7 Hassle-Free Ways to Make Your Body Feel and Look Amazing in 2015
Easy Vitality Boosts for the Busy Lifestyle
Today’s alternative health market is booming. Being healthy is trendy. Kale and yoga are everywhere.
I’m absolutely loving it.
The one caveat of the new health fad though, is that we now have a market saturated with complicated diets, formulas, supplements, green food powders, and protein packs—all claiming to hold the key to our health. The number of miracle pills and potions at our fingertips can be overwhelming, to say the least.
If you’re like me, you’ve spent hours in a Whole Foods aisle, reading the ingredient lists and health claims on the backs of these bottles. Even though you went to the store with the intent of snagging one supplement, you left with five—they all just sounded so good.
And the vicious cycle continues. The complication of taking all of these supplements at different times during the day coupled with the hefty price tags attached to each little bottle may have left you thinking, there has to be a better way.
Or maybe the countless number of supplements and brands vying for your attention was so overwhelming you felt paralyzed, unable to take any action at all. You wanted to support your body, but where could you even begin?
Health shouldn’t be a stressful, time consuming, or a financially straining frontier. And let’s face it, when these elements are present in our lives, how healthy can that really be?
I’m now at the six-year marker in my healing journey, and I’ve found that the best ways to support my body and ward off infection, disease, and aging are rooted in the simplicity of nature.
This doesn’t require swallowing dozens of pills, concocting green drink after green drink, or spending an arm and a leg on supplements you only partially use before their expiration date (anyone else know what I’m talking about here?).
The body and nature have a synergistic relationship, which we often, in our fast-paced consumer-based culture, tend to overlook. As a species, humans have evolved on this earth for several millennia, and the human body has melded its needs to the healing resources available in nature.
When it comes to preventative health and the desire to give our bodies the greatest dosage of vitality possible, the wisdom of nature can be a profound agent of healing and wellness.
It intuitively understands how to support the body’s needs. All we have to do is tap into this wisdom and make the most of it!
I still take supplements that have proven to be beneficial for my physical constitution. I still do detox programs from time-to-time. But my greatest health boosts come from little routines and natural ingredients, that when used consistently, create a healthy body, happy spirit, and stress-free life.
I’m not suggesting that those placed on specific regiments by their health care providers toss them out the window. What I am suggesting is that revisiting what we put in our bodies, and observing whether they’re serving our overall life, is an important practice.
The more simple, time savvy, and easy a health practice is, the more sustainable and supportive living healthfully becomes.
Most importantly, when we find the most effective vehicles for our wellness goals, we gift ourselves more energy for the pursuits and relationships aligned with our values and soul’s calling.
A healthy body is an instrument through which our spirits create, find expression, and serve.
When we support our health, we support the contributions, dreams, and desires we wish to offer the world around us.
Below are my favorite hassle-free health hacks. They’re easy-to-do, inexpensive, and most importantly, make you feel amazing!
Enjoy!
Live. Give. Make a Difference.
Reflect Your Light.
XO Rachel
1. The Lemon Juice Morning Ritual
This is my favorite ‘hassle-free’ health hack. It’s simple and easy, and its benefits are unrivaled.
The Skinny: Squeeze a lemon wedge into a cup of warm water every morning before consuming any other beverages or food and enjoy these health-boosters: Intestinal Detox, Flushing of Toxins from the Entire Bodily System, Immunity Booster, Kick-Start to the Digestive Track, Metabolism Booster, Anti-Inflammatory, Balance the Body’s PH, Anti-Viral, Anti-Bacterial, Helps Eliminate Food Cravings Throughout the Day, Fight Infections, Enhance Energy Levels, and Healthier Skin, Hair, and Eyes.
This little morning ritual literally takes two minutes, but its benefits will last throughout the day. Along with its powerhouse detox and digestive support, lemon juice will alkalize your body, preventing heartburn and other conditions related to too much acid in the body (and boy is the western diet acidic—grains, sugar, alcohol, coffee, etc. You get the idea.)
2. Tablespoon of Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is the new kale. It’s the darling of the organic movement, and the benefits of cooking with it, using it as a moisturizer, or even washing your face with it are being blogged about left and right.
The Skinny: Consume a tablespoon of coconut oil a day and enjoy these health boosters: Weight Loss, Bodily Detox, Sugar Craving Eliminator, Blood-Sugar Stabilizer, Supports Brain Health, Anti-Inflammatory, Lustrous Hair and Skin.
Like many, I’ve struggled with sugar addiction for years. Although I have a relatively healthy diet, my battles with sugar have been epic.
The only practice that has effectively curbed my cravings has been opening a good ol’ jar of coconut oil. I got this tip from a fellow sugar enthusiast, and the results have been heavenly.
If you’re trying to cut back on sugar this year, attempting to go sugar-free, or just trying to detox or lose weight, coconut oil will be a game-changer for you.
Since you’re consuming it raw, it’s important that you buy a high quality coconut oil—preferably unrefined, organic, and cold-pressed. Trader Joe's offers a great option that is very reasonably priced.
3. Green Juice Goodness
There are a plethora of health benefits from juicing. It’s the best and easiest way for your body to instantly absorb high dosages of vitamins and minerals.
The Skinny: Juicing fruits and vegetables, especially leafy greens, is one of the best ways to detox your body at a cellular level while pumping it with powerful vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that will give you energy, reduce bodily inflammation, and help you function at your ultimate best.
It’s a great fix for bodily stagnation or a sluggish digestive track. Fresh juices are also filled with micronutrients that most people just don’t get on a Western diet. As Dr. Mercola says, “When you drink fresh-made green juice, it is almost like receiving an intravenous infusion of vitamins, minerals, and enzymes because they go straight into your system without having to be broken down.” Truth.
Trying to quit coffee? Juicing can help you kick that caffiene addiction right out the window. It actually offers more energy than a cup of regular ol' Joe because it energizes your body at a cellular level, giving you grounded energy and stamina that lasts throughout the day.
Juicing is also extremely effective for weight loss and helping your body naturally crave high quality foods and beverages. We experience the effects of hunger when our cells need fuel. Because you’re giving your body such a high dosage of vitamins and minerals via a green juice, you’ll find yourself craving less food throughout the day.
A major problem with today’s processed food-based diet, is its lack of nutrients. Unless we’re eating like rabbits at every meal, we have to consume far more calories for our nutrient intake needs to be met than our ancestors did. This high-calorie, nutrient-bankrupt diet, which most of the Western world consumes, is a leading cause of today’s obesity epidemic.
When you juice often, you’ll find that your food cravings shift. Once you start feeding your cells such high amounts of nutrients on a regular basis, your body will begin to crave more nutrients on its own. You’ll want to have more kale and carrots in your meals because on a cellular level, that’s just what your body is used to receiving.
Other health benefits: it’s a powerful anti-aging tool, heightens the body’s immunity, and boosts hair, skin, eyes, and brain health.
Juicing Tips
Tip # 1: It’s best to consume juice on an empty stomach and to wait 20 – 30 minutes after drinking, before consuming food. This allows your body to absorb all of the nutrients available. I prefer juicing in the mornings. It’s a great way start to the day, feeling energized and refreshed.
Tip # 2: Consume juice immediately after it’s made. If fresh juice is allowed to sit out for too long, or even if it’s refrigerated, it oxidizes and the majority of the nutrients are lost.
Juicing Fruits: Fruits are detox and vitamin powerhouses. They're also high in water and rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals.
Tip # 1: Juicing with citrus fruits guarantees a great tasting drink (the strong citrusy flavor will mask any green bitterness from the veggies in your cup) and a fantastic detox due to the cleansing agents and high concentrations of Vitamin C in citrus fruits.
If you’re trying to lose weight, I recommend lemons and limes in particular. They are lower in sugar than other citrus fruits, so they won’t spike your blood sugar levels as much—aka you’ll crave less sugar. They also alkalize your body.
Juicing Leafy Greens: Leafy greens are the most important ingredient in your juice concoction. Don’t skip out on them! They’re extremely nutrient dense and high in chlorophyll, an amazing cleansing agent. Chlorophyll protects cells from oxidative damage and destroys free radicals. It’s also a natural internal deodorant, and purifies the body.
Tip #1: Choose dark leafy greens with plenty of color. The darker the coloring, the more nutrient dense the greens generally are.
Tip # 2: Go for organic whenever possible. When juicing, the nutrient properties in your produce are going straight into your bloodstream—so will any chemicals or pesticides lurking on their leaves.
Kale and spinach are reported to be two of the most pesticide-riddled vegetables when bought non-organic. Do yourself a favor and opt for fruits and veggies that are clean and pure, otherwise you could unwittingly be feeding your body a chemical-laden cocktail.
4. Apple Cider Vinegar
Heartburn or indigestion plague you much? Meet Apple Cidar Vinegar—the ultimate cure and preventative tool.
The Skinny: Mix two tablespoons of Apple Cider Vinegar in a glass of water in the mornings and balance your body’s PH while preventing heartburn and indigestion. The acetic acid in Apple Cider Vinegar aids in weight loss as well. Apple Cider Vinegar also removes mucus from the body, detoxing the lymphatic system from the inside out.
And there’s more! It has antibiotic properties and also contains pectin, which helps sooth intestinal spasms.
I recommend purchasing Bragg’s Apple Cider Vinegar (bragg.com). It’s a high quality brand carried in most stores.
5. Green Tea
Green tea is one of the healthiest beverages on the planet. It’s teeming with antioxidants, and it flushes out toxins like no one’s business. It’s loaded with polyphenols, which are anti-inflammatory and destroy free radicals as well.
Green tea can also super-charg your metabolism!
The Skinny: If you’re trying to lose weight or detox (or both!) it’s recommended that you drink 4 – 6 cups a day. Even a cup in the morning and another in the afternoon will make a significant difference if you drink green tea consistently.
6. Chamomile Tea
Chamomile can do more than put you to bed at night. Its antibacterial and antiviral properties make it a strong immunity booster and detoxing agent.
The Skinny: If you’re on a candida-cleanse, or any other long-term cleanse program, chamomile is a great addition to your regimen. It creates a supportive environment for the body to detox by soothing the nervous system and reducing inflammation and stress—the kryptonite of detoxes.
7. Ginger, Cinnamon, and Turmeric—The Power Spices
Heat up your body, overcome constipation/stagnation, and amp your metabolism with this power trio.
The Skinny: Turmeric has bioactive compounds with medicinal properties. Ginger is a digestive aid, anti-viral and promotes a speedy metabolism. Cinnamon is great for heart health and a fantastic blood sugar regulator, keeping those tiresome cravings at bay.
All three are anti-inflammatory and will pump your body with antioxidants to boot!
I hope you enjoy these simple health hacks! Let me know how you like them in the comments below!
Sources
http://www.healthambition.com/many-benefits-of-lemon-water/
http://www.livestrong.com/article/111175-benefits-lemon-water/
https://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/oils/health-benefits-of-coconut-oil.html
http://www.coconutresearchcenter.org/article10526.pdf
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dr-mark-hyman/malnutrition-obesity_b_1324760.html
http://www.globalhealingcenter.com/natural-health/10-amazing-benefits-of-chlorophyll/)
http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-5875/15-Reasons-to-Use-Apple-Cider-Vinegar-Every-Day.html
http://www.rd.com/slideshows/apple-cider-vinegar-benefits/
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/269538.php
(http://authoritynutrition.com/top-10-evidence-based-health-benefits-of-turmeric/
http://www.naturalnews.com/041216_cinnamon_ginger_healthy_spices.html#
http://news.health.com/2014/11/21/health-benefits-of-cinnamon/
