The Free Spirited Blonde
At Home
Spring Cleaning: Spiritually and Physically
The time for Spring Cleaning is upon us! In light of spring time, I’d like to take the opportunity to talk about the idea of cleaning and how you can raise your vibration this spring. This blog is centered around living in a clean, simple space, to enhance mental health. It's all about having positive items to bring positive vibes into your home.
The time for Spring Cleaning is upon us! In light of spring time, I’d like to take the opportunity to talk about the idea of cleaning and how you can raise your vibration this spring. This blog is centered around living in a clean, simple space, to enhance mental health. It's all about having positive items to bring positive vibes into your home.
First, I have to talk to you about energy. Every item and every being in this world holds energy. Your clothing, your jewelry, your coffee mug, food, everything. Energy can be picked up by yourself and objects when traveling through this world, and sometimes bad vibes can stick to you like glitter after a rave. Some of us in this world can be sensitive to energy and can tell when there is bad juju in the air. However, others don’t realize they are being affected by this bad energy. When you have, negative energetic forces affecting your life you can become irritable, tired, depressed and can even physically experience pain such as headaches or backaches. This is why it is so important that you choose household items that are associated with GOOD energy.
So, what kind of objects have bad energy?
Often times mass produced objects can attract bad energy. They are created and packaged by a mix of machines and factory workers. These people may be working in an unconfutable environment causing them to project negative vibrations onto the world that can get stuck to your products. Because of this, I avoid buying from places like Walmart. If you think you poses an object that has some negative energy attached to it, you can cleanse it by using Palo Santo or Sage.
Types of objects to look for!
Handcrafted objects made with intention are a great place to start. Another thing I look for when shopping is if the product is eco-friendly. I don’t want anything to be harmed just so I can have an object. I do my best to leave no trace on our Earth, and when it comes to shopping I look for brands that do the same.
When you begin to surround yourself with objects that are filled with love and made with care, your start to feel elevated! Clear out all the junk that is bogging down your space. Your mood will be enhanced, your face will begin to smile, and you’ll start to feel light as a feather.
Below you will find my top suggestion for this Spring to transform your life!
Your Space
When choosing items for your home you want simple clean items that won’t allow your space to become cluttered. Clear out objects you no longer need. Weather this means clearing out your closet, the silverware drawer, or even the fridge, begin do declutter your space so that energy can move freely through your home.
When you bring items into your home that are made with love that object emanates good energy which will radiate throughout your home. Handcrafted items are a great place to look when you want to bring good energy to your home. Often when people hear “handcrafted” they start seeing dollar signs. However, with the internet, there are many vendors from across the globe that we now have accesses to. Often times these handmade items are competitively priced compared to mass produced factory made items.
Crystals are an item you can bring into your home to create a good flow of energy. Different crystals serve different purposes but some of the most common crystals for a home are citrine, amethyst and quartz. When you receive a new crystal, it's always a good idea to cleanse it of past energy, and set a new intention. To do this, place the crystals on either a quartz matrix for 1 day, leave it out in direct sun, or allow salt water to wash over it repeatedly. You should google the specific mineral to see if sunlight or water will transform it in a negative way.
It is important to remember, that as a consumer, every product you buy is a vote. The real voting of America is not made only at the polls, it is made in everyday purchases. Do you hate that people are cutting trees down? Well you can buy from a brand that creates products out of sustainable wood, yes it may be slightly costlier, but you are putting money back into your fellow community member’s pockets, not a cooperation.
Here are a few items I’ve brought into my sacred space this spring to enhance the energy in my home.
Eternal Returns
This Beautiful handcrafted table was created by Eternal Returns, a brand based out of Tennessee. They provide customers with 100% sustainable lumber. What does that mean? The lumber is sourced from fallen trees or from trees that have already been cut down due to construction reasons. All of their products are 100% ethically produced and sustainably made.
Bringing a piece of the forest into my home transforms me into a little fairy. Feeling the edges of the table on my fingertips transports me back to a simpler time in life filled with childhood wonderment.
HRC builds
Adding plants to your home will really add a pure life force to your home. In my home, we love plants, and every home I’ve lived in that has been filled with plants, has had loads of good vibes! Plants are great to bring more life into your home. They not only purify the physical air, they also raise the vibration of your space.
This plant hanger is one of the more unique items I’ve come across. It is filled with movement which adds even more life to my space. HRC Builds is a second brand using reclaimed wood and fallen trees in their creations. They truly believe in transforming a rotting tree into a beautiful handcrafted piece to be placed in your home. This brand is based out of Austin and sells on Etsy.
Eat Your Fork!
This product is born from an idea that has been around for a few years and that is: Eatable Silverware. This idea originally came out of India where plastic utensils are a huge problem. While in my own home we have bamboo utensils, we sometimes need to grab something to take on the go. With this product, we can actually take a spoon or fork with us on the go, and throw it away afterwards without it creating extra plastic waste. We wouldn’t even need to put in the trash, we could simply place it in the dirt for it to decompose, avoiding a landfill all together!
So, what are these utensils made of? Natural grains and flours! Which means it’s totally biodegradable! These utensils are great for picnics, kid’s parties, and even adult gatherings. If you’re someone who usually uses disposable utensils, think about making the switch to an eco-friendlier solution. Another great thing about these forks and spoons is they are super durable, I actually used my spoon for about a week and I still have it! Just let it dry after you use it. This obviously depends on what you are using it for, but for the most part you can use them a few times.
Décor for Your Outer Being
Shopping ethically sourced clothing can be pricey, but if money is the issue, perhaps it will help you live simpler. Having less can often times be more, living minimalistic is a beautiful thing. It really makes choosing outfits much easier and free up space in your closet. If you just own a few nice things that you really appreciate rather than many things you feel indifferent about your clothes will begin to hold more value to you, therefore you will appreciate them more and become grateful. If becoming a minimalist isn’t going to happen, you can always try your local thrift stores and cleanse the clothing with Palo Santo or Sage.
Jewelry is another thing we use to decorate our bodies. Owning jewelry with purpose and intention will raise your vibration experientially. Ditch all of that cheaply made jewelry from the mall and start wearing accessories with meaning and purpose. It could be a hemp bracelet that your best friend made you, something sentimental or a piece made in a sacred setting and blessed to enhance your intentions. If money is still an issue you can try making your own jewelry or again, thrift stores! You can cleans objects in direct sun or on top of a quartz matrix crystal.
Eco Lace Lingerie
Lingerie is an item of clothing that touches you in the most intimate way. It’s also an item you can’t find at a thrift store. You want these items that touch your skin so closely to be filled with positive vibes! I’ve found some undies that look great, and make you feel great wearing them. Your conscious will love you if you shop the eco-friendly Vivien Lace Collection. The sheer lace bras and underwear are made from recycled/reclaimed lace. The LA based brand prides themselves in being animal-friendly, sustainably sourced, and made by people paid a fair wage.
Tulku Jewels
If you are looking for jewelry that is created with loads of intention, you will find it at Tulku Jewels. Each handcrafted amulet is blessed by a Holy woman in Nepal. I myself have a few different pieces from Tulku and I wear them depending on what type of spiritual support I need that day. Tulku also has malas that can be used in meditation.
Tree Is Life
From the beginning of time, all peoples have received strength, inspiration, and protection from Trees. They are known the world over as guardians of the land—majestic doorways to the realms of spirit.
In this design, the tree is inspired by the Celtic Cross, reminding us that trees are sacred in that they are connected to the earth (in the horizontal) and the heavens (in the vertical). For the ancient Celts the “Tree of Life (crann bethadh) was a representation of how the forces of nature combine to create balance and harmony.” Extending deep beneath the earth’s surface, the trees’ vast root system reminds us to connect and ground deeply into our Great Mother Earth. Just as the Heavens support you in infinite ways, be aware of the Great Mother rising up and supporting you. Remember that underlying the places we don't see is a masterful network of interconnectivity to which we can open and receive nourishment, guidance and wisdom. Turn to Trees to remember your Divine roots, your connection to your brothers and sisters in the natural world, and to all of life.*
Sun Moon
Rythym and Balance 🌕 “I am balanced”
Sun is the masculine force of fire and light. He is the primordial life giver and illuminator who brings growth and the heat of movement into our daily experience.
Moon is the feminine energy of brilliance in the dark emotional realms of our watery depths. She is connected with the cycles of Life and with darkness. She lives in the void and flows between fullness and emptiness as part of her nature.
Allow the heat and brilliance of Grandfather Sun to shine into and forth from your heart, guiding you to express your gifts in this world.
Allow the soft light of Grandmother Moon to nourish you in fullness and in emptiness— to bring you peace in the deepest dark places within yourself, to teach you how to flow as a river to the sea.
Allow the two to be in you, for this is your own, true, nature.*
Siva Sakti Mala
Thought of as the female counterpart to the male Rudraksha seed, the rare and precious Rudrani is a sacred seed born of the Rudraksha tree. When the tree is in full blossom, the Rudrani seeds are shed from it’s blossoms and collected for their blessings.
In India the Rudrani is often kept in places of worship alongside the Rudraksha to symbolize the union of Siva and Shakti—the divine meeting of male and female principles.
Rudraksha—the eye of Siva.
The seed of the Rudraksha tree holds a sacred place in Hinduism, and is believed to possess mystical and divine properties. The male counterpart of the Rudrani, Rudraksha beads are regarded as auspicious and powerful, and have been worn as a support in meditation practice by spiritual aspirants in Nepal and India for centuries. Ayurvedic texts support the rudraksha’s beneficial electromagnetic effects on ones health by expanding peace and flow on the physical, mental and emotional planes.
A mala has 108 beads, which is the sacred number for Hindu and Buddhist rosaries—known in these traditions as Malas. *
Your Body is a Temple
Don’t forget it! Here are a few ways to truly honor your physical body. Eat an organic diet and make sure to eat lots of unprocessed veggies! Stretch for at least 5 minutes a day to keep your body limber, as you age your body will love you for this! Create little rituals around healthy foods or drinks that can bring you joy, for me that’s making tea.
Spring clean your body with detoxifying drinks this spring. You can detox both the spiritual and physical part of your being. Drinking teas, herbs, and superfoods is a great way to physically detox your body. Making healthy drinks becomes a fun little ritual you can perform daily. It becomes a way to treat yourself and can bring happiness into your daily routine. When you choose to craft healthy drinks for yourself, you know you are treating your body to a healthy snack it deserves.
Here are a few brands that can help you create a healthy daily ritual to raise your levels of happiness!
Cosmic Nectar
I got really into Spirulina while doing the Master Cleanse last year because of how much protein is in it! Lots of people love Chlorella, however, if I had to pick between the two I would pick Spirulina every time! The amount of nutrients and protein in Spirulina out ways Chlorella. And for someone that is Vegan, having a compound that is loaded with protein is a must! This superfood also acts as a gentle detoxifier of heavy metals, and is also an immune booster, allergen reducer, energy booster and blood builder. You can add this to cold water, to smoothies, or even sprinkle it on top of a salad!
Cacoco
If someone told you that you could drink a healthy version of Hot Chocolate and it would be loaded with health benefits, would you? Of course! This brand uses raw cacao which means this chocolate drink is naturally energizing. Cacao is also very nutrient-dense and has a very high antioxidant value. It is also loaded with healthy fats, proteins, and minerals. This brand mixes other ingredients into the cacao that enhance your chocolate experience, both in its taste and health value. The real, raw, organic, fair-trade, ethically sourced cacao is shipped straight from Ecuador to Santa Cruz California where the additional healthy elements are added!
This particular one that I am drinking contains turmeric which has anti-inflammatory properties, something I always love to see in things I consume because of joint pain. While I love this as a hot drink, you can also use the cacao bits in smoothies or as a topping of your favorite dish, like paleo waffles with coconut based whipped cream!
Justea
Tea with a good cause? Yes please! This brand really deserves its own blog post, but I’ll try to summarize all of its amazingness quick. They have a farm based in Kenya, and they works with the local community to harvest the ingredients. While these products aren’t certified organic, because of the high cost to obtain the seal, they do not use any sprays on their crops. No organic sprays, no chemicals sprays, which is good news for consumers. They are also NonGMO! Each tea tin also comes with a handcrafted spoon. Each different colored pattern on the spoons represents a different family involved in the farming of the tea’s ingredients. Every time you use this tea, and spoon, you’re reminded about how your tea purchase went to helping a family live a happier life.
The Purple rain tea has an incredibly blissful aroma. The tea is an infusion of juicy passion fruit, sweet lemongrass, crisp apple, and a hint of hibiscus. It transports you to your happy place with every sip.
Body & Hair
Because your body is a temple, it deserves high quality products to be put not only in it, but on it! A good rule of thumb, if it would make you sick when eaten, you probably shouldn’t put it on your skin… Take that with a grain of salt, I obviously don’t think actually eating Shea Butter and essential oils is the best tasting or super healthy for you, but you could ingest them without getting sick and throwing up.
Organic Essentials Haircare
Name-brand formulas can sometimes leave your hair feeling a bit damaged and can often be filled with harsh chemicals. I love having healthy hair, and I also enjoy having a toxin-free scalp. Organic Essentials Haircare has products that do not have any Sulfates, Parabens, Synthetic Coloring or Fragrances, Gluten, Phthalates, or Paraffins!
Moisture Replenishing Hair Masque - With Moroccan Argan Oil
Have brittle or damaged hair? This product has a fusion of organic unrefined Shea Butter & Natural Oils essential for restoring your lushes locks to their full potential. Argan Oil is extremely high in vitamin E & intensively conditions both the scalp & hair. * Pro-vitamin B5 is a water-soluble vitamin & therefore acts as a humectant, & improves hair elasticity. * Bran Oil contains Ferulic acid & Esters which help in stimulating hair growth, it is also rich in Antioxidants and vitamin E.* Jojoba Oil Nourishes & protects hair strands from losing moisture & breakage. *
Hair Conditioning Growth Aid Oil
This product contains Jamaican Black Castor Oil, Bran Oil, Moringa Oil, Coconut Oil, Peppermint Oil, Hemp Seed Oil, and Tea Tree Oil. It strengthens, grows and conditions the hair & scalp. It also helps men grow bolder hair! Needless to say, I’ve been rubbing it on the boyfriend’s baby face and we’ve been seeing more facial hair pop up just after a few weeks!
Moisture Replenishing Hair Oil
This product is filled with ingredients that will really moisturize your hair & scalp. It really heals your hair! This product contains Olive Oil, Bran Oil, Rosehip Oil, Argan Oil, Avocado Oil, Sweet Almond Oil, Ylang Ylang Essential Oil. The Ylang Ylang really helps fight dandruff and adds a beautiful scent to your hair. I love using it in the ends of my hair when styling for the day.
Organic Shea Nut Oil
I have always loved using Shea products on my skin. Cleopatra was said to have used Shea to have a youthful glow. Who’s to say how true that is… but I can tell you I have seen Shea make stretch marks disappear from people’s bodies as well as other miracles. This Shea is in liquid form which makes it great to use not only on your skin but on the ends of your hair. Its high content levels of Vitamin A & E aid in the restorative process of damaged hair and ultimately mending split ends. Is also highly effective in soothing a dry and itchy scalp. *
Siena
Because we all want clear skin without having to put toxins on our face, I found the perfect brand to help! Siena products are handmade with lots of love, and are filled with great ingredients. All of their products are handcrafted in small batches and you can feel the love when the products used.
Acne Buster
This completion bar soap is packed with gentle non-pore clogging natural oils. When you use it on your face it nourishes and heals your face without drying out your skin. It has Bentonite clay to help remove impurities, the cleansing oils in this bar soap are avocado oil, beeswax, medicinal charcoal, and an essential oil blend of Tea Tree, Sweet Orange and Rosemary. Tea Tree and Rosemary are two powerful antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal essential oils that have the remarkable ability to kill the bacteria that cause acne development. *
Facial Serum
This serum is packed with natural anti-ageing ingredients. It creates a youthful glow and helps prevents dry skin. Literally every component of this this serum is filled with magic that will nourish and hydrate your skin. Ingredients include: Organic Argan Oil, Olive Squalane, Coconut Oil, Meadowform Oil, Rosehip Oil, Evening Primrose Oil, Borage Oil, Monoi Tahiti, Vitamin E, Orchid Extract, and Jasmine Absolute. One of my favorite elements of this serum is Jasmine Absolute – The intoxicating oil of the jasmine flower helps lift spirits and is also wonderful for dry skin. The lovely delicate scent of jasmine gives this high end serum an euphoric scent.*
Glacial Clay Face Masque
This mask will leave your skin feeling amazing. And remember what I said about daily rituals that make you happy? This is a weekly ritual you can do to transport yourself to a spa! This mineral rich clay deeply cleans the impurities from your skin and has botanical elements to renew the skin. To use this powder, you simply add a little bit of liquid such as water, rosewater, or even yogurt. I love using the facial serum immediately after this masque.
Coconut Lemongrass Lip Balm
Conventional chapsticks use Petroleum which isn’t anything you want to put on your lips. This lip balm though is made up of of astonishing oils and it smells amazing! It’s made of Jojoba Oil, Almond Oil Coconut Oil, and loads of other great stuff! Needless to say, its super hydrating!
This year, simplify your space. Get rid objects that do not serve you. Simplify the amount of clutter in your home. Make purchase choices that support what you think will shape a better world. Buy from brands that create items to support your happiness and spiritual growth. There is goodness all around this world, you just have to invite it in.
Blossom with grace,
Nikki
*Indicates information was gathered directly from brand’s website.
Unique Alternative Perfumes
For years, I’ve used Essential Oils as a perfume. Which has its pros and cons. However, I came across a brand that creates fragrance that complies with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) to make sure all of their ingredients are responsibly sourced! Because they work with IUCN they do choose to use safe synthetics over botanicals when harvesting them could actually harm the environment or the species.
Beautifully Crafted Perfumes with Integrity
Greetings everyone,
I will admit I have never been a perfume wearer. Why? Because conventional perfume is crafted with all sort of skin irritants and always just smell fake to me. However, I've always had an interest in perfume, especially after seeing the movie Perfume, HA! (Which I highly suggest you watch if you haven’t, go ahead and click the image to watch it now!)
For years, I’ve used Essential Oils as a perfume. Which has its pros and cons. However, I came across a brand that creates fragrance that complies with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) to make sure all of their ingredients are responsibly sourced! Because they work with IUCN they do choose to use safe synthetics over botanicals when harvesting the ingredient could actually harm the environment or species in anyway.
If you couldn't guess it, this brand is cruelty-free, which is why they choose to use synthetics sometimes over natural ingredients that are sometimes derived form animals. Crafting perfumes that have a low impact on the environment and your skin is amazing! This brand also does something that is very rare for perfume brands to do. They actually disclose ALL of their ingredients to the public. They even disclose whether or not it is of botanical origin or if it has been created safely as a synthetic. They list the entire name of each safe synthetic which gives you the power to look up the ingredients in your product and make an informed choice for yourself on whether or not you’d like it on your skin. Most companies will simply list all of the ingredients under one type of “fragrance”. Leaving the consumer unaware of what they are actually putting on your skin. The FDA really doesn’t regulate this market, so finding an honest company such as this, is great! This company is PHLUR.
PHLUR is a brand that is built on true transparency to their consumers, a rare trait in this world of cosmetics and skincare. They understand the importance of giving the consumer the power to make knowledgeable choices in what they are purchasing. PHLUR is free of BHT, which is one nasty chemical you don’t want on your skin, it’s also a very common ingredient in beauty products.
A Healthier Choice
PHLUR is free of parabens, phthalates and other potential skin irritants. They deliberately use an opaque bottle because it protects your fragrance from light damage and allows them to skip potentially hazardous chemicals and stabilizers. They also use environmentally friendly packaging! How great?!?
PHLUR wanted me to get a feel for their scents so they sent me a sample kit, where I was able to pick out 3 scents! Let me also add these were hefty samples, giving me plenty of opportunities to test them out and find the perfect one! Here is my review of the samples:
MOAB
This scent is very pleasant. Perfect for fall because of its spicy qualities. This fragrance works perfectly for all genders. I personally loved it. It’s bold yet calming at the same time. It was as if wearing a beanie and t-shirt on a perfect autumn day. This one gets my vote on favorite scent.
SIANO
One word: SWEET. AT first I wasn’t sure about this fragrance, after being someone who avoided perfumes for most of her life, it was a little abrasive. However, the scent really does evolve as the day progresses. In my opinion I think it is slightly more feminine than the MOAB, but who am I to say, it all comes down to personal preference!
HANAMI
Elegant! If I were going out on a really fancy date, this would be my choice. At first I thought this scent was a bit more masculine, but the second time I sprayed it, I fell in love. Not sure if it was something on a subconscious level or what, but the second time I used it, I felt it was perfect for females.
Something I loved about all of these scents is that as the day progresses, they start to blend into your own scent and create a scent unique to you. I especially noticed this with HANAMI.
GOOD NEWS
You can get your own sample kit! They even have a fragrance specialist that will speak with you about each perfume via Facebook messenger to help you go through each one. You can try 3 scents of your choice for only $18! You can even get free shipping from their site! You can also save $10 on any order right now by clicking here to get an exclusive code!
Take care folks,
Nikki
Is Yoga Enough? the age old question...
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 unwanted weight. Getting rid of extra fatty areas is about diet and doing workouts that tone the specific areas.
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!
My Master Cleanse Diary
Interested in doing the Master cleanse? Allow my experience, and advice, to guide you through your journey. If you need advice or have questions leave comments and you will get fast responses!
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 do 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....
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.
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
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.....
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.
