The title got your attention, bye to cellulite with a brush, that simple that easy. Dry-body-brushing that is. I know it sounds to good to be truth, but give it a try and you’ll be amazed with all the great benefits you will get.

Well yes, let’s start from the very beginning here.

What is Cellulite? Simply said it is deposits if unhealthy fats layered between the skin and muscle tissues. It is not about luck almost 90% of women have it, and it is not tied to the number on the scale even skinny girls can also have some not-so-cute dimples.

Some of the best ways to eliminate cellulite are:

1-     Lifting weights, more muscles mean less fatty deposits.

2-     Drinking lots of water, and eating water rich foods (think watermelon, cucumbers, plums, mangos)

3-     Get rid of toxins, here comes the fun part. You know your skin is your largest detoxification organ, yep it is! Dry body brushing boosts circulation and re-activates the lymphatic system, which help your body eliminate toxins and fat. Also dry body brushing gets rid of dead skin cells, and leaves you with baby-soft-glowing skin.

How to do it? Super simple, get a dry body brush like this one, a long handle is always best. The best time to do dry body brushing is in the mornings before you shower (if you shower later in the day, go ahead do it then). The idea is to get the blood flowing towards the heart, so start at your feet using small circular movements and keep going up (soles of feet, legs, arms, hands, buttocks, back and stomach). Remember to be gentle around sensitive skin areas. After you are done you will actually feel how your circulation has been stimulated, and there is a tingling sensation around your body (it means it’s working). Follow your brushing with some kind of water therapy (shower or bath), and be sure to hydrate your skin. I love applying organic jojoba oil after (love this one). There you have it, easy and good for you.

Summer is here, the sun is out and kids love to spend all their time outside at the beach, the pool, the park, you name it. Even though little ones have a blast outdoors in the sun, moms tend to worry about the SUN-exposure and a fun activity becomes more of a concern.

We are so concerned about sun exposure that we cover them with sunscreen, swim-shirts (rash-guards) and hats. I know, I do the same, but let’s get this straight kids (we all do) need to get some sun exposure for vitamin D. It’s a must, specially if you live up-north where the rays of the sun are limited during the cold winter months. To get all the benefits you only need to be in the safe-sun for 10-15 min, 3-5 times a week.  (The best time to get them exposed to the sun without any protection is before 10am and after 5pm, when the rays of the sun are not that strong = safe-sun).

That being said, kids (and all of us) also need to be aware of the damaging effects the sun can have on our skin (early signs or aging, freckles, and skin cancer). The best way to protect oursleves from the sun is to limit sun exposure, which can be hard during this fun summer months.  Always wear a hat when playing outside, try to stay on the share as much as possible and cover your self while on the water with sun-shirts. And please please please, apply sunscreen and re-apply it if they are on the sun or water for longer periods of time. You must be thinking – I already know all this- here comes the tricky part.

Applying sunscreens can be as damaging to your kids as letting them run naked outside during the middle of a sunny day. Sunscreens are filled with chemicals like Oxybenzone, which is a hormone disruptor, or Retinyl Palmitate, a form of vitamin A, that when exposed to the sun can accelerate development of skin tumors (YIKESSSS!)

What to do now? Look for Mineral Sunscreens, made with active ingredients like zinc oxide, avobenzone and Mexoryl SX. My favorites (based on performance and pricing) are Blue Lizard and baby-ganics face stick.

It is hard to loose track of your wellness goals while the Holidays are hear. Too many late nights, plates of deliciously-unhealthy foods and many bottles of wine later you may start to wonder if it is even worth following your healthy routine during this time. I always seem to do better when I see others doing it to, it is like the energy forces get together and give me some “wellness-strength”. I think that I am going to have this video on my computer from now until Jan, just to remind me of all the things possible when living a healthy lifestyle. Get inspired.

It seems like this days everyone is talking about raw food. More and more raw products are popping up in stores, and taking the public by surprise. I personally have started to follow a more raw diet. Not a 100% raw, but raw when I can.

I definatly feel a difference in my energy levels, mmi digestion and my skin. Give it a try, make an effort to incorporate more raw foods (veggies, fruits, seeds, nuts, sprouts) into your diet this week. Need more convincing, here are a few good reasons to do it.

Have you heard about Turmeric? If you haven’t heard from it I am sure you have tasted it. It is a spice used regularly in Indian food (is what gives curry its yellowish-orange color). Turmeric has been used for years in traditional Chinese and Indian medicine. It has high anti-inflammatory properties, and has been used to treat conditions, including flatulence, jaundice, menstrual difficulties, bloody urine, hemorrhage, toothache, bruises, chest pain, and colic. Studies have also found Turmeric can inhibit cancer cell growth and metastases.

New studies have also found that Curcumin a compound found in Turmeric, is effective in stopping the progression of Parkinson’s disease and can even inhibit the accumulation of beta amyloids in the brains of Alzheimer’s disease patients.

Adding turmeric to your diet is an easy way to stay healthy and protect your self from inflamation. You can add turmeric powder to your soups, stews and I always add some when I marinate meat. You can also buy turmeric capsules, and take them daily.

Sources here and here

I know, it sounds to good to be true, and believe me they actually are too good to be true. This truffles are not only raw, but also do not contain any refined sugar. Before I continue I need to worn you they are highly addictive. I usually whip-up a batch and it lasts less than 3 days. My girls absolutely love them and I love giving this as a snack. They are filled with flavor, good fats, antioxidants, protein and much more.

If you ask me for a recipe, I don’t really have one. I have a base, and after that I add which ever flavor I am craving at the moment. You can add any nuts, or seeds, superfoods like spirulina, maca or lucuma.

As a base you will need

1 1/2 cup raw medjool dates

1 cup raw almonds

1 cup raw hazelnuts

1/2 cup raw cacao powder

Mix all ingredients in the food processor. Don’t forget to scrape the sides once in a while. First everything will crumble, and after 2-3min you will start to get a mixture, that when pressed together it keeps its shape. Once you have reached this point, start making little balls (this time I made ovals, much easier to fit in little mouths). And then put them in your freezer, don’t worry they will have the perfect consistency the good oils will prevent it from freezing and becoming little rocks.