My Regimen

My Daily Regimen and Healthy Tips
2011
TIP #1 – Treat your body before you feed it
First thing in the morning, create a morning exercise routine (doesn’t have to be long). I personally do a 10-20-minute yoga/stretching session before breakfast and before bed.  My workout includes Dr. Oz's morning workout.  I then add squats, kicking and balancing exercises to stretch my whole body until 20 minutes are up.  

I wake up at 5:30am and drink a full glass of purified water with lemon during the first half hour of waking.  On days I wake up a little later, I drink the lemon water after my morning workout.  It’s a great way to start your day!  In the morning hours your body detoxes and lemon water is a wonderful way to kick that off.  I also have a glass of water with one tablespoon of apple cider vinegar…however I don’t do this daily, maybe once or twice a week (it’s not too pleasant but great for you).  
Another highly recommended morning workout is rebounding (bouncing on a little trampoline) to help the morning detox process.

TIP #2 – Eat fruit or green smoothies in the morning
I usually eat only fruit or green smoothies in the morning hours. Our body works in a circadian rhythm. From 4am to 12pm our bodies go through a rebuilding process. The less energy spent on digestion the more time the body can use its energy on healing what has to be healed. Fruit takes only around 15 minutes to digest while most cooked food takes anywhere from 3 hours to several days. That’s one reason I eat mostly fruit in the morning. The other reason is I love it! If you do a morning workout before you eat your first meal you will then be burning your stored fat instead of burning calories from a meal. 

TIP #3 – Eat well all day long
Make smart choices all day long for optimal health…be a conscious eater.  Also be sure to drink the amount of water your body needs (half your weight in ounces). Someone who is  120lbs will need to drink at least 60 ounces of water (around 8 glasses). You will feel better over time.  Once you start eating healthy and drinking what your body needs, you may go through a detox phase and feel not-so-good depending on how toxic your body is, as your body is getting rid of all the stored toxins to heal itself, but after this phase you will feel wonderful! Your body takes several months to rejuvenate and rebuild certain organs, so give it time! A great way to accomplish this is to incorporate green smoothies into your day, or even better to juice greens. Green smoothies are nutrient rich with little time needed for digestion...green juices take even less time to digest and your body receives the nutrients immediately. Also eliminate MSG,refined Sugar and artificial sweeteners from your diet completely (stevia is ok). Please watch the videos about MSG and Sugar to learn about how dangerous they truly are to your health and well being.  Be sure you are getting plenty of fiber, nutrients and healthy protein (not as much is needed as believed, and you get them from more foods than you realize).  Organic fruits, vegetables and nuts are good food choices, but for a general guideline avoid processed foods, add more whole foods to your diet. 

TIP #4 – Squeeze in a workout during the day
On super busy days I admit to not squeezing in a workout (apart from my morning and bedtime routines), but I’m working on being more diligent with this.  When the weather warms up outside activities usually give me a good workout. On days I don’t go for my 3.5 mile walk (which takes me about an hr), or when I don’t want to suit up for a full work out, I take a random break and stop whatever I’m doing to do a 20-30 minute workout.  I love doing the RawBrhaw workout, I adapt all their moves and do my own rep count (I use lighter weights of 3-5lbs) and it’s great for strength training.  This break usually includes either Pilates or a more intense yoga session to really strength train my body.  I try to get strength training in at least 3 days a week either with machines, small dumbbells, a band, or using my own body weight.  For the band-workout I do this one http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UCIScBxB9wM by Joel.  I love doing workouts posted on youtube because I can do them anywhere with my ipad. As of August 2014 I joined a gym, and love attending more days than not in a month's time.

TIP #5 – Don’t eat anything 3 hours before you sleep
This way, very little energy is spent on digestion, enabling better sleep and enabling the body’s nerve energy to properly prepare for the next day.  It will also reduce heartburn if you suffer from this at night.  Also, try to limit eating nuts, oil, or avocado after 5pm – they are heavy in fat which is harsh on the digestive process.  It is best to eat fats between noon and 5pm.  Nuts take approximately 6 hours for the body to digest.  I admit though I don't always follow this as my raw food meals usually include either nuts or avocado (more recently fruit during the day and my big salad with avocado in the evening). However I try to always eat dinner by 7:30pm since I sleep at around 10:30pm.  If you must eat something, choose an easy to digest fruit after this time.  A great choice is cherry or cherry juice...Melatonin is found in tart cherries; this can make you sleep better at night and be more wakeful in the daytime.

TIP #6 – Prepare for sleep early
About an hour before bed I do a 10-20-minute yoga and stretching session.  Much like my morning routine, I do Dr. Oz’s 7 minute workout and Dr. Oz’s Evening workout.  It’s a great way to unwind your body at the end of your day.  I tend to sit a lot in my day when working on my computer if the weather isn't nice outside, or at my art desk (especially in the winter months).  So I try to never skip out on my morning and evening routines, especially if I don’t get in a workout or a walk within the day.  This is one reason why I love Dr. Oz’s evening workout, it stretches a lot of the muscles that tense up during my day or during my seeds.

TIP #7 – Pamper yourself for 30 mins before you sleep
I first massage my face with sea buckthorn oil (after washing it) using my pointer and middle finger under and around my eyes towards my nose in that direction for about a minute.  This is a great way to circulate the blood in your face which helps with dark circles around the eyes too. When massaging the rest of the face I go from my chin upwards towards my temple. I put pure sea buckthorn oil on my face instead of any nighttime creams.  Massaging the oil into my face is both a great way of absorbing it into my skin and giving my face a rejuvenating massage treatment all in one, relaxing me for a restful sleep. 

I don’t only massage my face, but I lightly squeeze my muscles around my arms, legs and gently squeeze and pull my fingers out to the tips (not to pop them!).  I gently rub my neck, back, shoulders and feet to make sure my whole body is lose and stress free after my evening workout.  I also massage my scalp too, something so overlooked but so good for you...it also circulates the blood in your scalp that promotes hair grown and a healthy scalp...did I mention how amazing it feels ^_^

When I’m done I do a 15 minute breathing exercise. I use an ipad app (pranayama) that is wonderful! It lets you choose the time and level of difficulty, and tracks sessions. I currently do the 1.90 breaths per minute, for 15 minutes. I can do it with my eyes closes as well since it guides me with a meditation tone for breaths in, retention, and breaths out.  Very relaxing...and then I’m ready for bed. I then sleep so well:)

Dr.Brian Clement speaks @ Catch A Healthy Habit Cafe 5 "Core of Health, Jack Lalaine"

As I try new and healthier products I'm sure it will take some trial and error before I will find my favorites.  Below I will share month by month, or so often, what products I use most in my daily routines. 


June 2011 


Body wash- St. Ives Whipped Silk body wash
face wash- Sibu- cleanse & Detox sea buckthorn face and body bar
body lotion- St. Ives Renewing collagen elastin lotion
face moisturizer day- Yves Rocher- Roche Crème spf 20 with 30 precious oils
face moisturizer night- Yves Rocher- Serum Vegetal- wrinkles & Radiance dazzling cream- Night
deodorant- Naturally Fresh deodorant crystal or Tom’s Natural confidence –citrus zest
toothpaste- Sensodyne- ProNamel gentle whitening - $9.90 for 2 tubes
shampoo- Garnier Fructis Color Shield Fortifying Shampoo

conditioner- John Frieda brilliant Brunette- liquid shine illuminating conditioner
lips- All Terrain Lip armor spf 25- Indian Mint all natural- $2.35 (to wear outside over a lip stain)
make-up- Maybelline dream matte mousse foundation- (my hardest item to give up!)  Under my lip moisturizer I wear my Cover Girl Outlast Outlast smoothwear all day lipcolor, and occasionally when going out 100% natural Yves Rocher soft eye liner or Coastal Scents eyeshadow and smoky Mountain Mineral bronzer for cheek color

Summary- I began my change in products in June 2011 so I wasn’t familiar with all the ingredients I wanted to avoid quite yet, so some of the better options I switched to weren’t completely what I would go for now in July.  The body wash I was using (and had been for yrs) was actually a healthier option compared to most out there, as it’s made without parabens and phalates, however it did include Sodium Laureth Sulfate, an ingredient I now completely avoid.   I also purchased St. Ives Renewing Lotion in June after getting rid of my super fragrant long ingredient list very fragrant lotions…and although it too is a “better” option without parabens and phalates, it has mineral oil and Propylene Glycol, 2 other ingredients I now avoid, so upgraded in July.
I also didn’t know what was in the Riche Crème because it didn’t have the ingredients on the tube, and I threw away the box. Their website didn’t show it either.  I purchased it from Yves Roche, where I used to order a lot of skin products.  My conditioner rated a 6 on the EWG rating scale from 1-10 from least to most toxic, so I switched that in July too, along with my shampoo.  I bought the toothpaste because it was the only one I could find that didn’t have SLS in the store, but realized it had fluoride that I want to omit, so found a better product for July.  I will also look to find a nice lip color I like that is paraben free. Also there is also nothing good in my eyeshadows! (they contain Talc, Mica, Mineral Oil, parabens etc…so I’m looking for alternatives and sadly had just bought 4 pallets with 88 colors each!) So I plan on selling them since I have only used about 3 colors on one palette.


July 2011

Body wash- Jericho Dead Sea Black mud soap bar - $8.94 and Sibu- cleanse & Detox sea buckthorn face body bar - $5.95 (I alter between the 2).
toothpaste- Coral White Mint toothpaste- $6.79
face moisturizer day- derma e- sample lotions
face moisturizer night- Sibu- 100% organic sea buckthorn seed oil - $10.50
sunscreen- Vanicream spf 35 sensitive skin formula and Tropical Sands spf 50 sunscreen – 15.98 for my face (formally Mexitan)
shampoo- Chagrin Valley Soap- Coconut milk shampoo bar- $2.60 sample bar
lips- Chagrin Valley Soap- Aloe Butter double mint lip butter balm - $3.25 (when I’m in my room) Wilderness family Naturals- hot lemon Lip Balm (during the day- the chili gives my lips a color flush) All Terrain Lip armor spf 25- Indian Mint all natural - $2.35 (when I go out in the sun) and Burt’s Bees Soothing Cooling Refreshing (soothing before bed)
make-up-  Sweet face mineral make-up- Beige Sheer bare cover Foundation - $10.95 12g, Under my lip-moisturizer I still wear my Cover Girl Outlast smoothwear all day lipcolor (only rates a 3 on EWG but contains parabens, so will buy a different one soon), still occasionally when going out 100% natural Yves Rocher soft eye liner for my top lid,  Mountain Mineral bronzer for cheek color


August 2011

face moisturizer day- raw organic coconut oil
face moisturizer night- Sibu- 100% organic sea buckthorn seed oil
sunscreen- Vanicream spf 35 sensitive skin formula or Tropical Sands spf 50 sunscreen – only on sensitive face areas with prolonged sun exposure
shampoo- Chagrin Valley Soap- Coconut milk shampoo bar
make-up-  Only for special occasions- Sweet face mineral make-up- Beige Sheer bare cover Foundation Under my lip-moisturizer I still wear my Cover Girl Outlast smoothwear all day lipcolor, occasionally 100% natural Yves Rocher soft eye liner for my top lid,  Mountain Mineral bronzer for cheek color.

January 2012

face wash- Local Organic Raw Honey to cleanse (then organic lemon to leave on)
toothpaste- Eco-Dent daily Care tooth soap (in powder form)
body moisturizer – Raw Organic Coconut oil or olive oil
face moisturizer day- Raw Organic Coconut oil
face moisturizer night- Sibu- 100% organic sea buckthorn seed oil
sunscreen- Vanicream spf 35 sensitive skin formula or Tropical Sands spf 50 sunscreen – only on sensitive face areas with prolonged sun exposure
shampoo- Chagrin Valley Soap-
make-up-  Only for special occasions- Sweet face mineral make-up- Beige Sheer bare cover Foundation Under my lip-moisturizer I still wear my Cover Girl Outlast smoothwear all day lipcolor, occasionally 100% natural Yves Rocher soft eye liner for my top lid,  Mountain Mineral bronzer for cheek color.

May 2012

face wash- Local Organic Raw Honey to cleanse (then organic lemon to leave on)
toothpaste- Eco-Dent daily Care tooth soap (in powder form)
body moisturizer – Raw Organic Coconut oil or olive oil
face moisturizer day- Raw Organic Coconut oil
face moisturizer night- Sibu- 100% organic sea buckthorn seed oil (just around eyes)
sunscreen- Vanicream spf 35 sensitive skin formula or Tropical Sands spf 50 sunscreen – only on sensitive face areas with prolonged sun exposure (however none used so far this year)
shampoo- Wen by Chaz Dean (Lavender cleaning and conditioning in one)
conditioner- Wen by Chaz Dean (Lavender cleaning and conditioning in one)
make-up-  Only for special occasions- Sweet face mineral make-up- Beige Sheer bare cover Foundation Under my lip-moisturizer I still wear my Cover Girl Outlast smoothwear all day lipcolor or lip pencil, occasionally 100% natural Yves Rocher soft eye liner for my top lid,  Mountain Mineral bronzer for cheek color.

February 2014


Body wash- 100% Natural Soaps
face wash- Desert Essence face wash that's made with tea tree oil 
toothpaste- Eco-Dent daily Care tooth soap (in powder form)
body moisturizer – Raw Organic Coconut oil or olive oil copaiba & lemon essential oil
face moisturizer day- Raw Organic Coconut oil
face moisturizer night- I also use derma e soothing skin treatment tea tree and E antiseptic creme and/or Sibu- 100% organic sea buckthorn seed oil (just around eyes)
sunscreen- Vanicream spf 35 sensitive skin formula only on sensitive face areas with prolonged sun exposure (however very rarely, more commonly just use raw coconut oil)
shampoo- Desert Essence tea tree replenishing shampoo
conditioner- Desert Essence coconut conditioner, and Desert Essence hair defrizzer and heat protector.  
make-up-  Only for special occasions- Sweet face mineral make-up- Beige Sheer bare cover Foundation Under my lip-moisturizer I still wear my Cover Girl Outlast smoothwear all day lipcolor or lip pencil, occasionally 100% natural Yves Rocher soft eye liner for my top lid,  Mountain Mineral bronzer for cheek color.


January 2015


Body wash- 100% Natural Soaps
face wash- Desert Essence face wash that's made with tea tree oil 
face scrub- Acure Organics Brightening Facial Scrub Sea Kelp+ Chlorella Growth Factor
body moisturizer – Raw Organic Coconut oil or olive oil with copaiba & lemon essential oil
face moisturizer day- Raw Organic Coconut oil or ACURE 100% USDA Organic Moroccan Argan Oil
face moisturizer night- I use derma e soothing skin treatment tea tree and E antiseptic creme and/or ACURE Facial Serum - Firming
sunscreen- Vanicream spf 35 sensitive skin formula only on sensitive face areas with prolonged sun exposure (however very rarely, more commonly just use raw coconut oil)
conditioner- Desert Essence Organics Conditioner - Coconut, or
and Desert Essence hair defrizzer and heat protector.  
lips- Raw Organic Coconut oil or Eco Lips mint 
make-up-  Only for special occasions- Sweet face mineral make-up- 100% Pure Healthy Skin Foundation With Super Fruits(Full Coverage / Satin Finish) - Peach Bisque  and Beige Sheer bare cover Foundation Under my lip-moisturizer I still wear my Maybelline New York Superstay 24, 2-step Lipcolor, Unlimited Raisin 050 and lip pencil, occasionally 100% natural Yves Rocher soft eye liner for my top lid,  Mountain Mineral bronzer for cheek color.

Some of my favorite brands:
100% Pure - http://www.100percentpure.com/
Desert Essence - https://www.desertessence.com/