I recently watched a lecture/ yoga class and it really inspired me. A. The instructor, Melissa Bourgeois, is adorable. B. She had the entire class reinforcing and practicing positions of power! Most people don't realize having forward head posture, causing your body to slump forward, can be very detrimental to your entire spine and health. (Think of the position you're usually in when you're looking down at your phone, sitting in front of the computer, or standing over a sink or stove.) While poor body positioning can turn into a potentially serious health risk, it also strongly impacts how other people perceive you. What's even more alarming and real is that it influences how you feel about yourself.
Melissa had us get in a Peter Pan-like stance, standing as tall as we could, with elbows out, fists on hips, and legs spread, taking up as much space as we could. Standing tall is obviously great for your posture and spine, but it also makes a HUGE impact on making you feel more powerful! (This is how the fashion statement "power heels" came about.) So, today's form of self-care is STAND TALL. Take up space and let the world know you have arrived! It will make you feel more powerful, embracing your inner badass, AND it will make you look like an alluring, tall glass of water.

Practice this at home in front of the mirror! Since you're in the privacy of your own home, really stretch it out and accentuate this stance: stand tall, reach your hands up to the sky, and feel limitless. When you're sitting in traffic, lift your body up like you have a string coming out of the top of your head and you're slowly being lifted up. When you're at your computer or looking at your phone, pretend like you have a back brace on and avoid rounding your shoulders. Again, this really is so important because when we reinforce bad posture, we cause a misalignment in our spines, which effect all vital organs and muscle function. (This is why I think Chiropractors should be a part of everyone's primary healthcare...and I used the term "healthcare", not "sickcare". Don't wait until you experience symptoms to be "forced" improve your lifestyle-- it's all about prevention, friends!)   

So, stand like a model, a soldier, made-over Eliza Doolittle in My Fair Lady, a superhero, or just the super-powerful version of amazing YOU!

*p.s. I want to remind you- these are guidelines and suggestions offered so that you become more mindful and rehearsed at taking out the time EACH DAY to take care of yourself! So, while it is my intention to post frequently, I feel confident that you can successfully fill in the blanks without my help! And, if you have trouble, here is an adorable illustration with a VARIETY of suggestions! 

So, just because I have taken a nice blog break, I hope that doesn't mean you've omitted taking daily bits of "you" time! (My absence was because I needed a little "me" time...aka catching up on school work!)

Today's form of self-care is something that most of us love doing-- if not in public then at least in the car or the privacy of our own home. It's DANCING! This might sound slightly ridiculous to some, but you should never underestimate the power of dancing and its mood-altering potency.

Dancing has a wide range of physical and mental benefits including:

• improved condition of your heart and lungs
• increased muscular strength, endurance and motor fitness
• increased aerobic fitness
• improved muscle tone and strength
• weight management
• stronger bones and reduced risk of osteoporosis
• better coordination, agility and flexibility
• improved balance and spatial awareness
• increased physical confidence
• improved mental functioning
• improved general and psychological wellbeing
• greater self-confidence and self-esteem
• better social skills.

(These informative bullets are brought to you by The Better Health Channel.)

What I love most about dancing is that it allows you to be connected and present in your body, BUT you are also able to vacate. It's an usual combo-- usually, in order to be present you must sit with your thoughts, which is extremely healthy, but some people avoid it if they have unresolved internal "junk" they're either subconsciously or consciously trying to dodge. Vacating is great because it does allow you to get away from reality for a bit. With everything, there's always a necessary balance. If you find yourself going from activity to activity, leaving yourself with little to no time for reflection, or being "in your body/ present", maybe consider asking yourself why. But, this is why dancing is so wonderful because you stay in your body and are able to set aside what's bothering you and simply feel the music and the steps. 

There are many ways that you can fit a little dancing in your life. Some great examples are Zumba, local or online dance classes, various PlayStation and Xbox video games, and the easiest: play your radio, stereo, iPod and just dance! I have had the urge to take tap for probably 10 years and this blog has pushed me to ask around and find a tap teacher. I've had the shoes for maybe four years and now is the time! So, stay tuned for horrifying/ hysterical clips of my progress! My hope is to get my adorable niece to take classes with me (she is the adorable babe in the video above). Another way I implement this in my world is occasionally going to a local dance hall, Legends, and attempt to learn the new "trendy" line dances...it isn't pretty, but it's really fun!

Do you enjoy dancing!? In the comments below, let me know what form of dance you prefer and where you like to bust it out! 

This particular form of self-care helps your skin's natural repair process, reduces your chance for blemishes, improves your skin's texture, allows your skin to easily absorb and retain moisture and vitamins from your skincare products, AND (my personal favorite) Elle Macpherson and Christie Brinkley claim they owe their gorgeous, youthful skin to this regimen! No, it's not some expensive laser treatment or high-dollar magical product, it's EXFOLIATING.

Some may avoid scrubs because they have dry, problematic skin, but, really, using it during these winter months is one of the best times of the year to keep up...and the kind of exfoliator is everything. Removing layers of dead skin removes the barricade blocking your skin product's healing powers and allows your body to ramp cell-turnover (producing new skin cells, repairing damaged skin).

Finding the right kind of exfoliator is important because the bad stuff, full of harsh, drying ingredients is why this regimen sometimes gets a bad rep. Some of my favorite options are Himalaya's Purifying Neem Face Pack, available at most health food grocers, and Joanna Vargas's Exfoliating Mask, available online. They're my top picks because of their pure ingredients and both double as a mask + scrub.

My other favorite option is good ol' DIY: coffee grinds and coconut oil. What's great about this homemade coconut coffee scrub is that it costs very little and it comes with the same fabulous benefits of many pricey store-bought options. You can utilize your used coffee grinds from that day, the caffeine will give your skin a nice temporary tighten, and both ingredients offer your skin antioxidants! The coconut oil also offers loads of moisture, antimicrobial power, fighting bacteria that causes blemishes, and it contains nourishing & protective vitamin E, reducing the effects of aging. Hopefully, you have quality coffee and coconut oil at home-- if you don't, I would suggest opting for organic...remember: you're detoxifying your face so, the last thing you want to do is dampen your efforts by attempting to do so with products containing toxins. Simply take a spoon full of grinds with a spoon full of oil, mix together by rubbing hands together over sink, and rub mixture onto face and neck (or entire body) in circular motions-- then, rinse clean with warm water! 

Remember: your face shouldn't be the only part of your body receiving this loving attention! Spoil yourself by scrubbing yourself from head-to-toe! Since I have sensitive skin, I typically only exfoliate once a week-- although, Elle and Christie's skin secret is doing it each day.  Not only is this routine great for your skin, but, it also increases circulation (great for keeping you warmer in these freezing temps). SUCH a win, win, win...

Let me know how it goes! (And please, don't be shy! I have really enjoyed receiving private messages from those of you who enjoy this blog, but I would love for you to step out and comment!) 

Repost from February 2015

The moment I saw more snow start to fall this evening, I decided my clean PANCAKES would be the perfect thing to warm my soul! This recipe took me quite some time to master...and since they make me SO happy, I thought I should spread the love and share my "top secret", EASY recipe! Doesn't hurt that they're gluten free, sugar free, gluten free, dairy free, right? The one thing I want in exchange for this recipe: please make sure you do these clean pancakes justice and use a healthy topping! See below recipe for serving suggestions.

Ingredients:
I used all organic. It isn't necessary but it is more than ideal!
Yields approx. 6 pancakes

- 3/4 cup brown rice flour
- 1 3/4 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon pink salt
- 1 cup almond milk, unsweetened. (If not homemade, my favorite is Pure Almond Milk.)
- 1 tablespoon lakanto (pure monk fruit), xylitol, erythritol, or one Sweet Leaf stevia packet. I usually use stevia or mix half brown lakanto and half xylitol but they're all good sugar replacement options!
- 1 egg
- Extra-virgin coconut oil, to grease pan
* Optional: 1-2 teaspoons alcohol-free vanilla extract and/or cinnamon

Mix all dry ingredients together. Add milk and egg and whisk until smooth. Add a little bit of coconut oil to pan. Warm pan on medium-low to medium heat. Once the pan is warmed, pour batter, as usual! Once the edges are smooth and center is bubbly, flip!

Serving Suggestions
My favorite topping options:
- I love the convenient bags of organic frozen berries at the grocery (mixed berries, blueberries, or strawberries). Simply cover the bottom of a pan with a bit of water, add frozen fruit, and sauté on medium-high heat, until most of the water is gone.
* Optional step: To thicken the juice, add 1 tablespoon of Bulletproof's Collagelatin
Collagelatin supports rapid repair of tissues and bones, helps support joint mobility and smooth, healthy skin! It becomes gelatinous in cooled liquids, mixes easily in hot liquids, and is great to use to thicken sauces. You can enjoy this warm, but if you let it chill, it will become a jam-like consistency.
​Other favs:
- Peeled, chopped, baked green apples with cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg...and chopped walnuts are a nice addition.
- Fresh berries are great if you want to add them to your batter and bake them into the pancakes.
- Add walnuts, organic/ grass-fed butter, cinnamon & spice, and lakanto in a pan. Sauté on medium heat until mixture becomes thickened, for a "nut roll-esque" pancake.
- Grass-fed butter with cinnamon and a little more of the sweetener. Simple but delicious. 
- Almond butter (unsweetened) with any/all of the following: chia seeds, shredded coconut, pure cacao powder, one of the 3 sugar alternatives listed in recipe.
- Sweetened and spiced pumpkin puree.
....I could go on and on for days!

Happy and healthy eating! - Holly

When I decided to start eating clean, I never realized the domino effect that would take place. Once you being eliminating nonsense from your diet, your body begins slowly cleansing itself from built up toxins. The first time I really noticed a difference, other than the immediate gift of amplified energy and not having to diet anymore, I kid you not, was when I went for a run along the river. I was honestly amazed. The colors where SO much brighter than normal...it was a mind-blowing distraction during my entire run because I kept wondering, "what in the world is going on?"! Then, I finally traced it to my lifestyle change. I think it had to do with multiple factors. One, it was a little bit of a meta-physical outcome-- a change of perspective and a brighter outlook. Two, by eliminating chemicals and faux food from my diet, my senses were amplified and I sort of became superhuman and capable of seeing in technicolor! Some of the other things I experienced: balanced mood, reduced stress and anxiety, clearer skin, no more brain fog, memories, ideas, and words were much more accessible, and no more 4:00 slump!

Sadly, this is how all humans should function, but most of America is cheating itself because we've slowly began feeding our bodies "matter" that contains more engineered ingredients than real food. (This is actually what has gotten many companies to legally not be able to call their chicken "chicken", beef "beef", and cheese "cheese"...I'm talking to you KFC, Taco Bell, and Kraft!)  Eating is a means to nourish and replenish your body with supplementation. Pure and simple. I used to think that by eating "healthy", I would have to eat lettuce and string beans...void of any lovely flavor or enjoyment. Or, if I wanted to lose weight, I would be "healthy" by eating 100 Calorie Packs, Lean Cuisines, and Subway. Now, I just call that eating "skinny". There is nothing really healthy about it.  I learned that the hard way.

I began deteriorating a little over three years ago. From the outside, I'm sure I seemed fine. I worked really hard to keep a trim figure and stayed VERY active at the gym. But, I started feeling all sorts of unfavorable symptoms across the board. These symptoms became so debilitating that I no longer felt like myself and I was so desperate that I gave up all of the foods I cherished...so I thought. After an interesting and eye-opening few years, I learned A LOT. I learned that these "frankenfoods", sugar, and processed carbs had caused my body to have system-wide inflammation, which caused me to accumulate an auto-immune disorder. That's why my body started to malfunction. My life was forever changed. The most exciting thing of all is that I realized, in order to get and stay slim, you can eat PILES of delicious and flavorful food! You don't even have to stray far from what you're used to. Eat steak, butter, muffins, pasta, cookies, casseroles, and, even, gummy bears! BUT and this is a HUGE but, you have to pay attention to the quality and the ingredients. Where food is sourced, what it was raised on, what it is treated with, etc. ALL plays a massive role in either contributing to your health in a positive or negative way! Your body metabolizes one hamburger completely different from another. One could actually contribute to your health and one could contribute to your early demise. 

So, what exactly is "eating clean"? Eating clean, to me, is eating food in its purest form, free from anything man made in a lab. Some of the words not associated with clean eating are GMOs, heavy pesticides, processed, refined, hydrogenated, high fructose...I could go on and on. Also, keeping in mind, if you can't understand what's on the label, your body isn't going to understand it either. If someone had to create a name you can't pronounce for it, it's probably not real food. Another tip: if the item you're buying is something as pure as coconut milk and there are four ingredients on the label, that's unnecessary. Just keep it simple.

Please note: I am not suggesting you throw out your pantry or never eat fast-food again, but I am going to challenge you to start reading food labels. NOT the calories or fat, but the actual ingredients! The only thing I do suggest gazing at is the sugar content, which will eventually be in a blog post of its own.
I realize, this may be a heavy post because it is challenging you to consider switching things up a bit so, I'm offering Tulsans a little loving treat! Sign up below to take a complimentary grocery store tour. January 16th at 9 AM. (I will email you with more details.) If you don't live in the Tulsa area but would like some pointers, contact me for some free resources!

So, I have been on the very common roller-coaster ride when it comes to fitness. I have been in life stages when I was working out all of the time, working out some, or not at all. Many of us come up with excuses and experience this never ending battle of internal dialog about "should I go?", "I'm really tired", "I'm too hungry right now." A long while back, I was watching the Ellen Show and she said something that hasn't left me, (paraphrasing of course), "there is never a time when you make yourself go work out and regret doing so afterward". I tested this theory and it is 100% true. Once you get over the mental hurdle, you're always satisfied that you pushed yourself...leaving you with an improved body and a bonus sense of accomplishment, mostly thanks to the endorphins pumping through your veins! Another great quote, "Food is the most overused anxiety drug. Exercise is the most underutilized anti-depressant." Part of this theory has been tested by many reputable scholars, including Harvard Medical School, and it has proven to be very useful for people suffering from depression and anxiety. Click here for the article. So, if getting slim and toned wasn't enough of an incentive, it definitely does wonders to improve your overall sense of well being.,,among a host of other benefits.

This particular entry is in response to one of the top excuses or reservations I hear from clients, "I hate the gym" and/ or "I can't afford a gym membership". A solution: explore the opportunities of working out at home!  What I love about this task is that it alleviates many of the concerns about working out: child care, shortage of time, finances, physical insecurities, and creeps who lurk and loiter. There are SO many affordable and free options these days-- you can't avoid getting at least 15 minutes in a day. Your heart and body will thank you for it.

Some of my favorite options are Daily Burn, Body Building, and many YouTube personalities geared towards women and men. What's great about Daily Burn and Body Building is that they both offer customized training programs for your personal fitness goals and track you along the way. I am currently a Daily Burn subscriber and really enjoy it so far! (Love pilates with Andrea Speir.) You even get to decide on your workout, based on if you just have time for 15 minutes, 30, or more. When you sign up, you get a 30 day trial and it costs $12.99 a month after. (This is the only option that costs anything but you don't have to pay an initial membership fee and can cancel at any time, without penalties.)
Some of these options do require access to more equipment than others-- so, depending on what you choose, you could be looking at an affordable, one-time investment for basics like a yoga mat, dumbbells, and a medicine ball. All of these class videos are accessible on a computer, apps for most smartphones, and/or TV, if it's connected to your internet.

Lastly, another option: you can kick it old school with some classic workout videos! I love Mari Winsor pilates DVDs and you can't go wrong with Billy Blanks Tae Bo...actually, I guess you can go wrong if you have certain mobility problems. Which reminds me, I should probably put this out there just in case: if you are considering a new exercise routine and have health concerns, I suggest that you ask your doctor before pursuing. There, I am legally off the hook now : )

I have personally tested all of these forms of at-home fitness entertainment (with the exception of all of the YouTube channels) and have had a lot of fun with them and think you will too! Getting into a routine is your best bet-- so, if you can, I would suggest deciding on weekly standing dates with yourself. Pick designated days and a specific time slot to just decide you WILL be showing up. Also a fun option: grab a friend, or a handful of friends, and rotate hosting a fitness date! This is an especially awesome option for moms who could take advantage of the double opportunity to fit in a fun workout together, while letting their kids enjoy a play date.

A mind hack I love to use when I'm really tired is that I tell myself I'll just work out for 15 minutes. 100% of the time, I'll exceed that time limit.  BUT, even just 15 minutes a day will impact your fabulous physique.  

Do you have a home routine that you love? Please share below!

Update:  While I do love some of these virtual trainers, I am not always totally in love with most of their diet recommendations. Daily Burn is okay, but I am a firm believer that vegetables should really be emphasized during each meal. If you would like specific personal recommendations, I would be happy to help!      

Today, I woke up with that not-so-fabulous congested, lump in my throat feeling. (I'll spare going into any more detail.) On a normal day, I would consider staying home and resting up, but since it has been a long holiday weekend, I decided to get with it and play medicine woman. (Something I enjoy on the regular.) I grabbed my tried and true coconut oil, scooped a heaping spoonful, and let it dissolve in my mouth. After swooshing the oil in my mouth for about 15 minutes (like mouthwash), while doing my usual morning routine, I spit it out in the toilet, used my alcohol-free mouth wash, copper tongue scraper, and brushed my teeth...I promise it isn't as tedious as it seems. Low and behold, I went from feeling like a 3 to a 7! This Ayurvedic practice and very useful form of self-care is called Oil Pulling. How did it help? Not only does oil pulling help detoxify your mouth, which is what its most known for, it also reduces inflammation in your oral cavities and sinuses. 

This isn't the first time this ancient remedy has come through. I've been doing it for three years to whiten my teeth, promote clear skin, and insure oral health...and it made me remember why I used to do it daily! Instead of re-writing what's been written by many, here is a wonderful article by Dr. Axe explaining in detail how it works, the benefits, and thorough instructions!

Some clients have shared that the process of the coconut oil going from solid to liquid grosses them out-- in that case, I suggest melting it in a pan first, or just opting for another oil such as sesame oil or olive oil. Just like most things I talk about, quality is everything! I suggest using organic (pesticide free), extra-virgin (extracted with a machine and not chemicals), and cold-pressed (it hasn't been treated with high temperatures, compromising its quality).  Getting the cleanest oil available is especially important when it comes to oil pulling because one of the main purposes is to eliminate toxins...the same toxins that come from foods that are laced with pesticides and chemicals. 

So, give it a shot, see what you think, and check back to let me know how it goes in the comments below! (I usually see teeth whitening results after just a few uses!)

Growing up, weekends were for chores, errands, and play and Sundays were for church, lunch, and naps. Even if you're not a particularly religious person, the weekend, in many cultures and religions hold our day of rest, or "Sabbath". Why it's consistently practiced by many (including those who practice Wicca, apparently) is because it's so very necessary. We all need at least one day to reset our body.

Some of us have different ideas and and ideals when it comes to this rest and reset thing. While I am not about to bash anyone who has a weekly tradition of "Sunday Funday" (a carafe of mimosas followed by a Bloody Mary buffet), I do want to touch on one thing...this one thing has nothing to do with moral fiber! Unless you are as mystical as a unicorn and can tolerate copious amounts of alcohol without feeling the aftermath of blahness and compromised productivity on Monday morning, this doesn't pertain to you. But, those of you who are in the majority and don't fall into this somewhat miraculous category: for the sake of your wonderful self, if you do participate in this tradition and it has you feeling a little blue, empty, or debilitated, maybe reconsider it. There's nothing wrong with a few mimosas, but if any voluntary activity happens to come with a negative backlash, in any shape or form, I wholeheartedly hope that you try to tap into your motive and see if it can be satisfied with a more beneficial pastime. The weekend is for nurturing yourself. What that means to you is probably completely different from the next person, but just be sure it is actually helpful or encouraging in your development.

I am also not going to suggest that people forgot scrumptious stacks of pancakes on Saturday morning or Sunday afternoon chicken fried steaks, but I will just put the thought in your head: while allowing your body to rest on the weekend, maybe giving your intestines a day of rest could be equally valuable? We put loads of responsibility on our livers, depending on what we eat and drink, and autoimmunity starts in the gut. Do I fast every Sunday? Nope, I don't. While fasting is probably the optimum choice for most, I rarely go that extreme, but I also never dub the weekend my "cheat days". I think that can be a slippery slope and I believe that working to achieve balance is always the perfect long-term and short-term goal.
(If you're interested in learning how to make healthier alternatives to things like pancakes and chicken fried steak, I'm your girl and would love to schedule a complimentary consultation to chat about how I can help you with your lifestyle goals and any other related interests you may have!)

So, to tie this all together. The purpose of this blog is to give you the opportunity to refine yourself from the inside out via forms of self-care-- so that you can step out into this world as the optimized version of yourself. Redefining your days of rest is the perfect chance for you to ask yourself if you're needing some down time because maybe the week was hectic or, maybe, you're needing to make up for not exerting yourself enough during the week and need some face time? (...and by "face time", I don't mean FaceTime.)  Maybe you need to take these days to play catch-up on FUN or catch up on sleep?

What is your idea of rest or reset?...while keeping with the nurturing side of self-care. Please share in the comment space below! 

(Also, for those of you in the world of retail, restaurants, etc., I am not leaving you out! I know your schedule may be inconsistent but consistently during the weekends. So, your weekday off is still considered your day of reset.)

While I know how important consistency is on a blog, I also hold the very important responsibilities of working full-time and devoting myself thoroughly to my IIN studies!  I try to post each week, but, sometimes, that just doesn't happen....which is why I feel the need to remind you to give yourself grace, patience, and a break. Let's just say this topic is autobiographical.

Giving yourself grace is an extremely important form of love. Exercising forgiveness and avoiding that inner voice of criticism and shame is one of the most freeing and generous gifts you can give yourself (and to other people). The "shoulds" and "buts" hold no real value if you're A. Referring to the past and/or B. Are already trying. You know your heart. So, stop thinking about "buts" and quit "shoulding" all over yourself! It's not conducive or supportive to your bigger picture-- especially if you're already living by the "bird by bird" task protocol. There's only so much we can accomplish in a day.

Life can be heavy, there's no room for shame-- just learn, assess your actions, and try something differently next time. Most of all, cut yourself some slack. A personal example: instead of criticizing myself about not writing consistent blog entries, I am deciding to use this as fuel to make a little change. I now know that instead of attempting to write and post these each week, I am going to write multiples when I am in a writing mood and/or if I get a bunch of ideas at once, and voila! Something a little less taxing, still productive, and I am going to let myself off the hook (guilt free) because, moving forward, I will be doing things differently. See, that's true love and self-care! 

Given the theme of this form of self-care, I am going to give myself a break and keep this short and sweet. I was going to go into the health reasons as to why it is important to avoid shaming and criticizing yourself, but I'm going to bake instead. If you would like the information on how negative thinking really and truly makes an impact on your body: premature aging, imbalanced hormones, anxiety, etc. and the magnificent power of your thoughts and words, enter your email below and I will e-mail you some really fascinating resources! 

*If you didn't have a chance to read the initial post to explain the kick-off for this New Year blog series, please catch up below...it's good stuff. 

I figured I would start off this series of self-care with something very simple but oh-so-important! (And extremely appropriate for anyone recovering from New Year's Eve.) Drink water. Many people underestimate the power of getting enough water each day. Approximately 60-75% of your body is made up of water and your brain is approx. 85% water-- so, you can imagine that dehydration could have a substantial impact on your health.

The amount of water you should consume daily typically varies on a few factors including your activity level and the temperature, but I try to drink half of my weight in ounces each day. I usually start my morning by drinking a glass of spring water. Spring water is naturally more alkaline, which combats inflammation in the body. Sometimes, if I'm feeling the need for bonus detox or a little energy boost, I'll add fresh lemon or lime juice. If I am feeling a little rough and need an immunity booster, I'll add organic granulated turmeric. This little act of self-care is a wonderful morning ritual mostly because you have gone without water for 7-8 hours-- so, making sure you properly hydrate your organs (brain) and intestines is imperative if you want to feel energized and balanced. You also want to get a jump start on cleansing your body of impurities from the get-go. Some of the not-so-obvious symptoms of dehydration are backaches, headaches, poor digestion, fatigue, problematic skin, confusion, sugar cravings, and moodiness. It's also best to drink it steadily throughout the day, to maximize absorption. But, also, try to taper off a few hours before you plan on going to bed, to insure a solid night's rest. 

If you're not a fan of water, it's okay! Not so long ago, I had to teach myself to drink it again by flavoring it with a variety of organic fruit and vegetable infusions. Some of my favorites: fresh basil, mint, sliced cucumber, lemon and lime wedges. You can also add a little bit of pure stevia for a clean and refreshing mocktail. Quick tip: it's best to let the prepared ingredients soak in water overnight for optimum flavor...and have some fun with your flavor combinations! 

The quality of your water is definitely something to consider. The more alkaline the water, the better. I prefer spring because of the taste and it usually doesn't test high for acidity. I also take my own containers to my local Natural Grocers, where you can fill up a gallon jug for 25 cents.  Most popular bottled water is highly acidic and unfortunately, you have to consider traces of BPA from the plastic. The great news is that there many water filters on the market that are not only useful in removing impurities, but, also, help reduce waste in the environment. In order to find the best filter, it is important to know which contaminants are present in your water.  Research your city’s Consumer Confidence Report released each year by the Environmental Protection Agency to see if home purification is necessary. If possible, tap water should be avoided in most cities because of the high traces of chlorine, fluoride, led, and bacteria.  If you live in the Tulsa area, check out our (not so fabulous) report: https://www.cityoftulsa.org/media/420250/2015TulsaCCR.pdf

Lastly, if you've been noticing some unwanted wrinkles and haven't given water the attention it deserves, happy day! Your skin is an organ too and when it's properly hydrated, you will naturally look more smooth and supple! So, grab a BPA-free, aluminum-free jug, fill it up, and DRINK UP! 


Informative reading!
(These articles may seem a little doom and gloom, but my intention is to leave negativity off of this blog altogether and, when the time is right, sporadically give you studies to empower you to make educated decisions for yourself!)

Americans are ingesting from 300 to 600 times what the Environmental Protection Agency considers a “safe” amount.

As if the more than 70,000 identified contaminants in your water supply were not enough , you also have to deal with the pollutants your local and national governments add to your water supply.

*photo cred: Alicja Colon