#4: Elderberries

Cheers with Chance: What I Learned This Week!

Hey Friends,

Welcome back to Cheers with Chance! This week, I’ve been on a quest for wellness — battling inflammation, dodging pollen, and even lugging around weights like a suburban commando. Plus, I found a new reason to donate blood (besides just the free snacks). Let’s dive in!

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🍹 5 Things I Learned This Week

1️⃣ [Health] – Inflammation: Your Body’s Drama Queen

Inflammation — it’s like your body’s personal soap opera. A little drama is fine, but too much? Cue the tissues and eye rolls. Chronic inflammation can lead to pain, aging, and even disease. And guess what? Seasonal allergies are one big inflammation fest.

According to the Allergy and Asthma Foundation of America, Wichita, Kansas, has earned the dubious honor of Worst Place for Allergies for the third year in a row (with OKC and Tulsa following in the Top 5). Apparently, they’re rolling out the red carpet for tree and grass pollen, while allergists are about as common as a snowstorm in July. Read the full pollen-packed drama here.

Signs of Seasonal Allergies:

• Runny nose

• Sneezing like you’re auditioning for a cartoon

• Itchy eyes that make you question your life choices

• Swelling around the eyes, aka “seasonal puffy chic”

Even though allergy medications may offer quick relief, many of them can wreak havoc on your gut microbiome. Antihistamines, in particular, have been shown to reduce the diversity of beneficial bacteria in your gut, leading to digestive issues and weakened immunity. It's like trading one problem for another.

Since switching to cleaner products with the help of the YUKA App, we've begun shopping at our local Refillery. While I was feeling all eco-friendly and smug, I noticed folks loading up on elderberry syrup and raw honey. I asked them how they were using it, and they swear it keeps their allergies at bay — you know I had to investigate... don't miss the bev of the week!

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2️⃣ [Wellness] – Rucking: Walking, But Make It Hardcore

You may remember the Kettlebell Mile — because who could forget that sweaty brilliance? Now, weighted vests are making their way into the mainstream. And if you’re not seeing it in your social feeds yet, trust me, it’s coming. Instead of wearing the weighted vest around during the day, we've incorporated rucking into our daily routine. Here are some great weights that fit into most backpacks.

Why Ruck?

Rucking isn’t just a trend; it’s a powerhouse workout for your body and mind. Here’s why you should try it:

• Burns More Calories: Because walking wasn’t hard enough, right? Adding weight to your walk forces your body to burn more calories and build muscle.

• Improves Endurance and Strength: Rucking increases strength and stamina, while also improving your cardiovascular health. Hello, heart health!

• Enhances Bone Density: The added weight is like your body’s personal bone-strengthening trainer. Plus, it’s great for preventing osteoporosis later in life.

• Mental Toughness: If you’re into challenges, rucking will make you feel like a tactical superhero (with maybe a few more trips to the chiropractor).

Shelby and I are now those people in the neighborhood. Weighted backpacks? Check. Kettlebell? Check. Slightly concerned neighbors? Also check. But hey, it’s a great way to level up our daily walks.

Here’s your challenge for the week: Try a 20-minute ruck walk with a 10-15lb backpack. Bonus points if you bring a kettlebell. Hit reply and let me know how it goes!

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3️⃣ [Health] – Blood Donation: Good for Others, Great for You 🩸

I recently stumbled upon some fascinating research about the therapeutic benefits of giving blood. Beyond the life-saving part, donating can:

• Reduce Excess Iron Levels: High iron can lead to oxidative stress and inflammation. Regular blood donation helps maintain balanced iron levels, reducing the risk of heart disease, liver damage, and diabetes.

• Improve Cardiovascular Health: Some studies suggest that giving blood can lower blood viscosity (thickness), which reduces strain on the heart and lowers the likelihood of heart attacks and strokes.

• Support Liver Function: By lowering excess iron, the liver has less strain and can function more efficiently, which may help prevent conditions like fatty liver disease.

• Stimulate New Blood Cell Production: After donating, your body quickly replenishes the lost blood, promoting the production of new, healthy blood cells and improving overall circulation.

• Enhance Mental Well-being: Knowing you've helped save lives can be a massive mood booster, plus the physical act of giving blood releases endorphins, contributing to a feeling of satisfaction and well-being.

Plus, you walk away feeling like a superhero (cape not included). If you haven’t donated in a while, it’s a solid way to give back and feel good.

Do you donate blood regularly? Hit reply and let me know!

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4️⃣ [Wellness] – Stretching and Yoga: Un-Kinking the Kinks

My workouts have been a bit...sporadic lately. Sitting too much, tight muscles — you know the drill. Thankfully, my buddy Mark Kendall, a DPT, suggested a quick stretching routine that I've been doing in the evenings, and it's been a lifesaver:

• Prone Quad Stretch

• Open Books

• Cat/Cow

• Child’s Pose

• Doorway Pec Stretch

• Thoracic Extensions over a Foam Roller

• Sciatic Nerve Glides

Add in a few morning Sun Salutations, and I’m basically one step away from becoming a yoga influencer (just kidding). But truly, it’s been a game-changer.

What’s your favorite stretch or yoga flow?

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5️⃣ [Beverage] Elderberry Syrup + Raw Honey 🌿🐝

This Week’s Drink of Choice: A simple, immune-boosting combo of local elderberry syrup (check it out here) and raw honey (from just two miles down the road). Not only does it taste like nature’s candy, but it’s packed with benefits that’ll have you feeling like your healthiest self.

Why Elderberry and Raw Honey?

• Immune Support: Elderberry is loaded with vitamins A, B, and C, which help fend off viruses and fight inflammation. It’s like a personal bodyguard for your immune system.

• Natural Antihistamine: Raw honey contains trace amounts of local pollen, which can help your body build immunity to those pesky allergens. Think of it as nature’s allergy shot — no needles required!

• Gut Health: Unlike allergy meds, raw honey supports gut health with its antimicrobial and prebiotic properties. It’s like giving your gut a VIP pass to the good bacteria club.

• Anti-Inflammatory: Both honey and elderberry can reduce oxidative stress and ease symptoms of seasonal allergies. No more suffering through sniffles and sneezes.

Support your immune system, ease allergy symptoms, and feel good about supporting local businesses — it’s a win-win-win.

What’s your go-to natural remedy for allergies? Hit reply and let me know! I’d love to hear what’s worked for you!

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🎧 What I’ve Been Listening To – Remote Viewing with Joe McMoneagle

This week, I’ve been hooked on The Shawn Ryan Show, episode #95, with Joe McMoneagle. Now, you might be wondering, "What is remote viewing?" It’s the practice of perceiving or gathering information about a distant or unseen target without using traditional physical senses — basically, it’s like astral projection but with training and government credibility.

Joe McMoneagle is a serious remote viewing expert, and badge number 001. A former U.S. Army Intelligence and Remote Viewing expert, he was part of the U.S. government’s Stargate Project, which researched the potential of using psychic phenomena for military and intelligence purposes. Over the years, Joe has refined this skill and even now teaches it at the university level, offering workshops and training on how to access and use remote viewing techniques.

What Makes Joe’s Remote Viewing Different?

• Scientific Approach: Joe doesn’t just teach people to "see" things; he teaches them how to understand the mental processes and neural mechanisms that enable remote viewing, linking it back to scientific principles.

• University Involvement: Joe now teaches these techniques through university programs, where he guides students on how to harness their mind’s potential for perception. It’s like a blend of science, psychology, and mental discipline.

The episode goes deep into his personal experiences, the ethical questions around remote viewing, and how his methods have evolved over time. If you’re into the idea of tapping into your mental potential or just want to hear about some mind-bending stories from a man who’s lived it, this one’s for you.

Want a sneak peek? The transcript from the show includes discussions on how Joe can "see" hidden objects or even events happening at a distance. Check it out if you’re intrigued! Listen to the episode here.

Prepare to get caught in my frequency vortex about this topic the next time you’re around me 👀

Have you explored any of this stuff? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

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🍻 Closing Thoughts

That’s a wrap for this week! As always, hit reply and let me know what stood out or what you’ve been exploring. Sharing is caring, so feel free to forward this to a friend who might enjoy a sip of Cheers with Chance.

If you enjoyed this week’s insights, forward it to a friend who could use a wellness boost!

Stay curious, stay hydrated, and stay allergy-free! 🍹🍷☕

Cheers,

- Chance