Healthy Lifestyle

Living a healthy lifestyle seems hard to nearly impossible if you're not financially stable and lacking willpower. You have to really want something to make it a reality. Finally after months of eating horribly, drinking sodas, not working out and in return feeling crappy, I decided I really wanted to make a change. Unlike most people, the change was not for the outside of my body, but more for the inside. I wasn't on a quest to lose tons of weight, but to make a complete 360 from the lifestyle I had been living to a healthier and more satisfying way of life. Over a period of about three months, I have slowly (but surely) changed.

Here's what I did/ do differently now.

FIRST and foremost, society tells you the best way to lose weight is to go on a diet, but I am highly against giving up chocolate, ice cream, cake and other snacks that make me happy. So automatically, I knew a diet was out of the question. And honestly, why give up on something that brings you happiness? The key to eating snacks or anything in general, is moderation. Have the freaking cake as long as you don't have a huge portion. And did you know the speed that you eat actually effects digestion and metabolism? Next time you're ready to scarf the entire plate down before the other people at the table even finish the appetizer, remember to pace yourself and you will instantly see a difference in how full you feel. You might even find that you feel the need to eat less.

Secondly, I cannot emphasize how important it is to drink water. The easiest way to quit drinking soft drinks and sweet tea, which was huge for me, is not cold-turkey, but weening yourself off little by little. Start by replacing one drink per day (or week, depending on habits) with water, then two, three.. etc. and you will instantly notice a difference. Another thing that kick-started my water drinking is a Mavea pitcher. It filters all the nasty contaminents (including chlorine taste & odor, heavy metals, organic impurities, and pesticides) and leaves nothing but pure, clean, sparkling water that tastes delicious!

I plan on writing a detailed post (if this one goes over well) about how unhealthy most city water is and why you need to filter it later. For now, purchase a MAVEA here. Also, go ahead and grab some filters while you're at it because one lasts about 2-2 1/2 months, depending on use.

This next one is obviously a given, but freaking exercise a little every day, and you will feel at least 50% better by the end of the week (I promise). The internet allows us so many other ways to exercise than just going to the gym. In fact, there are TONS of free ways to work out using tutorials and videos from the internet. Pinterest and Youtube are two of the best resources for working out that money can buy, and both are free. On pinterest, browse the Health & Fitness section and see if you're not super inspired and ready to go to the living room (or any large, open space suitable for working out) and kick some butt. Here are a few workouts (found on Pinterest) to get you started.

3 Minute Arm Workout

Five Minute Ab Workout

Workouts mentioned above only require 5-10 minutes at the most, so no excuses!

Now for the second resource: YouTube. Below you will find two of my favorite videos for a low impact workout (easy on the knees)- one for core and the other for legs. 

Low Impact Lower Body and Core Tabata Workout:

Quick 10 Minute Core Workout- Pain in My Abs!

Do you like posts on Fitness & Working Out, including but not limited to healthy eating, exercises, detox drinks, post workout snacks? Which was your favorite workout?

 Comment below to let me know :)

&& as always, thank you for reading!

Natural Beauty

A recent trip to Barnes & Noble inspired the inner frugal fanatic inside me when I stumbled upon the book 1001 Natural Remedies by Laurel Vukovic and the editors of Natural Health Magazine. 

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This 192 page book is packed with tons of helpful remedies including but not limited to remedies for every skin and hair type, blemishes, arthritis, insomnia, high blood pressure, eye puffiness, natural cleaning, and even some DIY pet care ideas. The entire book is interesting and left me wanting to read more from Natural Health Magazine, but today I am highlighting skin and hair remedies + a few lifestyle remedies like anxiety (because sometimes everyone has it) and insomnia. Keep in mind that some of these ingredients are a little strange and can only be found at health food stores like Whole Foods.
First, I want to talk about skin; not one particular skin type but some remedies everyone can benefit from. The book mentions 4 nutrients essential for healthy skin, which are Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, and Omega-3 fatty acids. And did you know milk, yogurt, and vegetable glycerin make excellent natural face cleaners? Don’t waste your money on harsh astringents and toners anymore- you can use witch hazel or peppermint as a natural astringent and for toning, rose water, chamomile, aloe, and lavender work (#293). Cocoa butter is a natural moisturizer you might be familiar with; it is especially good for dry skin. Here are a few recipes to try:

Honey Mask ( Good for blemished skin) #368: “Raw, unprocessed honey is excellent for oily, blemished skin because of its antibacterial properties and its ability to moisturize the skin without making it oily. Cosmetic clay absorbs excess oil from the skin and draws toxins out of the skin. Lavender essential oil calms and soothes skin inflammation and helps heal blemishes.”

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons raw unprocessed honey, 1 teaspoon cosmetic clay, and 2 drops lavender essential oil.

Directions:

Combine; mix into a thin paste. Spread over clean, damp skin. Remove after 15 minutes with warm water

#331: Simple Yogurt Cleanser

Ingredients:

1 tablespoon plain low-fat yogurt, 1 teaspoon lemon juice, and 1 drop rosemary essential oil

Directions:

Mix ingredients. Dampen face with warm water and apply with fingertips. Massage onto skin for 60 seconds. Rinse with warm water to remove.

Eye Puffiness:

Create a tea compress by applying cold, wet, black tea bags on closed eyelids for 10 minutes. According to the book, black tea contains tannins, which shrink swollen tissues.

Sometimes we need a manicure without going to the nail salon. I can’t help with nail painting, however, I do have a remedy for super dry hands #422: Add five drops of lavender essential oil and 1 teaspoon almond oil to warm water and soak hands for 10 minutes. That’s it, easy huh?

Next, we are moving onto hair. I must confess lately my hair has been falling out a good bit and it is starting to make me worry, but I looked it up and it’s fairly common in women my age and older. It’s all part of getting old I guess. During my research, I also learned that stress makes it worse. (Ah, it all makes sense now) So, I blame stress. Anyways back to the remedies, onto hair; who knew diet had something to do with the condition of your locks? Well, it totally does. In fact, according to this book, eating carrots, whole grains, seafood, nuts, dried fruits, dark leafy greens, and other yellow and orange vegetables, all benefit from the scalp to the root. Another thing I have learned, courtesy of this book, is that there is an important step between shampooing and conditioning most people do not know about. It’s like an evil hair secret that your hairstylist neglects to mention…HAIR RINSE, which brings me to #465: “An herbal hair rinse removes shampoo residue, helps restore health pH balance to the scalp, and brings out the natural highlights in your hair.” Sounds important to me, what about you?

A herbal shampoo is essential when making your own natural beauty products, which brings me to #s 470 and 471:

#470: Herbal shampoo for dark hair

Ingredients:

½ cup water, 1 teaspoon dried lavender, 1 teaspoon dried rosemary, 1/2 teaspoon whole cloves, and 2 tablespoons unscented natural shampoo.

Directions:

Bring the water and herbs to a boil in a small covered pot. Remove from heat and let mixture step for 30 minutes. Strain and pour into a clean bottle. Add unscented shampoo and shake well. Use within one week or refrigerate for use up to a month.

#471:Herbal shampoo for blonde hair

Ingredients:

½ cup water

1 teaspoon dried calendula

1 teaspoon chamomile

1 teaspoon chopped lemon peel

Directions:

Bring the water and herbs to a boil in a small covered pot. Remove from heat and let mixture step for 30 minutes. Strain and pour into a clean bottle. Add unscented shampoo and shake well. Use within one week or refrigerate for use up to a month.

#26: Sip Passionflower tea: “Passionflower and chamomile make a gentle tea for restful sleep.”

Ingredients:

1 cup boiling water

1 teaspoon dried passionflower

1 teaspoon dried chamomile

Directions:

Pour the water over the herbs, cover, and steep for 10 minutes. Strain and drink 30 minutes before bed.

The last remedy that I am going to mention is one for anxiety because I know how unfair it is to want to do things but to be to anxious or have way too much anxiety to actually do them. If you’ve never experienced anxiety, consider yourself lucky, and concentrate more on the beauty remedies above. This is for people who suffer from anxiety.

#13: Lavender Inhaler: “To relieve stress and anxiety place a drop of lavender essential oil on to a handkerchief or tissue, and inhale as often as desired.”

Which is your favorite remedy? Would you like more posts on natural remedies? Let me know in the comments!