Love the Skin You’re in: The Sequel
It’s been just over a year since I wrote the last blog discussing my ongoing journey with skin health. If you’re someone dealing with similar issues I highly recommend you read it, but if you want the Coles notes let me give you a little recap…..
I’ve been managing skin issues for almost a decade. Has anyone ever told you that when you have kids your skin will erupt into a mess of eczema, acne, and inflammation? Ya, me neither. My boys sure are lucky they’re cute! Now obviously this isn’t the case for everyone, but it most definitely has been for me. In the last 10 years I’ve battled with skin crawling irritation ranging from cystic acne and full body rash, to extreme eczema on my hands, and most recently on my face/mouth. I’ve had many moments of not wanting to look in the mirror, show my face in public, or shake someone’s hand. To say it’s been physically and emotionally depleting would be an understatement.
I’ve tried everything you can imagine from natural remedies to past life trauma healing to prescribed medication. Some were a temporary fix, others were bandaid solutions, many have been building blocks towards the slow and steady healing I’m experiencing today. I warned you that there is no one miracle cure or quick fix, at least not for me. I hope that doesn’t discourage you, but instead remind you that healing is a journey that requires commitment. Once you decide that you’re worth it you’ll realize that your skin is only trying to get your attention. It’s asking you to start tuning into what’s happening in and around your body. A signal that you’re ready for more and the old habits you’ve been surviving on are not serving you anymore. What are you taking into your body? This isn’t just in regards to nutrition, but also the information + energy you’re letting in. What are your methods for managing stress? This can include anything from movement to sleep to self care practices, but also the boundaries you are or aren’t placing in your life. What are you applying to your body? We’re inundated with synthetics in the products we use in our homes + on our bodies that wreak havoc on our skin and overall health. I bet you didn’t consider that all of these are factors in your skin health! When “they” say your skin is a reflection of what’s happening on the inside, they ain’t wrong! The good news is, small changes make way for big health shifts. And once you start upgrading your whole life will see the benefits!
I’m choosing to believe that the lessons my skin has taught me are all for the greater good. I’ve learned more about myself than I ever thought I could. I’ve deepened my knowledge in health + wellness tools and practices which has only fuelled my passion for low tox living. Most importantly I’ve gathered experiences to help me serve others who are walking a similar path.
April 2021
October 2022
How’s that for a transformation? I get pretty emotional just looking at it. That’s not to say I don’t have minor breakouts here and there, but as you can see my skin has drastically improved over the last year and a bit. Let’s talk about what has made the biggest difference for me since the last time we spoke on this topic.
1. Self Care
I am pretty relentless when it comes to my self care practices these days. I have learned the hard way that if I don’t fill my own cup, no one will and I’ll suffer some pretty big consequences. This has been extremely helpful for my skin and the side benefits are that I feel pretty freakin great. It’s amazing what prioritizing yourself can do. I used to feel guilty taking the time for me but showing up for others half assed wasn’t helping anyone! I’m borderline obsessed with tongue scraping, dry brushing, and staying hydrated, but my most recent love affair is with my Infrared Sauna! And when I say love affair it’s no joke. My husband will agree that he has taken a backseat to my evening sweat sessions (but he’s totally here for how helpful it’s been for me!). There’s just nothing like dripping out everything your body doesn’t need. About 4x a week my typical routine is to dry brush, get in the sauna for 30-40min, and follow with a cool shower (this is great for improving blood flow).
Here are some important benefits of hopping in the sauna:
Detoxification
Decrease Inflammation
Increase circulation
Relieve pain
Burn calories
Sleep Better
Immune Enhancement & Promote overall health and wellness
Mitochondria Support and Enhanced Energy
Increased Natural Nitric Oxide and Redox Molecule Production
Anti-Aging Benefits; Collagen Production, Cellulite Reduction
In my opinion this is the best natural detoxification you can get your hands on….especially if you aren’t sweating it out as often as you should be. But as with most wellness tools, they aren’t all created equally. I ended up purchasing the Therasage Personal Sauna. I love the size and price point (send me a message for a 20% discount code), but also because of it’s amazing reviews. A larger cedar, permanent sauna is definitely on my wish list but this one fit our budget and allowed me to experience the results before making a huge investment. Another major draw for me is that although it’s small, it offers full-spectrum infrared, negative ions, earthing, and no EMF's!!
2. Phone a Friend
As I’ve already mentioned, not all wellness tools are created equal. This is especially relevant when it comes to supplements. Another important thing to note is that we are all unique with different needs and health concerns/goals. This means that there is no cookie cutter health prescription for everyone. What works for me, might not work for you. Also, what works for me right now, might not work for me in a few months from now. Our health is continually evolving so we need to be on top of our game. For me, that meant working with a professional to help me see things I couldn’t and make supplement recommendations I might not have known I needed!
Lucky for me, I’ve known Jenny for a long time so I felt confident reaching out to her with my personal health concerns. Lucky for you, I only recommend health practices that I have personally tried + trust. Jenny runs an alternative & holistic online health service that empowers you to address the root cause of your symptoms + restore your health. She is knowledgeable, intuitive, and results driven! We have been working together, adjusting supplement protocols, and monitoring progress, and I couldn’t be happier with how far we’ve come. I’m forever grateful for her services and friendship and I know she can help with whatever health struggles you’re dealing with.
Check out the progress I made with Jenny in my shoutout on her IG account! If you’re seeking a more natural approach to your wellness goals she’s your girl!
3. Superfoods
I’ve added a few rockstars into my daily lineup and I’m quite confident I would have a hard time living without them now!
Organifi powders are insanely good. I’m talking so good I wake up craving them, and so good that even my kids will drink them. All our products are certified Glyphosate Residue Free, meaning there are no pesticides or herbicides. This is so important to your overall health. Each serving is like fuelling your cells with an grocery store haul of the highest quality fruits + veggies you can imagine. There are different products that target specific needs but I personally love the Green juice (super powered multi vitamin), Red juice (high quality energizer), Pure (digestion + clarity), Harmony (hormonal healing), and chocolate Gold (think healthy hot chocolate!). When I’m craving a quick boost of energy or something other than water, these always do the trick!
Did you know that only 6.8% of US adults are metabolically healthy? I know I didn’t, and in my opinion this is soul crushing because in many cases it’s in our own control! The MetaPWR system is designed to improve metabolic health. But like, what the heck does that even mean?! The best way I can describe it is - if you were able to find a way to put more life in your years here on earth, this would be it. Think live younger….longer.
MetaPWR ensures that our blood sugar is more stabilized throughout the day (say goodbye to mindless eating + endless cravings), encourages our fat cells to store fatty acids more optimally (causing our current volume of fatty acids to shrink!), and replenishes collagen + NAD in the body (anti-aging unicorns that have been on a steady decline in production since our 20s!). What I love about these products is that they meet you where you’re at and provide healing in whatever ways your body is needing. For me that meant skin health with a side of other incredible benefits. For others it has meant weight loss, pain relief, cardiovascular health improvements, decreased brain fog, and so much more. If you want to read some mind blowing testimonials check out this group. I know in my heart that these products are going to remove frustrating health barriers that so many of us have been chronically struggling with…..not just skin related!
I can quite confidently say, that nothing has been as quick or noticeable in my healing as since I began the MetaPWR system. I truly feel like this is the missing piece for me (and so many of us)! After just one week of use I experienced soft and more supple - especially hands + lips (biggest problem areas for me), less redness + irritation, as well as less dryness, flakiness, and itchiness. Other bonus non skin related side effects include feeling light and overall happier, deeper sleep, and very little interest in processed/sugary foods.
If this sounds like something you’d be interested in trying reach out and I can provide you with some more info or help guide with you in getting started. I also have a guided program to offer so you can implement these products in a community setting with a group of like minded wellness chasers.
4. Stress Management
This is a tough one because it’s so hard to control how our body responds to stress. The best we can do is add activities into our daily routine that keep us grounded and bring us joy. Of course I’ve still been leaning into my oils, moving my body daily, and spending as much time as possible outdoors, but there are a few specific things I added to my joy list over the summer months that have impacted me deeply.
Sourdough has been a labour of love for me! I’m not afraid to admit that this is a work in progress. I’m using this venture as a true test to my patience and controlling nature. I will say that the small pleasures I’ve experienced so far will have me not giving up anytime soon. Sourdough isn’t just a flavour, it’s memories anchored in the kitchen, nostalgic recipe making, and so much more!
My love for gardening came out in full force this summer! We committed to creating a space that would nourish our family for years to come and our first season was a huge success. There is absolutely nothing more grounding that getting your hands in the dirt, and nothing for satisfying than collecting dinner from your backyard!
I’ve rediscovered a love for reading and it’s brought me so much joy. I love to read before bed and I’m convinced this addition to my nightly routine has had a positive impact on my sleep as well. Click the image to learn more about how I got back into books (in my opinion feeling the book in your hands and smelling the pages is an important part of this ritual) and the revelation that hooked me in!
Ok that’s a wrap (for now)! The most important thing to remember here is that wellness is a personal journey! You need to find what resonates and works for YOU. The second most important thing is patience. Like I’ve already said, there is no quick fix for health obstacles that have likely been going on for longer than you can imagine. The third most important thing is trust. Trust in yourself, that you can and will make the right decisions for your own body. And trust that whatever you are doing is helping you reach your longterm goal….while remembering that healing isn’t a linear journey of course!
I’m so happy you’re here, but I’ll be even happier if what I’ve written here is helpful for you in any way. So be sure to let me know! And don’t hesitate to shoot me a message if you need extra support. We’re in this together friend! xo
