Well Beyond 40

Today JJ talks about the incredible benefits that consuming just a little bit of high quality dark chocolate every day can make in your health. Listen to find out how dark chocolate can help with everything from improved brain function and a healthier heart to increased insulin sensitivity and better skin. What kind of chocolate and how much should you eat? Tune in and find out, plus learn about JJ's favorite ways to incorporate dark chocolate into her routine!

Freebies From Today’s Episode

Get JJ’s free Chocoholic Recipe Guide by going to jjvirgin.com/darkchocolate.

Main Points From Today’s Episode

1. Chocolate has incredible health benefits. It can help with your heart, your brain and your skin, just for starters.
2. You should eat dark chocolate every day. Here’s what to look for and how much to eat.
3. Make sure to stay away from sneaky sugar in your chocolate. JJ recommends a few ways you can get more dark chocolate into your diet.

Episode Play-By-Play

[3:50] Eat dark chocolate every day, but look for these qualities.

[4:55] How much chocolate should you eat every day?

[5:11] You’re going to be amazed at some of chocolate’s benefits.

[10:29] Dark, not milk. Keep the sugar and milk out of your chocolate.

[11:00] Higher cacao count is better because you get more of this

[11:50] Suggestions for getting more dark chocolate in your diet

[14:02] If you add in foods that are good for you like dark chocolate, it may keep you from eating things that aren’t so great for you.

Mentioned in this episode:

Subscribe to Reignite Wellness with JJ Virgin

Become part of JJ’s community

JJ Virgin Official Facebook page

JJ Virgin on Instagram

JJ Virgin on YouTube

Soma Chocolatemaker

Sunlove Protection by Annamarie Gianni

Chocolate Avocado Mousse Recipe

Lily’s Dark Chocolate

Bulletproof Dark Chocolate

The Virgin Diet

Sugar Impact Diet Cookbook

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It’s time for another Q&A! In today’s episode, JJ discusses how many hours of sleep we really need, and what other factor is just as important. She’ll also review tips on how you can get a better night’s sleep every night. Listen in today for this information-packed podcast!

Episode Play-By-Play

[0:45] How many hours of sleep do you really need?

[1:00] What’s more important than sleep quantity?

[2:00] Supplements that can help you get to sleep

[3:05] Techniques & products that contribute to a better night’s sleep

Mentioned in this episode:

Reignite Wellness 365 membership

Subscribe to Reignite Wellness with JJ Virgin

Become part of JJ’s community

JJ Virgin Official Facebook page

JJ Virgin on Instagram

JJ Virgin on YouTube

Sleep Candy

Tempur Pedic Eye Mask

Samina Mattress

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Dr. Marisol Teijeiro, better known as Queen of the Thrones, is a leader in natural medicine and an expert on gut health. She joins JJ today as they discuss how using castor oil packs can improve your digestive health! Listen as Dr. Marisol shares factors that can contribute to uncomfortable digestive symptoms, including bad bacteria and biofilm in your gut. Dr. Marisol also reviews the many amazing healing benefits of castor oil and how it can help ease your symptoms, as well as the best things to look for when choosing a high-quality castor oil pack. Plus, do you know which foods could be triggering digestive symptoms? Dr. Marisol has some ways to find out!

Freebies From Today’s Episode

Get Dr. Marisol’s free 50 Shades of Poop guide and link to castor oil packs by going to jjvirgin.com/castoroil.

Main Points From Today’s Episode

1. 14-21% of the world suffers from IBS. Symptoms of IBS are very common, yet treated with stigma.
2. How do you overcome the bad bacteria in your gut? What role does biofilm play in improving your gut health?
3. This simple treatment applied daily has amazing gut health benefits. It will improve your body’s overall functioning.

Episode Play-By-Play

[2:59]  The link between gut health, inflammation, and foods you are intolerant to

[4:11]  What is castor oil and how does it influence gut health?

[6:45] 14-21% of the population suffers from IBS, worldwide.

[8:50] The difference between good and bad bacteria

[9:10] What is biofilm, and why you need it to be gone

[11:25] Symptoms that indicate you have bad biofilm

[13:00] Ways to improve your biofilm

[14:00] You must track your foods to determine what you are sensitive to, which is not necessarily what the most common sensitivities are.

[15:20] Transit time between men and women differs.

[16:42] Check your own transit time by doing this at dinner.

[18:14] Two great suggestions to improve your biofilm and transit time

[22:36] Benefits of a castor oil pack (FAITH)

[36:26] What are the things to look for in a good castor oil?

[37:00] Toxins, chemicals that are in plastics, can move into oils. So, you should never buy oils in plastic.

Action Step and Challenge: Take the 7 Day Castor Oil challenge

Mentioned in this episode:

Subscribe to Reignite Wellness with JJ Virgin

Become part of JJ’s community

JJ Virgin Official Facebook page

JJ Virgin on Instagram

JJ Virgin on YouTube

Dr. Marisol previous episode

Oh Sh*t! By Dr. Marisol

In today’s enlightening podcast episode, JJ tells listeners how shopping smart and stocking up with these essentials means you can afford to eat according to The Virgin Diet and Sugar Impact Diet.You’ll learn JJ’s secrets for getting high-quality, clean food in your pantry for no more than you already spend, and hints for how to make your food dollars stretch.

Freebies From Today’s Episode

Get JJ’s free worksheet by going to jjvirgin.com/budget.

Main Points From Today’s Episode

1. Eating healthy on a budget is achievable. It may even be cheaper than buying processed food.
2. Keep these 7 essentials in your pantry. These ingredients are the basis for many different recipes.
3. Watch for sales and stock up. Buy in bulk when the high-quality food you love is discounted.

Episode Play-By-Play

[0:45]  How can I eat healthy on a budget?

[1:30]  How do healthy, Virgin Diet- and Sugar Impact Diet-approved foods compare cost-wise to a family’s average foods?

[2:15]  What foods to keep in your kitchen

[3:40]  What to avoid to stay under budget

[6:00]  7 essentials to keep in your pantry

[7:30]  Watch for sales and stock up.

[11:30] Buy organic fruit when it’s on sale and freeze what you don’t immediately eat.

[17:05] Subscribe & Save is a super easy way to make sure you’ve always got this staple on hand.

Action Steps

1. Stock up on good food when it’s on sale.
2. Make food once, use it multiple times throughout the week
3. If your fresh food is starting to look a little wilted, throw it in the freezer.
4. Invest in glass storage containers.

Mentioned in this episode:

Subscribe to Reignite Wellness with JJ Virgin

Become part of JJ’s community

JJ Virgin Official Facebook page

JJ Virgin on Instagram

JJ Virgin on YouTube

Vital Choice

Thrive Market

So Delicious Coconut Milk on JJ’s Amazon Influencer page

Paleo Treats

Dr. Kelly Ann Petrucci

Chocolate Cherry Chia Protein Shake

Chicken Zoodle Stir Fry

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It’s time for another Q&A! JJ talks about potatoes in today’s Q&A episode. Recent studies show that potatoes are healthier than previously thought, high in resistant starch, and helpful with gut bacteria. Want to know JJ’s favorite way to prepare potatoes? Make sure you listen to today’s podcast to find out.

Episode Play-By-Play

[0:01]  Potatoes are nature’s diet pill

[1:16]  JJ used to consider them high sugar impact, but now are medium-sugar impact, because of this.

[1:25] What is resistant starch, and how do you make potatoes the right way to get more of it?

[2:00]  JJ’s favorite recipe to prepare potatoes, and serving suggestions for getting the most resistant starch out of them.

[2:50]  Resistant starch means food resists digestion, & inhibits the rise in glucose and insulin that easy-to-digest carbohydrates cause.

[3:00]  Potatoes are good for gut bacteria and help you burn more fat.

[3:25]  Don’t get greedy...Only eat one cup for a serving.

Mentioned in this episode:

Recipes at jjvirgin.com

Reignite Wellness 365 membership

Subscribe to Reignite Wellness with JJ Virgin

Become part of JJ’s community

JJ Virgin Official Facebook page

JJ Virgin on Instagram

JJ Virgin on YouTube

Gut Health Guide

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World-renowned neuroscientist and neuro-nutritionist Dr. Lisa Mosconi joins JJ today as they discuss a vitally important topic: women’s brain health. Women's brains age distinctly from men's, due in large part to the decline of a key brain-protective hormone: estrogen. Dr. Lisa and JJ discuss the roles of estrogen in the body and the brain, as well as the connection between menopause and the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. Many factors contribute to risk for Alzheimer’s, but a lot of them boil down to inflammation, and adjusting lifestyle can help reduce the risk. JJ and Dr. Lisa also discuss foods that are harmful and foods that are helpful in reducing the risk of Alzheimer’s disease.

Freebies From Today’s Episode

Get Dr. Lisa’s free handout by going to jjvirgin.com/xxbrain.

Main Points From Today’s Episode

1. Women’s brains are very different from men’s. One interesting way is that women’s brains age differently.
2. Menopause has a huge impact on the brain. Symptoms associated with menopause don’t start in your ovaries, they start in your brain.
3. Alzheimer’s disease is caused by many factors. Many of them can be improved by adjusting diet and lifestyle now.

Episode Play-By-Play

[1:00]   Talking about women’s brains and how they differ from men’s

[4:15]   How Dr. Lisa, as a neuroscientist, got involved in studying women’s brains

[7:55]   How different are women’s brains from men’s and how specifically are they different?

[8:55]   Men’s brains and women’s brains age differently.

[9:30]   Women’s brains are really impacted by this condition that every woman goes through.

[9:50]   How is it good that women’s brains are more interconnected?

[11:35]  Men go through andropause, the male equivalent of menopause, but the effect on the body is very different.

[13:30]  Symptoms typically associated with menopause don’t start in your ovaries, they start in your brain.

[15:00]  Sex hormones aren’t related only to reproduction, they’re strongly involved with brain function.

[15:20]  Estrogen serves a number of functions that have to do with energy.

[16:30]  Dr. Lisa’s thoughts on bioidentical hormone replacement

[17:50]  Many factors contribute to risk for Alzheimers, but a lot of them boil down to inflammation, and adjusting lifestyle can help reduce the risk.

[18:30] Some other factors that increase risk

[20:33] Foods that are big no-no’s for your brain health; trans fats (processed foods) are one of the worst, and particularly bad for women.

[22:02] 3 key nutrients for women’s brains and some of the best places to find them

[28:04] Eating this food once a week has been associated with a later onset of menopause.

[29:30] You can’t unscramble an egg. Take prevention measures now to prevent Alzheimer’s later. Don’t wait too long to begin.

[30:45] How you can incorporate lessons from today’s topic in your life

Mentioned in this episode:

The XX Brain

Subscribe to Reignite Wellness with JJ Virgin

Become part of JJ’s community

JJ Virgin Official Facebook page

JJ Virgin on Instagram

JJ Virgin on YouTube

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In today’s episode, JJ reveals the truth about snacking! Listen to find out how snacking can work against you, as well as how to manage your meals to keep the munchies in check. JJ also explains when to make exceptions for snacking, including healthy snack options that won’t derail your eating plan. Plus, find out JJ’s top tips to help you conquer your cravings once and for all! 

Freebies From Today’s Episode

Get JJ’s free Are You A Sugar Burner or Fat Burner Quiz by going to jjvirgin.com/snack.

Main Points From Today’s Episode

1. When you’re snacking throughout the day, you train your body to expect food all the time. That means your body doesn’t have a reason to access stored fat for fuel.
2. The key to staying full between meals is to include clean, lean protein, healthy fats, and fiber at every meal. JJ likes to call this trio of nutrients the “satiety trifecta.”
3. Often when we think we’re hungry, we’re actually thirsty. Studies have shown that drinking a glass of water cuts hunger 100% of the time.

Episode Play-By-Play

[0:33] JJ’s invitation to join Frito Lay’s snacking council

[1:10] Introduction to today’s episode

[1:40] JJ’s experience with snacking when working as a personal trainer

[2:55] Listener shout-out

[4:57] Should you or shouldn’t you snack?

[5:25] Snacking raises your blood sugar.

[5:28] The drawbacks of chronically elevated blood sugar and insulin levels

[7:08] The era of snacking on low-fat foods

[8:25] How can you tell if you’re a sugar burner?

[9:28] When you’re metabolically flexible, you can go longer between meals.

[10:30] Why JJ likes the phrase, “Hunger equals younger”

[11:00] Strategies to stop snacking

[11:15] Step one: improve your food quality

[12:02] What is the second meal phenomenon?

[12:30] The benefits of clean, lean protein

[13:22] How healthy fats keep you full

[14:27] The advantages of fiber

[16:35] More strategies for extending the time between meals

[17:18] Often when we think we’re hungry, we’re actually thirsty.

[17:42] L-glutamine can help fight cravings.

[17:58] JJ always carries her bars with her when she’s on the road.

[20:05] JJ’s key takeaways and action steps from today’s episode

Mentioned in this episode:

Find healthy snack options in this post: The Powerful Truth About Whether You Should Snack

How to Build A Balanced Meal: The Sugar Impact Plate

JJ Virgin L-Glutamine Powder

JJ Virgin Bars

Subscribe to Reignite Wellness with JJ Virgin

Become part of JJ’s community

JJ Virgin Official Facebook page

JJ Virgin on Instagram

JJ Virgin on YouTube

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It’s time for another Q&A! In today’s episode, JJ discusses how sugar impacts our body, and whether alternatives to sugar are safe and healthy to consume. She explains that honey contains fructose, and how that impacts your body. JJ also shares her top options that you should add into your diet to replace sweeteners. Plus, she suggests the best alternative sweeteners to use in declining amounts. Listen in today for this information-packed podcast!

Episode Play-By-Play

[0:32] 2 questions being addressed today. Is organic stevia safe? And, is natural honey okay?

[1:00] JJ describes sugar in general and how our body uses it.

[1:20] If you want to use a sweetener, make sure it helps the body and doesn’t hurt it.

[1:35] JJ addresses honey and tells what the effects are on the body.

[2:13] Honey contains both fructose and glucose. Fructose doesn’t raise blood sugar, which is a problem because of this reason.

[2:45] You can make sugar slowly from foods that are high in this ingredient.

[2:50] Some of my favorite high fiber foods are squash, non starchy veggies and berries.

[3:18] When is it okay to use a small amount of honey?

[4:00] Here are JJ’s sweetener recommendations.

[4:50] Even for these sweeteners, you should be using them in decreasing portions.

[5:00] Instead of sugar, follow these guidelines and condition your body to need less and less sweet.

[6:05] Artificial sweeteners are the worst for your body by changing these functions, plus they trigger caloric disruption.

Mentioned in this episode:

Recipes at jjvirgin.com

Reignite Wellness 365 membership

Subscribe to Reignite Wellness with JJ Virgin

Become part of JJ’s community

JJ Virgin Official Facebook page

JJ Virgin on Instagram

JJ Virgin on YouTube

Gut Health Guide

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dr. Fiona McCulloch joins JJ on today’s episode. She is a naturopathic doctor and founder of White Lotus Integrative Medicine in Toronto, Canada. Her book, 8 Steps To Reverse Your PCOS, offers methods for the natural treatment of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. Dr Fiona and JJ discuss how circadian rhythm affects the fat cells in our bodies. Fat cells produce hormones, break down chemicals and inform the brain on energy stores. When we learn the most efficient time to eat, not only can we optimize our metabolism, but our bodies are also able to function much easier!

Freebies From Today’s Episode

Get Dr. Fiona’s free Food Insulin Demand List by going to jjvirgin.com/drfionaclock

Main Points From Today’s Episode

1. Fat cells are affected by circadian rhythms. They perform very different tasks in the morning than they do at night.
2. Fat cells do more than just store excess weight. They play an important role in many different processes in the body.
3. To adjust our diets to take advantage of the circadian rhythm, Dr. Fiona recommends fasting overnight. Close your kitchen after dinner!

Episode Play-By-Play

[1:13] Discussing fat cells and circadian rhythm

[1:20] When to eat is almost as important as what to eat

[4:13] What is circadian rhythm and why does it matter?

[4:30] Cortisol actually has a higher activity rate at this time of day

[5:50] How does circadian rhythm affect the body’s ability to lose weight?

[7:13] Fat is more than just a type of weight. It plays an important role in hormone function and informing the brain about this.

[7:50] How does circadian rhythm affect fat cells and how they function?

[7:55] Dr Fiona discusses the results of a study done on a group of people.

[8:55] There was a profound difference in what fat cells were doing in the morning and at nighttime.

[10:22] JJ talks about progression of thinking about how often you should eat, what window of time you should eat.

[11:14] How the circadian rhythm ties in with intermittent fasting times

[12:45] Fat cells are just as affected by the times we eat as they are by the food we eat.

[13:30] How many hours before bed should you stop eating?

[14:40] If you’re going to overindulge, what are the best times of day?

[16:30] The best window of time to eat

[17:50] One of the big factors Dr Fiona looks at is insulin resistance. If someone is really struggling, periods of fasting are times when there will be minimal insulin in the body.

[18:50] When you are constantly eating, you interfere with the body’s normal functioning, which requires a fasting state to operate optimally.

[19:40] Dr. Fiona’s free Food Insulin Demand list is a matrix that shows how much insulin is produced when eating a certain food.

Challenge: Close the kitchen 3 hours before bed. Fast for at least 12 hours overnight, a 14-16-hour fast is even better.

Mentioned in this episode:

8 Steps to Reverse Your PCOS

Subscribe to Reignite Wellness with JJ Virgin

Become part of JJ’s community

JJ Virgin Official Facebook page

JJ Virgin on Instagram

JJ Virgin on YouTube

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The habits that make you store fat can easily sneak into your daily life! Listen as JJ explains the top culprits behind fat storage, from poor sleep and chronic stress to snacking and the wrong type of exercise. JJ also shares how to avoid those common pitfalls so you can upgrade your fat metabolism for good!

Freebies From Today’s Episode

Get JJ’s free “Are You a Sugar Burner or Fat Burner?” quiz by going to jjvirgin.com/storefat.

Main Points From Today’s Episode

1. You don’t change your health overnight. You change it over time, going through habits one by one that are not working for you.
2. While most people focus on what they can do to burn more fat, it’s crucial to know the common habits that can make you store excess body fat in the first place. JJ talks about the 9 worst habits for your waistline.
3. This one may be a surprise: prolonged steady-state endurance exercise can make you store fat! JJ explains how you can work out in less time and get better results.

Episode Play-By-Play

[:32] Introduction to today’s episode

[1:10] How to submit a question for the Friday Q&A episodes

[1:35] JJ’s story of struggling to lose weight in the past

[3:08] Listener shout-out

[5:04] The top habits that make you store fat

[5:34] When you don’t sleep well, you become more insulin resistant.

[5:55] The impact of lack of sleep on your hunger hormones

[7:15] Why it’s important to track your sleep 

[8:01] JJ’s experience with chronic stress, and how chronic stress can lead to excess belly fat

[10:02] Strategies to manage your stress levels

[10:43] The link between too much fructose and fat storage

[12:24] How prolonged endurance exercise can make your body store fat

[14:10] The dark side of snacking

[14:35] How to shrink your eating window

[15:38] Protein, healthy fat, and fiber helps keep your blood sugar stable.

[16:06] Alcohol sidelines fat burning and stimulates your appetite.

[16:42] Why you shouldn’t eat late at night

[17:19] JJ’s tips on meal timing

[18:30] Why highly reactive foods could be stalling your progress

[19:55] Which sugars to choose and which to lose

[21:52] JJ’s takeaways from today’s episode and next steps

Mentioned in this episode:

Oura Ring

Free eBook on tapping

Ziva Meditation

Subscribe to Reignite Wellness with JJ Virgin

Handling Stress...We Got This!

Fast Fitness Online Program

Xiser

Dry Farm Wines

7-Day Stop, Drop & Swap Challenge

Become part of JJ’s community

JJ Virgin Official Facebook page

JJ Virgin on Instagram

JJ Virgin on YouTube

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