Head. Heart. Hands.

Wrinkles. Hair. Vacation. (An INCONSISTENT Newsletter from Alisa ;)

I know, I know. It's been a minute. I told you all to hold my delivery of a newsletter every ________ very lightly. It's been a crazy time over here, but I've missed writing to you all, or just writing for writing's sake, so I'm back. And I'm leaving. Keep reading.

Head (Something I'm learning): Did you know your cells can become "gunked" up when excess sugar floats around in your bloodstream? It's a process called glycation. According to Dr. Casey Means, cells in the body gunked with sugars don't work correctly. Glycation changes not only the way our body functions but also the way it looks. 

For example, wrinkles are caused by glycation. When excess sugar in our blood sticks to collagen, a protein, glycation "sticks" to the collagen, contorting the protein and causing wrinkles in our skin. 

By being mindful of our sugar intake, we can prevent our cells from sticking to things and disrupting the natural function of our body chemistry. This underscores the power of our diet in maintaining our body's health and function. 

"glycation can cause issues with the lining of our blood vessels and accelerate the process of vascular blockages called atherosclerosis, which lead to heart attacks, stroke, peripheral vascular disease, retinopathy, kidney disease, erectile dysfunction, and more." Dr. Casey Means 

When processes in our body don't work appropriately due to glycation, the body registers this dysfunction as an attack and responds with immune-fighting activity, known as chronic inflammation. Ongoing inflammation in the body is the cause of aches, pain, brain fog, and irritability. 

Remember, it's not just about changing the shape of your body but also about improving the condition of your cells. When you eat to enhance your cell condition, your body (and brain) will stop "sticking" to things that are harmful to your well-being. Then, your body will be free to take on the shape it needs to be naturally.

(image from this site)

Heart (Something I'm loving): Well, I'm definitely post-menopause. My hair has decided to take on a shape of its own. It's curly. Very curly. This probably goes with something I'm learning, but I looked to see if my curly hair has to do with my changing hormones, and guess what? Yup! It does. Thanks to the disappearing act of our friend, estrogen, our hair follicles can take on a new shape. For some of us ladies, the hair shaft will become more round, giving you a more sleek strand of hair, and for others like yours truly, the hair follicle flattens, causing a curly appearance. Like the sharp, straight edge of a pair of scissors can curl a ribbon, that's what's going on with me.

Lately, I'm just leaning into it. Especially on the days I don't have time to work the curls out of my hair. So if you're looking for me at the gym, I'm the 5ft, 53-year-old with hair higher to God and closer to heaven.

In the comments below, if you're a curly hair girl, share all your curly hair products and need to know.

Hands (Something I'm leaning into): This Friday, I'm headed out the door for a 10-day vacation to Maui. I know "It must be rough, Alisa." Well, life has been rough, and I've never been more ready for a break. Like a real BREAK. I will be breaking up with my phone. I will be practicing the art of reenacting life in the 1980s before any of us had a mobile phone. So if you see me active on Instagram know, it's not me. It's my favorite social media assistant, Ashlee, keeping the lights on for all of you.

I'll be back on Monday, July 29th.

Or maybe not :)

Peace!

Alisa