Kelly Bonanno

Your soulful coach for eco friendly living, clean beauty & wellness Savvy | Sexy | Beautiful | Healthy | You

Kelly

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The Savvy Girl’s Virtual Self Care Retreat & Giveaway

Are you feeling out of sorts? A bit more anxious than usual? It’s completely understandable. This unprecedented situation has most everyone stressed out and overwhelmed.

April happens to be National Stress Awareness month, quite timely given what we’re going through with COVID-19, isn’t it?

For most of us, the situation is frightening, confusing and inconvenient but for some, it’s downright devastating. People have lost their lives, others are fighting for their lives and many are facing serious financial hardships.

I truly hope each of you reading this are healthy and safe. If you or a loved one has fallen ill, my heart goes out to you.

It’s on my heart to help you feel supported during this pandemic. To accomplish that, I am offering a free Virtual Self-Care Retreat.

Join us for 10 days of healthy, relaxing activities to make your time at home less stressful and more productive and enjoyable 💕

Now more than ever devoting attention to your well-being is essential. The current global climate has people on edge and fearful. The shelter in place has many feeling overwhelmed and disoriented. You’re trying to stay healthy, doing your part to prevent the spread of coronavirus while navigating this new normal, albeit temporary. But some things will change for good.

I want to help you turn that around, choose faith over fear, find peace and relieve tension. We’re not stuck at home, we’re safe at home. Let’s make the most of it.

During this time of uncertainty trying to avoid coronavirus and adhere to the social distancing mandate, the most beneficial thing you can do is support your mind and body with positive habits that reduce anxiety and strengthen your immune system.

This virtual retreat will help improve mood and reduce anxiety during this challenging time while normal life is on hold. Sign up and join us, everyone who participates will be entered to win a self-care clean beauty bundle!

I’m known for helping people go green and improve health by reducing toxic load caused by environmental toxins but other things cause a different type of toxicity that I help people mitigate. Stress, fear, anxiety, pessimism are all toxic to your system. A strong immune system is vital right now, read this blog post for tips to boost yours: 5 Powerful Ways To Strengthen your Immune System During This Pandemic 

During this retreat, we are going to detox your lifestyle with some radical self-care and fun.

Go from overwhelm to relaxed in 10 days.

We start on

World Health Day

Tuesday, April 7th

Sign up now!

We’re all in this together, joining a community in the name of self-love with like-minded individuals will lift your spirits and offer a welcomed distraction.

Do stress and anxiety harm your health and impair your immune system? Yes, but there are enjoyable ways to mitigate the harmful effects.

Each day, I’ll share fun, easy self-care and wellness activities designed to alleviate stress, anxiety and overwhelm. Enjoyable self-care – not the overused buzzword type that’s demanding and makes you feel guilty if you don’t do it!

Some activities will be purely for relaxation and well being, others will help you be more efficient and productive with your time at home. You’ll have access to my free private Facebook community where you can bond with like-minded individuals and get support.

This resource is everything you need to incorporate self-care and self-development into your daily routine and kick stress to the curb.

Whether you are extra busy and overwhelmed working from home while homeschooling or find yourself with more time on your hands than usual and perhaps bored, this retreat will benefit you. I will be sending you emails and replays of all the Facebook live streams so you can complete activities on your own time.

Click here to sign up for the Virtual Self-care Retreat and enjoy 10 fun, stress-reducing days devoted to you 💜Joy heals. Focusing on the positive heals.

All participants have a chance to win a self-care clean beauty bundle! Enter the giveaway on the form below. 

Invite your friends to join us too!

This retreat is very important to me. I want to give you the tools that I use to alleviate my stress and the self-care activities my clients and I enjoy to feel calm and centered during these difficult times.

Creating a positive mindset and inner peace will help keep you healthy. It’s good to feel good.

Stay well 💕 

Sign up here now and enter below for your chance to win the prize!    #savvygirlsvirtualretreat 

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5 Powerful Ways To Strengthen Your Immune System During This Pandemic

How are you holding up? It’s been a crazy few weeks. Very difficult for some. Confusing, frightening and downright strange for most of us. The fear, uncertainty and conflicting information being circulated have caused anxiety in just about everyone. My heart goes out to you if you or a loved one are suffering from coronavirus, sending you healing thoughts and love.

In light of these incredibly unprecedented times while we are staying home, trying to stay healthy, flatten the curve, keep coronavirus from attacking us and from spreading, it is more critical than ever that you strengthen your immune system as much as possible. 

It’s surreal. Normal life is on hold which feels strange an uneasy. I think everyone is experiencing a myriad of feelings and emotions over this, I know I am. It’s completely normal and we need to give ourselves space and grace.

Social distancing and isolation is uncomfortable and inconvenient but important for public health. It’s devastating how many are fighting for their lives, how many have lost their lives and the number of people who may face financial ruin.

A weak immune system decreases the body’s ability to fight off foreign bacteria, viruses, and other illnesses. Panic and fear suppress the immune system too. Here are 5 powerful things you can do that bolster your immune system.

That being said, for those who are suffering from coronavirus, treating the immune system depends on the potential cytokine storm. This is the case with other illnesses as well. Dr. Marc Milstein offers helpful insights in his video: Why Some Get Very Sick with COVID-19 and Insights Into New Treatments. You’ll find more information on cytokine storms in this study: Consider cytokine storm syndromes and immunosuppression.

Gut health  We know that proper nutrition boosts your immune system in a huge way. Food really is medicine but the wrong foods break down your immune system and threaten your health. The foods we eat have a huge impact on how well our immune system functions.

Our diet is a major component of hormone function, energy levels, of course, weight and digestive health, but also on our mental state, brain health and more.

I coach certain clients through a nutrition program that helps them achieve optimal health but some of the basic tenents to follow: eat whole non-GMO, low glycemic foods, avoid processed foods, get at least 5 servings of produce each day, pile your plate with foods, known to boost your immune system including:

⦿ Citrus fruits          ⦿ Broccoli          ⦿ Wild caught salmon          ⦿ Garlic          ⦿ Ginger

⦿ Almonds               ⦿ Berries            ⦿ Sweet potatoes                  ⦿ Tumeric      ⦿ Green tea

⦿ Pomegranates      ⦿ Papaya             ⦿ Sunflower seeds                ⦿ Miso           ⦿ Green veggies

“All disease begins in the gut” – Hippocrates

Chew on this: The digestion process starts in our saliva. Amylase, an enzyme in saliva helps to begin breaking down starch into simple sugars. Aim to chew each bite 20 times. This will get the digestive juices flowing and make you a more mindful eater.

My latest favorite green tea, by the way, is Pique Tea. They offer a wide variety of delicious teas with powerful plant polyphenols to build up your body’s defense during this critical time including green tea. They’ll deliver right to your door, no need to brave the germ laden grocery store. I’m sipping Earl Grey as I write this!

Sleep This is absolutely essential for your immune system. Along with making us look like crap, sleep deprivation is linked to more health problems than just about anything, including a weakened immune system.

Sleep scientist Matt Walker calls sleep ‘the most powerful elixir of life’ that is critical in order for our immune system to protect us. After only one night of 4 hours of sleep, we experience a 70% reduction in immune cells known as Natural Killer Cells, a type of white blood cell that is a key player in combating viruses and infections, and crucial for disease protection and detection, including cancer. 

Hydration What are the two things you every doctor says to do when you’re sick? Drink lots of fluids and get plenty of rest. Listen to your grandmother and drink that water. You’ve got to flush those germs out.

70% of Americans are subclinically dehydrated. This is something I have clients track. Oftentimes they’ll tell me they drink a lot of water but then when they keep track they’re surprised at just how little water there actually taking in each day. Ahh the power of tracking and journaling. 

Drinking enough water flushes out your G.I. tract and aids the function of your immune-fighting lymphatic cells. It also helps remove toxins from the body.

Water oxygenates your blood. When you are even mildly dehydrated, your body pulls water from the skin’s tissue to maintain concentration in your blood. When we’re fighting infection, our body’s fluid needs increase.

Start your day with a detoxifying drink of warm lemon water. A cup of warm water with the juice of 1 organic lemon helps flush the kidneys, aids digestion, boosts the immune system, reduces inflammation, balances pH levels and the acidity stimulates your liver to produce acids that help detox the body… how about all those benefits without much work?! Oh and you’ll also get a nice dose of potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron, vitamin B and C and other antioxidants.

Extra credit if you add a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar, It also creates an alkaline environment that helps kill viruses and bacteria. That’s what I drink every morning before my coffee. Drink about half your weight in water each day. A bit more if you are ill.

I’ve been teaching clients, students in my workshops and in my online programs to drink warm lemon water every morning for years now. According to Mr. Healthy, warm lemon water aids against proliferation of coronavirus. He says the acid and carboxylic acid in lemon help reduce hypertension which is a risk factor for coronavirus, stroke and other problems. He advises putting three slices of lemon in a cup of warm water which turns it into alkaline water.

If you are one of those people who just do not like the taste of water and it’s a true hardship forcing it down, try Hint Water. 

Detoxification Environmental toxins impair your immune system. Detoxing your home, beauty and personal care routine is not just about being an eco freako earth loving hippie chick. No, this is vital for your health. I’m not messing around when I talk about this. Toxins have a very negative impact that suppresses your immune system.

Get your home detoxified. Make it easy on yourself by registering for my easy to follow Home Detox Masterclass. You’ll learn how to create a healthier, less toxic environment inside your home which will benefit your immune system big time. In light of what’s going on right now I am keeping my Home Detox Masterclass at the introductory price for the time being. I can also help you reduce your body’s toxic burden with an Eco Wellness Power Hour. Book yours here.

Manage Stress  Our adrenal glands pump out excess cortisol when we’re under stress which weakens the immunity in the lining of the gut. To say this COVID-19 pandemic is causing stress and anxiety is an understatement. We must manage that stress and anxiety for our well-being.

Proven stress relievers:

Exercise It’s vital for your immune system and since we all are homebound with a lot of our responsibilities taken off our plate the number one excuse for not exercising: ‘not enough time’ is not going to fly anymore unless you are someone who is now working from home while also homeschooling young children. In that case, you need stress relief more than ever. Walk, jog, do yoga, lift free weights in your home, log onto one of the many online workouts that are now popping up.

Yoga Since your gym and yoga studios are closed, online workouts are our solution! Keeping up with your workouts will keep you sane and boost your immune system. Yoga is a stress reducer and a great workout. Try Yoga Download or even Yoga With Adrienne on YouTube.

Sleep, rest and relaxation

Getting out in nature Can’t go anywhere else now anyway. Take a walk and a few times a day, step out on your balcony, yard or front door and take a few deep cleansing breaths.

Meditation, Mindfulness & Gratitude There are wonderful meditation resources like Barbara Savin that can help you create a meditation practice. I had the extreme pleasure of speaking with her at Conejo Collective Day Of Wellness last year. She ended her talk with a short guided grounding meditation that was transformative, everyone was talking about how wonderful it was.

If you’re new to meditation, you don’t need to get fancy, just take a few minutes or even one minute several times a day to breathe while focusing on something you are grateful for. Gratitude is a potent stress reliever.

What you focus on expands. What you resist persists. Focus on thoughts of health and wellness. What do you think will happen generally does happen.

“Stress is a response to stimulation that makes you feel threatened and not always provoked by real circumstances, Rather a perception that you are being attacked.” ~Dr. Mark Hyman

There are many others things you can also do for your immune system that I help clients with but these are a few of my top recommendations that you can implement right now. They aren’t difficult, they are free or very low cost and they will make a difference.  A strong immune system is your best defense during this crisis. 

I don’t use that word lightly. I am not an alarmist and I truly believe that staying calm and levelheaded will get us through this but it is a crisis. It’s a serious situation, however, worrying about what we can’t control will only deteriorate our mental and physical well-being and exacerbate anxiety and stress.

As with every aspect of health and life in general, I always say control what you can, give yourself grace and release worry about what you cannot control. Can you 100% control your immune system? No, but you absolutely can implement these methods to give yourself a leg up.

With all that immune boosting goodness being said, please don’t beat yourself up if you’ve been eating too much comfort food, having a few to too many glasses of wine, not getting off the couch often enough, scrolling social media endlessly… These first few weeks were weird and scary. I think we all have to just give ourselves a little bit of grace, right? Your world has been turned upside down and your schedule is likely completely thrown off. Give yourself a break but that now we’re a few weeks in, good idea to get into a healthy routine – your new hopefully very temporary normal.

A word about personal Hygiene. I wrote about handwashing years ago in the first article that I wrote on tips for preventing cold and flu and easing symptoms. One of my tips was handwashing and as I stated in that article, I attribute diligent handwashing to rarely getting sick (thank you, Lord!). It’s amazing how handwashing is now at the forefront of everyone’s minds. It should always be a priority.

Certain germs threaten your immune system and others can lead to serious illness as we are now witnessing across the globe. I was a major hand wash it before all of this and even I am over the number of times I am at the sink sudsing up! However, we must wash the germs off your hands, especially before you eat, wash or touch your face and prepare food and always after you are out in common areas.

When it comes to supplements, check with your physician

There are impressive supplements that also boost the immune system like probiotics, vitamin D3 with K, astragalus, vitamin C, zinc, oregano oil, Echinacea, and more but you must check with your healthcare practitioner. Particularly with the coronavirus, scientists are finding that certain substances in medications exacerbate symptoms. And please keep in mind some supplements are not healthy on a long-term basis like echinacea and others so you must do your research and find a good physician. I like Western doctors that are integrative and homeopathic as well.

Spread Love Not germs 

Know what else reduces stress? Love and gratitude. Spread loving kindness and treat with others and yourself with care. 

Be gentle on yourself and as I told my kids, let’s just take it one day at a time and look for the silver linings. I shared some of mine here that will help ease your anxiety.

We are all in this together, we need to stick together, be there for one another and comply to save lives. It’s OK to be scared and to dislike the situation. This isn’t the norm for humans, it’s lonely. We are meant to be together and experience human touch. I still can’t believe it’s happening.

I’ll say it again because it’s an important concept to understand – – – – what we focus on expands. Focus on love, healing & positivity💫 Send those vibes out into the world to change the trajectory. It will make a difference in what’s going on in the world, within yourself. and your beloved immune system.

To recap, keep your immune system strong and be particularly vigilant in this time of pandemic with: Good nutrition, proper hydration, eliminating toxins, sleeping, and reducing stress.

Health isn’t just what you’re eating. It’s what you’re thinking, what you’re doing and what you’re saying.

Want help implementing some of these habits and learn more self-care tips that will help alleviate your anxiety during these uncertain times?

Register for my FREE Savvy Girl’s Virtual Self-Care Retreat starting on World Health Day, April 7th. As soon as you sign up, you’ll also get my complimentary Home Detox checklist delivered right to your inbox.

Stay safe, stay well and let’s all do our part to stop the spread of COVID – 19.

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Giveaway! Enter To Win Pure & Coco Skincare AND Home Detox Masterclass & Coaching!

Enter for your chance to win Pure & Coco Skincare products AND Kelly’s Eco Wellness Coaching. Meet Pure & Coco founder, Rene Bartosh, and hear how she helps people naturally relieve dry skin and eczema with her inspiring Pure & Coco story. She also shares some of her top skincare tips!

One very lucky winner will receive the following prizes worth over $200:

Pure & Coco Moisturizing Exfoliators

Luxe Stainless Steel Spoon for Moisturizing Exfoliators

Bamboo Facial Washcloth

Cosmetic Travel Bag

Kelly’s Home Detox Masterclass

1:1 Eco Wellness Session With Kelly

Check out our interview:

Pure & Coco Moisturizing Exfoliators

  • Pure cane sugar gently removes the barrier of dead skin cells which blocks creams, oils, and lotions from properly absorbing into the skin, all without burning or irritating sensitive skin
  • Gently removes dry skin, flaking skin, & moisturizes to soothe itching eczema skin overnight
  • Helps even out skin tone, minimizes pores and calms redness
  • Dermatologist approved for use on your face & body, safe for daily use
  • Organic Virgin Cold Pressed Coconut Oil leaves skin feeling soft and moisturized-not greasy

Luxe Stainless Steel Spoon for Moisturizing Exfoliators

  • This perfectly sized spoon scoops up the exact amount needed every time of your favorite Moisturizing Exfoliator
  • Easily scoop out the perfect amount each time
  • Helps manicures stay looking fresh longer because you no longer have to use your fingertips to scoop out the product
  • Keeps excess water out of product
  • Perfect for stirring if the product becomes separated from heat or hard from cold temperatures
  • Crafted from 18/10 stainless steel, resists rust and holds its polish well
  • Dishwasher safe

Cosmetic Travel Bag

  • This generously sized cosmetic bag can carry all of your favorite Pure & Coco skincare products, including a large Moisturizing Exfoliator, and plenty of room for all of your makeup
  • Convenient zippered compartment with breathable mesh fabric to safely store your makeup brushes
  • Removable dividers so you can customize the bag to your specific needs
  • Waterproof material, sturdy handle for carrying
  • Soft material for easy cleaning and storage

Bamboo Facial Washcloth

  • No more sharing the family bath towel to dry your face. These 100% Pure Bamboo washcloths are naturally anti-microbial and anti-bacterial perfectly suited for sensitive facial skin types
  • Using a separate towel for your face prevents transferring bodily bacteria onto your face
  • Double layered for extra absorbency and thickness
  • Machine washable

Kelly’s Home Detox Masterclass

Learn how to:

  • Go green
  • Detox your home
  • Reduce your body’s toxic burden
  • Reduce your risk of illness
  • Reduce your carbon footprint
  • Adopt healthy home habits
  • Eliminate chemical-filled commercial products from your home and daily routine
  • Eliminate and avoid toxins commonly found in households and everyday products
  • Learn about harmful chemicals commonly used in household products & which health risk they pose
  • Implement the best strategies to help ensure your home is as healthy and non-toxic as possible
  • Easily implement eco-friendly household habits and methods
  • Transition to clean, effective products for the home
  • Eliminate toxins and create a healthy indoor environment
  • Prevent long term health issues caused by environmental toxins
  • Choose healthy, safe, effective household products
  • Protect our ecosystem and help create a cleaner environment
  • Avoid being greenwashed ever again

Includes worksheets, handouts, pocket guides and a comprehensive list of my top favorite household lines that are safe and effective (cleaning products, candles, water filters, and more.)

In light of this pandemic, it’s more important than ever to create a healthy, less toxic home and personal care routine. Toxins lower immunity and wreak havoc on your health.

1:1 Eco Wellness Session With Kelly

  • We’ll reduce your body’s toxic burden by working on any aspect of green living  and wellness that you choose: beauty, personal care, home, lifestyle, nutrition or a combination
  • I will provide you with the very best plan to effectively detox your beauty and personal care routine to support long-term health, without stress or overwhelm
  •  Start/continue transitioning to the right clean beauty & personal care products for your skin type, preferences and budget
  • Learn how to balance nutrition and stabilize blood sugar levels so you can release unwanted weight and stop yo yo dieting
  • I will help you create a plan based on your needs and the type of skincare, beauty and/or home products that you want and need to make your green journey easier and more glamorous
  • Ask Kelly all your questions about clean beauty, eco friendly living, the products you currently use, which products you should use, nutrition and more

The prize is valued at over $200!

Enter and tag a clean beauty loving friend! Good luck!

A votre sante

xo Kelly & Rene

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8 Surprising Heart Attack Symptoms Women Should Not Ignore

Do you believe that your chance of having a cardiac episode depends on your genes? Think you don’t have much control? Not true. 80% of heart disease is preventable, this statistic comes from the American Heart Association. Certain types of heart disease are genetic and difficult to detect but for the most part, your lifestyle dictates your chance of heart problems, including stroke. 

Cardiovascular disease is the number one killer of both men and women in the U.S. 

Sharp chest pain is obvious but there is a wide range of symptoms associated with a heart attack and these symptoms do not always include distinct chest pain, especially in women. Can’t stress that point enough, ladies!

Certain symptoms can be subtle but very distinct signs that you should head straight to the ER. These symptoms are often associated with other issues that are not serious or life threatening so it’s easy to ignore them or pass them off as simply discomfort or a minor issue. 

  • Extreme fatigue
  • Heart palpitations
  • Feeling light headed or dizzy
  • Nausea and indigestion
  • Heartburn
  • Shortness of breath
  • Tingling of the hands
  • Pain in a hand- even in a finger.

This is not to say that if you are experiencing one of these symptoms it’s a heart issue, women can feel light headed for a variety of reasons, heart palpitations are common with thyroid issues and menopause, a plate full of spicy enchiladas can bring on a lovely episode of indigestion. 

However, all of these are symptoms are often associated with other ailments making it less obvious when a woman is having a heart attack so it’s good to be aware, particularly if you’re experiencing more than one or there’s no good reason.

Heart disease kills more women than all forms of cancer combined

  • Adopt a healthy diet  It’s an obvious one but too many people have poor diets. Avoid foods with saturated and trans fat. Stay away from fried food! Eat the bad stuff once in a while but on a regular basis, indulge in fruits, veggies, superfoods, foods high in antioxidants and fiber
  • Exercise!!  Get your heart rate going with some cardio nearly everyday, strength train a few times a week and zen out with some yoga
  • Do NOT smoke Seriously, do we even have to discuss this?
  • Keep your alcohol consumption moderate
  • Keep your weight down That does not mean you have to be some unrealistic size, just stay within a range that is healthy for your height and keep your waist circumference and BMI in the healthy zone (besides, booties are in girls, so don’t bother getting rid of what he likes to grab!). Curious about your BMI? Check it here. If you do have some lbs. to get rid of, click here to book a quick complimentary Eco Wellness consultation with me, my weight loss program just might be the perfect fit for you. It’s easy to follow and highly effective, designed for optimal health making it easy to lose weight fast because it gets your body into fat burning mode and improves heart health.
  • Go for regular check-ups Start young, even people in their twenties should get physicals
  • Test your glucose Dr. Roshini Raj recommends that everyone have a glucose test for diabetes every 3 years because diabetes is a major cause of heart disease. She also says it’s a good idea to talk with your doctor about taking the new LDL particle test
  • Know your blood pressure Have your cholesterol, blood pressure and blood sugar tested. Ideal BP is 115/76 or lower. Your bad cholesterol (LDL) should be lower than 100 and your good cholesterol (HDL) should be higher than 50. Even a slight elevation of any one of these can double or possibly quadruple your risk for stroke but you can lessen that chance with proper care
  • Know your family health history
  • Stress Less Anxiety hurts your heart so much that highly anxious types are two times as likely to suffer a heart attack or die that those who take things in stride and stay calm. Want to help ease anxiety? Meditate! Even 10 minutes a day will help. “There are 1440 minutes in a day. They’ll all go better if you take 10 of them to meditate.” ~Marie Forleo
  • Get busy in the bedroom (I’m throwing in a juicy bonus tip ~ happens to be my personal favorite) Intimate sex and loving affection are very good for your heart as well your over all mental and physical well being. Plus, is there really anything more fun?! Bow Chicka bow wow… 😉

    February is National Heart Month 

Be sure to enter my latest giveaway for your chance to win Pure & Coco Skincare products and cosmetic bag, my Home Detox Masterclass and a 1:1 Eco Wellness coaching session with me ~ prize valued over $200!

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10 Tips To Make Going Green Easy In 2020 #ReduceYourToxicLoad

I hope this shiny new decade is off to a fabulous start for you! There’s something very exciting about starting fresh with a brand new year and diving into a world of possibilities, isn’t there? With this being a new decade it feels there’s even more promise!

I am so ready for a phenomenal year, it got off to a great start with a weekend in Palm Springs where I attended Level Up Live, a fantastic business conference with Allison Maslan, CEO and Founder of Pinnacle Global Network and author of Scale Or Fail. It was a powerful weekend full of inspiration and valuable takeaways. If you are a business owner I highly recommend attending her next event. What a motivating way to start 2020!

How is your 2020 so far? Many of us have big plans when a new year begins making lofty resolutions we vow to achieve. Unfortunately, most falter by February because creating habits on our own isn’t easy.

I don’t necessarily make resolutions but it is a good time to make some positive changes. Mine is getting back to a regular yoga practice. I miss it.

New Year’s resolutions typically involve some type of health improvement, does yours? I recommend going green because living an eco friendly lifestyle reduces your toxic load which improves your health a great deal because toxicity levels in your system can wreak havoc on your health. The healthiest individuals make detoxing a natural part of their daily routine.

Your health and longevity are largely determined by your lifestyle, only about 25% is dictated by your genetics. One of the most important things that you can do to improve your health is to reduce your toxic load. This requires detoxing our personal care and beauty routines and our home environments. The good news, it’s really not difficult and I am here to help you do it.

A healthy, eco friendly lifestyle is not a luxury. Detoxing your lifestyle is simply not an option if you want to be healthy.

The truth is, we live in an extremely toxic world. Whether you are just beginning your green journey or you are already living a pretty clean life but want to go further, all steps to detoxing will improve your health. Period. Try this eco detox for 2020. Even small changes will make a difference.

  • Start your day with a detoxifying drink. A cup of warm water with the juice of 1 organic lemon will set you up with a healthy start to your day by helping to flush the kidneys, aid digestion, boost the immune system, reduce inflammation, balance pH levels and the acidity stimulates liver to produce acids that help detox the body… how about all those benefits without much work?! Oh and you’ll also get a nice dose of potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron, vitamin B and C and other antioxidants, which all help combat wrinkles savvy girls! 
  • Sip your cuppa sustainably Another disposable item habit to break is coffee pods, 30 million go to the landfills each day. Start using reusable K-cups for Keurig. You’ll save money and help out the beautiful planet.
  • Ecofy your cleaning routine Use products that do not contain harmful toxins to clean your home, car, and office. Just like using non toxic personal care products, this is far healthier for the environment and your family, including your pets.
  • Steer clear of Bisphenol A I have written about the dangers of BPA in several posts over the years. It’s found in everything from plastic containers to the lining of canned foods to cash register receipts. BPA is problematic because it imitates estrogen so it disrupts our endocrine system and messes with hormones. It’s been associated with many cancers including breast cancer. The truth is, most plastic has estrogenic chemicals so it’s healthy to avoid plastic as much as possible.
  • Toss toxic air fresheners  Exposure even just once a week can increase your odds of developing asthma by as much as 71% and can contribute to an increase in pulmonary diseases. Plus there is no evidence that they disinfect the air in any way but research is showing that chemicals in these products harm us. Try Master Blaster, it eliminates odors and blasts stain (even tough laundry stains) or Unearthed room sprays.
  • Use cute reusable water bottles  You know sipping your daily h20 intake from plastic water bottles is no good because of the BPA and phthalates not to mention how horrible they are for the environment.

Being green might not have been easy for Kermit but it can be for you

  • Recycle  Every ton of paper we recycle, saves 17 trees, 7000 gallons of water, 380 gallons of oil so recycle it! About 40% of landfill waste is paper!
  • Use Less Water  Take shorter showers & turn off the water while brushing your teeth, washing your face and hands.
  • Use Clean Beauty & Personal Care Products  What goes on your body doesn’t just affect you and your health, they harm our precious environment. When you reduce your own personal exposure to toxins with clean beauty you reduce your contribution of dangerous chemicals getting back into our environment. Click here for a list of quality brands. Our government is not making sure our products are safe so we need to choose them wisely.
  • Steer Clear of Traditional Dry Cleaners  Even trace amounts of the commonly used solvent perchloroethylene [perc] has been labeled as a ‘likely human carcinogen’ by the EPA. Start patronizing green dry cleaners or don’t buy as much ‘dry clean only’ garments. You’ll save money and the environment. Women spend roughly $1500 a year on dry cleaning bills!
  • Here’s a bonus tip: DITCH TOXIC DEODORANT & ANTIPERSPIRANT! I’m sure you heard by now that they contain parabens (which mimic the body’s natural hormones increasing the risk of breast and other cancers) and aluminum. Both have been found in breast cancer tissue. Our underarms absorb even more than other areas of our skin. Want a safe, healthy alternative that actually works ALL day and night? You’ll find it here in my list of clean personal care products that I approve. My favorite is Pure Haven because it works.

There you have it, a new year’s detox that doesn’t require fasting or juicing. How about that? Pretty easy way to detox, right?!

If you’d to like go further in creating a healthier indoor environment, check out my masterclass: Go Green And Create A Healthy, Eco Friendly Home. 

This short, workshop-style course gives you a deep dive into detoxifying your home and going green to reduce your family’s toxic load and carbon footprint.

And if you want to green your beauty routine grab The Savvy Girl’s Guide To Clean Beauty: Look Younger Without Harmful Chemicals In 10 Easy Steps.

Be sure to enter my latest giveaway for your chance to win Pure & Coco Skincare products and cosmetic bag, my Home Detox Masterclass and a 1:1 Eco Wellness coaching session with me ~ prize valued over $200!

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Home Detox Masterclass

Do you fear that the toxins swirling around inside your home are causing potential long-term health problems for you and your family? Your concerns are valid. The truth is, our indoor environments are up to 10 times more polluted than the outdoors! The indoor air in the average American home contains over 400 chemicals.

Environmental toxins found in homes account for an estimated 75%-80% of cancer cases and deaths in the US.

Fortunately, there are simple things that you can do inside your home and certain products you can use that will significantly clean up your indoor environment which will benefit your family’s health.

In light of this pandemic, it’s more important than ever that you create a healthy, less toxic home and personal care routine. Toxins lower your immunity and wreak havoc on your health.

I’ve created this progressive workshop-style course with you and your concerns in mind. Home Detox Masterclass is perfect for you if you want a quick, actionable solution to creating a healthy, less toxic indoor environment inside your beautiful home.

Click here for access to the masterclass

Create a healthy, eco friendly home and finally have control and freedom from the overwhelm of minimizing your body’s toxic burden.

The lessons are extremely focused, most videos are only 5-10 minutes long so there is no time wasted. You can get through the entire class in less than 2 hours. Go at your own pace while on your computer or your phone. The lessons are designed to show you exactly what you need to do. You can implement everything or just what resonates with you. Go at your own pace, take baby steps and go back to it when you want to make more changes or review a lesson.

The EPA ranks indoor air pollution one of the top five environmental health risks.

Learn how to implement easy, actionable household methods that will improve the quality of your indoor environment, improve overall health and reduce risk of illness.

We get to the point quickly so you can go green and create a healthy, eco friendly home asap.

The introductory price is just $37 (price will increase). This is a serious steal for this type of Masterclass. Take advantage of my buy 1 get one 20% off special and gift a few to your loved ones. 

Are you frustrated by all of the confusing, conflicting information out there? Do you find yourself wondering which products are truly clean, safe and effective for your home? You are not alone! It can be very confusing and overwhelming.

Imagine feeling confident and secure in the products you’re using in your home and the methods and habits you’ve implemented. Imagine how relieved you’ll be when you know exactly what to do and what to use. You won’t have to worry about it anymore. The fear and concern will be a non-issue. 

This masterclass will remove the overwhelm, save you an abundance of time and you will avoid the hassle of being greenwashed.

This is a value-packed online workshop. A deep-dive into going green with a step by step program to help you make simple changes to improve the environment inside your home which will reduce your toxic load as well as your carbon footprint. 

Home Detox Masterclass is perfect for you if:

✅ You want to keep your family safe from harmful toxins

✅ You want to prevent the long term adverse health effects caused by toxins

✅ You want to reduce your risk of cancer, autoimmune disease, and various other illnesses

✅ You want to understand what the words labels mean and read them with confidence

✅ You want to know how safe the products you currently use are and wonder if they cause cancer or other illnesses

✅ You want to learn eco friendly household tips and methods

✅ You are sick of being greenwashed

✅ You want to detoxify your home but find it overwhelming because there is so much conflicting information out there

✅ You find it difficult to discover which products are really healthy as well as effective

✅ You have faced health issues and want to reduce your body’s toxic burden

✅Your child or someone in your family has health issues and you want to minimize their toxic load

✅ You want to learn which products & brands are truly safe and effective

✅ You want to go into the holiday season and new year detoxed with a jump start on healthier living

✅ You want to discover the truth about the toxic issue and why it’s important to detoxify your indoor environment

✅ You want to be kinder to our beautiful planet 

✅ You want to reduce your family’s carbon footprint 

You will have peace of mind that the household products you and your kids are using are truly safe and effective. Your home is the most toxic place where you spend most of your time but the good news is that you have control over what do you use in your home and what you do in your home. 

With my guidance, going green will be easier than you think. There are clean alternatives for everything. It’s not just for tree hugging, Birkenstock wearing, macrobiotic vegans!

You will learn how to: 

  • Go green
  • Detox your home
  • Reduce your body’s toxic burden
  • Reduce your risk of illness
  • Reduce your carbon footprint
  • Adopt healthy home habits 
  • Eliminate chemical-filled commercial products from your home and daily routine
  • Eliminate and avoid toxins commonly found in households and everyday products
  • Learn about harmful chemicals commonly used in household products & which health risk they pose
  • Implement the best strategies to help ensure your home is as healthy and non-toxic as possible
  • Easily implement eco-friendly household habits and methods
  • Transition to clean, effective products for the home
  • Eliminate toxins and create a healthy indoor environment
  • Prevent long term health issues caused by environmental toxins
  • Choose healthy, safe, effective household products
  • Protect our ecosystem and help create a cleaner environment 
  • Avoid being greenwashed ever again

What you learn will not only help you create a healthier home, it will contribute to a healthier ecosystem that benefits future generations, marine life, land animals, the waterways, flora and our soil.

Your kids want a clean, green world. Did you know that 76% of parents feel that their child is the one advocating for environmentally healthy changes in their home?

Be your kid’s hero – set them up for a healthy future – they will learn from you and won’t have to be subjected to dealing with figuring it out.

Coco 💜Your pets need a healthy home too.

Do you have a pet? You’ll be happy to learn that this will also enhance their health. I’m a lifelong dog lover. I feel good knowing that my cutie Coco isn’t absorbing and inhaling the number of toxins he would in a less healthy home. 

If you are a new or pregnant mom, this is especially meaningful. Babies are typically born with over 200 toxins in their system before they are even out in the world.

Eliminate greenwashing, misinformation and overwhelm for good.

BONUSES

  • To help you implement what you learn, worksheets, handouts and pocket guides are included

  • You have lifetime access, the course materials are yours to keep 

  • You will receive a comprehensive list of my top favorite household lines that are safe and effective. This includes candles, water filters, and more. 

It’s the perfect gift – Get one for yourself and one for your BFF, daughter, sister, mom, wife, and brother. 

People who have guidance and support reach their health goals faster and have more success sticking with them and making real changes that last a lifetime. I would be honored to help you create a healthier home. 

Green Your Home Like A Boss 

1 Home Detox Masterclass: $37

Buy 1 Masterclass, get 1 20% off: $74  $67  

Masterclass + 1:1 Eco Wellness Session:  $112 $90

Select Package

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20 Tips To Avoid Holiday Weight Gain (and maybe even lose a few LBs!)

Eat, drink & be very merry without holiday weight gain

It’s said the average person gains at least 1 – 2 (some sources report an average of 5 – 7) pounds during the holidays. I’ve even heard of the festive 15! Yikes. Even if it is only 1, statistics show that most people don’t lose it so those extra LBs add up year after year. Not to mention weight put on during other times of the year due to celebrations, vacations, various events and stress.

This is a fun time of year but all the parties, happy hour, holiday shopping, gift wrapping and erratic schedules can throw off your routine… it can all be a recipe for disaster when it comes to maintaining a healthy diet and staying slim. But it doesn’t have to!

This is such a fun time of year. Although, it can be hectic – I literally have something going on nearly every night between now and Christmas! However, I am making a concerted effort to be extremely mindful of living in the moment and enjoy the holiday parties, decorations, corny Christmas movies, moments with my boys, the festive sites around the town, the chill in the air – yes even in Los Angeles, it’s 45° as I write this tonight! 

It’s easy for weight to creep on even when we aren’t celebrating and throwing caution to the wind so being mindful and adopting good habits throughout the holidays will set you up for success.

It’s not always easy for me, believe me. I eat well and take care of myself so I’m usually at a good weight but I fluctuate and it sucks when clothes fit a little tighter. Ugh. But I learned how to stop the fluctuation. I’ll share that with you too because why should you wait till January, drop a few pounds now, you’ll look hot for all the holiday festivities and 2020 won’t be another year that weight loss tops your list of resolutions.

I share more tips in my video series: How To Avoid Holiday Weight Gain  Part 1, Part 2, Part 3. And for more on balancing nutrition and blood sugar levels for weight loss and maintaining, read, Discover 3 Key Factors To Achieve Your Ideal Weight & Optimal Health.

Tips & habits I swear by

Eat protein with each meal Protein helps keep you satiated and it’s key for preserving muscle mass.

Don’t party hungry  Eat something healthy and low calorie before you head out. This will help you eat less since you won’t be starving.

Bring it Bring something healthy and delicious to those potlucks so there will be at least one thing at the table you can enjoy that won’t be loaded with saturated fat.

Get plenty of sleep Watch your caffeine throughout the day and don’t drink any in the afternoon. Have your magnesium levels checked, a deficiency can affect sleep. Inadequate amounts of sleep can cause a spike ghrelin,the hunger hormone and a dip in leptin, the hormone that signals satiety.

Fill up on the good stuff  Enjoy the treats and special main courses but pile your plate with lots of veggies and fruit to help fill you up.

Sneak in exercise  Make all that running around work for you. Walk briskly, take stairs & take the long way around the mall. Instead of meeting a friend for coffee, chat while you power walk together. Take a family walk after dinner.

You absolutely CAN avoid packing on the LBs this holiday season! 

Dance! Step away from the food table and socialize on the other side of the room away from the spread. Burn major calories on the dance floor. Whatever you do, don’t mindlessly chat and graze when you’re not even genuinely hungry.

Fill up on fiber Eat your veggies first, the fiber will help you feel satiated so you’ll be less likely to fall prey to unhealthy choices.

Go Green Use clean, non toxic beauty and personal care products. Toxins are stored in our fat cells. Many of them are endocrine disrupting obesegens that promote fat storage, can alter metabolism as well as the balance of lipid metabolism in promoting calorie storage as opposed to burning them. 

Manage that stress Stress is a recipe for disaster when it comes to weight management. It can cause cortisol levels to spike which can impede weight loss. De-stress in ways that feel good for you… reading, meditation, working out, playing with your dog, getting out in nature, sex… whatever de-stresses you, do it!

Be festive Focus on your family, friends and new acquaintances. Put the emphasis on the experience and making memories.

Self Care You must take time for yourself during the holidays, especially if it’s a particularly stressful, anxiety-ridden time of year for you.

Stay hydrated  Drink plenty of water, sometimes thirst signals as hunger. Dehydration can also cause fatigue.

It’s about creating habits, these are principles and strategies you can use throughout the entire year

Go sparingly Rather than piling a few slices of cheese in your sandwiches, just add one, you’ll still get that cheesy flavor minus up to a few hundred calories.

Limit taste tests  Calories can really add up when you mindlessly nibble here and there. Eat only while you’re sitting down and enjoying your food. It’s so much more enjoyable that way anyway.

Plan ahead This is a really important one. It can save you from making fattening, unhealthy food choices. When you’re running around shopping and doing all the extra stuff we do during the holidays. Arm yourself with healthy snacks.

Planning ahead & eating healthy when you’re crazy busy can be a challenge, for a quick and easy list that will make this easier for you, download my free guide:

The Savvy Girl’s Guide To Healthy Eating On The Go

Walk it off  On the phone? Walk and talk outside or in the hallways. Walk wherever you can.

Stop when you’re satisfied Pay attention to your satiety, take a few deep breaths. Control your thoughts, eat only when you’re hungry. When you’re starting to get full but continue eating you’ll be stuffed and uncomfortable. Doing this often is where extra pounds come from.

Commit to staying on track Make your mind up to do it. Like anything you truly want to accomplish, it starts with your commitment. Food is fuel. It is not comfort or a reward.

Decide before you partake Make the decision before you go to each festivity that you are either going to stay on track or allow yourself to indulge. If you do, enjoy it. Count it as your cheat meal.

Bonus Tip If you do indulge more than you planned here and there, don’t beat yourself up. Live a little, enjoy it, have fun and move on. It’s just one meal and you can snap back into good habits quickly. What you resist, persists. If you are not feeling it, if you’re not in alignment with watching what you eat then give yourself a break without getting too off course and get back on track when it feels in alignment for you.

As my wise mom always said, everything in moderation. Don’t go hog wild just because it’s the holidays but don’t completely deprive yourself either. Have a few of your mom’s famous Christmas cookies, not a whole plate. Balance with small portions and eat until you are satisfied, not stuffed. Sounds simple but it works. You’ll be happy when you’re not faced with trying to lose 5 extra pounds come January.

How does holiday weight loss sound? 

If you do gain, I can help you take it off with ease. Or maybe you want to lose a few to look and feel your healthiest and most gorgeous for the holidays? You can!

The things we need to do to maintain weight and even lose weight are really rather simple but they’re not easy. However, they certainly get easier as they become your new normal. Build on the habits day by day and they will become second nature.

It’s not always easy for me, believe me. I like to indulge just as much as anyone. I’m usually at a good weight but I have always fluctuated. I eat right, exercise and live a healthy lifestyle but sometimes I’m up 5-7 pounds which does not feel good on me. I know, not a lot of weight, I keep it in perspective but it’s not comfortable on my small frame. I have an hourglass figure, I’m not trying to keep my curves at bay, I simply feel better and like the way my clothes fit when I’m at my smaller size. That hourglass can easily look like it has too many hours if I’m not careful!

Let me be clear, this is about being healthy and maintaining a weight that you are comfortable with, it is not about being skinny or trying to look a certain way. It’s a personal choice. Sure, being at a healthy weight is vital to your overall health but there’s a range of healthy weight. Two people can be the same height and bone structure, have a 15 pound weight difference but they can both be healthy and look great. Was I unhealthy with that 8 pounds? No, but I’m more comfortable without it. Furthermore, I like having sexy curves! I have a small frame but I’m going to have a J Lo booty no matter what size I am!

That being said, if you are several or even just a few pounds over where you want to be, then get rid of it.

A mere 10% reduction in body weight reduces your risk of various weight-related diseases by 50%!

They say losing weight is easy, keeping it off is hard. Frankly, freaking losing weight can be hard which is why I’m happy that I learned how to make both pretty damn easy for me and my clients.

I share more about that in the video series but if you’d like to learn more and have a free consultation, click here to book a time that is convenient for you. It’s an innovative lifestyle approach that gets your mind and body working together helping you adopt healthy habits that contribute to your long-term success.

Grab your FREE Healthy Eating On The Go Guide for more tips, suggestions and inspiration! 

Be sure to check out the video series: How To Avoid Holiday Weight Gain

Have fun & indulge in a bevy of holiday merriment this holiday season

A votre sante! 

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2019 Eco Beauty Black Friday & Cyber Monday Deals Roundup!

To make your holiday shopping easier I’ve compiled this list of clean beauty brands I love that have fantastic Black Friday, Small Business Saturday and Cyber Monday sales. Be sure to grab a few goodies for yourself too! 

PLEASE don’t head to the mall to get the toxic junk – you know the brands I’m talking about. Instead, give your sisters, daughters, nieces, girlfriends & moms beauty and wellness with fantastic eco products.

First up, my own big sale: 20% off ALL my services and programs through Tuesday, 12/3!

Take a look at all the services I offer by clicking here and see which one best fits your needs. Perhaps it’s a 6 week private, customized program, maybe you just want one or two sessions or a full VIP day where we fast track you to better health and eco-living might be just what you need.

People who have guidance and support reach their health goals faster and have more success sticking with them and making real changes that last a lifetime. I would be honored to help you with your health and eco-friendly lifestyle goals.

I’m very excited about a special product I am launching, it’s not available yet but pre-sale starts on Black Friday at a deep discount. It’s an eco friendly lifestyle masterclass designed to help you create a healthy, non toxic indoor environment and implement eco friendly home methods to reduce the body’s toxic burden of everyone in your family and minimize your carbon footprint.

The lessons are extremely focused, most videos are only 5-10 minutes long so there is no time wasted. You can get through the entire class in less than 2 hours. Go at your own pace while on your computer or your phone.

Click here to get the masterclass pre-sale discounts

We get to the point to get you off and running quickly. The introductory price is just $37 (price will increase in 2020). Purchase on Black Friday, Small Business Saturday or Cyber Monday and get it for 30% OFF! No code necessary. $26 is a serious steal for this type of Masterclass. Take advantage of my buy 1 get one half off special and gift a few to loved ones. Click here for details. 

Now on to the eco beauty sales …

The Detox Market  $15 off 100, $40 off 200 plus a free full size Pai rosehip oil – a $44 value (fantastic product btw), $100 off $400 plus the free rosehip oil & a free Jade gemstone facial roller which I happen to swear by for lymphatic drainage, gives your face a major beauty boost.

Pure Haven   30% off select items and product bundles including their fantastic shampoo and conditioner! For Cyber Monday – 50% off select items and bundles! They also have a deliciously gorgeous holiday collection naturally scented with beautiful notes of vanilla, candy cane, and, frankincense and myrrh several fabulous items under $30.

True Botanicals  Black Friday-Cyber Monday: 20% Off the entire store! No code needed. (valid 11/29-12/2) Holiday Sale: Free gift with purchase. No code needed. (valid 12/3-12/31)

“Here’s the real point to all of this: now there are effective alternatives to the garbage! We don’t need to compromise our health to get results. Hallelujah.” ~Olivia Wilde (she and Laura Dern love True Botanicals!)

Go Pure  10% OFF everything with code: THANKFUL10, 15% OFF over $75 with code: THANKFUL15, 20% OFF over $150 with code: THANKFUL20 I’m loving their vitamin c serum & lotion and the retinol serum & lotion

Credo Beauty  Receive a free 7-piece gift ($100 value) with all purchases of $125+.

Juice Beauty  25% off sitewide + FREE shipping with code CYBER19

Indie Lee  25% off all orders $50+ with the code INDIEFRIDAY applies to all of the newest items, including their brand new Overnight Facial Oil, Sleep Soak, Sleep Body Oil, Pillow Mist and Sleep Body Wash.

100% Pure  $10 beauty deals on several items and discounts on beautiful holiday gift sets. This is one of my favorite lines, I love their long wearing lipstick, fabulous mascara, under eye masks, body lotion and so much more. Check out this video I just shot at the Topanga store and see for yourself!

Hynt Beauty  30% off sitewide with code BLACK2019

Follain  20% off sitewide on Cyber Monday (starts Sunday), no code necessary.

Lauren B. Beauty High quality couture eco nail care and polish in 85 beautiful colors that are glossy, VERY long lasting and chip resistant. 20% off with code kellyb20 AND they just launched their exclusive Curators Club. For a limited time they’re offering the opportunity to try the first month for $5!

Want my Top 10 Beauty Secrets Delivered To Your Inbox Instantly? Sign Up Here ?

This checklist gives you easy, actionable tips that you can start right away to look & feel your best!

The Honest Company  25% off with code MERRY25. I LOVE their mascara! Awesome length and not pricey.

Safe and Chic  15% off with code THANKFUL

MyChelle Dermaceuticals Free sample gift set with all orders and 35% off everything site wide on orders 75+ with code SAVE35

AnnMarie 25% off

Korres 40% Off everything with CODE: BLFRIDAY

Because hydration from the inside out is vital for beautiful skin…

Berkey Water Filters  Holiday sale now through 12/6 Awesome deals like $200 off the Royal Berkey Bundle and more. Very efficient water filter, even filters pond water!

And, because beauty sleep is a must if you want to look your best…

Eco Terra Mattresses  $175 off any mattress using code BLACK2019
And, because savvy girls need super cute clothing that is also good for the planet…
Wholesome Culture  $25 select tees and $34 select crews and get an EXTRA 15% off everything with code GIVETHANKS
For more clean beauty brands I recommend click here,
and for eco household lines I recommend, click here! 

Wishing you & your family a very Happy Thanksgiving!! 

 

*Disclosure* I may be an affiliate for some of the products that I recommend on my site. If you purchase those items through my links I’ll earn a small commission. This does not affect your price. I do appreciate you shopping through my links, it helps support this site so I can continue offering you lots of value, good recommendations and free information. Thank you in advance, I appreciate your support! Become an affiliate. 

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Top Benefits Of Omegas 3, 6 & 9 For Beautiful, Healthy Skin

Guest post contributed by Emily Woodman of Arya Derm

Omega fatty acids have numerous health benefits, many of which are yet to be unraveled. What we know so far is that they have tremendously positive effects on the heart, bones and skin, They also support mental health, reduce weight, help fight inflammation and decrease liver fat. Some studies suggest omegas prevent dementia, bipolar disorder and asthma.

How Do Omegas Work?

Some 90 percent of dietary fats come in the shape of triglycerides, which are composed of glycerol and fatty acids. Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids are components of cell membranes that help fight inflammations and regulate blood pressure.

Our bodies can produce most of the fatty acids, with the exception of linoleic acid (LA) and alpha-linolenic acid (ALA). Because they need to be consumed through the diet, they are called “essential fatty acids.”

Recommended daily intake for LA and ALA stands at 4 percent and 0.5 percent of the total energy, respectively. EPA and DHA, recommended daily intake is 250 mg a day. Dietary sources of Omega-3s include fish, fish oils and plants rich in a-linolenic acid (grains and oils). 

Omega-3 Fatty Acids

There are numerous types of omega-3s, with the three most common ones being eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and alpha-linolenic acid (ALA). 

EPA produces eicosanoids, which are the chemicals responsible for reducing inflammation and fighting depression.

DHA makes up ca. 8 percent of brain weight and is, hence, of extreme importance when it comes to normal brain development.

ALA is used as an energy source and can be converted into EPA and DHA, to a degree.

 Foods with Omegas are healthy but do you find it challenging planning ahead & eating healthy when you have a hectic schedule? It’s overwhelming!

Click here for a free Healthy Eating On The Go guide with simple tips & habits along with several delicious, nutritious options to grab & go making it easy to eat healthy even when you are pressed for time.

Omega-6 Fatty Acids

Omega-6s serve primarily as an energy source. The most common one is linoleic acid, which can be converted into arachidonic acid (ARA). ARA produces eicosanoids, which fight inflammation.

However, the production of too many eicosanoids may increase the risk of inflammation diseases, hence omega-6s should be taken in moderation. The modern Western diet contains more omega-6s than the body needs.

Other notable omega-6s include gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA). 

Omega-9 Fatty Acids

Omega-9 fats can be produced by the body, but consuming foods rich in them has numerous beneficial health effects, nevertheless. For one thing, they reduce triglycerides and cholesterol levels.

The most common omega-9 is oleic acid, a major energy source for cells that regulates the biosynthesis of numerous essential metabolites.

Omegas and the Skin

As stated above, omegas are anti-inflammatories, which means that they protect the skin from inflammation and the UV rays. Thus, they keep the skin hydrated, fighting the appearance of wrinkles. 

Omega-3s prevent and treat various skin conditions, including psoriasis. The latter is normally treated by dietary and supplemental Omega-3s. Omega-3s decrease the risk of skin cancer, photo-aging, atopic skin conditions and sunburn.

The metabolism of LA and ALA is limited to the skin, while both omega-3s and omega-6s influencing the inflammatory response of the skin. 

It is important to understand that omegas work best when ingested. Many people believe that applying them topically will suffice, but that is not exactly the case. In fact, there are only two fatty acids that need to be applied topically: oleic and linoleic acid.

Being a major structural component of the skin, DHA takes care of cell membranes. EPA regulates hydration and oil production of the skin, as well as premature aging. It reduces the risk of acne and prevents hyperkeratinization (the cells lining the inside of a hair follicle).

On top of regulating inflammation, omega-3s help prevent the development of psoriasis, rosacea, scaling, erythema and acne. One of the major functions of the omega-3s is to decrease insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1) and to reduce scaling, erythema and pruritis.

Sources of Omega Fatty Acids

Foods high in omega-3 fats include fish, fish oil, nuts, seeds and algal oil.

Amounts per 100 grams of the common omega-3 rich foods are: 

  •       Salmon: 4g EPA and DHA
  •       Mackerel: 3g EPA and DHA
  •       Sardines: 2.2g EPA and DHA
  •       Anchovies: 1g EPA and DHA
  •       Chia seeds: 4.9g ALA
  •       Walnuts: 2.5g ALA
  •       Flaxseeds: 2.3g ALA

 Omega-6 fats are found in refined vegetable oils, nuts and seeds.

 Amounts per 100 grams of the common omega-6 rich foods are:

  •       Soybean oil: 50g
  •       Corn oil: 49g
  •       Mayonnaise: 39g
  •       Walnuts: 37g
  •       Sunflower seeds: 34g
  •       Almonds: 12g
  •       Cashew nuts: 8g

 Similar to omega-6s, omega-9 fats are found in refined vegetable oils, nuts and seeds.

 Amounts per 100 grams of the common omega-9 rich foods are:

  •       Olive oil: 83g
  •       Cashew nut oil: 73g
  •       Almond oil: 70g
  •       Avocado oil: 60g
  •       Peanut oil: 47g
  •       Almonds: 30g
  •       Cashews: 24g
  •       Walnuts: 9g

 Recommended daily amounts for ALA:

  •       Men: 1.6 g
  •       Women: 1.1 g
  •       Pregnant women: 1.4 g
  •       Children 1 to 3: 0.7 g
  •       Children 4 to 8: 0.9 g
  •       Boys 9 to 13: 1.2 g
  •       Girls 9 to 13: 1.0 g
  •       Teenage boys: 1.6 g
  •       Teenage girls: 1.1 g

Omega Fatty Acids: General Benefits

Much has been said about the benefits of essential oils with new discoveries never failing to deliver. It is true that we still have a lot to learn, but the facts we are already aware of speak in favor of omega fatty acids.

 Skin health benefits of omegas go deeper than just the surface. A healthy body spells healthy skin, so it is crucial to eat a balanced diet instead of simply taking supplements.

 After all, it has been proven that communities consuming a fish-based diet have low heart attack and stroke rates, with consumers’ triglyceride levels being decreased by 15 to 30 percent. On top of that, they also have higher HDL cholesterol levels (“good cholesterol”).

 Finally, EPA alone helps fight anxiety and depression. These are the world’s two sole most common mental illnesses, with anxiety disorders affecting 18.1 percent of the U.S. population every year, and MDD (major depressive disorder) and PDD (persistent depressive disorder) combined affecting 9.2 percent of people.

 That being said, concluding how a balanced diet rich in omega fatty acids is beneficial on multiple levels should not be a difficult leap. Take good care of your skin and overall health at all times.

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Xenoestrogens: What Are They, How Do They Increase Your Risk Of Breast Cancer & How Do We Avoid Them?

We all know that October is breast cancer awareness month. Awareness is important but I would like to change the conversation to prevention. Lifestyle plays an enormous role in our health and longevity. In fact, your lifestyle habits dictate up to 75% of how you age, how you feel and how healthy you are. When it comes to cancer, lifestyle is 90%; only 10% of cancers have a genetic component.

Yes, you read that correctly, only 10% of all cancers are genetic. Does that shock you? It sure surprised the hell out of me. It also surprised the author of Breasts: The Owner’s Manual, Dr. Kristi Funk. Even breast cancer is not usually caused by a genetic predisposition. A mere 15% of breast cancer patients actually have a family history yet it is the second most common cancer in women. Second only to skin cancer. 5-10% come from an inherited mutation such as BRCA and only 13% of those diagnosed have a first degree relative with the disease.

Are you realizing just how important lifestyle is when it comes to living well and preventing disease? A healthy lifestyle certainly doesn’t guarantee no illness but it absolutely gives you an advantage. One of the most important lifestyle changes you can make is reducing your toxic load. A key step is transitioning to clean beauty, personal care, and household products.

Approximately 20 – 30% of breast cancers recur. The most common places it metastasizes are the bone, lungs, liver and brain. Holley Kitchen worked hard educating people about metastatic breast cancer. May she rest in peace. You can watch her moving video here. 

Two out of three cases of breast cancer are estrogen receptor positive meaning the cancer cells attach to estrogen receptors. This is a huge reason that I am such an enormous advocate for non-toxic living and probably sound like a broken record advising people to use stop using products that contain endocrine disruptors.

Your Endocrine System is a network of glands secreting hormones that help the majority of the processes in your body function properly including

Growth & Metabolism

Sexual Function

Reproductive Processes

Mood Regulation

Tissue Function

Cell Growth

Endocrine glands release more than 20 major hormones into the bloodstream so they can be transported to cells in the body. Major endocrine glands include: Hypothalamus. Pituitary, Thyroid, Parathyroids, Adrenals, Pineal body, Reproductive, Pancreas.

Endocrine disruptors in everyday products that you use are dangerous because they can mess with any of these glands in your body. Endocrine disruptors known as Xenoestrogens mimic estrogen causing estrogen dominance in the body increasing the total amount estrogen. They are linked to breast cancer, obesity, diabetes, infertility, prostate and testicular cancer, endometriosis, early onset puberty, miscarriages. 

I’ve been passionate about helping people avoid harmful toxins like Xenoestrogens for years. A few months ago I got a call from my best friend with news that 10 Xed that passion. She was diagnosed with estrogen dominant breast cancer. She has since undergone a radical double mastectomy and will start chemotherapy in just a few weeks followed by radiation treatment.

Her breast cancer was detected during her mammogram. Please, ladies, do not skip your yearly mammogram. And if you have dense breasts, I hope your doctor is recommending a breast ultrasound as well. If they don’t, ask for one. We must be our own health advocates.

*Please share this info with the women and men in your life. It’s rare, but men can get breast cancer too*

Along with awareness comes Pinkwashing every October and it pisses me off. It is the height of hypocrisy when companies sell products swirling with ingredients that have been shown to CAUSE BREAST CANCER!

“Pinkwashing – verb 1. the sale of items containing known carcinogens, while marketing these products in support of breast cancer awareness 2. also, capitalizing on the promotion of breast cancer prevention when only concerned about bottom line profit margin.”

Companies Pinkwashing us by claiming to be in support of breast cancer research while using ingredients that are mammary carcinogens, or carcinogenic contaminants that behave as endocrine disrupting compounds in our bodies, causing hormonal imbalance is disgracful. As the Gerson Institute calls it, ‘carcinogens for the cure.’ Yep.

It’s said that Evelyn Lauder’s dream was to end breast cancer. Why doesn’t the company jump off the breast cancer awareness bandwagon and honor her memory by reformulating their products WITHOUT harmful cancer causing ingredients?! L’Oreal, Proctor & Gamble and many others do it too. How do they sleep at night?!

According to Breast Cancer Prevention Partners, which is doing amazing work in the name of prevention, “thousands of chemicals linked to breast cancer in scientific studies.”

Avon’s part in all of this is perplexing. They raise millions with their walk, have created a “Center of Excellence” in breast care and claim the mission of the Avon Comprehensive Breast Care Program at San Francisco General Hospital is to ‘provide comprehensive breast care, education and research in a compassionate and culturally sensitive environment.’ Yet, many of Avon’s products contain toxins. Ludacris.  

Women’s Voices For The Earth offers good tips on how to avoid being pinkwashed. Breatcancerfreebies.com, created by breast cancer survivor Bethany Kandell,  is a site that truly helps patients.

Even small lifestyle changes can improve our health and increase longevity. Protect your health and those beautiful bodacious tatas of yours. These tips help prevent other cancers and illnesses as well as breast cancer.

  • Get screened. Early detection is the key. Be sure to conduct monthly self exams and seek proper screening based on your age group and family history. You may need an ultrasound or sonogram in addition to a mammogram. The most effective type of mammography is the Genius 3D which has been found to detect 41% more invasive cancers and is proven to detect cancer 15 months earlier. Tell your doctor you’d like that one, it’s available in every state.
  • You are what you eat. The food you feed your body become the cells & fluid inside you. A whole food, plant based diet feed your your cells are able to fight off cancer
  • Eat the right type of soy. Funk says non GMO soy acts as an anti-estrogen in your body, soy consumers have 60% less breast cancer and those who have 30% less rec and 29% less death
  • Avoid parabens, BPA, dioxans, phathaltes & flame retardants. You know how I feel about these nasty endocrine disrupting substances if you’ve been reading my blog or watching my livestreams for a while. Use household products, cosmetics and sunscreen that are formulated WITHOUT them because they are linked to many cancer, not just breast. Parabens and other endocrine disruptors mimic the body’s natural hormones increasing the risk of breast and other cancers. They are found in 99% of breast cancer tissue samples.
  • Eat less red meat. A study published in the BMJ that followed 89, over a 20 year period revealed that women who had an average of 1.5 servings of red meat each day had a 22% higher chance of breast cancer over women who limited their red meat intake to once a week. With each addition daily serving of red meat, the risk appeared to increase by 13%. If you choose to have meat, eat organic grass fed to avoid the GMOs and Zeranol, the most potent synthetic estrogen. They give it to conventionally raised cows to fatten up them up. Poor Cows.
  • Move your bod. Hit the gym, lace up those running shoes, pop in a work out DVD, power walk with a friend– choose some type of physical activity because just 30 minutes of exercise each day reduces your chance of getting breast cancer. Plus exercise boosts t-cells that help your immune system work at full capacity
  • Stay at a healthy weight. Exercise also helps keep your body fat percentage in check. Too much fat on our bodies creates hormones, particularly estrogen, which has been found to stimulate cancer. Balancing nutrition and blood sugar levels are two of the vital keys to losing and maintaining. I help clients do that will ease. I’m happy to give you a free consultation, you can book it here 
  • Garlic, turmeric and cruciferous vegetables including brussels sprouts, kale, cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower and bok choy are good breast cancer fighters because they bind estrogen in your GI tract
  • A study showed that drinking 3 cups of green tea a day can reduce risk of breast cancer by 50%

Fortunately, survival rates are at an all-time high for those with breast cancer. In the last 20 years, there has been a 30% reduction in mortality and over 90% of breast cancer patients survive after 5 years with early diagnosis.

  • Steer clear of Bisphenol A. I have written about the dangers of BPA in several posts. It’s found in everything from plastic containers to the lining of canned foods to cash register reciepts. BPA is problematic because it imitates estrogen so it disrupts our endocrine system and messes with hormones. It’s been associated with many cancers including breast cancer
  • Choose lean protein. Replace those red meat meals with nuts, beans, organic chicken and low mercury fish such as wild caught salmon. Sufficient protein and fiber are 2 other vital keys to losing and maintaining weight, you can read why and how here
  • Know your family history. While only 15% of breast cancer patients  have a family history, if you do, your risk is higher so you need to know and take precautions and get genetic testing if your physician recommends it
  • Stay away from pesticides. They can also affect the way your hormones react so buy organic when possible, use green cleaning products and stay away from hand sanitizers & soaps containing the endocrine disruptor triclosan. This cousin to agent orange is classified as a pesticide
  • Ask your doctor about taking the active form of vitamin D3 with K, 1000 iu’s a day may slash your risk of breast cancer up to 50%. Taking D with vitamin K is important for helping prevent calcification
  • HER-2 is a rare but aggressive form of the disease. Another study found that eating lots of raw salad veggies dropped the risk of developing it by close to 35%
  • Curb your alcohol intake to no more than one drink a day. Studies show that over imbibing on a regular basis increases the risk factor. I love my wine, I’m not suggesting anyone stop enjoying it but, as with most things, moderation.
  • Breastfeed. It’s been shown to lower risk and it boosts infants health and immune system
  • This is a bonus tip but perhaps one of the most important: DITCH THE TOXIC DEODORANT & ANTIPERSPIRANT! Seriously, that shit is toxic. Parabens and Aluminum have been found in breast cancer tissue. Aluminum is also associated with Alzheimer’s. A new brain develops Alzheimer’s every 66 seconds and two thirds of those people are women. It’s in your brain for about 20 years before you even shows signs. Want a safe, healthy alternative that actually works? Try Schmidt’s, Pure Haven (my favorite) or Ursa Major.

A votre sante!

xo ~ Kelly

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