How Beauty Detox Changed My Life

Recently I was featured on celebrity nutritionist, Kimberly Snyder's blog for my Beauty Detox transformation.  I shared how her books influenced the health of my skin in a previous blog, My Journey to Clear Skin.  Today, I wanted to expand on this because the Beauty Detox philosophy has benefited me in much more than just helping my complexion.  

I grew up on the Standard American Diet.  My body was not perfect, but I was surviving just fine.  But what was the state of my health?  My skin was congested, I had low energy, my hair was damaged, and my digestive health wasn't as efficient as it could have been.

The point is, yes you can survive perfectly fine on an unhealthy diet.  But what if you are only just surviving?  What if there was a way to survive and thrive?  That's what the Beauty Detox lifestyle is all about.  It's about eating for your best health and focusing on what foods are going to help your body clear out toxins, not build them up.

Living this lifestyle has opened my eyes to many different things.  For example, the overwhelming deception surrounding food and beverages in this country.  Large companies are making a ton of money by deceiving us every day.  They want us to believe their products are beneficial so we’ll continue to buy them.  You may have never thought about this, or if you have, you may not care.  I’m writing this because I do care.  I care that millions of people are overweight, sick, and unhappy with their bodies.  It breaks my heart to see people struggling with a variety of afflictions when the solution is so simple.  That's why I have to share this. 

I was one of those miserable people for so long.  I hated what I saw in the mirror, but had no idea how to change it.  In 2014, I was working as a nanny.  One afternoon, between me and two toddlers, we almost finished a bag of chips.  It wasn't unusual for me to eat junk food like this and I always felt awful afterwards.  It was then I decided I couldn't live like this anymore.  Something had to change.  I started researching nutrition and praying for a solution to my acne.

God led me down a path of health discovery.  First, my husband and I cleaned out our pantry and fridge, getting rid of all processed food.  The desire to learn about nutrition led me to finding the Beauty Detox books.  

I had always felt pride in eating meat and thought the idea of being vegan was ridiculous.  Then, I read The Beauty Detox Solution and it completely changed my mind.  The simple, non-judgmental, scientific facts stated in that book made me realize I had to reduce my meat consumption and cut out dairy.  I look back on times in my life when the vegan diet had been displayed in a pushy way and how that was not effective at all.  What a blessing it was to discover it the way I did.

It was a gradual process, but I'm now eating a vegan diet 98% of the time.  My husband is a hunter, so I do eat venison occasionally.  Other than that, I'm extremely happy with the delicious vegan options I have.  As a result, my skin has drastically improved, I have more energy than ever before, my hair is silkier, and my mind is clearer.  I've also noticed a drastic improvement in my digestive health, which is key to looking and feeling your best.

Another great part of Beauty Detox is you don't have to worry about taking a lot of supplements.  With this diet, you're getting a wide variety of nutrition.  Probiotics and Detoxy are the only supplements I take.  The probiotics promote healthy gut bacteria and the Detoxy has been extremely helpful to me and my husband for it's ability detoxify our systems gently.

The pros of this lifestyle far outweigh any cons.  I do have to explain my diet more often and most of the time people are very understanding.  In the instances when people have expressed misguided concern, I explain I feel better eating this way.  I'm confident in my decisions so I don't feel the need to go into an unnecessary debate.  I do have to put more effort into food planning and prep, but it definitely beats acne, low energy, and feeling sick.

This lifestyle does require self discipline.  Some days I slip up and eat too much sugar, but then I feel sick and remember my health goals.  This is not a temporary program, it is permanent for me.  I've found I don't even desire the foods I used to crave because I know how harmful they are and in the beginning when I did "cheat" I felt weighed down and tired.  I also don't feel I'm missing out on anything because the foods I'm eating now are full of flavor and I know they're good for my body.  This lifestyle helped me shape my daily routine by making meal plans easy with Beauty Detox recipes that have been easy to implement.

Yoga is another aspect I love about this lifestyle.  I had already began to dabble in it when I started Beauty Detox, so it encouraged me even more to keep up with my at home yoga practice when I learned Kimberly Snyder promotes it as well.

Another aspect I'd like to acknowledge is the financial side of eating healthy.  I would rather spend more money on healthy food and sacrifice in other areas than spend less on cheap food resulting in not feeling good and looking worse.  I see it all the time where people use money as an excuse to not buy organic and settle for junk food.  It all comes down to priorities.  Do you care more about your health or going shopping for things you don't need?
  
I've also heard the argument it doesn't matter what you eat because many people have horrible diets and live until they're 90.  The examples I've been given are of people who are yes, at an advanced age, but are being kept alive by medications with serious side effects.  I would rather take care of my body now than be an old woman relying on medicines to keep me alive.  Low quality food causes disease and cancer and what will your quality of life be when you're 90?  What seems convenient and cheap now costs you later and in the mean time you're overweight and sick.

I’m not trying to make anyone feel guilty.  My desire is for you to take an interest in your health and the health of your loved ones.  For me personally, the best way to motivate lifestyle changes is to do my own research and I encourage you to do the same.  What I learned inspired me so much I have to share it with as many people possible.  I've never felt better, I've never looked better, and I can't wait to see how much more I continue to improve as the years go by.

To learn more about the lifestyle, go right to the source.  Click here to price the books on Amazon.  You can buy Detoxy and the Probiotics by clicking here.

When I Felt Jesus' Presence

"You said I know that this will hurt.  But if I don't break your heart, then things will just get worse.  If the burden seems to much to bear, remember the end will justify the pain it took to get us there."   -Let it All Out by Relient K

When I was 8 years old, I got saved.  My testimony is simple; I was a child who accepted Jesus into her heart.  I grew up with parents who love the Lord and always showed me a great example of how to live and love.  This didn't mean my life was perfect, it just meant when problems arose, I had a higher power to rely on.

I struggled with depression as a teenager, but my faith was always consistent.  At the age of 19, I met a guy.  We dated for about a week, he told me he loved me, and then I didn't hear from him anymore.  I had given him my first kiss and when I realized he was no longer going to be in my life, it destroyed me.

You have to understand, this was my first experience with a mutual attraction to someone.  In the past, there was always a lack of chemistry with the few guys I dated.  In the grand scheme of things I acknowledge this may seem like a weak reason to feel "destroyed".  But I was young and naive.  This was the most significant dating experience I'd had up to this point and I was devastated it didn't work out.

I'll never forget how it felt, sitting in the car after a failed attempt to figure out what was going on.  He wasn't responding to my calls and texts.  I was crying, trying to figure out what I did wrong.  My heart felt broken, I couldn't catch my breath, and I had a pit in my stomach.  I verbally cried out to Jesus to take this pain away.  I told Him I couldn't bear it.  In that moment, I felt an overwhelming sense of peace wash over my mind and body.  I felt Him telling me to let this go because He would take care of me.

This was the first time I had ever really felt God's presence.  I know in my heart this was Jesus reassuring me He's with me always.  I got more confirmation when I attended church with my parents that week.  A lady went up to sing and said "This song is for someone who is struggling to let a friend go.  God is with you and He wants you to know you'll be okay."  It was exactly what I needed to hear at that time and eventually I was able to move on and forgive.

After the heartbreak my aunt told me sometimes God will bring the wrong person into your life right before the right person, and that's exactly what He did.  It was almost a year later that I met the man who is my husband today.  Words cannot express the joy I feel for the way God's plan for me has unfolded.

I'm extremely thankful for this entire experience because it revealed to me true love.  If I'd never had my heart broken, I don't think I'd appreciate my husband as much as I do.  God made us for each other and our love will never die.  More importantly, I know my savior will never fail me.

"And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:7

Melvin and the Crapped Diaper

Warning: If you are easily grossed out, please do not look below.  

It's time for another funny story here on the blog.  Sometimes I like to take a break from the serious stuff and just share something hilarious that happened in my past.  This story is about me and my sister's friend who we'll call "Melvin".

Melvin and his sister, Marsha, were our best friends.  One summer day in 2009, my mom drove us to Marshall's to go shopping.  We had all piled in the van and wanted to get inside quickly to escape the dreaded heat.  Melvin was faster than all of us and didn't even look where he was walking.  All the sudden I hear my sister and Marsha roaring in laughter while Melvin is running into the store in disgust.  I finally got to where they were standing and made a horrific discovery.

Before us laid a crapped adult sized diaper.  Apparently Melvin was a little hasty in his journey across the parking lot and stepped right into this awful mushy mess.  We followed him into the store as he went to the men's room to clean his poor shoe.  Yes, we laughed at him, but I also felt really bad too.

I bet he was more observant from then on.  And seriously, who leaves that in a parking lot?  I happened to snap a picture of the diaper, so here it is below.  Sorry...not sorry...?

Prank Gone Wrong!

I've talked about some of my pranks before in the blog The Red Fox Strikes Again, which explains the title of this page.  Today I thought I'd share a hilarious story that really happened to me when I was about 10 years old.  

It was summer time in the year 2000 and I was bored at home.  My little sister was at a friend's house and I was trying to think of something fun to do.  I came up with the idea to booby trap her room.  

The first step was to put toilet paper on top of her fan so it would fly all over the room the next time she turned it on.  Next, I put hair curlers in her bed.  

Then, I got a plastic cup and filled it with water before taping a piece of thread to it and placing it on top of her open door.  The other end was taped to the wall so when she opened the door, the water would dump on her head.  And finally, I used more thread and taped it across the door below her eye level, so she wouldn't notice before running into it.

  
My plan was set so I decided to find something else to do.  I had lunch with my mom and then played with Barbies for a few hours.  The phone rang and I jumped up, excited to see who it was.  This was another opportunity for a prank, depending on who was calling.  I quickly ran to the nearest phone, which happened to be in my sister's room...but I was unable to answer it.  I ran right into the thread as the water spilled on me and the cup clonked me on the head.  I had fallen into my own trap.  I was so embarrassed I didn't tell anyone what happened.  

But later that night, my sister got a big surprise when she got into bed and turned on the fan! 

5 Practical Tips For Getting an Amazing Night's Sleep

I'm excited to discuss this topic because I believe sleep should be highly valued and prioritized.  Unfortunately, sleep is underrated and often neglected in our society today.  This can be extremely dangerous to our health.  Lack of sleep can cause many health problems such as weight gain, premature aging, decrease in sex drive,  and memory impairment.  In fact, according to sleep expert Dr. Kirk Parsley, "It's very similar to being intoxicated when you're sleep deprived."

Sleep is something I personally feel very passionate about because if I go without it, I'm basically a zombie the next day.  I have to maintain a sleep routine because if I don't, I feel sick, weak, foggy, and sometimes it takes several days and nights before I feel normal again.  I even had to quit a job because I was being asked to go on business trips and stay out late after meetings.  My body could not keep up and I had to make the difficult decision to leave that company.  My health was more important than that job, and in the end it was the best choice for me.

  Below is a list I've compiled that will help prepare for an amazing night's sleep.  These are things I've found helpful in my own attempts at falling asleep if I'm struggling.

1. Limit Lights
Having lights on at night tricks our bodies into thinking it's still time to be awake.  After the sun goes down, I try to limit my use of lights.  I'll use a desk lamp for reading, but overhead lights are rarely on in the hours before bedtime.  Plus, this is a great way to save money!  It's also a good idea to put your phone on the new "Night Shift" setting.  If you have an iPhone, go to your settings and select "Display & Brightness", then click on "Night Shift".  You'll see a description that says "Night Shift automatically shifts the colors of your display to the warmer end of the color spectrum after dark.  This may help you get a better night's sleep."  My phone is automatically set to this mode every night.  Darkness is ideal for sleeping deeply, so make sure to eliminate all lights in your bedroom.

2. Take a Break From Distractions
Bedtime should be peaceful and relaxing.  Try to create a calm atmosphere, starting when the sun goes down.  Set this time aside to be with family and wind down.  Take a break from studying or thinking about work, and do something that helps you feel serene.

3. Avoid Late Night Snacking
I used to love having late night snacks before bed.  But this is not the best habit to get into.  You should eat enough at dinner so you're not ready for another meal at bedtime.  That way, your body isn't having to digest when you're trying to fall asleep.

4. Comfort is Key
This is one of the most important things you can do because there are so many factors that can cause you to be uncomfortable when falling asleep.  Make sure the temperature in the room is how you like it.  Eliminate anything that could potentially cause you to be uncomfortable when falling asleep, such as clipping hangnails, going to the bathroom, or applying lip balm to chapped lips.  I also keep water on my nightstand, but I don't guzzle it right before bed because then I'll have to get up to pee soon after.  Just drink enough so your mouth isn't dry.  If you're sensitive to noises, a great option is to wear earplugs.  They have been a lifesaver to me in many situations, especially if you have a spouse who snores.  Lastly, get some soft, comfy bedding you'll look forward to snuggling into.

5. Go Inward
This tip has specifically helped me in times of stress.  I struggle to fall asleep if there is something major, good or bad, going on in my life.  But thinking and worrying about outward things and the future can lead you to lay awake with an active mind all night, and that's what we're trying to avoid.  In these instances, I have caught myself clenching my teeth and fists, and my whole body is tense.  Once you recognize this, you can release tension and allow your muscles to relax.  This is the first step because it's easier to relax your body than your mind.  Take deep breaths if you need to.  Then, focus on controlling your thoughts.  I'll often pray to God as I fall asleep, which is very calming.  I simply talk to Him about my worries and thank Him for all of my blessings.  Other times, I'll fantasize about things that make me happy, like being with my husband, what kind of mother will I be, or what would happen if I accomplished all my dreams and goals.  Let your mind take you to the best possible places, and you'll drift off to sleep in no time.

I hope these tips help.  I'm not qualified to give medical advice and if you think you have a serious sleep problem, you should see a doctor.  Everyone deserves to feel rejuvenated in the morning and I wrote this for people who may not have thought about the tips I've shared.  Our goal is eight hours a night and I hope this helps you get there!

Sources:

Beauty Inside Out Podcast With Kimberly Snyder Episode 31: Better Sleep With Dr. Parsley and How To Fight Fatigue Naturally!

http://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/features/10-results-sleep-loss#3

5 Advantages of Vegan Cooking

I've discussed my recent decision to eat vegan 98% of the time on here before.  I have experienced many health benefits from altering my diet this way, but I want to expand on that.  Below are the advantages I've discovered by cooking vegan the majority of the time.

1. Decreased Risk of Getting Sick
I'm starting off with my favorite benefit because I feel it's so important.  When you're cooking with all vegan ingredients, you decrease your risk of getting sick from tainted meat or spoiled dairy.  I have been the victim of food poisoning before and it is absolutely miserable.  It feels good to no longer have to be concerned with this.

2. Easier Food Prep
I no longer have to wait for meat to thaw.  Now, I plan my meals around fresh veggies and other sources of protein, such as tempeh.  It's so much easier to slice it and fry it up within minutes, rather than having to touch slimy chicken and wait for it to be fully cooked.  I've found that in general, it's much faster to throw together a vegan meal.

3. Discover New Foods and Culinary Creativity
Ever since I started making vegan recipes, I've discovered many new delicious foods I would have never thought to try before.  I just tried tofu for the first time, and it's not bad.  I also get to play around with my cooking skills.  I'm amazed at the delectable creations I can make with alternative ingredients.  I've been living this way for about a year and I don't feel I'm missing out on anything because of all the amazing options out there.

4. Improve Your Health
Eliminating animal protein and dairy from your diet will significantly improve your health.  I've felt the benefits in my own body.  Dairy is extremely acidic, is difficult to digest, and causes our bodies to create excess mucus.  High amounts of animal protein are also hard to digest and our bodies can't even use most of the protein.  Not to mention that when combined with starches, as in typical meals such as spaghetti and meatballs, a large burden is put on our digestive system.  This results in all our energy going to our bellies and we feel heavy and sluggish.  The bottom line is, reducing consumption of meat and dairy can have significant improvements to many aspects of your health, including reducing aging, improved skin health, weight loss, increased energy, and so much more!

5. Spend Money on Life
When you go vegan, you're no longer keeping slaughter houses in business.  The less meat you consume, the better it is for animals and where your money goes.  I'd rather spend my grocery money on fruits and vegetables than putting it towards contributing to greenhouse gas.

My goal is not to make anyone feel guilty about what they eat.  I used to believe I needed meat and dairy to survive.  That ended up not being true, as I'm thriving on a plant-based diet today.  My hope is that you will think about these advantages and maybe try a vegan meal to see how you feel afterwards.  You may be surprised by how light and energetic your body feels and I'd encourage everyone to try it, at least once!

I have all the recipes pictured here, so if you're interested I'd be happy to share.  Just leave me a comment!

Star-Crossed Review

 Warning: Spoilers below!

My husband and I just finished watching Star-Crossed (2014) on Netflix.  It was such an intriguing and thought provoking show, I decided I had to review it.  The plot is pretty simple, but the execution is extremely well done and dare I say, unique.

It's about a human girl and alien boy who fall in love, but unlike most stories that begin this way, the aliens are out in the open.  It's similar to the show Roswell, which I also love, but in this world, everyone knows the aliens crashed.  They came in 2014 and the show goes forward 10 years into the future.  Now, in 2024, the aliens, called Atrians, are all living in a "sector" because the humans are trying to determine if they are a threat.

My first thought about these aliens was "How convenient they look just like us, with the exception of their markings."  But the more I thought about it, I realized it would actually make more sense that other intelligent life in the galaxy would resemble humans, rather than look like the strange creatures we're used to seeing in science fiction.

Star-Crossed is loosely connected to Romeo and Juliet as every episode title, and even the show title, is based on lines from the play.  It also has a lot to say about racism, particularly showing similarities between the real life integration that occurred in the 1950's and the alien integration program portrayed in the suburban high school, which is one of our main backdrops.

This is a CW show, so of course, all the actors are physically attractive.  I think they did an excellent job with casting, and the main characters are all very likable.  Emery and Roman are the leads and their chemistry is captivating.  There is always an undertone of longing when they're together.  I also like the fact that there are many characters, like Drake, Teri, Grayson, and Eric, who go through changes that cause them to be on the side we're rooting for.  They are more complex as the story progresses, which keeps things interesting.

The driving force of this show is of course, the enthralling romances we get to explore.  It's mainly focused on the slow burn between Emery and Roman, but I have to mention Drake, an Atrian, and a human girl named Taylor.  They have several intense trysts throughout the season, which results in a hybrid pregnancy.  It's clear the show intended their love scenes to be rough and fast compared to Emery and Roman whose scenes are much more gentle and romantic.  This is a true representation of each couple and their stories.

The alien mythology is also quite fascinating.  Atrians have two hearts and can breathe through their skin, even in water.  A plant called cyper grows from Atrian corpses and when combined with their blood, can cure and heal both humans and Atrians.  Atrians are born with markings that look like tattoos, individual to each one.  I thought they did a great job making the marks look natural and badass at the same time.

Since our setting is the year 2024, we get some great predictions about the future.  I appreciated the subtlety compared to what we've seen in other futuristic portrayals.  They seemed to really look at what we have currently and tried to treat it with a realistic progression.  Cell phones are similar to what we have now, but the touch screens are clear and glow bright blue.  The only thing is, this didn't seem very private.  There are screens all over the school and in the tables at restaurants.   The fashion is sleek, but not too far from what we have now.

This is a show targeted for a young audience and it did have a few cliche moments, but overall, I thoroughly enjoyed it.  We are left with many unresolved issues and a big cliffhanger in the season finale.  Unfortunately, they were not able to continue with a second season.  Even so, I still say it's worth watching.  I'm hoping some day it will get the Gilmore Girls treatment and come back!