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YES!
Feet have over 3000 sweat glands, you can open them up and release toxins through the sole of your feet by using hot water and sea salt.Long days of Winter are coming soon, this foot soak is perfect when you get home and just want to lounge on your couch but you still want to do something beneficial for your detoxing. After you will feel revitalized! Drink tea or water to help flush out toxins.Here's how to do it:
Fill a tub with warm water, use any container that allows you to sit in a chair and comfortably place both feet inside, immersed in the water up to at least your ankles will work.Add a few tablespoons of sea salt, Epsom salts or both to the water and mix. Sea salt contains healthy minerals and helps draw toxins away from the skin and its soothing to sore feet and muscles.Epsom salts, also known as magnesium sulfate, are known for easing pain, reducing swelling and promoting relaxation and well being.Add six to ten drops of essential oils and swirl again, here's some suggestions on which oils to use:Eucalyptus: cooling, refreshing, purifying
Lavender: calming, relaxing, healing
Lemon: cooling, refreshing, purifying
Peppermint: cooling, refreshing, energizing
Sweet Orange: Uplifting, purifying, calming
Tea Tree: healing, stimulating, purifying (also great for fungal infections)Soak your feet for 10 minutes or more adding more warm water as needed, end your foot soak with an invigorating peppermint lotion. For an extra level of detox you can put a mud mask on your feet and wash off when its dried. We have a great one here Newport Skinny Tea detox face mask -
After a hard or a busy day, fatigue will wear you down, and you need to rest. Fatigue is a sign that your body is exhausted and if you don’t sleep, you will have a problem with catching up with your daily life. At times, you need more than the rest because it may be difficult even to sleep; hence you should get a good body cleanse to do away with any toxins affecting body function. Most people will take coffee to fight fatigue, but this temporarily takes away the feeling of tiredness but ultimately drains your adrenal glands. Teas are restorative long-term while providing short-term energy, which is why herbal teas are highly recommended as the best in fighting fatigue.
Herbal teas are an infusion of dried parts of a plant either from the roots, leaves, bark, seed or leaves. Studies have shown that they are effective for reducing stress and aiding sleep and fight off fatigue much better than coffee or regular tea. They contain a hydrating element which counters fatigue and concentration which is caused by dehydration, and they increase your energy levels naturally.
Ginkgo Biloba is an old surviving tree species that is well known to reduce fatigue, enhance oxygen utilization and increase blood flow to the brain hence improving memory retention and concentration. When you are fatigued, you have high amounts of oxidative stress, so when you take Ginkgo biloba, it protects the adrenal glands, liver from the damaging free radicals. Your energy levels are heightened, and it stimulates the circulatory system.
Licorice is another herb for restoration and is a well known herb that helps rebuild the damaged adrenal glands. It contains glycyrrhizin which enhances body cortisol activity, hence increasing energy and reducing fatigue. It is also an anti-stress mood booster and stabilizes your blood sugar levels, hence reduce craving for sweet and caffeine, which can cause an “energy crash” when you take them.
Ginseng is known for resilience and enhancing energy when you have stress related fatigue it increases the body’s ability to handle stress, supports a healthy adrenal function and reduces fatigue. If you are stressed then taking ginseng tea will help combat depression and reduce fatigue by increasing vitality and improving circulation.
Green tea is commonly taken for various reasons, but it has benefits in fighting stress-related fatigue, boosting your energy and improving mental focus. It contains antioxidants called polyphenols that reduce the stress hormone and protects the body against any illness related to fatigue. It is a healthy alternative to coffee as it contains much less caffeine.
You can get these teas in most local supermarkets or even order them online. Make sure that you get brands that contain the above herbs so as to get maximum benefits. Eliminate caffeine when fatigued as it will put you in a roller-coaster and embrace herbal teas to keep you refreshed and energized naturally.
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Did you know that some of the spices you use at home are very effective in doing away with belly fat and help you get into shape? Belly fat is the most stubborn fat to do away with, even if you are eating well and exercising regularly. I have always added a variety of spices to my meals and drinks so as to increase the flavor and also help burn the stubborn fat.Particular spices are meant to quicken your metabolism, have a fat burning capacity and curb your appetite hence help you in your pursuit of losing weight.
Ginger is one of the common spices that we use in our homes, and it is loaded with potent antioxidants, which help in relieving stomach upsets and also burning fat by speeding up the metabolism. Ginger can be added to soup, salad dressings and in tea for soothing digestion.
Another good spice is cinnamon which I use on almost everything. Cinnamon contains antioxidants called polyphenols which improve insulin sensitivity, stabilizes glucose levels in the body and alter body composition. It also has an excellent source of calcium and fiber, which are good for fastening your metabolism and building muscles. Add a teaspoon of cinnamon to your smoothie to suppress hunger and stabilize blood sugars, and this will lead to a smaller waist.
Adding a little hotness to your meals by use of cayenne pepper will also help in burning belly fat. Cayenne has a chemical called capsaicin, which boosts metabolism to burn abdominal fat and reduces your appetite. The recommended amount each day for maximum benefits is taking about 20-30 grams of which you can sprinkle on meat, fish, eggs, salsa or deserts.
Turmeric is also another great spice that has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects in the body. Curcumin which is a phytochemical in turmeric, curbs inflammation in the body and this gives the body's receptiveness to leptin which fastens metabolism. It also helps reduce fat in the liver by assisting the liver to metabolize other fats that have been stored from excess refined carbs and sugar.
Black pepper is known to aid in digestion, treat multiple stomach problems, increase metabolism and raise body temperature. It contains a chemical compound known as piperine which prevents the formation of new fat cells i.e. adipogenesis, and it signals the body to produce hydrochloric acid which aids in the digestion of proteins and other foods. This result to decrease in body fat, waist size, and cholesterol levels.
Finally, the mustard seed is another great spice that increases your metabolic rate by about 25% with its effects lasting to about 3 hours in the body. Mustard has a high fiber content which helps in digestion and makes one feel full for a longer period and has low amounts of calories in them. It has a plant compound called homo brassinolide which stimulates the muscle cells to increase muscle mass and lead body and also has melatonin, which stimulates the “beige fat” which burns fat and helps regulate body weight.
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Toxins in your physical body and your emotional "body" are often linked. I hear often how when someone goes through the detox process, they start feeling a bunch of sad, angry or painful feelings as well. I have also experienced this myself, it is, I feel, imperative to the self-growth path.
Improved physical states are linked with better emotional health, it seems the opposite may be true as well.
Research at the University of Pittsburgh shows that when researchers studied 680 women with chest pain found those who held on to feelings of anger were four times more likely to have unhealthy cholesterol levels and higher body mass index than those who did not, both of these factors are linked to heart disease.
Cleansing your body may bring old emotional scars to the surface, which may be why you overate, self-medicated or indulged in junk food to begin with, to numb the pain.
Want to find out how to break the cycle and release these toxic emotions?
The biggest factor in breaking the toxic emotional cycle is awareness. Becoming aware of your emotions and being able to feel them without over reacting (sometimes much easier said than done!) is the key to moving through intense emotional times.
John Gray, expert in relationships, talks about feeling our emotional "soup pot" and being able to identify which feeling is bothering you and letting them be felt. Most of us are very afraid to feel our own emotions because we don't trust ourselves and our own reactions, we are afraid we will act on them, maybe irrationally. This comes from authority figures over controlling our feelings during most of our life and learning we shouldn't be trusted with our own emotions.
This is why most people choose to repress feelings, we disconnect and stuff them away. Dr.Gray actually says the truth is exactly the opposite, that feeling the feels causes us NOT to act or over react (as in these Doritos have met their match act) to our emotional states. Feeling our feelings causes them to just go away.
The most recommended tool I have found and also the most effective for releasing stuck emotions is meditation, for as little as 5 minutes per day or whenever needed it, can powerfully change any state. Just by closing your eyes and bringing awareness to the fact that you aren't your current feelings, allows you to feel them and let them pass. I find this particularly effective while showering or bathing. There are many different ways to meditate, google a couple and see what works for you. You may hate one method but love another. There is no right way.
Aromatherapy is also a powerful way to release and soothe stored emotions; releasing is made easier with eucalyptus oil, breathing through intense emotion is aided by the King of oils- Frankincense, Forgiveness is aided by Helichrysum, deepen your acceptance of circumstances with Roman Chamomile and increase self-love with Bergamot. Always remember to dilute topical oils with a carrier oil to avoid injury.
Herbal teas are similar in that they release the volatile oil in the leaves and soothe you internally, my recommendations go to chamomile, peppermint, lemon balm, green tea and passion flower.
Yoga and deep stretching can also help release toxic emotions and aid physical detox, as can infrared sauna and hydrotherapy, where hot and cold waters are intermittently applied to the body to draw out heat and toxins.
Sometimes periods of silence can help, other times sound bathing with music can also help. If you are going to start a detox program, be aware that deep emotions may surface and need to be dealt with. If you have experienced trauma you may need a professional to help guide you through, that's one of the bravest things you can do.
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What do food receipts, plastic wrap and food storage containers have in common?
They are sources of environmental estrogens, called xenoestrogens. These are found naturally in plants and also in many man made substances, they act like the female sex hormone estrogen when they are introduced to the body.
These compounds mimic natural estrogen and when levels are high enough have been linked to cancers fueled by estrogen, most specifically breast cancer. They are also linked to low sperm count and children's cancers.
This is definitely a reason to keep up the detox on a regular basis, because it is the build up over time that mainly causes issues. When our detoxification system gets over burdened is when toxins began getting stored away in fat cells.
When our toxic load becomes too large, our body reaches a tipping point where disease begins to develop. This hormone cascade also plays a part in us becoming overweight.
You can help your body detox naturally by frequent use of teas and herbs, sufficient water and water-rich foods, weekly detox baths and daily sweat sessions and dry brushing.Anything that gets your lymphatic system moving (it doesn't have its own pump) helps as well, it relies on movement to do its job.
Minimize your use of plastics, synthetic chemicals in body products, don't take receipts or use canned products. Don't ever microwave plastic or leave water bottles in hot cars.
Products like psyllium husk that are meant to trap intestinal toxins and carry them out of the body can help balance these hormone like toxins as well.
Green Tea, cucumin and milk thistle are powerful detox agents against xenoestrogens, High intake of cruciferous vegetables and whole flax seed have been linked to lower incidence of cancers from these substances. Pomegranate juice mixed with green tea seems to be a particularly powerful combination in this fight.
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Lavender flowers are quite magical, though we associate them with southern France in the Summer, I think they're a great flower to use during Spring, when we get affected by the seasonal changes. They are great to use in almost any form, but respect their potency, don't use them everyday and don't ever take the essential oil internally.Lavender is wonderful for easing anxiety and insomnia. You can use it to help dispel headaches and energetically it helps shield your entire energy field... like when you don't want people prying into your business or messing with your emotions. Think of it as your automatic chill button.The tea is full of antioxidants and incredibly uplifting, though it isn't a tea you should drink too frequently. The essential oil when dabbed at the third eye and throat chakras will keep out unwanted influences. To create harmony in your home, burn lavender flowers as incense or in your fire and burn lavender scented purple candles.Lavender is also well-known to attract love, so be careful who you wear it around. I like spraying it on my bedsheets, actually I love the smell anytime, on anything!Lavender is a gentle pain reliever, you can use the tea when you've been working or studying to hard and need to wind down for the night. Add the flowers to peppermint tea to warm your body or spearmint to cool your body. If you suffer from migraines like me, lavender essential oil in a bath can help soothe your aching brain.Our Corona del Mar paleo lean tea has lavender along with spearmint and calendula, perfect for after a workout when you're really hot or after a family visit when they've pushed your buttons! This tea in particular can help stop emotional eating, it is also not caffeinated so you can use it when evening munchies hit.Trying to increase your meditation or yoga practice? Lavender in any form will help you connect with your spiritual side and focus, perfect as we welcome the Sun to Pisces, the mystical sign ruled by Neptune!Much Love & Magic this Spring
Jennifer XOXOPS: Get an additional 25% off with code SPRINGSALE