Author: Essentially savvy

Is lack of sleep thwarting your weight loss efforts?

Posted on by Essentially savvy
sleep sleep quote An average adult needs 7 to 8 hours of sleep. But do most people get this much sleep? In our hurried world with constant engagement via social media most people are not getting adequate sleep. Lack of sleep can have unhealthy consequences for the body. Studies show that sleep deprivation often leads to weight gain. Lack of sleep seems to be related to an increase in hunger and appetite. According to a 2004 study, people who slept less than six hours a day were almost 30 percent more likely to become obese than those who slept seven to nine hours. Recent research has focused on the link between sleep and the peptides that regulate appetite. Ghrelin stimulates hunger and leptin signals satiety to the brain and suppresses appetite,  Shortened sleep time is associated with decreases in leptin and elevations in ghrelin. Not only does sleep loss appear to stimulate appetite. It also stimulates cravings for high-fat, high-carbohydrate foods. Ongoing studies are considering whet...
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Fitness & Weight Loss Tips

Posted on by Essentially savvy
IS THIS YOU?
  • Someone who wants to get fit and improve their health
  •  Someone who feels that a lack of energy is keeping you from following through with fitness and nutritional goals
  • Someone who needs help making good food choices
  •  Someone who needs a well-rounded approach to weight management
  • Someone who has tried many weight loss and fad diets in the past
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Why a cleanse is vital to any weight loss program!

Posted on by Essentially savvy
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The first steps to any weight loss program should always begin with a cleanse. Why? You first need to get rid of the toxins that have built up in your system for your body to start responding to weight loss methods. Toxins affect the body's ability to absorb the foods and nutrients we consume daily.  When this happens, individuals no longer receive the full benefit of their daily diet. Every day, a person's diet should provide essential nutrients to keep that individual performing at peak effectiveness. Proper absorption of nutrients such as carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins and minerals is essential to maintaining a healthy body. Once the toxins are removed from the body, then the body can start absorbing the vital nutrients to keep you healthy.  This is very important when you are on some kind of restrictive calorie diet.  You need all the nutrients and energy possible from the foods yo...
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Oil Pulling 101

Posted on by Essentially savvy
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Oil Pulling has become quite the rage lately.  Although this tradition has been around for several years and practiced by many, it only recently became popular.  So if you want to jump on the bandwagon here are some great tips and suggestions. My favorite oil to use for oil pulling is organic, unrefined coconut oil. You may also use sesame seed oil. Both of these oils have many antioxidants, are antibacterial and antiviral.    The purpose of oil pulling is to pull out toxins from your gums, teeth and mouth and cleanse the mouth of germs and bacteria. Studies done indicate that oil pulling has contributed in improving gum health, reducing plaque, tooth decay, foul breath and gingivitis. *Please note oil pulling is to be used in addition to your normal dental routine including daily brushing and dental visits. How to oil pull;
  •  Do oil pulling this first thing in the morning on an empty st...
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Home cleansing rituals

Posted on by Essentially savvy
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Moving into a new home can been exciting, but may also pose some challenges. Often times when someone moves into a new home they can still feel the residual energy of those that were there before them.  It is a kind of unfamiliar feeling, that says "this is not your place yet".  Negative energy can accumulate in areas of disuse, areas where angry or violent emotions have been expressed and areas where the air has been blocked or is stagnant.  Vacation homes and vacant homes tend to hold a lot of stagnant energy that has built up. To help release negative energy and clear the air, there are a few home cleansing rituals that can be performed. The first home cleansing ritual involves burning white sage.  White sage can be purchased in a wand, making it very easy to use.  First before you do anything, it is very important to open all windows and doors to allow a path for the trapped energy to leave...
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Product Reviews

Posted on by Essentially savvy
ADVOCARE COFFECCINO I tried this product for the first time 1 week ago.  I was out of my regular coffee and my husband had been using AdvoCare coffeccino, so I decided to give it a try. PRO's
  • It taste very good, it has a chocolate flavor but is not extremely sweet.
  • It is frothy on top like a cappuccino.
  • It is very easy to make, just heat up water add it to a cup and enjoy.
  • It can be drank hot or cold (iced).
  • It helps enhance mental focus and alertness.
  • It helps manage appetite in conjunction with diet and exercise.
  • It provides key B-vitamins and amino acids.
  • It supports your body's natural energy production.
CON's
  • The price is a bit high at $38.95 a box, but if you sign up as a distributor you get an instant 20% off with the potential for 40% off (the more you spend the higher the discount). And it is still cheaper than Starbucks :)
  • It does have 80 calories a cup, but when I added in the milk/cream and sugar to my regular coffee the calories equal...
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Blue Solar Water

Posted on by Essentially savvy
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I have been hearing about the benefits of drinking blue solar water a lot lately, so I decided to give it a try. Studies have shown that water put in  blue solar bottles and then placed in the sun will raise the frequency of the water using the sun's rays to help purify and change the structure of the water molecules.  According to Ho’oponopono this purified water is meant to heal deep emotional wounds. Water conducts and attunes to the vibrational frequency, or energy, of crystals, colour and words. "Solar elixirs" or sun-charged water is an old science that has been rediscovered today as one of many treatment techniques of color therapy or color healing. Blue is the colour of the fifth chakra, or throat chakra (Vishuddha). The throat chakra is vital as it is the route through which the energy from the higher energy centers can move through to the lower energy centers and visa versa. The col...
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The Niacin Flush

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Have you ever experienced the Niacin Flush? Let me tell you all about it! The first time I took Niacin 500 mg I had the strangest experience! I have come to find out that this experience is very common among niacin users.  First I felt little pin pricks all over the top of my head, next my ears were on fire!!! My face turned bright red including my ears and neck.  The redness slowly crept down my chest all the way to my arms and legs.  I felt heat all over my back and face.  I can honestly say I did not like this at all and didn't plan on taking niacin ever again.  However, after much thought, I decided to give it another try.  I took niacin 500 mg again, first thing in the morning, on an empty stomach and had the same experience however this time I was more accepting of the reaction.  When I thought about what was happening, all my capillaries opening up and releasing toxins, I started to enjo...
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How to choose the best natural skincare products.

Posted on by Essentially savvy
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With so many companies making natural skincare products now, how do you choose.  I think we all want the same thing, a good quality natural product at an affordable price.  But where do you start?  I found myself feeling overwhelmed in the natural food store's bath and body isle.  When did all these brands hit the shelves? I used to make my own, that way I was sure I was getting the most natural product, I still make several products myself but I want to be able to purchase some when I don't have the time or ingredients to make my own.  My first priority when purchasing a natural product is INGREDIENTS!  I read the ingredients first, some times that very small print is difficult to see, but this is a must!  The shorter the list the better. My favorite new toothpaste is Earthpaste because the ingredients are literally only 5 things; purified water, Redmond clay, xylitol, salt and essential oils....
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Hydrosols, Natures Best Perfume!

Posted on by Essentially savvy
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When I first started using essential oils I often heard the term hydrosol and had no idea what exactly that was.  Wanting to be well informed, I set out to research hydrosols. In my quest to learn more, this is what I found. Hydrosols are created the same way as essential oils, however the end result is quite different. Plants are distilled in a process that forces steam through the plant under pressure. The pressurized steam breaks open the plant's cells, which releases its oil content. The steam and the oil molecules pass through a cooling condenser, which turns the steam back to water. The water is collected in a Florentine flask, and the oil generally floats on the surface. The oil is the essential oil and this water is the hydrosol. The hydrosol  contains the water-soluble parts of the plant and can have wonderful therapeutic benefits.  Hydrosols contain all of the essence of the plant in eve...
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