Hella Natural

Feel Good Friday: 5 Simple Things You Can Do Right Now For Your Health

2015-08-07T08:33:00.000-07:00

1. Drink More Water – You should drink half your weight in ounces of water a day. For instance if you weigh 200 lbs., you should be drinking 100 oz. of water a day.

One thing I do to get this accomplished, is fill up on water first thing in the am. To prevent nausea, and because it is awesome for your digestive system, I drink warm water. It may seem counterintuitive, but try you might be surprised.

2. Eat Your Colors – Different colored foods provide different nutrients. Try to get as many colorful things on your plate as you can!

Not friends with veggies, yet? Add them to a smoothie. I promise you, the benefits are amazing, and they are delicious. Don't be scared!

Healthy Times Blog

3. Shop the Perimeter of the Store – All of the fresh foods in the grocery stores are along the perimeter. Stay out of the aisles and you will be less tempted to get processed food.

Start by ditching boxed foods. These things are usually very high in sodium, and they are just not good for you. Plus, nothing from a box tastes as good as the real thing. I used to love boxed jambalaya, that was until I learned to cook it from scratch. There is no substitute for fresh food. You're saying, okay, but I don't have the time. Try using a crockpot. There is nothing better than coming home and having dinner already done and waiting for you!

4. Give Gratitude to Your Food- Saying grace or giving thanks honors your food. It has given you its energy (calories = energy) be grateful!

My Blessing is: Creator thank you for the blessing of this food. I give thanks to all the living beings that gave their energy so to that I might use it. Also please bless anyone and everyone who had a hand in bringing it to my table. Let it nourish my body and my soul. Amen!

5. Cook!! – We all know home cooked is best!! You control the quality of ingredients. Processed foods always have more sodium and sugar than you would put in your food yourself.

Plan ahead so you know what you are cooking. Again pull out that crock pot, if you're short on time. Don't know how? The web is full of info on cooking.

Or you could try cooking with this guy:

Small Changes Count!!

XOXO,
Riss

Health 101: Tiffany Janay

2015-07-31T06:00:00.000-07:00

I am over the blue moon to be bringing you this interview. I am constantly seeking fresh new perspectives, and looking for something different to offer you, my beloved reader. One day, on Facebook I came across a post by Tiffany Janay, that said, "Maybe a yoni egg is all you need." or something to that effect. Intrigued, I went to her site and read more about yoni eggs. What I got from my visit was a beautiful gemstone egg, and so much more. I became a part of a sisterhood that has brought my life so much joy. All thanks to Tiffany's vision and hard work. She embodies all of what it is to be a woman, and empowers other women to do the same through her work. Read now, and thank me later.

How would you define healthy living?
I love this question! Everyone has a different definition. For me, healthy living is about being in alignment mind, body, and spirit. It means going to the root of the issues and healing from there. It's a daily commitment of honoring self.

Was there a turning point in your life that made you decide to become healthier?
Yes, for sure! My first one was when I was in 7th grade. I declared to my mom that I was no longer going to eat beef or pork. She didn't believe me at all because up until that point I was eating 1-2 steaks a day, and could easily finish off a pot roast all to myself.

That continued into my twenties, and I thought I was healthy the whole time because I only ate seafood, turkey, and chicken, and everyone told me that was healthy.

In my early twenties, I hit my highest weight of 190 and was blacking out randomly, mood swings were all over the place, and my bad cholesterol was at 298!!

I was confused because I thought I was healthy. When my husband and I got together in 2006 we began really taking a look at our eating habits and how we cared for our bodies. We learned about artificial flavors, white products, high fructose corn syrup, partially hydrogenated oils, and the effects of animal products on the body.

From there we did our first cleanse together, the Master Cleanse, and started studying everything we could. We lost the excess weight and brought our bodies into a place where we felt really good.

We never went back after that.

What piece of knowledge would you like to share with others?
Self work is supreme. As long as you have yourself figured out and are comfortable with who you are, everything else is a breeze.

Also, learn to understand energy. Energy never dies, it only takes new form in different vessels but its always the same. When you understand energy you don't have to question peoples motives or characteristics. I hope that makes sense. Study energy.

What is the one natural product you can’t live without?
Dr Bronners soap! You can use it for EVERYTHING and its all natural ingredients.

What piece of advice would you give your younger self?
It's just a game. Enjoy.

What makes you hella fresh, in case you don't understand this one, it Bay Area
speak for, what makes you your uniquely amazing self?

Lol! I was born in the Bay so hella is a part of my natural vocabulary. I'd say my sense of expression. I'm hella random and you never know what to expect, I shock myself! I wear my emotions externally and always dress for the occasion. When I fall in love with people, I give my all and my best. And I love that I'm a good mix between street smart, fairy Goddess, Earthy, hood, sophisticated, and a real homegirl.

Where can we find you in the webosphere?

I have 2 stores:

For premium Yoni Eggs visit us at YoniEggs.com (Use code: HELLANATURAL to save 20%)

Check out my Metaphysical Boutique at organicbloodline.com

Instagram:

Facebook;

Health 101: La Loba Loca

2014-07-02T06:00:00.000-07:00

It should be no secret that Health 101 is my absolute favorite thing about this blog. All the interviews represent a diversity that is invaluable. Every time I read one of these interviews, I gain a new perspective, and my knowledge grows in a way that I don't think I could have gotten any other way. I was truly blown away by the following interview. I sought out La Loba Loca after reading an amazing article she wrote, and was overjoyed when she agreed to share her views here at Hella Natural.

Enjoy this thoughtful, thought-provoking article, and don't forget to share!

How would you define healthy living?

This is a tough question! The quick answer is: when you are working with your body, mind, spirit, and environment in a healthy manner. The answer to that question gets complicated though, I think it is very important to know that 'healthy living' is not accessible for most people, and also that this 'search' for healthy living is so commercialized, white and often portrayed as a personal journey.

I live in Echo Park, a neighborhood that has been white-fied and turned into this horrible white hipster/yuppie playground. There are all these small businesses that focus on vegan food, fruit-juice cleansing, organic vegan ice creams, and all these other horribly expensive spots that are viewed as 'healthy'. These new 'healthy' spots are by no means accessible to long-term residents of color. This is just one example of the way 'healthy' living can be very commercial and white.

This white-fication and appropriation of sustainability and health enrages me. People of color and indigenous communities have been practicing sustainability and traditional medicine forever, but we are not recognized. The only time when traditional healing practices pertaining to people of color are recognized is when white people steal them, name them something else, and sell them for ridiculous amounts of money. We need to start decolonizing and de-commercializing healthy living, and making sure that the information is getting to The People.

It bothers me that mainstream healthy living puts such an emphasis on the individual. What do I get by being healthy when there is people in the same neighborhood that I live in that: 1) can't afford the good veggies at the farmer's market 2) are literally being kicked out/evicted from the homes they have been living for decades 3)are being constantly harassed by the police and incarcerated 4) are in fear of deportation 5) are in fear of white people calling the cops on their children 6) are impacted by systemic violence that in turn impacts people's mental and physical health.

To me, healthy living needs to come from a community base and social justice perspective. It is great that I am able to be healthy right now, but what am I doing to provide resources and information to those people around me so they can be healthy as well? That is one of the reasons why I started my tumblr/blog, I wanted to make sure that I was sharing resources and talking about the appropriation of healing practices. I also started an online cooking show series called La Loba Loca Coxina, the idea behind this project is to show people of color cooking healthy and plant-based food. I also offer skill-shares in community events and university settings, I call them knowledge shares, and the idea is to create a dialogue between the participants and myself and to learn from each other.

If we are talking about healthy living, we have to keep it real, and to acknowledge our privileges and also understanding that our survival depends on Mother Earth, non-human animals such as pollinators, and labor of people. The current system is based on the compartmentalization of labor makes us forget that we need Mother Earth and animals to have food to eat, it also separates us from food production and the labor (often times slave migrant labor) that it takes to get an organic tomato into our salsa. We need to start looking at ourselves in the plants growing in our gardens, in the bees looking for nectar, and also in the workers that pick our food. We need to stop thinking in a linear fashion, and start understanding the world around us through connections, if we do not respect Mother Earth, and if we do not think about how we negatively affect Mother Earth's health, then what are we doing?

Was there a turning point in your life that made you decide to become healthier?

I had the privilege of growing up with a mama that only cooked vegetarian meals, she hated soda and it was almost impossible to get my parents to take us to a fast food restaurant. We are from a place in Peru called Arequipa, so my parents grew up eating mostly locally grown foods. We moved to Santiago, Chile when I was young, and fast food was way more expensive than actual food, so my parents rarely fed us fast food. I was lucky to come from a family, specially my mama that was into DIYing everything and cooking from scratch.

When I moved to the US, I started eating horribly, I ate all the meats I could get a hold of because it was something we didn't have at home. When I was around 20-years old I started waking up with pain in my hands and fingers, it scared me, so I asked some of my family members if they knew what was happening and my aunt told me that pork meat makes your joints hurt. So I decided to stop hurting myself and stopped eating meat. Little by little, I started realizing that there were certain food, like milk and cheese that made me feel gross, so I stopped eating those as well.

I started realizing the impact that migrating to the US had on my health, so I like to think of my health practices and choices as a way to resist the sickness that invades this country– it is all about decolonizing that health! I also started thinking about my current healthy habits as a way to honor the labor my family, specially my mama, did to keep me healthy and strong when I was growing up and under their care.

What piece of knowledge would you like to share with others?

Two things: eating more raw food and acknowledging the importance of ancestral knowledge. I recently started being more conscious about eating raw food, I grew up eating tons of raw veggies and fruits, but in the last couple of years I started falling for the comfort of cooked food. I have been including fermented foods and drinks to my diet, as well as sprouting and marinating veggies.

I have this 50% raw & 50% cooked guideline I created to make sure I am eating enough raw food. Having a good raw sauce always makes a big difference; I make this delicious green sauce in the blender that you can use as a salad dressing or just eat it straight up from the blender! Get a blender, add some garlic, lemon juice, greens (any greens!), nuts, some salt, and some chile, blend it and you will end up with a delicious creamy green sauce.

Introducing raw food to your diet makes you feel more energized and also lighter, cultures around the world have fermented and marinated fruit and veggies so ask around, ask your grandparents and see how they were eating raw back in the day. I think that the system we currently live in makes us forget that our families and ancestors possess healing and health practices that have been passed down generation to generation. We need to start documenting, asking, and interviewing our elders and families about healing practices and medicines- I call the ancestral knowledge that is passed down through word of mouth, Abuelita Knowledge. I recently wrote an article focused on reusable mxnstrual products and Abuelita Knowledge, you can find it here.

What is the one natural product you can’t live without?

Breathing! I recently realized that for most of my life I was not breathing correctly. Nobody taught me how to breathe and nobody told me the importance of breathing! Oxygen is necessary for the appropriate functioning of the body, breathing can help us re-charge, increase energy levels, de-stress, boost our immune system, increase flow of oxygen, give our muscles more flexibility and more! Also, air is free and natural (minus the pollutants) so take advantage of the air; take a deep breath and see how the air fits in your body.

What piece of advice would you give your younger self?

Growing up I always felt that I had the potential to make beautiful things, and create change. I never voiced it, but I always felt a fire right above my tummy and in between my ribs. I would like to go back and tell my younger self: Yes that fire that you feel in you is real, you are powerful and yes you have the power to create change. I would also like to go back and tell my younger self that ageism is real (we live in a very anti-youth system) and that no matter how old you are you are always going to deal with shit (that whole ' it gets better' corporate gay campaign is a lie) so stay true to yourself and question EVERYTHING. I am still young though, I am only 24-years-old!

What makes you hella fresh?

Mmm... I am not sure... I mean there are qualities about myself that I am proud of and very grateful to possess, but I see these qualities reflected in many people around me, so they are not 'unique' to me.

Where can we find you in the webosphere?

I am literally everywhere in the internet. My main site is lalobaloca.com where you can find more information about my photography work, body-powered tattoo art, and skill-shares I offer. I also have a tumblr, which is a blog where I post original writings, ramblings, images, resources and more.- you can check it out at lalobalocaart.tumblr.com. I also have a FB page where I keep folx up to date with what I am up to, you can follow me at facebook.com/lalobaloca. You can also check out my online store at lalobaloca.bigcartel.com where you can purchase re-purposed bike jewelry and reusable moonstrual pads. Finally, you can check out my fundraiser page here if you are interested on supporting Queer Brown Birth Workers, I have tons of perks in the fundraiser, and all funds will go towards my midwifery and full spectrum doula/support education.

Want to read more from La Loba Loca? Check out these articles:

D.I.Y and Locally Made Food: What the Hipsters Didn't Tell You
Reclaiming Abuelita Knowledge as a Brown Ecofeminista

Make Your Own Monday: Pickled Veggies

2014-06-16T12:42:00.000-07:00

Making homemade pickled veggies is easy peasy, cost-effective, and of course hella good! Making your own food means you are insuring the quality of the ingredients and the sanitariness of the process all the while empowering yourself and saving money.

You will need:

veggies of your choice ( I like cucumbers, jalapenos, and carrots)
garlic
seasonings of your choice
salt 2 tsp per cup of vinegar (you need this to fight bacteria, don't skip it)
vinegar of your choice (I like white vinegar and apple cider vinegar

To prepare these: I washed and chopped my veggies into sizes I like. Then put them in a jar with some garlic and seasonings. Filled up the jar with vinegar, put the top on, and put them in the fridge.Then I waited for the vinegar to do it's magic. They were ready in an hour, but became more "pickled" as the days passed.

Tip: You can buy pickling seasoning from the store for a more traditional pickle taste. However,I like to experiment with my own flavors. One of the best things about this is that you can try different varieties of veggies, vinegars, and seasonings to see what you like the best. I am currently loving English cucumbers, jalapenos, and garlic in half white vinegar half apple cider vinegar. Simple, spicy, and delicious.

This is a great one to get the kids involved in. They love to see the changes in color and texture the veggies go through, and of course they love to eat them. What's up with kids and pickles?

Note: These are refrigerator pickles, and should be kept cold to inhibit harmful bacteria. They can be kept for up to 2 months.

There are many other types you can make. This link has more information pickle making and some great recipes. Check it out!

XOXO,

Riss

Questions? Comments? Suggestions? Share them below!

Binge TV and Burpees: The Orange Is The New Black TV Workout!

2014-06-10T09:15:00.000-07:00

Thanks to the buzz on Facebook and my absolute love of good television, I have recently become (lightly) obsessed with Orange Is the New Black. If you don't know about it, you can read up here. It is an addicting show although I must be honest I didn't fall in love until about the 5th episode, and now I'm hooked.

That being said, I have been spending hours watching the show and neglecting things I know I should be doing, like working out. Duh-Duh-Na-Na! In comes The Orange Is the New Black TV Workout. Yes, that's right tv and workouts can be friends! Here's how it works: when certain things happen on the show you get up and do a specified exercise. If you don't know what the exercise is, google it or just improvise.

This is a win-win. You still get to watch your shows, and sneak in some muscle toning! Check out the Orange is the New Black Workout below from FuckYeahMovieWorkouts (yes, that really is their name). They have workouts for many shows and movies, and if they don't have something you like, you can request it.

Alright time to go get my binge and Burpee on!

from: fuckyeahmovieworkouts.tumbler.com

XOXO,

Riss

Sound interesting? Share and Comment. It's free and highly appreciated!

Universally Delicious Pancakes: Gluten-Free Folks, Dairy-Free Peoples, Vegans, Vegetarians, Omnivores Rejoice; This Recipe is For You All!

2014-06-09T09:37:00.001-07:00

Fluffy, check! Moist, check! Nutritious, check!

These pancakes are so amazing, you won't believe that they are healthy. This recipe utilizes whole grains, in the form of oats, fruit for fiber, eggs and yogurt for protein, and coconut oil for overall nutrition. You can adapt them to be gluten-free, vegan, or vegetarian easily. The ones pictured here are gluten-free.

Homemade Healthy Pancakes Recipe

Dry Ingredients
1 cup oatmeal (use gluten-free whole rolled oats)
1 cup flour (I use gluten free flour from Trader Joe's)

2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

Wet Ingredients
2 ripe bananas or 1 cup apple sauce
2 eggs (if you're vegan omit these, the bananas or apple sauce will do the same job)
3/4 cup milk (I use almond)
3/4 greek yogurt (I use coconut greek yogurt, you can find it at Whole Foods)
1/4 cup of coconut oil

1 Tablespoon maple syrup (optional)
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp almond extract

To prepare these:

I used my Vitamix blender, but you can also use a food processor. First, I blended the oatmeal until it made a fine powder. Then added in the other dry ingredients. Next, in a bowl I mashed the bananas and combined all the wet ingredients. Then, also in a bowl, I combined the wet and dry ingredients being careful not to overmix.

To cook these:
Heat your pan or griddle on medium to medium high heat. When a drop of water evaporates quickly you will know it is hot enough. Pour your mixture onto the pan and monitor your pancakes closely. When the top is full of bubbles, and the edges begin to firm up, flip them. If it is hard to flip them, they may not be ready. Once flipped, cook for only about 30 more seconds.Continue the process until you're out of batter, or save the batter for the next day. I wouldn't go beyond two days though.

Tip: I like to double or even triple the dry ingredients, and keep them on hand to make the next batch even easier to whip up.

Next, sit down, give thanks, and grub!

XOXO,

Riss

Questions? Comments? Suggestions? Share them below!

Try it Tuesday: Plant Some Ish!

2014-05-27T06:00:00.000-07:00

Gardening is not easy. Anyone who does it will tell you that. My garden was like another child needing to be cared for, loved, and protected. It taught me many lessons, brought my life much beauty, and produced some delicious food, but momma got tired, and when harvest was over decided give herself a break and try again when things lightened up.Well that was almost a year ago, and in that time my husband has moved his Bow-Flex into that space amid my protests, but really he's justified in using that space; I wasn't.

My Garden Back in the Day

After watching this video I am committing myself to get back into my garden (move over Bow-Flex). To get some dirt under my nails, and break a healthy sweat. It is important not just for me, but for my children, who I am in a constantly in battle over their lack of desire to play outside; their addiction to anything technological. We have to regularly unplug, so that they learn to see the beauty in things that are don't get their energy from the wall.

I can't wait to get in my garden and plant some ish! I had been debating on whether I was going to try my hand at gardening again, but now I am convinced. Watch this video to see why:

XOXO,
Riss

What are you growing or planning to grow? I am definitely planting strawberries!

The 1st Strawberry From My Garden

Health 101: JP Lynn

2014-05-08T08:20:00.000-07:00

I caught up with my new financial guru, Jarim Person-Lynn, and asked him to share his views on healthy eating with you all. Wait, what financial guru, healthy eating? Don't get the connection between money and health? There is definitely one there. Ridding yourself of the toxicity of debt, and making healthy food choices that fit in a budget are two connections, but there are many more. Read on!

How would you define healthy living?
I would define healthy living as striving to make sure that anything coming in contact with your body- physically or mentally - is only that of nourishment in some form or fashion.

Were you always healthy, or was there a turning point in your life that made you decide to become healthier?
My dad has always been healthy. My mom not so much.
I took after her eating habits until about 5 years ago when I went through a total transformation with finance, health and overall well being.

What piece of knowledge would you like to share with others?
To start slow (but not too slow) and improve gradually. Very few people will go from hot links to kale salad over night. You may be the type that needs to go from ribs to Lean Cuisines. From Lean Cuisines to healthy sandwiches. From healthy sandwiches to organic salads etc.

What is the one natural product or practice you can’t live without?
Eating "farm raised" fish. I need my B12.

What piece of advice would you give your 20 year old self?
It only gets harder from here.

What makes you hella fresh?
I can pop a pimple with my butt cheeks.

Anything else you wanna tell the people?
You can make all of the money in the world, but if your health is subpar, it won't even matter.

Where can we find you in the webosphere?
Check out my books on health and wealth at www.BKFUniversity.com, follow me on Twitter @BKFUniversity. And add me on Facebook at facebook.com/jplynn

JP's books and guidance are life-altering. Check him out! Being fiscally fit empowers you in many ways including your health. We have all heard the saying your health is your wealth, and even if it is cliche, it's true! This brother is offering great information that is pertinent to our times. I am using his methods to get my financial game in order and undo old patterns that do not serve me or my future.

What are you doing for this aspect of your life? How are you going about being fiscally fit?

Fiscal Fitness: Tame Your Food Bill By Using Your Receipts

2014-05-07T06:00:00.000-07:00

What do you do with your receipts when you get home from grocery shopping? File them away, or more likely throw them away. Don't! Your grocery store receipts are powerful tools in getting your grocery budget under control, and if you don't have a food budget they provide powerful insight to your food spending, which you probably need to get a handle on.

My monthly food budget for my family of four is $600. I know people who can do it for much less, but it works for us. I choose organic products whenever available because I believe the costs are worth the benefits to our health even if they are a bit more costly.

One of the major reasons people give for not eating more healthily is that it is too expensive.With proper planning this simply is not true. One strategy I use to save money on my grocery bill is to keep my receipts and use them as planning tools. It gets you out of the pressure of the store, and allows time to reflect on your shopping habits and purchases. Leaving you better able to put things into proper perspective.

Benefits of Using Grocery Store Receipts:

Grocery store prices don't change very much. If you use the prices from the receipts to plan your shopping, you will have no surprises when you get to the cashier.
When you are entering your prices you can start to see trends in your shopping. Did you really need to buy three types of chips? Wow, that organic broccoli only cost...!
If you use the prices of the food and align it with your grocery list, you can discipline yourself by only bringing $10-$20 over what your projected costs are. This way you will stick to your budget while accounting for small price changes and things you mistakenly left off your list.
By empowering yourself with the knowledge of how much your groceries really cost, you know where you stand in your food budget. You can then make adjustments that are needed. Like bringing your lunch to work, eating leftovers, or skipping wants in exchange for needs.
This can be a powerful lesson for your children in handling finances. You can bring them in on the work. Teach them about marketing schemes, and how they don't NEED that new rainbow colored sugar saturated cereal they saw on tv.

How to Use the Receipts to Inform Yourself and Your Budget:

Decide how you will track your food costs. You can use plain old pencil and paper, a budgeting app (EZ shopping calculator, Smart Shopping List A La Carte, and Shopi are good ones), or a spreadsheet. I like the latter option. With the spreadsheet things get easier over time. It takes a while to enter everything at first, but if you are like me you usually buy the same core things at the store. When you add new items,you can quickly incorporate them into the list by alphabetizing them using your program's sort feature. (If you would like more information on this, comment below and I will create a tutorial on this.)

(This is Costco, which is why it seems so pricey. Remember these are bulk items.)

2.If you choose to go the spreadsheet or pen and paper route there are simple steps you will need to follow. First, create the following categories: store, food item, price, on sale, and other. I like to keep my stores separate and to organize the food items alphabetically (again using that sort feature). I then use the "on sale" column to indicate whether or not the item was on sale, and the "other" column for notes. Once you have defined your categories, start listing your items and filling your chart in.

3. Great! Now you have a list of your items, and probably some insight into your spending. If you shop at more than one store you will need to add the totals together, so you can track your overall spending.

4. There's no set time in which you should do this, but you should definitely do it before you begin planning your meals and grocery list for the week. Once you put in the time to do the first list the rest is easy.

5. I like to keep my receipts filed in a binder for about a month, then I toss them. If you're not concerned with having to return anything, then toss them after you've entered them.

That's it! If you do this you will begin to empower yourself and control your food spending, which can be one of the greatest areas of waste in one's budget.

XOXO,

Riss

Questions, comments, concerns, suggestions, requests? Leave them below.

If you would like a copy of my the Excel file I created, email me at: missriss@hellanatural.com

Try It Tuesday: Yerba Mate: Drink of the Gods!

2014-04-29T11:08:00.001-07:00

This Try It Tuesday I want to share with you one of my favorite things on the planet, Yerba Mate!! Yerba Mate is a drink that you brew and enjoy like tea. I won't call it a tea because the name tea is reserved for the cured leaves of the Camellia sinensis (tea) plant. More accurately this could be called a tisane, which the the name given to herbs that are treated as tea. So now that you have been educated on the difference between tea and tisane, let's get back to Yerba Mate - Drink of the Gods!

This stuff is amazing. I drink it daily, and it really does a body good. It has the same amount of caffeine as coffee, but is so much better for you. Also called, the liquid vegetable, it contains 24 vitamins and minerals, 15 amino acids, and abundant antioxidants. With Yerba Mate, you will get the energy without the jitters. You will be hydrated instead of dehydrated, and you will be adding nutrition to your body instead of robbing it of its nutrients. The benefits of Yerba Mate go on and on. In fact, the list goes on so long that to make things effortless, I have placed the list of of benefits from this great article by Dr. Theresa Ramsey below:

Look at the multiple health benefits that Yerba mate provides.

Adrenal gland tonic
Arthritis prevention and treatment
Anxiety reducer
Blood sugar and insulin regulation
Body fat reduction
Bone and teeth strengthening
Cancer prevention
Circulation enhancement
Cirrhosis prevention
Collagen and tissue growth and repair
Detoxifies entire body

Digestive enzyme stimulation
Digestion strengthening and tonifying
Energy enhancement
Gallbladder and bile stimulation
Heart disease prevention
Hormone balancing
Hair growth strengthening
Immune system strengthening
Kidney support with water/sodium balance
Liver function enhancement

Memory enhancement
Metabolism strengthener
Mood elevator
Nervous system tonic
Plaque prevention
PMS and fibrocystic breast relief
Red and White blood cell production and vitality enhancement
Skin tonic, acne reduction
Vision enhancement

Yes, you can get all of this from simply drinking Yerba Mate. The type I drink most often is Guayaki, they are a great company that employs many green practices, and they are a certified : organic, fair-trade, Kosher, and non-gmo. On their website you can read several myths and stories about Yerba mate, educate yourself further on Yerba Mate, and get coupons! ( I am not affiliated with them; I just think they are an amazing company!)

Below I have pasted several videos you can watch on Yerba Mate.

Check them out:

In both of these videos the people are drinking the traditional way. However, I just brew it in my tea strainer. I wet the Yerba Mate first with cold water, and then add hot (NOT boiling) water to that. If you make it incorrectly, like tea, it can become bitter. So be careful in your preparation. If you don't like the taste of it, you can dress it up, just as you would tea or coffee.

That's all for now. Gotta go finish my Yerba Mate!

Wanna try it out: Click this link to find out where I buy it.

XOXO,
Riss

Are you a Yerba Mate drinker? How do you like it? What brand do you like? Do share!

Gym Class Hero: Chelsea

2014-04-24T08:31:00.001-07:00

Meet Chelsea, our newest Gym Class Hero(ine). She is the founder of the Facebook Group Black Girls Go Paleo!, and as you can see from the picture below, she kicks butt!! Check out her interview below as she shares with us her views on fitness.

How do you view fitness?

Fitness is a lifestyle plain and simple. Being fit is not only about going to the gym, running or whatever method you choose to get your sweat on it is about a holistic healthy lifestyle. You have to incorporate diet, stress management, and so much more.

What’s your favorite type of exercise, machine, class, or work out?

I have lots of favorite things, maybe too many lol. Within the last year I have began Crossfitting and Olympic lifting, I absolutely love it! I run with Black Girls Run! SF Bay Area and I play volleyball in a competitive adult league.

Where do you do most of your workouts? (i.e, home, outdoors, the dojo, etc)

My Crossfit box Kimura Crossfit, trails around the Bay, and the volleyball court.

Were you always active, or was there a turning point in your life that made you decide to become more fit?

I consider myself an athlete, so I have always exercised. Changing my diet in my late 20's was a game changer in my overall fitness.

What’s your favorite workout song?

Anything Beyonce

What are the three must haves for your gym bag?

I have waaay too many things just to name 3 but here you go. Athletic tape, my lifting/WOD shoes, and my knee wraps.

What do you do to motivate yourself when you just don’t feel like working out?

Instagram my favorite Crossfitters or athletes. Looking at athletes doing amazing things is always super motivating for me.

Do you have a mantra? What is it?

#Go

What is your workout schedule like?

5 days Olympic lifting, 2-3 days with a workout of the day (WOD) after lifting, 1 day of volleyball, squeeze in a run when I can.

What piece of advice do you have for others that would like to become more fit?

Do something you enjoy to get your body moving and take a close look at your diet, there are no quick fixes. A holistic approach is the best way to achieve overall fitness and health, no shake or pill can give you lasting results.

So far, what has been your greatest accomplishment in terms of your fitness goals?

I don't have one accomplishment that I value over the others. I am just really proud of myself for being able to maintain an active lifestyle throughout my life.

How do you fuel your workouts?

I eat a fairly clean Paleo diet with the addition of rice and a bit of dairy. I demand a lot from my body and put a lot of additional stress on it so without a great diet I would crumble to pieces lol.

How do you recover from your workouts?

I eat lots of nutritious food and a few natural supplements to help reduce inflammation and assist with recovery.

What makes you hella fresh?

I am unapologetically me...nerdy, athletic, awkward and proud!

What’s your favorite workout friendly hair style?

A braided ponytail

Where can we find you in the webosphere?

IG:Chels_C17 and FB: Black Girls Go Paleo

Interested in knowing more about the Paleo lifestyle? Black Girls Go Paleo! is a great place to go. You will get support, encouragement, and advice. From the page, "This is a support for fabulous Paleo and Paleoish- women! The goal is to re-introduce whole nourishing foods that support an healthy active lifestyle to women of color. You don't have to be a black girl but you do have to support our mission."

Health 101: Scola Dondo of YouTube!

2014-04-23T05:30:00.000-07:00

The creator of my new fav YouTube workouts is here to share some of her amazing weight loss journey, and her thoughts on health living. At only 18 years old, she is a young woman on a mission, and is inspiring others by helping them transform their habits and their lives. Her videos will educate you, make you laugh, and make you sweat! I am honored she decided to drop by Hella Natural and spread some of her sunshine! Check out her interview below:

How would you define healthy living?

Just being balanced and happy. It’s not about working out and eating healthy 24/7, it’s about looking after both your body and mind.

Was there a turning point in your life that made you decide to become healthier?

I think I just got to a really low point where enough was enough, I was done being miserable.

What piece of knowledge would you like to share with others?

Being healthy isn't about dropping your social life, spending hours in the gym and eating salads all day long. It’s about looking after yourself so you feel great in the long run! You really can have fun with a healthy lifestyle, to the point where it just feels normal and right.

What is the one natural product you can’t live without?

Coconut oil! You can use it to cook with, to moisturize your hair, skin, and so much more!

What piece of advice would you give your younger self?

Just do what makes you happy and stop caring about what everyone else thinks!!

What makes you hella fresh?

I'm still an absolute clown! you know that stereotype that bigger girls tend take on the role of the clown? that was definitely me and it’s still me! I love fooling around and making people laugh.

Where can we find you in the webosphere?

http://instagram.com/scoladondo
https://twitter.com/ScolaDondo
https://www.youtube.com/user/StrawberryRipples

In case you missed it, yesterday I shared a couple of Scola's videos. Stop by her YouTube channel, click here, or better yet do both! Make sure you like, subscribe, and comment!

How to Celebrate Earth Day With Your Family

2014-04-22T13:32:00.001-07:00

Today is Earth Day, but in my home our saying is "Earth Day is Every Day!" Trashing the earth is a very selfish practice. We are now reaping the consequences of our predecessors disconnection to nature. Too many of our children have asthma and other environmentally influenced health challenges.

With this in mind, take today and honor the earth. Go for a walk, decide to plant a garden, play outside with your kids,or check out the suggestions below from Bitsy's Brainfood co-founder, Maggie Patton as she encourages families to involve kids in Earth Day, to teach them that they can make a difference.

"When it comes to my own family and taking action on Earth Day, we like to think globally, and act locally. There are so many simple ways to get the whole family involved in celebrating Earth Day," Patton says. Below, she provides 19 kid-friendly Earth Day activities that can extend into loving the environment every day.

19 KID-FRIENDLY EARTH DAY ACTIVITIES

Compost your fruit and veggie scraps and watch your garden bloom!
Buy, fill and refill reusable water bottles — help keep millions of single-use plastic bottles out of landfill.
Save a tree! Use both sides of your notebook paper.
Visit a zoo or farm and learn how to care for animals. It'll promote local food, too.
Go for a family walk or bike ride and help keep the Earth cool.
Get everyone a pair of work gloves and pick up trash in your neighborhood or town.
Buy or make your own green cleaning products and spring clean your home.
Grow a community garden and nourish your neighborhood green spaces.
Plant more trees in your town — they'll help clean the air.
Help remove stuck plastic bags out of trees. And switch to reusable bags instead ... for everything!
Make an appointment with your town leaders to add more neighborhood trash cans and recycling bins — or start a recycling program.
Collect glass food jars to paint and turn into candle holders (and use soy-based candles!).
Love surprises? Plant bulbs and flower seeds and keep a weather eye for spring blossoms!
“Turn off the lights!” Make switch plate reminders for your whole house.
Show your kids the beauty of the beach. Collect shells and rocks for art projects.
Make extra food for dinner then ditch BPA-lined plastic and get glass storage containers instead for leftovers.
Transform colorful magazine pages, comics and more into artful projects and gift wrappers.
Learn how to donate/recycle old computer equipment and post instructions (with permission, of course) at your local library, cafes, electronics stores and more.
Breathe in nature: Turn off the a/c and open a window to the world.

DISCLAIMER: I am an affiliate for Abe's Market via ShareASale, but was not compensated in any way for sharing this post. This post does contains affiliate links. The use of these links help support Hella Natural. Thank you for your support.

Try It Tuesday: Like Zumba, Try Scola!

2014-04-22T09:42:00.000-07:00

I have what might be characterized as WADD, Workout Attention Deficit Disorder. I can't stick to one workout, and am always on the lookout for new, effective, fun workouts. I stumbled upon YouTuber Scola's videos one day in my quest for a new workout, and fell in love!

I am a huge dance workout fan, and I am an even huger (yes, that is a word) Afrobeat fan. Combine the two and you have these challenging, effective, upbeat workouts. Scola has an infectious energy, and will motivate you through these workouts. If you like Zumba, you'll love Scola! Check out a few of her videos, then come back tomorrow for her Health 101 feature! She offers great advice, and has an inspiring transformation story to tell.

The Afrobeat Werrrkout!

The Azonto Workout

The Kukere Workout

Health 101: Mollie of Moon Rabbit Ayurveda

2014-04-16T06:30:00.000-07:00

I am a huge fan of ayurveda (Remember, yoga's little sister? Don't remember? Click here for more info), so after I received a relaxing detoxifying ayurvedic massage from Mollie, I knew I had to feature her on the blog. She has a beautiful spirit, and I found her answers to be both profound and extremely comforting. Every one of these interviews deepens my understanding of health in some way, this is no different. Mollie has light to share with us all, get illuminated!

How would you define healthy living?

To me healthy living means to care for ourselves on the level of the body as well as the heart and the spirit. It's a balance. Sometimes we need to break the rules, take a day off our exercise routine and just sit in the yard with a glass of wine. It means allowing enough time to do the things we feel most blissful doing – time in nature, time playing music or making art, time enjoying the company of our loved ones and neighbors. That's how we feed our heart and spirit. It also means trusting we deserve to be happy and have our needs met, trusting the money will come, trusting Creator made us just right.

There is some research being done on people who lived to be over one-hundred years old in good health. In one study, some of these people drank liquor and smoked. What they all had in common was being deeply involved in the life of their families and communities - constantly giving and receiving love. Most of them were known for their sense of humor and up-beat attitude.

Gratitude is very important. If we are caught up in feelings of envy and lack, how can we enjoy anything? Nothing is ever enough. We become like bottomless wells. In my clinical practice, I always intend to work with the whole person – not simply prescribe herbs and foods, but engage with them on this deeper level, to create real health and happiness. What good is our health if we can't appreciate it?

Was there a turning point in your life that made you decide to become healthier?

Yes! I was just a kid. I was about to start junior high, and felt for the first time that I could reinvent myself entirely if I wanted. I ask myself, “What kind of life do I want to lead? What kind of person do I want to be?” I decided I wanted nothing less than the best, that if anyone else could be healthy, happy, beautiful, and smart, why not me? I was very idealistic and intense at the time, but I do still feel that way. I'd add “successful” to the list now.

We have all been wounded, it is part of life, and we can all move forward, we can all rise like the phoenix.

What piece of knowledge would you like to share with others?

Real healthy change takes time. And it is a not a straight line, but a spiral. We have to dip back into our old habits we are in the process of letting go of, usually a few times, in order to understand them better - so that we can truly finish with them and do the new healthy habits with conviction. In Ayurveda, we consider it an act of violence against ourselves to try to change too fast. If someone usually eats fast food or junk food three meals a day, I would start by suggesting changing one meal(the easiest one) to something healthy and nourishing, get that solid, and then move on to the next meal. Better to get one or two things really solid than temporarily improve a hundred things. Also - better to eat crappy food with a grateful heart than to unconsciously, ungratefully eat great food. No doubt.

What is the one natural product you can’t live without?

Easy question! Raw oils – olive and sesame are my favorite. I use them in food of course, but other than a splash of water, they are also the only thing I put on my face on a normal day. And on my body, the only thing I add is natural soap. That's it. It's my beauty non-secret! I've gotten most of my friends, my partner, and most of my regular clients using oil instead of lotion and other skin products, and they are hooked! I started this practice when I was 16 years old. Nobody told me to do it, maybe some spirit whispered it to me.

What piece of advice would you give your younger self?

Oh nothing really, I wouldn't have listened. I had to make my own mistakes. But one thing my mom said to me again and again was that when life gets really hard and we wonder how we can go on - that if we just wait - it gets easier again, every time. And I have found that to be true. That was good advice.

What makes you hella fresh?

The Buddha said, “If you see yourself in others, then whom can you harm?” I really feel that inside. Anyone I meet – whether they are a wealthy business person, an elder, somebody selling Street Spirit, a little kid, any animal, even a famous person or somebody it might seem like I have nothing in common with, I look in their eyes and I know that yes, we are different – each person/being is unique - but we are also the same underneath. And anywhere I go, any country, any city, I meet the most amazing people who just connect with me right away, right from the heart, I think because they feel safe with me. People can more easily be the best version of themselves when we see that in them from the beginning, when we show them real respect.

Where can we find you in the webosphere?

My website/natural health blog (More information about Ayurveda, what I do, and contact info is on there as well.) www.moonrabbitayurveda.com.

For Ayurvedic tips and updates on new events and projects: www.facebook.com/moonrabbitayurveda

and....I'm getting the Yelp thing going: http://www.yelp.com/biz/moon-rabbit-ayurveda-oakland

Soap or No Soap? How to Have a Healthy Happy Vagina

2014-04-15T13:17:00.001-07:00

You've heard the saying "Happy Wife, Happy Life". Well my version of this is "Happy Vagina, Happy Life." Because nobody likes a sad vagina. Furthermore, a clean healthy vagina is what we should all aim for, and teach the other females in our lives about.

Many females have been taught to shame vaginas, that they are nasty, smelly, and should be covered in floral scents and baby powder. No bueno! Your vagina is a self cleaning oven. It is actually, wait for it...... Actually, a healthy vagina is one of the cleanest part of the body! The reasoning behind this is the rapid nature of skin rejuvenation, and the way it balances good and bad bacteria. Other important factors in vaginal health are your diet, and your hygiene routine.

So how do we go about creating a clean healthy happy vagina?

Read More......

There are many aspects to creating the vagina of your dreams, way too many to cover in one post. So I will begin with sharing a couple of great resources. The first is an infographic from Healthy Hoo Hoo that breaks down the facts about feminine care.

Up next is an extremely informative blog interview that I encourage all women whatever phase you are in in your life to make the time to listen to it. It is audio, which means you can put it on, and commence multitasking. It features Susan Weed, a prominent herbalist as she schools us on everything "down there", including herbal remedies for common issues.

New Spirituality Podcasts with SiS NSpirit on BlogTalkRadio

Finally there is this gem. It is a great short video that addresses personal care in a humorous, yet informative way.

This video has half a million views, which tells us that this is valuable information that many people are seeking. No need to be embarrassed. Some women were never taught about these things as girls, and grew up to be ladies unaware of how to take of their pocket books (vaginas).

Not buying the hand cleaning method from the video above? Well, there is more advice out there that recommends this practice. In her book, Woman Habits Shanel Cooper-Sykes also advises washing your vagina using your hand, check it out below:

Here is the healthy, effective process for washing your vagina like a lady:

1. Use unscented soap and only on the outside of the vagina NEVER wash the inside with soap.

2. Use clean hands, not a towel or a rag.

3. Wash your body first keeping your regular soap away from your vagina.

4. Use your palm to wash the outside of your vagina, if you have pubic hair, lather it up well.

5. Take your index finger and clean the inside of your lips, NOT the inside of your vagina.

6. Rinse your entire vagina with warm water.

Use a cup or extended nozzle to spray the water directly on your vagina.

Never use a towel to rinse off the soap.

Thoroughly pat your vagina dry. And make sure the inside lips of

your vagina are totally dry. Leaving moisture inside your vagina can cause infection.

(Soure: Cooper-Sykes, S. (2012). Value Your Vagina. Woman Habits.: SCS Publishing.)

I am going to end this here, but will be back to talk more about this most important of topics.

Your relationship with your vagina is vital to overall health. Love it!

XOXO,
Riss

Questions? Comments? Suggestions? Don't be shy!

MYOM: Fabric Softener Crystals and Epsom Salt Uses and Benefits

2014-04-14T06:30:00.000-07:00

Have you seen Purex Crystals Laundry Enhancer? It is the latest thing in laundry news. You pop these crystals in, and your days messy liquid softener and of waiting to add the fabric softener until the rinse cycle are gone. Well, I have an even better option than that, and this one is *sound the trumpets* truly all natural, toxin free, and smells so so good. Purex's version, not even close. That stuff contains all kinds of synthetic ingredients including their fragrances and colors. No bueno!

My version has just three ingredients.

You will need:

1 cup of epsom salt
1 Tablespoon Kaolin or Bentonite Clay
5 drops each of orange, peppermint, and On Guard essential oils. (These are just my choices, you should go with your nose and needs. On guard is an all purpose immunity blend made by doTerra)

You can also make a version without the clay. Here's a pic of that version. Why would you want to make it without the clay? Maybe you don't like clay. Seriously, you may not just keep clay on hand, so try this version first, and when you fall in love, and you will. You can consider adding the clay for its super cleansing properties.

Here's what to do:

Put the epsom salt in the glass container of your choosing. Then add the essential oils and shake it, shake it, shake it like a Polaroid picture. The salt will begin to glisten when the essential oil is properly dispersed. If you aren't adding clay, you're done. If you are using clay, add the clay and shake again. That's it!

How to use:
Add it to your wash at the beginning of the cycle. I like to add it to the water, to insure proper dispersal.

If you have super sensitive skin, this should be fine. I chose the Kaolin clay with you in mind. I also made the recipe small, so you all could experiment until You came up with the perfect scent and cleansing combination for You. Lastly, this is an addition to, not a replacement for your regular detergent. Don't want you blaming me when your clothes are still dirty (although they would be dirty and smelling hella good).

Happy Laundering!

XOXO,
Riss

Want to know more great uses for epsom salt? Check out this blog post on all things epsom salt!

Questions? Comments? Suggestions? Do Share!

Health 101: Shan

2014-04-09T06:30:00.000-07:00

I met this amazing lady when we served in Peace Corps together almost 10 years ago. Over the past year or so, I watched, in awe, as she documented her transformation with resolve and a fierce determination to live in a body she felt good in. I was very inspired by her story. I think you will be too.

How would you define healthy living?

Healthy living: is taking care of yourself on as many levels as you can. Physically, through healthy eating habits and exercise; working on your inner and outer core. Mentally, through your relationship with your personal and professional well-being. Not letting one overpower the other or control your ability to function or to live well. Spiritually, in your quest for guidance through belief or basis with a higher power. Forging a solid foundation by balancing these aspects creates healthy living on a full level.

Were you always healthy, or was there a turning point in your life that made you decide to become healthier?

The turning point for me was about a year and a half ago. We relocated from the east coast to North Carolina. And before I knew it I had gained so much weight, and didn't realize it until I was almost 200 pounds and I'm 5'6! It was a reality check. I was lonely, miserable, depressed, and using food as a tool to delude the fact I was not enjoying living in NC. So I opted to get on track and started juicing, eating better and exercising. And I felt brand new!

What piece of knowledge would you like to share with others?

Advice: don't let food lead you. It is a powerful killer and we can't keep using culture as an excuse for how we eat. We have to take responsibility for ourselves and our own communities if we want to prevail! Diabetes, hypertension, and high blood pressure run rampant in African American and Latino communities. We have to be our own voice, and when Keisha or Consuela reaches for that extra piece of fried meat tell her to put it down, and suggest you go for a walk instead.

What is the one natural product or practice you can’t live without?

As for natural products...I am torn! It's def between lemon and coconut oil. I am multipurpose, so I need items that I can get the most out of. Lemon is good for digestion, and as toner and cleanser, among other things. Coconut oil is awesome for cooking, and using for hair and skin as a moisturizer/conditioner. I'm torn between which is my fav!!! Aggghhh. But if you can use it to cook, and for your hair & skin it gets a gold star!

What piece of advice would you give your 20 year old self?

To my 20 year old self...your vagina is valuable and precious; love it, cherish it, and don't waste it on those who are not deserving.

What makes you hella fresh?

My quest for knowledge and my love of all things: cultural and in appreciation of Africa and African heritage. It's a big part of my life and plays a direct role in how I raise my children. I want them to be proud, and recognize the beauty of Africa, and that all things first began there.

Anything else?

In addition...sexual health is often unspoken of and we need to stop sweeping it under the rug. Besides allowing food to wage war on ethnic communities, sexual diseases have continually affected minorities, and even more so ethnic women. We have to take control of our sexual well-being and stop living as if HIV/AIDS is a silent killer. HIV/AIDS is loud and profound!

Try It Tuesday: Cleansing Hydrating Citrus Cooler

2014-04-08T09:27:00.002-07:00

As spring moves in, and the weather warms up we must be mindful to keep ourselves hydrated. It is time to become conscious of getting enough fluids in, and helping our bodies flush bad things out. Spring is about new beginnings, start a new habit of drinking this, and I am sure you will be glad you did.

I first heard of this recipe from a video I was watching with one of my fav health gurus, Dick Gregory. It is an easy awesome cleansing hydrating super drink. Let's get to it!

Citrus Cooler Recipe

What you'll need:
The juice of 3 grapefruits, 2 oranges, and 1 lemon
Water (distilled is the best, but plain old tap water will work)
Maple syrup or other natural sweetener to taste (optional) (Go easy here. You don't want to wreck the nutrition of this by adding too much sweetener)
a pitcher

What to do:
Just juice the fruit. Once the fruit is juiced then add double the amount of water as you have juice. I juiced about 2 cups from the fruit and added about 4 cups of water. Lastly, if needed add sweetener to give it a little sweetness.

Drink this throughout the day. It is incredibly thirst quenching and the citrus is cleansing for the body. Enjoy!

Tips:

You can double or triple the recipe, if you like. Just keep the ratios the same (water to juice 2:1)
Adding slices of the fruit adds to the presentation! The better it looks the more appetizing it is!
Using a citrus juicer maximizes the amount of juice yielded and saves time. I bought mine at Walmart for a couple of bucks.
If you're too pressed for time to squeeze your own juice, you can also make this with juice you buy from the store. Just be mindful of additives and preservatives. Try to find organic juice not from concentrate that has no added sugar.

Let's get our drink on! This is a simple way to start making profound changes in your body and your lifestyle.

XOXO,
Riss

MYOM: Homemade Baby Powder and Body Acne Scrub

2014-04-07T06:30:00.000-07:00

For this week's Make Your Own Monday. I am bringing you some great recipes from two of my favorite blogs.

This first is a homemade calming baby powder from our friends over at Naturally Mindful. This is the perfect replacement from commercial baby powders, which can be harmful.

This would make an awesome baby shower gift, and can, of course, be used by adults in exchange for any baby powder needs you may have. Check it out! Click the link or the picture, they both will get you there!

http://naturallymindful.com/2014/03/homemade-calming-baby-powder.html

This next recipe comes for our friends over at Hug A Tree with Me. It is a simple body Scrub you can use to battle body acne. All of the ingredients are probably already in your kitchen. Give it a try! Click the link or the picture.

http://www.hugatreewithme.com/honeyed-baking-soda-scrub-for-body-acne/

Happy Monday,

Riss

Gym Class Hero: Summer

2014-04-03T09:39:00.002-07:00

I am excited to bring you this new feature called Gym Class Hero, where people who have committed to an active lifestyle share their stories and knowledge on fitness. Summer has an amazing story of transformation and is an inspiration. Read on for her story, advice, and tips on maintaining a healthy active lifestyle.

How do you view fitness?

In my opinion fitness is a mind over matter situation. People see the lifestyle that I live and they assume that I love to workout. The truth is that many times during the week I do not feel like working out. However, I do so because I know that the pain and discomfort that I feel is only temporary; the results and how I feel are always worth the sacrifice. Fitness goes beyond going to the gym. It includes living a healthy active lifestyle that includes but not limited to: eating healthy, drinking lots of water on a daily, mental health, doing activities that make you happy and brings you joy, etc.

What’s your favorite type of exercise, machine, class, or workout?

I enjoy group workouts and any workout that involves leg exercises!!!! Working towards a goal is ALWAYS easier when you have someone to share it with. I believe in surrounding myself with like minded individuals.

Where do you do most of your workouts? (i.e, home, outdoors, the dojo, etc)

Most of my workout are done at the gym just because it works with my schedule. However, I love the outdoors, so I workout outside whenever the opportunity presents itself.

Were you always active, or was there a turning point in your life that made you decide to become more fit?

I have always been an active person. However there have been periods in my life where I have gained more weight than I should have. For example, my first year in college and when I became pregnant with my first child. Health and fitness has always been near and dear to my heart. Many of my family members have illnesses that are related to the unhealthy lifestyles that they live. I am all about preventive care; making health choices daily will allow me to live my life to its fullest potential!

What’s your favorite workout song?

Currently, my favorite workout song is “Turn Down for What?” by Dj Snake and Lil John.

What are the three must haves for your gym bag?

1. My half gallon water bottle

2. Beats by Dr.Dre headphones

3.Lifting gloves

What do you do to motivate yourself when you just don’t feel like working out?

When I don’t feel like working out I think about how far I’ve come, and why I started. I decided to live a healthy active lifestyle so that I could feel comfortable in my own skin, be a more confident person, and boost my self-esteem. I believe that these three factors affect every other area in my life. When these attributes are in check, then it allows me to be a better wife, mother, sister, friend, student, etc.

Do you have a mantra? What is it?

Yes, “Carpe Diem” this means to “seize the day.” Ever since I was a little girl my mother has always said this to me (at least once a day). When I think of the saying, it reminds me to be all that God has called me to be.

What is your workout schedule like?

I workout five days a week (at least once a day, sometimes twice). My workout typically last 75 minutes. The first 30 minutes I do Cardio, then weight training, and stretching at the end.

What piece of advice do you have for others that would like to become more fit?

I would say to someone who is looking to become more fit that, “pain is temporary, but quitting is forever.” What I mean by that is becoming a better version of yourself is not going to be easy. However, living a healthy lifestyle is ALWAYS worth the blood, sweat, and tears that you will endure along your journey. Also remember that this is a marathon not a sprint; stick with a program that you can see yourself doing the rest of your life. Yo-Yo dieting is not the way to go.

So far, what has been your greatest accomplishment in terms of your fitness goals?

-I lost 70lbs in a period of 10 months after giving birth to my son

-I now squat 120lbs and I started at 50lbs (my goal is to reach 200lbs)

-I can do overhead dumb raises with 30lbs (started with 10lbs)

How do you fuel your workouts?

I fuel my workouts with the Herbalife nutrition products. I have seen a major difference in my workouts since being on the products.

How do you recover from your workouts?

I recover from my workouts with the Herbalife nutrition products. Since being on the products I am not as sore and my recovery time has been cut in half.

What makes you hella fresh?

What makes me hella fresh is my willingness to be me. When I’m in the gym and I’m taking a few seconds to rest in between sets, I dance. I dance because God has been wonderful to me. He has given me opportunities I never thought possible!

What’s your favorite workout friendly hair style?

For those who don’t know me I am a naturalist. I LOVE my hair, and the most friendly workout hairstyle for me is a two hand twist.

Where can we find you in the webosphere?

All the lovely people that desire to follow my journey and/or join me:

-Website summercarterbarnes.wix.com/healthyliving

-Facebook Summer Carter-Barnes

-Instagram @all_things_natural

-Twitter @summercarter23

Health 101: Isis of The Goddess Column

2014-04-02T08:59:00.001-07:00

I am overjoyed to bring to you this interview featuring Isis of The Goddess Column. She is beauty and light and brings truth in this phenomenal piece. I am brimming with anticipation to share this, so I won't waste anymore time with my words. Let's go!

How would you define healthy living?

"A healthy spirit, a healthy mind, and a healthy body"--they're 100% necessary in my eyes. I think more often than not we trick ourselves into thinking that eating healthier or working out is all that it takes to live healthily. I'd even go as far as to say creating and maintaining healthy relationships is a major part of healthy living. It's so important to realize how much influence our mental and emotional state has on our physical well-being!

Was there a turning point in your life that made you decide to become healthier?

From a physical standpoint, I just recently became a vegetarian (late October of 2013), which actually was just a part of personal challenge I had given myself. I made sure that as I grew in the challenge that I would further educate myself on why others choose to change their lifestyles as I was challenging myself to. In that time, I learned some of the most heart-wrenching, disgusting, and greedy behavioral acts we [Americans] do to animals solely for the purpose of consumption. On top of not wanting to be one to bring such harm and danger to animals, I absolutely adored the health benefits I reaped from having a plant-based diet and I've stuck with it ever since!

Mentally and emotionally, after worlds and worlds of turmoil... I found peace; a certain tranquility of the spirit. I had given all my burdens [not just the current ones, but any that I may face in the future as well] to the Lord and let Him know that no matter what I would trust him. That brought along a feeling of freedom and peace that was unlike any I had ever experienced in my life and I did not, by any means, want to let it go. I made sure that from that moment on, I would continue to take care of my mind and spirit by doing things I love--working in my passion, following my dreams and touching the lives of others. It has brought me the greatest joy and most fulfilling life I could live.

What piece of knowledge would you like to share with others?

It is very true that we only get one life to live. There isn't a feeling in the world like truly doing what you love. I'm here to tell you as a living witness that when you find the beauty and the value in being true to who you are in every little aspect of life, nothing will be able to bring you down or hold you back. Never live your life for the likes of anyone but yourself and the good Lord himself (or whoever it is that you do believe in). You'll be surprised how much your light shines when you have emotional, mental, and physical freedom. And as Marianne Williamson reminds us (and as I remind myself each morning):

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”

Be true to who you are. May you find it easier than ever to let your light shine, to touch the lives of many and to live in divine peace, health, and happiness.

What is the one natural product you can’t live without?

I am addicted to the benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV). Oh my gosh, guys--it's absolutely the best. Whether taking shots of it a day, rinsing my mouth out with it, rinsing my hair with it, or bathing in it altogether... I cannot get enough of it. I didn't begin using ACV so much until I developed Pityriasis Rosea and I found bathing in it soothing to my skin. While using it, just as I did with altering to a vegetarian lifestyle, I continued to research the health benefits of ACV and soon after utilizing most of what I learned--I was hooked. There are so many different uses and health benefits to ACV and all the answers are just a google search away! Check it out..

What piece of advice would you give your younger self?

I love this question, Marissa. I always say to her, first, thank you teaching me so much. I often times seem crazy by how much I talk to and reference Young Isis. She has taught me so much and the older I get the stronger my love, affection, and appreciation grows for her. Being able to recognize the significance of what Young Isis had experiences (the good, the bad, and the hideous) has allowed me to develop spiritually,mentally, and emotionally in ways that many women my age have yet to experience. It has fostered in my an unexplainable freedom to be who I am without any restrictions.

Lastly, I'd make sure she knows... "Baby girl you are, indeed, someone's dream girl. The way you look, walk, act, talk, is perfect to someone out there in this world. Always remember that. Until you find him or her, be your own dream girl. Take care of yourself now, the way you would if you found the person of your dreams already. Once you find and recognize the true value in yourself, you will not allow that to be diminished, unappreciated, or unexpected from anything or anyone you come up against."

What makes you hella fresh?

My fearlessness makes me hella fresh. I'm not saying that I don't get afraid occasionally, but when my heart speaks my mind, body, and soul listen. We, together, are never afraid of taking a leap of faith when we feel it's the right thing to do. I am not afraid to make mistakes and even less afraid of starting over once I do. I just make sure that no matter what choices I make, that I am being true to who I am when making the decision. One of my best friends I may never meet, Erykah Badu, has a verse in her song 'Didn't Cha Know' that explains what I mean here perfectly:

Time to save the world / Where in the world is all the time / So many things I still don't know
So many times I've changed my mind / Guess I was born to make mistakes / But I ain't scared to take the weight / So when I stumble off the path / I know my heart will guide me back

Where can we find you in the webosphere?

Some of you natural-lovers may recognize me from KisforKinky (http://www.kisforkinky.com/isis-nezbeth-type-4-natural-hair-inspiration-interview/). I'm proud to say that since then, I have been able to spread my wings and pursuit my dreams as a professional writer.

Kings and Queens, Gods and Goddesses... join me in cultivating a spirit of freedom and peace by visiting me and my family over at The Goddess Column. My number one goal is to touch lives. Whether you're feeling down and need to hear a word of encouragement; you need to laugh; you have questions about sex, relationships, or health; you want to learn more about people like you and I who are following their dreams; you want to share your own light with the TGC Family and Readers--there's enough love for everyone and I wouldn't be happier to add you to my growing family.

You can knock on our door at www.thegoddesscolumn.com and I promise we'll answer. Also, feel free to connect with me on Instagram @GoddessGram and Twitter @GoddessColumn. I can't wait to see you there.

Peace, light, and love good people.

-Isis.

April's Book Club Selection

2014-04-02T08:03:00.000-07:00

This month's selection for the book club is about growth, and living your best life. I consider myself to be a work in progress, and need all the help I can get. I love to read Martha Beck's column in O Magazine every month. Every time I read one of her pieces, I feel enlightened. As I perused the table of contents, I immediately knew this was the book I wanted to read with y'all. With essay titles like: When You Should Hold a Grudge, How to Deal With Highly Defensive People in Your Life, Escape Your Rat Race, and How to Be Wildly Successful, I know this will be a game changer. Will you join me?

You can get this book where ever you get books, I like Amazon. It is only $3.99 for the Kindle version. You don't have to have a Kindle to use the Kindle app, you can download the app for your desktop or your devices. More information on free Kindle apps..

Let's get enlightened!

XOXO,

Riss

Try It Tuesday: Essential Oils

2014-04-01T14:24:00.000-07:00

It is April Fool's today, but there is no joking in how wonderful essential oils are. I first fell in love with essential oils when I began making my own self-care products, and wanted to use only natural scents. I bought and mixed lots of scents, and through that began to become more knowledgeable about the other benefits of essential oils. My nose got me to essential oils, but the benefits to my health has kept me.

These powerful plant substances have come to be my first line of defense in my family's health. I have used them in conjunction with other forms of healing to fight almost every health challenge my family has faced in the past couple of years. I use them to help relieve my son's asthma symptoms, my daughter's horrible hay fever, and my stomach woes. Common colds, critters that love to bite, don't stand a chance with us.

I use essential oils in aromatherapy, which is healing with essential oils through inhalation, ingestion, or application of the oils to the body. Essential oils have been around for thousands of years, and have been used by countless cultures for a myriad of issues. Essential oils are known as the heart and soul of the plant, and are obtained through a process called distillation. In distillation, plants are broken down, heated over water and the oils are released as a vapor that is then collected.

In her book, The Aromatherapy Book, Jeanne Rose explains this process in depth, and also teaches how to create a home still to make your own essential oils. I am as DIY as they come, but I think I'll stick to buying my oils for now.

How do I get started?

I would advise anyone new to essential oils to start off with a few, then build from there. Essential oils are power volatile substance and must be treated with care. Many can be ingested and applied to the skin directly, but there are those that can cause serious harm. I have put together the information below for your reference.

Essential oils are very versatile. In my home, we cook, clean, eat, drink, meditate, inhale, rub (as in massage, and not that kind of massage *side eye*), and treat boo boos and skin irritations with them. You can mix them in with carrier oils and use them to massage, make body products, or apply to the skin. You can inhale them or put them in a diffuser to disperse the scent. You can cook with and drink certain oils, but you must be careful with this and do your research first. doTerra is the only brand I will ingest because of their distillation process and high quality.

My collection is extensive, and some may say costly, but I don't put a price tag on my family's health. In the long run, the money I invested in these oils will be nothing compared to what I would have spent on doctor's visits. And even worse, trips to the pharmacy, which I find to be the worst place on Earth.

Where do I buy my oils?

There are many essential oil companies out there. I have used oils from: Aura Cacia, Silky Scents, Mountain Rose Herbs (they have the nicest labels), NOW, and doTerra. I have been collecting essential oils for some time now, and have come to like doTerra's essential oils the most. In doing countless hours of research into companies that sell essential oils doTerra kept coming out on top, so that is what I will be buying from now on (or at least until something better come along). Their oils range from $14-100 retail. I get mine wholesale because it saves me 25% and I earn rewards. If you want more info on this feel free to email me.

My doTerra Site

If doTerra just seems way too expensive to you, then try another brand. When I was amassing my oils I used coupon deals like: Living Social and Groupon to get many of the oils. They occasionally have promotions where you can get discounts at health food stores and online retailers. I would jump on these, and come away with deep discounts on some of the more expensive oils. Living Social has a deal on now for $12 for $24 of products at Lucky Vitamins. This could be a good place to start.

I would also be on the look out of sales at Whole Foods and other retailers. You can find some really good deals.

Don't be an April Fool, give essential oils a try. I am sure you will be amazed.

XOXO,
Riss

Do you use essential oils? What are your favorites? Any questions, comments, advise? Chime in!

Try It Tuesday: Flat Abs in 2 days!

2014-04-01T10:20:00.001-07:00

I have found the holy grail of ab workouts. If you do these exercises you will have flat abs in only 2 days! I honestly lost 5 inches and have a belly tighter than Janet Jackson's in the late 90s! Now that you've read this far, you're probably thinking this is too good to be true, and you're right. April Fools!

You may not be able to get great abs in two days, but I would like to share with you a couple of great standing ab routines that will help you achieve toned strong abs, all without you having to get on the floor. There is nothing wrong with floor ab work; I just find I like the neck free aspect of standing work. I would often feel like I was getting more of a neck workout than anything else when doing ab work on the floor.

That being said, I love standing ab work! As someone who has been in an ongoing battle with the dreaded mummy tummy, I have found that taking my ab work off the floor has been a great way to tone and strengthen those muscles that were affected by my pregnancies. Even if you don't have a mummy tummy, these are great quick exercises to get you muffin top free and allow you to stop sucking; your belly in that is.

I am sharing with you two ultra quick videos you can use to get started. The first is from Fitness Blender, they produce great short effective workouts. They are no nonsense, no frills, and straight to the point. The other video is from our friend Jessica over at the Dance Fitness with Jessica channel, and is ab work set to music. So go ahead, and try it!

XOXO,
Riss

Questions, Comments, Experiences, do share!