To Get Right on the Outside, First Get Right on the Inside

Recently I have been very focused on detoxing. I've thrown in a few hot yoga classes, minimal meat, extraordinary amounts of fruits and vegetables and no grains aside from the occasional oats here and there. I can honestly say that I feel good. I am trying to heal from the inside out. Between the arthritis flare ups (partially due to the cold Ohio weather), skin outbreaks and Candida overgrowth, I knew it was time to change something up.

I work right across the street from Whole Foods which is normally daunting. I look out my office window at the store telling myself to not even go there because I will spend too many dollars. Well, yesterday I decided I wanted to go for it. There are all these fun things that I have been reading up on and they go hand in hand with my current detox mentality!

I bought four new things to try; Get Probiotic tea, Green Chia kombucha, U Matcha Ginger Tea powder and an apple cider vinegar drink.

get probiotic tea by Republic of Tea;
This tea is geared towards helping with digestion and the health of your gut. Probiotics are live bacteria that can be found in your gut. Before you wince at the word "bacteria" realize that there are both good and bad forms of bacteria and probiotics happen to be a good kind. They are the building blocks of our immune systems. With a healthy digestive tract comes a healthy immune system and vibrant skin, healthy digestion, low inflammation, the list goes on. I enjoy drinking this tea in the morning on an empty stomach so I can be sure that my body is completely absorbing and reaping the benefits. Also, the flavor is wonderful. Very subtle with mild hints of vanilla bean, rooibos and black licorice.

Green Chia by GT's Kombucha; Raw chias and organic chlorophyll, the worlds best form of "green energy". Kombucha nourishes the body, delights your taste buds, bolsters your immunity and makes your spirits fly. You feel on top of the world. Healthier. Happier. Stronger. It is living food for a living body. It is also excellent for recovering from intense workouts. Chia is often referred to as runners food and it's no doubt why! The omegas in them are great for joints also.

U Matcha Ginger Tea Powder by Republic of Tea; Premium U Matcha Ginger is unlike regular green tea, these tender, shade-grown leaves are ground to a fine powder creating a spicy kick of flavors in baked goods or savory dishes. This exceptional tea is abundant in nutrients and has the balanced flavors of what is referred to as umami (literally, "yummy" in Japanese). U Matcha Ginger wakes up the flavors of miso soup, stir-fry and sweet desserts. Matcha is wonderful for skin, hair, nails, a cancer fighter a fat torcher and so much more! Chalked full of antioxidants, you'd be silly not to add this to your daily intake.

Apple Cider Vinegar All Natural Drink by Bragg; Apple cider vinegar has been made out to be some sort of holy grail. Great for balancing the body's pH levels, curing acid reflux, aiding in the appearance of skin, helping with digestion and reducing inflammation. This drink is a diluted version of pure apple cider and has flavors mixed in with it for taste. I have to say, this was the item I was most hesitant to try. For one, I know apple cider vinegar to be potent and the smell isn't very appealing either. Also, the packaging wasn't nearly as cute as the other products that I bought. I was very pleasantly surprised though! I got a cinnamon flavored apple cider drink and absolutely adored it! It was tasted just like regular apple cider just with a little bit more of a kick. The smell was still wasn't to die for but the taste was good and that's more important to me. I loved this so much that I went back to Whole Foods and bought the concord grape-acai flavor (which was also wonderful!).

I highly recommend all of these products. I have felt a serious change since I have been using them. They definitely have cleansing and anti inflammatory components that work! :)

Tasi With My Lassie

Today I got the pleasure of meeting with my dear Friend Hannah for brunch. I always joke that my idea of a perfect date is going to brunch. Think about it, you can sleep in a little, get up at your leisure and then begin the day fresh in a warm atmosphere with great company and lovely food. Well after today this still stands true. Hannah and I went to a restaurant called Tasi. The atmosphere of this place was on point. From the rustic design, brick walls and artisan looking chalk board menus, my visual senses were already appealed. The menu items ranged from breakfast fritatas and scrambles to lunch soups, salads and sandwiches. All made from fresh and authentic ingredients. I (after a long hard look at the menu) decided on huevos rancheros that came with a simple mashed black bean quesadilla with a side of sweet and spicy smoked bacon. YUM. Hannah got a divine plate of Greek scrambled eggs and fresh fruit.

Did I mention that the chairs and mugs were orange? If you've ever seen my kitchen then you know how I feel about orange.. <3 As if this place couldn't get any better.

As I was saying before I began musing about our food, this was the best way I could have started my day. With a person I love dearly talking about things we could connect with on a deep level in an atmosphere that was so warm and inviting to my being. I have no doubts that the rest of my day will be wonderful because I began it with such great energy in the best way I can fathom. It's not always about what you do as long as what you do is right for you. It makes you feel good. No matter how big or small it makes you happy. Maybe that's not brunch. Maybe it's not in the company of other humans. Maybe it's just being snuggled up in bed with your dog for hours on end. But whatever it is, if you do it with intent and with your own satisfaction at heart then you are setting yourself up for a success and happiness. 

This carries over into making life style changes. Have purpose from deep within your soul behind doing what you do. Be mindful. Do what you know makes yourself happy. The rest falls into place after that. Whether the "rest" is a new career, new relationship, a fitness goal, etc. You find more satisfaction in your own life when you start living this way.

Welp, there is my huevos rancheros fueled food for thought for the day. Cheers to a great week ahead of us. 

B.