Sky Nutrition

Natural, healthy and vibrant.

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Why I Judge Food by its Colors

Skittles isn't the only one that agrees you should eat the rainbow. Eating a nice range of different colors will give you a vibrant glow and make you insanely healthier. Everything we eat manifests in all of our cells, which in turn affects the health and color of our skin.

Consumption of produce that consists of reds, greens, blues, yellows, purples, and oranges will give your skin an awesome hue. Who doesn’t want to manifest the full spectrum!

Flooding your body with the rainbow every day also delivers you a plethora of antioxidants, minerals, vitamins and enzymes. This in turn boost energy, improves immune function, kills cancer and candida cells, detoxes your liver, kidneys and colon, and makes your skin vibrant and less prone to wrinkles and other fun byproducts of aging.

However, this does not include food that is dyed with artificial coloring. Avoid those dyes like your life depends on it – because it does! Fake dyes are one of your brains biggest adversaries. There are dozens of studies that show strong correlations between artificial food dye consumption and impaired visual, cognitive, and metabolic  function.

On the bright side, color extracts from many veggies and spices are being used to dye food now. So rest assured – you can still splurge on red velvet cake. Just be sure to make sure it is dyed with beet juice.

Steer clear of foods that are white and brown like bread, pasta, red meat, cookies, sugar, dairy, you get the picture! These foods wreak havoc on your body which leads to excess mucus. This is a recipe for your skin to show pallor and sallow hues.

Some suggestions on eating the rainbow include salads, smoothies, juicing, adding veggies to wraps and sandwiches, experimenting with your food processor, or just eating them how they are 

Radiantly Awesome Health Recap:

No artificial food dyes

Avoid whites and browns

Eat the rainbow

Love your body

Do it!

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A Happy and Healthy Bun in the Oven

Got a bun in the oven or hoping to have one soon? If so, congrats in advance!! It is vital to have a healthy terrain for baby to grow in as well as giving him/her vital nutrients, love and – not to get all new age on you – peace. As soon as conception happens, a mother and her baby form a bond and are much interconnected in many ways. Along with eating healthy, additional lifestyles such as juicing, meditation, nature, and moderate exercise like yoga and walking can have tremendous benefits on a mother and her baby. FUN FACT: A mother’s habits when the baby is in the womb sets a blueprint and will affect the baby’s habits throughout life. If you eat junk food while pregnant, your baby will freely eat junk food at their own free will. Eating lots of fruit and veggies on the other hand, will set the babies blueprint and palate to choose healthy eating habits. According to the Environmental Nutrition magazine, “..a high-fat maternal diet can change the offspring’s gene expression and behavior towards a desire for more palatable foods.” – Endocrinology 2010.

Juicing is a wonderful thing you can do for your and your baby’s health. Juicing separates the fiber from the juice of fruits and veggies, making all of those vitamins and minerals readily available to flood through your body and instantly be absorbed. Be sure to use organic produce and wash them thoroughly with veggie wash (vinegar works too!) and a brush to remove any pesticides. Green juices are crazy healthy and will nourish you like no other, followed by other veggie and fruit juices.

While many doctors will recommend taking a prenatal vitamin as your source of nutrients, it’s always better to get your nutrients in the form of food, as many vitamins have toxic fillers and can cause problems in the mother. I am not a doctor; this is just based on a wide array of sources I have read so do what works best for you. Please do your own research on this topic and use your best judgment. If you choose to take a prenatal, juicing is still a very wise choice and has the most potent form of readily available nutrients.

3 IMPORTANT NUTRIENTS BABIES NEED

FOLIC ACID: Folic acid (vitamin B9) is a superhero during pregnancy! It helps develop your baby’s spinal cord, brain, prevents neural tube defects, reduces risks of a cleft lip and/or palate, repairs DNA and allows for rapid cell growth of the placenta, and much more. The recommended dose while pregnant is 400 mcg (micrograms) a day, and 500 mcg while breastfeeding. To up your folic acid intake, juice with kale, romaine lettuce, spinach (has the highest source!), asparagus, broccoli, guava and orange juice. It is BEST to get your folic acid from food! According to Dr. Furman, “Supplemental folic acid has also been linked to prostate cancer3, colorectal cancer4, and overall cancer mortality.7 Because folate is abundant in the nutritarian diet, and synthetic folic acid is so potentially dangerous, folic acid is not included in Dr. Fuhrman’s Gentle Care multivitamin.”

GINGER: Oh, the lovely ginger. Ginger is a wonderful anti-inflammatory that keeps your immune working like superman during pregnancy. A HUGE PERK to juicing with ginger is its anti-nausea/vomiting abilities that many pregnant women suffer from. It relaxes the stomach, aids digestion, prevents acid reflux, and will nix your nausea in no time. Remember when you were sick and your mom gave you ginger ale? Enough said. J Add an inch of ginger root to your juice at least once a day.

PROTEIN: Amino acids are the building blocks of protein, and proteins are the building blocks of life. Proteins aid in cell function and synthesis, metabolism, growth and development, immune function, repairs and builds DNA and RNA, formation of tissues and organs, and has also created a huge meathead industry. (Just kidding!…a little.) The best way to get all of your amino acids is through a wide range of fruits and veggies such as a blend of pineapple, carrots, spinach, apples, cabbage, celery, beets, and cucumbers. The more vast the range of colors, the better!

When juicing during pregnancy, some DON’TS are…

Do not juice fast! This can stimulate a detox, and having extra toxins roaming your system is dangerous to baby.

No substituting meals for juice.

Go light on cilantro and parsley. These bad boys are POTENT detoxifiers for your liver and kidneys. Normally I would say this is great for you except for the fact that you’ll have extra toxins loosened up in your system which can make their way into the womb.

Listen to your body. If something makes you feel sick or doesn’t feel right, avoid it. Let your intuition guide you.

Have a happy and healthy pregnancy!

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Making Friends on Planes (and everywhere!)

Ahh! That exhilarating feeling when you’re about to board a plane to a new and hopefully anticipated destination. It can be quite exciting for those who love to fly and sit next to random people from random places and hearing their crazy life stories. Seriously, you meet the most interesting people from all over the world just by striking up a small talk convo about their book or where they’re travelling to. Flying in a plane can be rather boring, so make the best of it. If you’re a socialite, you have nothing to lose so try it.

You might:

-Meet your next business partner

-Get a potential dream job offer

-Make a new amazing friend

-Meet your soul mate

-Meet a humble celebrity

…or….

-Somebody who enlightens you and offers some valuable life advice

On rare occasion you might encounter a Scrooge – if that’s the case then read a book, sleep, listen to music, or daydream.

On a flight to Guatemala a few summers ago, my friend and I sat next to a man who is the manager of the Panamanian Band, Los Rabones. He ended up inviting us to The Pepsi Music Challenge in Guatemala City that his band was playing for that evening. Free entrance, free food and Pepsi (which we health nuts declined) all from asking our plane friend about the book he was holding. It was quite an interesting and unforgettable event. Score!

While sitting in the airport in Ohio for a delayed flight, I struck up a conversation with a man next to me about how annoying delayed flights are. Turns out I was talking to a very famous, former NFL player who was flying home the NFL Hall of Fame event. On another flight (last example-  I promise) I saw next to a couple that owns a vineyard in California and said they would take care of me if I ever make it out there. NICE! Talk to strangers. You never know who you will meet!

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Just say no to aspartame!

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Unlocking Mother Natures Secrets for Glowing, Youthful Skin

Most people today, especially women, spend lots of time and money on products, serums, procedures, books, advice, etc. to achieve eternal youth and beauty. We live in a society where looking and feeling young, beautiful and fit are highly coveted and worshipped. Add on the pressure from the media who are great at adding to this pressure as they symbolize what a healthy beautiful person looks like with models and actresses. Looking like a Kardashian or Victoria Secret model isn’t the most realistic goal and no way to compare oneself to, unless you really want to look like one and are willing to put in the work, money and hours…then Hey! Go for it! 

Add in the flood of baby boomers striving to lock in their youth. One of the most coveted beauty ideal is to keep our skin young, tight, clear and beautiful. Its a hot beauty trend that has caused the plastic surgery industry to boom. According to Lifeterminsurance.org, in 2011 the industry totaled over $80 billion. In 2015 it is expected to climb to $115 billion! Clearly, Americans are willing to shell out a lot of money to look younger. Unfortunately, most of the products from stores have been shown to be ineffective, especially given the high prices. 

In addition, these products are loaded with toxic chemicals that can break down collagen bonds and disrupt your endocrine system which leads to hormonal imbalances. Hormonal imbalances = bad skin. Procedures on the other hand are proven to be more effective, as proven by the statistic that in 2011 and 2012, Botox sales were $5.3 million, $5.7 million respectively, and is predicted to close at $1.94 billion in 2013! Clearly, America hates wrinkles! No wonder younger generations are afraid to age. 

While Botox proves to be temporarily effective, it is expensive (between $300-$500) each time, is toxic, and lasts about 3-4 months which is bad news to those who cannot afford to be a repeat customer. The good news is that Mother Nature creates some fantastic products that when used internally and externally, can reverse aging, smooth out fine lines, and even out skin tone. In a nutshell, healthy youthful skin is all about prevention. Don’t wait for lines or dull skin to happen, be proactive!  I would like to add that I have nothing against Botox or those who use it and completely understand why people get use it, this is simply to holistically inform those looking to naturally achieve beautiful skin. In this three part series, I share what you can put ON your skin, do to your skin, and consume to achieve naturally smooth, beautiful skin. Let’s explore…. 

EXTERNAL BEAUTY: WHAT TO PUT ON YOUR SKIN 

Nix those toxic face washes, lotions and toners. They are doing more harm than good!

IODIZED SEA SALT: This will slough off dead skin, clean pores, remove make-up, and brighten your skin while leaving behind minerals and ions that neutralize free radicals to prevent aging. Rinse your face with warm water and then gently rub 1 teaspoon of sea salt in circular motions on your face for 1 minute, then wash off. Do this every night. Cost: $1

BENTONITE CLAY MASKS: This mask makes your skin RADIATE! Bentonite clay binds to toxins, oil, etc. in your pores and draws them out. It is a powerful at clearing skin, zapping blackheads, evening skin tone and tightening pores, which will lead to a natural glow. In a non-metal bowl, mix one tablespoon of clay with 1 teaspoon of apple cider vinegar, mix well and lather all over your face. Leave on for at least 30 minutes and wash off with warm water. Do this 3x a week. Cost: $15

LEMON JUICE AND APPLE CIDER VINEGAR:  These two work as a great astringent that tone your skin, prevent blemishes, and deliver tons of vitamins and minerals. Nourishment prevents wrinkles. The acids neutralize oil and bacteria. Use a swab of either of these and rub onto skin every day before bed. You can use these interchangeably.  Cost: 30 cents to $6.

COCONUT OIL:  Coconut oil is packed with vitamins, minerals, and other properties that nourish, soften, tone, and hydrate your skin. Dehydrated skin is a recipe for dry skin which leads to cracks, uneven skin tone and dull color. Hydrated skin is key for gorgeous skin!! HYDRATE HYDRATE HYDRATE! Substitute this for your moisturizer and watch your skin change.  Cost: $10

BAKING SODA: While your face is wet, gently rub baking soda on your skin in circular motions. Baking soda is an excellent exfoliant, makes your skin glow, reduces age spots and wrinkles, and binds to dirt and bacteria to remove it. Your skin will look amazing!! Cost: $1

 Incorporate these tricks into your beauty routine in lieu of chemical laden products and your life will change! All of these are under $15 so your skin and bank account will love you!!

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The Magical Powers of Maca

Maca, the native root in Peru, has been around for over 3500 years and is becoming more recognized in the Americas for its super potent healing and nutritional properties. It has a slightly nutty flavor, and is in the same cruciferous family with radishes and cauliflower…so technically its a veggie. You can find Maca in powder and capsule form, and can be found at most health food stores and of course, the internet. An easy way to consume it is to toss a scoop in your smoothies and protein shakes after the gym for a nutty, healthy kick. Fun fact: During the Incan Empire, warriors would consume Maca  before going to battle to increase strength and energy.

As far as nutrients go, here is why you should choose Maca for health and happiness…..

It is abundant in B vitamins, especially B-12 (a win for vegetarians)

It is rich in sulfur, which is great for joint function and cellular health

Abundant in calcium, iron, magnesium, copper, selenium, and much more

Has 20 amino acids (body builders –  add this to your protein shakes!)

Is rich in antioxidants to help fight  cancer and slow down aging

The physical and mental benefits of why you should consume Maca for health and happiness include…

Balances Endocrine System: Maca is a fantastic remedy for balancing hormones.  It has adaptogens which regulate hormones, promoting homeostatic balance. It stimulates your hypothalamus and pituitary gland (aka. our Master Gland) and keeps them nourished and functioning. If your hormones are out whack, you will most likely feel tired, get cold/hot easily, have acne, have brittle hair, feel depressed and moody, poor memory, etc.

Increases fertility and stamina: Not only did the Incans use it to gain strength during war, they also had to abstain from using it afterwards because their increased stamina was causing them to hit on women too much. Yikes. It has been proven to increase fertility,  making your terrain healthier. Fun fact #2: (saying this as modestly as possible) Maca is known as “Natures Viagra.” Hmmm

It regulates and alleviates symptoms of PMS, menopause, and irregular cycles.

Nicer skin, hair and nails. Maca is rich in sulfur, which is known to make your skin beautiful while making hair and nails grow faster and stronger.

Stress and weight management. This superfood nourishes your adrenals, keeping cortisol levels in check. Cortisol is a stress hormone that makes your adrenals release in response to physical, mental, and edible stress. Cortisol preps your body for a stressful situations and causes you to retain fat in preparation of starvation.

Thyroid support and more weight management. Our thyroids regulate metabolism and act as our body’s thermostat, and when out of balance can wreck havoc on your metabolism. Maca to the rescue!

If you could use an extra boost, I highly recommend Maca for health and happiness

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A Health Nut in NYC!

Went to NYC this past weekend and came back feeling more alive than ever! Everything about it…. the crisp fall air, constant movement, seeing every walk of life possible,  and plethora of shops, restaurants and coffee shops just instantly makes you feel so alive. While there, we ate at this fabulous restaurant  in the Village by Washington Square Park called Quantum Leap with a huge choice of veggie burgers, veg dishes, as well as some fish.  I had the “Fire Rock Burger,” and it was incredible. Check out a glimpse of their amazing menu….

The constant movement of people, taxis galore and tall buildings add so much energy…

First time going to Washington Square Park

Authentic Italian Coffee shops offering ALMOND MILK lattes??? Jackpot!

Central Park

Back Bends in Central Park. Enough said.

Cartwheels keep you young! The trick is growing up without growing old.” – Casey Stengel

Random pictures painted on trees

NYPD

Lovely Family

And of course…some LOVE

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Have you had your dose of nature today?

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Who nourished their bodies today?!

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True story

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8 Awesome DIY Uses for Baking Soda

Baking soda, all hail baking soda! It is such a versatile product with over hundreds of uses. Sodium Bicarbonate is a very active and binding  compound that has been used for centuries from cooking, to household cleaners, to beauty regimes, to medicine! Here are 8 uses that will make your life easier….

Toothpaste Baking soda naturally whitens your teeth, binds to bacteria, germs and plaque, gives you fresh breath, and helps prevent infections. Mix 1/2 a cup of baking soda, 1/2 a cup of coconut oil, and a drop or two of mint extract into a jar, mix, and use as a toothpaste. Perks: you save a lot of money and avoid fluoride, sodium laurel sulfate, and other weird chemicals in most store-bought toothpaste.

Deodorant With its awesome binding and odor-neutralizing properties, baking soda mixed with a little bit of coconut oil (again!) will do the trick. BONUS: no daily exposure to aluminum and dozens of other harsh chemicals!

Unclogs drains Clogged up sink, shower, toilet? No prob. Just pour in half a cup of baking soda and a cup of white vinegar and let it sit for ten minutes. Also, you get to watch it bubble like you’re doing a fun science experiment so you know some chemical reactions are happening. Then, pour a pot of boiling water into the clog and it should eat through whatever is stopping it. And voila, you have a nice clear drain 

Blemish bomb Lackluster skin and clogged pores getting you down? Mix a tablespoon of baking soda with a tablespoon of lemon juice, stir really well and spread over skin. Leave on for 20-30 minutes before you wash it off. Baking soda binds to bacteria, dirt, oil, etc that can clog pores and make your skin look dull. Lemon is awesome for zapping blackheads, oil, etc. These two together form a power combo at clearing your pores!

Rashes and other skin irritations Sprinkle baking soda into your hand and rub on any areas of your skin that are itchy, broken out, has rashes, hives, has insect bites, etc.

Antacid If you have a heartburn or indigestion, step away from those toxic tums and instead, just mix 1-2 teaspoons of baking soda with 8 ounces of water and drink it down. This is works wonders for UTI’s, by the way.

Shampoo This sounds a bit strange but it really does wonders for your hair! Most shampoos, especially if they contain sodium laurel sulfate, strip natural oils from your hair, and your hair will secrete excess oil in response. Baking soda doesn’t strip your natural oils. Instead, it binds to them and helps to neutralize them so the results are less harsh and wont make your hair follicle swell like SLS does. Mix 2 tbsp of baking soda with 2 cups of water and pour into your hair. Massage your scalp and work it through your hair. Leave in for 3 minutes, then wash out. Apple cider vinegar makes an amazing post-rinse and will make your hair stronger, shinier, and voluminous.

Detox Bath Mix a cup of baking soda into your bath for an awesome detox. It binds to heavy metals, so as you bath, baking soda will help to draw out and bind to these toxins. A great relaxing bath detox I love is mixing baking soda, half a cup of epsom salt, 5 drops of rosemary oil, and 10 drops of lavender oil. Light some candles, turn off the lights, and drift off to heaven.

Try any of these easy, creative, and affordable remedies today and watch your life become that much more awesome

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PLANKS!

Adding planks to your daily routine will give you beautiful abs, a tighter core, stronger lower back muscles, works all 4 muscles in your abs to give you lines and definition, increases upper body strength, and leaves you feeling amazing! Start with 3 sets of 30 seconds each, everyday. Then build your way up to 5 minutes and watch your body change and the fat melt off. Try some variations such as doing leg lifts while in plank positions. Plank jacks, side planks, and hip dips will tighten your abs up in no time as well. Start right now!

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Fluoride is no bueno

Fluoride is a very toxic chemical that is banned in most countries, yet is found abundantly in American products (surprise, surprise!). It is mostly found in drinking water, soda, processed foods, toothpaste, baby food, Teflon products, beer and wine (this one is extra saddening), and many other products. Some of its side effects include:

Calcification of the pineal gland, aka our "third eye" which can dumb us down and make us less intuitive. Pretty much turns us into sheeple.

Disrupts endocrine system

Decreases fertility

Headaches and brain fog

Neurotoxicity, brain damage and Alzheimers

Disrupts cognitive functions (ADHD, anyone?)

Arthritis Blocks thyroid function (spirulina to the rescue!)

Depression and mood swings

Increases tumor growth

Weight gain

Skin problems and rashes

....and much more. Fluoride, clearly, is awful! Be sure to drink filtered, reverse osmosis water, steer clear of tap water, and check your toothpaste labels.

uroidRecently at a friends house, she showed me her water filter system that involves osmosis that also removes fluoride from the water. This pictures shows the aftermath of the bucket where the fluoride was filtered to. You can actually see sediments of the fluoride starting to harden. Imagine that in your body?! UGH! I don't know what cancer looks like, but if I had to guess, this would be it! Just say no to fluoride!

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2 Minute Transformation: Breathe!

Breathing sounds so obvious since our bodies naturally make it happen without us having to make an effort or remind ourselves. If you really think about it, that’s pretty awesome how our bodies automatically know to do that! However, must of us are not aware of our breath and breathe very shallow, not filling our lungs to full capacity. SO, its uber important to stop and be aware of your breathe at least once a day.  Some benefits of being aware of our breathing and filling up our lungs are….  -You become aware of how alive your body feels which makes you become present. This is a great tool to help you LIVE IN THE NOW! -It quiets your mind and de-stresses you physically, mentally and physiologically. Stopping to pay attention to our breath puts a halt to all of those thoughts, emotions, fears, etc. that can bombard the mind -It’s a GREAT tool to learn how to meditate and makes you feel peaceful

- You increase circulation as you bring in SO MUCH oxygen to your lungs, body, and brain. Thus, you will experience an instant energy boost  -It gives your cheeks a nice glow -It cleans your lungs of toxins that can pile up at the bottom. Gotta take those deep breaths!  -Can tame asthma -Reduces heart disease, bronchial ailments, and stabilizes blood pressure Here’s a little exercise I do every day, and let me tell you - this makes a HUGE difference in everything! Stop what you’re doing, close your eyes and do a long, slow inhale through your nose for 5 seconds. Hold it for 5 seconds, and then slowly exhale out of your mouth for 5 seconds. When you exhale, do it from the back of your throat, like you’re trying to fog up glass. Repeat this 6 times. Then, do this once more, but 10 seconds inhale, 10 seconds hold, and 10 seconds exhale. Really try to pay attention to how you feel before, during, and after.  It’s pretty amazing how this 2 minutes exercise can revitalize you. I love this because it can be done anywhere, in any situation. Except under water.

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