The Power Plate Diet: Discover the Ultimate Anti-Inflammatory Meals to Fat-Proof Your Body and Restore Your Health by Erin Oprea Book Review

In The Power Plate Diet, Erin Oprea has written her second book on fitness and has developed a new power plate diet. It consists of a four-week meal plan to encourage nutrition and promote weight loss. Erin is a personal trainer and she is based in Nashville, Tennessee. She served in the Marines for 9 years and she served in two tours in Iraq in 2003 and 2005. She opened up about how she became a personal trainer. Some of her celebrity clients she has worked with and trained are: Carrie Underwood, Maren Morris, Ryan Hurd, Kelsea Ballerini, Kacey Musgraves, Jana Kramer, Brian Kelley and Tyler Hubbard of Florida Georgia Line, Lauren Alaina, Lee Ann Womack, Martina McBride, Carley Pearce, Jennifer Nettles of Sugarland, and Alan Jackson and Denise Jackson. In the book, she shared how she trained her clients and taught them how to work out and be active and to eat a balanced diet. She also shared how at 52 years old her father died from a heart attack. She didn’t understand how he died because he was very active but she realized that he ate a bad diet. After his death, she studied nutrition and how food can help us to have energy, heal our bodies, and have longevity. She explained how important it is to choose the correct foods to eat and how it can help us to lose up to three to five pounds a week and if we also include exercise it can help us lose even more. 

 

 

In the book, she looked at inflammation in our bodies and how bad inflammation can lead to obesity. She revealed how sugar, junk food, and foods we are allergic to or intolerant of can impact our fat cells and cause us to store extra fat and led us to being overweight. One of the biggest factors, we can look at is how much fat we have around our stomachs and this can be an indication that we are struggling with bad inflammation. In the book, she shared her own food sensitivities, such as onions and yeast for her and how she discovered her own sensitives. She revealed that 20% of us have some sort of food sensitivity and it can lead us to weight gain, cravings, and bloating. 

 

 

I would recommend this life changing book to anyone who needs to lose weight for better health and they are ready for a richer life. I have always enjoyed listening to Erin’s teaching when I read her first book. I first learned about her from Carrie Underwood discussing how she got her toned legs from training with Erin. I mean just look at how fit Carrie’s legs are. I will admit I love the way Erin has helped some of these celebrities to tone up and to shape their bodies. Some of other favorites is how fit Jennifer Nettles, FGL, and Kelsea Ballerini have gotten. I also am a member of her Pretty Muscles app and have done quite a few workouts on the app and I will say the workouts and the fun card games are a fun way to workout. I also love how passionate Erin is on doing Tabata’s style workout and the book also include many different workouts and she will explain all of her workouts. I loved how the book also contained 4 weeks of clean eating and power foods. One of her biggest tips was not eating carbs after 3 or 4 pm which is something I plan on trying. I also need to follow the water rule to help fat proof and help use it as a natural appetite suppressant. I have also been taking her collagen recommendations but I can’t try her beet juice because I have had kidney stones and that can aggravate them. I will say I highlighted a lot in this book and I will be rereading this book in my journey to health and wellness and practicing the tips and principles. I enjoyed the recipes she included and the 4 weeks meal plan and I’m curious to try and make some of these. 

 

 

 

"I received this book free from Erin Opera and her book launch team, for my honest review.”

 

 

 

 

If you would like to purchase a copy of The Power Plate Diet, check it out on Amazon.com:

 

 

https://www.amazon.com/Power-Plate-Diet-Anti-Inflammatory-Fat-Proof/dp/1984824546

 

 

Check out her Official Site: 

 

https://erinoprea.com/

Do This and Live Healthy: 10 Simple Keys That Cure By: Don Verhulst, MD Book Review

In Do This and Live Healthy, Don Verhulst demonstrated ten critical healthy steps to change readers overall wellbeing.  He backed up his ten keys with tons of encouraging scripture references. This book first key covers the importance of relaxing and trusting God to handle our life and any problems we may have to face. He believed in “four-six it” our cares and concerns to God. This means to do what Philippians 4:6 says we must do. He persuaded readers to laugh daily to reduce stress hormones and laughing also boosts the immune system. Having joy and being cheerful are some of the things the word speaks about.  For example, “A merry heart does good, like medicine” (Proverbs 17:22). Another key to great health is getting the proper amount of sleep each night. Verhulst recommended sleeping at least for six to eight hours a night.  An additional significant key that has wonderful health benefits is exercising and increasing your muscle tone. During exercise, your body releases endorphins that assist in releasing natural painkillers. Exercise also dramatically improves your mental outlook on life. The book contained many more extremely important keys to living healthier.

The second section of the book contains a reference guide for common health problems. Some of the common problems we have to encounter are ADHD, Alzheimer Disease, Cancer, Fibromyalgia, Cholesterol, Flu, Heartburn and Acid Reflux, High Blood Pressure, Sinus, Yeast Infections, and many other health issues. Don Verhulst will show you ways to prevent sickness and how to correct the health problems.  

I would recommend this book to anyone who is looking to fix their overall health. Let’s be honest, who doesn’t want to live a long healthy life. Everyone can benefit from putting the ten keys into practice. The ten keys are simple and they aren’t impossible to accomplish. I learned that horses eat the whole parts of the apples and many humans tend to not consume the peeling, the core, and the seeds. I have personally never have eaten the seeds or the core because I was always told not to. But Don says it is perfectly fine to consume them. He goes on to say that the seeds assist your body in eliminating cancer cells. I also learned that we lose a pound of muscle every year starting at age twenty in the average non-exerciser. But by exercising we can start to form muscle and keep our muscle tone! We are overcomers! This book had superb tips and keys to achieve the health the God and his Bible called us to have. If you’re looking for simple keys to greater health then read this book! The keys are some you wouldn’t have believed the scriptures would have contain passages about living in our total health. Get ready to be living out your best healthy life!

Charisma House has provided me with a complimentary copy of this book.

If you would like to purchase a copy of Do This and Live Healthy then check it out on Amazon.com:

http://www.amazon.com/Do-This-Live-Healthy-simple/dp/1616388269/

Reversing Diabetes By Don Colbert, MD Book Review

In Reversing Diabetes, Don Colbert revealed the epidemic concerning the growing number of patients diagnosed with diabetes. He shared the following statistics from the 2011 CDC report, “nearly twenty-six million people have diabetes, or 8.3 percent of the US population” (Page 11). Diabetes has increased rapidly because of the chemicals that are being produced in our foods. Another reason is our society is becoming inactive and not doing any activities that promote good health. The book will teach readers what kinds of foods are healthy and what foods that they will need to avoid. He discussed the hidden contributors that lead to obesity and diabetes. The book also contains a meal plan to guide readers in reducing their waist size. Reducing your waist size lowers your chance of getting diabetes and it helps to control diabetes if you already have it.

I don’t have diabetes but it runs in my family blood line. I learned a great deal of information about taking steps to prevent getting diabetes. I would recommend this book to everyone because it is an extremely important topic that we all have to stand up against. Diabetes can happen to anyone and the book helped me to see the effects and dangers of consuming all the wrong types of foods. The book suggested starting to drink green tea because it assisted in relieving stress levels and scorching fat! “The EGCG in green tea increases the metabolic rate for as long as twenty-four hours and stimulates the body to burn fat” (Page 121). It also helps decrease your risk of getting diabetes and some cancers! I took the book’s advice and have started drinking a few cups a day. I am also started eating healthier foods and working out four days a week. This book is a wonderful guide in becoming healthy and living a long life!

Charisma House has provided me with a complimentary copy of this book.

If you would like to purchase a copy of Reversing Diabetes then check it out on Amazon.com:


http://www.amazon.com/Reversing-Diabetes-Discover-natural-diabetes/dp/1616385987/

Mission Completed

I had my run for St. Jude’s Research Hospital on Saturday, June 12. It was extremely hot in Nashville, TN. The humidity was smoldering to anybody’s body. The run was at 8 am. This little girl named Ellen Taylor kicked off the 5k run with the National Anthem. One guy juggled balls during the whole walk/run. I don’t know how he did that. I did good to walk and run it. Then two girls walked and hula hooped the whole run. I only had about two months to prepare for the run. I could only run for 0.31 miles. Then my right foot started killing me, but I finished the 5k. Most people walked and some ran the whole time. But the reason we all came together was for the children not for being first.

Someone recorded this video of Ellen Taylor performing:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uaJKOWvhL5g

I would like to thank everyone who has read and supported me during this run/walk. Thank you everyone who donated or who has ever donated to St. Jude’s. I even saw young kids ranging from 3 to 16 helping one another. I even saw some older people helping and running. The world would be a much better place, if we all would just reach out and move along and help one another. We can’t live in fear or let our doubts hold us back any longer. So thank you for reading any of my posts.

I went to Nashville for the CMA Fest too. It was my first time going and it was a blast. I only went to three of the four nightly concerts. I was hurting and too sore to stay for the last night. But I got to see a lot of artists and TV show stars. I even got to met some of them, which was awesome. I went to the Convention Center which is where artists sign at booths. My favorite would have to be Point of Grace. They made me feel like they cared about me as a fan. We connected and Leigh even remembered my name. Point of Grace did a free concert at the Music City Zone and Leigh said, “We met Andrew today. Hey Andrew” I got a picture of her pointing at me. I about flipped out. If you ever get the chance to go to the CMA Fest, it is worth it. It was crazy and hot though just to warn you. Nashville is very hot! Two of the best singers at the nightly concerts would have been Carrie Underwood and Martina McBride. They rocked it! Everyone who performed was great! But they were my favorite, if I had to pick two.

I also heard of a new artist, Danny Gokey. Yes, he is from American Idol too. I got his new CD this week and it is great. I like most of the tracks and I agree with this dude. His first single called, “My Best Days Are Ahead of Me” is a song about looking ahead in life and not living in the past.

Here are the lyrics:

“Life hasn't always been a party but mostly it's been good There's only one or two things that I'd change if I could I don’t get lost in the past or get stuck in some sad memory yah My best days are ahead of me

Age is nothing but a number Sometimes I have to wonder What does it really mean But hey I’m still putting it together I keep getting better if I keep getting better I can be whatever I want to be My best days are ahead of me”

Here is the powerful video for the song:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qqus079lUz8

I know we all have some things we regret but the past is the past. We CAN’T change it. No matter how much we would like to change some things. We all make mistakes. But all we can do is pray for forgiveness and receive it. Then move on. As the song says, “My Best Days Are Ahead of Me” we have to believe that.

Who knows maybe I will run another one completely one day.

“Forget perfect. Perfect is boring! Our bodies are beautiful, no matter how narrow our cultures definitions might be. Embrace your perceived imperfections- they make you unique- and love who you are. It’s the only way to move forward.” Jillian Michaels “Winning By Losing” Page 6

Oh and my supporters raised $500 dollars for the run. Which I couldn’t have done it, without you thank you again. I made my goal with everyone’s help. $5,110.00 was raised by Team Messina so far. They are still counting the donations. I believe you can still donate so I don’t have any clue, when they will stop the donations. $27,019.10 has been raised for the St. Jude’s so far! Let’s just pray that we help save a life with all the donations and maybe we will find the cure to cancer!

Journey of My Run Week 1 : Day 7

Week 1


Day 7 - Thursday, April 22

Today, I did something entertaining! I hung out with one of my cousin’s and her family. We played the Wii, which I always enjoy. Normally, we sing American Idol or play Rock Band. But, today we did something different. First, we played a deer hunting game. She only had one controller that could shoot at the pretend deer’s on the screen. So, one of us got the Wii gun controller and the other got the plain old Wii remote. It was much harder using the Wii remote trying to aim at the deer’s. We also took turns with each controller. It had a pleasurable challenge though, you had to aim and hit the moose’s and bears, before they ate you. No, stop drop and roll. Wait, that thing is for fire. We played the duck shooting game next. It took us a while to figure out how to actually get the pretend Wii gun and the remote to shoot. I got lost in the controls again. After, you shoot about 6 ducks; you have to make your dog go get them by using the dog commands. The dogs didn’t want to listen to, “Come, Here, Sit, and There”. The dogs obviously didn’t have a sense of smell at all. The dogs would be right over the birds and they still couldn’t see them. Then, we played two fishing games. One of the games had a mind of its own. The boat would move, if you hit the A button. Of course, I would always cast the line, then I would hit the A button and bam. The boat would start going on its own and I would hit the shore. Then, the boat wouldn’t back up, without taking out the nunchuk from the back of the Wii cast line controller. Maybe it wasn’t in there right, I have no idea. We couldn’t figure out the problem. But it kept happening. So, we played another Wii fishing game and the fishing game got kind of boring, so we moved on. We then played a surfing game and a skiing game with the Wii balance board. Yes, you know good and well, I couldn’t race around the tracks without hitting the gate or wall. Next, we decided to take a break and we rode her golf cart around the block a few times. We watched the Jo Dee Messina podcast broadcast at her house. Jo Dee Messina shared some good stories of inspiration this week. So if you missed it, go watch it! If you haven’t figured it out yet, I didn’t work out again today. Yes, I know I am falling behind. But I am still celebrating my birthday! Haha Next, after the show, her father decided to teach me how to pay the acoustic guitar. He taught me a few chords C, G, A, E, and a lot more. Okay, I don’t know much about guitar beside how to strum the guitar and how to hold the pick. He taught me that, since he has played for years. Someone needs to practice! Yes, I mean me. He also said, “I have the long fingers for it.” You know what they always say about long fingers. Okay, you got me; I don’t know what they say. Well, another thing is that my fingers started to hurt after about an hour and a half. They are still a little numb. I am thinking learning the guitar and mastering running is my goals for the summer.

What are some of your goals this year?

Do you play any instruments? If so, what kind? How often do you play? How many hours a time?

Maybe your thing is working out. How often do you work out? What kind of activities do you do?

Journey of My Run Week 1 : Day 6

Week 1


Day 6 - Wednesday, April 21

I didn’t work out today. Grasp. Yeah, I know what you’re thinking, “Why didn’t I.” Well, today was my birthday, so I took the day off! I celebrated with my family. We all need love and I have not loved people for a long time. I would love them, until they said or did something I didn’t like. I was selfish and I still can be most of the time. But I believe, “I am changing with God’s help.” I had to heal and start loving people again. I am still learning how too. I didn’t really smile a lot in life. But I am determined, I will enjoy life. I will write more blogs about certain topics too. I could continue on about things, I truly believe in and I will. I enjoyed my birthday dinner. I didn’t really want a family dinner, at first, but then I kind of needed it and wanted it. My family is some of the best people in my life, who will stand beside me no matter what. Friends will come and go and most do. Some move away and some just get hurt and leave. I have made a lot of mistakes, but they are making me a better person. The only thing you can do is say, “You’re sorry and ask for forgiveness” from them and God. I will continue in this journey called “Life”.

Journey of My Run Week 1 : Day 3

Week 1


Day 3 - Sunday, April 18
Today was a quite a long or it seemed that way in my run/walk. I ran the first lap on the track. I made it about 1 full lap running, but mom pointed out that it wasn’t actually near the start line. I was trying to be optimism about going a full lap non- stopped. I walked the second lap. I am trying to do a run and a walk at the very beginning. Then, I hope to increase the length and the process of running a full 5K. I ran part of the third lap, and then I stopped yet again. But it is making me stronger to keep pressing on to the finish line. I walked the very last lap of course. I went a total of four laps again today. My side got a little bit sorer today along with my legs. However, yesterday my side didn’t hurt though. As they always say, “No pain no gain”. I went for a total of 1.91 miles in my goal of a 5K. I also burned 1044 calories, which is a great thing. I went a total of 34290 steps and a worked out for a total of 23 minutes and 19 seconds. Thank you for your support and your love! :) I also want to thank you for all the prayers and donations to St. Jude’s. Now to watch the 45th ACM Awards, you know I couldn’t miss it.

What performances were you excited to see?

What did you think of the show?

Who were you rooting for?

Tell me your thoughts! I want to hear from you. Make sure you share my webpage and tell your friends what I am doing. Tell them to join me in helping children going through cancer.