Skin brushing for detox!

Skin brushing for Detox...when I was really healthy and svelte, before children, I did this daily! Try it!! At first it hurts like hell and makes you tingle all over, when you get used to it it's heavenly!!!!

Giving your body a firm brush all over makes the skin glow by removing the top dull, dead layer of skin and encouraging new cells to regenerate. The gentle massaging motion of the bristles also has a beneficial effect on areas of cellulite, and it is an effective treatment for helping eliminate toxins from the body during a detox programme.Technique
The technique is a simple one, and you need only a body brush with natural bristles, such as those of goat or boar, or a loofah. There are various types of brush, all widely available at chemist shops. You will need a brush with a handle - some have detachable handles - so that you can reach all the inaccessible parts of your back. There are also brushes mounted on long straps, which are ideal for the back and buttocks, and most loofahs are long enough to reach over the shoulders and down the back. You need a much softer brush, or a flannel, for the face.
Skin brushing is carried out on dry skin. Start at your feet and work upwards, brushing the legs, then buttocks, then on to the chest and stomach and finally the face. Brush more gently where the skin is thinnest and always brush towards the heart.
This kind of skin-brushing , if done daily, is one of the simplest and effective treatments for lumpy thighs and hips that you will find anywhere.
Brushing your whole body in this way will take you between three and five minutes, depending on how many strokes you give to each area. Try to keep a rhythm going and brush for up to five minutes every day and preferably immediately before you have a bath or shower so that the dead cells are washed away.

Skin brushing is best done in the morning as the acceleration of blood flow has quite an invigorating effect. You should be able to see the difference in your skin after just a few sessions - it will become very soft and develop an attractive rosy glow.
Good reasons for skin brushing:
Stimulates blood and lymph flow
Helps eliminate toxins from the body
Removes dead skin cells
Encourages cells to regenerate
Stimulates production of sebum
Helps combat cellulite
Results in smooth glowing skin

Forgot to mention my lbs lost!

Sheesh, in all of my rambling I forgot to mention that I've lost 18.5 lbs and my sis is down around 24. This stuff really works, don't get discouraged!!!

Host a Tasting...it's amazing!

Those of you in the Boise area let me know if you are interested in hosting...those of you too far away for me to come to hit up your health coach for a tasting with your group and friends! My coach Bill and I hosted a tasting last night and it was awesome. We watched a TSFL dvd, tasted everything under the sun- have you had the Blueberry Antioxidant Shake, the Drink Infusers and (LOVED) the Cheddar and Ranch Soy Crisps, have you tried those? Definitely totally different flavor components to satisfy cravings for things like fruit and POTATO CHIPS! I loved it! Whether you are on the program or considering it, this is for you!! No pressure, just a good time learning more about TSFL.

I brought my Lean & Green suggestions which included a demonstration on how to properly cook Spaghetti Squash...add some veggie broth, garlic and capers with a piece of fish or chicken and you've got yourself a killer and satisfying meal that keeps you full and happy for hours!

BE CREATIVE! I love the Mexican food section of my grocery store. There is an entire wall of $.92 dried herbs and spices. Experiment with things like paprika (smoked is fantastic), cumin, cilantro, thyme...you be the chef. It's an easy (non-carb/fat) way to spice up your meals and make something ordinary into something EXTRAORDINARY! Capers add tons of flavor too.

I also use tons of spicy condiments- Frank's Red Hot was a hit on everything last night...Sambal Oelek aka Asian spicy garlic sauce, Sri Racha, all Mexican hot sauces (El Pato, Tapatio, Iguana, Melinda's, anything Habanero) and of course Tabasco make anything savory more exciting. Don't be shy with the spice...the more creative you are the more you broaden your menu options and then there is less chance of you craving non-healthy things. (Tofu is a little flavor spunge and just soaks up whatever you add to it!)

A TSFL Taco Salad...buy the leanest ground beef or ground turkey you can find, brown it in a skillet and add cumin, garlic and cayenne, s&p - or even a dash from a packet of taco seasoning- cook down and add to a cup of mixed greens, spinach, romaine, cabbage, whatever you fancy! Top with hot sauce and a spray of the new Ranch spray salad dressing...just 1 gram of fat in 10 sprays! To your greens add just a bit of red onion, fresh cilantro, jalapeno, Giardinera hot pickled cauliflower. YUM!! A taco salad without putting one foot in the grave!!!

The holidays are coming, BE READY!

I've been a bad bad blogger lately. Life has been crazy between work and home, but I've been thinking of logging on lots. With the holidays right around the corner I thought I'd better post my two cents of motivation. Ok, ready?

My weight loss is going well...I'm fitting comfortably into a size 8 but not for long- they're loosening up and I'm sticking to my plan pretty well. I've actually become a health coach since I blogged last, wahooooooooooo! Please do tell me your trials and tribulations, maybe I can help, and if nothing else it's nice to know you're not alone and someone can relate. Better yet recruit your husband/wife/roommate to join you so that you can share the experience together...whine and complain together, celebrate your success together.

Let's all find a way to help one another stay on track thru the holidays and we'll be well on our way toward accomplishing our New Year's resolution that much faster!!! If you do feel the need to party a little bit more than some of your "team mates" don't beat yourself up. Do what you feel is right for you and when you're ready to get back on the wagon we'll welcome you with open arms (and treasure every delicious morsel of your story telling). Please remember that if you do need to splurge make it something you love and are really craving so that the calories/fat/whatever are not wasted ones. I've found if you give into your very strongest cravings rather than lose your mind, do it quick then get right back to the right stuff, no lbs will show up on the scale. You might not lose anything that day but you'll stay put. Don't let the splurge snowball because then it's really like starting all over again. One suggestion that I have is that you eat your Lean & Green meal just before heading out the door to a holiday party. Things are alot less tempting with a full belly!

Anyone local wanting to plan a clothing swap please let me know. I've got size 10s and larger 8s, pants mostly as tops are a bit more forgiving, that I'd love to trade to a TSFL'er rather than donate to strangers. The only one who will not benefit is the smallest person on the team and well, errrrrrrr, ahhhh, screw her!

Bill and I are scheduling some tastings in the near future (one of them's tonight!) where you can bring a friend, taste new Medifast products and learn creative ways to liven up your Lean & Green meals. We can bring one to you if you want to host it at your home. It's great for people thinking of starting the program but also great for some support and motivation for those of us plugging along. I'm bringing my "bag of tricks" to share and would love to post my favorite lo-cal, lo carb recipes and encourage you to do that too! I'm such a lover of food I absolutely cannot eat the same food day after day and I really look forward to my Lean & Green meal. With a little creativity and planning it can be a delicious satisfying treat!!

Keep on keepin' on...keep up the good work...be kind to yourself and TAKE SHAPE FOR LIFE!