I’ve been meaning to write this blog for a long time. Here goes: about six months ago I was feeling really ill, I went and saw a few different doctors and no one could figure out what was wrong with me. I was overcome with extreem fatigue, and weekly infections and sickness, weird rashes, I lost the sight in my left eye, I was feeling so terrible, and always thought to myself that the way I felt was the direct response by my body of working hard. I would go to work, and then be completely empty for the rest of the day, no amount of sleep or rest would give me energy. I thought that I deserved to feel so terrible, and I was paying almost $1000.00 a month on all kinds of chemicals to “fix me”
I ended up going to see a nutritionist and doctor who practiced eastern medicine. In the East they believe that food is thy medicine. For the first time, someone had answers. I was killing myself with food. When my doctor testing my vital signs she said that my immune system levels were so elevated, they were similar to someone who had just gone through Chemotherapy. I had severe allergies to almost every food I was injesting, including peanut butter…wah wah. 6 months ago I drastically changed my diet, including kicking my terrible diet coke habit. It was hard, but so worth it I feel better than ever- and lost 6 lbs!
What was even more interetesing was that the more I read online, and talked with others, I found out that so many of us are in the same boat. The food typically served up in America is so filled with things that are so terrible for us, it’s opened a whole new world to me. I was extra excited when I found out my darling friend Lisa, was just a few months away from launching her own Health/Beauty Blog LIFEBYLEESE.
You should def read what she has written here, and check out her amazing blog. It’s one of my favs!
I asked her a few questions about her beauty routine, and how you can all get healthy and beautiful!
Why do green smoothies make you more beautiful? (I drink a green smoothie EVERY MORNING NOW!)
LISA: Beauty starts from within, always and forever. What makes your eyes brighter, skin clearer and radiate that internal glow is all done through greens, juicing and getting your sweat on. Green and natural skincare will definitely aid in this, but creams with chemicals and parabens will only dry your skin out or mask symptoms that are going on deep within your body. Green smoothies and juices are the epitome of a beauty food as they allow the minerals, enzymes and nutrients of the greens and fruit to be injected straight into your bloodstream. We are suggested to eat 5-9 servings of salad or veggies a day, but for most of us this isn’t realistic as we run very busy lives. Enter the green smoothie, a quick, portable and highly nutritious breakfast/snack on the go! Chop, blend, place in a reusable cup and you are good to go.
Our body is so taxed with digesting food, we use about 60-80% of our energy when we eat. Notice how you feel after your eat a large meal that is full of carbs, protein and fats, usually a bit tired as our body has to use this energy to digest. But when you blend your greens which are loaded with antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, live enzymes, phytonutrients and even protein, add a little bit of fruit to sweeten and some added super foods (my favorites include: Maca, Camu Camu, Spirulina and Chlorella) these nutrients are sent straight to your vital organs at a rapid pace, as your body doesn’t require the energy to digest. What you are left with is optimal brain functioning, a beautiful pumping heart, endless energy, glowing skin, silky hair and stronger/shinier nails.
If there were one thing about health that you wanted everyone to know- what would it be?
LISA: Your health is your choice, and you have the power to change it. No one puts food in your hands or shelves, it is up to you to take care of our most precious selves! We are so blessed with our lives, and we need to nurture our bodies as they do so much work for us. People have succumbed to the notion that because a disease runs in the family or they don’t have the body they want, they will just claim defeat. The food that you put into your body and the choices you make aren’t forced upon you by anyone else. It is about becoming educated (I read like a fiend, as I know Keltie does as well!) and soaking up knowledge about health, wellness, recipes, healthy cooking and foods so you can make the right choices. It takes work, but if we don’t have our health nothing else will matters. We all have the power to change our circumstances and any and every disease is preventable and reversible through nutrition. Not only am I currently healing myself of a chronic illness, but also I know of people who have healed from major cancers and disease through greens, discipline and an overall lifestyle change. I think we have to start eradicating the term diet from our terminology – no one should diet. We should change our lives and our lifestyles so we can live the happiest, healthiest and most optimal life possible. It is up to us to do so, and you have everything you need to heal, flourish and live your best life!
*i love this! it’s isn’t a diet- it’s a way of life!!
So many people deal with depression, and poor body image- and it feels like a never-ending cycle of negativity- what is your personal advice on this?
*i asked this because for 9 years I was on all types of chemicals to help me with depression, and in the past 6 months have become completely clean of them, and feel better than ever.
LISA: I am such a firm believer in an overall concept of healing, which includes body, mind and spirit. These all work synergistically and to heal one, you must heal the other. If you have a poor body image, this doesn’t just stem from your physical body (carrying extra weight, being too muscular, too skinny, etc..) it starts from your mind – your mental health. You have chosen to believe this reality of people seeing you a certain way, but is this the truth? No! First we need to heal our minds and practice self love. If we don’t love ourselves the cycle of negativity will continue to go around. Our environment and the people in it will continue to trigger it. But if we love ourselves fully and whole-heartedly what someone else thinks of us won’t matter. Stand true in yourself and in your unique talents, skills, capabilities, and talents. NEVER forget that we were all created differently, each one of us. There isn’t another you, so you DO have something different to offer and bring to the table. Once your mind and spirit are in tune your physical body will find its balance and you will be in the right frame of mind to start making healthy choices – eat a nutritious diet full of greens, fruits and lots of alkalizing foods! When you eat this way, your body image just gets better and better because you are flooding your body with so many vitamins and nutrients that your brain is able to function optimally, and your mind and body begin to work together.
Furthermore work up a sweat almost everyday and find joy in being active. See being active as healing your mind as well. Melt away that stress, work off that frustration and know it is like giving yourself a big giant hug. Remember that we are only given one body, and it is the most miraculous and precious gift on this planet. So love it, feed it well and be proud of all that you have done and will continue to do. We all have the capacity to make a difference in this world; we just have to make the choice to do so. Dream big, and know those dreams are achievable. It all starts from within, and if you don’t love yourself first you can’t truly love others.
I have so many favorites! I get excited just thinking about green smoothies and juices. But my basic green smoothie would include:
*All organic
-Cup frozen mango
-1-2 small bananas
-Cup of spinach
-Small head of romaine
-1 cucumber
-2 tsp. flax seeds (soaked in water for 10-20 minutes, or even better overnight)
-A cup of filtered water OR unsweetened almond mylk (I make my own Almond Mylk which is divine)
** I also like to add a tsp. of chlorella, spirulina or Vita Mineral green powder, which is my secret weapon. Very powerful and super green, but if you are just starting out stick with this for now. The more you incorporate greens and green smoothies into your life the less fruit you will need, and the more adventurous you will become (different and more greens, parsley, beets, chia seeds, maca powder, raw cocoa, etc…) the options are endless! Once you start you will become addicted, I promise. Your energy, skin, body, moods, and mental health will all be taken to the next level.
so, what do you guys think? are you ready to get healthy!?
