!

Life is BUSY!!
Phew!

And it can be mentally challenging just trying to figure out HOW you’re going to squeeze in a workout between work, meetings, church, taking care of your home and family, sports… ALL the things!!

This is how.

It’s game changing and life altering.

You can reap ALL the benefits of exercise in short sessions throughout the day.
Yes. YOU can!

No energy to start? This will pass but you have to get your blood circulating first.

You can do it ♥️

What are you waiting for?

Fight low energy, high cholesterol, inflammation, stress, high blood sugar… you name it!

Moderate exercise benefits every aspect of your health and life.

Just Do it!

XO,
Jessi 💕