Author: drinkcfadmin

Mindfulness Tips: 4 Game-Changing Tips for Keeping Calm Amongst Chaos

Post author By drinkcfadmin
Post date October 28, 2020
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On the wild ride that is 2020, we could all use some sanity-saving mindfulness tips. Whether it’s wanting to pull your hair out during chaotic homeschooling sessions, the stress of taking care of a loved one who’s ill, or managing the uncertainty and overwhelm of losing your job—everyone is working through an issue (or twenty) right about now. While the world we’re living in isn’t one anyone imagined or hoped for, it’s what we’ve got—and learning to navigate it while remaining in-control and calm will serve us well! So, today, we wanted to offer up our top three mindfulness tips for managing the stress of the world, rather than letting the stress of the world manage you. We’re talking all about the power of responding rather than reacting below. Read on to tap into that inner ohmmm.

What’s the difference between responding and reacting?

Before we dive into our mindfulness tips, let’s talk a bit about the difference between responding and reacting. While they may sound interchangeable at first, when we really dive into the meat of what they really mean, they’re far from the same.

To react is to take an immediate, knee-jerk action in response to something that upsets us, without considering the best course of action first.
To respond is to take a mindful, measured action in response to something that upsets us, after having paused to consider the best, most beneficial course of action.

The difference, then, is in the amount of thought and control that goes into each. When you’re constantly reacting to the stress of the world, it’s controlling you. When you thoughtfully respond to the stress of the world, you’re controlling it.

1. Embrace the power of the (awkward) pause.

We’ve often been taught: the faster, the better. The quicker we can respond to that email and tick that nagging task off of our to-do list, the better we are at our jobs. The faster we can get dinner out on the table, scarfed down, and cleaned up, the more efficient of a parent we are. The problem is, this trains us to be humans who immediately react, rather than thoughtfully respond.

Oftentimes, when we react without taking time to pause and consider the best course of action, we react in a way that only serves to create more problems. Think: you break a glass full of juice in the kitchen. You immediately allow that simple action to send you into a tailspin. Your kid is now upset that you’re upset, so she starts crying. You convince yourself it’s bound to be a terrible day (look at what’s happening all before 8am, after all!), and your mood reflects this throughout the day. Eight hours later, you look back on your day and realize it was nothing but stress and negativity—all because a glass of juice broke.

We can retrain our brain, however, to embrace the thing we were so often taught to avoid: the awkward pause, the drawn-out silence, the moment that tells others we don’t, actually, know what to do immediately. It’s in these pauses that we can reassess the situation and make a choice that’s far more beneficial to our overall well-being. (OK—no one is hurt, the glass of juice breaking isn’t that big of a deal. I’m going to take a deep breath, take three minutes to clean it up, and get on with my day in a joyful manner.) The next time something happens that upsets you—a rude coworker, a broken garage door, your two-year-old’s temper tantrum, a red light that’s keeping us from getting to our destination on time—remember this mantra: slow is smooth, and smooth is fast. Embrace the awkward pause; go over your options for how you can react; take time to put the stressor into perspective; and choose the most beneficial course of action, rather than the one that comes to you immediately.

2. Take a break from social media.

When it comes to mindfulness tips, this one takes the calm-amongst-the-chaos cake. Detoxing from social media can be tough in the world of social distancing where our only human-to-human interactions tend to take place via a screen (we need those double-taps to stay sane!)—but deleting those apps and taking a purposeful break from social media is one of the best ways we can recenter ourselves, declutter our minds, and get back to a place where we’re equipped to respond, rather than immediately react, to stressors in our lives.

Social media algorithms are designed to serve us the worst of the “other side” and the best of “our side”. This results in a world where you’re constantly on edge and in the always-unhealthy “comparison mode”—whether that’s due to being fired up about political issues or being convinced everyone is leading their best lives while you homeschool three unruly children in the same taco-meat-stained t-shirt you’ve been wearing for two days straight. This leads to that “ticking time bomb” feeling where the smallest stressor can send you over the edge on a moment’s notice. By taking a break from social media—and the unhealthy mental state it often leaves us in—our bodies and minds can recalibrate a bit, which sets the stage for us to begin taking more mindful, measured responses to stressors that arise.

Still don’t believe a social media detox is important? Here are some stats that might change your mind:

Research has shown the more time you spend on social media platforms, the more likely you are to become depressed.
Computer World tells us social media is distinctly designed to be highly addictive (specifically: “as habit-forming as crack cocaine”)
Research also suggests a strong link between social media use and anxiety, particularly for already-anxious people.

3. Embrace the analog life as you cut back on screen time.

Detoxing from social media doesn’t have to mean you cut off all interaction with friends and family. Quite the opposite—shift from hourly “likes” and empty comments to fewer, more meaningful interactions over the week. During the pandemic when we can’t see each other, this means picking up the phone (reduce screen time by scheduling a good ol’ fashioned weekly phone date with a close friend or family member, instead of that weekly Zoom call). Even better? Take that scheduled call while out on a walk. Research shows walking can reduce symptoms of mild depression by 47%.

Another option for making meaningful connections? Bust out that stationery and write a few letters to people you love, expressing your gratitude for their impact on your life. A Harvard Study suggests expressing gratitude can improve your mood and lead to increased happiness—so, skip the incessant scrolling and, instead let the handwritten thank-you notes flow. You can even earn double karma points by purchasing pens and cards from your favorite local stationery shop, helping keep small businesses afloat during a tough year. A few small stationery hops we love? The Social Type, Calliope Paperie, Spaghetti & Meatballs, BiBA Letterpress, and Alligator Soup.

4. Give yourself the centering moments you need, without apology or guilt.

One of the things that keeps us on-edge and in a place of reacting immediately, rather than responding thoughtfully, is the notion that we have to do it all—without complaint and perfectly. Particularly for women, there’s an idea that, the more selfless we are, the better we are at being a mom, wife, friend, sister, or daughter. The problem is, when our own needs aren’t meant, the anger, frustration, and neglect we feel then spills out into other aspects of our lives. (It’s the age-old cliché of putting your oxygen mask on first.)

In a world where we’re pulled in a million different directions at once and expected to be all things to all people, it is so important to learn to listen to what our body is telling us we need and communicate those needs clearly with the people around us, rather than letting our stress and frustration build up and boil over while our friends and family are none the wiser. Whether it’s clearly telling your partner you need five minutes of silence alone while they take care of the little ones, or shifting the family schedule so you can make it to yoga in the park on Sunday—take stock of the things that bring you joy and keep you sane, and learn to ask others for the help you need to make those things happen for you.

A mindfulness tip to get started? Take thirty minutes one day to sit down and think about the things that bring you a sense of calm: is it a daily walk, journaling every morning, enjoying your coffee completely alone, reading a book at night in silence, practicing yoga on the patio? Write down everything that comes to mind. Then, sit down with your partner or anyone else you can lean on, and come up with a plan for ensuring you get at least five of those “moments” each week.

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Ready for more mindfulness tips? Browse the rest of the CF Nutrition blog for helpful health, wellness, and lifestyle tips. And don’t forget to bring your A-game to your everyday routine by hydrating with the clean, clinical replenishment of CF(Rehyrdate)® and nourishing with the powerful plant-based protein in CF(protein)®, our fan-favorite immunonutrition drink.

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CF Nutrition Reciepes For Boosting Immunity

Post author By drinkcfadmin
Post date October 7, 2020
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immune-boosting recipes for back to school season

Ready or not, here it comes! Whether you were hoping for an endless summer or have already started counting the days until Christmas, school is back in session! Kids are packing up their backpacks and hitting the books, gearing up for a whole new type of school year. This year may be a little different, and regardless of whether your kids are back in a real classroom or schooling from the living room, mealtime will feel a little different this year. Fueling yourself and your family with immune-boosting foods will help increase energy and performance levels all year long. If you are confused about how to include immune-boosting foods in your meals, have no fear, Clearfast has you covered! Today, we’re offering up immune-boosting meal ideas for breakfast, lunch, and dinner that pack immune-boosting and nutrient-dense ingredients you need to keep everyone feeling their best.

Immune-Boosting Breakfast Ideas:

Overnight oats:

Overnight oats are a quick and easy breakfast option that your kids will love. It’ll keep everyone satisfied for hours because it is full of fiber. It’s easy to add fruit which will provide a boost of antioxidants and immunity. You can make this immune-boosting recipe it the night before so it’s ready to enjoy when you wake up.

My favorite: Banana Nutzo Overnight Oats

This is the immune-boosting recipe that I find the tastiest but there are TONS of ways to mix it up by trying out different fruits, nut butter, nuts, and more. I encourage you to vary it up and use a variety of different fruits if you are eating this every day. Adding Greek yogurt gives this meal some extra protein and probiotics which helps with gut health. Instead of nut butter, you can use sliced or chopped walnuts, pecans, or almonds. I encourage you to get your kids involved in prepping the overnight oats with you so they can get a feel for using healthy foods in fun and innovative ways!

1/2 cups of quick oats
1/2 cup of almond milk (or whatever milk you prefer)
1/2 of a banana (sliced)
Cinnamon
1 to 2 tablespoons of nutzo
*optional: 1/4 cup of Greek yogurt

Mix all the ingredients in a cup or mason jar. Place in the fridge the night before and enjoy in the morning.

Healthy, high protein smoothie:

Smoothies are a delicious way to get in some immune-boosting foods, especially for those picky eaters who don’t love eating their fruits and veggies. There are tons of delicious ways to make your smoothies. Blueberries, lemons, oranges, spinach, kiwi, turmeric, and yogurt are all excellent ingredients to add to your smoothies to help boost your immunity.

My favorite: Blueberry peanut butter smoothie

This is a great recipe for a high protein, immune-boosting smoothie that tastes delicious. The Greek yogurt and nut butter offer a serious one-two-punch of protein. The nut butter also gives you some healthy fats that are crucial to your diet. Blueberries are a great way to boost your immunity because they are a powerful antioxidant. If you want to kickup your smoothie one more notch, add a cup of spinach to get in a serving of veggies. *Note, sometimes spinach can be a turn off for kids but if your little one is keen on some green, I highly recommend adding spinach to this recipe.

1 cup of blueberries (fresh or frozen)
1.5 cups of milk (I like almond but any milk works)
2 tablespoons of nut butter (I prefer peanut or almond butter)
2/3 cup of Greek yogurt (plain)
Cinnamon

Blend ingredients together and enjoy. This recipe will make about 2 servings.

Immune-Boosting Lunch:

Whether your kid is at home with you or off at school, it’ss crucial to have a satisfying and filling lunch prepared to ensure they have enough energy to power them through the rest of the day.

My favorite: Veggie Hummus Wrap

This is a great immune-boosting, plant-based meal option that’s super easy to prep. It’s an excellent way to get a few servings of vegetables in, which will help boost immunity. The hummus and cheese provide protein and the whole grain tortilla is a complex carb that will keep you and your child’s brain happy and ready to learn.

Whole grain tortilla (aim for >3g of fiber)
2 tablespoons of hummus
Cheese (whichever kind you and your family prefer)
Fill with your child’s favorite vegetables (aim for 2-3 servings) I think spinach, red peppers, and tomatoes is the tastiest combo.

Immune-Boosting Dinner:

Easy Sheet Pan Meals

If you are looking for quick and healthy immune-boosting meals for dinner with limited prep, sheet pan meals are just for you. You can mix up the type of protein you use (chicken, salmon, tilapia, pork) as well as the carbohydrate and the veggies. Aim to serve at least 1-2 servings of vegetables at dinner time, this will help boost the whole family’s immunity.

My favorite: Salmon, Brussel Sprouts, and Sweet potatoes

Salmon fillet (4 oz per person)
Brussels sprouts (1 cup per person)
Sweet potatoes (1 small per person)
Olive Oil
Salt and Pepper
Lemon
Garlic

This is simple but delicious. The steps are easy.

Preheat oven to 425 ˚F.
Wash and dry sweet potatoes. Cut into 1/2-inch cubes or 1-inch fry like pieces. (No need to peel, the potatoes peel is packed with nutrients).
Coat potatoes with 1 tablespoon of olive oil, salt, and pepper. Place on foil-covered sheet pan. Make sure to spray your pan.
Cook for 15 minutes. While potatoes cook, wash brussels sprouts and cut them in half. Season with 1 tablespoon of olive oil, salt, and pepper.
Once potatoes have cooked 15 minutes, lay Brussel sprouts on sheet pan with potatoes. If you don’t have room, you can use two sheet pans. Cook for 10 more minutes.
While potatoes and brussels sprouts cook, season your salmon with minced garlic, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
Next, take Brussel sprouts and potatoes out of the oven. Place your seasoned salmon fillet on pan with potatoes and brussels sprouts. Place sheet pan in the oven and cook for 12-15 minutes.
Let cool, serve, and Enjoy!

*Be careful to only use a small amount of salt when seasoning your items.

We hope you and your littles enjoy these immune-boosting recipes as much as we do!

Featured Posts Pediatrics Preparing for Surgery

Prepare For Surgery with CF Nutrition’s CF(Preop)®

Post author By drinkcfadmin
Post date February 15, 2020
1 Comment on Prepare For Surgery with CF Nutrition’s CF(Preop)®

If you or your little one has a first-time surgery on the books and you’re feeling a bit overwhelmed, you’re not alone. Surgery can be scary and stressful for those who’ve undergone anesthesia multiple times—let alone for those who have never had a procedure before and aren’t quite sure what to expect. At ClearFast, it’s always our mission to empower patients with the tools, resources, and premium clinical nutrition they need to take control of their surgery experience—which is why we’re diving into our CFpreop presurgery drink today and offering up three ways it’s helpful for first-time surgeries. Read on for our top tips!

1. It calms nerves.

While CFpreop can do everything from decrease your risk of developing a surgical infection to speed up your recovery time, one of its most important benefits is peace-of-mind. Entering surgery after a 12-hour fast can have your nerves at an all-time high, which is why safely nourishing during the fasting window with our anesthesiologist-developed presurgery drink is key for those undergoing a procedure for the first time. In fact, patients who drink CFpreop before surgery are often less anxious and describe themselves as up to 5 times more comfortable than their cohorts who underwent the old-school nothing-from-midnight method.

2. It’s especially helpful for children.

Outside of nerves and fear, one of the most difficult things for children undergoing a procedure is often the nothing-from-midnight fast. Because our presurgery drink was developed by an anesthesiologist specifically to address the nuances of nourishing before surgery without disrupting your doctor’s instructions to fast, it’s the perfect option for little ones who have trouble skipping their morning juice box or breakfast. Available in white grape, watermelon, and strawberry flavors, our presurgery drink is especially tasty when chilled and, because it’s chock-full of complex carbs and medical-grade nutrients, it helps kids feel full and satisfied before surgery.

3. It reduces your risk of post-op nausea and vomiting.

If you’ve never undergone anesthesia before, you don’t know just how your body will react to it, which is why it’s important to take steps to ensure your body is in the strongest, safest state possible to be administered anesthesia. According to an article published in Continuing Education in Anaesthesia Critical Care & Pain, one in three patients suffer from post-op nausea and vomiting (or PONV)—something that can delay your recovery and extend your hospital stay. The key causes of PONV are two-fold: First, prolonged fasting (from the typical nothing-from-midnight fast) causes an unnecessary build-up of stomach acid, and these stomach acids are one major cause of feeling sick when you wake up from surgery. Second, the anesthesia drugs themselves, taken on an empty stomach, can cause patients to get sick after surgery.

Our anesthesiologist-developed presurgery drink, then, was specifically formulated to address this issue. Drinking CFpreop before your procedure ensures your stomach isn’t producing all of those nasty stomach acids that make you sick when you’re administered the anesthesia, helping to reduce your risk of post-op nausea and vomiting (and getting you out of the hospital faster!).

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Overall, if you’re looking for a smart, simple, science-based solution for a smoother first-time surgery and easier recovery, and quicker hospital discharge, CFpreop is here for you! You can order your bottles of CFpreop here, and, as always, don’t hesitate to reach out to the ClearFast team at support@drinkcf.com if you have any questions at all. We’re always here and happy to help!

Featured Posts Preparing for Surgery Wellness + Medical Tips

Pre-Surgery Plan for Success

Post author By drinkcfadmin
Post date December 16, 2019
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Surgery can be a major stressor on your body, but you can combat the effects of that stress (and speed up your recovery) by ensuring you’re strong, nourished, and healthy before you head into your procedure. To help you on your road to a seamless recovery, we’re breaking down five simple ways to get healthy for surgery. Read on for our top tips!

Shift your mindset and treat yourself to wellness.

Rather than thinking of getting healthy as a daunting, diet-laden task, shift your mindset and think of it as a treat (hear us out). Getting healthy doesn’t (and shouldn’t) be all crash-dieting and early-morning trips to the gym. Instead, make getting healthy for surgery exciting and fun by embarking on wellness experiences you’ll actually look forward to. Think about things like salt-room meditation sessions, athletic massages, getting extra rest, or treating yourself to soothing wellness products like the essential oils and organic lip balms you’ll find in the ClearFast Healing Boxes.

Look for existing opportunities to exercise.

If you’re someone who loathes traditional workouts, it might seem like a major chore to get healthy for surgery, but there are plenty of opportunities to burn a few extra calories hiding in your everyday routine that don’t require a gym membership. Park further from stores so you’re encouraged to walk a bit more; take the stairs instead of the elevator; bike to work instead of hopping in your car if it’s feasible; walk to pick your child up from school instead of driving. The options are endless. The key is simply to take a look at your everyday routine and see what opportunities there are to move more!

Get plenty of protein (the good kind).

Rather than getting all of your protein from animal sources, which are often high in fat and hard to digest, opt for clean plant protein sources as you work to get healthy for surgery. One seriously simple way to consume clean protein on a daily basis? CFprotein®, our clean plant protein drink that was specifically formulated to drink in the days and weeks leading up to your surgery, helping you enter anesthesia stronger and recover from surgery faster. (Want to know more about how our clean plant protein drink compares to animal protein? Check out our post on 4 Reasons You Should be Drinking a Plant-Based Protein Drink.)

Participate in challenges

Calling all competitive spirits! One exciting way to get healthy for surgery is to participate in challenges. Whether it’s a yoga studio’s 30-day challenge or a challenge you set for yourself to get at least 4,000 steps in each day, challenges are great motivators and add a fun-factor to things we might otherwise dread.

Eat Clean

We saved the most effective for last. There’s no better way to get healthy for surgery than to feed your body the nourishment it needs in the weeks leading up to your procedure, ultimately giving it a strong, solid foundation to recover as quickly and seamlessly as possible. Get plenty of fiber through things like nuts, berries, avocados, whole grains, and vegetables; swap out the red meat in your recipes for lean meat (like turkey meat); and drink plenty of water and healing fluids like CFpreop® along the way.

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Now that you’re nourished, exercised, and healthy for that upcoming procedure, it’s time to order your CFpreop® and CFprotein® for a seamless stay and enhanced recovery. As always, don’t hesitate to reach out to the ClearFast team at support@drinkcf.com if you have any questions at all!

Featured Posts Healing Tips Preparing for Surgery

Pre Surgery Planning & Information

Post author By drinkcfadmin
Post date November 21, 2019
No Comments on Pre Surgery Planning & Information

An overnight hospital stay isn’t exactly something you look forward to—but it can be made a little bit easier by packing the right things. From the everyday essentials to the comforts of home, today we’re breaking down everything you should pack when prepping for a hospital stay.

The Essentials: Your Medical Information

Start by gathering all of the essential medical information and ID cards you’ll need. This includes things like:

ID cards
Insurance cards (PRO TIP: If you’re someone’s dependent, make sure you know the plan holder’s DOB and social security number.)
Address Book or phone entry with your emergency contact numbers
A list of medications with dosages
Any relevant health records

If you’re a print person, place hard copies of everything in the list above in a physical folder. If you’re all about digital ease, create a single file you can access from your phone that contains digital copies of everything. Either way, you want to keep everything in one single, safe place for a streamlined, stress-free process. (The last thing you want to have to think about during an overnight hospital stay is where your list of medications is or what in the world happened to your insurance card.)

The Comforts of Home: The Things You Need to Relax

The easiest way to make your overnight hospital stay as painless as possible? Bring along the comforts of home. Ask yourself what it is that makes you most relaxed at home (listening to music, doing a crossword, watching your favorite show, listening to an audio book, reading)—and then bring along the items you need to make that happen. This includes things like:

Laptop or tablet
Chargers
Headphones
Extra blankets
Pillows
Magazines
Books

The Little Things That Make a Big Difference: Must-Haves for a Happy Hospital Stay

From chapstick to your favorite water bottle, there are a number of seemingly small things that can make a major difference in your comfort level during an overnight hospital stay. A few of our favorites include:

Chapstick
Comfortable socks
Earplugs
Healthy snacks
CF PreOp

Ready to start packing? Download our complete overnight hospital stay packing list here.

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Aside from a great packing list, the best overnight hospital stays benefit from a tailored presurgery nutrition plan. Learn all about what to eat before you head into the hospital, then order your CF PreOp and CF Protein for a seamless stay and enhanced recovery. And don’t hesitate to reach out to the ClearFast team at support@drinkcf.com if you have any questions at all!

Featured Posts Pediatrics Preparing for Surgery

Surgery Tips for Moms: 3 Things Every Mom Should Plan For Before Her Procedure

Post author By drinkcfadmin
Post date November 7, 2019
No Comments on Surgery Tips for Moms: 3 Things Every Mom Should Plan For Before Her Procedure

No one loves the idea of having surgery—but, for moms, the stress surrounding surgery can run deeper than it does for most. When you’re the backbone of your family and responsible for keeping schedules in tact and kiddos on track, having a procedure can put a serious wrench in your daily duties. Today, then, we’ve rounded up the three major things every mom should plan for before surgery. Read on for our top surgery tips for moms.

How will this disrupt my schedule?

When it comes to surgery tips for moms, preparing for a disrupted schedule is at the top of our list. Think through your daily schedule and take note of how your surgery might affect things. This includes the weeks leading up to surgery (consider your pre-op appointments and how that might affect the schedule you have laid out for those days), the surgery day itself, and your recovery time. Walk through your days and the things you’re responsible for every day (driving kids to school, getting to work, etc.). Make a list of which tasks you won’t be able to complete on which days, and then enlist the help of a spouse, family member, or friend to take over things for you. If your kids are old enough, talk to them about your upcoming procedure and prepare them for how it may affect their day-to-day schedule as well.

Are there measures I can take to speed up my recovery?

This one is a biggie—particularly if you and your family are the active and involved type, or if you have a demanding job (outside of the already-demanding job of being a mom, of course). No mom wants to be stuck in bed with a to-do list that’s piling up. Luckily, the way medical professionals have prepped patients for surgery has changed in recent years. Rather than scheduling a ride home from the hospital, fasting from midnight, and calling that proper surgery prep—modern medical research now points to the fact that presurgery nutrition has everything to do with how well (and how fast) you recover.

When it comes to surgery tips for moms, we recommend supplementing a healthy diet in the weeks leading up to surgery with CF Protein, a plant-based protein drink designed to get you strong and healthy before your procedure. Then, for the hours leading up to your procedure, talk to your doctor about replacing the from-midnight fast with a liquid fast using CF PreOp. CF PreOp was developed by an anesthesiologist and is chock-full of healing minerals, nutrients, and complex carbs specifically formulated to reduce your risk of surgical complications, reduce your risk of post-op nausea and vomiting, and speed up your recovery.

What will our everyday life look like as I recover?

As a mom, it’s completely natural to want to get back on your feet—and back to keeping your household in order—as quickly as possible, but pushing too hard before you’re fully healed can lead to further complications and, in the worst instances, a need for a second surgery. In order to ensure healthy healing, make sure you follow your doctor’s release instructions carefully and closely—and prepare your household and those around you for your recovery. Here are a few of our favorite surgery tips for moms planning for a smooth recovery:

Prepare your household if you’re having an orthopedic procedure. Create a healing area that’s free from trip hazards. Make sure everything you’ll need is within arm’s reach. Take hard-to-reach items out of top cupboards and place them on easy-to-reach counters.

Talk to your kids about what your recovery will look like and how they can help make things easy on you (increased chores and pitching in, quiet time as you sleep, etc.).

Arrange for someone you can lean on. Talk to a spouse, partner, or a family member who can trust to take over your responsibilities (car rides, laundry, grocery shopping, etc.) as you recover. Be sure you give them lists, calendar invites, emergency contacts, and anything else they might need to help ensure things run smooth as you recover.

Get meals taken care of ahead of time. Meal prep and grocery shop as much as you can ahead of time to alleviate your responsibilities as you recover. Make large batches of soups and/or casseroles you can freeze for easy dinners, stock the house with more groceries than normal (so you don’t have to make unexpected trips to the store), and—when all else fails— don’t be afraid to enlist the help of a grocery- or meal-delivery service.

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Ready to start your surgery experience off right, moms? Order your ClearFast PreOp here—or reach out to the ClearFast team at support@drinkcf.com if you have any questions at all.

Preparing For Major Surgery with CF(Preop)®

Post author By drinkcfadmin
Post date October 17, 2019
No Comments on Preparing For Major Surgery with CF(Preop)®

When it comes to major surgeries, it’s natural to want to bury your head in the sand and avoid the thought of your upcoming procedure at all costs. After all, for so many years we’ve been led to believe that surgery is completely out of our control—so why waste time worrying about it? But, the truth is you’re far more in control of the outcome of your procedure than you may realize. Today, then, we’re talking about why this is the case and breaking down four major surgeries that benefit greatly from proper preparation with clean presurgery nutrition.

How can I increase my chances of a safe surgery and healthy recovery?

Whether you’re going in for a hip replacement or a hysterectomy, preparing for major surgeries with proper presurgery nutrition makes all of the difference in the world when it comes to how fast (and how well) your body recovers. Modern medical research points to the fact that fasting from midnight is an outdated, non-evidence-based practice that should instead be replaced with instructions to fast with a clear, complex-carb rich presurgery drink. Doing so decreases your risk of surgical site infection, decreases your risk of post-op nausea and vomiting, and increases your chance of a swift, strong recovery. Below, we break down four major surgeries that can be made less stressful and more successful by preparing with CF Protein and ClearFast PreOp.

Hip Replacement

Just around 330,000 hip replacements are performed in the U.S. each year. During the procedure, your surgeon will remove any parts of your hip that are damaged and replace them with artificial joints to help improve your mobility and function. Getting strong in the weeks leading up to your hip replacement procedure is key—especially as it comes to how well your body is able to recover. We recommend incorporating CF Protein—a clean, plant-based protein drink specifically formulated to help strengthen your body before surgery—into your presurgery nutrition plan in the weeks leading up to your procedure. Then, replace the old-school “nothing from midnight” fast with a fluid fast with ClearFast PreOp in the window leading up to your hip replacement. Just be sure to finish your final bottle of ClearFast two hours before your procedure is scheduled.

Why we love ClearFast for hip replacement:

The Vitamin A in ClearFast PreOp helps with healthy tissue function—and drinking ClearFast before your hip replacement greatly reduces your risk of developing an infection at the surgical site, so you can get back to life as quickly as possible.

Knee Replacement

The U.S. sees 720,000 knee replacements annually, making it one of the most common major surgeries. During a knee replacement procedure (also known as arthroplasty), your surgeon will remove damaged bone and cartilage from around your knee area and replace it with an artificial joint. Preparing for your knee replacement with CF Protein in the weeks leading up to your procedure will help ensure your body is nourished and strong before going under anesthesia—while drinking ClearFast PreOp in the hours leading up to your procedure will reduce your risk of infection and PONV.

Why we love ClearFast for knee replacements

Surgical site infection is one of the most common risks associated with arthroplasty. Preparing for surgery with a clean, complex-carb-rich PreOp drink has been proven to greatly reduce a patient’s risk of developing a surgical site infection.

Hysterectomy

A hysterectomy is a procedure that removes a woman’s uterus (and sometimes fallopian tubes and ovaries as well). From cancer to fibroids, there are a number of reasons a woman may need to undergo a hysterectomy—each year, about 500,000 hysterectomies are performed in the U.S. We recommend anyone undergoing a hysterectomy ask their doctor about incorporating CF Protein and ClearFast PreOp into their presurgery plan for an improved surgical outcome, enhanced recovery, and reduced overall stress.

Why we love ClearFast for hysterectomies:

The complex carbs in ClearFast PreOp make for an enhanced recovery upon waking from anesthesia—allowing hysterectomy patients to get out of the hospital and home sooner. Plus, because ClearFast is all-natural, gluten-free, free of colored dyes, and free from simple sugars and fat, it’s the perfect clean presurgery nutrition option for patients who are particularly focused on health and wellness, as many hysterectomy patients are.

Heart Bypass

When it comes to major surgeries, a heart bypass—or a coronary bypass—is near the top of the list, with about 395,000 of these procedures performed annually in the U.S. The point of a heart bypass is to redirect blood flow around a blocked artery in your heart to improve overall blood flow to your heart muscle. This is often accomplished by taking a healthy, unblocked blood vessel from your chest, leg, or arm and using that to redirect blood flow in the heart.

Why we love ClearFast for heart bypass surgeries:

While risks associated with heart bypass are low, your risk of complications can be greater if you’re in poor health. Drinking CF Protein in the weeks leading up to your procedure and implementing a healthy presurgery nutrition plan help to ensure you’re in the strongest state possible as you enter anesthesia, which ultimately increases your chances of a smoother recovery. Plus, drinking ClearFast PreOp in the hours leading up to your coronary bypass procedure greatly reduces your risk of surgical site infection.

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Ready to start your surgery experience off right? Order your ClearFast PreOp here—or reach out to the ClearFast team at support@drinkcf.com if you have any questions at all.

Presurgery Nutrition

What is a Presurgery Nutrition Plan & Why Does it Matter?

Post author By drinkcfadmin
Post date September 19, 2019
No Comments on What is a Presurgery Nutrition Plan & Why Does it Matter?

The key to recovering from surgery stronger—and getting back to life faster—often lies in the steps you take before your procedure. One major player in this regard? Your presurgery nutrition plan. Today, we’re talking all you need to know about presurgery nutrition plans: what they are, why they matter, and how they can help you recover faster. Read on for a complete breakdown.

What is a presurgery nutrition plan?

A presurgery nutrition plan is simply modifications you make to your meals leading up to your procedure. Making changes to your diet—whether it be cutting out certain items or adding in extra nutrients before surgery—can play a major role in how well and how fast you recover. As with all of your presurgery efforts, just be sure to consult your physician before making any major changes.

Why does a presurgery nutrition plan matter?

If there’s one thing we repeat often here at ClearFast, it’s the idea that the stronger you enter surgery, the stronger you recover. Think of surgery like a major athletic event—it puts a ton of stress on your body, and a better performance often revolves around better preparation. While the old-school mentality tells us all we need to do to prepare for surgery is fast from midnight and lock down a day-of ride home, we’re now learning that a presurgery nutrition plan (along with replacing the old-school instructions to fast from midnight with a complex-carb-rich liquid fast instead) actually leads to safer surgeries and stronger recoveries. The truth is that many patients need to change or supplement their diets in the weeks leading up to surgery in order to best prepare their bodies for surgery—just as someone would need to make specific modifications to prepare for a marathon.

What are the requirements of a presurgery nutrition plan?

The specific requirements of a presurgery nutrition plan will vary from patient to patient, which is why it’s important to always consult your doctor. Sometimes, this may mean making major changes to your diet (to lose or gain weight, for example). Other times, you may simply need to make minor changes to optimize your nutrition levels. To help you on your quest for a healthy, balanced presurgery diet, our in-house nutritionist has designed a handful of presurgery nutrition plans for patients based around specific activity and mobility levels. You can download the one that best applies to you below:

Preop sample menu: Limited Mobility or Low Activity
Preop sample menu: Moderate Mobility & Average Activity
Preop sample menu: Full Mobility & Highly Active

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Overall, a better bounce back often starts with a tailored presurgery nutrition plan. Learn more about how it can improve your surgery experience and recovery—or reach out to the ClearFast team at support@drinkcf.com if you have any questions at all!

Preparing for Surgery

Terms And Information To Prepare For Surgery

Post author By drinkcfadmin
Post date September 5, 2019
No Comments on Terms And Information To Prepare For Surgery

If there’s one thing we’re all about at ClearFast it’s empowering patients before their procedure. A huge part of that empowerment? Arming yourself with knowledge. Anyone who’s spoken to a medical professional at some point in their life knows that physicians tend to speak an entirely different language—and asking them to simplify their statements can be intimidating. To help you on your quest for surgery enlightenment, then, we’re breaking down 5 medical jargon terms you should know before going under the knife. Read on, word wizards!

ERAS®

ERAS® (pronounced e-raz), stands for “Enhanced Recovery After Surgery”. ERAS programs are centered around facilitating a faster, easier surgery recovery by taking proactive steps to reduce the amount of stress the body undergoes during surgery. Ultimately, ERAS programs focus on implementing 17 key elements to ensure your surgery recovery is the best it can be (the elements of the program include everything from pre-admission counseling for patients to the use of short-acting anaesthetic agents to fluid-fasting with a preop drink in place of the traditional “no food or drink after midnight” fast). You can learn all about the elements of ERAS and how it makes for a shorter hospital stay and faster recovery here.

LOS

LOS stands for “length of stay” and refers to how long a patient stays in the hospital after her surgery. When it comes to medical jargon, LOS is a term patients should pay attention to, as no one likes scratchy medical sheets and—possibly even worse—bad hospital food. LOS is also important for hospitals and medical facilities, as a hospital pays a national average of $2,200 per day in expenses for an inpatient stay. On average, implementing a true ERAS® program—which includes the use of proper preop nutrition—can reduce LOS in the hospital by 1-3 days per patient, saving the hospital or medical facility money and helping the patient get back to life faster. (Talk about a win-win.)

NPO

NPO stands for nil per os, a Latin phrase that literally translates to: “nothing through the mouth.” NPO refers to the instructions to fast from midnight before your surgery (no food or drink). Recently, however, modern medical research has suggested NPO be replaced with a fluid fast instead, as patients who undergo proper fluid fasts (using a clear, colorless preop drink that’s rich in complex carbs, not simple sugars) typically have safer surgeries and far easier recoveries than patients who’ve followed the outdated NPO instructions. Learn more about why patients are being instructed to fluid fast in place of traditional NPO fasting here.

PONV

Fourth up on our roundup of medical jargon today is the acronym PONV, which stands for “post-operative nausea and vomiting”. PONV is a phenomenon that one in three patients experiences after waking from surgery (you can learn all about PONV here). Its causes are two-fold: first, prolonged fasting (remember the NPO medical jargon term we talked about earlier?) causes an unnecessary build-up of stomach acid, and these stomach acids are one major cause of PONV. Second, the anesthesia drugs themselves taken on an empty stomach can cause patients to get sick upon waking from their procedure. One major benefit of consuming a preop drink up to two hours before surgery instead of NPO fasting? A reduced chance of PONV. Time and time again, ClearFast patients name this as one of the best benefits of nourishing with ClearFast PreOp before they go under the knife: they don’t feel sick upon waking from surgery as they have in the past, which allows the hospital to discharge them sooner (woo hoo!).

SSI

We’re closing out our roundup of medical jargon today with SSI, which stands for “surgical site infection”. A surgical site infection occurs in the body at the site of the surgery/surgical incision. SSIs are typically caused by germs and can be either solely on the skin’s surface or can go far deeper. Because the body and its immune system are already in a compromised state as you’re healing from surgery, infections after surgery are serious and can even be life-threatening. One thing that’s been proven to reduce a patient’s risk of developing a SSI is pre-operative carb loading with an anesthesiologist-developed drink like ClearFast—and you can learn all about why that’s the case here.

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Ready to reduce LOS, reduce your risk of SSI and PONV, and kick NPO to the curb? Order your ClearFast PreOp here for the hours leading up to your procedure—and, to strengthen your body in the weeks leading up to surgery, don’t forget to pick up CF Protein while you’re in the ClearFast online shop!

Preparing for Surgery

Vegan Protein Drink Benefits

Post author By drinkcfadmin
Post date August 22, 2019
No Comments on Vegan Protein Drink Benefits

When it comes to going under the knife, your health before surgery has everything to do with how well you do after surgery. In other words, the stronger you enter anesthesia, the stronger you recover. A huge part of gaining that presurgery strength? Protein. But, not so fast—getting presurgery protein doesn’t mean diving knee-deep into a plate of red meat. Instead, CF Protein, our plant based protein drink, was designed to keep you healthy and strong in the weeks leading up to surgery, without the negative health and environmental effects associated with animal protein. Today, then, we’re breaking down 4 reasons you should kick animal protein to the curb and, instead, opt for a plant based protein drink for a better bounce back. Read on!

They’re more easily digestible.

The number-one reason to consider getting your protein from a plant based protein drink? It’s much easier on your digestive system. Animal-derived protein powders typically contain lactose (the carbohydrate that’s found in dairy products)— and proteins like whey or casein are both derived from milk. These proteins can be difficult to digest and have been associated with gas, bloating, and diarrhea (especially for those who are lactose sensitive or intolerant). Plant-based proteins, on the other hand, don’t contain any lactose or casein. Instead, they contain fiber—which aids in the process of digestion and promotes a healthy gut microbiome.

They’re more allergy and speciality-diet friendly.

Plant proteins—just like the kind you’ll find in CF Protein—are suitable options for both vegan and vegetarian diets. They’re an easy, accessible way for patients following vegan, vegetarian, or other specialty diets to get all nine essential amino acids without compromising their nutritional restrictions/requirements. Plus, plant based protein drinks like CF Protein are processed in kosher and allergy-free factories, making them safer for those who suffer from allergies than most animal proteins.

They’re far better for the environment.

Even if lactose sensitivity or following a speciality diet isn’t a concern for you, the environment likely is. Pound-for-pound, animal proteins take far more water and carbon to produce than their plant-based counterparts. In fact, just one pound of beef requires between 2,000 and 8,000 gallons of water to produce—whereas a pound of plant protein like tofu, on the other hand, requires around 302 gallons of water to produce. But that doesn’t mean plant-based protein doesn’t pack the same punch—ounce for ounce, it provides almost the same amount of protein you’d get from animal protein, with a much less harmful effect on the environment. Overall, switching from animal- to plant-based protein reduces carbon emissions, adds to the global food supply without expanding our crop lands, and significantly reduces water use.

It’s a great source of fiber, vitamins, and minerals.

Consuming a plant based protein drink like CF Protein also means you’re getting a whole slew of vitamins, minerals, and fiber that aren’t often present in animal-derived protein drinks. Plant proteins are rich in polyphenols (a plant derived antioxidant), both soluble and insoluble fiber, and a wide range of vitamins and minerals. CF Protein contains chia seed oil for a significant serving of Omega-3s; mango juice concentrate for vitamin C, vitamin A, and potassium; and yellow pea protein for all nine essential amino acids and iron.

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Ready to incorporate CF Protein into your presurgery nutrition plan for a better bounce back? Learn more about how it can improve your surgery experience and recovery—or reach out to the ClearFast team at support@drinkcf.com if you have any questions at all!

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