Tawnee Prazak Part 2: Tales From Van Life, Cold/Hot Water Therapy, And Why Moderation Isn’t Enough

In part 2 of my conversation with Tawnee, we start off with a discussion about cold therapy and heat therapy. As many of you know, cold plunges have been an integral part of my daily routine for some time now, so I share a few choice tips, as well as some of the many benefits that I’ve been getting out of my daily practice.

People have been doing this in Finland for many, many years, so clearly there’s something to it, but how do you do it exactly? Is there a right way and a wrong way? Is cryotherapy worth all the hype? Is it really an instant cure for anxiety? The answers to those questions are no, and yes, and soon, you’ll get way more information about the subject as I’m actually currently working on a book all about this ancient healing modality - there is still so much to learn about the benefits of cold therapy, as well as the best methods to use for maximum effectiveness. This segues into a discussion about heat therapy, and I tell Tawnee about the home sauna I’ve recently invested in, which I have been using frequently and really enjoying lately - so simple, and the perfect companion to a cold plunge.

Speaking of cold water, Tawnee entertains us with some great stories about life on the road aka VAN LIFE! Can you imagine taking a cold shower when you’re in a van while it’s 40 degrees outside? Yikes! But as Tawnee explains, the main thing that got her through the icy shower was knowing that, since cold water is a hormetic stressor, the cold shower was actually good for her. You know what else is good for you? Not being tied down to having to eat regular meals as your main source of energy. We also talk about how I was actually advised by my doctor to “eat more healthy food” and why I advocate for being extremely strict, dedicated, and committed to the purity and quality of your diet, instead of just trying to discipline yourself through the use of “moderation.” I see “moderation” as a pretty ineffective method when you think about the fact that we are the fattest nation by far. As William Davis explains in his book Wheat Belly, the gliadin protein in gluten actually stimulates your appetite and causes you to eat more...and he’s not talking about eating a tiny snack here and there, he’s talking 300 calories per day more!

My thoughts on moderation are, when these things like sugar and gluten are so powerfully addictive, how can you even really indulge in them moderately? It’s such a slippery slope... There’s a reason why Dr. Robert Lustig says a little bit of sugar leads to a lot of sugar, because after the inevitable blood sugar crash, you find that you’re instantly craving more. So, my view on moderation is, when it’s so tough to be moderate with these things anyways, why try and struggle so much, just to satisfy that craving to have “only a little bit?” I also think if you don’t place the highest priority onto your health and your diet, that in itself is a habit that is seriously worth trying to turn around ASAP. Some things might seem extreme, like automatically reading the labels on everything you buy. But since you can never really be sure that someone else’s health standards are up to par with yours, you’ve got to cultivate healthy habits, such as reading labels automatically, and make sure it sets in, so it no longer feels like this thing you’re doing that might be too extreme or make you too picky of an eater, but it’s just a normal part of your routine. This applies to bad oils too. Unfortunately, it can be quite challenging to avoid these since they’re hidden practically everywhere, so you do have to be proactive and assertive and just ask restaurants if they can cook your food in butter. Is it possible to be too strict on the bad oils stance? Is it ok to occasionally indulge? Unfortunately...no, not really. The reason why you cannot let this one slide is because the effects it has on your health are super serious: as Dr. Cate explained on the show, bad oils are so toxic that just one serving of French fries can harden your arteries and make blood flow less difficult for up to 24 hours. It’s actually worse for you than smoking!

 

OK, so we pretty much know what to do now, right? Just eat clean, whole foods, don’t smoke, don’t let bad oils sneak into your diet, and you’re all good, right? Well...not always. It’s just not that simple…. the reality is, so many people have autoimmune diseases and food allergies, which can complicate things. Avocados, almonds, and beets might be staple foods for one person, but will cause severe allergic reactions for someone else. As Tawnee points out, so many people think they’re doing the right thing for their health by eating a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables, and they don’t even realize that they’re inadvertently causing harm to their digestive system, because they don’t even know that some of the “clean food” they’re eating doesn’t work their particular body! And how do you know that you’re eating food that your body is sensitive to? Do you get bloated after eating? Do you burp or hiccup after meals? If you are experiencing these symptoms, then you know that internally, something could be way off. Tawnee also urges us not to forget the importance of testing - you can get blood tests done, you can take a stool test, and Tawnee also recommends doing a GI test, so you can get a feel for what is happening internally on a real, scientific level. Tests are not usually inexpensive, but they are undoubtedly worth it, considering the amount of information you will learn about your body, and what you can do with that information - which is know how to heal yourself by lowering inflammation and giving your body the proper fuel, so you can thrive, and not merely survive. Tawnee has helped countless clients with her knowledge about nutrition, so sit back, relax, and take advantage of this opportunity to learn from a true health and wellness expert.

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