Fall Cleaning for Your Health

Hello and welcome to the latest edition of Verve Life, 12/50, (12% of adults over 50 are metabolically healthy). One goal of this newsletter is to boost that percentage.

As the days grow shorter and the world bursts into color, fall awakens a natural desire for getting outdoors and moving.

Just like you wouldn't hesitate to fall clean-up, it's the perfect time to give your health a refresh too!

This newsletter is packed with tips and tricks to help you fall clean your body, mind, and spirit, so you can blossom into your healthiest self this season.

IN THIS ISSUE

• Science News

• Tips & Tricks

• Feature Article

Science News

This Experimental “Super Vaccine” Stopped Cancer Cold in the Lab

A Tiny Mineral May Hold the Secret to Feeding Billions Sustainably

Earth’s Climate Just Crossed a Line We Can’t Ignore

Tips & Tricks

Here are three practical tips for saving money on healthy food at the grocery store:

1. Buy Whole Animals and Bulk Cuts, Then Butcher Yourself

Skip the premium prices on pre-cut chicken breasts and pre-portioned steaks. Buy whole chickens (often $1-2/lb cheaper), larger roasts, or "value packs" of meat. A whole chicken gives you multiple meals plus bones for nutrient-dense bone broth. Ground beef in bulk (5-10 lbs) is significantly cheaper per pound. Learn basic knife skills—breaking down a whole chicken takes 10 minutes and saves you 40-60% on the cost. Bonus: the "less desirable" cuts like chicken thighs are often the most flavorful and nutrient-dense.

2. Shop the Perimeter Strategically and Embrace "Ugly" Produce

The outer edges of the store have whole foods; the middle aisles have processed junk (that costs more per calorie of nutrition). Focus on seasonal produce—it's cheaper and fresher. Don't be afraid of the "manager's special" section with produce that's ripe or slightly blemished—it's perfect for eating immediately or freezing. Frozen vegetables are nutritionally equivalent to fresh (sometimes better) and far cheaper with zero waste. A $2 bag of frozen broccoli beats $5 of fresh that goes bad in your crisper.

3. Prioritize Your Protein Investment and Skimp Strategically

Your body needs quality protein more than it needs organic kale. Invest in good eggs (pastured if possible—still only $6-8/dozen for incredible nutrition), quality ground beef or chicken, and maybe wild-caught canned fish (sardines and salmon are nutrient powerhouses for $2-4/can). Then be strategic about everything else: conventional produce is fine for most items (especially those you peel), store brands are identical to name brands, and you don't need exotic superfoods. A dozen quality eggs, can of sardines, and conventional broccoli will nourish your cells better than organic protein powder, açaí berries, and gluten-free crackers—at half the cost.

Bonus mindset shift: Stop buying food you won't eat. Americans waste 30-40% of food purchased. Buying less, eating it all, and going back for more is cheaper than buying in bulk and throwing half away. Your metabolic health improves with less frequent eating anyway.

Living By Design: Luxury Expense or Cheapest Investment You’ll Ever Make?

Most people assume living metabolically well is expensive because they see:

• Organic food costs more than conventional

• Gym memberships aren't free

• Quality sleep trackers and supplements add up

• Meal prep takes time (and time is money)

So they conclude: "Metabolic health is a luxury for the wealthy."

The Hidden Costs of Dysfunction

But let's actually do the math on living by default:

Medical expenses: The average American with metabolic syndrome spends thousands annually on medications (statins, blood pressure meds, diabetes drugs), doctor visits, and eventual interventions. This only escalates with age.

Lost productivity: Brain fog, low energy, and sick days translate to missed opportunities, slower career advancement, and reduced earning potential over decades.

The convenience tax: Eating out constantly, ordering delivery, grabbing processed convenience foods—these actually cost MORE than whole foods cooked at home, yet people perceive them as the "cheap" option.

Energy drinks and stimulants: When your cellular energy is broken, you compensate with coffee, energy drinks, and sugar throughout the day. $5-10 daily adds up to $1,800-3,600 yearly.

The compound effect: Poor metabolic health leads to poor sleep, which leads to poor food choices, which leads to lower exercise motivation—each dysfunction requiring its own expensive band-aid.

Living by Design: The Actual Investment

Food: Yes, quality protein and produce cost more upfront, BUT:

• Eating less frequently (time-restricted eating) means fewer total meals

• Cooking at home is dramatically cheaper than restaurants

• Stable energy means no constant snacking

• Net cost? Often neutral or even cheaper

Movement: You don't need a gym. Walking is free. Bodyweight exercises cost nothing. A few kettlebells or resistance bands last decades. Total investment: $0-300 for life.

Sleep: Blackout curtains, good pillow, cool room temperature. One-time costs under $200. Compare that to years of sleep medications.

Time: This is the real "cost"—but is it? Meal prepping 2-3 hours weekly saves daily decision fatigue and fast-food runs. Morning movement gives you energy that makes you more productive all day.

The ROI Nobody Calculates

What's the value of:

• Not developing type 2 diabetes (lifetime cost: $300,000+)

• Avoiding cardiovascular disease and its interventions

• Maintaining cognitive function and avoiding dementia care

• Having energy to be present with your kids or grandkids

• Adding 10-15 quality years to your healthspan

• Needing zero daily medications in your 60s and 70s

The uncomfortable truth: We'll pay $6 for a daily latte without thinking twice, but balk at $6 for pastured eggs that actually nourish our cells. We'll spend $150 monthly on streaming services but claim we "can't afford" quality food.

The Real Barrier Isn't Money

It's priority and knowledge. The average American spends more on entertainment and convenience than someone living metabolically well spends on their health. The difference is intentionality.

Living by design might require reorganizing your budget—spending less on things that provide temporary pleasure and more on things that build long-term vitality. But more expensive? Not when you factor in what metabolic dysfunction actually costs.

The question isn't whether you can afford to live intentionally. It's whether you can afford not to.

In Case You Missed It

• Check out my latest Instagram video on how Aromatherapy can prevent the onset of dementia [Link to video]

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