Love Thyself

I made an impromptu trip to visit my older sister when I found out she was feeling worse than usual with all her detoxing she’s been doing. Turns out, the road to recovery from cancer is a b****! It has been more of an emotional strain at this point and so I thought some sisterly bonding time we be just what a holistic doc would order. 😉

Me and my sis have so much to talk about whenever we see each other. Talk about major word vomit. We can hardly get out everything we want to say. Through my sister’s road to becoming healthier and fighting a brain tumor, she introduced me to a new blog I was unfamiliar with. This chick that blogs at http://www.thewellnesswarrior.com is a total bad ass. Not only has she kicked cancer’s behind, she has so many amazing posts about not only physical health, but emotional and spiritual wellbeing too.

While browsing around her blog and checking out some of her posts, I came across an entry about self love. This girl hits it on the nail and really has some amazing advice. In today’s crazy, twisted world, I think we could all use some self love in our life. And although this is an old topic, she brings new light on the subject.

She gives three pieces of advice when it comes to accepting and loving yourself.

1. Making all decisions and acting from a place of self love.

2. Eating nothing but real food.

3. A daily meditation practice.

http://www.jessainscough.com/2012/11/3-things-that-have-transformed-my-life/

Seriously, go check out this amazing woman’s blog and listen to her incredible/inspiring/rad story. You won’t regret it. After all, all you need is love.

XOXO Chewbeccah

 

Fresh Faces

Neutrogena, L’oreal, Clean & Clear, Olay, etc. etc.

My older sister of six years, whose ground I worship, recently found out that her brain tumor is back again for the second time. The first time she was diagnosed she went through chemotherapy. We rapidly realized this was a GINORMOUS mistake! This time around, she’s realized the benefits and success of treating cancer naturally and holistically. It has changed our whole outlooks on life.

Part of my sister’s approach to treating her tumor includes eliminating every single toxin in her life that is possible. These changes range from her mattress, to methods of vacuuming, to her face wash and beauty products. Along with my sister I intend to make these changes in my life as well.

Recently my sister told me about Courtney Cambell from the online blog “Green Drink Diaries.”  (Below are the links).  Courtney Cambell is a cancer survivor who chose to not undergo chemotherapy and lists tons of great ideas on how to eliminate toxins from your life. Using her method of oil cleansing has been so fabulous and I already notice crazy improvements in my skin!! Everyone hates breaking out, having dry, or red skin, and if you’re looking for a way to change those issues or improve your complexion in general you MUST MUST MUST try this!

Courtney Cambell uses organic extra-virgin olive oil (EVOO) and organic castor oil. The castor oil works to draw out impurities and the EVOO works as a natural moisturizer. What’s also great about making your own products is being able to control the ratios to your own desire. I started off using about 75% castor oil and 25% EVOO because I tend to have an oily complexion. However, I noticed my skin feels just a touch dry and think I might play with the ratios a bit to make the perfect combination. The castor oil is absolutely amazing!! The few blemishes I had cleared up right away and my skin tone is looking more even and flawless. I haven’t been even using this method even a week, so imagine how much improvement is in store with consistent use! I am so excited about this new find, it makes me want to get up and dance and show off my new face!

I get that the idea of rubbing oil all over your face contradicts everything we would normally think. Acne is oil clogged up in the pores essentially, so it seems logical that we would want to avoid oily products on our skin. The opposite is true. Give this a try for yourself, I’m sure you will fall deeply, madly, in love, just like I did!

UPDATE [An Oily Mouth]: I am a committed oil puller now. My teeth are so much more white and I have been free from any bad morning-breath. This method is awesome and I am completely sold. I continue to oil pull with organic extra-virgin coconut oil every morning for about 10-15 minutes. I think when I run out of my coconut oil I’m going to venture on with sesame oil and give that a try since it is the #1 recommended oil to use with oil pulling.  I’m totally pumped with the results from all my latest projects!

http://www.greendrinkdiaries.com/oil-cleansing-method/

My clean green beauty routine. By chemo-free survivor Cortney Campbell.

Castor Oil for Acne: Tips and Therapies

An Oily Mouth

Yesterday I was able to spend the day with my older sister who lives in Salt Lake City. A few years ago we found out she had a brain tumor. And although it went to remission after experimental treatments through Harvard and chemotherapy, the tumor is back. Any who is not familiar with “The Gerson Miracle” should go change their lives right now by watching this hourish long documentary that is currently on Netflix. #NetflixJunkie

I’m sensing a review on “The Gerson Miracle” in my near future…

Overall, what my sister is now doing (because of her inspiration from the Gerson Therapy) is eliminating all toxins in her life. From shaving cream, the water you bathe with, to oil pulling. I had heard of oil pulling before- but I wasn’t quite sure on the technique or what it was supposed to do for you. Obviously as one of the few earthy and aware people in the community I jumped all over this Aryuvedic practice. It’s an ancient Indian technique that has been around for about 3,000-5,000 years. Literally when I got home from work I went to my bathroom, pulled out the organic extra-virgin coconut oil and went to town.

From what I’ve gathered, sesame oil seems to be the choice organic oil to use when oil pulling. However, people have claimed amazing results with coconut oil, olive oil, and other kinds as well. Oil pulling is recommended first thing in the morning before eating or drinking. Taking 1-2 Tablespoons of oil, swish the oil slowing in your mouth for at least 10 minutes, but ideally 20 minutes. This can also be repeated before bed if you have an empty stomach. Do not gargle or swallow! This warning has shown up on every article I’ve read on oil pulling. The oil is full to the brim with microbes and toxins. Obviously, the idea behind oil pulling is to eliminate and remove toxins. Not to swallow them. Doesn’t take a genius to figure that out, but hey, I’m sure people have and still do it.

Now oil pulling is attached to the idea that the oil is pulling out the destructive and harmful toxins in your body and such. The evidence that proves this statement isn’t really out there. People don’t seem to know how it really works. Some suggest that since it is improving your oral health, it improves other aspects of your body and it’s organs. Think of it like plaque and how your dental health is correlated with your cardiovascular or heart health. Same idea.

Some of the claimed benefits of oil pulling include eliminating bad breath, dry face, dull senses, exhaustion, anorexia, loss of taste, impaired vision, sore throat, all kapha related imbalances, prevention of decay, oral malodor, bleeding gums, dryness of throat, cracked lips, strengthening teeth, gums and the jaw, can kick start weight loss, aid in prevention of chronic disease, and detoxify the body.

A study done by The Indian Journal of Dental Research stated that oil pulling was just as effective as using name-brand chlorhexidine mouthwashes. And who wants to put a harsh chemical such as chlorhexidine in their mouth when your dental health is directly related to the health of your body? #QuestionsWithoutAnyGoodAnswers

So like I said I started oil pulling last night the minute I walked into my bedroom. And then again first thing this morning. I already notice that I have sores on the back of my tongue, I have an annoying toothache, a headache, and am feeling a little crumby. Not too bad though, kind of just a nuisance. I’m thinkin’ it’s more than just coincidence. Thoughts?

Xoxo,

Chewbeccah

http://www.earthclinic.com/Remedies/oil_pulling.html

http://www.naturalnews.com/043731_oil_pulling_oral_hygiene_dental_health.html

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19336860/

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3131773/