Short Term Diets, cleanses, and fasts... what's the point?

Hey Friends!

We're a couple weeks into the "resolution season" and the topic of cleansing and short term dieting has really been on my mind. I'm currently in a 28 day clean eating plan which includes cleansing/fasting. And there are a myriad of other cleanse options: juicing, broth cleanses, no carbs, no protein, no gluten, no sugar, no salt, no, no, no, no, no!

How in the world can you make sense of all of it? Truth is - you can't!  Sure a person may see immediate results from a cleanse like those listed above - but is it fat loss? Is it sustainable? Can you model your long term eating practices after the principals of the cleanse? Odds are, you can't - and wouldn't want to. Too many restrictions make it feel punishing. So, here's my deal: I'm using this cleanse to workout my most out-of-shape muscle... 

My willpower. 

I want to know why I'm eating. Am I bored? Hungry? Thirsty? Do I really want that donut - will it satisfy me? Why do I mindlessly shove food in my mouth when I walk by the goodies table at work? Because I can. But that doesn't mean I should! Holding myself to a little higher standards during this 28 days will help me retrain my willpower, and remind me how great I feel when I eat great food. I will take what I learn on this 28 day cleans and apply it to my lifelong eating habits. I know the value of what I'm doing, how it affects my body and the positive results it brings.

I guess learning to eat for the rest of my life is what's important to me. Maybe it's not to you. And that's okay. I'm neither right or wrong. My mindset might just be a little different. What I'm looking for is a long term way of eating that makes me feel and look great, but also gives me variety, energy, great taste and fun. I want to live my life and really enjoy it! Sure I'm gonna splurge on things that I know aren't necessarily good for me. I love ice cream. I love chips and salsa or queso. I love movie theater pop corn and ball park hot dogs (roller dogs! YUM!). But I don't eat those things every day. Or even every week. They are treats that I enjoy on occasion, without guilt, just because I can. 

The trick was getting this clean eating thing to really stick. One year later and I still read labels, I still research, I still find healthier alternatives to ingredients in recipes I want to try.  It's not something I wanted to see awesome results from and give it up in 28 days. It's not a quick magic pill to get down to X size or X weight. It's a way to live and feel alive!

I hope that all of you have considered how you want to eat for the rest of your life when choosing to make changes. Look at it as a positive change instead of short term punishment for indulging over the holidays. This is a chance to feel great about what you put in your body! 

I'd better wrap up - there are some furry boys that need a walk and after a long (and productive) day that started at 4:30 a.m., I'm just about ready for my comfy cozy bed!

I hope you are all well - and I'd love to hear about your healthy changes. How can I help? Do you have a recipe to share? Bring it on! I love to try new things! This week, I'm trying a stuffed pepper recipe - CLEAN (no processed foods, artificial sugars, coloring or preservatives)! I'll post the recipe and review this weekend - they are on the menu for Thursday!

Until next time!
<3 Jen

Dry Brushing - Taking Care of the Body's Largest Organ

Hello Friends! We are just over a week into this new year - how are you doing with your 'fresh start'? I'm feeling good! My laundry is still done, house is clean and I'm ready to start the next semester at UNO. Work is, well, work, but my role at the Studio where I workout continues to keep me focused on positive things and keeps me active and fit. My family has been healthy and what else can I ask for?!

With the new year upon us, there are all sorts of new-fangled diets, pills, creams and lotions that make all sorts of promises for your health and well-being. In my quest to find balance and simple ways to improve my life, I like to do my research.  I'm looking for natural ways to make improvements to how my body is supposed to work naturally. I found one that I am enjoying. Wanna hear about it? Here it go...

The body's largest organ is the skin. It's really pretty amazing - it protects us, helps keep us cool, flushes toxins, and, let's face it, keeps our blood and guts on the insides. It's got a lot to do, and taking care of our skin is important. I've been "blessed" with dry skin and spend a heap of time and a ton of money on lotions and oils, scrubs and fancy aloe socks to try and combat it. As I've researched, I've stumbled across an easy, chemical free, natural way to show a little love to my skin.

Dry Brushing.

There are a myriad of stories and videos online about dry brushing. It's been around for a long long time, and there are various ways to do it. But first, WHY do it?

The Lymphatic System, for starters.

WHAT?! What the heck is that? Exactly. How much do you know about your lymph nodes? Did you know that the lymphatic system is the body's drainage/cleaning system?  Yup.  Your lymph nodes produce the antibodies in your blood  and the system of vessels and nodes both filter the blood and carry antibodies through your blood stream.  Antibodies, as many of us know, are what attack/attach to foreign stowaways in our blood: viruses, germs, and the like.

By dry brushing, you stimulate circulation, increasing blood flow and pushing the lymph (the fluid produced by the nodes, full of the antibodies (B cells) that those nodes produce) through your body. With a clean diet, regular exercise, plenty of water, self massage and dry brushing you can help to make your lymphatic system Über efficient. . Which, of course, leads to a healthier you.


So, when are we going to get to the part about why this is good for your skin?  It's coming, I promise.

We all spend a little time exfoliating, maybe some more than others. A good loofah, and back brush, all of those things are good. But there is such a thing as being TOO gentle. Sometimes you just need to get after it. Using a natural bristle brush to slough off that top layer of dead skin will not only stimulate circulation,but will give you a healthy "new skin" glow! Brushing helps to remove surface waste, allowing the skin to breath and opens up blocked pores. The natural bristles do not strip the natural oils in your skin, in fact, stimulating the skin helps to produce those natural oils (kind of like brushing your hair!).

I use my dry brush every other day, before I hop in the shower. Truth be told, I shower every day, but every other day is just a quick slip and rinse to get the sweat off after a tough workout. I don't use harsh soaps and I try to use a natural lotion or aloe. (Same with my hair, I use a cleansing conditioner every-other day or every 3rd day, but add moisture daily.)

Here are some tips I found online - it's so easy, takes less than 2 minutes - and I'm feeling the difference. I use less lotion, my skin feels tighter (also a product of eating clean and lots of water!), and I get fewer 'dry bumps' and even fewer blocked pores!

• You will need a brush with soft natural bristles for dry brushing. Do not use synthetic bristles. This is quite similar to a hairbrush, but it has a longer handle. They are very affordable and some of the best dry skin brushes cost as little as $8-$10. Here's the one I have!

• Start off soft. The bristles are stiff and your skin may be sensitive at first. As you get used to it, you can apply more pressure. You never want to brush over cuts, scrapes, wounds or rashes.

• Your skin and brush should be dry. Shower afterwards to wash away any dirt, oil and dead skin that is left.

• Begin by brushing the outermost parts of your body (hands and feet) towards the center of your body.

• Pass the brush once over your body, except the face.

• The brush strokes should move towards your heart. This improvement in blood circulation is why so many people feel extremely refreshed after an energetic session of dry brushing.

• You should not use a scrubbing, circular or back and forth motion. Straight, short sweeps from toes up the legs, from finger tips up the arms, down the back (using a nice long handle) and in a clockwise circle on your tummy. Always toward your heart (as the lymphatic system flows)!

• Flushing is normal due to increased circulation. But if there is pain or irritation, your using too much pressure or brushing too often.

• If your skin needs a little extra something for moisture, rub a natural oil into it after you've brushed and showered. Jojoba oil is said to be an excellent skin softener.

I've even convinced the hubster to give this a try and he really loves it! It helps his normally itchy skin feel better and he loves the way he feels invigorated when he's done. He has his very own brush and everything!

I've read claims that this banishes cellulite, helps to rid pounds of toxins, and all sorts of other mumbo jumbo. I don't believe everything I read, but what it comes down to is:
          It's natural.
          Lymph and circulation are real - what can it hurt?
          It makes my skin feel fabulous.

Sounds like an easy, inexpensive, natural way to find some good for my body. I'm IN.

I hope you'll give it a try! There are even brushing tutorials on YouTube, if need to see how it's done!

Until next time!
<3 jen