Eat mindfully. Train strategically. Live intention

Why, hello there! My name is Needhee (pronounced knee-thee). My purpose is to be authentically myself. No more, no less. Coming from years of doubt, fear, and insecurities, I've learned that when you applaud your fears, eccentricities, and passions, suddenly these qualities become your assets. Here I share with you my ever-increasingly primal lifestyle of health, happiness, and strength. Eat mindfully. Train strategically. Live intentionally. Why? Because the best things in life start from within you. ♥

[herprimallife]

Change things up and seek out new experiences to spice up your day and keep you alert and awake. Don't get stuck in a rut.

Try something new. ‪#‎primaltip‬ ‪#‎adventure‬

[herprimallife]

When incomplete tasks are constantly looming over your head, it can quickly drain your energy and lead you to further postpone tasks at hand. Just do it and get the monkey off your back. Finish incomplete tasks. #primaltip #timemanagement #prioritize

[herprimallife]

Follow me on Twitter! @HerPrimalLife (I promise there will be more content once I get the hang of how everything works) #twitter #amidoingitright 

Learner, trainer, and nutrition enthusiast! Come along with me on my lifestyle journey of health, strength, and vitality. San Diego, CA

[herprimallife]

Whole foods are complete with all their rich natural endowment of nutrients. They have not been highly processed nor do they contain synthetic, artificial or irradiated ingredients. Eat whole foods. #primal #paleo #primaltip #wholefoods #organic #local#grassfed #inseason #raw #nutrifyyourbody

[herprimallife]

Set boundaries so that you have the physical and emotional time to take care of yourself – it’s not selfish, it’s self-preserving.

[herprimallife]

Stop eating late so that when you snooze, your body can focus on repair instead of digestion.

[herprimallife]

If it’s made in a lab it takes a lab to digest. If it has a shelf life longer than you, don’t eat it. Choose low glycemic foods as much as possible. Refined sugars and processed starches are the devil – dump them.#primal#paleo #unprocessed #unrefined

[herprimallife]

Give sleep priority in your life. Some people think sleep is a waste of time. There’s also a thought process in our society that being able to live with less sleep is a noble endeavor enabling you to do more, (and therefore be more.) I argue against that. If you can somehow truly thrive on just a few hours sleep, well, I guess that’s great. But if you can’t and you need more, then make it a priority. It serves no-one to skimp on sleep. Studies have shown over and over how important sleep is for our health. It’s more important than your Facebook friends, cleaning up, and your favorite TV. So make a date with yourself. In bed. Snooze. Snooze. Snooze. Optimal hours: 11-7am.#sleep #getit #zzzzzz

[herprimallife]

Your lymph system, which carries away waste, needs you! Unlike your heart, it doesn’t have a pump. Movement is the pump. #moveyourbody#trainefficiently

[herprimallife]

The majority of your body is comprised of water. Why would you NOT care about the quality of water that goes into it? Drink lots of clean, purified water. #hydrateyoself #berkey The filter I use and love: http://amzn.to/1lzAIQK It's definitely an investment but it oh so worth it. It removes lead, MTBE, heavy metals, fluoride, arsenic, chlorine, and so much more. It's also easy to clean and maintain and the filters last for ~3,000 gallons.

[herprimallife]

*NEW SERIES* PrimalTip #1: The last time you had something to eat, did you give any thought to how long you chewed? Chewing properly allows your body to absorb more nutrients and energy from your food Chew. Your stomach does not have teeth. #chewyourfood #digestion#nutrifyyourbody

[herprimallife]

Check out my mini health and wellness interview! Thank you, UCSD's Mind Body Nutrition 

Today we have an interview with Mind Body Nutrition's Vice President, Needhee Solanki! If you would also like to share YOUR story, please feel free to email or message us!  -What inspired you to live healthier? Fitness has always been a huge part of my life; however, I made the decision to change my lifestyle completely after being diagnosed with a malignant thyroid nodule. At the age of 18, I definitely did not want to become dependant on various hormone pills and medications- I never want to be on any medications! For this reason, I turned to clean eating and my life has changed forever. What started off as a mission to avoid medications has turned into an on-going healing health and wellness journey.  -Were there any significant challenges you had to overcome? How did you overcome them? Yes, definitely-in fact, I’m always battling obstacles! I’m on a never-ending journey to getting my health back since my bout with cancer. After getting my nodule removed, I was free of cancer but still wasn’t feeling my best. I actually felt really crappy all the time. Although I struggled to mask my health issues, I could no longer hide my dwindling energy or confidence. I saw my grades slipping as I lethargically hobbled through classes. I knew something needed to change when I could no longer conceal the humiliating hair loss and other symptoms caused by my disease. At the end of my third year, I was diagnosed with Hashimotos thyroiditis, an autoimmune disorder. I headed back home, and threw myself wholeheartedly into treating my illness with nutrition, holistic living, and mind-body medicine. The most important change I made was starting a grain free diet. Within a couple of weeks, my symptoms had disappeared and my body was getting stronger each day. I’m passionate about encouraging others to use food as medicine, because I’ve seen the results first-hand! I constantly learn how diet, emotions, and lifestyle fit together as the key to healing chronic disease. For years, I was told to use medications to manage my symptoms, but the traumatic side effects pushed me to reevaluate my complacent attitude. After reading and researching the healing power of nutrition and mind-body medicine, I realized I could cure myself… but only with complete dedication and determination. -What are some health or fitness related goals you are trying to reach right now? In terms of fitness, I’ve dabbled in the bodybuilding industry for 2 years and shortly after, became a certified personal trainer and Nutritional Therapy Practitioner. I’m constantly learning about the amazing healing capabilities of the human body and eager to learn more and help others heal with nutrition. A fitness goal I’ve set for myself this year is the Triple Crown (running all three half marathons in San Diego). My weight training today is focused more on functional fitness as opposed to aesthetics during bodybuilding. For those that are looking to follow my fitness, health, nutrition, and wellness journey, check out my blog at brainsbrawnbeauty.com and my facebook page at Brains Brawn Beauty 

[herprimallife]

100% clean enchiladas with homemade sauce and a side of slow cooker black beans!

[herprimallife]

Do you know where your food is coming from? 

[herprimallife]

“We are not separate from the pulse and wisdom of the natural world as our bodies are always in direct connection with the energies of this planet. Every one of us mimics the earth with our daily and seasonal cycles, and we’re comprised of the very same elements. Place your hands into soil to feel grounded. Wade in water to feel emotionally healed. Fill your lungs with fresh air to feel mentally clear. Raise your face to the heat of the sun to reconnect with your fire and own immensity. Let your body love what it loves, and what it loves are gentle yet powerful things, same as the way you must care for it. Subtle habits. Small daily rituals. Roots. Solitude. Connection. Resonance. Home. Just Surrender" #grounded #primalliving

[herprimallife]

You have your coffee lovers, and then you have me: TEA FANATIC.  I drink tea everyday and it's become somewhat of a recent obsession of mine. I have a whole drawer dedicated to it (like a huge wardrobe drawer because I don't have room to put it anywhere in my kitchen!) I drink it for it's various health benefits and the huge variety of it doesn't help my addiction :P From teas straight from Japan to herbal teas that help various ailments, my teas and I welcome you ♥

[herprimallife]

Find your joy, then...Do it. Be it. LIVE IT.#sandiegosunsalutations