Happy Hormone Spray

I'm an absolute endocrine system freak. I suffer from autoimmune disease and work really hard to stay on top of wellness and to prevent my kids from going down this road, too.

Long ago I got the cute colorful trees that hung in my car so it smelled like a big, fat Christmas cookie. Or those sprays I bought to use in the bathroom to have floral scented poop, yum! How bout those plug ins so the entire fall season smelled like apples in my classroom when I taught?! Those days are gone however, cause I got smart. Or maybe I should say I got Hashimotos Thyroid Disease so I had to smarten up.

Synthetic smells are bad for humans on many levels. This is especially true if we have young people in our house who systems are developing. It's super important for the air in our houses to be as pure and natural as possible.

We are so fortunate now to have a lot of choices for keeping our endocrine system happy. These days there is a plethora of essential oil companies out there with their diffusers and starter kits but you can also do it on your own much more affordably. I switch my smells up now and then but the core of my air fresheners in my bathroom and workout studio usually consist of: lavender, tea tree, eucalyptus, peppermint and frankincense. Keep your surroundings smelling clean and keep your hormones on the right track by making your own tailored spray. Simply measure 1 part witch hazel to 3 parts water and add 10 drops of each oil of your choosing. It's that easy!

Saving the Pits One Swipe at a Time

Hey gals (and guys!) that sweat... what are you putting on your pits? I know you already know this but I'm throwing it out there again. Our armpits share space with our lymph nodes which are small, roundish little clumps of tissue that are part of our lymphatic system. Our immune system works in conjunction with the lymphatic system to stop bacteria, viruses and disease from spreading throughout our bodies. The problem is that we sweaty beasts often don't think about the fact that we are putting toxic substances right at those sites so that we do not offend others around us at the gym. 

For years I have been dabbling with the name brand deodorants as well as the more "natural" brands as well. I have spent oodles of time standing at the store and smelling which one I liked best. Which one would make me smell like a fresh meadow whilst running on the treadmill? Or maybe like rain in the meadow while pushing weights over my head. All this vanity to smell good sweating and never really understanding what I was doing to my internal functions. 

Now that I'm older and wiser and dialed in to my health a bit more, I am on a mission to remove as much junk from my environment as possible. (Working really hard on healing thyroid issues!) My sister in law introduced me to a roll on and I'm here to say it works. Naturally Fresh fights off odor with it's mineral salts. It is hypoallergenic for us sensitive folk, paraben/pg free and fragrance free. It's extremely cost effective and easy to find at many stores. Keep in mind it will not keep you from sweating which is ok- that is our body's way of cooling down and we don't want to plug up our pores with antiperspirant! 

Note that the product definitely keeps those pits from smelling fowl but does take some time to dry before putting on a shirt! 

Three Easy Ways to Hit Your Reset Button

Christmas day has come and gone in a flash as usual. So much anticipation and prep and poof... This year I was hit with the stomach bug mid afternoon on Christmas Eve. Crippling pains and vomiting and I tearfully missed out on all the Yancey traditions. No church, no finger foods while watching Muppet Christmas, no snuggling by candlelight sipping wine surrounded by excited kids. Nope. Stuck in my bed/bathroom and feeling like death. But in all this doom there is in fact a silver lining. Yep- I have hit the reboot button and did a super fast cleanse.

Okay, that may be gross but it's true. I thankfully didn't overdo the eating, drinking and partaking in sweets. I did however try these three things which I recommend to anyone wanting to get off to a clean'er' start.

1. Bone Broth- a fantastic staple to have often. Made from animal bones, the minerals and collagen that come from the broth reap amazing benefits. To make the broth I put my bones (carcass or frozen bones from Whole Foods or PCC), a packet of gelatin, a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar and cover with water. Let it all cook for about 24 hours. I store it in mason jars in the fridge and drink it whenever I'm hungry or need a surge.

2. Detox Soak- we all have been running like crazy and need a little down time. Relaxation is crucial to our health (and happiness) and I find that in a hot, therapeutic bath. To add the detox element use 1- 1.5 cup of baking soda and 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar. Skin will feel amazingly soft and these two elements together bring oodles of benefits.

3. Fresh Air- sounds simple and it really is. Go for a walk even in the cold. Breathing deeply to get the fresh air changes mood, strengthens the immune system and gives us mental clarity. And if the sun is out...added bonus!

Try these tricks to feel your best this holiday season. Wishing you and yours health and happiness!

Happy Healthy New Year!!!