Shed the Dead

Shed the Dead
A Moment with Michelle 
Shed the Dead is my new mantra--I came up with it just this morning while journaling!! Does that ever happen to you? 
Another round of the Jumpstart has come and here we are already.  Is it just me or did we get in a time warp?  I feel like since the time change time is zipping by and I'm like waaaaiiiit what is happening.  Just me?  
OK As I said, the last few months have really taken a toll on me and getting back to, well me has been terribly hard.  If you have been through any type of trauma, depression or transition you probably know.  It's a human experience.  Well, this week I've been really learning to give myself grace AND creating short goals for myself and let myself just be guided instead of should-coulda-woulda-ing.   Today was one of those days where I asked to just be guided.  And go along with it.  Somehow I'm blogging about it....

And so I was guided to Shed the Dead.  Huh I thought to myself.  So I hopped on my chi machine and wiggled my lymph system.  I love my chi machine bytheway! Did a short workout 10 min workout.  Slapped on the Charcoal face mask, created an oily hair mask and sat in reflection while doing a foot detox soak with my son, all while inhaling the aroma of my diffusers running with Joy and Orange oils.  Then I randomly decided to wax all my leg hair off, body brush and exfoliate, and took a nice long shower.  Then clipped my nails, moisturized and oiled my body, fluffed my hair and well here I am!  
AHHH Inhale Exhale  I'm SO glad I listened to myself today.   
Sometimes you just need to take a day to focus on yourself, your body and mind.  
I do not regret this.  

Ingredients to avoid in your products

Ingredients to avoid in your products
What I love about a quick DIY perfume, air freshener or linen spray is that I get to decide what goes in my home.  I mean I am the gatekeeper.  Just because the tv commercial or store shelf promotes it does not mean it's good for me.  I'm so happy I've learned how to read ingredients, research what they are and make a choice that best suits me and my family.  Now that I have become an ingredient snob, we no longer suffer from sinus infections, harsh coughs, headaches, rashes and a host of other things "we thought were normal".  

It all started with food first, but that's another chapter.  This one is about products.  I love that one bottle of plant blood can not only support our health, mind, body, but also do some cleaning, cooking and make other products I no longer have to buy from the store.  Like cleaners, perfumes, air fresheners, goo gone, linen sprays, etc.  

First and foremost, if your product says the word "fragrance" in the ingredient list, say NO! That one word alone can have a whole host of harsh toxic ingredients in the product.  A few words to steer clear from in your products include but not limited to include: 
parabens (look for words with methyl, ethyl, butyl)
alcohols
chlorine
aluminum (heavy metal)
phthalates (plastics)
talc
ceteareth-20
PABA
anything synthetic
dyes
and preservatives.  

So what do I use in place of some of these ingredients you ask?  Great questions...organic vodka, witch hazel, filtered water, seed to seal guaranteed essential oils, medical grade diffusers, and lots of fun bottles and labels! I hope this helps you on your start to choosing toxin free products.  

Always reach out to me at livewellwithmichelle@live.com or check out my clean products choices I use for my family.   
I'd be happy to do a cabinet consult with you where I walk you through a cabinet sweep or product swaps.  

Living Well, 
Michelle

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


Hot Mess Moody Biotch

Hot Mess Moody Biotch

I was and sometimes still am such a moody thing, up down and all around feeling like a total hot mess.  Turns out estrogen dominance is a key player.  When I first had my full hormonal lab panels drawn, vials and vials of blood, I learned of this is a type of hormonal imbalance in which the body produces too much estrogen. 


Experiencing estrogen dominance during the transition into perimenopause, the body will produce less progesterone but keep producing the same levels of estrogen. This causes an imbalance that causes unpleasant symptoms; similar to those of perimenopause, menopause, or even PMS. 


Precisely timed lab tests are required to diagnose estrogen dominance. If you experience the following symptoms, I encourage you to schedule an appointment with a hormonal specialist, OB/GYN or reproductive endocrinologist. I prefer a holistic functional medicine hormone specialist. To find one in your area, do a search or ask for recommendations or referrals to a specialist, and/or demand your doctor perform the precise hormonal lab protocols.  Reminder, they work for you.  


BioIdentical Hormone replacement therapy can help alleviate these symptoms. I highly recommend bio identical hormones and NOT mainstream medicine synthetic hormone replacements.  My personal favorites hormonal help to support my hot mess include Progessence Plus Serum, Endoflex, Thyromin, paleo, exercise and rest.  


Common symptoms include: 

Mood Swings

Any slight change in hormones can cause emotional and mood swings. If your mood changes quickly and dramatically for no identifiable reason, it may be because you have too much estrogen.  


Irritability

In addition to noticeable changes in mood, women experiencing estrogen dominance may also be more irritable in general. Everyone has their bad days, but if everything is getting under your skin all the time, then a hormonal issue might be to blame.


Decreased Libido

Women with estrogen dominance may have a lower libido than normal. This is due in part to the imbalance in estrogen and progesterone, but you could argue the other symptoms on this list wouldn’t exactly “put you in the mood” either.  With these changes comes vaginal dryness and discomfort. Be sure to use toxin free natural products like coconut oil for assistance. 


PMS Symptoms

Another sign of estrogen dominance is worsening PMS symptoms. Breast tenderness, headaches, acne flare-ups, and mood changes may become more pronounced.


Irregular Menstrual Periods

Hormone imbalances in women will often disrupt their menstrual cycles. Menstrual periods can occur less frequently or more frequently. They may also change in duration. This symptom can be hard to notice for some women who already have irregular cycles.


Heavy Periods

Women with too much estrogen may have heavy and painful periods. This can happen to women who still get their period regularly and those who are experiencing irregular periods.


Bloating

Women experience bloating at different times in their menstrual cycles. Most women who get regular periods can estimate when in their cycle this will occur. In cases of estrogen dominance, you might be bloated at a different time. Irregular and heavy periods may also cause unexpected bloating.


Breast Tenderness or feeling of Engorgement  

Enlarged swollen and tender breast tissue sensitive or hot to the touch, and even cystic is a red flag for estrogen dominance.  Many women have fibrocystic breast tissue which can cause glands to swell and feel painful to touch. Estrogen increase can enhance this and cause pain.  Proper nutrition and hormonal balance can help. 


Puffiness & Swollen Extremities  

Extreme hormonal imbalance can also create inflammation and cause tissues to swell making you look puffy. 


Weight Gain

Putting on weight when your diet or exercise habits have not changed might be a sign of another health condition. This symptom may also present itself as an increase in body or carrying your weight in different places than before and less muscle tone. 


Anxiety

Women with too much estrogen often experience anxiety and have panic attacks. There’s a major difference between anxiety and worrying about the things that most people do. Anxiety is more of a general feeling while worries are about specific things. Anxiety may also cause physical symptoms like light headedness, nausea or a racing heart or tightness in the chest.


Hair Loss

As women age, they may experience some hair loss. This can happen during perimenopause or menopause. But if it happens before menopause it might be one of the signs of estrogen dominance or even a Thyroid condition. 


Sleep 

Trouble sleeping is a common symptom of many problems involving hormones. If you toss and turn and can’t get to sleep even when you’re tired,  or

The opposite. If you experience extreme fatigue or sleep too much you should consider an appointment to see your doctor for lab tests. 


Fatigue

Unfortunately, estrogen dominance can cause extreme fatigue. This symptom can occur whether or not you have insomnia. If you experience persistent tiredness or feel more drained of energy than usual, talk to your doctor about being tested for hormonal issues.


Fertility Issues

Fertility issues are not uncommon in women who have hormonal imbalances like estrogen dominance. This issue may also be compounded by the fact that women with estrogen dominance are often over 35 but could also be younger when fertility naturally declines and not enough progesterone.  


Memory & Mental Fog

If you have consistent problems recalling details or putting your thoughts together, then you may have an imbalance in hormones.


Hot Flashes & Night Sweats

Just like with menopause, hot flashes and night sweats can be signs of estrogen dominance. 


Want more information and support with a community of women with similar experiences? 

Join my free group here http://bitly.ws/cDIT

Why I drink celery juice

Why I drink celery juice
Celery.  Juice?  I had no idea celery even had juice.  I've always enjoyed snacking on celery and dipping it into my almond butter.  Even making 'ants on a log' for my kiddos; you know spreading PB topped with raisins.  But juice?  That intrigued me.  My ongoing journey to further support my health from hypothyroidism and hormonal imbalances led me to celery juice.  Being a researcher my nature, I stumbled upon Anthony Williams (aka the medical medium), read his some of his books and decided why not try it?  I mean celery is good for you, so its juice must be too.   

I juice 4-6 stalks a week which last me approximately 4-6 days worth of juice.  This will vary individually on how much and how often you choose to drink it as well as the size of the stalks and juicer you use.   To juice a few days worth, always use organic celery with a masticating juicer like the one I have here, Omega Juicer so it will be safe to store up to 3-5 days in the refrigerator .  This Omega juicer is my newest upgraded version.  I love it because it's quite, super affordable, heavy duty, super easy to use, clean and store and keeps all the juice nutrients without oxidation.  It also has multiple settings for juicing, sorbet, pasta making, nut butters, and all sorts of other recipe options.   

If you're new to juicing like I was three years ago, this affordable juicer is super duper easy to use and clean  Hamilton Beach-affordable for the newbie juicer.   It was my very first juicer and held up for over a year with daily use for juicing and was easy to use and clean.  If you use this one, only make up 1-2 days worth at most for best nutrient benefits.  

To start, cut the ends off the stalk, cut stalk in half and be sure to clean/rinse your celery regardless if it's organic (a lot of dirt and pests can be transferred).   I love to use my produce spinner for ease
 Produce Spinner-easy to clean & dry produce.  Then you're ready to feed through your juicer.  Read your instructions fully for maximum benefits.  

Store celery juice using a large glass jar with air tight cover and refrigerate immediately and pour as needed daily; or use multiple glass jar mugs with covers and simply grab a mug every morning.  

For best results, celery juice should be consumed right away in the morning at least one half hour before meals.  

Benefits of celery juice for me include extra vitamins and minerals, improved detoxification and elimination, increased energy, better sleep, improved digestion, clear skin, and improved immune system.  You may experience looser stools and or more frequent stools early on as did I.  

When I initially started, I juiced celery daily for almost a year straight.  Now in my third year, I do it in increments skipping weeks/month at a time, typically no longer than a month before I start again.  My consistency is about 1-2 weeks per month.   I am pretty intuitive with my body and can tell when I need it.  

Celery juicing and juicing in general is not a one and done or one size fits all.  My research and experience with it has shown that my personal consistency, better nutritional choices, and physical activity is vital for best results. I also consume other juices like beet juice and add smoothies throughout my day for even more nutritional impact.   

Do you juice celery or any other kind of juice?  I'd love to hear your experiences.  


Disclaimer: I am not a doctor.  I do not prescribe or diagnose. These words are simply my experience and my protocol for what works best for my body and lifestyle.  As always, please consult your health practitioner before beginning.   

Disclosure:  Affiliate links are provided here which means when you purchase an item from my recommended link, you help support my family.  
Don't worry, the price is the same for you either way.  Thanks so much for your support and for stopping by 😊 

 to learn more about celery juice with Anthony Williams click here https://www.medicalmedium.com/blog/celery-juice