{Guest Post} DIY Detoxifying Clay Masque

by Scarlett of Wonder Curl

Sundays are my spa day and giving myself facials is always on the top of my list of pampering. After much research into ingredients as well as banging around my pantry to see what I have, I created this recipe that I think will do the trick.

The main ingredient in this DIY face mask is Bentonite clay. Bentonite has many benefits and when mixed with water and applied to the skin’s surface, its molecules become charged and draw out toxins from beneath the skin. It’s perfect for acne prone skin. It includes Lavender which is known to be anti-inflammatory and stimulates circulation. Almond meal is used to exfoliate and a few capsules of activated charcoal has purifying properties.

You will need:
2-3 tbsp Bentonite Clay
1 tbsp Ground Dried Lavender
1 tbsp Almond Meal
3-4 capsules of Activated Charcoal

You’ll want to use a plastic or wooden spoon when handling the ingredients as the clay and charcoal have electrical attraction. When you’re ready to use, just scoop out about 1 tablespoon of the mixture and mix with water to make a paste. If you’re looking to be extra special, use rose water which has tons of benefits.

Add ribbon, a tag and even a pendant and it makes a great gift!

A Morning Pick-Me-Up

I  am really draggin' this morning and I'm not sure why.  I think I have been slightly stressing over some things going on right now (or that I would like to happen).  I'm back on the job hunt but, I want to do something in my field.  I want to go back to school but, I'm on the fence about what I should go back for (well...it's between just two things).  Then, there are the other things that are always riding me....relationship, baby fever, finances, and the list goes on and on.

Anyway, this morning I saw this recipe for a morning detox/ metabolism booster on Instagram by Nerissa Irving and decided to try it out (she has a great site! Check it out here).  I was just not feeling like myself and figured I had nothing to lose by trying it.

Recipe:

1 lemon
1/8 tsp. cayenne pepper
1 tbsp. honey
1tsp. of apple cider vinegar (I use the Bragg's brand)


I mix it all together in a cup and drink it down.  It's supposed help with energy, metabolism, and help to detox your body first thing in the morning.  I intend to drink this mixture several times a week to see if it helps this fatigued, 'icky' feeling I've been having.

Have you tried this before?

Join Me in the 10 Day Detox plan

I've been thinking about doing some sort of detox for a few months now and it's time! I was scrolling through Instagram when I saw the 10 day detox plan posted by Koya Webb, a holistic and wellness coach and yoga guru.  I have been looking something that could reboot my body without being too harsh (I don't have a lot of down time right now to sit in the bathroom every five minutes) so, when I came across this I made up my mind to just do it.  I even convinced my beau to do it too! I'm on Day 2 and I did crave bread around lunchtime but I was able to resist.  

Want to know what it entails?

*Here's what you will eat each day:

Start your day with 8-16oz of room temperature water with the juice of 1/2 lemon (freshly squeezed)

Breakfast: Fresh Fruit or Smoothie

Lunch: Large Salad and/or Veggie Dish

Dinner: Large Salad and/or Veggie Dish

Snacks: Lots of Fruits and Veggies
(4 apples, 3 oranges, 3 cups of berries, 2 bananas, 1/4 watermelon)
(2 Cucumbers, 4 bell peppers, 3 cups of cherry tomatoes)


Commit to: No Animal, Dairy, Bread, Pasta, or Rice

• Lots of Fruit (1 pound or more a day)
• Bananas, Apples, Oranges Etc
• Lots of Veggies (1 pound or more a day)
• Lots of Distilled Water (half your weight in ounces Ex: 160lb person would drink 80 ounces) So think 5 16oz bottles of water a day! 

Remember THIS IS ONLY 10 DAYS! You can do it!

What more details on healthy living?  Visit Koya's site at www.koyawebb.com

Wordless Wednesday: In My Cup

Since Thanksgiving, it seems like I have been having the hardest time putting down the cookies and cakes! To avoid feeling too bad, this Everyday Detox tea has been in my cup about three times a week for the past two weeks and I have been running a mile and a half every other day. My birthday is tomorrow so I have a feeling I will be drinking a few more cups of this over the next few days!

My Fasting Experience

From Getty Images

 
This past weekend, I did a fast! No, food for 24 hours; only water. It was fasting and prayer day at the church my parents attend . My heart has been heavy for a while now and I have so many life-changing decisions to make so, I decided to participate in hopes of gaining some wisdom and guidance.

I did not think that I would be able to do it for the entire 24 hours but, I did.  It was a true learning experience! It was both physically and mentally challenging. That fast helped me to exercise more confidence in my abilities, strengthened my faith and self-discipline.

Fasting is defined as the abstinence from food for a period of time, usually 24 to 36 hours. Longer fasts should be supervised by a medical professional. Fasting has been used since ancient times for religious purposes but, it also has great health benefits.  It is sometimes used to help the body heal itself of pain and disease. You may be thinking, "How does this work exactly?" The regulatory and reparative processes of the body are encouraged when the body is deprived of food.

Here are a few of the conditions/ diseases that fasting can help with:

1. Diabetes


2. Gastrointestinal disorders


3. Weight loss


4. Breaking from addictions-- alcohol, tobacco


5. Detoxification-- great way to get rid of toxins

*If you have any existing diseases, please consult your physician before undergoing a fast.

For more information on fasting and its benefits, check out these sites:
http://falconblanco.com/health/fasting.htm

http://www.allaboutfasting.com/

Have you ever fasted?

July 9th is Detox day--Who's Joining me?

 Photo Credit: Getty Images

Some of you may remember my post a week ago about the 21-day Quantum Wellness Detox I saw on Dr. Oz that I plan on starting on July9th.  For 21 days straight you can NOT have:


-Sugar
-gluten
-red meat
-caffeine
-alcohol

I know you're probably thinking, "What's left to eat?" I plan on eating tons of fruits and veggies.  I decided to post examples of what I will eat on a given day during the detox.


Breakfast: Oatmeal with almond milk and ground flax, a cup of fruit ( probably blueberries and raspberries) and a few slices of turkey bacon with Ezekiel bread


Snack: Fruit smoothie or green smoothie


Lunch: Salmon or tilapia, steamed vegetables or salad, and sweet potatoes


Snack: Fruit smoothie or green smoothie


Dinner: Gluten-free pasta/ penne with organic spaghetti sauce and extra virgin olive oil; salad or mixed vegetables


Snack: Bowl of fruit with yogurt

I will be eating a lot of snacks in-between meals because I do NOT want to lose weight. I may throw in some vegan oatmeal raisin cookies from Whole Foods and Gluten-free ginger snaps (both are my favorites!)  but, I have to check them out first to see if they are made with sugar.  I pray that they are not!
I am hoping that this detox will eliminate some of the physical ailments I have been suffering from (chronic hives, recurrent infections and fatigue).  I shall see!

July 9th is the day, who wants to join me?

The 21-day Detox--Who Wants to Join Me?

I was watching The Dr. Oz show the other day and he was talking about alternative medicine. So, you know I was instantly glued to the television! He had Deepak Chopra on there speaking about the benefits of meditation, Dr. Mercola talking about the benefits of not relying on pharmaceuticals and Kathy Freston, author of Quantum Wellness:The 21-Day Essential Guide to Healing Your Mind, Body and Spirit

.
I have seen her before on Oprah, speaking about one of her books on natural wellness.  Well on the Dr. Oz show, she spoke about the one thing she felt like everyone should do.  It was a 21-day detox, or vegan cleanse, that she recommends be done one to two times a year.  With the detox, you are abstaining completely from:

• Sugar
• Alcohol
• Caffeine
• Gluten (usually found in pastas and breads)
• Red meat

I have been looking for ways to detox but, I did not want to have to drink a concoction.  Truth be told, I am scared to lose weight also! But, I think that I will start this detox in two weeks. I already stay away from caffeine, alcohol (for the most part), and red meat. Sugar, on the other hand, has always been a weakness of mine.  I try to use brown sugar or honey if I must sweeten something.  Every now and then though, I crave cake, ice cream and candy ( I have a real-life sugar addiction!)

I think that this Quantum Wellness Detox will definitely do my body some good.  I intend to start on July 9 th, when I get some things out of the way and can really focus on it.  I am going to stock up on lots of fruits, veggies, fish and whole grains.  I will be sure to let you know how it goes!


Who wants to join me on this 21-day detox on July 9th?  Have you ever done a detox?