Tag: spring cleaning

Spring Cleaning to Support Change

As we welcome a time change and brighter longer days, we are seeing nature come out of hibernation.  Transitioning from winter into sunny spring energy.  Spring often brings play, more activity, energy and creativity.  Yet, we are experiencing a seasonal shift that goes against the grain.  Due to currently being in the pandemic, we are experiencing heightened anxiety, depression, exhaustion (mentally and physically) and uncertainty.

Now more than ever, it’s important for us to be proactive with our health, joy and wellbeing.  It’s important for us to support ourselves (and others) with the season but also give grace if we need to slow down, rest and bump up added self care.

The past year may have brought a change in lifestyle, health, family,  social dynamic and more.  We saw a rise in isolation, lack of community and family connection, added stress, health (mental and physical) concerns and a rise in coping strategies.

With the spring season shining her beauty upon us this month, we are given a “fresh start” and clean slate to make change.  The perfect time to  do some “spring cleaning.”  This is not a time to usher in shame, guilt, questioning worth or getting stuck in the muck of limiting beliefs or toxic thoughts.  It’s a time for forgiveness, compassion (for self and others), growth, transformation and healing.

In the fall, much like the trees, we released what no longer serves us.  Slowing for rest and restoration through the winter season.  Now is our time to bloom and rise.  With the rise, it’s beneficial to look at the root- the root cause of things that could be holding us back. Where can change be made?  Where can some spring cleaning be implemented?

Spring Cleaning to Support Change #detox #holistichealth #nourish #seasonaleating

Click To Tweet

The spring season is all about embracing change.  Though change isn’t always comfortable, it’s needed for growth. Spring is also about the liver, our primary filtration system.  A huge part of the body responsible for filtering toxins.  Toxins can come in many forms from the foods we eat, the beverages we consume and the medicines ingested.  Toxins are also in the products we use and in the environment around us.  The liver can become tired and sluggish if it’s not supported and nourished.  With spring being all about supporting the liver, this is a perfect time to “clean house.”

In addition to the liver, the kidneys can be damaged due to too much alcohol, toxic overload and medication use.  Both the liver and kidneys are an important part of the body and deliver a support system for optimal health and wellbeing.

Reflecting over the past year and how you’re feeling presently, do you feel like you’re running with your check engine light on?  Is your detoxification system feeling overloaded?

Spring is giving us grace to evaluate and address proactively what we presently need.  Spring is about planting and weeding out the old.  So, I welcome you to reflect and assess what you feel you need to weed out to plant new seeds.

Start with some small action steps such as movement outside, grounding in nature, nourishing with healthy seasonal foods, getting rest when needed and staying hydrated.  Embrace the joy of the season with creativity and those child-like feels you used to experience during this season.  What brings you joy and excitement?  Get creative, have fun and keep it simple!

With the liver being the ruler over spring, it’s the “root” of life’s ultimate action.  Some healthy foods and herbs to support the liver are beets, dandelion, licorice, milk thistle, broccoli, cabbage, dark greens and garlic.

Movement is another method for supporting your health and naturally detoxifying the body.  With the body wanting to embrace more activity, this is a great time to get outside, play, workout and ground in nature.  Both the body and mind will benefit.

If you’re feeling like you could use some additional support, detoxification and a simple strategic plan with a supportive and fun community, I welcome you to check out my upcoming Roots to Rise Spring Reset.  I’d love to have you join us next month!  To learn more: Roots to Rise Spring Reset

Ladies, there is no better time to Spring Into Sexy!  Y’all ready to Spring with me? Let’s GROW!!!

XOXO,

Kim 

Slow Down the Aging Process Naturally

As we begin to transition into spring and release things that are weighing us down while making space for new, it’s a great time to begin incorporating healthier habits and routines.  One of these may be a healthy beauty routine.  As I reflect on my teen years and my 20’s and 30’s, I think about all of the creams, ointments, serums and expensive masks that I thought would do the trick.

For starters, I had no idea how much nutrition, lifestyle, rest and hydration played a part in skin, complexion and more.  Not to mention the large amounts of toxins and chemicals I probably exposed my skin and body to.

When it comes to your skin, beauty and health, natural products are one of the best healers available to you. Be mindful of the term natural though.  Especially when purchasing products (food, cleaning products, personal care and cosmetics, etc).  When I say natural, I mean from the true source.

Slow Down the Aging Process Naturally #antiaging #womenshealth #holistichealth

Click To Tweet

 

Natural products can boost your immunity, increase your energy levels and even protect against the visible signs of aging. In fact, most natural products are far more effective at giving you more beautiful, younger looking skin than any over the counter treatment.  Especially when paired with rest, hydration, personal care and a clean nutrition plan that supports your own beautiful body.

Below I’ll be sharing six of my favorite natural anti-aging solutions.

Avocado

Avocado is a powerful natural healer for your skin when applied topically. The healthy fats in avocado nourish and moisturize your skin while the vitamin E repairs any skin damage and reduces the visible signs of aging.

To start enjoying the anti-aging benefits of avocado, simply mash up a small, ripe avocado and apply it to your face. Leave it on your face for at least 15 minutes before removing, so that it fully nourishes your skin and gives you the maximum anti-aging benefit.

Banana

Bananas are packed full of vitamin C which helps to keep your skin elastic and free from wrinkles. They’re also rich in manganese – a mineral that’s been proven to protect against skin damage and rashes.

You can use bananas topically to give your skin a more youthful appearance in the exact same way as avocados. Just take a small, ripe banana, mash it up with a fork and spread it on your face. Keep the mashed banana on your face for a minimum of 15 minutes, so that all the nutrients and moisture can absorb into your skin.

Coconut Oil

Coconut oil is one of the most effective natural moisturizers you can find. It’s also filled with antioxidants which protect your skin from harmful free radicals and it’s been shown to fight inflammation.   In addition, coconut oil contains active components which repair damaged skin and help you look younger.

To start getting more youthful looking skin with coconut oil, simply rub a small amount onto your face and neck. Your skin will instantly feel smoother and more hydrated after using the coconut oil and over time you’ll find that fine lines, wrinkles and blemishes fade away.  If you’re a fan of oils, I like to combine essential oils such as lavender, frankincense, rose, yang yang and citrus blends.  Everyone responds to oils differently, so it’s important to test a small area and use the coconut (or other carrier oil) as a blend.

Coconut oil is also great for adding moisture to your feet, hair and nails.  It’s great to apply to the bottom of your feet and heels after a warm relaxing or detox bath. Detox Baths: Boost Your Immune System with Detox Baths

Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Extra virgin olive oil is another potent natural moisturizer. I discovered this even more so while on a trip to Greece last year.  The secret to extra virgin olive oil’s anti-aging prowess lies in its high vitamin E content. This vitamin is a powerful antioxidant that protects your skin against the visible signs of aging and keep it looking youthful.

To use extra virgin olive oil as an anti-aging solution, simply rub a small amount into your skin. For the best results, use extra virgin olive oil just before bed, so that it can deeply moisturize your skin overnight.

Honey

I love honey for so many reasons!  Especially raw local honey.  It’s a great deep cleanser for your skin. It’s loaded with anti-bacterial ingredients which remove bacteria and dead skin cells and allow fresh, younger looking skin cells to grow.

Unlike the other solutions on this list, honey is best used as a simple anti-aging face-mask. Grab a tablespoon of honey, smear it over your face and leave it for at least 20 minutes. Then rinse off the honey and wash your face for instantly fresher skin.

pumpkin

Pumpkin offers many benefits when consumed internally or used topically.  It’s packed with antioxidant vitamins to boost softer and smoother skin and it has been shown to boost collagen production.  Something many of us desire as we age.

Pumpkin can be used topically on the face and neck or combined with other ingredients, such as honey.  A little goes a long way, so a tablespoon or two will do.

 

Try this amazing Age Defying Smoothie Bowl Recipe for ageless beauty:

  • 1 frozen banana
  • 1/2 cup frozen cherries
  • 1/2 cup almond milk (or dairy free milk of choice)
  • 1/2 fresh banana cut into coins
  • fresh raspberries
  • fresh cranberries
  • 1 tablespoon shell-less pumpkin seeds
  • 1 tablespoon coconut flakes
  • 1 teaspoon chia seeds
  • 1/4 cup pomegranate seeds
  • 1 tablespoon hemp seeds

Take your banana, frozen cherries, and almond milk and blend it into liquid mixture. This is going to be the base of your smoothie bowl. You can place your banana slices to the side or simply drop them into the bowl. Put your fresh fruit into the bowl, then sprinkle the seeds and coconut flakes all over the entire bowl, and you will have a beautifully colored smoothie bowl that will keep your skin looking youthful and healthy!

Do you have some anti-aging tips of your own?  I would love to hear!  I welcome you to comment below.

XOXO,

Kim

Toxic Beauty

The Toxic Truth Behind Beauty Products

Let’s talk about a dirty topic- toxic beauty and personal care products!

With spring in full swing and our bodies naturally wanting to cleanse, it’s important to consider potential toxic exposure.

Chemicals and toxins are not only in the food we eat and the air we breathe, but they are also present in our personal beauty products.  Examples of, but not limited to, shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, toothpaste, mouthwash, and makeup!  The FDA not only poorly regulates our food industry, but does the same with our cosmetic and personal care products.

According to the Environmental Working Group, “Nearly 90 percent of the 10,500 ingredients the FDA has determined are used in personal care products have not been evaluated for safety by the CIR, the FDA or any other publicly accountable institution.”

Every day, we’re exposed to a ridiculous amount of toxins and chemicals.  Many absorb through our largest organ, our skin.

Our bodies rely on healthy skin for both physical and emotional survival.  Our skin is a waste remover (ridding toxicity), protective barrier, protector from injury, pleasure receptor, natural anti-bacterial and Vitamin D manufacturer.  In addition, our skin is a large diagnostic tool.  Our skin can show potential disease and early warning signs for illness.  Needless to say, our skin is very important in life and we need to take the best care of it.

The Toxic Truth Behind Beauty Products #toxicbeauty #skinandtoxins #endocrinesystem #springcleanse

Click To Tweet

Using makeup that contains chemicals and toxins is not good for our skin. The toxic ingredients of makeup and personal care items cause a variety of ailments. They disrupt the endocrine system and may have been linked to certain cancers.  Chemicals found in synthetic beauty products injure liver cells, irritate and penetrate the skin and are many times carcinogenic.

When switching to non-toxic products, keep it simple!   Throw out any old products and switch to non-toxic ones. Chemicals and toxic ingredients like parabens are added to makeup to keep mold and bacteria from growing on the packaging. However, these toxic ingredients lead to  disruption in the endocrine system and cause several illnesses.  Other ingredients to watch out for are Phthalates, Synthetic Colors, Triclosan, Toluene and Propylene glycol.  

A common ingredient in many products is Fragrance.  This ingredient is common in perfume, cologne, body wash, conditioner, shampoo and many moisturizers.  Formaldehyde is another popular ingredient that’s linked to skin irritants and harm to the immune system.  In addition to many of the products listed above, it’s found in cleansers, eye shadows and nail polish.

Sunscreen products contain harsh, harmful ingredients.  

The chemicals in sunscreen products function as a sunscreen agent.  These chemicals are easily absorbed into the skin and are linked to disruption in the endocrine system.  Some common names are BAPA, benzophenone, avobenzone, ethoxycinnmate and homosalate.  According to the EWG, of the 1,400+ sunscreens tested, only 5% met their safety standards and over 40% were listed as potentially contributing to skin cancer.  Spray sunscreens may be convenient and easy to apply, but they may also provide additional dangers.

To make sure that you are using toxic-free makeup and personal care products, read the labels carefully. Choose products that contain natural and safer ingredients.  Find products that you trust and feel safe using.  Education and research is key!  Just because you’re spending a ton of money on a product, it doesn’t mean that’s a good quality product.  Check out websites such as EWG’s Skin Deep and GoodGuide

In addition, create a list of all the personal care products you use. As you use up products, start replacing the toxic ones with natural products. Make sure to scan through everything – face lotion, night cream, face foundation, lipstick, face powder. Choosing the right toxic-free makeup can help ensure you and your skin are as healthy as possible.

Research or avoid cosmetic brands because a good percentage of cosmetic brands contain harmful substances. Remember that your skin is the largest organ of your body and very sensitive. Make sure to double-check makeup and cosmetics before buying and applying something on your body.

It is also very important to avoid trusting a brand.  There are many instances where the labels or name brand are the result of clever marketing. Just because you invest in products promoted and advertised well, doesn’t mean that they are good for you.

When it comes to your makeup and other products, it’s very important to make a wise decision. Choosing now to switch to non-toxic personal care products is one of the first big steps to better health.  It’s impossible to completely eliminate toxicity in our day-to-day life, but you can make simple changes for better health today!  Educate yourself, consider possible toxic exposures and drink filtered water.  Avoid foods with additives, chemicals, hormones and antibiotics.  Shopping organic when possible will impact your health a great deal too!

I like to make many of my own products using ingredients like organic coconut oil, organic coffee, organic lemon, essential oils, filtered water and so forth.  Consider what you can switch out and make yourself.

I would love to hear your feedback!  Have you discovered ingredients lurking in your products that you didn’t know were there?  Have you started making adjustments towards improving your own health?

Happy Spring Cleaning!

XOXO,

Kim 

Nourished In The New Year

Spring Into Better Health

As the weather begins to warm up and the days become longer, we may feel a shift in our body and mind. It’s very normal this time of year. It’s a time when our body wants to shed and eliminate things that may have been weighing itself down from the winter.

We yearn to feel lighter and refreshed in mind, body, and spirit!

As the seasons change, a cleanse could be very beneficial. Cleansing should occur at least once or twice a year.  It’s suggested that as the seasons change, a good cleanse can better prepare us for the coming season. Just like the temperature, the foods we eat change throughout the year. Going from spring to summer, the body is preparing itself for some of the busiest months of the year.

Traditionally, cultures all around the world have practiced seasonal cleansing in different ways. Springtime is the time to give your liver some extra love too.  The liver is how the body removes toxins.  That is how the liver earns the spot of one of the hardest working organs!

The liver works with many other organs in our body to detox blood, produce bile and break down hormones.  It acts as a storage facility for our vitamins and minerals. If the liver is not functioning properly, it affects many other areas of our body.

Spring Into Better Health #springcleanse #liverdetox #loveyourliver #springcleaning

Click To Tweet

Some more important functions of the liver include removing old blood cells, helping the intestines process nutrients and chemical production for blood clotting.  The liver is also responsible for the breakdown and metabolizing of alcohol and consumed medications, and the production of necessary proteins and cholesterol. When people hear ‘liver disease’, they typically think of alcoholism, but that is not the only cause of liver disease or failure.

Some other risk factors associated with liver disease include low potassium levels, drug use, exposure to certain chemicals, obesity, processed foods, viral infections, and autoimmune diseases. 

If your liver is not performing at its best, you may experience gas, bloating or constipation. Other possible symptoms are heartburn, acid reflux, yellowish tint to skin and eyes, high blood pressure, difficulty losing weight, cognitive difficulties, dark urine, poor appetite, and chronic fatigue.

If you want to support your liver, there are certain foods you should focus on.

These foods include beets, carrots, tomatoes, grapefruit, spinach and citrus fruits.  Cabbage, turmeric, walnuts and  avocados are also beneficial.  Apples, Brussels sprouts, garlic, dandelion root, leafy green vegetables. Also, broccoli, cauliflower, asparagus, green tea, artichoke and olive oil pack many benefits too.  Some examples for alternative grains are quinoa, millet and buckwheat.

There are several food programs, supplements and other programs available to cleanse your liver. It’s important to find the one that is best for you. Consult your doctor if you have any concerns or questions.

Below are some general tips that have worked for me:

  • Hydrate!
  • Eat clean, seasonal, and organic REAL food
  • Exercise regularly or incorporate some type of movement
  • Practice calming techniques like meditation and relaxation
  • Take a good quality probiotic
  • Get the proper amount of sleep
  • Avoid alcohol and tobacco products
  • Avoid processed foods and sugar

Adopting a healthier lifestyle or cleansing into the spring season may provide much more energy, improved digestion, healthier and brighter skin, better sleep, reduced stress, and better mental clarity and cognitive functioning; along with a boost to your immune system and more balanced blood sugar levels.

The spring season isn’t just a time for spring cleaning your closet. Especially relevant, it’s important to reflect on things that have been weighing you down or things that may be toxic. Consider different stressors in your life. They play a huge part in your health and body function.

In addition to a spring cleanse, I recommend considering products you may be using, people that are in your life, habits that may need some adjusting, and choices that may or may not be serving you well. Moving forward, listen to your “gut” and give some thought to where small changes could greatly impact your health and happiness.

There is no better time to Spring into Better Health!

XO,

KiM

 

To learn more about my Spring Seasonal Cleanse,

click below!

Spring Cleanse

Feng Shui Quick Tips

Untitled design (17)

Hello, Friends!

I hope you’re having a wonderful Friday!!!  The weather here in Maryland has been absolutely gorgeous!  All of my windows are open, the sun is shining and I am loving the clean air breezing through the house.  I picked up some fresh flowers today and have several gorgeous bouquets placed throughout.

Did you know that a healthy, clean home can create greater happiness in your life?

Feng Shui Quick Tips #healthyhome #fengshui #springcleaning

Click To Tweet

do you feel like your home could use a healthy change?

I am going to share some simple and quick tips to incorporate Feng Shui into your home.  These quick and simple changes can create a healthier and happier environment for you and your family.  Let’s get started!

LOVE

1.  Meditate daily to clear your mind

2. Keep two fresh roses on the side of your bed.  visualize what they mean for you calling in love.  toss any dead flowers and replace with new ones.

3.  keep your bed linens crisp, fresh and clean.

4.  Romantic ambiance can be created with candles.  Make sure you choose a clean and healthy version to avoid toxic exposure.  

5.  Sleep on one side of the bed.  Clear out some extra dressers to create a space for your partner.

 

HEaltH

1.  Clear out clutter in your living space.

2.  Reserve your bedroom for sleep and intimacy.  Keep papers, work and electronics out of your room.

3.  When choosing a paint color, avoid bright and load colors.  Calm colors such as beige and cream can create a more comfortable living area.

4.  Choosing a mattress and bedding that supports comfort and rest will help improve your sleep and health.

5.  Choose a wood bed frame instead of a metal one.  If you do have electronics in your room, the metal will pick up electromagnetic waves and disrupt sleep.

6. air flow is very important!  fans are a great way to help with air movement and flow.  in addition, fresh plants are an excellent addition to increase air purification.

 

Money

1. The first impression of your home sets a tone.  You want it to be warm and inviting.  Make sure your door bell operates properly and your house numbers are visibly available, so that abundance can find you.

2. Regular leaks can represent financial leaks, so make sure none are present in your home.

3. A stable home allows stability and opportunity for finances to grow.

4. Keep your kitchen and stove clean.  Use your burners equally, as this opens up a variety of opportunities and financial channels.

5. Replace negative beliefs about money with positive affirmations.

6. Images of flowing water, running horses and moving boats represent flow and abundance.  Choose these in prints and other visible decorations.

 

Spend some time this weekend looking around your home and noting where changes can be made.  Simple adjustments can have a large impact on your health and happiness!

Have a wonderful weekend!!!

XO,

   Kim

 

for additional tips and ways to spring clean your home, click on the link below for my free guide!

FREE GUIDE: Spring Cleaning for Healthier Living