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Monday, February 10, 2014

Healthy Habit: Detox Baths + My Thursday Night: Meeting Rip Esselstyn!

I wanted to share a little healthy habit that I enjoy...
 Detox baths. 


I recently started reading a lot about how a lot of us are magnesium deficient. 

"Magnesium is the eighth most abundant mineral on earth, and the third most abundant in sea water. More importantly, it is the fourth most abundant mineral in the human body and it is necessary in over 300 reactions within the body."
About $9 for about 1/2 gallon of Epsom salt at Whole Foods / $.99 for Baking Soda 
Some of the reasons we can be deficient of Magnesium are: 
  • Consumption of caffeine
  • Consumption of processed food
  • Consumption of alcohol
  • Consumption of produce from depleted soil
  • Consumption of foods high in phytic acid
I've also learned about all of the health benefits in caring for your skin by allowing your body to absorb the magnesium we are lacking. 
Here are just some of them: 
  • Improved heart and circulatory health, reducing irregular heartbeats, preventing hardening of the arteries, reducing blood clots and lowering blood pressure.
  • Improved ability for the body to use insulin, reducing the incidence or severity of diabetes.
  • Flushed toxins and heavy metals from the cells 
  • Easing muscle pain and helping the body to eliminate harmful substances
  • Improved nerve function by electrolyte regulation. Also, calcium is the main conductor for electrical current in the body, and magnesium is necessary to maintain proper calcium levels in the blood.
  • Relieved stress. Excess adrenaline and stress are believed to drain magnesium, a natural stress reliever, from the body. Magnesium is necessary for the body to bind adequate amounts of serotonin, a mood-elevating chemical within the brain that creates a feeling of well being and relaxation.
  • Reduced inflammation to relieve pain and muscle cramps.
  • Improved oxygen use.
  • Improved absorption of nutrients.
  • Improved formation of joint proteins, brain tissue and mucin proteins.
  • Prevention or easing of migraine headaches.
(Information taken from FoodMatters.com) 


"The skin is the body’s largest organ, and as such, has an amazing ability to absorb, filter toxins, and deliver nutrients to the body. It is also a visible sign of the health of the body as a whole."
"When the skin has rashes, eczema, psoriasis, dry skin, acne, or other problems, this is often a sign of deeper issues within the body. As the skin is also an elimination organ, the body will push out toxins through the skin when the other organs of elimination (gut, liver, kidneys, etc.) are taxed or burdened." (WellnessMama.com)


***As you may have noticed in the photo above, I also add Baking Soda to my baths as suggested as well. The water (unless you have a home filtration system to regulate the pH levels) can be off on their levels.
"The scientific way of referring to baking soda is sodium bicarbonate, and it’s great for neutralizing the chlorine that’s been added to most city water sources. It’s hard to detox in a bath that is full of a toxic chemical, so it’s good that this makes it naturally cleaner." (bembu.com) ***


I've read to soak in epsom salt baths from anywhere from 12 min to 30 min for about 3 days a week. 
Some moms put epsom salt in their children's baths for them to get these benefits on a nightly basis. Do your research and do what works for your schedule. Like I always say, anything is better than nothing! If you can do 3o min once a week rather than 3 times a week - then do that! Make it a nice Sunday evening habit  to start your week right. :)  

I use 2 cups of epsom salt and 1/4 cup of baking soda to neutralize the bath water for a better pH level. You can find several measurements online for the size tub or just what your preference is... 

Forgot to mention, I do not have essential oils yet, but you can add some drops of lavender or eucalyptus essential oil to make it very relaxing and increase your health benefits. 



Anyways, that's it...Just thought I'd share my new healthy habit. 

Hope you like it too. 

Last Thursday night I went to hear author,  Rip Esselstyn, speak at the Whole Foods in Coral Springs with my friend, Jessica. He is also the son of the well known surgeon, Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn. (The doctor in the well known documentary called Forks Over Knives)

We had a great time and learned a lot! 
I must say, I want to learn how to to make some more vegan dishes. We can all use a lot less animal in our diets. 

Here is his 2nd book that I bought while I was there and full of recipes as well. 

Do you all have any healthy habits that you can share? I am always interested in learning a new one!

XO
Christina

6 comments:

  1. I love my epsom salt baths! They are SO great at reliving sore muscles too! I've never added baking soda but that makes sense so I will have to try that! Thanks for the tip!

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    1. That's great that you already do these! Happy I had a new tip for you :)

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  2. I've never tried a Epsom salt bath, but I see them at the stores and have been intrigued. I've been trying to be more health conscious. The best advice I have is stay hydrated. Drinks lots of water!

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    1. Yup yup! And don't forget the super hydration drink - coconut water!!! :) Hope you try and enjoy the epsom salt baths like I do. Super easy and relaxing with tons of health benefits.

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  3. I love taking Epsom salt baths too! I like to add lavender oil to mine also…I don't always add baking soda but I did once! Now I think I will have to start doing that!

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    1. Great to hear that you already to Epsom salt baths! Yes, add some baking soda next time to neutralize the water for your pH. :)
      Xx
      Thanks for coming by, Meredith!

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Thank you for taking time to comment.
XO