Last week’s blog about beans being a Parkinson’s superfood was a hit! (Click here to read it.) Several of my readers wanted to know the recipe for the photo I shared of my Instant Pot Taco Bowl. This is my absolute favorite way to eat beans.

As you can imagine, I’m really busy managing the Rebel Fit Club, so I need fast and healthy meal prep during the week. It’s so important to nourish your body with REAL ingredients that are low in saturated and trans fat. This recipe only takes five minutes to prep and requires a minimal amount of chopping. It makes approximately four servings—enough for dinner for two nights for my sweetheart Sean and myself. We eat this every week!

It’s been well documented that Parkinson’s disease has a brain-gut connection. So what foods are best for both?

Dr. Dean and Dr. Ayesha Sherzai, cutting edge brain scientists (Directors of the Alzheimer’s Prevention Program at Loma Linda University Medical Center and Brain Health at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center) were asked what foods are best for the brain. They said that, even above a fish-based diet, a plant-based diet is the best. Dark leafy greens and beans are essential.

Not only are beans great for the brain and the gut, they are also a great source of clean protein, complex carbohydrates, and help regulate blood sugar and reduce cholesterol (two very important functions for brain health).

When it comes to falls, everyone wants to avoid them at all costs. Sideways, or lateral, falls are very common with Parkinson’s. People get their feet tangled up or they step on their own foot. You may not be aware your feet are getting closer and closer to each other until you have a fall. This is a PD pattern, and it must be corrected at every chance.

With intentional footing and lots of practice, you can minimize these dangerous lateral falls. We are sticklers for form in our virtual and gym classes, and we will make sure you are using the correct technique. It’s extremely important.

We are ready to move down to the lower back and hips. If you missed parts one through three of my bed stretches series, the video links are at the bottom of this article!

If you have Parkinson’s, you must get your body warmed up and primed for movement before getting out of bed. Stretching and moving in bed first thing in the morning makes it easier to get around the rest of the day. More importantly, it could prevent an accidental fall when you stand up or start to walk.

We get really stiffened up throughout the night, and many people with Parkinson’s have a bit of time before their first dose of medication takes effect. Of course, it’s easier to move during your medication’s “on” period, but you can use this waiting time to do some easy stretches.

Let’s work on this together. I’m only giving you a couple of exercises at a time. After you get used to doing them slowly, you’ll be more likely to remember how to do them. Let’s chunk it out!

Hopefully you’ve watched parts one and two of my bed stretches series. If you missed them, the links are at the bottom of this article!

Getting your body warmed up and primed for movement makes it easier to get around the rest of the day. Even more importantly, it could prevent an accidental fall when you stand up or start to walk.

We get really stiffened up throughout the night, and many people with Parkinson’s have a bit of time before their first dose of medication takes effect. Of course, it’s easier to move during your medication’s “on” period, but you can use this waiting time to do some easy stretches.

Let’s work on this together. I’m only giving you a couple of exercises at a time. After you get used to doing them slowly, you’ll be more likely to remember how to do them. Let’s chunk it out!

We left off with the upper body, shoulders, upper back, and opening the chest. Now we will move down to the lower back and hips.