Whew!
Ever had one of those weeks you just felt like your digestive system needed some help?
Well, I have just had one of those few days. Not sure if stress, or the abundance of junk food I had one day really messed me up. Probably both those things!
Let’s just say things weren’t… regular…
Why I am talking about this? You need to support and love your gut to support your outer glow.
Here’s what helped me this time and really got things moving better after a couple days:
- Stayed hydrated.
- Ate whole, fiber-rich foods. No animal products, since for me, things already weren’t digesting well. that is rough on my digestive system since I have been experimenting with plant-based diet for about a year.
- Lots of peppermint tea to get things moving (made with my digestive oil).
- black or green tea in the morning. (only try this if you are already hydrated… if you are dehydrated, this could make you feel worse as far as the constipated feeling.)
- De-stressing. This has had a major affect on my overall well-being. That is for another video.
What I intend to do to continue healing my gut and rev-ing up digestion:
- Continue to stay hydrated. Get an app to help you stay on track.
- Add digestive enzyme supplement I trust. break down food. Past 25, most adults stop making the enzymes needed to break down food optimally and absorb those nutrients optimally. I have my favorite that works for when you are eating both plants and meat. And there is also one that you can take when you are vegetarian.
- Return to my probiotic I’ve been off of lately. I use it in the evening when little is in my stomach
- Support with lemon water to rev up my digestion in the beginning of the day, enjoy organic green and black tea during the earlier part of the day, peppermint tea during the day if needed and especially in the evening, and continue enjoying fiber-rich foods.
Thank you so much for watching!
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Ever heard someone say, you should eat more “raw food?” We aren’t talking sushi, here. Although sushi is yummy, but that’s another post...
I am not a nutritionist, so we are not going in the depths of “raw food diet.” But over the past 4 years, I have seen benefits in filling my plate with more fresh, raw fruits and veggies in my meals. So, I am excited to share with you what this lifestyle change is, the benefits, and some recipes I love and why. Then, YOU can make your decision on what’s best for you.
First off, the raw food “diet” is not really a diet - it’s more like an “anti-diet.” It’s about lifestyle changes away from processed - ahem, DEAD - food, and incorporating more uncooked or lightly steamed veggies. If you are looking for a way to start implementing healthy lifestyle changes slowly for long-term wellness, this is worth trying for nearly everyone.
All About Water + Emotional Eats!
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Water is VITAL to our cells, concentration, digestion, skin, LIFE. Signs of dehydration include dull, dry, flaky skin, digestive issues, kidney issues, moodiness, lowered ability to focus, headaches, and even weight issues.
My Water “Schedule”
Drink a couple cups of water...
Before eating in the morning.
Before meals during the day.
After dinner.
Sip warm water with lemon juice, or lemon vitality or peppermint vitality essential oil between meals for optimal digestive and detox support.
Remember: It takes about 7-10 days for your body to adjust to getting adequate amounts of water. Those bathroom breaks will calm down over time.
Emotional Snacking: Could you be confusing thirst for hunger?
Often, we are actually thirsty when we feel hunger. The same part of the brain responsible for hunger signals is responsible for thirst.
When feeling hunger pain in between meals, try drinking a glass of water. If you still feel the hunger pain in 15 min, then you are actually hungry. Have a snack.
This has been helpful for me, because especially during a hectic week (month?) I am tempted to “overdo” emotionally snacking or out of boredom.
Emotional Snacking Solution Ideas:
I bring my own snacks that are clean eats but still healthy (plenty of recipes for that… Click here) and I do not have processed junk food snacks in my own home.
Get to the heart of the matter: Use meditation and affirmations with essential oils to check in with emotions and calm. I have an uplifting blend and peaceful blend that I use for helping to support emotions. Whenever I smell the oil, I will recall that affirmation, scripture verse, etc. with the positive emotion that came with it.
Again, check if that in-between meal snacking urge is actually hunger first, get into the habit of drinking water then wait 15 min.
Bottomline, drink more water, and be aware of how your emotions influence how you treat yourself. Always be positive toward your body- you are vastly valued and loved.
Go ahead and try some of the tips and let me know in the comments if you got any ideas or if you have some tips of your own!
Have you ever had that moment a health “guru” uses a word you don’t know, and it goes in one ear and out the other? Me too.
But as I started researching healthy recipes for skin care and general wellness, I kept seeing the word “antioxidant” and “free radicals.” I couldn’t ignore them any longer. So, what are they?
What are Antioxidants and Free Radicals?
Antioxidants are substances naturally found in plants and even produced by the body that inhibit free radical damage to cells.
Over time, this can lead to disease, higher inflammation,... and yes, even faster aging as far as wrinkles are concerned. No thanks.
OK, Where Can I Get All the Antioxidants?
Although our body is amazing in the way that it produces some antioxidants, we can greatly support it by simply eating more plants. Plant foods are the richest sources of antioxidants.
Examples of Antioxidants include:
vitamin A
vitamin C
vitamin E
beta-carotene
lycopene
lutein
selenium
manganese
zeaxanthin
Other types of antioxidants and phytonutrients (awesome natural chemicals from plants): flavonoids, flavones, catechins, polyphenols, and phytoestrogens. You need all of these. They each serve a different purpose, and you cannot interchange them.
Top antioxidant-rich foods include:
Dark Chocolate
Pecans, Walnuts
Spinach
Purple/Red Cabbage
Blueberries
Strawberries
Artichokes
Wolfberries
How Do You Get A Variety of Goodness In Your Diet WITHOUT Breaking the Bank?
Simply, I eat a plant-based diet and supplement with one general wellness superfood puree of the richest antioxidant, mineral, and protein-packed foods. Variety is crucial, right?
Everyday, salads are my favorite go-to dishes, because you can add and discover all different kinds of vegetables and fruits, legumes, nuts, and seeds. If you keep the vegetables raw, you often get more nutrients, too.
Also, did I mention I am a busy gal, who just likes to keep things simple every now and then? My Crave Worthy Salad is just the ticket. Throw some things in a bowl, put dressing on said things, eat them, feel awesome, done. That’s my style!
Be brave, and dive in. Fuel with antioxidants that your 80-year-old self will thank you for!
What are some ways YOU like to eat your antioxidants? Please comment below with what you are going to try and if there is anything you would like to learn more about!
Grab my easy, throw together Crave Worthy Salad recipe (literally made with whatever you have and whatever you like) in my Creative’s Guide to Healthy Eats on a Budget! Click Here.
*Bonus*
Discover my favorite superfood, beautifying supplement that has kept my body’s general wellness supported and my energy-level happy for the past 4 years. I like it so much I even put it in smoothies like the one in the pic!
