Most people don’t realize this, but a lot of modern chewing gum is basically soft plastic. What’s the “plastic” in gum? On the label it’s usually hidden under the vague term “gum base.” That gum base often includes plastic-type polymers like- - Polyvinyl acetate (PVAc) - the big one (also used in white glue) - Polyethylene - same family as plastic bags - Polyisobutylene & styrene-butadiene rubber - synthetic rubbers used in things like tires When you chew, tiny fragments can break off as microplastics, which you then swallow. How Much Plastic Are We Talking About? Exact recipes are secret, but roughly- - A piece of gum weighs 2–6 g - Gum base is usually 20-35% of that - A big chunk of that base in regular brands is plastic-type polymers So you’re often chewing a product where 5–20% of the whole piece is synthetic plastic/rubber, not food. FitnHealthy Forever Recommendation If you’re going to chew gum - 1. Read the label. “gum base” with no explanation usually is synthetic. 2. Favor brands that clearly state “no polyvinyl acetate or plastic-free or chicle-based.” 3. If in doubt, go with a clearly labeled plastic-free gum, or skip gum and use mints/herbal teas instead. See Part 2 for some Gum options

Notice Your Anxiety - Anxiety comes from thoughts, not from real danger. - These thoughts are future-based (“what if this happens?”). - You give attention to those thoughts, which then create the anxious feeling. Tip - You are not anxious because of real danger-you are anxious because of the thoughts you are choosing to focus on. Let's take a look at a Variety of Tools we can have FUN with when this occurs or you feel Anxiety sneaking up. 20-Second Morning Calm Script Right now, I am safe. My thoughts are just thoughts. I let go of what I can’t control, I focus on what I can do today. I choose calm. I choose strength. I bounce back. I am becoming the best version of me. Today, I choose me. WALLPAPER VERSION for your Phone? - I am safe. - I let go. - I choose calm. 3-Second Emergency Calm - I’m safe. - I’m here. - I breathe. 10-Second Bedtime Calm - My day is over. - I did enough. - I am safe to rest now. - I let everything go. - I choose peace. - I choose sleep. Be sure to breathe slowly and once on each statement, hold it for 1000,2000 ,then slowly release it. Or try the Breath in - hold - Breathe out for a count of 4-7-8 Which one will You try right now? How does it feel?

Why Meds Alone Don’t Fix What the Modern World Broke..... How We Got Here In the early 2000s - - Anxiety diagnoses expanded - Pharma marketing exploded - Doctors had less time with patients - Pills became the fastest “solution” Meds treat the alarm — not the fire.They silence symptoms but ignore the source. What Anxiety Medication Actually Does Most commonly prescribed meds (SSRIs) - Increase serotonin availability in the brain - Numb emotional distress enough to function But… - They don’t create serotonin - They don’t repair the gut where serotonin is made - They don’t heal trauma or a dysregulated nervous system The Biological Truth? Anxiety Starts in the GUT, Not the Head - Let's discuss Solutions - sound good?

How it Started vs. What it Became - We'll discuss this in our next post. The original intention of women-led health advocacy was empowerment “Let’s educate, prevent, and create actual change.” But corporate marketers saw something else - “Women care deeply… and they buy.” And just like that, women’s health became a brand. - Pink packaging. - Charity tie-ins. - Products “for the cause.” Some with little transparency about where funds truly go…and some ironically linked to the very issue they claim to help. This may challenge some of your beliefs about the Pink Movement. It's an emotion tied topic by "Industry" design. Stay open to new information. “The mind is like a parachute — it only works when it’s open.” Interested in knowing how it all started?

Answer YES or NO to the following - 1.You store most of your weight around your belly 2.You’re doing “all the right things,” but nothing changes. 3.Sleep is poor - wired at night, tired during the day. 4.Cold hands/feet, low thyroid symptoms. 5.Afternoon energy crashes. 6.You feel overwhelmed or anxious more easily. 7.You bloat or feel digestion isn’t smooth. 8.You wake up stiff or inflamed. 9.You crave carbs or chocolate when stressed. 10.You’ve tried restrictive diets before. 11.Strength training feels helpful, but progress is slow. 12.You gain weight quickly when stressed How many YES votes did you get? ✅ 9+ YES - Your metabolism is in full survival mode. Tiger running. ✅ 6–8 YES - Partial, easily reversible ✅ 0–5 YES - Great — metabolism mostly safe & responsive!