Beautiful Prosperity Meditation

Hello Beautiful soul, are you ready to take on a new daily practice that will provide you with great prosperity? Well, YOU are in luck!

 

This is our current 40-day practice that has been making us feel almost too awesome. Thankfully I have my life motto to be confidently authentic with love and grace to keep me grounded. I hope you love this meditation.

 

Beautiful Prosperity Meditation Tutorial:

This is what your 15 minutes will look like:

3 minutes – Self-Esteem and Confidence Meditation

11 minutes – Prosperity Meditation ending in showering yourself with blessingsd

1 minutes – Grateful Practice

Join us! (video of just the practice with Emily Blake and Priya Adi)

 

Beautiful Prosperity Meditation Audio file:

 

Detailed Directions of the Meditation Sequence:

 

Self-Esteem and Confidence Meditation

Posture: Sit in Easy Pose, with a straight spine.

Mudra: Hands are in Gyan Mudra (tips of the index finger and the thumb touching each other, forming a circle), wrists on the knees.

Eyes: Look at the center of your chin, through closed eyes. Or, focus at the tip of your nose with your eyes 1/l0th open.

Mantra: Inhale deeply, suspend the breath and mentally or verbally recite:

I am Beautiful. I am Blissful. I am Bountiful.

Exhale completely and hold the breath out as you mentally or verbally recite:

Excel, Excel, Fearless.

3 minutes

Prosperity II (Har Har) Meditation

“This meditation can be done for up to 11 minutes. It is so powerful in bringing prosperity that more than 11 minutes would be greedy. This meditation stimulates the mind, the moon center, and Jupiter. When Jupiter and the moon come together, there is no way in the world you will not create wealth.” -Yogi Bhajan

Posture: Sit in Easy Pose, with a light jalandhar  bandh.

Eyes: Focus at the tip of the nose, eyes are 9/l0th closed.

Mudra: Elbows are by the sides, forearms are at a 45° angle, with the fingers at the level of the throat. The exercise begins with the palms facing down.

Alternately strike the sides of the hands together. When the palms are face down, the sides of the index (Jupiter) fingers touch, and the thumbs cross below the hands, with the right thumb under the left.

When the palms are face up, the pinky (Mercury) fingers and the base of the palms (The Moon Mounds) touch.

Mantra: Har

Chant continuously from the navel, using the tip of the tongue, it will sound more like “hu-duh.”

11 minutes

Blessings Shower: Follow this with by taking all of the prosperity you just created and showering yourself with blessings three times. Visualizing yourself in a golden bubble of light.

 

Grateful Practice

Posture: Forehead bowed on the floor with hands in prayer pose above head.

Eyes: Gently focus at the third eye(middle of eyebrow point) with eyes closed.

Guidance: Mentally or verbally say “I am grateful for _________” for 10 things in your day, life, whatever you are grateful for (big or small). Best when smiling and really feeling what you are grateful for. Once complete sit up, take a deep breath, open your eyes and have a beautiful and prosperous day!

1-2 minutes

 

Protect your SKIN…

I’ve been being asked a lot lately about by sun shields and visors that I always wear…always wear at night at least so that I can keep my face out of the sun so this is just a quick “here they are.”

The main picture is of me driving with the solar face shield and an upside-down visor to protect the reflective sun from getting under..:-)

Solar face shield that I wear while driving or in some cases walking around..I know it seems a little intense but the sun causes sun damage to my face almost instantly!!! Dark brown spots are no fun…and I’ll let you know how to get rid of them in another article shortly.

This is not the exact one I have, as I purchased many years ago..but I am going to buy this one now as mine has been getting worn down…Kind of annoying they don’t offer free shipping nor are prime..but it is what it is and worth the protection. Comes in black, blue and pink as well.

or this one I actually have owned and offers free shipping and is prime. It wasn’t tight on me as it claims in the customer reviews but maybe I have a small head, I wouldn’t pick this one if you have a large head. 😉 Link to solar sun shield. Comes in many colors.

Sun visor that I absolutely wear everywhere whenever I am in the sun. At this point I have owned over 30 of them..they get dirty, I lose them, they blow off of me during water sports, I give them away..whatever. I have backups ALWAYS!

 

The San Diego Hat company had been my go-to for years..but their prices went up..and now I shop around. If you’re really on a budget there is a 2 pack of visors for only $10.99 and free shipping/prime on Amazon.


Enjoy! Let me know how they work out for you! 🙂 OH FYI I’m still wearing SPF 30 to 50 under this visor!!!!

My current top safe sunscreens for the face are:

Elta MD SPF 46  -they also have a tinted, I prefer the clear as I didn’t see any tint anywhere except on my hands and clothes.

I also really like this Babo Botanicals Super Shield SPF 50 Sunstick..the only thing is it can make you white or have that white gleam so if you don’t want it don’t use it. I use this for when I go scuba diving…and I intentionally leave my face uber white for what I feel is max protection.

I usually follow that up with some Beautycounter Dew Skin…I love the beautiful glow and the extra protection…I add this ever 2 hours and it never gets that “caked on” look.

Minerals/antioxidant goodness:

I’ve been keeping myself extra radiant and hydrated with Healthful Hydration by Healthful Balance!

Summer months I also add in Organic Cold-pressed Rosehip Seed Oil for its amazing protection benefits and naturally occurring vitamins and antioxidants. Just a little dab will do you.

 

Remover of ALL Obstacles Meditation

40-day Meditation Practice.

Combining Mantra and Mudra to clear blockages in life and in communication.

 

You can do this meditation for 3, 7, or 11 minutes. 11 is best but do whichever you can commit to for 40 days straight.

If you forget to do a day..no worries..just start over. 😉

 

The mantra is to be chanted while sitting comfortably in easy pose with eyes closed and focused at the third eye point. 

Having both of your hands with pinky and thumb touching and the three middle fingers upright. Hands are to be placed at shoulders with elbows bent by the rib cage. 

 

Every time you say “such” thrust your stomach inward.

Remover of Obstacles POWERFUL 11 Minute Mediation -JOIN US on YOUTUBE!

Link to Dropbox of music that goes with it.

 

You will chant:

“Aad such, jugaad such, hai bhay such, nanak hosee bhay such.

(practice with this recording)

 

 

What will this Mantra & Mudra Combo do for you? 

This is a Mantra to Open up Blockages in Your Life 

I swear it’s been magical since I started…I have opened up a writer’s block and I didn’t even know I was a writer! I have had even more energy! I have been able to stop sabotaging myself in terms of food and lifestyle patterns. So much good is just flowing out of me..I jenuinely feel that I am a bubble of light that is unabated and living confidently authentic with grace and love with every breath I take, every move I make, and every thought that comes. No matter what others say or do to me I am able to filter it through my bubble and and have the outcome for the greatest good shine through.

~Jennifer Johnson

 

I’m on day 6 and I am experiencing breakthroughs in so many areas…I haven’t had coffee, or sugar (which I was addicted to), and have been able to do a cleanse easily with no cravings for junk food since I started this meditation to remove blocks. I’m noticing that I’m valuing myself even more, and am being a light for others and supporting them through being vulnerable and opening up! This meditation is fo real! Haha!

~Emily Blake

From the teaching of Yogi Bhajan (the teacher of this and many other kundalini yoga practices) below:

One day Yogi Bhajan told his students, “Now suppose something happens in your life which you want to move and it’s not moving. There is a block which you want to move, and it’s not moveable. Then chant, ‘Aad Such, Jugaad Such, Hai Bhay Such, Nanak Hosee Bhay Such.‘ It’s a lever. It is the biggest lever available to you among mantras.”
Baba Siri Chand was the eldest son of Guru Nanak (the first Guru of the Sikhs). He was a very detached yogi and lived for one hundred and fifty years. He did nothing but good. We have this mantra of his and if you use it, anything which is stopped in your life, it shall flow. There is no power like it on Earth. In some circumstances, I have seen it make the impossible possible very fast.
Guru Arjun Dev {the fifth Guru of the Sikhs) went to Baba Siri Chand and said, ‘Sahibo, I am writing Sukhmani. I am writing the great situation and combination of words that will give people comfort. I want to produce everlasting comfort on this Earth. I have finished the sixteenth pauri of Sukhmani and now it doesn’t proceed further. I am stuck. I am to write the seventeenth pauri. Please say something.’
And then Baba Siri Chand said, ‘Well, wait a minute. Guru Nanak gave the Guruship to you folks, and it is your problem to write Gurbani, not mine. I just came to bless you. It doesn’t mean I have to say Gurbani for you.’
And Guru Arjun Dev replied, ‘No, sir, this writing isn’t working for me.’ And then Baba Siri Chand wrote:
All that is stopped shall move.
“Aad such, jugaad such, hai bhay such, nanak hosee bhay such.

 

 

 

 

Mudra to Open Up Blocks in Communication

Yogi Bhajan taught hundreds of short tips and tools out of the tradition of Kundalini Yoga to help us live to our highest potential. This one is a great communication technique.
When Yogi Bhajan taught this mudra, he said, “There are certain techniques that can help you – without a cost. For example, whenever you do not know how to communicate something that is bothering you and you have to go to a meeting to talk.”
Press the pad of the thumb firmly onto the nail of the Mercury (pinky) finger for about one minute. When we press the pad of the thumb onto the nail of the Mercury finger, it is called locking the Mercury finger. “By locking with the pinky (Mercury finger), you develop the inner strength to communicate anywhere with anyone, under any circumstances. Or read the thoughts thereafter.”
Just press your little finger for about a minute.
Then change the mudra and touch the tip of the thumb to the tip of the Mercury (pinky) finger. “It is a total physiological situation. And when you will touch this (the two tips together) and sit, it means your mercury (communication energy) has to be dominating along with your ego. There is no reason that you should not carry the day.”
This technique was taught to help us when we don’t know how to communicate something that is bothering us. It works equally well when we are trying to communicate some creative work and we are blocked.
“Your entire sense of communication shall come on your command. For that, you don’t have to have initiation, you don’t have to belong to anybody, and you will carry the day. It is a reality that when your ego (thumb) will  press on the Mercury finger, it is just telling the horse, ‘Baby, let us gallop.”‘Your entire sense of communication shall come on your command.
Please let me know if you have any questions! 🙂 ENJOY!!!!! PLEASE let me know what UNBLOCKS in your life! 

Prevent Urinary Tract Infections from Ever Happening!

Having a urinary tract infection (UTI) is not fun! It’s also painful and life-threatening..so don’t let it happen to you ever! Or ever again if it’s already happened.

I had one, one time and it was the worst experience of my life and I vowed to never have another. I did what I do best, I researched until there was no more new information that I was discovering. What it all equaled a lot of work but I was up to it to avoid having another…and then as I do I figured out how to be most efficient with everything. In the article on Prevention by Leah Wynalek there are a lot of reasons and things to do and I’m sure they all work.

 

Always staying hydrated is key for UTI’s and life, it’s really important, just as important as the water your drinking to be filtered. Just do it. Some ideas If you’re struggling to drink water;


Photo by Jeremy Bishop

-have a full glass of water by your bed and drink it first thing in the morning, (yes the whole glass) it’s a great way to start your day off.

-carry around a glass water bottle and set an alarm for every hour or two, drink it, refill it (bonus you get to move around a bit also).

-make drinking water a game or a daily discipline that you check off how many you can drink in a day.

-if you get hungry and it’s not time to eat, drink a glass of water, you’re probably just thirsty anyway.

-consciously eat foods with high water content; cauliflower, celery, cucumber, radish, etc…there are a lot of great healthy snacks that are also hydrating.

-don’t drink dehydrating beverages; this includes alcohol and caffeine as the top contenders.

 

Supplements. In relation to UTI prevention.

A probiotic. Daily. Probiotic is not just good for UTI prevention but just for basic health and digestive health. Constipation is nobodies friend, regularly excreting out what is no longer needed, excess and used hormones, and toxins out of the body, so if you don’t go….those are all the things that get reabsorbed into the body! 

I really like Women’s Multi-Probiotic by Natural Factors because it is a great source of probiotics providing live microorganisms to enhance intestinal, vaginal, and urinary tract flora. It provides antioxidants and prevents recurrent urinary tract infections in women. A guaranteed minimum 12 billion active cells of 10 strains of probiotics are blended with CranRich cranberry concentrate to maintain healthy digestive and urinary systems. I use to and probably will sell again in my store, for now, it’s available on Amazon (because what’s not?).

I’ve tried several other brands. The only other brands that I have liked(meaning worked for me):

-Garden of Life Raw Probiotic Women’s (which I haven’t had since they were bought out and reportedly no longer the same quality as they built their reputation on.)

-ReNew Life Ultimate Flora Women’s Care

 

My favorite FOOD source of probiotic:

I am also a big fan of Probiotic Boost Spicy Tumeric Sauerkraut that they NOW have available onMilk and Eggs (a “farmers market” home delivery service that I newly discovered and LOVE)..it’s so good and good for you. WIN WIN! And Milk and Eggs is currently offering 40% off your first order! Additional WIN! 

 

 

 

Vitamin C. Daily. Plus EXTRA if anything enters your vagina; includes tampoons and male parts. I personally have been taking the Solaray timed-release 1000 MG and have seen good results. I take one every morning and one additional in the late afternoon if I feel off in any way. 

 

Organic Cranberry (yes MORE cranberry, even though it’s already in your daily probiotic and NO doesn’t mean you can drink a lot of cranberry juice and have it be as effective…the amount of juice you’d have to drink way too many calories to equal the 500 MG in 1 capsule. Also if you do want to juice instead please note that the unsweetened cranberry juices have the higher concentrations of what you need out of it. I stick with CranRich Super Strength 500mg with ORGANIC Cranberries.

Photo by Joanna Kosinska

Why cranberry? It’s been studied to prevent the bacteria E. coli from adhering to the wall of the bladder and since E. coli is the bacteria that causes most UTIs it PREVENTS them when there is enough and at the right time. Please note PREVENT! Cranberry doesn’t remove E. coli bacteria off of the bladder wall. Once you have a UTI, it’s too late for prevention.

How to use cranberry to prevent UTIs is to take cranberry before (if possible) immediately after, and 12 hours after intercourse or when using tampons.

 

According to Louise L. Hay; 

Urinary Infections are caused by people being pissed off, usually at the opposite sex or a lover. And blaming others.

The new thought patter if this is true for you is “I release that created this condition. I am willing to change. I love and approve of myself.”

 

 

Also just to add these I believe common sense/widely known do’s/don’t:

-always wipe from to back.

-wear underwear with cotton crotch (more for yeast infection prevention..but you don’t want that either)

-don’t take birth control pills, I still am in awe that these are still legal. 🙁

-don’t douche or use any products with chemicals in your precious kingdom.

 

You can add in ALL of the extras that are from Prevention’s article below but it is that “overkill” that I was doing in the beginning that may not be necessary. (FYI: I haven’t had a UTI in over 7 years and we are all different so what works for me might not work for you.)

 

ALL of this being said if you’re here because you already have a UTI and are looking for natural remedies, there aren’t  any. If that’s not what you want to hear I hear you! I’m not a fan of taking medicine unnecessarily but this is one of those times that it is.

The form of antibiotic used to treat a bacterial UTI usually depends on what part of the tract is involved. Lower tract UTIs can usually be treated with oral antibiotics. Upper tract UTIs require intravenous antibiotics. These antibiotics are put directly into your veins.

Sometimes, bacteria develop resistance to antibiotics. Results from your urine culture can help your doctor select an antibiotic treatment that will work best against the type of bacteria that’s causing your infection.

Treatments other than antibiotics for bacterial UTIs are being examined. At some point, UTI treatment without antibiotics may be an option for bacterial UTIs by using cell chemistry to change the interaction between the body and the bacteria. I’ll update this when that happens. 😉 

Long-lasting or recurrent kidney infections can cause permanent damage, and some sudden kidney infections can be life-threatening, particularly if bacteria enter the bloodstream in a condition known as septicemia. This is why it is important to take immediate action, besides the fact that the longer you let it go the more it will spread and the more painful it will become..so if you think you’re in pain now…be prepared it only gets worse.

 

8 Most Common Causes Of UTIs: One of these might be to blame for your pesky urinary tract infection. December 15, 2017

Urinary tract infection test
TEK IMAGE/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY/Getty Images
If you’ve ever had a urinary tract infection, then you know the agony of that terrible burning feeling and relentless need to pee—and you’d probably do anything to avoid getting another.According to the National Kidney Foundation, 1 in 5 women experiences a UTI at some point in her life. And while men can get them, too (UTIs are the second most common infection), women are much more likely to contract one, says the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. That’s because we have a shorter urethra, which makes it all too easy for UTI-causing bacteria to pass through it and invade the bladder. No fair.”Our urinary tract system is designed to keep out bacteria; however, these defenses can fail,” says Kelly M. Kasper, MD, an ob-gyn at Indiana University Health. “When that happens, bacteria can grow and multiply and cause infections.”(Reverse chronic inflammation and heal your body from the inside out with the all-natural solution in The Whole Body Cure!)Here are 8 of the most common causes of urinary tract infections—and a handful of helpful tips for prevention.
Sex could cause UTIs
nd3000/Shutterstock
Sex

We know, huge bummer. Many women get UTIs after doing the deed because the motion of sex can transfer bacteria from the bowel or vaginal cavity into the urethra. To lower your risk of getting a urinary tract infection, pee within 30 minutes of having sex, says Lisa N. Hawes, MD, a general urologist in Fulton, Maryland, and a physician spokesperson for the American Urological Association. And ignore the often-shared advice that both partners should wash their genitals immediately before and after sex. “This actually changes bacterial flora and will increase UTI risks,” Hawes says.

 

Constipation can cause UTIs
Kotikoti/Shutterstock
Constipation

You might be able to blame your poop (or lack thereof) for your UTI. Being constipated makes it difficult to empty your bladder all the way, which means trapped bacteria have lots of time to grow and cause infection, says Hawes. (Here’s how to never be constipated again.) On the flip side, diarrhea or fecal incontinence can also increase your risk of getting a UTI, because bacteria from loose stool can easily make their way into your vagina and urethra. A tried-and-true tip: Wipe from front to back whenever you use the bathroom, but be especially careful to do so after a bowel movement.

 

Diabetes can cause urinary tract infections
Minerva Studio/Shutterstock
Uncontrolled diabetes

“When blood sugar is high, the excess sugar is removed through the urine,” Hawes says. “This makes a favorable environment for bacterial overgrowth” and a potentially unfavorable situation for you. You may have heard the myth that eating too much sugar causes urinary tract infections, even if you don’t have diabetes, but Hawes assures us that’s not true. Unless you have diabetes, your sweet tooth isn’t the culprit. (If you do have diabetes, here are the best foods to order at 8 types of restaurants.)

Holding your pee can cause UTIs
CHAjAMP/Shutterstock
Holding it

If you have to go, go! “Holding our urine for 6 hours or more may make UTIs more common, as bacteria that does get into the bladder has lots of time to overgrow between voids,” Hawes says. While traveling, for example, it may seem like a good idea to hold tight and keep driving until the next rest area, but do yourself a favor and stop—the extra miles aren’t worth the risk of a UTI infection.

MORE: What The Color Of Your Pee Says About Your Health

Dehydration can cause a urinary tract infection
Maridav/Shutterstock
Dehydration

Drinking plenty of water not only quenches your thirst, but it also wards off UTIs during hot summer months, when many of us don’t hydrate enough. “We should always try to drink at least half our body weight in ounces,” says Stephanie Seitz, ND, a physician at the Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine. “When we drink plenty of water, we help flush out bacteria that can cause UTIs.”

Birth control can cause UTIs
Image Point Fr/Shutterstock
Birth control

If you switch your birth control, the resulting hormone shift could lead to a change in normal bacteria in your vagina, which could up the odds of a UTI, says Hawes. Use of diaphragms and spermicides can also increase your chances of developing one, Kasper adds.

UTIs can be caused by Feminine products
Ollinka/Shutterstock
Feminine products

“Dirty pads and tampons are a place where bacteria can grow very easily,” says Ehsan Ali, MD, a primary care physician in Beverly Hills, California. So change them frequently to prevent urinary tract infections while on your period. Likewise, Alyssa Dweck, MS, MD, an ob-gyn in Westchester County, New York, says to choose your underwear wisely: “A cotton crotch is always preferred, and avoid thongs with a thin, chafing g-string, which can transfer bacteria.” Wearing cotton helps prevent excessive moisture that causes bacteria to grow down there, Dweck says.

Kidney stones can cause UTIs
Remik44992/Shutterstock
Kidney stones

These mineral deposits up your risk of getting a UTI, says Ali, because they can block the urinary tract and back up urine, giving bacteria plenty of time to grow. (Here’s the craziest way to pass a kidney stone.)

Detoxing from Wildfire Smoke

Yes, the fires in California have been out of control lately, taking out houses, buildings, even power…luckily not too many lives from the flames but the smoke and toxic irritants are a serious health risk.

 

Why? Because smoke is made up of an amalgam of gases and fine particles produced when wood and other materials burn. The microscopic particles in the smoke are the biggest health threat. These tiny particles penetrate deep into your lungs. Immediate symptoms include burning eyes, cough, difficulty breathing, phlegm, runny nose, shortness of breath, and wheezing.

The symptoms can be immediate or take weeks to show up, so it is important to detox your body if you know you have been exposed. And if you live in most parts of California you’ve been exposed! Aggravated chronic heart and lung disease, emotional imbalance, fatigue, headaches, heavy breathing/respiratory discomfort, nausea, sore throat are some of the common effects to watch out for. Also not to scare you but exposure to particle pollution has even been linked to premature death.

 

 

 

To mitigate these effects:

Breath Clean Air:

Stay indoors if possible and hang out near your air filter/purifier. If you don’t have one get one! I personally love my Airfree Onix 3000 Filterless Air Purifier…mainly because it works and is filterless…it works for up to 650 sq. ft. so you may require additional. I keep it in my bedroom for while I sleep ALWAYS, not just for these special times. There are a lot of other “smoke specific air filters” worth looking into that you can order on Amazon..some receive SAME DAY if you have Amazon Prime (bonus you don’t have to leave your home!) Another great option is the Molekule, yes pricey but many insurances cover after wildfires and it is important for your health.

Do not increase the toxicity of the air by burning anything; no candles, no cigarettes(great time to quit), no incense, and obviously no fires. It is also a good idea to avoid toxic cleaning chemicals and fragrances(really you should not be using fragrances ever as they are endocrine disrupting but that is a separate issue, article on toxic products.)

-If you must go outside it’s best to wear a mask to filter out the smoke particles…these are washable masks, children’s masks, one-sided filter mask.

 

 

Reduce Physical Activity & Stay Hydrated:

Do not do anything that will cause you to have to take extra breaths indoors or outdoors. It seems okay indoors and the air quality is better but the nanoparticles are everywhere.

Stay hydrated! Drinking ample amounts of water supports the bodies natural detoxification system.

Staying hydrated also means not doing things that dehydrate you. Abstaining from alcohol in these times could make a big difference in your recovery.

 

 

Intake Activated Charcoal:

Activated charcoal has been coming all of the rage and there’s a lot of reason why!

Activated charcoal is a potent natural treatment used to trap toxins and chemicals in the body, allowing them to be flushed out so the body doesn’t reabsorb them.

How does activated charcoal work?Activated charcoal works by trapping toxins and chemicals in its millions of tiny pores. It doesn’t absorb the toxins, however. Instead, it works through the chemical process of adsorption. In the body, absorption is the reaction of elements, including nutrients, chemicals, and toxins, soaked up and assimilated into the bloodstream. Adsorption is the chemical reaction where elements bind to a surface. There is a lot more information out there about activated charcoal, this information sourced from Dr. Axe.

Products I highly recommend:

Daily Detox Charcoal Set a great new duo by Beauty Counter (a company dedicated to getting safer products into the hands of everyone!)I AM EMPOWERED Deodorant by VitaLife Organics (a product line dedicated to providing you organic, non-toxic multiple benefits-in-one including products that are vitamin, mineral, and reiki infused)

There are additional products ranging from toothpaste to tablets available on Amazon or your local retailer. You just want to be sure that the products you use are made from natural sources like coconut shells.

 

Chinese Medicine Modalities:

Acupuncture: Acupuncture is known to help alleviate headaches, eye and throat irritation, and sinus congestion. Several acupuncture points on the body along the chest and back can help stimulate lung health, reduce phlegm, and relax muscles that can become tight as a reflex from irritation of the air passages.

Cupping: Cupping helps to reduce asthma symptoms, coughing, and wheezing as well as aids in expanding the lungs. Expanding the lungs is helpful as it aids in eliminating harmful smoke particles out of the body.

Herbs:

Huang Qi also known as Astragalus powder(can add to liquid/make your own blend)

Gou Qi Zi also known as Goji Berries available online or at your local health store.

These herbs help nourish the lungs, enhance their function, as well as provide the gentle moisture needed to help eliminate the small particles that are aggravating their tissues. Herbs can be used during the fire exposure as well as after to help restore the damage to the lungs. A particularly common and powerful formula is combining Astragalus with Goji Berries.

Astragalus Goji Berry Lung Detox: Simmer a half cup of astragalus in 1 quart of water for 20 minutes, strain, and then add a half cup of goji berries while the water is still hot.  Let it steep until cool enough to drink. You can then drink throughout the day.  Once you drink you can snack on goji berries.  Both herbs serve to enhance lung qi and function, but also provide nourishment and moisture/yin to relieve the dryness that the smoky particles cause, as well as give it a carrier to eliminate it from the lungs.

 

Vitamin Supplementation:

Vitamin C is a very important water-soluble antioxidant found in the respiratory system.

Vitamin B6 is beneficial for lung health. The body requires vitamin B6 for normal functioning of more than 60 different enzymes, some of which are directly involved in the respiratory system.

Magnesium is important now and always! Getting enough quality magnesium supplementation(best form is of the chelate family) is important because the muscles of the respiratory system impact how the lungs expand, meaning their capacity to trap air.

 

Take Care of Yourself:

No matter what you do, trust your body, be cautious and take extra good care of yourself. Your immune system is currently being compromised so be sure to eat healthily and stay positive.

NON TOXIC Beauty Products!

Are you wearing a city’s worth of toxins on your face?

 

 

Did you know that ingredients like pthalates, parabens, and even heavy metals like lead and mercury are commonly found in personal care products?  Yes the ones that we use on ourselves our kids, despite the fact that they are linked to health problems like hormone imbalance, infertility, allergies, and even cancer⁉️ (that are FDA approved I mind you.)

But there is good news! ? safe products are coming onto the market! So far the one that takes the cake for me is Beautycounter. Their mission is to get safer products into the hands of everyone. The founder really cares, and the products are rigorously third-party tested for safety.

I am thrilled about what I have to share with you today. After searching for safer personal care products, I’ve been so excited to find a brand that is not only voluntarily eliminating over 1,500 harmful ingredients from their products and being a force in politics to demand change, but they also are empowering everyone, equipping and providing resources to create a shift so that we can all have safer products as LAW!  The more I learn about the company, the more I become enamored and fall in love with what they’re doing. The company I have so much respect for is a safe skincare company called Beautycounter! And the best part is that the products themselves are amazing!

Okay I’m not going to lie, although I love the performance of the line, at first I was concerned because the prices were a little more than what I was used to… but then I looked at the ingredients that were in my products. Even many of the expensive ones were full of junk known with known links to health problems! I realized that the cost is worth it and will end up saving me money and time in the long run. Not being healthy COSTS a lot of money, can be depressing, painful, and a hindrance to enjoying life fully. Avoiding medical problems and being able to give birth naturally… you can’t put a price on that!

I have partnered with Beautycounter, and all the profits that are made through the Happy Healthy Hormones account will be used to fund the ENDING PMS project…aka Jenius Cycle.  😉

BEAUTY COUNTER MISSION:

To get safer products into the hands of everyone.

Decades of studies indicate that serious health issues (including but not limited to asthma, cancer, and infertility) are on the rise and are due in some part to our ongoing exposure to toxic chemicals—whether it’s in the shower, on our commute, while we eat lunch at a local restaurant, or when we clean our kitchens at home.

 

 

A product that I have and love:

The Illuminating Trio! It’s three cream sticks: a highlighter, blush, and a bronzer that work really well together to contour your face, while giving it that extra “glow!” It’s currently $55 for all three products (hence “trio”) value of $111.

I will soon create a Youtube on how to apply..if you’re seeing this and it’s not up and you want to see the video…reach out to me..aka put me in gear! 🙂 Thank you!

until then…

 

 

Beautcounter’s Mission:

To get safer products into the hands of everyone.

Decades of studies indicate that serious health issues (including but not limited to asthma, cancer, and infertility) are on the rise and are due in some part to our ongoing exposure to toxic chemicals—whether it’s in the shower, on our commute, while we eat lunch at a local restaurant, or when we clean our kitchens at home.

Beautycounter offers a full line of makeup, skincare and bath collections for women, men, children, and babies. They are all significantly safer than the standard products that you are probably using now. Even if you’ve already switched to more natural or organic products (great job!), you may still be missing that “high performance” piece of the puzzle. I’d love to help answer any questions and help you with your skin concerns.

One of my favorite lines I heard from Gregg Renfrew, Beautycounter’s founder, was that her goal for the future is for people not to have to look at the back of the container to see if the ingredients were safe… because they already know they all are! Music to my ears! The amount of time wasted on reading and researching ingredients is atrocious. I’m thankful I found Beautycounter, I’m looking forward to sharing it with you, and I’m excited about that future!

 

 

 

At Beautycounter, we’ve committed to a health and safety standard that goes well beyond what is legally required in the United States. The Never List™ is made up of more than 1,500 questionable or harmful chemicals that we never use as ingredients in our products. This includes the over 1,400 chemicals banned or restricted in personal care products by the European Union, plus additional chemicals screened by Beautycounter and found to be of concern.

While all of our ingredients are sourced with a higher standard of safety and quality in mind, it is well recognized — and accepted by regulatory authorities around the world — that incidental, trace levels of a chemical may inadvertently be introduced in a cosmetic product due to the complexities of the supply chain and manufacturing process. At Beautycounter, we work incredibly hard to minimize — but unfortunately, can’t eliminate — the potential that a product may contain trace levels of a chemical from The Never List™.

Check out this shortened, pocket-size version of The Never List™.

Benzalkonium chloride: a disinfectant used as a preservative and surfactant associated with severe skin, eye, and respiratory irritation and allergies. Found in: sunscreens, moisturizers.

BHA and BHT: synthetic antioxidants used to extend shelf life. They are likely carcinogens and hormone disruptors and may cause liver damage. Found in: lipsticks, moisturizers, diaper creams, and other cosmetics.

Coal tar hair dyes and other coal tar ingredients: a byproduct of coal processing that is a known carcinogen. It is used as a colorant and an anti-dandruff agent. Found in: hair dye, shampoo.

Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA): a chelating (binding) agent added to cosmetics to improve stability. May be toxic to organs. Found in: hair color, moisturizers.

Ethanolamines (MEA/DEA/TEA): surfactants and pH adjuster linked to allergies, skin toxicity, hormone disruption, and inhibited fetal brain development. Found in: hair dyes, mascara, foundation, fragrances, sunscreens, dry cleaning solvents, paint, pharmaceuticals.

Formaldehyde: used as a preservative in cosmetics. A known carcinogen that is also linked to asthma, neurotoxicity, and developmental toxicity. Present where quaternium-15, DMDM hydantoin, imidazolidinyl urea, diazolidinyl urea, sodium hydroxymethylglycinate, 2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1,3 diol (Bronopol), and several other preservatives are listed. Found in: shampoo, body wash, bubble bath.

Hydroquinone: a skin-lightening chemical that inhibits the production of melanin and is linked to cancer, organ toxicity, and skin irritation. Found in: skin-lightening creams.

Methylisothiazolinone and methylchloroisothiazolinone: chemical preservatives that are among the most common irritants, sensitizers, and causes of contact skin allergies. Found in: shampoo, conditioner, body wash.

Oxybenzone: sunscreen agent and ultraviolet light absorber linked to irritation, sensitization and allergies, and possible hormone disruption. Found in: sunscreen, moisturizer.

Parabens  (methyl-, isobutyl-, propyl- and others): a class of preservatives commonly used to prevent the growth of bacteria and mold. Parabens are endocrine (or hormone) disruptors, which may alter important hormone mechanisms in our bodies. Found in: shampoo, face cleanser, body wash, body lotion, foundation.

Phthalates  (DBP, DEHP, DEP and others): a class of plasticizing chemicals used to make products more pliable or to make fragrances stick to skin. Phthalates disrupt the endocrine system and may cause birth defects. Found in: synthetic fragrance, nail polish, hairspray, and plastic materials.

Polyethylene glycol (PEG compounds): PEGs are widely used in cosmetics as thickeners, solvents, softeners, and moisture-carriers. Depending on manufacturing processes, PEGs may be contaminated with measurable amounts of ethylene oxide and 1,4-dioxane, which are both carcinogens. Found in: creams, sunscreen, shampoo.

Retinyl palmitate and Retinol (Vitamin A): a nutrient that may damage DNA and speed the growth of skin tumors when used topically. Found in: moisturizer, anti-aging skincare.

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate and Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLS and SLES): SLS and SLES are surfactants that can cause skin irritation or trigger allergies. SLES is often contaminated with 1,4-dioxane, a byproduct of a petrochemical process called ethoxylation, which is used to process other chemicals in order to make them less harsh. Found in: shampoo, body wash, bubble bath.

Synthetic flavor or fragrance: an engineered scent or flavoring agent that may contain any combination of 3,000-plus stock chemical ingredients, including hormone disruptors and allergens. Fragrance formulas are protected under federal law’s classification of trade secrets and therefore can remain undisclosed. Found in: all types of cosmetics.

Toluene: a volatile petrochemical solvent that is toxic to the immune system and can cause birth defects. Found in: nail polish.

Triclosan and Triclocarban: antimicrobial pesticides toxic to the aquatic environment; may also impact human reproductive systems. Found in: liquid soap, soap bars, toothpaste.

Beautycounter will never test our finished products on animals, nor do we ask others to.

Sources: National Institutes of Environmental Health Sciences, CosIng, Health Canada, The Endocrine Disruption Exchange, EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database

What are you ingesting through your skin, nose, and more? + HEALTHY Beauty Recommendations

A healthy life goes beyond what you eat! What you put on your skin, what you smell through your nostrils or even what you put in your mouth temporarily. For many years we’ve been exposing ourselves to so many toxins and not even knowing they were bad for us and just thinking all of these random little “issues” were just a part of life and had no relation to what products we were using. Slowly we’re discovering more and more of all the cancer-causing, endocrine disrupting ingredients but it really takes you educating yourself as it takes years for the research to equal government regulations on ingredients and products. Which means that many stores and even reputable brands are still selling toxic products with and without even knowing it. LUCKILY we are in an awesome age of discovery and taking charge of our health and there are a lot of conscience brands flooding the marketplace. This is good news to our endocrine system which for years has been so overwhelmed with toxins that it hasn’t known what to do and has been repeatedly trying to tell you that something is wrong by causing you rashes, breakouts, allergies, bloating, discoloration, dryness, stinky sweat, constipation, and so much more….do you think your body wants to be doing all that to you?? NO, it doesn’t! It wants to run a smooth sailing operation where it gets to keep you in pristine condition with ease…unfortunately you keep pounding your system with toxins and it has to spend time warding them off, getting them out, and trying to do this all while being weaker from the years of impact…it’s very disruptive AND reversible.

 

From the American Cancer Society “Parabens are chemicals used as preservatives and as food additives. They can be found in many types of make-up (like lipstick, mascara, concealer, and foundation) and skin care products (like lotion, shaving products, and sunscreen). Parabens can be absorbed through the skin. Intake of parabens is a possible concern because studies have shown that parabens have weak estrogen-like properties. Estrogen is a female hormone known to cause breast cells (both normal and cancerous) to grow and divide. And some conditions that increase the body’s exposure to estrogen (like not having children, late menopause, obesity, etc.) have been linked to an increased risk of breast cancer.”

Even with this out there publicly and for years parabens are still legal and in MANY products… I know so crazy…and parabens aren’t the only known toxic, cancer-causing ingredients that you’ll find in your products. There are actually just too many to list but a great resource for ingredient knowledge that is paired with the effects is ewg.org so if you want to grab your favorite beauty product and look up its ingredients..here’s your resource.

Okay so here are SOME healthy recommendations:

Out of ALL the kinds of toothpaste and mouthwashes that I’ve tried..

The healthiest options were Honest and Toms. Both weren’t refreshing, I always felt like I still had bad breath/needed to brush but was trying to be “healthy” so just kept using….while trying additional products.

Then one day I discovered Spry products! They are not only fluoride free(unless you want fluoride…they sell 1 with some) they are also very powerful NATURAL flavors! My favorite so far is spearmint but I recently ordered the cinnamon and am looking forward to trying that one out as well.

Spry also carries mouthwash which I love and use as well. I personally like the spearmint flavor but I’m sure they’re all great just depending on your preference. I generally buy the Spry 2 pack of mouthwash from Amazon.

 

In looking at everything I’d say the biggest issue with the healthy natural products is that they are significantly more expensive and who wants to spend more money? I know I don’t want to but make my health my #1 priority so I do.

These are some great healthy recommendations(with link to purchase from cheapest and prime if possible off of Amazon) from FloLiving‘s Alisa Vitti:

Skin Care

Face wash: Naturopathica Oat Cleansing Facial Polish $52

Amazing toner: Hannes Dottir Mineral Mist $45

Eye cream: Kiss My Face Organics Eyewitness  $14

Night cream: Naturopathica Argan & Retinol Wrinkle Repair Night Cream $104

For DRY recovery: Naturopathica Aloe Replenishing Gel Mask $48

Extra exfoliating scrub(once a week): Alba Botanica Good and Clean Scrub $5

Once a month peel to do during follicular cycle: Naturopathica Pumpkin Purifying Enzyme Peel  $56

Personal Lubricant: Aloe Cadabra $11

Makeup:

UPDATE: In looking for a 1 stop shop I found that ALL Beauty Counter products are SAFE!! And the company is AMAZING!!

Under eye & concealer: RMS Beauty “Un” Cover-Up $36 (so great for your skin you can wear it to bed!)

Setting powder(for the RMS “Un” cover-up): Mineral Fusion Pressed Powder $21

Mascara: Gabriel $15      Beauty Counter Volumizing  $29

Eye-liner: Jane Iredale $15  Beauty Counter $23

Blush: Pacifica Coconut and Rose Infused Blush $11

Setting powder: Mineral Fusion Pressed Powder $21

WHY Take Vitamins & Minerals?

Take Your Vitamins: 8 Reasons You Might Be Nutrient Deficient

Food scientists urge us to get our nutrients from a healthy diet (1), which follows logic, given that nature-made is often considered superior to man-made. But does that mean that if you’re already eating a healthy, balanced diet, you can write off supplements altogether?

A recent paper from the Council for Responsible Nutrition in Washington tells us that the answer to that question is “no.” (2) Following are eight reasons why you might not be getting your daily nutritional requirements. If any of these apply to you, it’s crucial to increase your intake of vitamins and minerals in the form of high quality, highly bioavailable supplements. Which we’ll get into in another article…quality is key..and although you can’t get quality vitamins for cheap, it’s just not possible, you can purchase vitamins that are expensive that aren’t absorbable. You need to source vitamins and minerals through companies/people that care and know!

Modern Commercial Farming Practices

When plants are repeatedly grown year after year in the same soil, the soil loses nutrients at a higher pace than it can replace them. This forces farmers to fertilize, which provides just enough nutrients to keep the plants alive until harvest, but not enough to give our bodies what they need. Felicity Lawrence, author of Not On The Label: What Really Goes Into the Food on Your Plate, reveals that this produces plants with up to 75% fewer micronutrients.

To make matters worse, these plants are never harvested at maturity and eaten right away—instead they travel cross-country and sit on market shelves for days—resulting in the degradation of what few nutrients the vegetables actually have when they’re picked. So even those of us actually eating healthy, organic, aren’t getting the nutrients we think we are.

What We Feed Our Animal Food Sources

Animals that graze are meant to eat grasses, but modern agriculture responded to the population boom by changing the diets of these animals to mass-produced grain, a food source that is at odds with these animals’ biological requirements. As a result, grain-fed meat is lower in antioxidants, micronutrients, fatty acids, minerals, and vitamins than meat from grass-eating and grass-finished livestock. (3)

This affects the milk we drink as well—obviously milk from grass-fed cows contains more of the good stuff. Since the majority of the nutrients in milk are found in the fat, low and non-fat versions have very little of what our bodies need. Furthermore, pasteurization destroys many of the nutrients that should be present in milk. This means that the best choice is organic, raw, unpasteurized, full-fat dairy, which is something that many people don’t have readily accessible.

You Have a Restricted Diet (and by restricted I mean you’d ned to consume over 25,000 calories to actual get the nutrients you need and there’s no nutrients in sugar!)

If you’re vegetarian or vegan, you probably already understand the importance of supplementing the nutrients you would otherwise get from animal products, like vitamin B12, calcium and iron. But what if you’re limiting your caloric intake for weight loss? If you’re eating fewer than two meals a day, or fewer than five servings of fruits and vegetables a day, chances are you’re nutrient deficient.

In fact, one study suggests that in modern society, a person would need to consume 27,575 calories per day to reach sufficient levels of the 27 most important micronutrients from food alone. These means you could eat non-stop day and night and still come up short in the nutrition department (4). The time and money that would consume just boggles the mind.

Some Nutrients We Never Get Enough Of

More than 50% of American adults are deficient in vitamin D because it’s virtually impossible to get enough from food. The alternative source—synthesizing the nutrient from sunlight—requires spending hours outside with our skin completely exposed, sans sunscreen, which poses risks not worth the reward.

Furthermore, more than 33% of women are short of the recommended levels of calcium, which is exacerbated by our vitamin D deficiency, since D is required for maximum calcium absorption. (5)

Magnesium! (article on JUST Magnesium) It’s not only not consumed enough of, it also gets depleted which is detrimental to over all health and significant to the women’s cycle and hormonal balance.

You’re Getting Older

None of us can escape the effects of time, so it’s best to arm ourselves with the knowledge of how to adapt to our changing physiology. As we age, our metabolism decreases, requiring us to eat fewer calories per day. However, our bodies need the same amount of protein, vitamins, and minerals and, in some instances, even more nutrients. Quite the conundrum, having to eat less, while still acquiring the same amounts or more of the vitamins and minerals we require.

Furthermore, our ability to absorb certain vitamins decreases as we age, due to decreased stomach acid. This puts vitamins B12, D and calcium high on the list of supplements recommended in our twilight years. (6)

You Suffer From PMS 

Extreme symptoms surrounding a woman’s menstrual cycle are thought to be the result of hormone imbalances. While avoiding salt, sugar, and caffeine, and getting adequate sleep and hydration helps, many sources suggest relief is to be found in increasing certain nutrients, such as vitamin B6, omega-3 fatty acids, and minerals such as zinc and magnesium. Even for women who already eat a healthy diet, taking supplements at certain times of the month could be the answer to symptoms that have plagued them their entire adult lives. (7) This is what JENIUS CYCLE has taken on to END PMS.


You Drink Alcohol Regularly 

Alcohol interferes with the nutritional process by affecting digestion, storage, utilization, and excretion of nutrients. These nutrients cannot break down into usable molecules because alcohol decreases the secretion of digestive enzymes from the pancreas. Furthermore the process of metabolizing alcohol requires the liver to utilize nutrients, at which point the blood stream is called upon to replenish the supply. (8)

Therefore, if you drink more than three alcoholic beverages per day, it is recommended that you seek supplemental sources of vital micronutrients.

You Take Prescription Meds

Because prescription medicines are often accompanied by a slew of side effects, chances are if you take them, you may be in need of extra nutrients. The reasons for this are as varied as the medicines on the market: some decrease appetite, others change the PH of the GI tract reducing the body’s ability to absorb nutrients, while still other cause insulin resistance and cravings for bad food. (9)

 

I’m very particular with what I put into my body and the Jenius Cycle packs are all top quality, absorbable vitamins and minerals.

You can purchase the individual bottles of Health-ful-bone and Healthful Greens & Reds here in the Jenius Shop.

 

(1) “A review of dietary supplementation suggests that although supplements may be beneficial in states of insufficiency, the safe middle ground for consumption likely is food.” http://ajcn.nutrition.org/content/89/5/1543S.abstract

(2) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24724766

(3) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19502506

(4) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20537171

(5) http://www.prevention.com/mind-body/natural-remedies/do-women-really-need-multivitamins

(6) http://www.webmd.com/healthy-aging/features/nutritional-needs-change-as-you-age

(7) http://www.webmd.com/women/features/escape-hormone-horrors-what-you-can-do#2

(8) https://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/aa22.htm

(9) https://nutritionreview.org/2016/12/practical-guide-avoiding-drug-induced-nutrient-depletion/

PMS is the worst! Jenius Cycle helps make ALL your symptoms a thing of the past!

PMS is the worst! Let Jenius Cycle make your symptoms a thing of the past.

New research shows that supplements designed to balance women’s hormones can effectively relieve monthly menstrual symptoms. The Jenius Cycle pairs high-quality nutrients with a woman’s specific daily needs to promote health and vitality every day of the month!

It’s a fact that 85% of women experience unpleasant symptoms during their monthly cycles. Symptoms such as cramping, bloating, cravings for processed foods, irritability, and fatigue are often debilitating, sometimes leading to missed work or social withdrawal. Ordinarily confident women may find themselves overcome by irrational emotions, making it frustratingly difficult to perform at optimal levels in what is so often referred to as a “man’s world.”

Fortunately, the feminine health industry has responded with countless temporary solutions, including everything from pain meds to heating pads, massagers, and soothing herbal teas. Unfortunately these solutions don’t get to the root of the issue for hormonal balance nor address the vitamin and mineral deficiency that many women have with greatly contribute to poor health and hormonal imbalance. The Jenius Cycle supplements the body with highly absorbable vitamins and minerals that a woman specifically needs everyday of the month. Jenius Cycle strives to create total wellness each and every day and is very particular about where sourcing ingredients so that they are a contribution to women’s health.

Unlike the competition, the Jenius Cycle is not a temporarily fix. Instead it is a complete health system: a monthly package of individual parcels of daily vitamins, started on the first day of a woman’s period and taken every day thereafter. The contents of each packet vary daily, ensuring women get the nutritional support they require when they need it most.

 

We at Jenius Cycle believe that when you feel your best, you can be your best. 

Embrace your power. 

Be Happy, Healthy, and Hormonally Balanced.

Help us help you by promoting, sponsoring, or funding Jenius Cycle. Email [email protected]

JeniusCycle.com

@happyhealthyhormones

 

 

Happy Healthy Hormones PM Elixir *Burn fat while you sleep!

Are you going to bed on an empty stomach? Because I was, I thought this was best! But as always there’s new research and articles and information coming out ALL of the time! Now it’s said that this healthy drink has been proven to burn fat while you sleep and that you’ll see noticeable results in a short period of time when consumed regularly aka EVERY NIGHT.

Usually while you’re sleeping your metabolism naturally becomes slower but it doesn’t have to!! You can get your metabolism into hyperdrive and burn calories while you are sleeping! If you’re concerned about it keeping you up late at night..don’t..and if you have problems falling asleep already be sure to ingest additional magnesium before bed. Personally I take 2 Healthful-bone vitamins, spray magnesium oil on the bottom of my feet, meditate and then I’m able to sleep like a baby! (And that wasn’t always the case)

Cucumbers keep you hydrated inside and out, contains minerals for the skin, aids in flushing toxins, aids in weight loss, contains fiber and are low in calories.

Parsley is full of antioxidants and are a good source of Protein, Vitamin E (Alpha Tocopherol), Thiamin, Riboflavin, Niacin, Vitamin B6, Pantothenic Acid, Phosphorus and Zinc, and a very good source of Dietary Fiber, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin K, Folate, Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Potassium, Copper and Manganese.

Lemon flushes out toxins accumulated in your body melting off fat and increasing metabolism once the impurities are out of the body.

Ginger speeds up metabolism, prevents constipation, is an anti-inflammatory, lowers cholesterol and blood sugar, fights infections, and so much more! (FYI: The more you use the “spicier” it is)

Aloe vera contains natural anti-oxidants that help to delay the growth of free radicals in the body and reduces inflammatory processes going on in the body. It stimulates the metabolic rate which in turn helps for the consumption of more energy. This process stabilizes and reduces the body mass index (BMI)

Blend all the organic ingredients and drink before going to bed:

  • 1 small or 1/2 large cucumber
  • 1  bunch of parsley or cilantro
  • 1 lemon (squeeze juice in, not whole lemon in blender)
  • 1 finger of ginger
  • 1 tbsp. aloe vera juice (you can use real plant if you have)
  • 1/4 cup water