Food Sensitivity: Curse or Blessing?

People are becoming aware of food allergies and sensitivities now more than ever.  There are more vegan and gluten-free options at restaurants and grocery stores and hopefully people are starting to realize what you put in your body affects every aspect of health and beauty.  

I have been sensitive to certain foods most of my life.  I was a kid the first time I realized I was limited with what I could consume.  I was at a church sleepover where sodas were being served.  My mom never kept soda in the house, so I took advantage of this new exciting drink.  My tiny body was not used to the chemicals and sugar so I had jittery, uncomfortable energy.  Once that wore off, I crashed and felt awful.  I vowed to never drink soda again.

As a young teenager, I discovered every time I drank coffee, my stomach would hurt, my heart would race, and I'd feel shaky.  I found out I'm super sensitive to caffeine and even decaf coffee would hurt my stomach.  So coffee and soda became big no nos for me.

One of the worst experiences I've ever had with a food sensitivity was with the artificial sweetener, aspartame.  It was in the gum and mints I was using at around the age of 14 and I discovered this fake sugar was causing visual migraines that terrified me.  Please read all about this in My Aspartame Horror Story and share with everyone you know.  These fake sugars are toxic and should not even be on the market.

I've also had bad experiences with processed foods.  While on my honeymoon, I noticed my husband was drinking coffee with a hazelnut creamer that looked delicious.  It was the International Delight brand.  At this point in my life, I hadn't had coffee in years and thought I'd give it another try.  I literally had 3 small sips and it wasn't long before I was on the toilet with a severe stomach ache feeling nauseous and jittery.  I believe it was the chemicals in the coffee creamer, and of course the coffee itself, that made me feel this way.  Needless to say, I plan to stay away from both for the rest of my life.

Another time, I ate dinner at a friend's house and about an hour later developed a red skin rash.  I was used to eating all the contents of the meal except the tortillas.  The only thing I can think of is there was something in that tortilla that did not agree with me.  The rash was gone the next day, but now I have to be careful to avoid processed foods.

Finally, I strongly believe dairy was a huge contributing factor to why I struggled with acne for so many years.  The dairy industry wants us to believe we need dairy to be healthy, but this is not true.  The human body is not meant to digest dairy, so it causes all sorts of problems like skin issues, low energy, and weight gain.  Since cutting dairy out of my life, I look and feel so much better, and I'd never go back.  Plus, there are so many other options like coconut and almond milk products, I don't feel like I'm missing out on anything.

Others with similar or worse dietary restrictions sometimes see these limitations as a curse because they can no longer enjoy the foods they used to.  But what if this "curse" is really a blessing in disguise?  Our body's reactions to what we eat are communicating something extremely important to us.  I tend to view my limitations as blessings, because that means I shouldn't be putting junk into my body anyways.

If you're struggling with a health or beauty issue I'd encourage you to look at what you're eating.  Research nutrition on your own and try to keep an open mind about what you discover.  The main goal of many companies is to make money and your health is not their concern.  Do what is best for your health and your body will thank you for it!

How to Easily Meal Plan for the Week

Part of living a healthy lifestyle is cooking at home.  I love discovering new recipes and cooking them for me and my husband.  A huge part of cooking is planning ahead so you have everything you need when you're hungry.  Many people are very busy during the week, so planning your meals from the beginning will reduce stress and prevent you from making unhealthy choices when you just want a quick meal.  Today I'm going to share the steps I take every week to keep me and my husband satisfied and nourished!

Step 1: Designate a Planning/Grocery Shopping Day For Each Week

Getting into a grocery shopping routine on a day you have some free time is key.  Every Sunday, my husband and I go grocery shopping together.  We go to Native Sun for our food and Publix for toiletries and other miscellaneous items.  It's actually become a fun tradition.  Before we go, I have everything planned so I'm not wandering the stores trying to think about what I need.

Step 2: Write Down Your Meal Plan

This step is fun because you get to discover new recipes.  Sometimes it can be frustrating, especially if you're having to plan for a lot people, but I've found this technique very helpful.  Write down each meal category like this: Breakfast, Lunches, Dinners, Snacks, Desserts.  Then under each category, write each person's initial and what they want to eat for the week.  Brian and I usually have the same thing for breakfast, so that's easy.  I always have smoothies for my snack and we try to not have a lot of desserts unless it's a special occasion, so those categories can be checked off pretty quickly.  That just leaves lunches and dinners that require a little more effort.  I either go to my Beauty Detox Books or Pinterest for recipes.  Sometimes I'm in the mood for something specific and other times I want to try something new.  Either way, these tools are lifesavers for meal planning.  You can usually find quick and easy recipes for whatever you're craving on Pinterest.

Step 3: Write Down the Ingredients You Need

Once you have all your meals planned, it's time to figure out what you need for each meal.  Go down the list starting with breakfast until you get to desserts.  If I'm using a recipe book, I'll write down the page number next to the recipe so when I go to make it, I know exactly where to go.  If I'm using Pinterest, I screenshot the recipes on my phone for the same reason.  As you're looking at each recipe, check to see if you already have any of the ingredients.  Finally, try to think of any other miscellaneous items you may need.  I use the reverse side of my meal plan list to write down the ingredients because it saves paper and it makes it easy if I need to refer back to anything while in the store.

Step 4: Go Shopping!

Now that you've got everything planned and written down, you're ready to go shopping.  Try to stick to your list if you can to prevent impulse buys and save money.  If you have a budget you need to stick to, round up prices for each item and write them down on your list as you check things off.  Then you can total everything at the end.

That's it!  Making this a weekly routine is a great way to stay healthy because you know exactly what you're putting in your body.  Planning ahead is always better than waiting until the last minute when you're starving!

My Weekly Hair Care Routine

Since beautiful hair is a sign of health and vitality, I believe it's very important to do everything we can to treat our hair well.  Eating a proper diet to include a variety of fruits and vegetables is a significant aspect of hair health because our hair is nourished at the root.  We should also be cognizant of what products we're using on our hair.  With so many hair care products out there, it can be overwhelming to find a routine that is affordable, effective, healthy, and simple.  That's my goal for my hair and today I'd like to share what I've discovered with you.

Before I get into my current hair care practices, I'd like to share that it hasn't always been this simple.  I used to lather my hair with all kinds of conditioners, hair masks, and heat protectants.  I felt like I was doing all this work to try to improve my hair texture, but it was still dry and frizzy.

I realized less is more and started researching hair care, focusing on products that are chemical free.  I found an affordable brand called Acure and that's what I use for shampoo and conditioner now.  The ingredients are pure and it's effective at cleansing and smoothing my hair.  You can find this brand at health stores or Amazon.  Everyone's hair type is different, and since I have very thick, course locks, I only wash it twice a week.

On Mondays, I coat my hair with coconut oil and let it sit all day while I do my house work.  Check out my blog, Why You Should be doing Coconut Oil Hair Masks, to learn how you can do this yourself.  I wash out the oil that night and let it air dry.  I ditched all the hair products I used to use and because the coconut oil makes my hair soft, smooth, and shiny, I have no use for them anymore.  Please check out my other blog, Could Hair Products be Causing your Breakouts?, to learn more about the damaging effects of commercial products.

I haven't used a blow dryer in years and that has definitely helped reduce damage.  I used to straighten my hair every other day, about 4 times a week.  Now, I only straighten it once a week, which has also helped reduce heat damage.

Another trick I picked up is called The T-Shirt Hair Drying Trick.  After washing my hair, I wrap it in an old t-shirt instead of a towel.  In the article above, it explains this helps reduce frizz because the fabric is more gentle to your hair when it's wet and more vulnerable to damage.

If you have thick, frizzy hair like me, you know that brushing your hair when it's dry can increase frizz and make you look like you have a lion's mane.  It's also not good to brush your hair while it's wet because more breakage is possible.  The only time I use a brush is a few days after I've washed and straightened it (also right before washing it to get the knots out).  That way, there is a little oil at the roots that can be brushed through the length of the hair.  Distributing the natural oil reduces frizz and smooths the shaft.

On Thursday nights I usually wash my hair again for the weekend and I'm good until the following Monday.  Of course, sometimes I have to adjust this routine according to my schedule, but in general that's how I do it.

I hope this has helped you to simplify your hair care routine.  I would love to hear if you have any suggestions to improve mine!

Why Breakfast Isn't the Most Important Meal of the Day

We've all heard it before, from loved ones, movies, and commercials: "Breakfast is the most important meal of the day".  But have you ever really stopped to think about what this means?  Do you ever just listen to what your body is telling you rather than what some company wants everyone to believe in order to promote their products?  Based on nutritional research and my own personal experience, morning is not the time to load up on a big meal.  Starting the day off right is important, but all meals are essential to keep our bodies and minds energized.  

I have never been a breakfast person because I don't really like breakfast foods and I don't have a huge appetite in the morning.  I remember forcing myself to eat processed protein bars before school, just so I didn't skip breakfast.

These days, I have a new approach, thanks to living the Beauty Detox lifestyle.  The philosophies of this program make so much sense because they focus on how our bodies can best handle foods for optimal nutrition.  I only eat when I'm hungry, and that is super important.

I use the morning to continue cleansing from the night before.  Everyone wakes up with bad breath, sleep in their eyes, and oil build up on their faces.  This is the body's way of detoxing through the night.  You can optimize that cleansing process by allowing your body's digestive system (which must use a ton of energy to digest) to rest.  Allowing your body to get rid of excess waste by using the bathroom is also an important part of the morning.

I've been drinking warm lemon water first thing every morning for about two years and I've never felt better.  This rehydrates your body and activates your organs for the day.  The lemon has vitamin C and helps cleanse your liver.  I continue the morning slowly by sipping on the Glowing Green Smoothie.  This gives me energy and nutrients without weighing me down with heavy foods.  If I get hungry before lunch, I'll snack on fruit, which should only be eaten on an empty stomach because it digests the fastest of any other food group.

You may be thinking you couldn't ever try this because you need fuel in the morning, but you'd be surprised how much more energy you have when your body isn't struggling to digest solid food.  The few times I have strayed from this routine, my body feels heavy, sluggish, and full the rest of the day.  Once it got used to this extended time to cleanse, it lets me know when I've messed up by giving me a stomach ache.

Lunch is definitely an important part of the day because you do need fuel and brain energy.  I try to keep my lunches simple and my favorite combination is soup and salad.  Contrary to popular belief, dinner is actually the best time to eat heavier foods.  As long as you're not eating right before you lay down for bed, eating more dense foods is best done at night.  This is because you will be giving your body the entire night to digest without loading your digestive system up with more food.

I believe the idea breakfast is most important of all meals is flawed and outdated.  We need to stop buying into everything we hear about food and really listen to what our bodies are telling us we need.

Give the lemon water and smoothie routine a try for about a week, and I guarantee you won't want to go back to feeling weighed down by heavy breakfast foods in the morning!

The Importance of Reading Food Labels

Reading food labels has become a natural habit for me ever since I became cognizant of everything I put into my body.  I've been striving to live a healthier lifestyle for years and I'm constantly fine tuning this process.  Today I want to highlight something I believe many people neglect when they're shopping for food.

If you go to any regular grocery store, pick an aisle, and randomly select a product, there is an extremely high probability you will find some horrifying ingredients on the package.  Processed foods are littered with vegetable oils, hydrogenated oils, high fructose corn syrup, and many other unnecessary artificial ingredients.  These ingredients end up in our bodies and wreak havoc on our systems, stripping us of our youth, beauty, and vitality.

I get so frustrated with the general population just accepting these foods.  This is a main reason heart disease, diabetes, and cancer are killing us.  Weight problems, acne, low energy, and wrinkles are also side effects of consuming these foods.

I have a very strong personal connection to this topic because of my body's reactions to processed foods.  You can read all about my struggle with artificial sweeteners in My Aspartame Horror Story.  I also broke out in a rash from eating a regular tortilla.  

We need to stop giving in to what is easy and really start taking a deeper look at how we grocery shop.  The science behind these dangerous foods is clear.  They are highly addictive though, and the companies behind them don't want you to get healthy because you will stop contributing to them making a ton of money.

I'm also horrified when I hear stories from friends and family about things their doctors have recommended.  Gatorade was recommended for replenishing electorates, but do you know what's actually in this popular drink?  It's basically artificial chemicals and sugar!  This is one of the worst things you could put into your body.  The doctor could have suggested coconut water, which is healthy and full of electorates.  I heard another doctor was recommending someone should eat donuts and any junk food they want in order to gain weight.  That is absolutely absurd.  There are so many healthy ways to put on weight, like protein smoothies, almond butter, tempeh, beans, avocado, etc.

Practical Tips For Grocery Shopping:

1. If you're shopping in a normal grocery store, try to avoid the central food sections if possible.  The outer areas are where the fresh produce is usually kept and all the processed foods are in the middle of the store.

2. Look for foods that have simple ingredients.  For example, I buy organic gluten-free pasta and the only ingredients are brown rice, rice bran, and water.  I get it at Native Sun but you can also buy it online from Vitacost.

3. Avoid packages that say "Naturally and Artificially Flavored".  These products will be full of chemicals.  Just look at the picture above.  The ingredients for these protein bars are not going to help anyone with their health goals.

4. Avoid packages with a long list of ingredients, especially if you can't pronounce many of them.  These foods are full of preservatives and there are most likely easy alternatives you can make yourself.

For example, the other day I saw a package for commercial taco seasoning.  It had vegetable oil in with the spices.  If you are not familiar with how damaging vegetable oils are to your health, please check out this article, Why You Should Never Eat Vegetable Oil or Margarine.  Taco seasoning is so easy to make yourself.  All you need are few spices you probably already have in your pantry and you can customize it to your tastes.  You'll have a clean taco seasoning without all the extra crap that's harmful to your body.  Here is an example of a delicious taco seasoning I've made:

Check out the full recipe on Gimme Some Oven.

There are so many different ways you can use easy and healthy alternatives to processed foods.  You will feel so much better after meals and avoid all the yucky side effects of artificial ingredients.  If you're looking for a great source for healthy ideas, check out Pinterest.  You can find delicious new recipes there every day!

Why You Should Switch to Soy Or Beeswax Candles

One of my favorite home decor items is candles.  I have them in almost every room of my home and love to burn them, especially now in the winter months.  As many of my readers know, I'm always discovering new ways to improve on my healthy lifestyle.  Sometimes it feels like nothing is safe anymore, because chemicals are in everything!  Unfortunately, candles are no exception.  

A few years ago, I had a candle from Wal-Mart burning in my apartment.  I rarely shop there so this was my first experience with a candle from this store.  Everything seemed fine at first, but after a few days, I noticed there was a black soot film throughout my apartment.  I realized it was from the candle!  When I cleaned that week, I found even more of the black film.  By then, the candle was almost burned out so I threw it away.

This inspired me to look into candles and what they are actually made of.  It turns out, they are full of chemicals.  Every time we burn commercial candles, those chemicals are being released into the air of our homes and we're breathing them in.  This is not conducive to a healthy lifestyle.  

In my research, I found a helpful article called Toxins in Candles: Sad, But True.  I'd encourage you to read it for yourself.  The author, Stephanie Langford, explains that "Paraffin is the major ingredient in most conventional candles and is a sludge waste product from the petroleum industry."  She goes on to say that some of the ingredients may cause cancer and affect the nervous system.  For me personally, the convenience of buying cheap candles is not worth putting myself and my family at risk.

Thankfully, there are healthy alternatives.  Soy and beeswax candles are made with clean ingredients that will not pollute the air in your home.  Yes, they can be more expensive, but it's worth it to not have to clean up soot and breathe in toxins.

Every time I go to Urban Outfitters I check out the apartment section and look at their new candles.  They always have a great selection of soy wax candles that always smell amazing.  Here are a few I've personally used.

Buy it here.

Buy it here.

Soy and beeswax candles are easy to find, you just have to look at the labels.  You can also find them online.  Do yourself and your family a favor, and switch to soy or beeswax today!

Could Hair Products be Causing your Breakouts?

Today I'd like to discuss the correlation between hair products and breakouts.  Before I get into my experience, I just want to say I understand not everyone will experience the same symptoms I did.  Everyone's body is different, but I want to get this out there because if you are having similar issues, this might help.

I have tried everything I can to maintain a clear complexion.  I changed my diet, skin care routine, and started taking supplements to help with the acne I'd been battling since I was 13.  One of the most recent changes I made was to give up hair products.  It was a hard decision because I did like the results, but it has significantly helped improve my skin.

My previous routine was to wash my hair twice a week and when I straightened it, I would put a heat protectant throughout the length of my hair.  I would sleep with the product in my hair for several nights and noticed I was breaking out on my cheeks.  I finally made the connection when the rest of my skin cleared up.  I believe the products I was applying to my hair were transferring to my pillow, making nights a breeding ground for acne.

I ditched the hair products and noticed a huge improvement in the skin on my cheeks.  Now, I soak my hair in coconut oil once a week to keep it soft and healthy.  If you've noticed this area breaking out, you might look to the products you're applying to your hair.  Even if you wash your hair every day, the products could transfer to your face from your hair brushing up against your cheeks.

Many hair products on the market are full of chemicals you really don't want on your body anyway, which is another reason to give them up.  We want to do everything we can to lighten the toxic burden on our bodies so they can be more efficient at creating vibrant beauty.  A little research on the ingredients in your hair products wouldn't hurt.  I hope this helps you on your journey to clear skin!

Why You Should Start Doing Coconut Oil Hair Masks

I have been on a quest over the last few years to find healthy alternatives to commercial products.  The more I research health and beauty, the more shocked I am that there are so many items we use that are filled with chemicals.  I used to love going to the store and finding a new beauty product to try, only to be disappointed when I'd wasted my money on something that yielded just an okay result.

Thankfully, there are many products you can replace with inexpensive, chemical-free alternatives.  That's where coconut oil comes in.  Years ago I would use popular brands of deep hair conditioners that didn't have ideal ingredients and were not very effective.  I looked for a better option and found it in soaking my hair in coconut oil once a week.  It's easy, smells amazing, and best of all, it's healthy.  My hair is always super silky and soft after this routine and I'll never go back.

Here are the simple steps for your weekly coconut oil hair mask:

1. Brush your hair out.

2. Place coconut oil in a small dish.  You'll have to play with the amount depending on how much hair you have.

3. Over the sink, scoop out the coconut oil with your hand and run it all through your hair.  You want to get it completely saturated, but not too much because it will drip.  I start at the roots and make my way down the length of my hair.  Then I dip the ends in the oil to make sure they really get covered.

4. Twist and wrap your hair into a large hair clip.  You can also cover it with a shower cap if you want.

5. Leave on as long as you can.  I would do a minimum of an hour, but the longer the better.  It would be ideal if you could do this on a day you're not going anywhere.  I let mine soak all day while I do my house work.

6. Wash your hair twice with shampoo and then use conditioner.  You want to make sure you get all the oil out or it will be greasy when it dries.
 
Please try this out and let me know how you like it.  Hopefully, you can make this part of a healthy hair care routine!

What You Need to Know About Apple Cider Vinegar Toner

I first heard about using Apple Cider Vinegar on your face from a friend when I asked her why she had some in her bathroom.  She said she used it as a toner and loved it.  Since I'm always looking for healthy alternatives to traditional products, this idea intrigued me.
  
I did a little research and decided to try ACV, first as a face mask.  I dipped a cotton pad into some ACV, but I didn't dilute it much because I figured I needed it to be strong.  Big mistake!  I left it on for about ten minutes, then rinsed it off during a hot shower.  When I got out, my face felt like it was on fire and I looked like I had a severe sun burn where I had applied the ACV!

Thankfully, the burn didn't last more than an hour, but it freaked me out enough that I decided this beauty secret wasn't for me.  That was about a year ago.

About a month ago, I gave ACV another try since I ran out of the toner I had previously been using.  This time, I was careful with the proportions of ACV and water.  I mixed 3/4 cup of filtered water with 1/4 cup of ACV and placed it into a clean mason jar, making a toner.  I tested it on a small part of my face before using it all over and had no negative reaction.  For about a week, I used the toner twice a day.  I monitored the condition of my skin and began to realize it was becoming more dry than usual.  I did more research and discovered many people only use the toner a few times a week to prevent drying out the skin.

This made sense to me, so now, I only use it in the morning 3-4 days a week.  The vinegar smell is noticeable for a few seconds after application, but once it's dry the smell fades.  My new routine is to wash my face with Sally B's Skin Yummies Tamanu Luxury Facial Cleanser and then apply the ACV toner when needed.  I've only been doing this for about a month, but I'm really enjoying the results of smoother, clearer skin.

You can easily incorporate this practice into your weekly routine.  After washing your face, gently shake the toner so it mixes together.  Dip a cotton pad into the toner.  A little goes a long way.  Apply the toner all over your face a let it dry before you apply moisturizer and makeup.  That's it!

If you've been considering giving ACV a try, just remember to always dilute it!  Test a small amount on your skin to see how it reacts and you can also play around with the ratio of ACV to water to find the right amount for you.

Sometimes it's scary to try something new because you're afraid of how your body will react and you're familiar and comfortable with the products you're used to.  That's why it took me so long to change my routine, but I'm so glad I did.  Experimenting with new things is exciting, fun, and often beneficial.  I'd encourage you to give ACV toner a try.  You'll be balancing the pH of your skin, preventing breakouts, and reducing redness!

Amazing Physical Results of the Beauty Detox Lifestyle

If you follow this blog, you know I'm a huge promoter of the Beauty Detox Lifestyle.  I've been following Kimberly Snyder, C.N. since 2014 when I discovered her books.  I share this information as much as I can because it has had such profound and dramatic results in my body.  Today I'd like to share with you the specific benefits and results I've experienced from living this way.

No More Chicken Skin

I got married in 2012 and I remember seeing an ad in a bridal magazine about a cream you could apply if you had red bumps on your arms.  I considered looking into this product because I'd had these annoying tiny bumps on the back of my arms for as long as I could remember.  But things got crazy and I soon forgot about it.  In 2015, I gradually gave up dairy, and guess what happened?  Those red bumps disappeared!  I truly believe they were being caused from my poor diet, so when I cleaned it up, the bumps went away.

Less Body Odor

In another blog post, The Best Chemical Free Deodorant that Actually Works, I talked about when I was 8 years old and my mother asked the doctor why I had such a strong body odor.  He said it was simply a sign of puberty and I just had to live with it.  I didn't grow out of it and continued to smell, even when I used deodorant and antiperspirant (Which you should never use!  See that blog post for a healthy alternative!).  Since cutting out dairy and animal protein I have noticed the smell is no where near as bad as it used to be.

Reduced Oil on My Scalp and Face

From the time I was 13 and on, I would always wake up with an extremely oily face.  My scalp would also build up grease quite fast when I was washing it daily.  Now, I only wash it twice a week, so the oils have balanced out.  I also believe the Beauty Detox diet has decreased the amount of oil my body feels the need to produce.

Improved Complexion

This is the main reason I started Beauty Detox in the first place.  I was looking for a solution to my long time battle with acne.  My skin has drastically improved since I started this journey in January of 2015.  It is less ruddy, much smoother, and clearer.  A friend who I hadn't seen in a while even noticed my face looked brighter.  They said I used to have a gray undertone, but now my skin is glowing.  I would have never thought that was possible before.

Faster Healing

Something discussed in Kimberly's second book, The Beauty Detox Foods, is how our bodies will be able to heal faster if we're eating a clean and balanced diet.  I've noticed when I do get a blemish from stress, they heal practically overnight.  It used to take days for healing to occur, so I truly see this as a physical benefit.

Increased Energy

One of the main focuses of this lifestyle is eating foods in the right combinations for optimal digestion.  When you eat heavy foods like dairy and animal protein, and especially when you combine them with starch, your body has to put all it's energy into your gut in order to digest it.  That's why you often feel tired after eating.  But I feel good and energized after eating a properly combined Beauty Detox meal.  Yoga is promoted in this lifestyle as well and I've noticed I feel so much more energized when I'm practicing regularly.

Improved Digestion & Cleansing

This lifestyle promotes whole foods that continually clean out your system so you are always detoxing.  This leads to regular bowl movements and therefore all the other benefits I've listed.  After all, the gut is referred to as the second brain because it affects all other aspects of the body.  If your digestive system is clean, it can function at it's peak and promote your overall health and beauty!

These are the real results I've felt in my own body since switching my diet.  There are many other people with different issues that have been solved as well.  I personally do not struggle with weight, but so many of the people who follow this lifestyle have lost weight and kept it off.  You can check out testimonials on Kimberly's website for more examples this.  Give it a try and see how good you can feel!

Sally B's Skin Yummies Tamanu Luxury Facial Cleanser Review

I've discussed skin health quite often on this blog because I have struggled with maintaining a clear complexion most of my life and I want to help others avoid the hassles I've experienced.  Today I want to share with you the absolute best face wash I've found.

In my previous blog, My Journey to Clear Skin, I talk about how I had tried everything from Proactive, to acne prescriptions, and nothing seemed to work.  The key to my skin finally clearing up has been changing my diet and living the Beauty Detox lifestyle.

This means I'm researching beyond food and into all aspects of my life.  Skin care products are often full of chemicals that absorb into your skin and cause your body to have to work harder to get them out of your system.

I found an article called, The Fountain of Youth? The Shocking Truth About What's in Your Skin Care Products, written by Kimberly Snyder, and it has been a huge help in determining what I now put on my face.  In this post, she discusses many dangerous ingredients often found in skin care products.  I checked the face wash I was using and was disappointed to learn it contained Sodium Laureth Sulfate.  Since this ingredient was on the list of those to avoid, I decided I had to find a more natural alternative.

That's when I found Sally B's Skin Yummies Tamanu Luxury Facial Cleanser.   I know, it's a mouth full, but it works.  I use it to wash my face every morning and at night I use it with my Clarisonic.  This product is unique because it's made with organic ingredients, is vegan and gluten-free, and they do not test on animals.  It's also great for all skin types and a little goes a long way so it lasts a while.

I'd like to share my experience of when I began using this product, because at first, I wasn't so convinced.  I was used to a cleanser that stripped my face of oils, so for the first week, my face felt oily after washing it.  I considered going back to my old cleanser because I did break out for about two days.  I applied tea tree oil to the blemishes, which thankfully cleared up very quickly.  I think my skin had to rebalance itself because it wasn't used to the oils in the face wash.  But after about a week, my face no longer felt oily after washing and it has never looked or felt better.

I'm extremely happy living this lifestyle and thankful I found this new skin care routine.  I would recommend this face wash to everyone, especially those who struggle with acne.  I believe in investing in your health and beauty, so this product is worth the cost.

Please check out the blog post linked above and see if your skin care products contain any of the listed harmful chemicals.  Also, leave me a comment if you decided to try the Tamanu cleanser and tell me how you like it.  The benefits gained from this research are so worth it!

Stop Being Ashamed of Pooping

I've noticed the mentality of being ashamed of pooping among many people, especially girls.  They will make comments like "girls don't poop" and easily get embarrassed if the topic comes up.  I grew up in a home where bathroom humor was openly viewed as hilarious, so when this idea came about, I was genuinely confused by it.

I understand some girls may feel the need to be viewed in this way for whatever reason.  But let's think about it logically.  I've heard of this being such an issue, that some people won't go to the bathroom when they need to because of embarrassment.  Then, they become constipated and their system gets backed up because our minds are connected to our bodies.  We are mentally blocking a natural bodily function.

When you say you don't poop, you are literally full of crap!  Not only are you blocking your body from excreting unusable waste, but you're also lying and everyone knows it because of course, every living thing must relieve their bowels.

This is psychologically unhealthy and also terrible for your health and beauty.  I talk a lot about my Beauty Detox lifestyle on this blog, and this topic ties into that.  Kimberly Snyder, C.N. and author of the Beauty Detox books often discusses how important continual cleansing is.  Our bodies have many ways of detoxifying itself and pooping is an essential part of these processes.  In her book, The Beauty Detox Foods, she says "Constipation hold toxins in the body and is incredibly aging."

I'm not saying you should be announcing it to the world.  But try not to have such a negative view on pooping.  Instead, think of it as getting rid of old waste that your body cannot use.  You will have more energy, a cleaner system, and clearer skin.

For more information, check out Kimberly's blog post, Detoxify Your Body And Remove Waste Naturally.  As she says in the post, "The state of your digestion affects everything else in your body."  Give this new way of thinking a try and see how much better you can feel!

A Healthy Alternative to the Pumpkin Spice Latte

Autumn is finally here, so of course pumpkin spice is everywhere.  Many people will undoubtedly be filling up on Starbucks' famous Pumpkin Spice Lattes.  But have you ever stopped to think about the specific ingredients you're consuming?  If not, I'd like to share them with you.

This comes directly from the Starbucks website.  The ingredients are Milk, Pumpkin Spice Sauce [Sugar, Condensed Skim Milk, Pumpkin Puree, Contains 2% Or Less Of Fruit And Vegetable Juice For Color, Natural Flavors, Annatto, Salt, Potassium Sorbate], Brewed Espresso, Whipped Cream [Cream (Cream, Milk, Mono And Diglycerides, Carrageenan), Vanilla Syrup (Sugar, Water, Natural Flavors, Potassium Sorbate, Citric Acid)], Pumpkin Spice Topping [Cinnamon, Ginger, Nutmeg, Clove, Sulfiting Agents].

Many people were happy to discover Starbucks recently started making this drink with real pumpkin.  That's a scary thought if you've had one in the past with "fake pumpkin"?  But let's talk about some of the other ingredients.  The first is milk, which I personally do not believe should be consumed by humans.  Milk is extremely acidic and hard for us to digest.

There are 26g of sugar in a short and 64g in the venti.  That's way too much for anyone to consume in one sitting.  The whipped cream contains mono and diglycerides, which is in a lot of processed foods.  Please check out Food Babe's article, There’s No Safe Level Of This Ingredient, So Why Is It In Almost Everything?, for more information about this toxic ingredient.

There are 75mg of caffeine in a short Pumpkin Spice Latte.  Coffee is also acid forming in the body and it's hard on the liver.  Please give Kimberly Snyder's blog, 5 Reasons to Give Up Coffee, a read for more information about this.

After discovering how detrimental these ingredients can be, it makes more sense to create your own healthy version of this drink.  I looked on Pinterest and found several options for pumpkin spice smoothies and created my own version with just a few simple ingredients.  It's easy, fast, and much less expensive.  Plus, you're not flooding your system with sugar and chemicals.

Healthy Pumpkin Spice Smoothie (Serves 1)

1 frozen banana
1 cup of vanilla almond milk (or unsweetened almond milk with 1/2 tsp of vanilla extract)
A dash of ground ginger
1 cup organic pumpkin puree
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice

Blend all the ingredients and chill for an hour or drink right away if you can't wait!
You can play with the amount of cinnamon and pumpkin pie spice if you'd like more or less of those flavors.  You can also add a little cinnamon on top.

Eating healthy doesn't mean you have to miss out on traditions.  You can enjoy delicious alternatives like this and still feel the magic of fall.  I guarantee you'll feel better physically and about yourself when you make this healthy choice.

Below are the pumpkin smoothie recipes that inspired me to create this one.  These would all be great options as well!

Skinny Pumpkin Pie Smoothie
Pumpkin Pie Smoothie
Pumpkin Spice Smoothie

Please Stop Drinking Poison

Before I get into the main points of this post, I'd like to say my intent is not to judge people who drink soda.  God has put this message on my heart and I feel I have to share it.  At a young age, I learned my body could not handle soda since I felt awful the few times I tried it.  You can read more about this story in my other post, My Aspartame Horror Story.  I count that as a blessing, but I also acknowledge it has made it easy for me to avoid soda, whereas others are addicted and it's hard to stop.  I am not perfect and I have struggles too.  I try to recognize if I'm doing something harmful to my body and work my hardest to stop any bad habits.

So let's get into the reason for this post.  I believe soda is one of the most detrimental things you can put into your body.  It breaks my heart to see people consuming this poison.  People are addicted to soda and diet soda and drink it multiples times daily.  If this is something you do, I'm not trying to call you out.  I passionately care about this issue because I have felt the negative effects in my own body and I hate seeing others struggling with health issues that could be easily resolved just by cutting out this toxic drink.

Recently, I went into a store and looked at the ingredients in Coke and Diet Coke.  I knew it was bad, but the proof right before my eyes was horrifying.  Regular Coke contains high fructose corn syrup and Diet Coke contains the poisonous artificial sweetener, aspartame.  The rest of the ingredients are no better.  It isn't just Coke, but all soda contains harmful ingredients.  These drinks are on the market because the companies are making a LOT of money, so by purchasing them, you're contributing to the problem.

I'd also like to challenge my fellow Christians.  I am shocked by how our culture highlights certain sins and completely ignores others.  Unhealthy food and beverages are often promoted in Christian settings and no one ever questions it.  But I cannot stay silent about this issue.  The Bible says "So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin." James 4:17  This verse is very clear.  If you know drinking soda is harmful to your body and you don't cut it out of your diet, it is a sin.  You are hurting your body by consuming soda.  1 Corinthians 6:19 says "...your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you..." so we should be doing everything we can to make sure we're putting only the healthiest foods and drinks into our bodies.  I am deeply saddened these are not priorities and obesity and poor diet are rampant in many Christian circles.

Whether you are a Christian or not, I am begging you to please stop consuming soda and diet soda.  If you are addicted, try healthier alternatives, such as Kombucha Tea, which has carbonation and flavor, but is low in sugar and has probiotics and other health benefits.  Water is the best drink you can consume, so trying to drink more will help flush the poison out of your system.

P. 41 of The Beauty Detox Foods by Kimberly Snyder, C.N.

22 Ways Drinking Soda is Bad for Your Health is an extremely helpful article about the studies and science of the effects soda and diet soda have on the human body.  There is no controversy and the truth is simple.  At every angle you look at it, scientifically and morally, consuming soda is wrong.  Please stop drinking poison!

Why Counting Calories is a Waste of Time

If you've ever spent any time using numbers to keep track of the food you're eating, this post is for you.

There are countless programs and apps that claim if you stick to a certain amount of calories per day, you'll be able to reach your goals.  I'll acknowledge this method can help people lose weight.  But often times it only works temporarily.  Plus, it's extremely frustrating and limiting.

Counting calories is a waste of time for one simple reason.  It only takes into account a quantity of a food, not the quality.  The problem is, our bodies are so much more complex than that.  We are not numbers, we are people.  You are so much more than a number on a scale.  

Only focusing on the amount of food you're putting into your body without being mindful of what you're eating is the root cause this method is failing you.  You can eat 100 calories of processed cheese crackers or 100 calories of broccoli.  Your body digests each food differently and obviously the broccoli will benefit your body, while processed foods are a detriment. 

Instead of obsessively adding up calories, carbs, fat, and protein, we should focus on eating whole, organic, clean, high quality foods.  That way, we're more in tune with what our bodies actually need.  We won't be starving at the end of the day and we won't feel guilty eating until we're full if we fill up on healthy foods.  

If you're wondering how much you should be eating, try listening to what your body is telling you.  By eating slowly and chewing well you can focus on the signals that say you're full and stop eating.  Instead of looking at the numbers on the nutrition facts, check the ingredients.  Avoid buying anything with a lot of ingredients you can't even pronounce.

I have personally never counted calories because I've been underweight my whole life.  When I started living the Beauty Detox lifestyle, my instinct about counting calories was validated because Kimberly Snyder, C.N., does not promote this method.  I'm very passionate about this because it's such a popular diet tactic, yet it isn't very effective or efficient.

I would like to see this method fade as our society moves toward a healthier, more natural way of eating.  That way, we can eat freely and know we're getting the proper nutrition.  When we shift our focus to what we're eating, we will look and feel our best.

For more information on shifting to a healthier diet, check out my post, How Beauty Detox Changed My Life.

Why You Should Ditch Your Hair Dryer

For most of my life, my hair has been hard to manage.  Since I'm a ginger, I have a thicker texture compared to other hair colors.  It was often frizzy and puffy, especially when I was a teenager.  

At the age of 14, my cousin taught me how to straighten my hair, for which I'm eternally grateful.  But back then, I became obsessed and would never leave the house without straightening it.  My mom insisted I wash my hair every single day to prevent oil build up, and my destructive routine began.  

Every day I would wash my hair, coat it in chemical-laden hair products, blow dry it, and finally, straighten it.  I have a lot of hair so this was extremely time consuming.  As a result of doing this for years, my hair became damaged, but as long as it was straight, I didn't care.

Finally, I couldn't keep up with it anymore.  I started doing my hair every other day, which did lighten the burden a little.  Once, for whatever reason, I had to wash my hair at night.  I let it air dry and straightened it the next morning.  To my surprise, there was a huge improvement in the texture.  It was smoother and much less frizzy.  

That was about five years ago, and since ditching the hair dryer, I haven't used one since.  My hair texture gradually improved and there is much less damage.  I still use a flat iron, but only about once a week.  Thankfully, the oil on my scalp has balanced.  I only need to wash my hair twice a week because the natural oils aren't being stripped away every day.

Changing my diet has also been a huge component of improving the health of my hair and reducing oil, therefore allowing me to wash it less often.  You can read about the specifics of how I did this in How Beauty Detox Changed My Life.  I also ditched the hair products and do a coconut oil hair mask once a week to help keep my hair soft and healthy.

Everyone has different hair types and those with thinner hair may have to wash it more often.  But I would encourage you to try letting it air dry over night.  You will be saving your hair from intense heat damage and that will add up.  Your hair texture will improve, you will save precious time, and even save a little electricity.  

I'm always striving to find new ways to simplify my life and this has been an extremely helpful, easy, and healthy way for me to do just that.