All posts by Is_Be_Wonders

Food, Health, Inspiration, Science

The Skinny on Collagen

Leave a comment

It seems these days there is so much information out there. This or that is good for you, and then just as much information out there that says this or that is bad for you. How can we make decisions when we are constantly fighting over truth and not knowing who or what to trust, and who or what can help us?

Whether we suffer from anxiety, acne, or stomach aches, there just seems to be so many answers, while no answers at all. Nothing seems to work, while we are told to believe that all these magical pills or herbs for that matter will be the solution.

There’s a part of me that doesn’t believe in solutions, or one quick fix, but rather, as many functional medicine doctors would agree, we need to look at the body as a full system and see how everything interacts with each other. In addition, I feel like we relinquish our inner sense of knowing and put our faith entirely into the hand of the experts.

I encourage you to learn to tap into your feelings and intuition and allow that part of yourself to help you make decisions. YOU ARE MORE POWERFUL THAN YOU THINK.

 

With that being said let’s learn the skinny on another superfood/trendy supplement hitting the streets: COLLAGEN. What’s it all about and how crucial is it that we add it to our green tea avocado matcha smoothies in the morning. Here’s the scoop.

Collagen is the most abundant protein found in your body and the entire animal kingdom. Vital for functioning. 1/3 of all the protein in our bodies; accounts for 75 percent of dry weight of our hair, skin, and nails. It is the glue that holds the body together; the connective tissue: skin/muscle tissue/ bones/tendons.

Collagen production declines naturally as you get older. Some say as early as in our 20’s

Ensuring we have adequate collagen in our bodies is very beneficial. We can either take collagen supplements to achieve this, or eat a diet rich in foods (primarily Vitamin C and antioxidants) that help support our own natural production of collagen. I feel like both are great and beneficial ways to go about. So how about both?!

Here is the science that backs supplemental collagen in helping several health ailments.

So as the science is beginning to show, increasing collagen production has a great impact on supporting supple skin. Others agree, that collagen can be used post-workout to help with muscle repair and support.

Also, there are natural ways to support collagen production:

  • Limit Prolonged Sun Exposure
  • Diet low in sugar, STRESS (big one…), cigarettes etc.
  • Drink lots of water… is this all starting to sound familiar by now?
  • Food
    • citrus fruits
      • oranges, grapefruits, limes, lemons, kiwis
    • dark leafy greens: spinach and kale
    • red fruits and veggies: like beets!
    • orange fruits and veggies: like carrots, sweet potatoes
    • broccoli
    • cauliflower
    • onion, shallots, leeks
    • white tea
    • legumes: peas and lentils
    • nuts
    • garlic
    • avocados
    • chia seeds
    • pumpkin seeds

So I guess essentially, just eating healthy? Either way, here is a nice framework for better understanding our bodies and the ways it produces and intakes collagen.

Thoughts on collagen. Natural VS. Supplementing. What are your tips and tricks for healthy supple skin?

Health

Map of Health Food Stores

Leave a comment

Does anyone else get that ‘happy’ place feeling when they step into a health food store?

I recently moved to Long Beach, California and haven’t frequented a place more than I have Mother’s Market. New to this city, I stroll the aisles of MM, and make friends with the gluten free cookies, and dairy-free smoothies, the cruelty free eye cream and the sexy sexy epsom salts.

So I decided to start making a map of some of my favorite health food stores and restaurants, as I travel to them, and I’d love you to share yours in the comments too, and I will add them!

What are some of your favorites?

Food, Health

HEALTHY GUT = STRONG IMMUNE SYSTEM

Leave a comment

Did you know: 50 -80 percent of your immune system is centered around your gut?

It’s imperative we nourish our gut in order to ensure our immunity.

I taught yoga and mindfulness in public schools for several years, and I tell you what, there ain’t nothin’ like the illnesses you can pick up from kids in schools. I would contract the most vicious colds and viruses when working there.

With that being said, there are ways to protect ourselves and boost our immune systems. Nobody likes getting sick, and for one reason or another, building a strong immune system is important to ward of any virus or disease that might try and infect you or your loved ones healthy little bodies.

So with that being said here are some tips to help you boost your immunity and develop a superhuman immunity shield!

Here are a list of immune boosting foods:

  • Garlic [antiviral, antibacterial, and antifungal compounds]
  • Turmeric
  • Coconut Oil  [lauric acid, improve heart and thyroid health]
    • Put coconut oil in your smoothies, or a spoonful of it in your morning green tea almond milk latte (YUM) Add some organic lavender syrup (yikes, sugar, but hey) and some lavender buds!!
    • Oil Pulling  daily- info about oil pulling here: Why you should start oil pulling today 

 This one needs it’s own heading and picture: Mushrooms

  • Mushrooms influence the activity of the immune system
  • (vitamin D, B vitamins, vitamin C, Calcium, Protein, Fiber)
  • Some especially good mushrooms: Chaga, lion’s mane, cordyceps, and reishi, shitake, maitake
  • Herb Tonic: I love putting this in my smoothies, it has reishi mushroom and other yummy herbs that promote a blissful state: Sun Potion: Anandamide Its ingredients include: Raw Cacao*, Tocos*, Mucuna Pruriens*, Ashwagandha*, Reishi Mushroom*, Astragalus**, Maca**, Moringa*, Rose Petals*, Cardamom*, Turmeric*, Cayenne*, Cinnamon*, Black Pepper*, Himalayan, Salt Crystals, Love!, 

Back to the list of Immune system building foods:

  • Fermented Foods: help promote a healthy balance of favorable bacteria in the gut.  Some examples of fermented foods are: sauerkraut, coconut kefir, kimchee, natto, and kombucha
  • Apple Cider Vinegar: a shot of this with lemon, honey, ginger and garlic. Makes a great tonic for zapping a cold right out of you. and speaking of…
  • Ginger: anti-inflammatory (brew small pieces up in water and make some ginger tea if you’re feeling a little tickle)
  • Greens! Green Juice
  • Dandelion                             
  • Elderberry Syrup (haven’t tried this one…) 
  • Cruciferous vegetables: like broccoli and brussel sprouts
  • Soluble Fiber: flax and chia seeds, beans, and legumes
  • Zinc: pumpkin seeds/ oysters/ lean meats/ crab/ chick peas

I love the health food store: Mothers Market maybe they have a location near you! Where are your favorite health food stores?

More tips:

  • Find a good probiotic: Probiotics with these two strains: (Lactobacillus) (Bifidobacterium) 30-50 billion colonies/ 8 strains of bacteria. Double dose if you’re coming down with a cold or have to take antibiotics. Raw is better.
  • Intermittent Fasting
  • Gargle with warm salt water
  • Epsom Salt bath
  • Rest
  • Fresh Air
  • Sunshine
  • Reduce Stress
  • Stay away from over the counter drugs/prescription medications

I still ate Chik-fil-A today. But I feel like a greasy pile of shit.

Better and better, amirite?!

Cheers to a healthy immune system lovelies!

What are your tips to building up your immune system?

 

Crystals, Health, Herbs, Inspiration, Meditation, Membership, Mindfulness, Products, Society, Yoga

5 Fun Breezy Summer Tips and Trends :)

Leave a comment

Things are heating up, and having recently transplanted to Southern California, I am beginning to sense the shift into Summer.  The first day of summer is officially June 21, so get ready to pamper yourself and melt into a nice fun pace.

  1. Epsom salt baths are a truly wonderful way to  relieve stress. Epsom salt is not technically salt but rather the minerals magensium and sulfate. Running a nice warm bath with these magnesium flakes is a great way to refresh and re-charge after a long day. Whether your body is sore from working out,  or you’re feeling the need to decompress after a long day of something that brought up lots of emotions, Epsom salts can help cleanse and clear the body of sticky tension sitting in the body ready to be released. Light a candle, and indulge in some self-loving. I like Life-Flo pure magnesium flakes, they melt in the bath and have a great texture that readily dissolves. Add some essential oils, and allow for some YOU time.

2. Speaking of essential oils , my life has been truly enhanced and improved by the installment of various aromatherapy practices. I feel an immediate sense of peace and calm when I drop some essential oils into my diffuser, turn on some mood lighting and allow my mind to settle after a long day. Take a look at my article, regarding the tested scientific backing behind the science of aromatherapy.

I am a huge fan of vetiver because of it’s musky and earthy scent. I enjoy the Young Living Essential Oils because they are such high quality that you can drink them. Believe me, for those of you that know essential oils, it is rare to find such a high quality oil that you can drink, so this is a reason I greatly support this product. I enjoy using their diffusers as well.  Two oils that I have been deeply enjoying are Rare Essence OM blend that promotes calming and inner peace through the scent of frankincense, patchouli, cedarwood, and tangerine,  and of course the classic,  Vetiver oil. These products, are not drinkable, but they are a little easier on the budget and great for diffusing. 🙂

3.  House plants are another great and soothing healthy resource to incorporate into life. They cheer up a home and bring life and comfort to a space. There are many plants that can survive indoors off limited light and will thrive inside your home. I can’t stress enough the value of bringing some greenery into the house. Some plants do better in different rooms of the house, so check out this article to see what plants thrive where: The  Best Plants For Every Room of the House. 

I recently bought some English Ivy which I’m keeping on a ledge in my shower with the hopes that it will live there happily and allow for it’s vines to sexily unfold into our showerspace. Also, in our bathroom I’ve put some classic Aloe, which for the nature of this article is GREAT, as many of us know for, SunBurns! It’s great to keep aloe on hand and to break off a little piece of the plant after a long day of lounging in the sun on a summer day. It also provides great relief from Poison Ivy.  Ahhhh….

4.  Free Activities! I feel like over the summer every one is out sunning their buns. With that being said there are often tons of great free activities to participate in. You just need to know where to look. Whether it may be a romantic free movie in the park, or yoga session, free is sexy and fun! If you currently reside in the Denver area, take a look at this great article loaded with tips that showcase 10 Free To-Do Summer activities .  In addition, for those of you in San Francisco, SF Fun Cheap is a database that has tons of free and cheap activities in the Bay Area. Lastly, for those of you living in the LBC (Long Beach County) take a peek at Yoga on the Bluff Yoga through Yogalution, they host free yoga outside EVERY DAY. What are your favorite free summer activites?

 

5. This bathing suit, because can it get any cuter?

Enjoy your summer lovelies.

Health, Yoga

“Yoga Immunity Boosting Routine: Flu Proof”: this chicks sequence ROCKS

Leave a comment

If you’re feeling a little under the weather or want to amp up your immune system once you notice how much snot and germs seem to be going around.. check it out.

“This Yogea routine improves circulation through the Lymphatic system as it boosts the body’s self defense mechanism. It kicks off with tapping and breathing exercises to stimulate the thymus gland and lymph nodes and open the main nerve channels through which prana or life force passes to nourish the cells. A swift and fluid warm up that opens the arms and legs, groins and shoulders, head and lower back simultaneously guide students into a cardio flow. Further, backbends alternate with forward bends, standing poses morph into seated bound twists, as the pelvic and shoulder girdle open to stimulate the lymph nodes. The sequences culminates with inversions and bound backbends that promote circulation and winds down with soothing forward bends and legs up the wall. The sequence integrates tapping and breathing defense boosters with lymph-bolstering asanas that stimulate the four main physiological systems that are linked to the immune system: the circulatory, the digestive, the nervous and the endocrine system.”