2012 health challenges

Tomorrow I start my 2012 health challenges.  Not a lot, but I think by keeping it simple I will ensure a greater chance of success hahah.  Who knows, maybe I will add some more down the road.  But for now, here we go: 

-WATER CHALLENGE: drink 2 liters of water every day.  This is extremely hard for me because I am a human camel.  I can and do go whole days without drinking water, simply because I'm lazy, don't think about drinking, don't get thirsty, and because it's just hard to drink that much water.  I can't find the motivation.  I will say that I tried a few times to drink 2 liters of water a day, (and I think each time it lasted about 2 or 3 days) and I always really felt the difference.  My skin felt better-cooler, brighter and more vibrant.  People commented to me that my skin looked like it was glowing.  My whole body just felt better too.  It's rare that I can actually feel a health difference if I make a diet change..so I was excited to experience this..and I know that it really helps.

*for all you smoothie and juice drinkers, just a tip I found online: smoothies should be treated as a food, not a drink, because they contain very little water.  As far as fruit juices go, while their water content is high, they can contain quite a lot of sugar.  So stick to one glass a day (which can also count as one of your five-a-day portions of fruits and veggies). 

-HAND CREAM CHALLENGE: I never saw people using hand cream as much as I did when I moved to Germany.  These people are crazy about it.  It has made me become much more aware of how my own hands look, and how I never take care of my hands.  So, I'm going to challenge myself to use hand cream every day, at least once a day.  I actually have 2 kinds in my house, and barely ever use them.  But I do love them: they are both from Alverde, which is a cheap and all-natural certified vegan line you can buy at DM (which is the local Duane-Reade type drug store here).  

-TAE-BO CHALLENGE: Gonna try stick to doing 1 level of Tae-Bo a week, and doing each level at least 2 times a week with my husband.  I posted a link to the videos we are doing in an old post here.

So that's it!  Not too crazy.  Let's see if I can pull it off...I guess I will make some progress updates too ;) 

Smoothie drinking party

My husband is so adorable.  Today he called me from work and said in a really cute voice , "I wanted to invite you to a smoothie drinking party at 6" (at his work when he gets off).  It's a mix of his German coming through in his English, along with his super sweetness.  I wuv him.

Last night we spent a lot of time on ebay and youtube looking at the demos and price differences between Vitamix, Blendtec, and Juicespresso machines...and dreaming of the day we can make our own smoothies and juices at home.  It seems so close, yet so far away.

Are tampons safe?

I was never a really big fan of wearing tampons...and actually I didn't even start wearing them till I was 20, when my friends and I had a big beach trip planned and I got my period.  Why did I avoid wearing tampons?  In my mind, they were always so unnatural...the idea of sticking bleached cotton up into my body freaked me out.  The idea keeping something that is naturally trying to get out of my body from getting out was creepy.  I was scared of getting toxic shock syndrome or just damaging something up there in general.  A lot of women get grossed out by the idea of having to wear pads all day, with a lot commenting that they feel like digesting diapers.  Ok, it's true, they definitely don't feel amazing.  But I dunno, I just always sucked it up for that one week a month because of my fear of tampons.  Only occasionally does it get on my nerves.  

Normal tampons contain harmful ingredients.  Rayon (for absorbency), and Dioxin (a chemical used in bleaching the products).  The tampon industry is convinced that we, as women, need bleached white products in order to view the product as pure and clean.  The problem here is that the Dioxin, which is produced in this bleaching process, can lead to very harmful problems for a woman.  Dioxin is potentially carcinogenic (cancer-associated) and is toxic to the immune and reproductive systems.  It has also been linked to endometriosis and lower sperm counts for men. For both sexes, it breaks down the immune system.  Last September the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reported that there really is no "acceptable" level of exposure to Dioxin, given that it is cumulative and slow to disintegrate.  The real danger comes from repeated contact.  Women complain about migraines, increased cramp pains, and tons of other effects that are the direct cause of wearing tampons with these ingredients.  There is no way anyone can convince me that wearing normal tampons is natural and safe. 

Tampons are cosmetics and are many times tested on animals (you have to check your brand/company, testing laws in your country for more info).  If you have to wear tampons, please make sure to buy vegan, cruelty-free (and of course organic/bleach-free) tampons. 

So anyways, I suggest giving your body a break from tampons and giving cloth pads a try! (see my post on cloth pads here)

DIY Cloth pads

I decided to stick with the period theme this week since it's my special time of the month, and share some cloth pad info.  I guess by now most women are aware of the cloth pad fad...I remember first reading about it like 5 years ago on the net and being totally shocked.  I was at work and my female co-workers and I were looking at the pics and thinking about the idea and laughing about it.  But then while the other girls continued to laugh, I started to realize that cloth pads were actually not that crazy of an idea.

-environmentally friendly (reusable, so you don't have to create more trash)

-economical (reusable, so you don't have to constantly buy new pads or tampons)

-cute (lots of fun patterns)

-customizable (different shapes, sizes, and functions, add layers, etc)

-vegan!

-better for you than tampons (see my post on tampons here)

Today there are so many sites and shops where you can buy pads, wet bags (to store used pads in while you are on the go), storage bags (for unused pads) and all kinds of accessories.  But, if you're like me and you don't want to spend the money (even though it's actually cheaper in the long run to buy a bunch of cloth pads at one time than to buy disposable period products every month) then maybe you could try to make your own! Here is just one site I found that offers tons of free DIY cloth pad tutorials, patterns, and info: http://www.labyrinth.net.au/~obsidian/clothpads/DIYpads/

I really recommend checking it out.  I know a lot of people out there still think this is a gross idea, but it's really not.  I mean, think about what women did throughout history when they were on their period...they tied rags around themselves.  That's where we get the phrase "on the rag" actually.  It's just something we gotta go through.  So why not have at least a little bit of fun with it by getting some cute rags?? 

Period relief

Woohoo! It's that time of the month.  At least I don't have to work again till Tuesday.  The worst thing is having to stand in front of a room full of people for hours and teach while having cramps, feeling bloated, tired, and bleeding out of your vagina.  Ughhhh.

So today I will post a few tips to reduce menstrual cramps!

-Elevate legs by putting a pillow under your knees

-Use a heating pad on your lower abdomen

-Try to avoid chocolate/greasy foods and eat more cleansing foods like fruits/veggies to restore some balance.  Also avoid sugar and flour based products, pastas and stuff with preservatives if you can!

-Light exercise is good.  Even though all I wanna do is lay on the couch with my compter, some low impact moving around is actually good- light yoga, walking, pilates, etc

-Drink some tea.  Chamomile helps you relax. **if you have excessive bleeding you should stay away from tea.

-Sleep ;)

blow drying side swept bangs

Here's a little trick for getting your side swept bangs really flat from blow drying (without having to use a flat iron).  If you blow dry your bangs in the opposite direction you wear them in, you will avoid getting any lift or curl at the root of the bangs.

Before I started doing this, I always had a little lift in my bangs (like a mini 90's flip) and had to wear a hat for a while until it flattened out.  This trick is awesome, don't know why it took me so long to figure out.  Just blow dry in the opposite direction, and then when the bangs are dry, brush back to your normal part.  Ta da! No flat iron needed.  (Which is great...reduce the heat and damage to your hair!)

Board #2: Insomnia Cure

Today was my first day back at work after more than 2 weeks of break.  During the break I was staying up all night and sleeping till 1.  Today I had to get up at my usual 6:15am work time...and last night I was feeling the pressure to make sure I got a good night's sleep.  I went to bed at 11...but sleep was just not happening for me.  I was tossing and turning, looking at the clock every half hour, etc etc.  Basti was so sweet and got the computer so we could watch Fantasia in bed, in hopes that this would help me.  Still nothing.  Basically the last time I remember looking at the clock it said 5am.  Next thing I knew my alarm was ringing.

I know how you're supposed to make to-do lists and do something calm before going to sleep so your mind isn't racing with a million thoughts all night.  And how you should do like 45 min of exercise at one point during the day.  But none of that mattered after my 2 week stint of being on "spring break time."  And I was so worried about sleeping, that I just couldn't sleep.

Anyways, it's now 9pm and my eyes are burning and I'm preparing to try to pass out.  I was just googling the things I should have (and very easily could have) done last night to remedy my situation.  I had a perfectly willing-to-help husband who didn't have to work today, and he could have drawn me a lavender bath and made me a cup of chamomile tea to drink while relaxing and listening to Enya, and then given me a lavender oil massage.  Ahhh that sounds like heaven.  Why didn't I think of any of this last night??  I think those things could have definitely helped.  Oh well...I made another board to help me remember this for next time I get the insomnia bug.  Just looking at these images is making me sleepy now...

Tea Tree Oil

The other day we got an awesome care package from my sister in the States, filled with lots of fun products she picked up from Whole Foods.  It's funny to think how 10 year old me would have seen the contents of the box and thought "wtf is this crap" and the 28 year old me sees oils, soaps, and hand creams and thinks "squeeeeee!"

Anyways, I'm really bad at buying oils so I was super glad to see a bottle of tea tree oil in the care package.   Therefore, I am inspired to make a list of all the things this lovely oil can be used for.  Feel free to add anything I didn't include :D

-as a natural antiseptic (apply a few drops directly to skin..diluted with water if you're sensitive)
-inhale to treat coughs and colds. can also rub a drop or two along the outside of your nose/chest/throat
-has antiviral, antibacterial, and antifungal benefits when applied topically too
-fights mites and scabies
-fights acne (diluted)
-in shampoo it helps treat dandruff (add a few drops to your shampoo)
-helps treat herpes cold sores, chicken pox, and shingles blisters
-treats warts
-fights lice
-athlete's foot
-treats stretch marks
-insect repeller (15 drops + 1 quart water in spray bottle)
-ear aches (rub 2 or 3 drops along the outer ear)
-in a mouthwash (diluted..do not swallow) fights bad breath, gingivitis, plaque and inflamed gums
-gargle to help fight laryngitis (diluted...do not swallow)

Awesome huh?? But don't forget about safety when using tea tree oil.  The American Cancer Society says: "Tea tree oil is toxic when swallowed. It has been reported to cause drowsiness, confusion, hallucinations, coma, unsteadiness, weakness, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach upset, blood cell abnormalities, and severe rashes. It should be kept away from pets and children."

Board #1: Kiwi

Every week my husband and I try to pick a different "fruit of the week" in order to get a little variety in our grocery shopping.  This week we bought kiwis...and I decided to do inspiration boards to get pumped up about food...so here's my first one for kiwi.

Kiwi is extra special because I actually just started eating kiwi for the first time about 3 months ago.  Yep, I went 28 years without eating a kiwi.  Why? Because I didn't like the way kiwi flavored candy tasted, so I assumed the real fruit was gross too.  Then, 3 months ago I felt a UTI coming on so I went to my husband's shop to see if I could get some cranberry juice.  One of the girls who works there suggested kiwis since they are also a good food to eat when you have a UTI.  I was never aware of this!  Well, the girl had already cut up some kiwi and put it on a plate for me and I didn't want to look like an asshole so I stuck a little teaspoon into the soft, furry fruit, scooped out a little green chunk, and was totally....shocked. It was so delicious!  I really just couldn't believe how sweet and tasty it was.  I was so pissed at myself for avoiding these for so long.  What an idiot.  Needless to say, since then I have been buying a lot of kiwis (we also like to put them in the green smoothies!) Kiwis have become one of my favorite fruits actually.  Who would have guessed.  And after the kiwi, 100% pure cranberry juice (blargh) and different teas, I prevented a UTI! The very next day I felt better again.  Insane.

Top row from left: chocolate covered kiwi pops, kiwi fruit cupcakes
Row 2: kiwi and hazelnut spread crepes, kiwi coladas
Row 3: kiwis, kiwi sorbet

DIY Soy Candles

:O   It's so easy!!  I will definitely make my own candles when we get to the new house.  Yippeeee!

Man, watching how-to videos is so much better than reading instructions. 

soy candles

I love candles!! Soy candles can be pretty expensive though.  Especially the bigger ones.  But last year I learned that my cousin started working with his friend's soy candle business Scentsational Soaps and Candles...and when I was back home visiting during the holidays, he gave me one!  I got to pick which one I wanted out of a huuuge selection.  It was so hard to decide...they were all so good!  But I finally picked the jungle gardenia one and I la la laaave it..I keept it in my bathroom.  This was kind of a random post but I was just thinking about trying to find more affordable vegan candles and even looking into making my own.  Hmmmmm....

orange peelers

Ok i briefly did a little google search for some peelers.  This is all I came up with...still not totally motivated to start eating oranges all the time






If anyone has a better peeler please share XD

Clementines

I have nothing against oranges.  I think they taste great..and I love everything orange flavored.  However, I don't really eat oranges.  Why?  Because I'm lazy.  They are too hard to peel.  And when I do peel them, I get sticky hands.

Actually that reminds me I should check out some orange peeling helpers on the net...I know they are out there..maybe some cool tupperware thing or "as seen on tv" contraption.  But anyways, I wanted to say that a good solution for the time being for me is clementines.  I only started eating them because my husband bought them last month...and he would peel them and give me a few pieces.  Then I graduated to peeling my own and saw how much easier they were to peel than oranges!  And they are smaller so peel-time is decreased.  Plus, less mess.  Ya!!

So if you are like me and hate the hassle of oranges and don't have access to a nifty orange peeler...give clementines a try

Smoothies vs. Juicing

With the topic of smoothies still weighing on my mind this morning, I started reading a bit about the differences between benefits in juicing and smoothie-making.  Which is better?  Well from what it seems, they are both good, but for different things:

SMOOTHIES
-keep you fuller longer because of the fiber.  they take longer to digest. can act as a whole meal by adding lots of different stuff
-we all know why fiber is good...
-sugar is absorbed slower so your blood sugar level and energy remain stable
-they last longer in the fridge than juice
-cost less (takes less fruit to make a smoothie than juice)
-promote weight loss since you stay fuller longer

JUICE
-good for cleansing, and when you need an energy kick
-super easy to digest since there is no fiber, and that means you get your nutrients faster
-doesn't keep you full very long
-contains high level of antioxidants to help fight aging
-costs more than smoothies as you need more fruit to make the juice

So it seems like juice is great for when you want to give your body a break from digesting, and give yourself a quick boost of nutrients and energy...a great pick me up and cleanser as well.  And smoothies are good for when you want a full meal in an easy and quick way...and you have a lot of creative freedom to make combine different ingredients.

It seems from this information, that I will have to invest in both a blender AND a juicer...when we move to the new house of course ;)  Ahhh I can't wait.

Green smoothies

Luckily for me, my husband works at a vegan shop, which means I get lots of free and discounted vegan foods! My favorite, by far, is going in and getting a green smoothie (which I did today as well).  Our kitchen at home is pretty pathetic...we don't really have many tools to helps us make all the foods we could be making.  If you can believe it, we only have one pot.  How we've managed to go for this long with only one pot, or why we have gone this long with only one pot are questions I'm not sure I can answer O_o  But, we also don't have such luxuries as blenders.  This I can say is because unfortunately, since we are planning on moving to another country this year, we really can't buy extra stuff.  So, no smoothies at home..for now, smoothies at the shop will have to do! (We dream of the day we have our new kitchen and a nice shiny blender, rice cooker, and loads of other awesome kitchen stuff.  Netflix too.  And Whole Foods).  

Ok, so back to the point.  Green smoothies...are...AWESOME.  I am a lazy eater.  I eat junk and fast food whenever possible.  Very little greens.  I hate eating salads too.  So, the green smoothie is a life saver.  And it's sooo easy to make.  And.. I swear, I crave these things.  I feel better after drinking them, physically and mentally.  They just make me happy.  We usually just throw in spinach and whatever fruits are lying around (apple, kiwi, pineapple, banana) into the blender, along with a bit of water, and bam: delicious, healthy heaven in a cup.  It's that simple.  Here's some health info I found on incrediblesmoothies.com:

-Natural weight loss

-Increased consumption of fruits and veggies (particularly greens)

-Easier digestibility and nutrient assimilation

-Antioxidants

-Increased energy

-Mental clarity and focus

-Increased fiber intake

-Clearer skin

-Reduces cravings

-Rich with chlorophyll

-Helps maintain proper alkaline balance in body

You can change what you put in your smoothie according to your needs (weight loss, energy, calcium or iron rich, detox, improve digestion, etc).  Just do a little research on the net to find some recipes and start feeling the difference with these amazing drinks!  

Tae-Bo party!

I made a new years resolution to start getting in shape.  For real.  I just turned 28 and grannies are flying past me on hikes and I'm out of breath walking up the stairs to our 3rd floor apartment.  I have a huge sweet tooth, and I'm lazy.  Plus, my husband, 17 year old cat, and I are gonna me moving from Europe back to the States (to a beach state) so we really have to start getting our beach bods going!

However, I think I have found something that will help motivate me to start being more active.  And if it can motivate me, I think it could motivate anyone..so I want to share it.  It's Tae-Bo videos!  Did I mention I'm lazy?  What about cheap?  That means there's no way I can get out to a gym to work out.  But I found these videos online, and I've convinced my husband to do them with me in the living room.  I'll admit that having a partner, friend, roommate, sig other definitely helps you to keep the workouts going day to day...but really, you can't get much easier and convenient than this.

-I found about 15 or maybe more levels online..and the first 3 or 4 are only about 20 minutes long (half of which is just talking) so they are perfect for people who are total beginners and really REALLY out of shape (me).  Having so many different levels also keeps you from getting bored doing the same thing all the time.
-You don't have to leave your house!
-It's free!
-Watching and listening to Billy Blanks show off his abs and brag about his fitness at 52 years old is so entertaining, you will forget you are even working out.

To all my fellow lazy and out of shape bloggers out there, try these videos! At least a couple of times...and see if they work for you.  Walking up the stairs and hearing my heart racing, I wonder if I will even live to be a granny- but watching Billy gives me hope that I too can be old and kicking ass!

Benefits of bath salts

We all know that bath salts create a relaxing bath with aromatherapy and exfoliation.  But on top of being a great way to pamper yourself, bath salts can also make you healthier! Check out some of these health benefits listed on the Epsom Salt Industry Council website:

• Improved heart and circulatory health, reducing irregular heartbeats, preventing hardening of the arteries, reducing blood clots and lowering blood pressure.
• Improved ability for the body to use insulin, reducing the incidence or severity of diabetes.
• Flushed toxins and heavy metals from the cells, easing muscle pain and helping the body to eliminate harmful substances.
• Improved nerve function by electrolyte regulation. Also, calcium is the main conductor for electrical current in the body, and magnesium is necessary to maintain proper calcium levels in the blood.
• Relieved stress. Excess adrenaline and stress are believed to drain magnesium, a natural stress reliever, from the body. Magnesium is necessary for the body to bind adequate amounts of serotonin, a mood-elevating chemical within the brain that creates a feeling of well being and relaxation.
• Reduced inflammation to relieve pain and muscle cramps.
• Improved oxygen use.
• Improved absorption of nutrients.
• Improved formation of joint proteins, brain tissue and mucin proteins.
• Prevention or easing of migraine headaches

Who knew you could get so much goodness from sitting in a bath?? Make sure to check out my post on DIY bath salts so you can make your own custom salts and start relaxing (being healthy) today!

Bath Salts!

Bath salts are one of the cheapest and easiest things to make.  You will be shocked.  And bath salts are one of those easy -but always appreciated- gifts to give someone!  

Here's what you need:

-3/4 cup Epsom salts 

-1/2 cup sea salt

-1/4 cup baking soda

-6 to 8 drops of your favorite essential oil(s)

Combine all ingredients together and store in a cute jar with a lid.  This makes 1 1/2 cups bath salts. You can also color your salts by adding 1 or 2 drops of food coloring to the mix.  Avoid adding a huge amount of coloring so you don't stain your skin in the bath!  And of course, make sure the food coloring is vegan :D  (You can find vegan food coloring at Whole Foods or other related shops that supply vegan products)