Are you clean inside?

About 7 years ago I had my first colon cleanse.  Since that time, cleansing has become something I do routinely every 6 months to1 year.

Detoxing is eliminating your body of toxins and free radicals so that your body can operate at optimal performance.  There are two different ways I clean my insides: fasting & colon cleanses.

Fasting is abstaining from food. This is done to provide your body time to focus on cleaning itself without inflicting further toxins that slow down the process. Fasting encourages the consumption of water. This is essential for the purification process and for keeping the body effectively hydrated. Depending on the fast and its intensity, the duration can be 24 hours or up to several weeks. Please bear in mind that I am writing in this piece about fasting for the purpose of detoxification purposes. Fasting can also be done for spiritual growth.


Water Fasting is understandably the most difficult of fasts. Nothing but water is consumed. Not one I do often. This is challenging for me. I get a lot of headaches and feel extreme fatigue.
Juice Fasting is abstaining from solid foods, during this fast freshly blended fruit and vegetable juices are mostly consumed.
**Some detox diets include consuming fresh fruits, and vegetables in addition to the juiced blends and liquids.  (There are several variations of the above mentioned fasts)

Colon Cleansing
As I mentioned before just about every six months I do a colon cleanse. I love doing this!

Think about it; many of us do spring cleaning or visit the dentist for routine hygiene appointments every six months. Heck, most of us even clean our engines on our cars by getting oil changes every 3-6 months. So, why not clean your temple?

The average American consumes white flour, white sugar, unhealthy fats, processed foods, alcohol, cigarettes, toxins, and impurities into our system daily. In addition, many of us do not consume the proper amount of fiber rich foods, water and vegetables that assist us in healthy regular elimination.

If you suffer with headaches, bad breath, digestive problems, bloating, acne, and many, many other health conditions- a colon cleanse may be just what you need.

When you do not eliminate properly and regularly your system becomes impacted with waste and toxins. This is what contributes to a great deal of major health conditions. In addition, when your insides are “dirty” it is difficult for your body to optimally absorb the proper nutrition it needs. So, you may be taking vitamins and supplements but if you have never cleaned your insides it is probable that you are not receiving optimal results from your nutritional supplements.

There are several varieties of colon cleansers on the market. Just like anything else, they are not all created equal. colon cleansers may be purchased online or at your local health food store and/or pharmacy. My advice is be careful and do your homework.  Read the fine print and follow the directions.  If you are taking medications or have had certain medical procedures there may be certain risks. Through the years I have tried several different colon cleansers. I have also gone to facilities and had Colonic Irrigation/hydrotherapy treatments.  The results have always been extremely beneficial.

For me it’s important that my cleanse is gentle yet effective. For optimal results you want a product that cleans the large intestine, small intestine, and liver. During any detox it is important to avoid dairy, red meat, sugar, refined and processed foods, alcohol, caffeine and drugs.

Like anything else, after you cleanse, it’s important to maintain healthy eating habits to keep your temple clean!

Stay Healthy!
Melissa

"Coo Coo" for Coconut Oil!

Coconut Oil is one of life's simple treasures that almost seems too good to be true!

I began learning of the greatness of this staple from the helpful man who owns Mung Bean.  I visited his Health Food Store to inquire of a natural oil I could use on my hair that would keep it moisturized and shiny.  He spoke very highly of coconut oil; not only for hair but also for skin-care, and even to ingest for weight loss and other health benefits.  Long story short, I purchased it and I've been a fan ever since. 

Coconut oil is one of nature's best sources of nutrition for hair. It promotes healthy growth of hair. Regular massages of this oil on your scalp helps you remain dandruff-free and leaves hair shiny and manageable.  Coconut oil is extensively used in the Indian sub-continent for hair care. There's an awesome product they use called Vatika Oil which is basically coconut oil infused with other Ayurveda goodness.  Coconut Oil  is an excellent conditioner, it provides the essential proteins required for nourishing damaged hair.


There are tons of benefits for using organic coconut oil.  Here are a few other applications for Coconut Oil that have made me HEART it even more:

• Skin Care: Coconut oil is an awesome massage oil for the skin as well. It acts as an effective moisturizer for especially dry skin (which is what I have) It also helps in treating various skin problems including psoriasis, dermatitis & eczema.
• Heart Disease:  "People who traditionally consume large quantities of coconut oil as part of their ordinary diet have a very low incidence of heart disease and have normal blood cholesterol levels. This has been well supported by numerous population studies. The research shows that those people who consume large quantities of coconut oil have remarkably good cardiovascular health."By Bruce Fife, N.D. 
• Weight Loss:  Coconut Oil helps in enhancing the healthy functioning of the thyroid &enzymes systems. It increases your body's metabolism by removing stress on the pancreas.  This helps you burn more energy and experience weight-loss.  Coconut oil can also assist with boosting energy and stamina.  When I first began ingesting a large teaspoon of this in the morning, I recall feeling a nervous jittery feeling.  I felt like I could've scaled a building!  =)  I decreased the amount I was taking and learned to add it to foods & smoothies to eliminate that jittery "Red Bull" feeling. 
• Digestion: Internal use of coconut oil occurs primarily as cooking oil.  (I use it to make my eggs over easy and asparagus for breakfast--yummo) Coconut oil may help with improving the digestive system and can prevent some digestion issues such as IBS. It is also said that Coconut oil can help with absorption of other nutrients such as minerals, amino acids and vitamins.

Fight Fatigue: 3 Contributing Factors & How to Avoid Them

Several years ago, I remember going to my doctor and complaining of very low energy levels.  I read about several celebrities who were receiving vitamin B injections for energy.  I thought if I had one of these I would be able to function without always feeling so tired.  My doctor dismissed my cries for help from fatigue by saying "you're a single mother" "you work hard of course you're tired".  My blood work indicated that I wasn't vitamin B deficient.  As a result, she would not give me the vitamin B injection.  Instead she offered me a prescription drug to help me relax.  I took it once and experienced a horrific allergic reaction and never took it again.  Looking back now, I believe that was God's way of showing me another way.

So I left her office and sought a holistic approach to battle my continuous need for sleep.  I now know that there were a few factors that were contributing to my fatigue.  I'm happy to say my energy has dramatically increased as a result of me making a few small changes.  The changes I will now share with you.  Statistics show that approximately 25 million Americans are suffering with disabling fatigue.  Here's 3 things I have found that contributed greatly to my fatigue. 

1. Sleep Deprivation:  Ha!  Talk about stating the obvious.  Well, the truth is that most people need 8 hours sleep for the body to function properly.  Now, I must admit I currently operate on a little less than 8 hours.  I average about 6-7 hours of sleep nightly however when I was battling fatigue I was getting significantly less than that. I had severe pain at that time that interrupted my sleep.  I started drinking chamomile tea at night.  I also took Isotonix L-Tryptophan for awhile.  L-Tryptophan is an essential amino acid that induces sleep & tranquility. I also discovered that taking a Calcium and magnesium supplement produces calming effects on the brain and aids with sleep.  I personally prefer natural methods as opposed to Tylenol PM or any of the other OTC drugs.  I'm happy to say, I no longer need  L-Tryptophan or chamomile tea so I have stopped taking them.  Of course I still take my calcium supplement for the other health benefits. 

2.  Nutritional Support-  Getting proper nutrition is essential to well being.  My diet used to be pretty terrible.  The truth is many of us do not eat the proper foods. A large portion of our society is nutritionally deficient.  Taking supplements in my opinion is is not optional.  Our bodies cannot and do not get what we need to optimally perform from the foods we consume-Period.  Eating fresh fruits & veges, drinking plenty of water, and taking a quality multi-vitamin/mineral formula and a few other nutritional supplements has become essential in my life.  I've also eliminated or cut back significantly on my sugar intake, white foods, and processed foods.  Proper nutrition can make a huge difference in your energy levels. 

3. Immune Dysfunction - A weak immune system = a body open for infection, disease, and malfunction.  A strong immune system = health, well-being, and vitality.  A poor immune system sometimes can be indicated by an excess of yeast in the body.  If you experience excessive nasal congestion, mucus, gas, bloating, diarrhea, or constipation those are clues you may have an excess of yeast in your body. Guess what? --- A poor diet and insufficient sleep contribute to a lowered immune system. By eliminating sugar, white products and caffeine you can reduce the amount of yeast in your body. Yes, it's a vicious cycle!  There's a lot more I can say about supplements to boost your immune system but I'll save that for another post!  =)

So there you have it.  Working on these 3 areas contributed to my increased energy levels.  If you're reading this and you find you're always feeling tired.  I encourage you to go to your doctor, have blood work check your hormone levels, and work on the things listed above. Of course this isn't Rx for the cure to fatigue  I'm not a doctor however, it definitely made a difference in my life.  Hope it does for you!

Stay Healthy,

Melissa

To Hear More About My Story Click Here

Drink up!

Did you know that most Americans walking around are dehydrated?  The average adult body is composed of 60-70% water.

As a whole, the average American drinks too little water and way too much caffeine.  Caffeine is a diuretic and contributes to dehydration.  There are endless studies that showcase the incredible benefits from drinking plain H20.

Water assists with detoxifying our digestive system.  Water helps carry away waste more efficiently.  It facilitates the liver, colon, and digestion system to carry out their jobs.  Water is also essential to transport nutrients to the cells and carry waste products away.

Many times we are deceived to believe we are hungry when in fact our bodies are craving water....so drink water first at least 20 minutes before you sit down to eat!

In order to capitalize on the health benefits of water, it is essential to make sure you are consuming from a clean source.  Drinking highly contaminated, impure water is the leading cause of chronic disease in developing countries.

There are over 2,000 known drinking water contaminants that may be present in tap water, including several known poisons.   Ironically, bottled water does not offer a viable alternative to tap water.   Generally municipal water treatment facilities are not always able to control outbreaks of dangerous bacterial contaminants in tap water.  One way ensure pure, contaminant-free drinking water is through the use of a point-of-use filtration system.
Several types of cancer can be attributed to the presence of toxic materials in drinking water.  Clean, healthy drinking water is essential to a child’s proper mental and physical development.  According to the EPA, lead in drinking water contributes to hundreds of thousands cases of learning disorders in children each year in the United States alone.

Studies show that water filters greatly reduce the risk of rectal cancer, colon cancer, and bladder cancer by removing chlorine and chlorine byproducts from the water we drink. A solid block carbon water filter can selectively remove dangerous contaminants from drinking water while retaining healthy mineral deposits that balance the pH of drinking water.  Drinking clean, filtered water protects the body from disease and leads to overall greater health.

Merely avoiding drinking tap water by indulging in bottled water is not an effective means of protection against dangerous water contaminants because these harmful toxins and contaminants can still harm us in the shower or if we are cooking with unfiltered water.

The use of a whole house water filter is the only way to ensure pure, filtered water from every water source in the house.  If a whole house filter is not possible surely placing filters on your kitchen sink and shower are suggested.

Avocado: Health & Beauty Benefits

I am having an amazing week of detox.  I have committed once again to eating only fruits and veges to give my metabolism a jump start before beginning the Transitions Lifestyle System.  By eating only fruits and veges I am providing my body with tons of great enzymes.  These enzymes help to break down food and this assists with better digestion and absorption of nutrients.

I decided to step out from the usual and explore some different ingredients to spice up my salad.  There is one ingredient that to my surprise, has satisfied my taste buds more than the rest.  I've eaten it in the past but wasn't crazy about it however  this week it has become my beloved, enzyme rich food of the week.  Can you guess what it is?  That's right!, The Avocado, also known as the "alligator pear" -YUMMO!  I'm loving it chopped up in my salad.  You should fall in love with it too (if you haven't already) because avocados have a trifecta factor!  Yep, you win threefold because it's great for your hair, skin and nutritionally it's the bomb! (Hey this blog IS about focusing on Beauty from the inside out isn't it?!)  =)

#1-  Avocados Have Amazing Health Benefits
The creamy rich avocado is considered the world's healthiest fruit, because of its nutrient contents. It is loaded with vitamin K, dietary fiber, folic acid, vitamin B6, vitamin C, and copper.  Avocado is also a good source of potassium, (60% more potassium than bananas) a mineral that helps regulate blood pressure. Adequate intake of potassium can help guard against circulatory diseases, like high blood pressure, heart disease, or stroke.  Not only does the avocado have a rich source of monounsaturated fatty acids including oleic acid that may help lower cholesterol, but it is also a very concentrated dietary source of the carotenoid lutein plus significant quantities of vitamin E.

Click Here for Recipe: Avocado & Black Bean Salad

#2 -Avocados Promote Healthy Skin!
Avocados contain a large doses of essential B vitamins, including niacin (vitamin B3) which has been proven to improve the appearance of skin. Its vitamin-rich pulp along with its essential oils make it a must for glowing skin.

Try This:  Avocado Facial Mask
Mash the meat of a ripe avocado into a creamy texture. Apply it thoroughly on face and leave for approximately 15 minutes. Rinse with warm water.

Also, the inside of the avocado peel can be used as a fabulous humectant & oil-rich moisturizer. Rub it on your face or hands.  Avocado oil easily absorbs into deep tissue with its wonderful emollient properties, it is ideal for dry skin.  It may relieve dryness and itching of psoriasis, eczema and other skin ailments.

#3- Avocados for your Hair
Your hair will feel soft, manageable and shiny! --I was pleasantly surprised.

Try This:  Avocado Hair Conditioner
In a small bowl, mash and combine:
1 avocado (1/2 for shorter hair)
1 egg yolk
1/2 teaspoon olive oil
Apply to hair and allow for about 30 minutes then shampoo & condition as usual. Amazingly silky, shiny, soft hair!

The Healthy Eating Pyramid

Wednesday Wellness Tip!

The Healthy Eating Food Pyramid is a great visual aid that outlines the proper nutrition we should be consuming daily.  As you can see, exercise is at the foundation of the pyramid.  Developing the habit of engaging in strength training, cardio & stretching along with a healthy diet promotes a lasting healthy lifestyle.

Find Quality Nutritional Supplements at :  http://www.healthywealthybeautiful.com/

Supplement, Supplement, Supplement!

I hear so many people telling me that they don’t take vitamins. Do you realize that the Average American diet is void of the vitamins and nutrients needed to operate at optimal performance? Without a good multivitamin supplement, you are probably not getting the amounts of vitamins that your body needs to run optimally. Since 1963, the nutrient quality of the soil in which we grow all the food we eat has declined dramatically.

I’ve heard so many of my friends say, “I eat well, and so I don’t need to take anything”

Eating well is important. It is recommended to eat meals with a high nutritional value however even in doing that it is very difficult to eat a diet that meets the RDA levels of vitamins.

There are many different scientific studies that testify to the benefits of taking supplements. Consuming nutritional supplements and vitamins daily has been reported to reduce colds, build up your immune levels, aid in mental clarity, improve childhood development disorders such as ADD and AHDD, lessen PMS symptoms, balance moods, increase energy, and basically just add to the overall quality of your life.

Even if you are relatively healthy and basically feel ok, you can feel even better with supplements.

It’s important to remember that all supplements aren’t created equal. Avoid those that are loaded with fillers, starches, and other harmful additives.

I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia about 9 years ago after having one of the worst episodes ever. I couldn’t move, couldn’t function. It was terrible. I was in excruciating pain, depressed, and suffered with frequent migraine headaches. I was under a great deal of stress, couldn’t sleep-- It was terrible!

My doctor sent me for a series of tests and finally concluded that I should lose weight and get on a medication. The drug they prescribed made me like a zombie. I took it but all I wanted to do was sleep. Let’s not even talk about the side effects that were listed on the bottle.

So, I prayed about it and I began to do some research. I searched alternatives to conventional medication. I looked up vitamins, minerals and natural ways I could feel better.

Well, I lost 35lbs and started taking a “vitamin cocktail”. It included B’s, calcium, flax seed, omega 3, glucosatrin, a good multi-vitamin and St. John’s Wart. I also started colon cleansing every 6 months and really changed my eating habits. It took some time but I eventually began to notice less and less flare ups from the fibromyalgia. Thank God for that. Many people will not believe it but it’s true.

About six months ago, I discovered Isotonix Supplements and WHOA! What a difference! That’s when I really understood that all supplements are not created equal.

Isotonix supplements when mixed become the same consistency as your blood, sweat, or tears. Your body can absorb them within minutes. There’s no breaking down that needs to occur as with a pill or tablet which means you receive maximum results. I researched these supplements and I am completely impressed with their superior delivery system. As a result, I began selling them. =)

Check Out:
www.marketamerica.com/melissahunter

Since trying Isotonix products, I’ve changed my “cocktail”. I take fewer supplements than I was and I’ve also added some supplements such as a super antioxidant called OPC3(pycnogenol, grape seed extract, and red wine extract). I also take Complete Greens (with Spirulina) and Acai.

I encourage everyone; to do yourself a favor by finding and using great vitamins, minerals, and antioxidant as supplements. In general, look for vitamins that are all-natural and can be taken in dosages that at least meet the RDAs for vitamins. A good way to get full-spectrum vitamin support is to find and use a high quality multivitamin supplement. Also, a great antioxidant is really important to fight off those free radicals. Free radicals wreak havoc on our bodies. I recently read the amount of antioxidants we have in our body is in direct proportion to how long we live.


Stay Healthy,
Melissa