LET'S TALK ABOUT DETOXING

LET’S TALK ABOUT DETOXING

Detox is defined as the process or period of time in which one abstains from or rids the body of toxic or unhealthy substances.  How do the toxic and unhealthy substances get there?  Well, we put them there!  Did you know that everything you consume is processed by your body?  How does the body process everything you ask?  It is done by the largest internal organ…that’s right the liver!

The liver serves as a sifter for our bodies.

Everything we eat, drink, and apply to our skin has to be processed/metabolized via the liver.  Everything from the toothpaste and mouthwash you use, down to what you drink and eat, including medications, lotions, perfume, soaps, alcohol and tobacco, just to name a few.  When the liver is over-stressed, and the digestive system is experiencing toxic overload, your body will let you know in the form of sickness, dis-order or dis-ease.

Here are a few indications that you (your body) may be in need of a detox:

• Sweat a lot and have strong body odor
• Stomach ulcer
• Indigestion
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome
• Diverticulitis
• Autoimmune Disease
• Hemorrhoids
• Facial and Body Acne
• Eczema
• Asthma
• Bronchitis
• Joint or muscle aches and pains, Arthritis, Fibromyalgia
• Hypertension
• PMS
• Excessive mucus, stuffy nose, sinus problems
• Behavioral Disorders
• Depression
• Allergies

Detox:  How to…

There are many ways to detox on a regular basis! I will start with 4 simple changes that will become habitual and very beneficial to your health.

Lemon and Water

• Start your day with hot water and fresh lemon juice.
• SKIP THE COFFEE (yeah I said it) and drink hot water and lemon instead!
• If you are new to this use the half the juice of one lemon to at least 8oz of hot/warm water, stir sip.
• Repeat throughout the day
• Add slices of lemon to the water(room temperature) you drink throughout the day
• Organic lemons are best especially if you are using the peel.
• Cut away the yellow part of the peel so that it doesn’t turn bitter. You can also add limes.
• You can also skip the slices and just add fresh lemon juice to your water and enjoy it that way.

Water Water Water

Drinking distilled water aids in detoxing as well.  It pulls on impurities and toxins to draw them from the body. Keep in mind though if you are going to drink distilled water be sure you are filling up on nutrients from plenty of fruits and vegetables. Be sure to limit distilled water to 7 -10 days unless you are doing a full body detox or are experienced.  Then switch to spring water.

As a guide, drink half your body weight of water in ounces each day.  So, if you weigh 220 pounds you should drink 110 ounces of water per day.  If this is new for you at least drink 8 to 10 cups of water per day for starters.

Eat To Detox

Another form of detox is by the foods you eat. 

If you consume plenty of RAW fruit and vegetables, including RAW smoothies and RAW juices, this will also aid in detoxification.

Meatless Mondays

Excluding meat (flesh of dead animal…eggs too), and dairy products (milk, cheese, sour cream, yogurt, etc.) on Monday’s is a great start creating healthier habits and aids in detoxification.

Have you ever heard of a RAW food regimen?  Have you ever considered a RAW food regimen?  For more information on how to change or transition into a natural wellness lifestyle, join the Facebook Group 40 Day Fruit Fast and also visit http://40dayfruitfast.com/ .

Until next time,

I bid you better love, health, and clear vision!

~Latrice

Spring Forward...or Fall Back

Spring time is upon us!  
This is technically the new year and a time of renewal and purging. Just as the Earth is shedding the dead grass, leaves and such, our bodies naturally follow suit.  Over the last few weeks there are many people that are feeling "sick" or have what they believe to be a "cold" or "allergies".  In actuality this is our body's way of letting us know it is time to detox, renew, cleanse....tidy-up if you will!  Symptoms such as sore, scratchy throat; itchy, watery eyes; swollen glands in the neck; sinus and ear congestion; mucus in the eyes, nose, mouth upon waking or throughout the day; coughing, bronchitis, asthma flares, headaches, and skin rashes...the list goes on!

So, what is your body trying to tell you?
Well, if you are experiencing any of the above symptoms mentioned you may be in need of a detox.  Detox is defined as the process or period of time in which one abstains from or rids the body of toxic or unhealthy substances.  Those symptoms are usually unpleasant and a way or ways for our bodies to let us know that something is Out-Of-Order!  Also, the symptoms mentioned above are usually linked to MUCUS and in most cases INFLAMMATION!

How does mucus get into your body?
Mucus forms in our bodies by what we eat.  Meat (flesh of any kind including eggs), dairy, refined/processed sugars and starches, fried food, food additives and chemicals, and fermented foods, just to name a few.  Let us not forget what we drink: pop/soda, sugary including artificially sweetened drinks, coffee, juices and juice/drinks, animal milk (cow, goat). 

Normally our liver's do a good job of ridding the body of mucus, however, when there is an excessive amount it shows up in the form of the signs and symptoms as listed in the first paragraph!  Spring is to bring forth and so shall our bodies.  Please pay attention to your body's attempt to let you know what it needs in order to bring forth optimum health.  Eliminating the mucus sources and giving your body a break is a great start.

One way to assist your body is by starting your day with warm water and lemon, as well and drinking water with lemon throughout the day!

Hopefully this information will prompt you pay more attention to what you consume as it effects your body.  Stay tuned for more detox suggestions in my next post!

Have you ever heard of a RAW food regimen?  Have you ever considered a RAW food regimen?  For more information on how to change or transition into a natural wellness lifestyle join the Facebook Group 40 Day Fruit Fast.

Until next time,
 I bid you better Love, Health and Clear Vision

~Latrice~
#LatricesHealthyChoices

Awareness: Dis-ease or Wellness

It's one thing to identify that you have a dis-order or dis-ease.  But you don't HAVE to become the dis-ease, it's NOT who you are or what makes you, YOU!  The dis-ease can however, consume your thoughts, feelings/emotions, bank account, relationships, time, and future! We are programmed and made to believe that medications are the key to MANAGING your dis-ease. Organizations are created and dedicated to "research and treatment" of your dis-ease(s).  Specialized foods are also manufactured to aid in "MANAGING" your dis-ease.  There are trendy colors and symbols created for each dis-ease which give it more meaning and making it "OFFICIAL".  A specific time frame such as a week or month is dedicated to the awareness or prevention of your dis-ease, creating a love/hate correlation. Specialized diagnostic and clinical tests and procedures are now available to "help" further diagnose, and identify your next course of treatment all for your DIS-EASE!

All the emphasis is placed on the illness.  Where is the emphasis or awareness of how to prevent, or reverse this dis-ease?  Again conditioning comes into play.  We are told to eat and drink these processed food-stuffs packaged as "low-fat", "no sugar added", "natural", "organic", etc..  This is extremely misleading (and whole other topic).  If you were able to reverse your dis-orders and dis-eases without your doctors, specialists, medications and specific health organizations, what would happen to them all?  Be aware of what you support and place so much time and energy to.  This message is to bring awareness to where you place your energies!  Go back to the basics...it's that simple!  Let's put our bodies at EASE!

Have you ever heard of a RAW food regimen?  Have you ever considered a RAW food regimen?  For more information on how to change or transition into a natural wellness lifestyle join the Facebook Group 40 Day Fruit Fast.  We start on September 1st...join us!

Until next time,

I bid you better love, health, and clear vision!

~Latrice~

THE IMPORTANCE OF DRINKING ....WATER THAT IS

Water is Essential to the Human Body

Water is an essential nutrient that is involved in EVERY function of the body human body!  Human beings can survive without food for about five weeks, approximately 40 days. Yet the human body without water can end in about three to five days! The human body is two-thirds water, which is about 70 - 75% varying from person to person.  Water helps transport nutrients and waste products IN and OUT of cells. Replacing the water that is continually being lost through sweating and elimination is very important.  Water is necessary for ALL digestive, circulatory, absorptive and excretory functions. It’s also needed to maintain proper body temperature. 

Water Decline

A drop in the body’s water content causes a decline in blood volume.  Maintaining a normal volume of blood is very important as it carries oxygen and essential nutrients throughout the body.  

What is blood volume you ask?  Blood volume is the amount of space the blood takes up in a given person; including red blood cells and plasma.  When our bodies have a lowered blood volume it triggers the hypothalamus-a little section of the brain that connects to the nervous and endocrine systems which serves as the brain’s thirst center(among other things), sending signals to let us know it needs a drink….of water that is!  Without getting too deep, the absence of water creates a domino effect within our bodies systems as they are all connected! If you don’t take in enough water to maintain fluid balance every bodily function can be impaired.

Water Intake Rule

As a guide, drink half your body weight in water each day.  So, if you weigh 220 pounds you should drink 110 ounces of water per day.  Upon waking start drinking some room temperature water before brushing your teeth or consuming anything else!  You can lose about 2 to 3 cups of water through breathing and perspiring while sleeping! If you have to add something let it be juice from a fresh lemon.  Also, it can take the bladder about 5 hours to release all the water you consume.  To ensure you’re not running to the bathroom all night, you may want to stop drinking water at least 5 hours before you go to bed…give or take.

Until next time,

I bid you better, love, health, and clear vision!
~Latrice~

Help!....I have dandruff

Miko wrote:

Hey Latrice, I have been having dandruff issue every since I can remember and I have been using sooooo many products for my dandruff and nothing have been working. I believe I might need to take something internal because I am thinking I'm lacking something in my diet, So I was wondering if u can suggest anything that's natural that can help my dandruff?

Thanks for your question Miko!
Dandruff is an indication of nutrient deficiencies in the body and inflammation in the scalp area as a result of an overloaded liver.  Eating foods that are mucous forming can contribute to dandruff and other skin related issues.  Changing and improving your diet can positively improve body functions resulting in a healthier scalp as well as other health benefits.  Herbal supplements and detoxing help the body to function better lessening disorders and malfunctions! Drinking 8 to 10 glasses of water every day keeps your body hydrated and helps circulation of all liquids flowing throughout the body and assist in transporting toxins out of the body.


Foods to avoid or use sparingly as they are mucous forming:

• Meat/animal proteins - including turkey, chicken and fish
• Dairy - milk, yogurt, cheeses, creams, butter, ice cream and whey
• Gluten grains - wheat, barley, spelt

Here are some foods that you can include in your diet or increase if you already consume them on a regular basis for a healthier scalp.
Healthy Scalp Foods:

• Carrots - great source of vitamin A promoting good vision and a healthy scalp
• Dark Green Vegetables - provides iron and calcium and are a great source of vitamins A and C, all needed for our bodies to produce sebum, the oily substance secreted by hair follicles; sort of a natural hair conditioner.  A few vegetables are Swiss chard, arugula, spinach, broccoli, romaine lettuce and kale.
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil - dark green vegetables need some dietary fat in order for the body to absorb some vitamins they contain.  Drizzle EVOO over raw or steamed vegetables and/or enjoy them with a salad dressing whose first ingredient is olive oil, such as Newman's Own Olive Oil Dressing.
• Brazil Nuts - contains one of the highest natural sources of selenium, an important mineral for a healthy scalp.  Brazil nuts can be eaten along with walnuts, almonds, cashews and pecans for a healthy snack packed with zinc, alpha-liolenic acid and omega-3 fatty acids that help condition your hair.
• Salmon - contains lots of omega-3 fatty acids and protein, filled with vitamin B-12 and iron; make sure it's wild caught salmon!
• Ground Flaxseed - plant based omega-3 fatty acids; at least 2 tablespoons daily.

An herbal detox can help remove waste matter from the liver, providing potent herbs formulated to strengthen the liver making it more efficient at detoxifying our bodies.  I suggest the Liver Detox, a 30-day program taken along with FiberSMART (contains flax fiber) from ReNew Life, a natural health company that specializes in natural digestive health, detoxification and internal cleansing.  I first experienced ReNew Life a few years ago and have been in love with their digestive formulas ever since!

                                                                                                                                               
Last but not least, shampoo and conditioner from Aubrey Organics a natural hair, skin and body care company that produces natural, plant-based and synthetic-free products.  Try J.A. Y. Desert Herb Revitalizing Shampoo (Jojoba, Aloe, Yucca) and Jojoba & Aloe Desert Herb Revitalizing Conditioner, as part of your daily or weekly shampoo and conditioner regimen.  I discovered Aubrey Organics a few years ago when I was growing my relaxer out to transition to natural hair!  It kept my hair and scalp shiny and healthy!

Hopefully you will find the information in this post to be helpful!  Best wishes on your journey towards a healthy scalp!  Always remember THE CHOICE IS YOURS!


Until next time,
I bid you better health and clear vision.
Latrice

INTRODUCTION AND PURPOSE

Greetings All!

I am so very excited to finally start my blog!  I've come to terms with doing things that I want to do imperfectly and simply improve with practice and new knowledge as it becomes available to me.  Many times fear of the unknown can hold us back from new or different experiences, causing people to prolong or avoid things they may want to try or start.  What's not a big deal to one person, can be another person's biggest fear!  With all that being said I will move on to the whole purpose of creating this blog!

I am very passionate about sharing and providing others with healthy tips and information to make their bodies and minds better by way of natural health, wellness and nutrition.  Many consider me to be an aficionado, advocate, and enthusiast in the arena of health, wellness and nutrition covering the following but not limited to: natural and alternative health and therapies; natural hair; natural beauty and hygiene; mental, spiritual and emotional health; healthful and whole foods; self-awareness; healthful lifestyle practices such as diet and exercise...and I'll end the list there!  

Creating this blog is also part of  my decision to commit to consistent life improvement practices.  Over the years I've implemented certain healthy habits only to fall off the wagon later; still advising and informing others of healthful information and ultimately not practicing what I preached!  It is my belief that self-awareness techniques and practices and adopting more healthy habits will allow me to be accountable as I embark on this journey of  positive changes and improvements.  I am most happy when I am healthy and helping other to become more healthy and reach their full potential.  Each day we get a chance to do better!!!  

Change is always necessary weather we want them or not, weather we are ready or NOT! We all have the ability to make decisions and choices and it's up to each one of us to exercise them.  Changes can be planned and sometimes spontaneous, however the forced changes can be life threatening and unpleasant.  Therefore we should take control now while we have the authority and opportunity to make conscious decisions for ourselves.  Whatever changes you decide to make, be sure you are doing it for yourself and not for others.  In order to obtain genuine long lasting results of changes,  you must first have the inner desire to do so!  Always remember, THE CHOICE IS YOURS!

Until next time,

I bid you better health and vision!