Health, Chocolate and Wellness

Hey, loves!  I recently came across a company called Xocai and I love their products!  They are a health and wellness company that makes great, delicious products such as antioxidant-rich chocolate, protein supplements, energy drinks, vitamins and skin care products that are very health for you and supply your body with natural ingredients.

I have to admit, I was skeptical at first but Xocai won me over!  I was so impressed I decided to join the company and show other people I know how to eat well and get closer to reaching their weight and fitness goals.

What I love about their chocolate, protein supplements and energy drinks is that they are not chock full of sugar, artificial sweeteners or any of those things that some "healthy" products are laden with.  I'm pre-diabetic so, it is extremely important to me that I maintain a diet that is not full of sugar or a bunch of ingredients I can not pronounce.

I've never been much of a huge chocolate fan but, these chocolate bites have been the perfect little after-dinner dessert for me some days.

The Xocai chocolate nuggets are made from quality Belgian chocolate that combines antioxidant-rich ingredients such as cacao, acai and blueberries.  They have a smooth taste without giving me that "cotton mouth" feeling I get when I eat other chocolates.

Also, the Xocai Protein supplement is currently my staple when I make my workout shakes.  I love that the sugar content is low and that it does not have a chalky taste.

If you have been wanting to take charge of your health without forgoing a variety of options and great taste, try out Xocai products.  You won't be disappointed!


*I was not paid to review these products.  I have given my honest opinion of these products.

Share Your Journey to Wellness!

From Getty Images

 
Do you have a fitness routine, natural beauty regimen or lifestyle change that you would like to share?

I am looking for stories from ladies who have changed their lives by committing to changing the way they eat, workout or in the products that they use, in pursuit of total wellness. Maybe you were able to conceive naturally after adopting an organic diet or lost weight by working out consistently.  If this is you, send your stories to: candice.selby@gmail.com and be featured on Simplistic Chic!

Body Changes without the Nip and Tuck

From Getty Images

 I'm not a big advocate of plastic surgery but, I do believe that if there is something about yourself that you want to improve, you should.  Plastic surgery is a bit too risky for me so I choose to use exercise and dietary changes to get my desired body (or close to it).  I want more toned mass in order to look a little bigger and I would like very toned abs. So for the past few months, I have been actively trying to reach these goals by modifying my diet and incorporating a workout plan catered towards achieving them.

*Side note: And if any of you ladies know of how one can use exercise or supplements to increase breast size, I'm all ears!

What is the one area of your body you would like to change through exercise and/or diet change?

The 5 day Low Glycemic Challenge



From Making Love In The Kitchen


I was on Twitter yesterday and found out about a few bloggers who were participating in a 5-day low glycemic food challenge.  In case you didn't know, high glycemic foods can cause your body's sugar levels to spike suddenly which can cause intense food cravings, mood swings and hormonal imbalance.  Low glycemic foods  can help with weight loss, keep hormones balanced, and improve sleep and mood. Consumption of more of these foods can also lower your risk for type II diabetes, heart disease and cancer.

As a self-proclaimed sugar addict, I have decided to join this 5 day challenge which starts today! For more info, tips and recipes on low-glycemic foods visit certified nutritionist and holistic lifestyle consultant, Meghan Telpner's informative site here.  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

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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?

Cravings, Breakfast and Other Banter

Photo credit: Google Images

Okay, so don't ask me why I've been up since 4:30 this morning making pancakes that I woke up craving (that may be another story) and I am sitting here typing this post at 5:30 am. I've been trying really hard to stay away from breads (my addiction and comfort food)  especially white flour but, I just had to have some pancakes this morning and I was all out of wheat pancake mix so white flour pancakes it was! They were too good going down too!

This girl I know has the best abs ever to me (not super, super muscular but just the right amount of tone) so, I asked her what her exercise routine consisted of.  She told me she didn't exercise that much, she only eats seafood, lots of fruits,  vegetables and very little bread.  This was all the motivation I needed to cut back on all of the breads and pastas I love to indulge in. 

 I am attempting to get a more toned look, particularly in the abdomen region and I know that bread, mainly white flour,  can really make you look bloated and flabbed out over time. I do not feel as bad because I convinced myself that  the cup of blueberries and strawberries I had after the pancakes will balance it out. 

I started wondering this morning, how many people actually eat breakfast and what do most people eat?  I have to eat something in the mornings.  I wake up hungry (it's usually not at 4:30, like it was this morning though) and I will usually have oatmeal or cereal and some yogurt with fruit.

Do you eat breakfast every morning? What do you usually eat?

Reasons to Kick that Soda Habit

 
 As a former soda addict, I know how difficult it can be to stop drinking soda.  Coke, Sprite and (my personal favorite) Dr. Pepper can taste so good when paired with a meal, or just by itself on ice.  However, soda can be very harmful to your health for many reasons which is why I have stopped drinking it for the past 5 years.

Check out this article by Healthier Atlanta magazine (for which I am a contributing writer) about the top 10 reasons to put down that soda can!

1. Dehydration: Drinking soda with caffeine and sugar causes your body to become dehydrated. Caffeine is a diuretic and causes an increase in urine volume. When you drink a caffeinated soda to quench your thirst, you will actually become thirstier.
2.  High Calories:  A can of Coke contains 10 teaspoons of sugar, which is 100% of the daily recommended value for adults. An 8 ounce can of soda has around 100-200 calories. Not only are the calories from soda pop empty of any nutritional value, they also deplete your body of vital minerals.
3. Caffeine Addiction:  “Caffeine is the world’s most commonly used stimulant.” says Roland Griffiths, Ph.D., professor of psychiatry and neuroscience at Johns Hopkins. “The latest research demonstrates, however, that when people don’t get their usual dose they can suffer a range of withdrawal symptoms, including headache, fatigue, difficulty concentrating.
4.  Acid:  In tests done on the acidity levels of soda, soda was found to have a pH of 2.5. To put that into perspective, consider that battery acid has a pH of 1 and pure water has a pH level of 7.
5.  Save Money:  You can purchase 12, 8 ounce cans for around $4. However, a person who drinks just 2 cans of soda a day, will pay $206 over the course of a year to keep her soda habit going.
6.  Lose Weight:  Researches at the University of Texas Health Science Center found that diet sodas put a person at a higher risk of becoming overweight. According to their research, “artificial sweeteners can interfere with the body’s natural ability to regulate calorie intake.
7.  Artificial Sweetener Issues:  Consumption of artificial sweeteners may make some people crave more sweet things which will in turn create more cravings for people who are trying to avoid sweet foods for health reasons.
8.  Mineral Depletion:  Because caffeine is a diuretic and increases urine volume, more minerals are leaving the body before having a chance to be absorbed and put to use.
9.  Higher Risk for Diabetes:  While no research has definitively shown that soda pop causes diabetes, the daily consumption of soda pop does create other problems that could lead to diabetes: specifically weight gain.
10.  Soda Replaces Healthier Drinks:  One of the biggest problems with soda is it acts as a replacement drink for healthier options. In the 1950’s, children drank 3 cups of milk for every cup of sweet drink. Today that statistic is flipped.

Are you a soda addict? What is your drug soda of choice?

The Clear Skin Diet

                       www.modelmayhem.com

On my seemingly never ending quest for natural ways to flawless skin, I found this helpful article by Self magazine about the best foods for clear skin.

www.self.com

Pile these on your plate. All pack nutrients essential for healthy skin.

Strawberries, citrus fruits, red peppers, broccoli

Beauty benefit: a smooth texture
Eat-right evidence: Vitamin C, plentiful in this produce, is vital for the production and formation of collagen, skin's support structure, says Toby Amidor, R.D., director of nutrition for DietTV.com in New York City. And a strong support layer helps smooth what's on top and prevent wrinkles, she says. Aim for: two 1-cup servings of fruit and 1 cup of red peppers and/or broccoli a day

Sunflower seeds and almonds

Beauty benefit: sun protection
Eat-right evidence: These seeds and nuts are loaded with vitamin E. Collectively, antioxidants act like an army, protecting skin from UV-spawned free radicals. But E is on the front lines; skin's top layers contain high levels that guard cells' outer membrane so cells stay healthy. Plus, strong membranes hold water in, keeping skin hydrated. Aim for: 2 tablespoons hulled seeds or 23 almonds daily

Dark orange, leafy green and red veggies

Beauty benefit: a fresh complexion
Eat-right evidence: Squash, sweet potatoes and spinach are full of the antioxidant beta-carotene. Your body converts it to vitamin A, which regulates cell production and turnover so skin's surface is smooth, says Valori Treloar, M.D., coauthor of The Clear Skin Diet (Cumberland House Publishing). Carotenoids may also decrease skin's sensitivity to sun. Aim for: three 1-cup servings a day

Fortified cereal, lean meat, poultry, oysters

Beauty benefit: a youthful glow
Eat-right evidence: You'll get zinc and iron, minerals key to skin functioning. Zinc contributes to cell production, plus natural cell sloughing, which keeps dullness at bay. Red blood cells need iron to carry oxygen to skin, helping give you a glow, says David Bank, M.D., a derm in Mount Kisco, New York. Aim for: 1 serving of cereal (a cup), 1 palm-sized serving of meat or poultry or 3 oysters per day

Water

Beauty benefit: dewy skin
Eat-right evidence: Skin cells contain mostly water, and if you're dehydrated, skin will look and feel parched, too. But you needn't chug 8 cups a day; University of Pennsylvania researchers found no studies to back up the recommendation. Simply ward off dehydration—and dryness—by drinking when you're thirsty. Aim for: 6 cups a day. It's a good starting point, says Keri Gans, R.D., of NYC.