wellness – Page 37

Detox Diary: My 7-Day Juice Cleanse

Published on October 1, 2018November 3, 2018 by Lee7 Comments

Hello Beauties, The first time I heard about juicing was about 2 years ago. I have tried different foods and beverages but I could never get past the tasting because the smell was just too unbearable for me. I always felt like I was going to be sick. On June 7th, I received the 7 Day Detox from Ultimate Body Tox which includes 6 flavors: Strawberry, Lemon Lime, Sweet & Sour, Peach, Mango and Sangria. I decided to take my second dive into the world of juicing by attempting a 7-day juice cleanse from Ultimate Body Tox. Throughout the cleansing process, I documented what I was feeling and going through just so I could share my experience with all of you lovely B.L.B readers. Without further ado, here is my 7-day detox diary…

The 7 Day Detox is to help jump-start your weight loss journey. The 7 Day Detox is either a 7 or 15 day process depending which one you end up buying. The detox is more flavorful and best consumed cold or slightly frozen so you may choose to refrigerate or freeze the 7 Day Detox drink for 30 minutes or so before consumption. NOTE: Freezing your drink is recommended but not required.

Select one bottle of 7 Day Detox and shake well ( for about 10-15 seconds) then consume the entire 8 ounce bottle. Sip it. Do NOT drink it all at once. To speed up the detox process, consume a glass of water after drinking the 7 Day Detox ( Consuming water is optional). (4) 8oz bottles are to be taken 1 every 48hrs that equates to a 7 day master detox. You can eat while using the detox.

If your tolerance level is up and your body can handle the full 8oz bottle in 24 hours, you can move forward with taking each one every 24hrs. Shake well before each consumption and freeze for a frozen healthy detox. NOTE: It helps with bad breath, bad skin, and body odor.

It is recommended that you consume the 7 Day Detox during whatever time of day you are home with a clear schedule. The detox is deigned to flush toxins from your system, as such you will visit the restroom frequently. Do NOT lay down after you ingest the liquid into your system, it prevents it from working properly.

Pre Cleanse:

I stocked up on fruits, veggies, green tea, water and salad. I weaned myself off junk food and fast food for about 2 weeks to get my body and mind in order.
I also made sure to get 8 hours of sleep the night before I started my cleanse so I wouldn’t feel tired or groggy.
I made sure to eat a balance meal and only snack on fruits.

Post Cleanse:

I felt so good after I completed my cleanse even though I couldn’t leave my house for 2 weeks. I even got my mom wanted to try it. I definitely felt cleaner, slimmer and gained a sense of accomplishment.

Pros & Cons:
Now that you’ve read my detox diary, here are some of the good and bad things I learned from my cleanse.

Cons:

Cleanses are a bit pricey. If you are trying to pinch your pennies one month, it might not be the time to splurge on a cleanse, which can range anywhere from $30.00 – $70.00 weekly. Ultimate Body Tox is the only place I found that sells affordable products for juice cleanse.
Cleansing is not a solution for long-term weight loss. If you are looking to shed a few pounds permanently, then a juice cleanse is not the answer. Drinking juice all day might help you to lose some water weight, according to The Huffington Post, but you might gain those pounds back post-cleanse when your body starts retaining calories from solid food again.
Pain and Vomiting. The constant pain in my stomach like someone is putting needles through me or something isn’t fun at all. The puking didn’t help neither, you would had thought I was pregnant. For me, my experience was diarrhea, stomach cramps, and the feeling of pukation.

( WARNING: EVERYONE IS DIFFERENT WHICH MEANS NOT EVERYONE HAS OR WILL EXPERIENCE WHAT I HAVE EXPERIENCED. SOME PEOPLE HAD A SMOOTH SAILING WEEK. DON’T LET MY EXPERIENCE STOP YOU FROM TRYING THE 7-DAY JUICE CLEANSE).

Pros:

I have never felt so hydrated! When I wasn’t drinking one of my juices, I was drinking a ton of water. I made a goal to finish a 1.5 liter bottle of water each day in order to feel full and flush out any extra toxins. This probably has a lot to do with the glow I saw in my skin the next day.
Cleansing gives your body a rest from digestion, according to Livestrong. Our bodies are used to breaking down and digesting food all day, every day, for years and years. So once in a while, it’s nice to give your body a break by only consuming nutrient-rich fluids. Especially if you are a junk food junkie, a cleanse will help reset your system and flush out tons of toxins. (Just make sure to eat mostly vegan in the days leading up to your cleanse or else you might be in for a pretty harsh change.)
Lost weight, mood was balanced, good night sleep, ate a balanced nutritionist meal, and flavor was good
Size. The size of the bottle was perfect especially for someone like me who gets tired of things fast.
7 Day Detox Benefits:
Removes old waste and toxins that has accumulated on the stomach lining which prevents weight-loss
Helps clear eczema
Helps with bad breath
Helps bad body odor (from the inside out)
Improves energy

Overall, my juice cleanse was a positive experience for me and I plan on trying it again sometime soon. I think that cleansing for 7 days is plenty of time—I would not suggest doing a longer cleanse because, according to Women’s Health, your body goes into starvation mode after about 4 days. The next time I cleanse, I plan on going to a gentle yoga class or spending a few minutes in a steam room to sweat out additional toxins. But enough about me! Let’s hear what you have to say…

Have you ever tried a juice cleanse? If you have, what was your experience? If not, is it something you would be willing to try?

Leave your stories, reviews, and experiences below. I’d love to see what you guys have to say about “getting juiced!”

**FTC: This post is sponsored. Opinions are 100% my own, of course.

xx Lee

HOW TO SURVIVE YOUR NEXT PERIOD

Published on September 4, 2018November 3, 2018 by Lee1 Comment

Your period. It’s scary when it comes and terrifying when it doesn’t. We know what we get to look forward to every month: bloating, cravings, fatigue, homicidal rage, and perhaps worst of all, menstrual cramps. What if I told you there were simple, at home remedies that greatly reduce symptoms of PMS? Even better, they are risk free with no side effects!

Getting your monthly bleed is the one thing that connects you to every single woman who has ever lived. Let that sink in. For hundreds of thousands of years, women have gotten their periods and they did so together. Periods were celebrated as a symbol of youth, fertility and life! It wasn’t until recent times that menstruation was seen as something to dread. What has changed? So so much, but, alas, this isn’t a lesson on female disempowerment. I am simply here to give you a crash course on how to survive your next period. So, open up that bottle of Cab and lets get to it!

To reduce cramps, you have to start early. A week before your period is due increase your water intake. The uterus is mostly composed of smooth muscle, and what happens when muscles dehydrate? They cramp! This is the number 1 tip I give to my clients and it ALWAYS works. My second big tip is to get your Omega 3’s and Calcium. I call this winning combination Nature’s Midol. You get more Calcium by eating collard greens, broccoli, spinach, kale, and you-bet-I’m-gonna-say it, CHEESE! When I say CHEESE I’m talking about organic, grass fed CHEESE. Not Kraft’s American cheese, cheese. Reach for the unprocessed stuff if you can. You can opt to get your Omega 3’s and Calcium from a supplement, but be sure to consult your doctor first!

Some MONSTERS are blessed and don’t suffer from cramps, but perhaps their problem is bloating. To minimize bloating I suggest drinking dandelion tea as it has a diuretic effect (it makes you pee.) Reducing sodium intake also does wonders. Combine these two steps and voila! Stretchy pants are now a choice, not a requirement. Tip: Mix Bigelow Green Tea with Lemon and Red Rose Tea together. Not only will it help with bloating but it also helps with cramps. Drink it during your cycle and you’ll notice that the cramps aren’t there. I find that it is best to drink it 1 week before your next period so it can start being affective right away. Plus Green tea, Red Rose Tea and lemon are good for your health and skin, so that’s a bonus!

Now, I would be remiss if I didn’t touch upon tampons. Did you know that most tampons are hybrid cotton blends (aka not cotton) that are BLEACHED and sprayed with pesticides and God knows what else? I don’t know about you but I don’t want any harsh chemicals anywhere near my hoo-hah. That’s why I encourage every woman I know to find an organic, environmentally safe tampons and pads. Beauties, I am telling you that we can save our cervixes AND our planet!

I have been seeing a lot of articles stating their opinions about the Lena Cup, and to be honest I bought one because my curiosity got the best of me. For those of you who don’t know, the Lena Cup is a reusable bell shaped cup that sits inside your vaginal canal and collects your blood. It is by far the most environmentally friendly product I have read upon on, but it requires patience and it can be a little messy at first. Once you’re in touch with your body’s rhythm and you can determine when its time to remove the cup, it will be smooth sailing. If you’re interested in the Lena Cup, I applaud you, and I suggest using it at home first for a few days before venturing out to any important events.

Directions: To use the LenaCup, some people choose to boil their cup before first use and between periods. Fill a pan with plenty of clean water. Bring to boil and let your cup float for 5-7 minutes while ensuring that the cup does not touch the bottom of the pan. You can use a pair of tongs to keep your cup in place and to remove it from the boiling water. Let your LENA Cup cool down before using it. WASH – Using warm water and mild soap wash your cup. If in a public toilet, bring a bottle of water to rinse your cup – once convenient clean thoroughly. As always, make sure to fully read the LenaCup User Guide before use.

To recap: drink plenty of water the week leading up to your period and during. Be mindful of getting enough Omega 3’s and Calcium. Drink dandelion tea, Bigelow Green Tea and Red Rose Tea to de-bloat, decrease cramps, and reduce sodium intake. Get your hands on some organic tampons and if you’re feeling brave check out the Lena Cup! Here’s to having a happy period!

Have you tried the Lena Cup? If so, what are your thoughts on it?

Name your favorite tea and let me know how you drink your tea? (cold, hot, & etc)

( Let me know in the comments)

Gift Guide: For the Beauty Buff

Published on August 6, 2018May 1, 2024 by LeeLeave a comment

Let’s face it, we all have a self-proclaimed beauty buff on our friend list. You know, the one that’s a VIB member at Sephora or at Ulta Beauty, can name all the eyeshadow palettes that dropped this year, and can recommend the best moisturizer before you can even say the word. It can be difficult to shop for someone who’s makeup bag is already filled to the brim, which brings me to today’s post. I have compile a list of gift ideas for the beauty fanatic in your life. From top-rated face masks, to beauty blenders and makeup organizers, this list will make holiday/celebration shopping a breeze. The best part of it all? Everything in this gift guide is under $100! Keep scrolling to do a little holiday shopping for your favorite beauty obsessed babe…

1. Glossier Balm Dotcom Trio, $30
One of my favorite cult beauty brands has to be Glossier. This Balm Dotcom trio is the perfect gift for the girl who’s always reaching for a moisturizing lip balm. Plus they smell and look amazing!

2. Caboodles Le Sophistique 10pc Bag Set Black & White Stripe, $29.99
Every beauty babe needs a trusty cosmetic case. You can head over to target and see what affordable choices they have to offer. They have many popular name brand cosmetic bags, so you won’t be disappointed.

3. Sorbus Cosmetic Makeup and Jewelry Storage Case Display – Spacious Design (4 Large – 2 Small Drawers), $33.99
This sturdy, clear acrylic makeup organizer set includes four drawers on the bottom unit and two top drawers are great for holding smaller items. The 16 slots on the top portion let you place a variety of items like makeup brushes, lipsticks and more, making this display a must-have on your vanity. Talk about a chic and functional way to keep your sink nice and organized!

4. BRWNGRLMGC Set, $44
These classic elegant hues are mani/pedi worthy if you ask me. If you have a gal in your life that nails the at-home mani, this is the gift that keeps on giving.

5. The Little Market Lavender Spa Gift Box, $76
Give the gift of rest and relaxation with this luxurious lavender gift set for any celebration. This box has their incredible Bath Bomb, Lavender & Honey Soap, Soaking Salt and Candle, all in a yummy lavender scent. Treat the beauty buff in your life while giving back to female artisans at the same time.

6. Philosophy 4-step hydrate & glow set, $34
This next gift is a beauty must. I’m kinda obsessed with everything that Philosophy has to offer, and this gift kit is the perfect way to introduce your loved ones to some of the best skincare.

7. Moon Juice Moon Dust Sachet Sampler Box, $35
Have your beauty buff feeling beautiful from the inside out with this blend of Moon Dust sachets. Add them to your favorite beverage to help combat the effects of stress to nourish body, beauty and consciousness from the inside out.

Bigelow Benefits, $19.95
All of us know how important it is to put good things in our bodies to help us stay strong. That desire was the inspiration for the Bigelow Benefits line, everyday teas that fuel your body with good for you ingredients. And of course, the flavor is everything! The Bigelow family designed this tea collection to taste fabulous and help support your well-being. They Benefits teas can be used as part of your everyday routine and can help you define the life you want to live! This boxed set of six includes 18 tea bags each of Cinnamon Blackberry Herbal Tea, Lemon & Echinacea Herbal Tea, Turmeric, Chili Matcha Green Tea, Chamomile & Lavender Herbal Tea, Ginger & Peach Herbal Tea and Blueberry & Aloe Herbal Tea …108 Tea bags in all.

8. Taking Care Of Your Hair Under There Kit, $45
Have you heard? CURLS came out with these ultra-chic gift boxes with the best CURListas haircare line has to offer. Now you can have the freedom to rock your protective styles fearlessly. Take care of your “hair under there” before, after and throughout the duration of your protective style, using CURLS Blueberry Bliss Curl Collection! Enriched with certified organic blueberry extract to PURIFY – PROTECT, PRESERVE & GROW your hair while rocking your braids, wigs, clip ins or extension styles.

9. White with Style Sparkle White Professional Home Teeth Whitening Kit, $~~269.99~~
On the go? Use White with Style Teeth Whitening kits to get your teeth whiter than a pearl. Use code: CRYSTALEE to get Sparkle White Professional Home Teeth Whitening Kit for ONLY $28. Click here for more info!

10. MyMakeupBrushSet 10 Piece Black and Gold Oval Brush Set, $34.99
Last but not least, I have the Black and Gold Oval Brush Set for all of the makeup lovers out there. Blend that makeup look into perfection with the beauty world’s favorite tool.

BH Cosmetics Crystal Quartz – 12 Piece Brush Set, $15.60
Enchant your beauty routine with our Crystal Quartz 12 Piece Brush Set, a collection of top-quality face and eye brushes. The set comes in an ethereal, iridescent zip-top case for convenient storage and travel.

Do you have any gift ideas for the beauty buff in your life?

Let me know your suggestions in the comments!

Shop This Story…

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A Day At The Fort Lauderdale Beach

Published on July 30, 2018July 30, 2018 by Lee1 Comment

Hello Beauties, June 29, I had decided last minute to head to the beach and it turned out to be an experience that I cherish close to my heart. That day, my head became a little clearer and my smile became bigger. My smile was real too. Here are couple of reasons why I cherished that moment so much.

I have anxiety which means I have become antisocial over the years. Being around bunch of people, especially people I don’t know can be stressful for me. I’m always in my head and thinking about the worst. But that day, I survived.
I was at peace by MYSELF. I was there from 11:30 am to 4 or 5 -ish pm.
I enjoyed the scene and everything with little money I had. I was happy, like truly happy and learned a lot about myself while getting a nice workout in the process.

Making time for yourself and learning how to enjoy your own space is so important. Never in a million years did I think that I would go to the beach by myself and stay there for longer than 15 minutes. I’m happy I did though and can’t wait to go back. I might even just travel to Orlando or Miami just because. You might be thinking girl, it’s just the beach but for me, its more than that. I proved a lot to myself and didn’t let my anxiety or anything else get in my way. I want to do bigger trips but for now, traveling around Florida will do. If you want to know how I did it with basically no money, What I did, and Where I went then keep on reading…

How Did You Get There?

I took the bus, simple. I got the whole day bus pass which is $5 and took Bus Route 40. I asked a nice man who was hitting on me but it didn’t bother me because he wasn’t disrespectful. He told me what bus to take and gave me directions to get to that bus stop.

Now, if you want to get there quicker without having to wait and make several stops along the way then I suggest you take Lyft. It is going to be pricey depending on where you coming from but you can use my code: CRYSTAL40317 to save $$.

What Places Did You Hangout At?

First, I walked along the beach then I stumbled upon CVS. It wasn’t that far, it was located in Beach Place plaza. I purchased a bottle of coke, I was really thirsty. Mouth felt dry and everything. Thinking back at it, I should had got a water bottle instead especially since when the coke wasn’t cold anymore, it tasted weird. It was warm, not like room temperature, just warm.

Then I went to the beach and dip my toes into the nice cool water. The sun was out but it wasn’t too hot. I wished I had my bathed suit or extra clothing because if I did, I would had became a mermaid for sure lol.

After I finished playing in the water some more, I went up to a family who was tryna take pictures and asked if they needed help. They were so nice, they were traveling from Switzerland. I took some bomb pics for them and said goodbye. Next, I walked some more and saw many parties that was happening at different resorts. I was invited by this lesbian who was cool as fuck. I sat by the pool with them and talked. The music was booming and boobies were out. I spent like 1hr with them before I left. Everyone was just happy and living their best life.

I continued to walk and saw many beautiful resorts, restaurants, hotels, homes, and boats. I decided to turn back around because I was getting hungry and I was a little scared that I might be going too far; I didn’t want to get lost. Since, I wasn’t wearing my glasses, me getting stuck wasn’t the plan and I do sometimes forget things. I just didn’t want to take any chances. Plus, I didn’t have cash on me, so if it had reached 11:59 pm, I would had been screwed because that’s when my bus pass would had expired.

I headed back to Beach Place to rest up. There were many tourists. It wasn’t packed but it was still busy. My back felt better, my body felt better so I got up and continued to see what the prices were looking like for the food. One restaurant had a sale going like buy a burger and get a coke for free and another restaurant Lona had different promotional flyers up. That place was busy, well from what I saw at least. People were eating, drinking and just chilling. Honestly, I wanted a hot dog but the place wasn’t open and there were no other place that was selling hot dogs.

I rode back taking the Bus Route 40 then jumped on Bus Route 22 to get back home. I ended my day with a sweet tea from Dunkin Donuts and 6 pieces of hush browns. They have sweet tea, any size for a $1. I am kinda sad that I missed the Live Music & Entertainment at Fort Lauderdale beach but next time.