Here's My Story.

I have made a lot of lifestyle changes in the past few years. I haven't always made all of the choices that I make today. I used to eat somewhat healthy throughout the week and call it "dieting", while allowing myself and all out cheat day, which was more of a binge day. I would eat all the bad foods I could get my hands on. At the end of the binge day I would feel awful. Not only did my stomach hurt, I had no energy and felt guilty and then depressed about the way the foods made my body look. I wouldn't even let my boyfriend at the time, touch my stomach. Looking back, my diet was so horrible. (diet, meaning the foods I ate regularly). At one point in time (for over a year) two of my daily meals each consisted of a venti sugar free vanilla latte' with whip and 17 (yes, seventeen) Splenda packets. Oh yeah, let's not forget the 3 petite vanilla scones... This was ordered two times a day almost every single day for almost two years.
After I got over my expensive, Starbucks aka liquid McDonald's addiction I moved onto a new one! I started drinking one to two Rockstar Punched energy drinks most days of the week. Around 60 sugars per can and over 300 calories. I would go to restaurants for lunch/dinner with friends almost daily too. I would usually order things like salmon, deep fried coconut shrimp, sweet potato fries, but occasionally ate stuff like pizza, and chicken tenders. Either way, most restaurant foods are loaded with hidden sugars, sodium, and greasy hydrogenated fats. Unless you modify the **** out of it, I can guarantee it is more harmful than helpful to your body. Even if the restaurant makes it look and sound healthy.
I also had a huge addiction to candies like: gummy bears, sour neon worms, sour punch straws, starbursts, sour patch kids, snickers, and peanut m&m's. Basically, I couldn't resist a majority of the candies at store checkout sections.
I was also addicted to diet Pepsi, drinking up to 3 or 4 cans a day at one point in time.
Today things are much different. The only things I drink in excess are purified water sometimes with lemon and stevia added or homemade fresh brewed tea with stevia for sweetening. I don't use Splenda anymore, maybe only a couple packets a year. Even then I feel guilty because I know it is loaded with harmful chemicals. I actually think Starbucks is kind of gross now. I am no longer tempted by their over priced pastries. I eat out once or twice a month and usually order something modified or healthy. I will get a salad with oil and vinegar on the side, a plain chicken breast, and pineapple slices. I won't order soda, (I am actually disgusted by the taste now-syrup is what it tastes like) just water and a big bowl of lemons! Occasionally I will get an appetizer or chips and salsa with guacamole or a dessert of frozen yogurt (minus the toppings) at a yogurt shop. The candy isles never tempt me anymore. Maybe once in a verrry great while. And that is when I go shopping right after the gym without having a postworkout shake or meal. I will see chocolate and think it looks good but I know it's just because I am hungry. Instead of going for something completely lacking nutrients I grab a beef jerky. It's not super healthy but better than nothing and certainly better than a milk chocolate Dove bar! It also kills the ridiculous "craving".
I actually don't even eat milk chocolate anymore. I switched to true dark chocolate (85% cacao). It is an aqquired taste, but some changes I make aren't necessarily ones that I am initially excited about making. I choose to do it because I determine what is more important to me. Being healthy and feeling good both inside and out or the taste of a health destroying sugary milk chocolate that will only last as long as it takes to melt in my mouth? I'll pass on the temporary satisfaction and choose longevity instead!
You just have to decide what's more important when making choices. It is important to think about your food and activity choices just as you would give special thought to any other life altering decision. What you eat and do today have an immense impact on your health/life tomorrow and in the future. I have changed many of my bad habits into good ones. Never before would I have thought I would be trading some of my old ones for my new ones and on top of it, being completely satisfied by them. Here I am today, and I can honestly say that I don't miss my old habits and the way they made me look and feel nearly enough to ever consider reverting back to them. I really enjoy the flavor and the feeling that healthy, natural, whole foods offer!
I could eat a cupcake in 30 seconds and not be satisfied. I would only want another. A sweet potato with cinnamon and stevia takes about 5 minutes to eat, and it is extremely filling, nourishing and absolutely delicious!
The changes I have made all happened with time. The more unhealthy habits I replaced brought about even more healthy changes naturally.
I am still in the process of transforming myself into an even healthier person. I want to eventually be okay with eliminating 95% or more of processed foods. I know that it will take time but I also know that it is possible! I just have to be patient, be open, and never give up!
If you are in the process of or are having thoughts of transforming into a healthier mind and body, please take my experience into consideration. Believe in yourself and start now! The sooner you start, the better you will feel and happier you will be. Remember to be patient and consistent, changes take time. The more consistent you are the quicker you will find health and happiness.

Coconut Oil Beauty!

I have realized over the past couple years that over-priced prescribed medications and chemical treatments rarely work and actually do more damage than good. So, I began researching natural remedies for any problem my body encountered. They always seem to work better and faster while being less expensive too.
I know some people get weirded out by some natural remedies, but my thoughts are that at least I know what I am putting on or into my body as opposed to an item with a long list of ingredients I can't even pronounce.
So, one of my favorite natural remedies for beauty and health is organic coconut oil. In this post I will share with you the beauty uses and benefits I use it for!
Tip: Coconut oil is solid at room temperature. But easily melts with light heat.

1. Leave-in Hair Treatment: This remedy will make brittle, full, damaged hair completely healthy, shiny, and smooth! Do this treatment once or twice a month or whenever you feel that your hair is in need of some TLC.
Directions: Wet hair (doesn't have to be washed unless you have a lot of products in it like hairspray, gel, mousse, etc). Heat about 1/8 cup coconut oil on stove burner on low heat in a small glass dish until it turns to liquid form. (only takes a few minutes). I don't recommend microwaving as this may destroy the nutrients. Apply all over damp/towel dried hair. Lather it well and massage it into the scalp and through your ends. Leave in for 1-2 hours, then wash hair as usual and condition (optional).

2. Heat Styling: This remedy will protect your hair from heat styling (blow dryer, curling iron, straightener). It will heat the oil, not your hair which will prevent much damage and breakage.
Directions: Apply a quarter sized amount of liquid coconut oil to towel dried or air dried hair. Be sure to get it all over the hair (don't use too much or hair might look greasy). Dry or style hair as usual.

3. Face & Neck: This remedy will leave your skin looking flawless, feeling smooth, and minimize lines in less than a week or two. The oil will not make you break out. The coconut oil gets into your opened pores and replaces the bad bacteria oils.
Directions: Wash face preferably with a natural face soap or wash with super warm water. Pat it dry. Add about 1/2 -1 tsp of coconut oil to your palm, rub it in with your other hand to make a liquid consistency. Apply to entire face and neck. Rub light, small circular motions for 1-2 mins. Get a clean wash cloth wet with hot water and ring it out. Cover entire face with it and press/dab it down. Gently wipe away top later of coconut oil. Repeat with hot/ringed wash cloth if needed.

4. Lip Balm: This remedy will turn your normal/dry/chapped lips into super smooth and kissable ones!
Directions: Apply a tiny amount of coconut oil to lips. Rub your lips together until it soaks in. This smells/tastes way better than chapstick and lasts so much longer. You can put it on whenever and even right before bed so that your lips really have time to absorb the nutrient benefits.

5. Eye Makeup Remover: This remedy will leave you without raccoon eyes in a matter of seconds. You don't have to worry about wrinkles because it is so gentle. It's much more effective and safe than store bought removers. It comes off way easier too!
Directions: Rub a pea sized amount of coconut oil into index fingertips or palm of hand. Gently massage it onto your eyelid or under eye. You can even close your eye and put on your lashes to remove mascara. Take a cotton ball and gently wipe it away. Wash face as usual afterwards.

6. Dry Hands & Feet: I have dry hands in the winter and because of how often I wash them at work. This remedy will leave your hands and feet smooth, soft, and pretty!
Directions: Apply desired amount of coconut oil to hands. Rub together to get a liquid consistency. Saturate feet, hands, fingertips, cuticles or wherever is dry. I recommend doing this before bed and wearing socks or gloves to let the oil soak into your skin and so it doesn't ruin your bedding. If you don't want to sleep with it, do it when you have a few hours to just relax. The longer the better though.

7. Shower Body Oil: I uses to buy baby oil and lather it on my body after washing, then rinse it off slightly before drying down. This remedy is much healthier and natural. It won't clog your pores like unnatural ingredients (parabens) in baby oil will.
Directions: I suggest putting a decent sized capped jar of coconut oil in your shower. After washing, remove coconut oil in small amount with hands and massage into skin. Don't let the shower water run on the areas you are applying it to. Once full body is lathered. Gently rinse your body. Pat dry with towel. This will keep you moisturized all day!

These are all effective and natural remedies that I use often. I suggest using organic coconut oil since your skin will be absorbing it and non organic has the risks of pesticides, which would not benefit your skin in the same way. I get my 16oz jar of organic virgin coconut oil at Trader Joe's for only $5.99! It lasts super long and I use it for beauty, cooking, and even coat my cats food with it.

Again, don't be afraid to try something new, especially when it's completely natural and organic! There are so many natural remedies out there. I will be sharing my favorites in future posts and would love to hear any of your suggestions as well!