One Week In: Balance & Burn
It’s been a full week since I started Balance & Burn, and I wanted to share an honest check-in. I did my weekly measurements yesterday and here’s where I landed: down 1 inch, weight stayed the same. And honestly? I’m pleased.
This week was full of Christmas celebrations, family meals, rich foods, and a few extra sweets. And I don’t apologize for that one bit. I never want a wellness plan that makes me sit on the sidelines during traditions or turns food into stress. Life is meant to be lived, celebrated, and shared around the table.

A Little Backstory on Food & Healing

Back in 2012, I started learning the truth about food additives, fake ingredients, and how deeply they’re tied to inflammation. That education changed everything for our family. Over the last decade, I’ve focused on cleaner versions of the foods we already love, not deprivation, just better choices. Those healthy swaps have played a huge role in our healing journey.
And here’s the encouraging part: with leaders like Robert F. Kennedy Jr. pushing for transparency and accountability at a government level, making better food choices is slowly getting easier for all of us. That matters.

How I’m Using Balance & Burn


I’ve been intentional with how I’m taking this system so I can really listen to my body.
Morning (fasted): Balance & Care powder
This is the stick pack I take first thing in the morning. Its role is foundational, supporting gut health and metabolic signaling.
What it supports:
  • A balanced gut microbiome
  • GLP-1 production for blood sugar metabolism
  • Healthy body composition signaling
  • Butyrate production (a powerful short-chain fatty acid that supports gut and metabolic health)
What’s inside:
  • Akkermansia postbiotic to support GLP-1 and microbiome diversity
  • Prebiotic fibers from wolfberry polysaccharides, agave inulin, and soluble tapioca fiber
  • Allulose that doesn’t spike blood sugar
  • Mineral-rich French gray (Celtic) sea salt
  • Grape extract packed with polyphenols to support beneficial gut bacteria
Late Morning (10–11am, when I break my fast): Burn & Control capsules 
I like starting new supplements with food, so this timing works well for me.
  • Burn capsule:
    Supports metabolic activity, body composition, and vitality
    • Plant-derived caffeine
    • Citrus polyphenols and guarana for lipolysis support
    • Green tea polyphenols (EGCG)
    • Black ginger extract
    • Grapefruit, Bergamot, and Cinnamon Bark essential oils
  • Control capsules (2):
    Support healthy blood sugar balance, insulin sensitivity, and metabolic flexibility
    • Phytosomal berberine for enhanced absorption
    • Ginger essential oil
Evening:
I continue taking Life 9 probiotic at night to support ongoing gut repair and balance.

The Science That Matters

I’m a big believer in understanding why something works.
  • Akkermansia muciniphila:
    In an 8-week randomized controlled trial, supplementation increased GLP-1, a hormone linked to appetite regulation and metabolism.
  • Berberine (phytosomal):
    Designed for improved bioavailability and absorption compared to standard forms.
  • Citrus polyphenols:
    Clinical trials showed reductions in body weight, body fat mass, and waist/hip circumference without loss of lean muscle over 12 weeks, with markers suggesting enhanced fat metabolism.

Why the Source Matters

One detail I truly appreciate: the Cinnamon Bark essential oil in this system comes from a fifth-generation partner farm in Sri Lanka. They use herbicide-free practices, protect pollinators, support a local school with scholarships and technology, and provide free medical care and food distribution to families. Wellness should always care for people and planet.

What I’m Pairing It With

This system works beautifully alongside:
  • Life 9
  • Daily Prebiotic Fiber
  • Whole Body Cleanse
  • NingXia Red
Foundational support still matters.

No Magic Pills, Just Better Support

I’ll always say this clearly: there is no magic pill for weight management or blood sugar balance. Real change comes from clean food, consistent habits, and supporting the body the way it was designed to work.
If clean eating feels overwhelming or you’re not sure where to start, I recommend the Balance & Burn Build A Better Meal that focuses on simple, realistic swaps. I’ll link it here for you.

Weekly Check-Ins & Staying Connected

I’ll be sharing weekly updates as I continue this journey—wins, lessons, and real-life balance included.
And if you’re not on my email list yet, now’s a good time to join. One of my goals for the new year is sending a simple newsletter with education, encouragement, and practical wellness support. No spam. No pressure. Just helpful information you can actually use.
More to come next week. 

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The Holistic Walk: How I Found Healing Through Faith, Food, and Natural Living.

Hi, I’m Tina Ciesla — a Southern-raised, board-certified Holistic Health Practitioner, wife of nearly 30 years, mama to two girls, Grammie to one sweet granddaughter, and the founder of The Holistic Walk. 🌿
My personal wellness journey started after I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia at the age of 45.
I was battling constant pain, inflammation, brain fog, mood swings, and excess weight — and the only solution I was offered was a lifelong dependency on medications.
I knew there had to be a better way.
Through prayer and determination, we overhauled our lifestyle — ditching the Standard American Diet for real food, clean living, and natural remedies.
Energy returned. Pain faded. My mind cleared. Hope was restored.
Today, I help others reclaim their God-designed wellness by focusing on real food, foundational health principles, biofeedback scans, homeopathy, essential oils, and simple, sustainable lifestyle shifts.
I believe the body was created to heal itself — we just have to create the right environment.
Through The Holistic Walk, I'm honored to walk alongside you on your journey toward true healing.
Welcome to a place where freedom, faith, and wellness meet. 🌿

Photo of Tina Ciesla