Healthy Living

After several weeks of eating out a lot and not working out, I've decided that it is time to get back on (and yes, I know I've said this several times before) the healthy kick.  However, this time I'm really taking more steps to not only eat better and work out, but also to be conscious of the condition of my body. 

Last week, my mom and I were discussing a new "tonic" that some of her friends were doing to help restore the pH balance in their bodies and get rid of toxins.  So, she and decided we would try it as well.  For the past week, we've been shooting apple cider vinegar tonics every morning and evening.  Basically, I mix 1/2 tablespoon of raw apple cider vinegar with a little bit of orange juice, plug my nose and shoot it (as if it were a real shot - I never quite got the hang of taking shots in college, but I'm slowly learning the art of opening your throat...).  It doesn't taste great, but it really isn't too bad.  The first day I did this, my mom told me to just mix it with a little ice water and drink it down.  Well, I just about threw up right in the middle of the kitchen, so I crossed that method off the list fast.  Apparently, this is an old remedy because as I was telling a lady at work about this she told me her mother used to do the same thing many many years ago.  There are many benefits to restoring the pH balance in your body and getting rid of toxins allows the oxygen to reach your blood easier which in turn helps your organs to function better. 

Another remedy that I'm going to start this week is to soak in an epsom salt bath for 20 minutes a couple of times a week.  This is another way to help your body get rid of toxins (the epsom salt draws the toxins from deep down in your body up to your skin which allows your body to get rid of them easier) and to help improve the quality of your skin.  Plus, it is a great excuse to relax in a warm bath!!

And finally, I'm going to try my VERY hardest to give up caffeine.  Yes, I know I've said it before and yes, I know I've failed more than once, but I'm going to do it.  I've started off by finding good substitutes such as Vitamin Water and Mug Root Beer (caffeine free).  I know that both of these drinks still have sugar in them so it will be a practice in moderation, but I've got to get off the caffeine.  I also dug out a fun water bottle that has been hiding in the back of a cabinet for many years and it does a good job of keeping my ice water cold at work and it has a straw, which for some reason, is appealing to me.

So, there you have it.  My new plan to get healthy!