Our skin reflects what is going on in our body.

What happens in our gut effects what happens throughout our entire body. So you begin with the gut to cleanse the skin. Here is a list of some of my favorite “do”s and “don’t”s for healthy skin, starting with…

What Goes Inside

NO gluten – Gluten can cause inflammation and cause irritation to the gut and digestive system. Remember, what happens in the gut effects the rest of the body. Plus, the gluten in the U.S. today is highly processed and grown with chemicals that can do lots of damage to the body.

NO dairy – The dairy industry today is quite a bit different than back in the olden days. Especially that from cows. Dairy can cause inflammation and it can cause your skin to produce excess sebum which leads to clogged pores and more acne.

NO sugar – Sugar can break down the collagen in your body and your skin can lose its elasticity. It can also cause inflammation. Opt for an antioxidant honey instead.

NO highly processed foods – All the extra sugar and chemical intake from these foods wears down the collagen and elastin in your skin. It also causes inflammation in the skin, which can lead to acne breakouts. (NOTE: Processed foods can be kind of tricky to define. It’s probably a good idea to know what processed foods are.)

Stay hydrated – Even when you don’t feel like drinking water adding some cucumbers and watermelon to your diet (especially during the summer) is a delicious way to stay hydrated.

EAT probiotics – The good bacteria in probiotics helps keep your gut healthy. Having a healthy gut helps to have healthy skin.

EAT Omega-3s – Your omega-9 fatty acids are great for glowing skin. They can help soothe inflammation that can be a cause for acne breakouts as well.

EAT Vitamin C – It is well known for having antioxidant properties, and can also help against sun damage. Citrus fruits and vegetables are a great natural source of this important vitamin.

EAT Bone Broth – Bone broth is high in collagen which can help reduce inflammation and improve the skin’s elasticity.

What Goes Outside

Clean and treat your face at night. Your face gets dirty throughout the day, and your makeup can clog your pores, causing more breakouts.

Switching your products too regularly might not agree with your skin. Give the product time to work.

Look at the ingredients. Avoid chemicals and synthetic scents and colors. The closer to nature your products are, the better for your skin. Do you know how much FOOD you can put on to help your skin health?? There are a lot I could name, but I’ll just give you three favorites.

• Apple Cider Vinegar – Apple cider vinegar can help to kill pathogens and helps to cleanse the skin. It contains potassium and magnesium to help balance gut bacteria, which is vital to skin health. It is also a more inexpensive product…and it can go a long way.
• Coconut Oil – Coconut oil can help strengthen the epidermal tissue, ease sunburns and is even a good makeup remover. It contains anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, plus a lot of healthy fats that help nourish the gut and improve immune function. A way to improve your skin health from the inside out!
• Raw Honey – RAW honey is full of enzymes, nutrients and vitamins for the skin. It also contains antiseptic qualities that can help with rashes, scars and wounds, and may help to reduce breakouts and contain moisturizing properties.

Essential Oils

• Lemon – Lemon just seems to brighten up everything! And your face is no exception! It is antibacterial and it can help lighten dark spots and tone the skin. avoid applying lemon, or any citrus oil, to your skin that will be exposed to sunlight or UV light for 24 hours.
• Lavender – Lavender contains antimicrobial and antioxidant characteristics that make it great for the skin. It is one of the more gentler oils so it can be soothing for itching and burning skin. And soothing to the nose as well.
• Frankincense – Frankincense has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. It may help to strengthen and tone the skin and may improve elasticity. It may also help to reduce the appearance of scars and acne.
• Tea Tree – Tea Tree oil has long been used in Australia to help fight inflammation, break outs and some redness on the skin. It is usually very gentle on the skin and is great when combined with a carrier oil…such as coconut oil.

Spring Cleaning

Something about spring makes us want to clean and organize our homes. Cleaning out rooms and getting rid of things we don’t need or want any more makes us feel lighter and fresher. A fitting feeling for spring I would say.

However, spring cleaning shouldn’t just be focused on our homes and the “stuff” in it. I think it should also apply to our bodies as well. Cleaning up our diets and getting rid of all the yucky foods that our bodies don’t need is a great way to get that lighter, fresher feeling both inside and out! Plus, you can kill two birds with one stone and give your fridge a good cleaning out at the same time!

Food – What’s in Season?

Asparagus – This super food is chock full of Vitamins K and C! It helps feed the good bacteria in your digestive tract. Comes in handy during the seasons when our immune systems can be compromised. 

Broccoli – The Italians introduced it to us. You can cook it, boil it, steam it or just eat it raw… and get a good dose of Vitamin C, calcium and fiber.

Rhubarb – Yes, we make a famous pie out of a vegetable! In addition to being high in fiber to help with proper digestion, it is a great source of Vitamins K and C and iron.

Mango – A good dose of Vitamins C and A, full of fiber and potassium and can help your digestive system. It’s really a wonderful refreshing spring fruit!

Strawberries – On top of being delicious and very refreshing, they are high in Vitamin C to help build up your immune system during these compromising months. And they are also good for your teeth! 

Weather and Colors

It really is true that colors have an effect upon our moods. Do you like to dress in colors that match the season? Florals or brighter, happier colors than you did in the fall and winter? The changing of the seasons is a good time to brighten up your wardrobe… and even your overall mood!

Good Springtime Oils 

Jasmine – Sweet spring smell in a bottle! It lifts up your spirits and can help ease stress.

Lavender – This one is very well known. It’s sweet and uplifting smell can help to soothe stressful days, support the immune system and brighten your mood and get you eager for spring!

Lemon (other citrus oils) – Very few people can remain gloomy after smelling citrus. Lemon and orange are great for waking up the mind, and for supporting the immune system.

Peppermint – A favorite of many and a smell recognized by all, it brings alertness to your senses, supports your immune system… and makes you and your home smell wonderful!  (Peppermint is wonderful mixed with lemon…for a double whammy!)

Favorite Spring Events

The weather is so pretty! Get outside and enjoy it while it lasts! Hot scorching weather is coming… especially for Texas.

Get some exercise. Walk around your neighborhood, go for a hike or a bike ride. Take some deep breaths of fresh spring air… and take your camera with you! You might find some beautiful scenery or blooming flowers to photograph.

The days are getting shorter. The air outside feels lighter and you can almost taste cinnamon and apples on the breeze. You know what that means?…

It’s time for sweaters, boots, soup, pumpkin spice, and orange, red and yellow leaves on the trees.

Though we here in Texas may not experience all this yet (if at all), we can expect to experience many of the changes that fall brings. And we should be prepared, because not all of them are pleasant changes… you know, the ones we wait all year to experience.

Immune System Support: What to Do

• Eat foods in season – God had this great idea to have different foods grow at different times during the year! Before our modern day food processing system, people had to eat food ONLY when it was growing. So I think we should probably adhere to that practice. Food is medicine and can do wonderful things for our bodies… but only if we use it in the time that it was intended.

• Essential oils – Diffuse them into the air, apply them topically or spray them on your bed or couch. There are several oils that help keep toxins and all the nasty things at bay. Peppermint, Lemon, Rosemary and Lavender are some favorites for supporting the immune system. And Cinnamon and Clove are also great for the fall time!

• Supplements – Vitamin C and Probiotics are pretty popular and well known when it comes to supporting the immune system (and the gut). Now… Elderberry is also a great supporter of the immune system. It helps to protect the cells from damage and activate the immune response. Echinacea (aka the purple cone flower) is another one that may enhance immune system activity in the long run.

• Herbs – Plants are so useful! Echinacea and Elderberry, Ginger and Garlic... and Calendula are some of the top 10 herbs to help keep up a strong immune system defense.

• Water – Keeping hydrated, yes even when the weather is cooler, is still key to good health. It helps keep your body in good fighting condition… and it helps to flush out  the bad stuff that gets in your body.

Immune System Busters: What NOT to Do

• Stress – It’s not fun, and it’s not good for us. Unfortunately, we cannot get rid of every little bit of stress in our lives every day… but we can limit it. Unnecessary stress in a huge enemy of good health. The stress you do have control of… control it.

• Sugar – It’s sweet and we love it… TOO MUCH! We Americans consume so much sugar it breaks down our bodies natural defenses against illness, and most of the sugar we consume nowadays does nothing for us. Try substituting some organic raw honey when you get a bit of a sweet craving.

• Caffeine – A cup on coffee now and then is not a bad thing… and sometimes it can be a good thing. But if that is your biggest liquid intake it can weaken your immune system. Though it is a favorite for keeping one’s eyes open at work or school, it should not be your first line of defense.

• Processed foods – Should be taken out completely. It masquerades as something beneficial and delicious… but all it does is damage.

• Late-nighters or all-nighters – How many of us, when we are suffering from lack of sleep, are at our very best physically, emotionally or mentally? A good night’s sleep is essential for your body to be able to defend itself against everything trying to take it down. We all struggle with this, and I know it’s hard (boy do I know!). But sometimes it is best to put away your work, school or that unfinished project for the night… and go to bed. You will be more productive after a good sleep anyway.

Now I do want to point out one thing: just because you do these things, or not do these things, does not mean that you will never get sick. There is always the chance, while we are here on this earth, that we will catch something nasty. But if you take care of your body and give it the fuel it needs to defend itself… you have a better chance.

Have a happy fall, everyone! And may it be full of chilly weather, pumpkin spice and LOTS of pretty colors!

Our cleaning products are some of the most toxic products we use on a daily basis. From bleach in the bathroom to the soap on our dishes. While we think we are making things cleaner for us and our loved ones and making our homes more pleasant to live in… we are actually making it worse.

Slowly harming ourselves, we are, hmm.

Here are FIVE natural products you can use to replace your old toxic cleaners:

Natural cleaning products: 

• Baking Soda – It’s gentle, but it works great for picking up dirt and grim. Great for tubs, appliances, sinks, plastic and even teeth! It also can help get rid of smells because of it’s ability to neutralize odors instead of just masking them.
• Vinegar – The acidity in vinegar makes it very effective for counteracting lots of icky buildup (soap scum in the bathtub is one of my favorites). Though it is effective, vinegar can have too strong of a smell for many people, which brings me two the next two products!
• Orange oil – Can be a great help against stubborn grease stains, and it smells really good while it’s working, too. ;P
• Lemon oil – Eliminates odors and gives off an invigorating fragrance. Cutting up some lemons and running them through the garbage disposal can make your sink smell pretty nice.

Cleaning is not always fun. How many of us can say we wake up every day super excited for a day of cleaning? No one? Thought so.

But having the better products, for your house and body, CAN actually make it a bit more enjoyable. So gather your products and go… have fun cleaning!