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Author Archives: rawgirl
Sis, have you heard about phytochemicals? 🤔
In this two-part series, I’ll be talking about 7 phytochemicals you should know that are beneficial to you.
Phyto means plant. Phytochemical is simply a term that is used to describe all chemicals that are related to plant species. There are over 7,000 of them!
Phytochemicals are needed to protect the body from harmful substances that cause chronic conditions. They also keep the body functioning well. This is why plant-based diets can greatly reduce the risk of chronic conditions.
Here are 4 of the 7 phytochemicals that you ABSOLUTELY need to know about and where you can find them. Stay tuned for the rest.
Chlorophyll is the lifeblood of plants and a popular phytochemical that I’m sure you’ve heard of that is anticarcinogenic and antimutagenic. Green leafy vegetables and the blue-green algae chlorella are great sources. Chlorella can protect the body against ultraviolet radiation. It also normalizes body functions and has detoxification properties.
Carotenoids are found in bright red, yellow, and orange fruits such as citrus fruits, bell peppers, carrots, and other cruciferous vegetables. There are more than 600 naturally occurring carotenoids and all are tissue-specific, enhance immune response, and protect against depletion of glutathione, the body’s major intracellular antioxidant.
Catechins are found in a wide range of plants and in foods like tea, cocoa, and berries. They are most abundant in grape seed extract and green tea leaves. These compounds act as antioxidants and some can be antiviral, antimicrobial, and chemoprotective. Want a nice dose of them? Drink matcha tea. Matcha is high in a catechin called EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate).
Curcuminoids are pigments found in turmeric which have antioxidant, anticoagulant properties and also can be anticarcinogenic, antiviral, and help to reduce cholesterol. There are so many ways to get your turmeric in – but one of my favorites for the fall is making warm turmeric milk; using non-dairy milk, turmeric, cinnamon, clove, and a pinch of black pepper. -XO
Don’t forget to follow me on Instagram @therawgirl as I share lots of valuable tips on nutrition and health as a whole!
Western Medicine vs Holistic Treatment of Fibroids
Chile, let’s talk about the sad state of #fibroid treatment options in the USA.
Did you know that about 20% to 80% of women develop fibroids by the time they reach age 50? And for women of color, fibroids are an epidemic. Black women are up to three times more likely than others to develop uterine fibroids. One estimate is that 25% of African-American women will suffer from fibroids by the age of 25 and a whopping 80% will have them by age 50.
The root cause of fibroids is estrogen dominance, that is, too much estrogen in relation to other hormones. This can be fueled by a range of things I see in my practice all the time including poor diet, too much consumption of refined sugar, dairy, and meat, stress and unresolved traumatic experiences (rape, molestation, abuse), taking birth control, and endocrine disruptors.
Western medicine prescribes medications, hormonal injections, contraceptive pills, or other forms of birth control to control fibroid symptoms. The kicker is that most of these interventions (especially birth control) pummels the body with synthetic hormones and furthers the growth of fibroids. In addition, at certain stages, doctors may recommend a myomectomy, hysterectomy, or Laparoscopic surgery. Less frequently recommended are less invasive medical procedures such as uterine artery embolization, or radiofrequency ablation.
Surgery is not a cure for fibroids and also there are many risks. Up to 33% of women who have surgery will need a repeat procedure. Why? Nobody counsels women that in order to achieve lasting healing you have to address the root cause by changing the lifestyle, diet, and stress levels that created the fibroids!
To reduce the size of fibroids naturally, we use herbs and supplements to rebalance the hormones, encourage stress reduction and healthy emotional processing, get rid of hormonal inputs in your diet, remove the sources of synthetic hormones and use alternative therapies that support healing. More on this soon. If you or someone you know is battling with fibroids, sign up for a free call about our Hormone Balancing Academy to learn how our team can help you.- XO
P.S Don’t forget to follow me on Instagram @therawgirl!
Dangers of Women’s Menstrual Products
Hey girl hey! Let’s talk about women’s hygiene products. Your tampons and sanitary pads are harming your health, YES, you heard that right. Research shows that several women’s hygiene products such as pads, tampons, and pantyliners contain Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals (EDCs).
EDCs, like phthalates, bisphenols, parabens, and triclocarban, are chemicals that interfere with the way the body’s hormones work. EDCs are dangerous and can lead to severe harm to the body. They can harm every organ in the body, lead to cancer and endometriosis.
Many of these products also contain chlorine bleach. Conventional tampons are created using ingredients that are exposed to pesticides and fertilizers. Wild, right?
What’s the way forward then?
✔Use non-toxic products- I use chlorine-free pads. Some alternatives are menstrual cups and reusable underwear (Chile, check for those chemicals). Do your research and find sustainable and organic brands.
✔Raise awareness- Tell people about this, share posts like these on your stories, whatever way you can get the word out there
✔Learn more about EDCs and the toxins, so you can stay updated on issues surrounding them.
Do you use non-toxic menstrual products? Share some below. To learn more about your hormones and address any imbalances, check out our Hormone Balancing Academy. -XO
P.S. Don’t forget to follow me on Instagram @therawgirl. Can’t wait to connect with you:)
Benefits of Tracking Your Progress
How many track their progress here? I’m tryna see something. Tracking your progress comes with many benefits that can help you on your journey. Tracking-
👉🏾 triggers the reward center of the brain
👉🏾helps you stay committed to your plan
👉🏾 helps you look back and examine how a new ritual or plan is improving your life
👉🏾helps you form healthy habits and learn about your body
👉🏾 shows you what is working and what isn’t
Here’s the fun part, tracking doesn’t have to be boring or tedious, there are now apps that can help you track just about anything, make it fun and festive and if you prefer using a journal, get one that you really love.
Who’s joining me to track their progress from now on? 🙋🏾♀️
Carrot Juice Benefits
Hey girl hey! Whether you’ve heard it or not, carrot juice is good for your health and has skin benefits, including helping with acne.
It can be beneficial to add ingredients like kale, watercress, cucumber, ginger, lemon, and beets to vegetable juices to add healing properties.
Here are five reasons why you should absolutely start drinking carrot juice now:
1.Carrot juice can provide over 20% of the daily value for vitamin C, which helps the body synthesize collagen, making your skin elastic and also protecting your skin from free radicals. Vitamin C also keeps your skin hydrated giving it that glow you want.
2. The alpha and beta carotene present in carrots also combat aging by destroying free radicals and protect your skin from UV rays, this reduces wrinkles, leaving your skin smoother.
3. The carotenoids present in carrots reduce inflammation and also reduce the occurrence of chronic diseases like cancer. Wondering how? Well, the antioxidants in carrots fight leukemia, this in turns reduces the occurrence of cancer and brings down oxidative stress, thus preventing inflammation.
4. Carrot juice contains Vitamin A. Vitamin A is very important for your skin, it heals the skin from pimples and acne and fights excessive oil production. Retinol, the purest form of Vitamin A also aids to bring down scars and redness of skin.
5. Carrot juice is a great liver cleanser that will help keep things in balance. What’s happening on the inside affects your skin. If your liver is overloaded, it becomes unable to detox properly, which can cause toxins to b deposited and manifested on your skin.
There you have it, if you haven’t included carrot juice in your diet, I hope you start to do that now. Get that healthy, glowing, smooth skin you deserve sis- XO
Stay fly ’til 99 with the help of this simple 8 week program
Food is information… that can turn on and turn off certain genes.
You may be aware that your genes somewhat determine the health hand you have to deal with in life — if your grandparents or parents had heart disease, diabetes, hypertension etc. this can leave you more susceptible to getting the same conditions. ESPECIALLY if you choose to eat and live a lifestyle that is identical to your predecessors!
You also may have heard the famous quote: “Your genetics loads the gun, your lifestyle pulls the trigger.” For me this was also confirmed by interviewing men and women who have achieved extraordinary longevity that had family histories of disease, but because of their diet and lifestyle choices, they were able to change their personal health outcomes. 👏🏾
Nutrigenomics studies the interaction between your diet, lifestyle and genes, especially regarding the prevention and treatment of disease. Each of us has a unique body chemistry determined by our genes. 🧬 DNA serves as the blueprint for everything about us, from our hair colour to our susceptibility to disease, our health potential and our ability to manage our weight.
Nutrigenomics in its simplest element says: the nutrients in your food interact with your genes. Which means you can use nutrition to affect your genes and you are no longer at the mercy of your DNA. ‼️
But not only food matters… Lifestyle factors also affect gene expression. Your gene expression can change based on how you move, your thoughts, feelings and social connections, toxin exposure, general state of mind, exposure to diseases, exercise, and more.
When you take into consideration these factors and also are aware of the hand you are dealt (YOUR GENES) then you can create a truly personalized diet and lifestyle. 💃🏾
That’s why I am super excited to integrate nutrigenomics into my eight week transformative longevity program Staying Ageless 30+. For those who join as VIP’s we will be using DNA testing to help each woman determine which foods may be the best to include in her diet. 🎉
👉🏾 Link in profile to apply and sign up for a call! -XO
Egusi seed: A Super Food That’s Not Just For Soup
Have you ever tried Egusi Melon citrullus colocynthis ? 🤔
Egusi seed belongs to the Cucurbitaceae family. The egusi melon, which contains the seeds, has climbing tendrils that have a similar appearance with vine plants. The egusi melon has a bitter taste, thus, the melon is grown due to its seeds. It originates from Africa, Mediterranean region and Asia . This seed is widely made into soups and is popularly eaten in West Africa.
The seeds are sun-dried, shelled, and ground plain or roasted before being grounded and made into soups.
Egusi has many health benefits 😊, including several for the hair and skin:
– It is rich in vitamins A, B1, B2, and B3.
– Egusi seed is a good source of potassium and calcium, minerals that regulate blood pressure. It is also a rich source of magnesium, phosphorus, iron and zinc.
– It has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. Researchers found out that the egusi seeds can help reduce inflammation and Egusi fruits contain active chemicals that kill common bacteria like Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Salmonella typhimurium.
– Egusi fruit extracts are a rich source of antioxidants and studies have proven their ability to neutralize several free-radicals.
– It is rich in omega-6 fatty acids and protein and can be included in a plant-based diet to help meet basic protein requirements! 100 grams of egusi seeds contains a whopping 27.5 grams of protein.
– Egusi extracts are used in Ayurvedic medicine for hair growth. These extracts are effective in increasing the number of hair follicles in animal studies. Minoxidil is the standard treatment for hair loss in men and can sometimes be effective in women. In animal studies including one published in 2007 in Pharmaceutical Biology, egusi extracts were more effective than minoxidil in treating hair loss.
Egusi soup which utilizes the seeds of the fruit is one of my favorite Nigerian dishes to make. Of course mine is vegan – I sub mushrooms for the meat and its still lit! Comment below if you’ve ever tried Egusi? And if so in what forms?-XO
How to make castor oil pack
Hey girl hey, I recently posted about the benefits of Castor Oil and how you can use them to reduce inflammation when you apply it in the form of a Castor Oil Pack.
Castor Oil Packs can work wonders. They can be used them to reduce inflammation from bruises, get rid of pain, rev up the lymphatic system, detoxify the organs and support overall optimal organ functioning and so much more. I don’t travel anywhere without my castor oil and everything I need to make a pack.
Things you’ll need: Organic, Hexane-Free Castor Oil, Wool Flannel, an Ace Bandage long enough to wrap around your abdomen a few times, a Heating Pad or Hot Water Bottle, and a towel to lay on so you don’t get castor oil everywhere.
Here’s how you can make one:
1) Get a wool flannel or absorbent material and ensure its the proper size for the area you are placing the pack. To cover the liver you want it big enough to cover most of your abdomen.
2) Drizzle your organic castor oil over your favorite cloth and try to get the oil on all parts of the cloth. You can make this process easier by rubbing and twisting the fabric together on itself until all of its surfaces is evenly coated with a thin layer of castor oil.
3) (Optional) Warm the wool flannel in glass pyrex dish and put in oven for a few minutes so its warm, not scalding hot to ensure you do not burn yourself.
3) Place your castor oil pack over the liver, located on the right side under the rib cage and let the remainder cover your abdomen.
4) Use an ace bandage to wrap around the wool flannel until it is covered and will remain securely in place.
5) Lay on your towel. Put the hot water bottle on top or the heating pad and keep on for 30 minutes to 1 hour.
Comment below and let me know if you use castor oil? And if so how? -XO
10 Fundamentals of Self-Care
When you have too many responsibilities its easy to forget to take care of the person that should be your number one priority: YOU. To find balance it is important to Treat Yo Self to a regular dose of self-care. Here’s some simple ways you can cover your bases so you don’t feel depleted:
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Make time for nourishing meals. Rather than eating on-the-go plan ahead and meal prep or get assistance with meal delivery or pre-prepared meals that ensure you eat a balanced meal the adequate protein, carbs, and fat for your body type.
Water is necessary for optimal functioning so purchase a BPA-free water bottle with motivational sayings on it if you need it, and get in at least half your body weight in fluid ounces of water.
Sleep is the foundation for all other aspects of wellness. It influences your cravings and ability to exercise and perform at your best. So get some and optimize it if needed; most of us need 7-8 hours per night.
Deep Breathing can improve your day by supplying more oxygen to your cells and giving you relaxation skills to help counter environmental stressors. If your feeling pressure or anxiety mounting, stop and BREATHE long deep breaths until you feel more calm.
Spending time in nature has been shown to improve people’s attitudes and physical well-being. It’s safe and FREE.
We know exercising is both good for your mental and physical well-being; so if you combine them by getting outdoors to exercise your body will thank you.
Sobriety is essential for a balanced life. Eating processed foods, using drugs, or drinking excessive alcohol can ruin your health and happiness. If you are engaging in destructive habits you know are eroding your self-care – It’s time to make a change, lady! Get the support you need to let go of any habits that are no longer serving you.
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If you are a woman 30+ interested in taking your self-care regimen to another level, the #AgelessTribe may be right for you. Find out by signing up for a call at this link https://www.therawgirl.com/book-online
Lemongrass is widely cultivated in South and Central America, Africa and other tropical regions of the world. It is abundant in South and Southeast Asia,and used as an essential flavour in Thai, Vietnamese, Indian and Malaysian cuisine and also for medicine.
The botanical name for the variety with the best flavor and most health benefits is Cymbopogon citratus. Lemongrass has an enchanting lemon taste without any bitterness.
Let’s dive into the benefits of having this grass around our homes…
First off, for those who are like me have a real struggle with mosquitoes – you’ll be happy to know that lemongrass is a natural mosquito repellant. Chile YAS! I recently bought some amazing lemongrass body butter with the oil mixed into shea and it allowed me to live my best mosquito bite free life. You can also plant or pot some of this weed-like grass in and around your home for additional protection.
Citronella essential oil which is well known as an effective mosquito and insect repellent is actually made from the leaves and stems of different species of lemongrass combined. You can make your own homemade insect spray by using citronella, and add in other great oils for additional protection.
It is a rich source of essential vitamins such as vitamin A, vitamin B1 (thiamine), vitamin B2 (riboflavin), and Vitamin B6.
Lemongrass tea infusion can be taken to treat colds, bring down fevers or soothe colic in children. The tea is also very beneficial for digestion and can be taken after meals to ease heartburn, reduce flatulence, or soothe stomach cramping. , regulating your internal organs, and maintaining digestive health. Lemongrass is also used for bacterial and fungal infections, nervous conditions, and inflammation.
For centuries, this herb has been used as an antibacterial and astringent to promote healthy hair growth while balancing oil production, and It can brighten skin tone to clear the complexion, while the scent will leave you feeling calm after a hard day at work!
Girl, I’m telling you, Lemongrass is a game-changer. Drop a comment if you use it in any form! -XO