Okay, friends. Pull up a chair. I want to tell you about a study that made me grin all the way through my morning coffee. Stanford researchers (Crum & Langer) gathered 84 hotel housekeepers — women already on their feet all day, scrubbing tubs, hauling linens, climbing stairs. They split them into two groups. One group was told, simply: the work you are already doing counts as exercise. It meets the federal activity guidelines. The other group was told nothing. Nobody changed their behavior. Nobody added a workout. Nobody changed what they ate. Four weeks later, the women who knew their movement counted had measurably lower weight, lower blood pressure, lower body fat, lower BMI, and a smaller waist-to-hip ratio than the women who didn't know. Same bodies. Same buckets. Different story — different physiology. Let that land for a second. Because this isn't only about exercise. This is about every step you take toward your health, and the story you tell yourself while you're taking it. The glass of water you actually wanted. The walk you took because the light was beautiful. The dinner you cooked slowly because you wanted to smell the garlic hit the pan. The stretch you did because your shoulders were asking for it. None of those things are small. And the way you feel about doing them is part of the medicine. This is why joy sits at the center of everything I teach. Not as a garnish. Not as a reward you earn after the "real" work. As the mechanism. The research keeps confirming it. A one-year follow-up of new exercisers in Frontiers in Psychology found that enjoyment — not motivation, not discipline, not goals — was the single strongest predictor of who was still moving a year later. A 2025 study in Taylor & Francis found that the felt experience of movement (joy, calm, accomplishment) determined whether people came back to it, more than intensity or duration. And a review in PMC concluded that enjoyment is one of the strongest psychological predictors of habit formation, period. We repeat what feels good. What we repeat compounds. What compounds becomes our metabolism.

Tomorrow at 8 pm EST I will be discussing an abundance joy first approach to reversing prediabetes. We will also discuss the newest studies and why the new target is normal blood sugar not simply maintaining. When you register, you will receive the replay.

In my Friday YouTube I talked about the power of food to help reverse prediabetes. Some foods we use everyday help support a diverse microbiome —-> short chain fatty acids——> L cells large intestine——> Glp-1 Garlic, fresh herbs, fermented foods, beans and spices. Using these foods abundantly, not only adds flavor and texture to your meals, but also supports your health. Let me know your biggest takeaway after watching the video. Would you be interested in a Food as Medicine workshop?

Last week my son came down with a cold. Most people reach for chicken soup. Truth be told I don’t cook chicken. So I made him the plant based alternative 😅; curry. In addition to being warm and cozy, there is science to it. What went in the pot: • Onions • Garlic • Fresh ginger • Turmeric • Garam masala • Cumin • Chili powder • Split yellow peas • Broccoli (any green or leafy vegetable works) • One dried chili (you can dial the heat up or down) Every ingredient in this soup is there on purpose. Onions and garlic (the allium family) bring sulfur compounds and prebiotic fibers that support the immune system, feed beneficial gut bacteria, and may help protect against respiratory infections over time. Ginger is a classic warming root. It soothes digestion and supports respiratory health, and fresh ginger has shown antiviral and decongestant activity in some studies. Turmeric brings curcumin, a natural anti‑inflammatory and antioxidant that helps calm inflammatory pathways and support overall immune function. Traditional warming spices like garam masala, cumin, and chili powder have long been used to support digestion and “digestive fire.” Cumin in particular can help digestive enzyme activity, and in Ayurveda these spices are used to keep the body warm, support circulation, and help the body handle cold, damp seasons. Chilies add capsaicin, which can temporarily increase circulation and may help loosen mucus and reduce nasal congestion in some people, which feels especially relieving when you’re stuffy. Finally, split yellow peas and broccoli/greens provide fiber, plant protein, and resistant starch to steady blood sugar, feed the microbiome, and keep the meal satisfying — which also supports nervous system regulation and deeper sleep later that night. So this “not‑chicken‑soup” is supporting immunity, digestion, inflammation, blood sugar, and comfort all in one bowl. Here is the recipe- be generous with the spices they are really just suggestions. I let the aroma and taste be ny guide. Please share if you try it. https://theshaziablog.com/yellow-split-pea-curry-chana-dal/

What if improving your blood sugar had nothing to do with chasing weight loss? Most diabetes guidance still puts weight loss at the center—but the most consistent research shows something different: when we focus on lifestyle, results are not only better… they actually last. Here’s what does work: • Eating nutrient-dense, mostly plant-based foods • Moving your body regularly (even a simple walk after meals) • Prioritizing deep, restorative sleep • Managing stress • Staying socially connected • Reducing processed foods and risky substances The women in my program are seeing: • Lower A1C • Reduced medications • More energy • And yes… often weight loss too (even though it’s not the goal) When you support your body, healing becomes the default. 🎥 I break this down more in this short: Your Doctor Was Wrong About Prediabetes — Here's the Truth https://youtube.com/shorts/ZUjoWombb30?feature=share The next Joyful Metabolic Reset starts May 5th. Drop “RESET” in the comments and I’ll send you the details 👇