Why I Dry Brush

Why I Dry Brush
Have you dry brushed?  It's been a practice of mine for many years.  I love the benefits and how I feel afterwards.  
As with anything, consistency is key.  
Dry brushing is more known as an Ayurvedic practice.  Regardless I believe it is a beautiful, simple health and beauty regime.   Benefits of dry brushing include stimulation of lymphatic and circulatory systems, release of toxins, exfoliation of superficial skin cells, rejuvenate and stimulate the body, and relax and soothe skin. 


What you need: 
A natural fiber dry brush with or without handle.  You can find them at many beauty supply stores or beauty departments and are fairly inexpensive at under $10.  
The one I have is here: https://amzn.to/3z7QHUl

What I recommend: 
Incorporate 1-3 times a week before shower or bath.  Morning or night.  Consistency is key! 

Start at your feet and work your way up towards the heart. Always flow your dry brush toward the heart for detoxification. 
I like to start at my right foot and work all the way up my leg in three's on each section of my leg, then from the waist up to armpit, work across toward heart, then hold an arm up and start at hand working down to arm pit again in three's, and repeat on other side.  If your brush has a handle, do your back side or have a loved one do this for you.  Again working in three strokes upward toward the head.  Always use a very gentle mild pressure, not rubbing.   
Check out my YouTube video here: https://youtu.be/FCzjuu1HQ9E

Next, shower or bath.  Afterwards, apply your favorite nourishing body oils.  If you have a sluggish lymphatic or circulatory system, I love and recommend CelLite Magic massage oils.   Genesis Body Lotion or my DIY Glow Skin Serum which contains the finest oils of CBD, rose, helichrysum, carrot seed, lavender, Frankincense, Valor, Copaiba and more are perfect nourishing products.  You can get these essentials here: https://livewellwithmichelleyl.lifestepseo.com

Avoid dry brushing if you have: 
Sensitive skin
Wounds
Skin Conditions
Inflammation 
Sun burn 

Dry Brushing is a wonderful component to a healthy lifestyle, detox program and after a good work out as well.  
I'd love to hear your experiences with dry brushing.  

Join my free Facebook community of women for more middle aged lifestyle benefits here https://www.facebook.com/groups/442353096999687


Detox Foot Bath

Detox Foot Bath

I’ve been feeling a little sluggish lately so I got out my Foot Detox Bath knowing I have been exposed to a lot crud recently plus it’s been a good month since a good foot detox.  


So here I am chilling in my back porch pampering, enjoying nature and the soothing of all this.  Ahhhh.  

My ahhh quickly turned to EWWW immediately when I looked down at my foot bath.  What is the world is all that??  Never have I EVER had my water turn this before (see pic)  Usually it’s a good orange (joints) and black flecks (heavy metals) mixed with a little this and that.  But THIS?  Oh my whatta detox.  


Well, as Shrek would say, better out than in I say to myself! 


PS-I know…I was skeptical too until my Accupuncturist had me start doing them and I did my own research as well so I decided to get my own. Want one of your own too? Get it here using my discount code cause I’m all about saving money- that’s what friends are for—

https://optimum-detox.kckb.st/livewell 



Good thing after all this pampering detox, I received a surge of energy to make dinner and relax the rest of the evening.  I would suggest doing the foot detox in the morning and/or evening time.  BOO with what works in your day, starting slow and building up.  It can have detox effects if the body in deficient.  

Check back to see my results as this detox wellness support journey continues! 

Do you Detox in some way? I'd love to hear from you! 


I am Woman

I am Woman
Why is my heart beating out of my chest? 
Why am I happy one minute and balling the next? 
Why I am motivated with one idea only to feel fatigued and helpless over it the next minute?  
Why do I love everything and hate everything in the same millisecond? 
Maybe I am crazy. It’s not like I am never called that. Maybe I am. 
Why am I still in my pjs the third day in a row? Is it just because it’s 2020?

No...NO... I am a woman. Blessed with cycles and phases—a taboo that no one seems to talk realistic about unless I chat with my dr.  You know, like post partum depression-It’s a thing friendsPerimenopause is real. Why isn’t it addressed more? My path with perimenopause has been a long haul to say the least. All this time, I seriously thought I had some legit mental health issues. Well maybe I do. 


Thankfully, I’ve been equipped with tools, resources, and exercises in my tool belt over the years to combat some of those symptoms.  Sometimes though, no matter what, these tools just don’t seem to help. I follow the cleansing, plant based, toxin free, mindset shifts, fitness, restful, supplemental, mindful route and still STILL I feel at a total womanly loss some days. 


What am I doing wrong? What’s wrong with me? 
I feel like an outcast sitting with loneliness, withdrawal from friends and family, self pity, low self esteem, weakness, sadness, total unsexy, mean and hostile feelings of helplessness.  
Moody anyone? It’s like worse than the snarky teen years.


Let me tell you, hormones can be nasty to us when we are in a state of unbalance, which can be often; because hormones are constantly changing with our chemistry and cells; especially menopause. 
No matter what we do. It’s a never ending ebb and flow, like the waves of the ocean. 
Especially in the peri- menopausal state.


Beating myself up because I’m experiencing all that God has made me to be and experience as a woman is not the way to self acceptance. Just like every *body* is different and unique, all peri-menopausal experiences will be too. 

The endless crying like my cat literally just died, the painful cramps and release of what seems like gushing forceful gallons of blood with cramps like birthing contractions all over again, the sleepless nights, the overly tired days of exhaustion….

Just when I think I get it all under control with all my tools in my belt and feel great….
WHAM 💥 that wave comes and blasts it all away leaving me feel like a drowned rat.


Let’s just say with a little rest and self reflection, choosing the right tools in my tool belt, and loads of grace and ease, I WILL embrace this aging time in womanhood. 

Right now, I am so happy and grateful for the education I recently experienced in my Yoga Teacher Training on breath work as it has been a total blessing, along with using my essential oils to support my emotions and uncomfortable symptoms;  while also choosing healthful foods and lots of rest.

Grace and Ease ladies. 
Grace and Ease. 
You are not crazy. 
You are Woman. 
A Beautiful Perfect Woman. 
Embrace each phase.
With Gratitude and Faith. 


Get your cork yoga mat from a this environmentally friendly and family owned biz 

cork yoga wheel 

Perspective

Perspective
I find it interesting when people tell me I'm 'the picture of good health'.  I mean what does that even look like!?  I am, of course, a high-vibing, fitness fanatic, crystal loving, zen making, nutritional self care guru.  Haha! But really, what they don't see or know is the journey I've been on--now the middle aged woman who has spent years of research of nutrition, digging deep into self development and discipline with learning, unlearning and relearning, daily work outs and lifestyle choices.  As well as learning to let go of others opinions, shift negative thoughts, and work really hard on creating a healthy toxin free environment in my home both physically and mentally.  It doesn't happen over night.  

You see, for much of my life I've let my fear of what others think of me control me and my choices. I let these views direct and defeat me, even let people use me and abuse me.  In turn, I chose to abuse my own body, make unhealthy choices, and even went against my values just to fit in just to make others happy.  

It took me years to figure out that I have to work on myself and be happy with myself, that it's an inside job.  Many self development workshops, coaching and buckets of tears later...I experienced so much guilt and shame from it all AND I learned to let that shiz go.   I was told many times--if you're not growing (personally), you're dying.  So now I invite growth and development daily.     Let me tell you--the choices you make today will definitely have impact you tomorrow.  

You see, when I was a teen I found interest in fitness, nutrition and wellbeing, What I didn't know is that I was just doing it all wrong.  I wrestled with a negative mindset, letting others opinions take over me, abusing my body with food and alcohol, with years of eating disorders and loads of over exercise.  I had finally hit a wall and made a complete 180 in taking total care for myself.  The right way.  

These past choices turned into an ongoing battle with hormonal imbalances and nutritional deficiencies.   I've spent the past 20+ years trying to solve my puzzle.  Our bodies are so fascinating as are our minds.   I am positive I created these imbalances from my past choices, toxic environment and mindset.  Now I feed my body to support my hormones and my mood and this has been a legit game changer.  Especially as I age.  We don't know what we don't know! 

So when you see me drinking the celery juice and think 'oh she's the picture of good health',  I want people to know there's a story behind my lifestyle lectures and it's to feed my body nutrition and share the outcome with others.  When you see people who you think are the picture of good health, fitness or always carry joyful mindsets--take wonder at their story...Be curious.  How did they get there, what was their journey like?  What choices did they make?  Seek them out and ask them.   

Everyone makes choices...It's the choices you make today that will create your tomorrow.   Make good choices.  Go inward.  Listen to your body and the observe the circumstances you surround yourself with.  Take note and search for your solutions.  Everyone has a story and this is just a snippet of mine.   

You my friend are worth taking the time for.  

I'm just curious, what do you do to keep in good health? 
Also, do you juice? 

Organic Celery for juicing available at your local grocer or garden 
Get your Omega Juicer here