I’m not a stranger to surgeries to keep this vessel of mine going, unfortunately, and having just gone through my seventh knee surgery, I was kindly sent some supplements to help me recover faster and emerge stronger. I’m not going to lie, I know I’m not getting enough protein in my diet. The rush in the morning and commute push meals aside. So, for me, a protein shake is such a convenient way to not only get protein but also vitamins into my body. It’s such a convenient way to just add powder to a shaker and drink along the way.
BioSynergy Protein Powder
BioSynergy sent me two of their Active Woman, Activate Protein powders, one in the flavour strawberry and one in chocolate. This is a pre-workout protein shake with, aside from protein, calcium, green tea, vitamin B and D, folic acid and iron mixed in. Gluten-free and vegetarian, with almost no fat, these are ingredients made to support the female body to aid both performance and recovery.
I normally lean towards chocolate flavours with my protein shakes, but I really liked the strawberry one on a sunny summer day… then I found myself going for strawberry in the morning and chocolate later in the day. A beautiful (and tasty) variety.
Wellosophy by Oriflame
Taking care of your gut is so important! Oriflame has a product line called Wellosophy, and they sent me two of their products. Both of these products are unflavoured, so these are super easy to add to your meals, when baking bread, ice cream or your breakfast pancakes. Just remember to keep it nearby and add it to whatever your heart desires.
Their protein blend gets its high fibre content from rosehip, sugar beet and apple and its protein from whey, egg and pea, all from natural sources. With only 72 calories per 18g serving, it’s a no-brainer. Furthermore, due to my eating being a bit questionable, I very rarely get the fibre I need for the internal machinery to work. Luckily, Oriflame sent me their Prebiotic Fibre Drink.
This powder can be used as a simple drink or added to food. I think the latter is an amazing way to go. When we think of fibre and gut health, we sometimes forget it’s not just about it all running smoothly, it’s also about feeding the very important microbiome, which is small but mighty, as it supports your general wellbeing, not just the physical but also emotional. I am very excited to get on top of this and improve my gut health to see how it improves my overall wellbeing.
Hiro Wellness
Next, Hiro sent me an extensive package sure to keep me on track. A large bag of their Vanilla flavoured Essential Health + Protein Super Blend, an organic blend of superfoods, greens, protein, vitamins, minerals, adaptogens, fibre, prebiotics and probiotics. It’s everything your body could ask for. There are no added sugars or artificial sweeteners; it just tastes healthy, and it’s light and easy to drink. I like to add a few ice cubes and drink it from a normal glass, but they did send me a perfectly sized bottle just in case.
This Super Blend supports your immune system, supports recovery after exercise, and helps maintain healthy nerves, muscles, bones and precious joints. It helps repair skin and hair, as well as improve digestion and gut health. And last but absolutely not least, it regulates hormones. I thank you!
On top of this amazing Super Blend, they also sent me a collection of their electrolyte tablets in the flavours of Watermelon, Ginger & Lemon and Lemon & Elderflower. If I had to choose a favourite flavour, it would be the Lemon & Elderflower, but they are all really good.
These electrolyte tablets offer 4x times more effective hydration than water alone, help reduce inflammation and boost your immune system, amongst other things. You also get a zinc boost, antioxidant protection and heart regulation. I have made it a habit to take these daily, but especially on days when I have been very active, or after a fun night out on the town with my girls.
Smart Strains Live Bacterial Supplements
Now this next one is interesting. I received a collection of Live Bacterial Supplements from Smart Strains, all with targeted live bacteria strains and formulated by The Gut Health Doctor, Dr Megan Rossi.
The first one is for my immune system, and after a holiday back in Sweden, I could tell I had to boost this. This comes in a box with sachets that you either simply empty onto your tongue or add to a little bit of water. I have been taking it in the morning now for a while, and I can definitely feel myself coming back to normal. In each little sachet, you have 20 billion live bacteria ready to fight for you!
The second item they sent me is for when you are on antibiotics. I haven’t been, but I am happy to have this if needed. You see, when you are on antibiotics, it can affect your gut health, and this product is made to support you in that moment. These are in capsule form and are to be taken from the first day of your antibiotic treatment, daily throughout the course and then for seven days after.
As a woman in my young 40s, things start to change, everywhere. Mind, body, down there, you know? So what do we do then? GPs are saying everything looks fine, and you’re left to figure it out. Well, lucky for me, Smart Strains has me sorted. Your vaginal microbiome is vital for intimate health, and as soon as you feel any kind of change or disruption, I would highly recommend taking the Smart Strains supplement for this. This exact formulation has been proven in tough scientific trials, so I am very hopeful for the end results.
Continuing on my 40-something journey, I am fairly sure that I have reached a certain stage; of course, it’s not proven, because there are no tests for this. There are only symptoms, and dear God, do I have a bunch of those. I am talking about perimenopause. Many don’t seem to know that there is a difference between peri and the actual menopause. I’m not going to go into it too deeply, but perimenopause basically leads up to the big M. It can start as early as your thirties, and we are kind of left to fend for ourselves with the symptoms because it has not been studied enough – still to this day! – even though women have existed for millennia.
OTO Power CBD
Some symptoms are quite debilitating and can even be frightening, so I am grateful for OTO and for their amazing products. At work, I keep my Power CBD drops close at hand, for those moments when I need a good start in the morning. Cultivated from organically grown hemp plants and combined with vitamins, essential oils and botanical extracts, these drops help with mood, digestion, and the immune system and promote a calm that still allows you to focus. They have a mild fruity flavour, so nothing overpowering. Simply fill the pipette and place it all under your tongue, and you’re ready for your day.
For me, my mood and my energy are mostly affected, as well as my hormonal balance in general. Before I found myself at this tender age, I didn’t think much of my hormonal balance and what it would do to me. But it truly affects a lot. So the Menopause Complex capsules are much appreciated. They regulate not just hormones but also your thyroid function. Supports bone and cardiovascular health. Reduces tiredness as well as supports brain health, hoping for less brain fog! I kind of like knowing why I walked into a room or what the name of a certain thing is!
Last but not least, it supports skin and hair health, and as a woman who already has very fine, thin hair, I am more than ready to stop shedding as much as I do now.
I can’t begin to say how grateful I am for all these products; my mind and my body really needed this help, especially after this surgery. I will continue to take them all for as long as I have them. I am really looking forward to this new strength that will arise from a healthy body and gut, balanced hormones and a happy vagina.
