3 Ways to Detox Your Mind and Body This Fall

Ok folks,

Summer is over! It’s time to get ready for Winter! While lots of people spend Spring cleaning and getting their summer bod ready, we often forget to get our winter bod ready! Summer can be a crazy exciting time. You may spend your nights drinking at the beach, or traveling to new places. Bottom line, we have lots of fun over summer, and during all that fun we can sometimes pick up toxins, even when we are being healthy.  I’ve created 3 little things to help get you ready for hibernation mode this winter! 

Cupping 

There are many ways to perform cupping. Some people use glass cups that leave big red circles, however I like to be simple and use cups like these they don’t leave super harsh marks on the skin. The way I like to cup is to first make an oil blend. 

Oil Recipe:

• 2 Tablespoons of Coconut Oil

• 2 drops Frankincense Essential Oil

• 1 drop Cypress Essential Oil

If you are cupping yourself, you will have a limited reach on your back, it is best to find a partner and take turns cupping one another!

When I cup I use movement in my practice, this is called dynamic cupping.

You create a suction with the cup and then drag it across the oiled skin. I usually will allow the cup to stay suctioned for 10-15 seconds at the beginning of placing it, and then 10 minutes at its final resting place after moving it across the body. Make sure to drag towards the lymphatic system, this is the network of organs responsible for ridding your body of toxins.

Juicing 

Drinking fresh juice is a great idea all year round! It physically detoxes your body and when done correctly it can leave you feeling mentally clear. If you don’t own a juicer, I suggest getting yourself an early holiday gift. Look for juicers that are efficient, and easy to clean after use. This can be a hard balance to find, but I recently decided to add this juicer to my kitchen appliances. And, it gets bonus points because it has an ice cream setting for when summer comes back around! 

Anyways, even doing a one day Juice cleanse will give your mind and body some extreme benefits. It kicks your body’s natural detoxification organs into high gear so that they can flush out waste and toxins. 

When doing a juice cleanse, wake up and drink 16 ounces of water right away. 

Throughout the day drink 8 ounces of juice every 2 and a half hours, and plenty of water. While doing any type of cleanse, make sure to avoid alcohol, caffeine, and processed foods the day before and day after you finish your cleanse. I recommend eating only soups the day before and after, as they are easy for the body to digest. 

When on a juice cleanse, your body is able to absorb enzymes easier, allowing them to attack pollutants, waste and bad bacteria. After a cleanse of any length you’ll be feeling great! Heck, even skipping breakfast every day, and subbing it for a juice may very well leave you feeling more energized mid-day. It should be noted that everyone is different and you should listen to your body’s specific needs.

Here is a great juice recipe, that actually help diminish the red marks left from cupping! The cabbage and lemon in this recipe is what really helps reduce the red hicky-like marks. You can also juice straight cabbage and lemon and apply it to the red circles.  I’m not a huge fan of trader joes, but I do buy the organic cabbage bag from there and juice the entre thing!

Recipe:

• 8 ounces of red and green cabbage. 

• 1 large celery stick

• ¼ of a lemon

• 4 small red apples

• 3-4 huge handfuls of mixed greens

Deep Meditation Breathing

If you’ve had a summer that was go-go-go then it’s time you quiet your mind!  And even if your summer was mostly relaxing, this last step will really help you detox your mind. Have you heard of Wim Hof? If not look him up! One of his pillars to health and success is proper breathing. He uses breath to cultivate energy, reduce stress, and create “an augmented immune response that swiftly deals with pathogens.”  Crazy?!?! Yet, Possible! When you inhale oxygen, it promotes the creation of white blood cells and helps the body absorb nutrients, minerals, and vitamins more effectively. In mediation and yoga, you often hear people say, inhale the good, exhale the bad. Why? Well we just mentioned all the good that comes from the inhale, and when you exhale your eliminating waste in the form of carbon dioxide. When you inhale and exhale deeply you’re able to take in more of the good stuff, and exhale more of the bad! This allows a deep elimination of the waste in your body and tends to have an overall detox effect of all of the bodies organs. 

When breathing deeply I like to set the mood. How? Well living in Southern California, I want to be in a space that isn’t filled with dry air so I use a humidifier. I also like to fill the room with a fragrant blend of essential oils. You can do this through a diffusor, or if you’re smart, you can kill two birds with one stone and get a Humidifier that also acts as an Essential Oil Diffusor like this one! Dim the lights, or shut them off completely, maybe light a candle, get warm, if you’re like me that means wearing a furry pink mouse onesie, and start to breathe. 

When breathing, either lay down flat on your back in Savasana (corpse pose), or find a comfortable seated position up straight with good posture.  I like to place a pillow just under the edge of my bum when choosing to sit crisscross or in Lotus. Next Breathe.

1.   Breathe in through the nose for 5 counts, make sure your lungs and belly expand outward. 

2.  Hold for 5-7 counts.

3.  Exhale through the mouth for 8 counts. Don’t be afraid to make some noise on the exhale! You’ll notice your lungs and belly shrink down and get smaller.

4. Repeat for at least 5 breaths, but if you are feeling it, go as long as you are able, or feel free to switch to rhythmic breathing. 

Here are two great Essential Oil Blends to fill the room at night and during day. If you don’t have every single essential oil, don’t worry you can always skip it! 

A.M. Blend

• 2 drop Lemongrass

• 2 drop Peppermint 

• 1 drop Lemon

• 1 drop Sage

P.M. Blend

• 2 drop Lavender 

• 2 drop Ylang Ylang 

• 1 drop Rose Geranium 

• 1 drop Rosemary 

Make living simple, healthy, and easy make sure to check out these awesome tools, the juicer and dehumidifier/essential oil diffuser are especially awesome! Finding tools that work into your life is key to reducing stress. And when you’re detoxing your mind and body, the last thing you need is stress! When you live a simple and healthy life, you raise your vibration and start living a more Zen life.

As a Special gift to you, for a limited time you can use this discount code for the Juicer and/or Humidifier. These are Tenergy products available on Amazon.

CODE: “Spirited15”

Valid 09/18/2018 - 10/03/2018

How I Use My CBD Oil

Today we get to talk about CBD! 

The wonderful thing about CBD Hemp Oil is that more people are finding ways to use it uniquely! It’s best known for relieving pain and anxiety. CBD oil has been used with pets, kids, and even us adults. I use CBD oil in two ways.

The first reason is pretty normal, I use it for joint pain relief. I get knee pain every now and then, so when I wake up in the morning I take about three fourths of a dropper and squirt it under my tongue. I let it sit there for about a minute and chase it down with some water. I suggest to take CBD oil away from food just so it can absorb into the body better.

The second way I like to use the oil is actually as a face serum! The antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties of CBD oil can make a world of difference when applied to the skin. I use a few drops on my face in the morning before I apply lotion and sunscreen. CBD also has antibacterial properties which can help fight the development of acne, so if you are experiencing breakouts, this could help!

The CBD oil I’ve been using lately is made with MCT oil so you get a double whammy of goodness! MCT oil is great for brain function, hormone balance, and so much more! The MCT oil also makes the CBD oil much lighter than some other brands I have tried. Often times I come across CBD oils that are a very dark green, the one I’ve been using lately is super light and feels amazing on my skin. CBD Bio Naturals is the amazing brand I've been using lately. They sent me some to try, and now I'm hooked! 

Stay Healthy,

Nikki 

Earth Derived Sunscreen: Atmosphere

Hey folks,

If you know me, you know I’m always avoiding toxins. I’m also a pasty Viking girl, so sunscreen on sunny days is a must! Most sunscreens now a days are filled with toxins, synthetics, chemical, and other gunk.  About 8 years ago I started shying away from conventional sunscreens and made my own at home.  I started using a mix of coconut oil, carrot seed oil, and red raspberry seed oil. That last oil is extremely expensive though! I didn’t start exploring mixing zinc into sunscreen until this last summer. And wow! The protection level just amplifies! While making sunscreen yourself can be fun, it can also be pricy if you’re not buying things in bulk. I did find a sunscreen by Luna + Quartz that mixes some of my favorite natural sun protecting ingredients into one magic bottle.

This sunscreen also has Aloe Vera in it which it great for soothing your skin even after a little time in the sun! See the full ingredients with directions below.

Ingredients: Sweet almond oil, Coconut oil, Shea butter, Aloe Vera, Red Raspberry Seed Oil, Carrot Seed Oil, and Rosewood Essential Oil Blend, and Zinc Oxide.

How to use: Apply liberally 15 minutes before going out into the sun. Atmosphere can also be added to foundation to help make a creamy base and protection throughout the day. Reapply every couple of hours if you are out in direct sunlight, swimming, or sweating.

If you’re looking for a great natural based sunscreen and you don’t want to make it yourself I’d suggest checking out Luna and Quartz.

Good vibes everyone,

Nikki

The Healer: My achy body's new friend

Hey Lovelies,

Over the last year, I’ve become very fond of salves. If you are unfamiliar with salves, they're usually a solid blend of different oils that have healing benefits of some sort. Some people describe them as body balms. I've used a few different types of products like this, but I recently found one with a very unique quality. It is infused with the power of a mineral called Aventurine! Of course, this crystal magic comes from Luna + Quartz! As a hippie child, I totally fell in love with this Salve.

I wanted to take a moment to go through each ingredient in this salve so you can see if it’s something you’ll be putting on your Christmas list this year. 

Lavender

The lavender is incorporated into this balm in two ways. First, by being infused into the hemp oil and second as an Essential oil. Lavender Essential Oil is extremely healing when it comes to cuts and burns on the skin. It is best known for being extremely calming for ones mental state.  When it’s infused with hemp oil, it gives the oil an antiseptic and soothing enhancement!

Hemp Oil

Let me first note that hemp seed oil DOES NOT contain the psychoactive substance THC, so it’s totally safe for everyone to use! People often use this oil to treat eczema, acne and even psoriasis. This is because the oil has such a high amount of essential fatty acids. It contains all of the known 21 amino acids and has the optimum balanced ration of 3:1 for Omega 6 to Omega 3 essential fatty acids. It’s also loaded with antioxidants, carotene, sulfur, potassium, iron, zinc, calcium, magnesium and more. Because of this amazingness, it is an anti-ager, extreme moisturizer, and even acts of an anti-inflammatory for the skin relieving irritation.

Aventurine

This is the mineral I mentioned above! It is also infused into the hemp oil. One of my favorite healing properties of this stone is the protection against environmental pollutions. This stone is also known to promote feelings of well-being and health. It regulates blood pressure, halts migraines, improves circulation, heals congestion and more. Its known for evoking prosperity, calmness, balance, imagination, a sense of balance, and creativity.

Arnica Oil

This powerful anti-inflammatory, and pain reliever is perfect for achy joints. It is also said to be a natural remedy for carpool tunnel. It also soothes muscles pain, so if you ever overdo it at the gym, this is a great substance to apply! It is most commonly used to treat back, neck, and shoulder pain. It also relives bruising!

Beeswax

This is often sued in salves to keep them firm. But beeswax actually has some great qualities for your skin as well.  For example, it is super rich in Vitamin A and can soothe temporary itchiness. It is also a Humectant, meaning it attracts water to your skin, helping your skin stay hydrated! Beeswax also provides a natural protective barrier that holds moisture in and keeps environmental attacks away. Because of this it really helps reduce dryness!

Cannabis Oil

Like Hemp oil, this ingredient holds lots of antioxidants and can sooth inflammation on the skin. If you have a rash, acne, eczema, or another skin irritation this oil could be just what you need! It’s an anti-ager and helps boosts your skins protective shield which will make your skin glow! Don't let the word cannabis freak you out, you won't be feeling any strange effects. 

When you mix all these ingredients together and place them in glass jar, you get The Healer! My knee has been super inflamed lately with it being winter and my diet being filled with more inflammatory foods than normal, and this balm has totally been helping me out! 

Stay healthy,

Nikki

Chill Out and Take a Bath

Hey folks,

I’ve been adulting for a few years now, and sometimes it can get a little crazy. Especially when you're building your own business, working to build other people’s businesses and all the other things that go along with your 20’s. Health insurance and student loans are two issues that always seem to get at me. It’s funny that getting health insurance would be one of the things that stresses me out, because stress is not good for your health! With all these little built up issues sometimes we just need to chill out! And I know a lot of us out there will preach about exercise, mediation, yoga, or really any kind of activity that can help you reduce stress in life. But honestly, when I’m super stressed, mediating becomes almost impossible, especially if I’m attempting to do it on my own without a guide. While yoga totally helps me clear my mind, sometimes all the emotional stress is met with being physically exhausted. When this happens, there is only one thing I can advise...

TAKE A BATH.

That’s right stop trying to think about ways to calm your mind and stop feeling all the stress. If you really have things you need to think about, think about them in a bath! If you're physically drained and feeling mental stress…. There is only one thing to do. Soak in the tub! However, I have some advice on how to make your bath even more relaxing.

Look for these items in a Bath Soak Mix

 

Soak in something that has the calming effect of Lavender in it.

 

Add Epsom Salt, it pulls out toxins and leaves the skin feeling lovely.

And why stop there now that we’re talking about skin!

Argan Oil

If you are really looking to hydrate your skin anything with Argan oil will work wonders! It is known to treat rashes, bug bites, and even skin infections. It is an all-natural moisturizer and it is super healing with antioxidants, Omega 6 fatty acids, and vitamin A & E.

Rosehip Oil

Rosehip oil is also an amazing ingredient, especially if you find yourself in the sun a lot. The antioxidants found in this oil can combat the effects of UV damage combat free radicals.

I’ve found an amazing cosmic brand that makes a perfect mix of these items!

Try the Beauty Bath Soak from Luna + Quartz

Get your Bath on lovelies!

~Nikki

Is Yoga Enough? the age old question...

I got a text from an old friend a few days ago:

“I have a question for you-- I always admired how you're so fit and I know you do a lot of yoga.
Until recently I was trying to do a lot of running but I feel like it's just not effective and it's hard on the body so I wanna get back into yoga.

Can you tell me if just doing yoga is enough for exercise or do you do other types of workouts as well?”

Here is my response:

Simply put:

Yoga = Longevity of the Body  

Exercise = A Fit, Tone, Body

Of course, it’s more complicated than that, and everyone is different. It all depends on one’s personal fitness goals, starting point, age, gender, diet, and genetics.

Yoga will give you longevity, not necessarily a body that belongs in a fitness magazine. People who are on the thicker side are still able to be great yogis! If you are aiming for weight loss you should know that you can be super flexible but if you are doing traditional yoga you most likely won’t be burning enough calories to shed all of the unwanted weight. Getting rid of extra fatty areas is about diet and doing workouts that tone the specific areas. And wile there is nothing wrong with being thick and flexy, some people have different goals.

Benefits of yoga include becoming flexible, building endurance, controlling your breath, checking in with your body and mind, and finding stillness. You gain longevity from yoga because it keeps you flexible, creates good posture and in turn helps you to perform daily tasks as you age. It also keeps the muscles lean.

Running however is extremely hard on the body, if you can run in sand or grass that is best, AVOID pavement. Running on an elliptical is a great way to get your daily cardio (which will help shed pounds) without harsh impact. However, H.I.T classes are also a great way to get in a really great workout, they are usually short 30 minutes classes, they get you sweating fast! To burn the same amount calories running, it would take a long distance which will eat up more of your day. Personally, running is hard on my knees, and it is a last resort type of workout. While you don't want to make H.I.T. classes your only source of working out over a long period of time, they are a great way to jump start your fitness program and incorporate them a few times a week. 

If you want to get fit and tone, bottom line is you have to workout. You don’t need to spend hours at the gym, just 30-60 minutes a day, 4-7 days a week, and you need good eating habits.  Some pretty standard tips you’ll get from almost anyone include: Making sure you drink plenty of water throughout the day to flush out built up toxins in your body, lay off sugary & processed foods, and lower your alcohol intake.

Most of us women don’t want to look totally ripped, just toned, using low impact resistance bands will help you tone the body without getting bulky. Throughout the week, the right mix of H.I.T. classes, the elliptical, yoga, and booty workouts is my personal favorite way to stay in my desired shape.

Eating habits are key! It’s important that you don't eat food that reacts poorly with your body. Eating REAL food is always best, nothing processed, and in my opinion organic is always best. When you go to the grocery store, avoid the middle aisles of the store! I’ve tried lots of different eating habits. Paleo gave me the best results. Currently I am mostly a vegan, but sometimes my body does crave red meat, but I am always careful where I find it. My suggestion for you, find what works and allow it to evolve as you grow.
Like for me, I know processed bread will make me feel and look bloated, so I stay clear of it, I am basically gluten free. That's what my genetics demand for me to stay fit, not everyone is the same.

It's tricky, but once you find your right diet that will take you farther than any workout!

You don’t have to do “Yoga” to have longevity in your body. Yoga is traditionally a practice that involves the mind and body. It is not meant to only activate the body, it is a meditative practice. You don’t have to exercise and do yoga daily. However, you should always stretch after a workout! If you let your body get tight, moving will become difficult because your fascia will not be loose.   In the long run, this will affect your overall health, and could make you more prone to injury. Foam and ball rolling is also a great compliment to your workouts and keep your fascia from getting tight. When your fascia gets to tense it can limit your mobility, which is no good! 

For more info and tips follow my personal Instagram for daily Fit and Wellness inspiration! 

Natural Homemade Blue Shampoo that Really works!

Getting away from toxic products can be hard for lots of us. Especially when products that contain these toxins and synthetics, are in products we use daily! 

These days Shampoos, even natural ones, are filled with chemicals. Conventional shampoo also strips your hair of healthy oils that your body naturally produces to protect your hair and keep it soft. Your hair starts to become dependent on shampoo, because of this, it starts producing more oil than is needed.  When you first start using a natural homemade shampoo, created without chemicals, your hair may go through a transition period. This is a period of time where your hair may over produce oil as it adjusts to not having it stripped daily. Don’t worry, give it a week or two, your hair will even out. This is a recipe I've created and love! The base recipe will get you started, I added honey and Tea Tree Essential oil, because I wanted to enhance highlights and keep my scalp moisturized. 

 Shampoo Ingredients: 

• ¼ cup Makes 3 Organics Lavender Orange Castile Liquid Soap
• ¼ cup Canned Coconut Milk
• ½ tablespoon of Backing Soda
• ½ teaspoon Avocado Oil
• 5 drops Rosemary Essential Oil
• 10 drops of Moroccan Blue Chamomile Essential Oil
• 10 drops of your choice of Essential Oils that fit your needs! (See below)
• Optional Sage or Honey.

Directions:

Add Liquid Soap to mixing bowl and whisk in the backing soda. Add coconut Milk and Avocado Oil. Then add essential oil. Mix well with whisky. Pour into a container. We found that when using a foaming dispenser, the shampoo lathers better in hair. You can reuse one of your Liquid Soap containers from Makes 3 Organics, or buy one online! I decided to store our finished product in the fridge so it would last longer, however if you make it in small batches and wash your hair daily, cool storage may not be necessary.

Directions for use:

Lather hair for 1-2 minutes with focus on the scalp, let it for 3 minutes and rinse.  You may rinse with Apple Cider Vinegar to lock in moisture, or use a homemade conditioner! This mixture may seprate between uses, so just give it a little shake!

 

Additional Essential Oils & Ingredients:

Cypress Essential Oil is good for hair growth because it increases blood circulation and capillary strength.  

Lemon Essential Oil will help treating dandruff, but be aware that it is photoxic, so avoid leaving it on your scalp if you will being going directly out in the sun.

Tea Tree Essential Oil moisturizes the scalp and relieves itching and drying, it will help you control your dandruff. This oil is a mild sensitizer, so always do a spot test on your skin first.  

Cedarwood Essential Oil treatment of hair loss and for dandruff control

Honey can be added to enhance your highlights.

Ground Sage Leaves can be added to darken your hair.

Benefits of Ingredients:

Makes 3 Organics Orange Lavender Castile Liquid Soap acts as a cleaning agent, and also has a beautiful scent! It also has Lavender Essential Oil in it. This oil is a powerful moisturizer, antimicrobial and antiseptic. When the oil is massaged into the scalp, it improves blood circulation, prevents dandruff, promotes hair growth and can even help prevent hair loss.

Coconut Milk is loaded with vitamins such as niacin, folate, and vitamin E. It also contains healthy fats that fight damaged hair and deeply condition your hair. It can stimulate hair growth and increase blood circulation to the scalp.  When choosing a Coconut Milk, make sure to find one that doesn’t have added preservatives or sugars. Ideally, you’d like it to just be Coconut Milk and maybe water. You can always make your own at home!

Avocado Oil has a super high content of monounsaturated fatty acids which is one huge reason it is good for your hair and will stimulate hair growth. It will help heal damaged hair, dry hair, and will strengthen and nourish your hair. It has high levels of phytosterols, antioxidants such as vitamin E and when these are absorbed into the shafts of the hair it acts as a very effective hair moisturizer and protector from environmental stressors.

 Rosemary Essential Oil will prevent thinning of the hair and can even prevent graying hair, it is loaded with antioxidants and will increase blood circulation to the scalp which stimulates hair follicles for healthy growth.  If you have an itchy scalp, dandruff, or super oils hair, this oil will relief these symptoms because it controls sebum production.

Chamomile Essential Oil will stimulate hair growth and give it a beautiful golden shine. It is known for its anti-inflammatory properties and helping to eliminate psoriasis, dermatitis, and dandruff. If you have an itchy scalp it can also relief the itch.

Baking Soda is a natural cleaner that will help keep your hair fresh!

Let me know how this works for you! All hair types are a little different and amazingly unique! 

If you'd like to read more of my DIY's about hair, check out the links below to see the other blogs I've created for Makes 3 Organics. 

Herbal Conditioner Rinse

California Deep Relief Conditioner

Tropical Rejuvenating Leave-in Conditioner

Wishing you all the Love,

Nikki

My Master Cleanse Diary

This Blog post serves as my "Live Diary" experience of the Master Cleanse. If you've come across this and you are interested in doing the Master Cleanse, please allow my record of these days to help serve and prepare you. I'll be updating this daily as I progress, until its end. I'll start by admitting I'm not sure exactly how long I'll be able to do the cleanse, but my goal is 5 days. I'd like to do 14, as I've been told you really feel the effects of the cleans, physically, mentally, and spiritually, after that amount of time. But, I'm also a food monster! Along with the fact I have an upcoming trip, and flying on an empty stomach doesn't sound fun!  

Why do The Cleanse?

Let me start by saying I am not into the idea of fasting to lose weight. And technically, the Master Cleanse is not a fast, because you still consume proper nutrients through the liquid drink to nourish your body! Still, you're not eating solids during the cleanse, and I love solid foods... chocolate, cookies, tacos....

The purpose of the Master Cleanse for me, will be about getting rid of toxins, that I'm sure I've picked up after a summer of traveling, and to elevate my spirituality. I have been noticing energy blocks the last few weeks in my daily routine. The cleanse builds willpower and discipline. Two things I'd like to be more present in my life. 

The great thing about the Master Cleanse is that it's super affordable. You don't have to spend a bunch of money on Detox pills and teas. You don't have to buy fruits and vegetables to juice every single day (really just one Ease-Out Day). All you need is some Cayenne pepper, Maple syrup (the most expensive part), and lemons. And if you live in a a place like southern California, you can find lemon trees around your neighborhood. 

The Ease-in Days

Doing the Ease-in days can help prepare your mind and body for the days to come. I've decided to do every step to this, because honestly, I eat a lot normally. I live a fairly active lifestyle and when I don't eat I get Hangry! For Real.

 

T-minus 4 Days Until Cleanse

The Raw Day. Today it is suggested you eat only Raw food. Cut out the meat, dairy, and processed foods, sounds like my regular eating habits.... Try to stick to only the good stuff. I eat a fairly healthy diet on a regular basis, so I really focused on eating less food today. Everything I eat is 100% Organic, and I'm lucky to have a café next to my work that serves an all organic menu. I kind of cheated on the Raw suggestion, but I think what I had will be ok. Breakfast: 2 eggs. Lunch: mango smoothie and a piece of gluten-free organic almond bread. For dinner: a hearty soup and one egg. Snacks: some olives, a few dates, a small pice of chocolate, and a glass of OJ. And I took my nightly vitamins. 

I also used this day to mentally prep for the coming days. I made a list of things I can do each day to keep myself busy. While I'm still sane, and my belly has something in it, I figured it would be a good idea to write down all the things I wish to accomplish while on this cleanse. I also used today to go grocery shopping for everything I would need the next week while on the cleanse. Now I have no reason to go to the grocery store! 

 

T-minus 3 Days until Cleanse 

Today is fruits and veggies day! I tried to sleep as long a possible today. I stayed in bed and tried to think of what I would have for breakfast. While I thought about it, I decided to initiate an old daily habit of mine, oil pulling. 

I decided on a banana with cinnamon sprinkled on it, along with a seasoned avocado.  

I had a mid day meal which was just straight watermelon. It was very filling! I also had a few dates as a snack. For lunch I had seasoned steamed veggies: broccoli, red onions, garlic, red peppers, and carrots. For dinner I had potato soup. Another item that I snacked on throughout the day were some red organic strawberries! 

I also experienced some neck pain throughout the day. I decided to make a mixture to help alleviate some of inflammation and pain. I heated almond milk and added turmeric, cinnamon, high quality ashwagandha, and maple syrup. It was delicious! I also placed a warm ash cloth on it for about 10 minutes. 

With the neck pain, I decided to do some research to see if it could be apart of the energy block I was having. Lately, I have also been feeling like every time I open my mouth to speak, my true voice is unable to come out. I've never had a problem with this before.

After doing some exploring I've come to the conclusion that I may have some energy blocks in my Throat Chakra. One thing they say can help clear it, is incorporating the color blue into your daily life. The funny thing is, blue is my favorite color, but the last few moths I have not surrounded myself with it, and have actually avoided it. Could this all be linked to the blockage?  

 

T minus 2 Days Until Cleanse 

Today is Liquid day. Juice, smoothies, soups and broths. That's all for me! Luckily I'm going to make some killer juices today, so my tastebuds shouldn't be bored.

Organic Breakfast Juice

Carrot, Cucumber, Celery, Apple, Red Beet, Lemon.

Veggie Broth

Had 2 cups!

Organic Juice #2

Apple Juice, Banana, Blueberry, Strawberries, Orange, Blackberry, Lemon, Chia seeds.

Organic Juice #3

Celery, Cucumber, Spinach, Romain Lettuce, Kale, Lemon, Parsley. 

Side note: This one didn't taste very good.

Organic Juice #4

Water, Apple Cider Vinegar, Hibiscus, Coconut Nectar, and Lemon.

Turquoise Malas with Throat Chakra Amulet

Wore these throughout the day to help balance my Throat Chakra.  

Organic Juice #5

Apple Juice, Celery, Cucumber, Kale, Collard Greens, Peppermint Tea, Spinach.

I woke up very early today. I started my day by drinking some water and doing a morning ritual.  

I lit candles, breathed in chamomile oil and allowed my mind to calm.  

I drank a ton of water and juice throughout the day. I also noticed around noon that my neck pain had completely disappeared! I was pretty impressed because the day before, it was so bad I couldn't look to my right, at all!

Drinking all of the juice made me wish I was just doing a Juice Cleanse. That way, I could have the joy of mixing up the liquid goodness with different flavors. 

I almost went to eat a few carrots today, but as I reached for them I caught myself. I get rid of all the food that doesn't go in the fridge, however I'm sharing the fridge, so I couldn't really take everything out of there. 

I won't lie, I felt constantly hungry... I noticed myself wanting to chew. I think this is linked to the enzymes and acids that are released when you chew. Chewing also releases serotonin into your system. So I would fill my mouth up with juice and pretend to chew! Maybe it made me feel more full, maybe certain juices just filled me up more than others. 

T minus 1 Day until Cleanse 

The Orange Juice Day! I do love me some OJ! Something I noticed today and yesterday is that when you are only drinking juice, and not chewing anything, your teeth don't feel clean. I've brushed way more than twice today because it feels like a film is over them. 

Today I drank a liter of OJ, lots of water and a couple glasses of tea (see photos for examples of what kind).

Tonight is the night that I start drinking the Laxative Tea before bed, this will be constant now until the cleanse is done. In the morning I will do the Sea salt flush!

The Cleanse Begins!

Day 1 of the Cleanse

The first day of the Master Cleanse is suppose to be easy. Honestly I spent most of the day brushing my teeth. Without chewing food, and just drinking the lemon mixture, your teeth start to feel gritty. I drank the salt cleanse in the morning. However, I only drank half a quart, it's recommended you drink a full quart. It wasn't the taste that got to me, I just kept imaging I was in the ocean swimming. However, you're suppose to drink it within 5 minutes, and I just don't drink that fast. It still worked, maybe not as good as it normally would, but I felt ok! I only drank 40 ounces of the lemon mixture, about 30 ounces short of what I should have. Throughout the day I went on a few long walks with some puppies. 

How I made the lemon mixture was by hand-juicing 2 small Lemons into 40 ounces of filtered water, pouring a healthy dose of high grade Maple Syrup in (about 3 seconds), and adding the Cayenne Pepper. For me, spicy stuff isn't my thing, so I kept it pretty light.  

At the end of the day I was exhausted by 7pm. I sat in bed with a cup of herbal tea and noticed that it tasted amazing! The same tea I normally add a boat load of honey to in order to enhance sweetness, was like a cupcake in my mouth. As I sipped my tea, I thought about the first full meal I would eat. It would be a cauliflower crusted vegan pizza from a local café in town.  

Day 2 of the Cleanse 

I woke up very early, with some stomach pain. I rubbed my belly with some Peppermint Essential Oil and it went away. If you ever have tummy aches or pains in life, Peppermint Oil is a known cure! I rub it directly on my belly without diluting it, however some recommend putting it in a carrier oil, such as coconut or olive. Peppermint Essential Oil is very strong, so if it is your first time using it, do a small test patch area of your skin. 

My lemon mixture for this day was quit spicier than previously! I feel like I needed the added sustenance. My lips felt the burn, that is for sure! 

Today was a weak day for me, and while I don't exactly have a conventional "job" I still worked until about 3:30pm today. I got home, and really had the itch to do some yoga. Not even a minute into it, my stomach was screaming for food. So I paused, and decided to drink more lemon mixture (at this point I was only at about 50 ounces for the day) and also have one of my teas! (Teas are pictures under T minus 1 Day section.)  I followed the Cleanse's protocol to drink the Laxative tea before bed nightly.

Day 3 of Cleanse

Today I was awoken again by stomach pain. To help soothe the tummy I applied the Peppermint Essential Oil and also took a few sips of a high quality mixture of Activated Charcoal. While this mixture was store bought, I could have easily made it at home. All it contains is, Activated Coconut Charcoal, Lemon, and Maple Syrup. This mix helps flush toxins out of the body and improves elimination.  You can see form the picture that I barely even drank one fourth of it. I didn't need much to help soothe my stomach, but I was very glad I had stocked up on this drink before starting the cleanse. 

I skipped the salt flush this morning. To find a solution to the morning tummy pain, I think. I will be skipping the Laxative Tea at night. I've done it 3 nights so far, and I think the salt flush will work just as well solo in the mourning. 

Some Important advice that I urge you take to heart if you want to try the Master Cleanse: If you're going to Detox, GO ALL THE WAY! What I mean by this, is take the time to cleanse your skin and your mind. Do a mud mask, coffee scrub those legs, try something you've always wanted to in your daily routine. For example, maybe you really want to cut out ALL toxins in your life, there are things you can do to make this happen! You can make your own shampoo, you can dry brush your skin, start oil pulling, and start planning out your diet for when you go off the cleanse! For examples, today I used my homemade coffee scrub recipe in the shower, and it felt amazing! Since you are most likely not going to be hanging out with to many folks while on this cleanse, take the time to try making some things for yourself to better your life. This will help you jump start your way into living a healthier lifestyle when you come off the cleanse. 

Day 4 of Cleanse 

Today I could smell the detox. Normally, I don't really stink, I sweat when I work out, but I don't really stink. So, today it was interesting, the detox stink is much different than a normal stink. But noticing it was awesome, because I knew the toxins were getting pushed out!  

I had to wake up super early today to be on set, we started shooting at 6am, it was rough! But at least when I woke up early today, it didn't go to waste. I'm starting to think waking up early may just be apart of it? If you've ever done this cleanse, would love to know if something like this happened to you!

Today I decided to conquer the fatigue of the Master Cleanse! I've been making sure to drink lots of the mixture, and today I added Spirulina into my cleanse diet. I figured I stayed on course, to the T of the master cleanse, for 3 days. So, I feel I can add in Spirulina. Let me explain why this is ok, and how it will actually be beneficial. This superfood is the world’s highest known source of complete protein. This makes it great to drink after a yoga flow or slight workout so that my muscles get some protein! It is also a gentle detoxing agent of heavy metals, so it will help with the Master Cleanse!  It also boosts your energy and boosts your immune system! Some people I see while I work have been catching colds, and I want no part of that!  For my Spirulina mixture I took 2 cups of water, 1 teaspoon of Spirulina, and 1 tablespoon of Maple Syrup. It was delicious! And it's normally hard for me to get Spirulina down, unless it's in a smoothie. But Maple Syrup is truly my savior! If you want, you could mix a bit of your Master Cleanse Lemon Mix in with it! I poured just a tad in to add a little lemon. 

Final Day of the Cleanse! 

Well I made my goal! I will not lie, I don’t feel hungry at all today. However, because I know it’s my last day, I can’t help but want to start my ease-out faze early. The day was a breeze, but the night, I was craving something hot, and kept thinking about how good it would taste to have some soup, but I resisted, knowing that tomorrow I could have all the soup I wanted! 

Today I'd also like to share a little bit of info about my salt flush. For most days I decided to do a mix of half sea salt and half pink Himalayan salt. This is because if I'm going through the torture of drinking salty water, I want to make sure I'm getting good minerals. While Sea salt usually does contain a few good minerals, it always depends on where it is harvested. Sometime sea salt can contain pollutants if harvest in icky areas. Pink Himalayan salt however, does always contain minerals, and there are more that can be found compared to Sea Salt. 

The Ease-Out

I'm told that the Ease-out phase of the cleanse is the. most important. I've heard awful stories from friends in regards to the not taking these days seriously and the awful effects that happened when jumping straight to food. Let's just say, if you are getting off the Master Cleanse you will not wan to go out to a public place or group gathering to have your first meal, thinks could get embracing, and tummy aches are possible. With that being said, I'm not risking any discomfort. It is suggested that the Ease-Out days are exactly as the Ease-In day, just in reverse. You can skip the purely OJ day on this! 

Ease-Out Day 1

Juice and soup today! I woke and had a lemon ginger juice! Strange that I still wanted lemon after 5 days of the lemon water mixture. For lunch, I had Organic French Onion soup, in my mind, I thought it was going to be delicious, but I realized it wasn't the best choice, with no croutons it just wasn't great. I reverted back to juice the rest of the day. Luckily for me I have a great Juice place nearby and it saved me the hassle of juicing. 

In the green, we have The Mermaid: E3 live, spirulina, cucumber, spinach, green apple, mint, parsley, and lime. 

The orange is Little Miss Sunshine: grapefruit, orange, carrots, ginger, and mint!

Having flavors back in my life is amazing! And I don't feel hungry at all. After knowing I can go 5 days without drinking anything but that lemon mixture, water, and herbal tea, I feel I can survive anything. It's also imprint to keep drinking lots of water, for these days, and every day of your life.  

 

Ease Out day 2

Just fruits and veggies today! Today was super easy for me, basically my normal diet. Nothing processed, so no bread, and no grains. I ate pretty lightly, just a smoothie, soups, and some melons and carrots as snacks.

Ease Out Day 3

Today it's a good day to eat RAW food, and I don't mean sushi! Sprouted foods, fermented foods, and lots of other good stuff can be eaten on this day! Stay away from animal products.

The Rest of your Life

So After the Master Cleanse, how will you eat? It's really not a bad idea to keep some of these healthy habits with you. Wake up and drink lots of water every morning to jump start your system. This will help your metabolism keep up and will keep you from feeling sluggish. Maybe in the mornings you start your day off with a juice or smoothie instead of cereal, or waffles. 

Check out my Instagram story  to see what fun Health stuff I'm up to! 

Copper Pitcher: Healthy Drinking Water

Hey Folks,

In today’s world, finding drinking water that is pure with a proper pH balance is harder than ever. I’ve been drinking out of a copper pitcher the last few weeks and it has not only made me feel healthier, but it has also elevated my mind. It should be noted that for the water to be beneficial to you, it should be stored in your Copper Pitcher for 8-16 hours.

Health Benefits

Restore pH Balance to the Body

When you store water in your Copper Pitcher it becomes ionic which helps maintain the body’s pH (acid-alkaline) balance.

Kills microorganisms

It’s antimicrobial, which means water containing harmful microbes can be cleansed. Copper is known to be a metal that is very effective at sterilizing substances containing bacteria. It is effective at combatting E.coli, which is a common bacteria found in the environment that can really harm the human body.

Increase Brain Function

Traces of copper can stimulate the brain.  How? Our brain transmits impulses from one neuron to the next through synapses. Neurons are covered by the Myelin Sheath that helps the flow of impulses, the sheath acts as a conductive agent. Copper helps in the synthesis of phospholipids that are needed for the formation of the myelin sheaths. Therefore, enhancing the conductive agent for neurons will make your brain work much faster and more effectively.

Elevate Your Energetic Life Force

If you practice Yoga and/or believe in energy you’ll find this next fact interesting. Drinking out of the copper pitcher will restore balance to the Three Doshas: Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. The doshas are biological energies found within the human body and mind. Balancing the doshas will restore your life force.

The therapeutic water from a copper vessel is called Tamra jal in Sanskrit.

Aid in Digestion

Copper can stimulate the rhythmic contraction and relaxation of the stomach that helps food get digested and move along the digestive tract. It also reduces inflammation and helps detox your stomach.  And yes, it can even help kill bacteria that may be found in your belly or along the digestive track. It can also regulate your liver, kidneys, and help your body get rid of all the bad stuff and absorb more of the good stuff, like nutrients from food!

Weight Loss Aid

Copper helps your body break down and eliminate fat more efficiently. Because of how it helps the digestive system you’ll start to notice your body feeling trimmer. You can drink your copper water early in the morning on an empty stomach and right before bed for the copper water to be most effective.  

Slow Down Signs of Aging

Copper is loaded with antioxidants and other cell forming components. It also fights off free-radicles which is one of the main reasons wrinkles appear. Copper also helps your skin regenerate and produce healthy skin cells to replace dying ones.

Skin Health

Copper is a huge component in your body’s production of melanin, which moderates the color of your eyes, skin and hair in our bodies. Melanin helps you stay safe from sun damage, diminish scars, and having a healthy amount of melanin will also enhance clear skin.

Reduces Inflammation in Joints

Since copper is a very potent anti-inflammatory, it can greatly relive aches and pains due to arthritis and inflamed joints. It is known to strengthen bones.

Combat Anemia

Our body does need certain trace amounts of copper to stay healthy. It helps in the absorption of iron and aids in your body’s regulation of the mineral.

Creating Drinking Water in a Copper Pitcher 

These are just some of the amazing health benefits of storing your water in a Copper Pitcher. You want to make sure when you are looking for a copper pitcher that you find one made of pure copper. I would avoid all sellers from China, India, and Amazon.com. I can recommend a beautifully handcrafted pitcher by Shantiva. It's also important that you let the water sit for a long period of time. It's easiest to fill it before bed, so that it is ready or you to drink in the morning. 

Once you have your pitcher how will you clean it?

I chose to cut a lemon in half and dip one half in Pink Himalayan salt and scrub the outside of the pitcher with the salted lemon. I then take a cloth to polish it. This keeps the pitcher looking nice and clean.

Give the Copper Pitcher a try! Check out their Instagram for more.

Best,

Nikki