beauty

Lisa Eddy Skincare just electrically shook my fat cells.

Spot treating areas of the body is damn near impossible.

VIDEO: Electric energy to shake up fat cells? Benefits reported are detox, fat cell release, tighter skin, and firmer muscles. LisaEddy.com

A few of my friends have tried out Cool Sculpt, the technology that freezes fat cells to death.

So far, reports have been good, all reporting it takes a few months to see results as the body has to process and pee out the cells. An occasional friend will report putting fat back on in other, less desirable places I assume because because there’s less fat cells in the original regions.

When Lisa Eddy SkinCare on Union street contacted GetHSH with an all natural way to get similar results, I was intrigued. I wasn’t full blown excited until I met Lisa, the founder, who was so similarly geeky about wellness.

Lisa lights up with all things all natural.

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Lisa Eddy is a reiki master, ex masseuse, a facialist, and partners with functional medicine doctors for her product offerings. Her vibe screams modern day shamanic goddess. She’s a total tribe member and I’m low key obsessed with her.

BodySculpt PROCESS

3 sessions over the course of a week and a half with the rules of: drink lots of water, no booze, less coffee, and easy to digest foods preferable (green smoothies).

20 minute sessions hooked up to an electric stimulation machine contracting opposing muscles.

Surprising at first and a bit vulnerable but quickly easy to acclimate to. At the 10 & 20 minute mark, it intensifies but by then you’re used to the sensation.

For those like myself that run high inflammation, she has an infrared, lymphatic drainage, heated massage suit to chill out in after BodySculpting to reduce the short term puffiness.

RESULTS:

Definitely sore after the first session. Muscles were clearly stimulated in the first session, almost to the point of being too sore to move certain positions in the days following.

I rested 2 days after and noticed ab definition and strength that I hadn’t enjoyed in months. I’ve been slacking a bit on my core work and I’d atrophied a bit. These results may not be typical but for those that used to be athletes, it was a nice quick bounce back.

Muscle definition was not as dramatic as the skin benefit. I suppose that’s where the detox element comes in but the upper thigh skin was noticabely smoother and tighter and the light cellulite largely gone.

I assume this is due to the blood flow to the area combined with increased water in my body and the removal of inflammatory, dehydrating booze, sugar, and coffee. While I put on light saddlebags during my curvier times, my cellulite is evasive showing up and disappearing for reasons I haven’t nailed down.

The all natural spray tan was fantastic.

Often “all natural” spray tans can fade fast or stain in a sorta purple way. Im day 5 in this one and have never had an evener tone on my hands and feet. A gem of a find for my northern European buns. Whether you’re looking for all natural makeup, 5 ingredient beetroot spray tan, a holistic facial, or detox remedies, I was very impressed with LisaEddy’s choices and direction. I’ll be back.

 

A deeper dive with the Osmosis Body Sculpt tech rep:

How a Wellness Socialite serves two masters

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Balancing wellness in our fast paced, fun world is tricky.

-Sara Plummer Barnard

There are so many obligations and pressures and SO MANY cool things to experience. Where do we exert and where to we conserve? Time to rest or time to push through?

We really are trying to be healthy and get all of our work done and frolic with the fun kids and connect to our highest purpose and and and~ we have 24 hours and mitochondria that requires certain things to output optimal energy.

Top 5 tips to balance it all better:

1. Know your stressors and what depletes you

2. Know what's worth getting depleted for

3. Ditch the next day shame. Permit, commit, and have a recovery plan in place.

4. General Rest Hacks and Recovery Tips

5. Specifics Tips for Alcohol, Sleep Deprivation, Anxiety, Over eating, and Travel

 

1. Know your stressors / depletors

  • Sugar? ... Not enough sleep? ... Traumatic Childhood? ... Manic Over-scheduling?

  • Narcissistic Boss? ... Competitive Friends? ... Family pressure? ... Work Load?

Knowing what really takes it out of us lets us plan ahead and have compassion for our resulting fatigue that can take us out of the game. Be honest about how your habits, environment, and community make you feel. Some may require more recovery time than others and some should be avoided entirely.

2. Know what's worth getting depleted

Life is exhausting and we have to know what we value, what we feel is worth blowing our energy load. If we can't get clear on this, we'll spend our time tired and yet unfulfilled. It doesn't have to make sense to anyone else. It just has to light you up and feel worth it if it involves late nights, stimulating substances (dessert, drugs), or your time (you'll be sacrificing that morning jog).

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  • What's your real life bucket list?

  • What do you feel you should do? What values are being advertised to you? Do you care about those really? Are you just keeping up with the Jones'?

  • Do you actually care about tradition, hallmark holidays, sports schedules, that 4th group of friends you're supposed to be seen with, or pressuring family values? (If yes, awesome, note that! If not, what will you lose sleep over?)

  • Connect with your true north in that moment - what do I actually want to be doing now?

3. Ditch the next day shame

Once you know what you're willing to tire yourself out for, go for it. Yes you may feel crummy the next day but own your choice, permit yourself, commit to the decision, and know you have a recovery plan. 

4. General Rest Hacks and Recovery Tips

  • Sunday sleep in (or 1 other day per week to reset and catchup a bit)

  • Lunch nap or solo walk

  • 1 night/week early 8:30 bedtime. (If you stayed in, don't scroll Instagram)

  • Stop eating 4 hours before bed most nights (allows body to go into empty belly Autophagy cleaning cycle while giving your digestion a break and letting blood sugar rebalance)

  • Meditative deep breathing with soothing sounds, eye shade, and pep talk positive thoughts

  • Notice where you're mean to yourself and jot it down ~ then start interrupting that asshole

  • Switch to veggies, protein, and good fats (ditch the exhausting blood sugar spike emergency)

  • Take a 5 day alcohol/sugar break ~ let the body reset and not be in constant recovery mode

  • Flush it out with water ~ mood lift, cleansing detox, beauty booster, and cellular gift

  • Give Credit & Gratitude ~ list out your accomplishments and tune the brain back to grateful.

5. Beauty Hacks & specific remedies

ALCOHOL:  Booze dries us out, slows our filtering of other toxins, and steals our electrons. Here's how to help avoid a hangover and some next day recovery tips

  • While drinking, Go bulletproof! This means clear spirits (no wine/beer), no sugary mixers. Skip dessert on alcohol nights. Vodka Soda, Tequila lime,

  • Antioxidant liver support vitamins ~ help the liver make master antioxidant Glutathione by giving it the building blocks NaC & ALA with Vitamin C

  • Drink water every other drink. ~ Hangovers are a combination of dehydration and free radicals stealing electrons from our cells. Keep the water coming. Ditch the sugar.

  • Sleep ~ let the body process the poisons and filter. This one doubles as an inflammation reducer and beauty hack. Sleep is magic.

  • Cold Shower/ SF Bay dips ~ reset the body and lower inflammation

  • Move that body - walks in the sunshine are everything.

  • Skip the next day coffee and opt for green tea thats less acidic and dehydrating.

  • Next day breakfast should have a whole lot of good fats and vitamin rich, fiberous veggies

    • eggs & spinach /broccoli scramble (turmeric & pepper on eggs, sea salt/cayenne optional)

    • avocado & sea salt / avocado crab salad

    • banana & almond butter

    • VitalistSuperfood Aloe Detox drink ~ mint, lime, aloe, ginger, spirulina

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LACK OF SLEEP: this one is tough but we can feel a whole lot better with a few tweaks

  • Eat less food. ~ Yes you will be seeking more stimulation but the body is tired and can't handle the extra processing load. Absolutely NO SUGAR if you have to be awake and productive the next day. The sugar crash will put you to sleep and wreak havoc on your tired skin.

  • Power nap when possible (every minute counts)

  • Under eye cream and fabulous concealer / brightener (Benefit's Shybeam adds to any concealer)

  • Lots of water, minerals (magnesium), and amino acids to help with body function.

  • Walk in the Sunshine! This mood boost, Vitamin D3 bath, and lymphatic detoxing through movement is ALL.THE.THINGS. Start slower and then pick up the pace as your body comes alive.

  • Wear bright colors, lips too. (yes you feel like death but vibrant colors (esp. yellow) are mood boosters and red lips keep us feeling fierce)

  • Triple the Vitamin C! ~ you can't take too much and this may be the difference between getting sick after a big night or not. Plus you'll notice a positive skin difference. I live on Oxylent (emergenC in a pinch) most days but really go for it after partying.

  • Protein over carbs if you want to focus and feel good. .Carbs if you want to numb out and nap.

 

ANXIETY / STRESS: your brain is low on magnesium, you're depleted, and the anxiety is here

  • Lots of oxygen! ~ Deep diaphram breathing tells the brain things are A-ok. The faster the thoughts are going the slower and deeper the breath should be

  • Power nap / Meditative break ~ The anxiety won't let you feel accomplished anyway, so stop what you're doing and literally do nothing. Remind that anxiety that you're not going to be pushed around by it's irrational panic. Your brain is depleted and you actually need rest. Deep breathing is your only real to-do list

  • GABA, Magnesium, Vitamin B12, D, C, amino acid 5HTP

    • GABA helps the brain chill out

    • Magnesium also helps with the chill while being needed in 300+ brain chemical reactions (epsom salt baths, spinach, almonds, cashews, dark chocolate all have magnesium)

    • methylated/converted B12 & B9 are both the buffers against stress in the body and the mechanics that take amino acid building blocks and create hormones / happy brain chemicals. (read more about Bs here)

    • D ~ linked to good mood, weight loss, strong bones, immune function, and heart health

    • 5HTP is the amino acid that builds Serotonin. People that party on Molly take lots of this the next day. It's a good building block for us to take in the afternoon to build up our reserves and especially the day after lots of happy stimulation. I use Neurothera that combines all of these ingredients.

 

OVEREATING: It's easy to get caught up in stressful work and social situations and eat to soothe or distract. If this has happened, here's how to reset:

  • Wiggle. Dance. Walk. ~ put that food to work and send it to the muscles for use. The dance floor can seriously help the damage of the buffet. Walking after a meal is wonderful to reset.

  • Forgive yourself ~ Yes you feel stuffed and yes you have to be in a bikini this weekend. It's ok. The body will process it and there was probably a needed mineral in that food combo that is just what your body needed. One meal is no big deal, especially with the tool of intermittent fasting!

  • Intermittent fasting ~ eat 14-16 hours after you take your last bite. Drink water and let your body process that food and stabilize blood sugar before giving it more. Overnight fasting is great (and easier). If you feel hungry, make some bulletproof coffee/tea with coconut oil or butter in it. Break the fast with slices of good fat rich avocado.

  • Commit to experiment ~ If you know you're an anxious eater, have some food rules. See how you feel after ditching alcohol at one event, sugar at another, and dairy/meat at another. See which social food combo works best for your body and what should be avoided. Just don't ditch them all at the same event. Start slow and experiment with breaking this common overeating cycle.

 

TRAVEL: Dry airplanes, too much sitting, recycled air, unhealthy snacks, and weird hours can throw us off. These can help:

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  • Under Eye Cream ~ wear it and bring it

  • Lots of water - bring or buy a bottle

  • Healthy Snacks ~ Avocado cut in half in bag, Almonds/Walnuts, VitalistSuperfood Nut Balls,Paleo Bar, Home popped Popcorn in a bag, Starbucks Match green Tea Latte, Salad or sushi bought at the airport (careful with the dressing), Apple, Nitrate free Turkey/Beef Jerkey, Steamed Veggies.

  • Bring a Jacket/scarf for warmth and low back support (who are those seats made for?)

  • Fascia releaseTennis Balls for massage

  • Bring Eye Shades to sleep

  • Stretch, Rollout, and maybe walk that morning

  • Walk around the airport

  • Dress fabulous enough you'd be ok running into an ex but comfy enough to take a nap (leggings and lipstick)

  • Time your nap and pop a melatonin for longer flights entering a new timezone

  • Vitamin C!!! Your skin, immune system, and pending jet lag are begging you!

 

 

LIVER DETOX

Liver- Processes toxins & Fats when healthy

Liver- Processes toxins & Fats when healthy

13 Foods that make a big Difference

Garlic- Liver Allison & Selenium- aid in liver cleansing

Grapefruit: Vitamin C & ANtioxidants, Boosts Liver Detox Enzyme, flushes carcinogens

Beet & Carrots- High in Flavanoids

Green Tea- Caticans (asist liver function) and antioxidants

Leafy Green Veggies- so powerful, chloryphyll (suck up blodd toxins), eliminate chemicals, pesticides)

Avocados- produces glutathoine which liver needs 

Apples- High in Pectin

Olive Oil- cold pressed, organic olive, hemp, or flax oil help create lipid base in body to suck up toxins in body

 B vitamins improve fat metabolism and liver function and clear congestion

Cruciferous Vegies- natural emzymes necessary. Cabbage- helps activate 2 crucial enzumes that help liver flush. Artichoke, asparagus, okra and brussell sprouts also fabulous.

Lemon / Lime- citrus = vitamin C helps make toxins water soluble. Drink in morning for liver stimlation

Walnuts- Argenine amino acid help detox amonia and support glutathione production in liver

Turmeric- liver favorite spice that assists enzymes in 

 

LIVER CLEANSE- 

-DAY 1: carrot / beet/ cabbage / spinach/ lime juice or smoothies 1 day before

-DAY2: Fast all day (9.5 PH water good). Minimum stop eating by 1pm. Mix 4 tables spoons of edible EPSOM SALTS divided into 3 separate cups of water.  Drink one Cup at 6pm. At 10pm once COMPLETELY ready for bed, mix a glass of extra virgin organic olive juice and 3 lemons worth of juice. Get in Bed and drink fully, immediately lying on our back or right. Expect a bit of sleeplessness.

-DAY 3: 7am or later- Drink 2nd Cup of Epsom Salt water.  Return to Bed or watch relaxing move 9am Drink 3rd Cup. Expect a lengthy release from your urine and bowels.  Continue juicing and eating VERY clean. No alcohol, processed foods, or sugar.

-DAY 4: Eating from the list above, continue to flush with PH water and get plenty of rest.

 

YOU DESERVE TO FEEL GOOD

 

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GETHSH is a wellness blog dedicated to researching the variables in the formula to feeling good. All suggestions should be reviewed with your licensed practitioner and taken on your own free will.

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My personal supplement protocol

Focus. Energy. Clarity. Calm.

In pursuit of a brain that works and a mood that's happy, I've tried a ton of things.

My supplement cabinet is now filled with nutritional hacks for PMS relief, focus, mood boost, and hangover avoidance. I prefer trusted brands that have good sourcing and come recommended by friend and functional medicine superstar Dr. Stephanie Daniel. Her suggestion toward Julia Ross's book on amino acid therapy kept me off anti-depressants during a tough time. I am now convinced that one trigger for depression is a depleted brain.

When the nutrient suggestions started getting overwhelming, I created a graph to keep them organized. I color coded the supplements so I could see which colors/nutrients played a role in multiple benefits. Notice how green Omega3 is involved in everything.

 

Everyday I make sure to get my Bs, Cs, Ds, Omega3s, minerals, and amino acids. Here's why:

Amino Acids are building blocks that help make our skinny/pretty/happy hormones and brain chemicals. B vitamins pull double duty in the body!! They are the mechanics that help convert these building blocks into hormones and are also the soldiers that buffer against stress. If we're stressed, we often don't have enough Bs left over to make enough feel good chemicals. With that workload, we go through a lot of Bs and many of us require a converted "methylated" form. Vitamin B injections work well for many and I love them.

Vitamin D3 is the energy, happiness, thyroid function, appetite suppression, bone strength, and immune system 'super hormone' that most of us are low in. I like Vital Nutrients D for when I travel and an under the tongue spray for home.

Omega 3s are the good fat our brain craves. Mood and clear thinking are directly tied to Omega3 fatty acids present in the body. The aging brain needs even more.

Minerals are the cofactors that make sure the important reaction in the body take place. Magnesium, the calming mineral that is crucial in the brain is involved with over 300 chemical processes in the body!

Probiotics are the good gut bacteria linked to happy mood, manageable waistline, and possibly everything else! Fiber feeds our good bacteria, sugar feeds the bad bacteria, and probiotics refill the ranks giving us more of the good. Helpful if our partying lifestyle, stress, or antibiotics have killed off our good guys. Below are the daily 5 I take.

I start my morning with a ton of lemon water to flush my organs and get my adrenal, immune, and skin supporting Vitamin C.  I take my brain and mood supporting amino acids on an empty stomach. If I want extra focus, I'll take a Neurothera or a NooTroo nootropic. If it's a tea/coffee day, I like the bullet proof executive style of blending nutrient rich grass fed butter into my tea for delicious brain food.

After a couple of hours of fasted work time and flushing of my system, it's time for a protein rich meal with eggs or salmon. Here is where I take the fat soluble supplements like B, D, and Omega 3 that absorb best in the presence of fat. 

If the work morning has left me anxious, I'll take a calming NeuroCalm filled with Taurine, GABA, Magnesium, and L-Theanine.

Because my stress hormone cortisol is unfortunately high, I also take a daily adaptagen formula that builds back my buffers giving me more stress resilience. I wrote the FreeTheFat weight loss program around this product after seeing stress' connection to stubborn weight retention.

The desire to feel focused but calm while lowering both my inflammation and cortisol inspired the CALM HAPPY FOCUSED bundled. Neurothera is the addition here with it's cognitive amino acids and mood boosting herbs.

The rest of the bundles are found on the supplements page and shown below.

Notice that the same 5 supplements are put into different combinations for desired mood effect. These are my favorite addon to my daily essential 5. I like the CALM HAPPY FOCUSED 4 pack -which is the same as buying Calm Pack + Happy Pack (but cheaper when bought together). Not until I venture out of mood / stress  and into beauty / hangover helper do new supplements emerge from the antioxidant family.

If I've been partying alot, I take the 3 antioxidant rich blends found in the BEAUTY BLEND. The hair/skin nails for beauty, antioxidant formula for anti-aging and the liver detox to support my liver.

If I'm running low in general, I'll restock with the biggest bundle THE WORKS that comes with wonderful digestive enzymes to get the most out of my food and free radical destroying antioxidants to help with aging and hangovers. This has the highest overall savings but still feels like a huge sticker shock even though I can do the math logically.

And finally, my super secret for when I'm truly depleted: IV therapy. 

Dr. Ahluwalia of Dryp.com has locations all over the bay. At $200-$300 a pop it gets pricey but man does it work to put you back in the game. I love the master antioxidant Glutathione add on!! Come flu season, opt for the extra zinc and selenium.

Love to hear your tips and tricks!

 

Here are a few other helpful graphs I put together along this journey to feel good.

Amino Acids and their Benefit:

 

Nutrient Benefits

 

Always open to new nutrient suggestions, leave yours in the comments below.

The real reason we're tired & how it's keeping us fat.

The real reason we're tired & how it's keeping us fat.

We're tired, our wounds don't heal as fast, our hangovers are worse and last longer, and we have stubborn weight that doesn't fall off like it used to. What's going on?

This one change helped me start the New Year svelte.

This was the first holiday season I found myself without alcohol. Managing family holidays with out vodka soda is something I would NEVER normally recommend. Your sanity is essential after all & most of our families keep the fun in disFUNctional. 

Here's how I found myself sober through the season and the awesome result come January 1st 2016!

Dec 15th LA Work Event

Dec 15th LA Work Event

This year, on a mid-December trip to LA, I got the annual sinus infection. Lots of exercise, little sleep, colder weather combined with Halloween > Bermuda > overindulging at Thanksgiving and I wasn't exactly shocked my immune system gave me the bird. 

It started with a headache and by end of week had turned into a punishing ear infection.

Now, ice pick to-the-ear pain is usually something I hop on antibiotics for --- but I've been doing the whole probiotics, bone broth, L-Glutamine thing to build back my good gut bacteria. And antibiotics would negate much, if not ALL of my progress.

Like most, I have leaky gut- a dangerous separation of the intestinal wall cells. This single cell barrier on the intestinal wall is what helps absorb nutrients through the gut lining and keeps toxins and food particles from seeping into the rest of our system. Inflammatory immune system reactions and food allergies pop up when food particles & toxins seep through this barrier. My favorite foods could possibly make me sick moving forward - not ok. Gotta seal that gap.

I was scared & grossed out enough to lower my toxins and commit to resealing the bonds between these gut lining cells. The immune system related illnesses like Rheumatoid arthritis and thyroid problems are becoming unfortunately common in modern day culture & my joints have gotten really achy as I push my body to the limit with my high inflammation lifestyle. 

Another fun celebratory December tradition:  boozy, blissful, all you can eat Guardsman charity Crab Feed 

Another fun celebratory December tradition:  boozy, blissful, all you can eat Guardsman charity Crab Feed 

When I say "committed," I don't mean I was ready to give up alcohol or even sugar for that matter. Two huge inflammation offenders I rely on as lifestyle coping mechanisms. I was starting with the good probiotics in and decided to worry about getting the bad food out later. I know I know, both are necessary...

Santa Con San Francisco- 2016

Santa Con San Francisco- 2016

LA Family Holiday Celebration

LA Family Holiday Celebration

But this damn ear infection and my refusal to go on antibiotics made for a hard new reality. Processed foods, sugar, and alcohol had to beat it during the most sugar filled, drunk part of the year. To get my immune system strong enough to kick this bugger, I had to hydrate and sleep a whole lot more while ditching the weakening toxins. Waaaaa!?

My alcohol-fueled holiday cheer marathon was getting majorly f'd with. Could I do it?

If I wasn't being reminded hourly by a friendly stab to the side of the head, there's not a chance I would have made it. Spiked egg nog & hot toddies are too delicious. Without pain pounding me into submission, I likely wouldn't have stayed strong. I also married into a particularly fun family who know what to do with a dance floor & our friend group of stylish, event planning, marketing mavens make for a non stop party.

I was in big trouble.

However, holiday party 7 came and went & outside of a faked shot of vodka at a fun fam white elephant, I managed to go without alcohol hitting my lips.

Then New Year's in Tahoe approached and thanks to the cold, dry 10 degree weather and the occassional ear stabs,  being further dehydrated and dry did not appeal. I managed to stay sober even on the costumed dance floor. I was starting to feel invincible. Maybe I could release my attachment to a favorite coping mechanism after all. Even if I didn't really have a choice, and shouldn't be overly patting my own back, this was real progress! What a fun realization and a confidence boost of the possibilities! 

Here's what I noticed come Jan 1st, 13 days after kicking booze:

*My skin is clearer, tighter, and I'm way less bloated / puffy. I'm sure the sleep & extra hydration along with ditching alcohols dehydrating side effects were a power combo.

* I'm noticeably leaner. Starting the year with lean, toned thighs is not a resolution I set, but I'm bikini season ready mid winter!! This.Is.Incredible. I'm grabbing by bun / thigh crease in magical wonder. My credit card may be maxed out, but my body is not!

*I can see my abs- that helpful little cushioning layer is vacationing allowing for a flat tummy.

*I think clearer and have less fatigue. My mood is more even. Depression and brain fog are gone and I can handle stress with more grace. I'm not depleted and fumbling around for a sugar fix wondering which obscure amino acid or enzyme my body really needs. I don't feel crazy!

*I'm calmer and can focus better. With more rest and less stimulating sugar and alcohol pumped through my holiday month, I hit January with more dopamine receptors! This allows smaller tasks to be able to release the same brain chemical blitz of motivating goodness that usually requires more stimulation to achieve. 

*I'm motivated to keep it clean, green, & hydrated. Momentum is real and starting the New Year not feeling bloated & behind is just wonderful. This may be game changing enough to make Dec 15th my last drinking day of the year moving forward. I KNOW, CRAZY! I can't say enough good things about how different & empowering this year's start feels. 

WHAT A CHANGE FROM LAST YEAR'S BLOG POST!

i highly recommend taking 14 days of little sugar and no alcohol to reset your mind, mood, and waistline. Add in more sleep, more Lemon water, and 3/week sweat sessions in the sauna or spin bike for a heavy dose of feel good.

 

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YOU DESERVE TO FEEL GOOD!

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**GETHSH is a wellness blog dedicated to researching the variables in the formula for happiness & health. All suggestions should be reviewed with your licensed practitioner and taken on your own free will.

 

3 exercises to Ditch the Double Chin

Getting older or living fast comes with a certain loss of skin elasticity & muscle strength. High inflammation levels break down the parts we take for granted in our youth leaving us with floppy underarms and double chins- even when we haven't put on weight.

Keep that neck high and tight with these 3 quick exercises done regularly:

1. Tongue to Chin:

Open wide, stick that tongue out, and reach for your chin. Hold for 10 seconds. (Feel the muscles working by taking your thumb and touching under your chin.)

2. Tennis Ball:

Hold a tennis ball against your throat with your chin. Press tightly, then release slightly 10x.

3. Bed Head Hang:

Lie on your bed with your head hanging over the edge. Lift your chin up towards your chest and hold for 5 slow seconds. Slowly lower down and repeat 10x.

Beautiful Body Types

BODY TYPE & BEAUTY:  Sports Illustrated got some heat last month over bowing to pressure to feature more regular sized women in their famous bikini spread.  

                      HERE'S WHY I LIKE THE EXPANSION OF THEIR FEATURED BEAUTY IDEAL:

 

Why WE MUST TAKE REAL BREAKS - Aaahahahaha :)

As much as we'd love to live on caffeine and cortisol forever sprinting along at a manic, dopamine releasing pace, it's not good for us - & it's not sustainable.

I'm 32 and have stage 2 Adrenal Fatigue which in our Western Culture is almost a badge of type A honor: except it's really bad for us.

Whether we want to admit our need to break or not, our body's going to direct us to mindlessly troll Facebook, hop on words with friends, or justify an obsessively long trip to the bathroom mirror. The brain needs zone out time.

How to Party Like a Rockstar & still feel like a Marathon Runner

It's the fit socialite's dilemma:

To toss back the tequila shots with the fun kids or sip soda water and lime and live to conquer the next day with productivity and fervor.

Ninja trick:  Drink > Supplement / Water > Detox.

The pre wedding diet and why I need to get back on it!

The pre wedding diet and why I need to get back on it!

So 3 weeks before my wedding it occurred to me I had hosted or attended parties in multiple cities every weekend the last 3 months.

All the travel, alcohol, and missed sleep was leaving me looking tired, bloated, with less than glowing skin. What were my options?- cuz I suck at diets- and I'm even worse at being told I can't have something.

Let's Hear it for the Bs, Let's give the Bs a chance.

Just as exciting as super hormone Vitamin D, the B vitamins are a vital, fingers in everything, behind the scenes set that are helping with our mood to our heart to our skin to our metabolism.

WHAAAA!!?

When the party's over- Rebooting for Monday.

Yeeeeeeaaaaaah weekends are fun. And some of have made it an art form to have a summer's worth of fun in a 2 day span. Sure the pictures and stories are great but no one escapes that slight anxious whir that starts on Sunday evening and gets to full boil Monday Morning.

WHY to prioritize relaxation tools (including orgasm)- A REAL LOOK AT STRESS.

WHY to prioritize relaxation tools (including orgasm)- A REAL LOOK AT STRESS.

A video on other restful tools we can employ to keep our stress hormone Cortisol from staying unhealthily high & a little helpful reminder on just how bad "Stress" is for us and what it's ACTUALLY DOING to our body.    (10 min long video w lots of good tips)

Supporting each other heals us.

A couple times in life you get that phone call that leaves your tummy in knots and a vial reaction to physically hurt someone thrusts forward -despite your usual better judgment. That's right, someone has just hurt your baby sis ... and on top of it, they've done it in a way that hits a little too close to home. 

You can't take their pain away... BUT YOU CAN TAKE THEM TO OAHU! 

And that's exactly what we did when the actions of the typical douche bag you date in your 20s left baby sis momentarily heart broken. (Clearly, I'm still a bit saucy over the whole thing and am working on getting my more enlightened, compassionate self to rise.)

The point is, we have moments in life when we can truly be there for those we love and heal even older baggage. 

Not only did she bravely hop on the flight on a whim, she was greeted by a Motley Crew tribute band that serenaded her the entire 2 hr delay on the tarmac as well having Jack Johnson ask her a question in the Honolulu airport upon her arrival. 

THANKS UNIVERSE FOR DELIVERING!!

We had a blast snorkeling as well as hiking to these sort of spectacular vistas: OMG!

I'm so friggin grateful she turned out so cool (and hilarious). It makes the yucky parts of living another memory in the making.

These relationships we keep choosing to show up for really do bring out our best selves. Besides having a very fun vacation with my wonderful sis, I healed a little part of my broken hearted 20 something self. 

Hopefully, it helped remind her that she is loved and supported and this too shall pass.

If you have a story about how it felt to show up for someone in their time of need, reminding you that we're all connected, please share & make the rest of our day's brighter! Or if you'd like to write some encouraging words to my baby sis / your heartbroken 20 something self, share them here:

FREE 30 minute Long & Lean Restorative Yoga Flow for beginners

In honor of the up an coming WanderLust festival, here's a 30 min restorative yoga flow for beginners you can do at home or on the road. All you'll need is a soft surface/mat and a towel/strap. I'll be shooting a few more of these on the go flows while in Hawaii for you. :)