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What I use to amp up my workout while traveling

  • Everything is linked below to amazon!
  • Mini Pilates Ball – makes me acutely aware of muscle activation and form. Adding the ball helps to create an even greater burn and helps to tone muscles.
  • Resistance Bands helps to strength and tone. It is a great replacement for light weights and adds a challenge to my existing routine.
  • Ankle weights – I use these for leg toning exercises once they become too easy without weights
  • Yoga mat : I use one that I can fold and put it in my suitcase 
  • Goggles if I can swim in the ocean or pool 
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Ergonomic Work Station

Having an ergonomic setup can help lessen muscle fatigue, increase productivity, and reduce the number and severity of work-related musculoskeletal disorders like carpal tunnel syndrome , tendonitis, muscle strains, and lower back injuries.

Here are all the links to the products:

Mouse – Vertical & Wireless : https://amzn.to/3q8Z1Oq

Keyboard – Bluetooth : https://amzn.to/3bnL37g

Laptop stand – Ergonomic Height Angle Adjustable: https://amzn.to/3nAjydf

Sit to Stand Desk: https://amzn.to/3bz5j67

Sit to Stand Chair: https://amzn.to/39vb6a7

Standing Mat: https://amzn.to/3nDVxSo

Webcam Cover : https://amzn.to/3qg0e6Q

I spoke with @sammylevine to make sure my desk was set up. Samantha is an occupational therapist and a certified office ergonomic evaluator. She does virtual consultations to ensure your desk setup is ergonomic and to prevent injury! She provides simple fixes so you are pain free while you are WFH!

She helped me with things such as moving my computer arms length away from my face for example.

I sent her a photo of myself sitting at my desk and she gave me great feedback based off of that!

This helped me to work at my desk for longer hours without being uncomfortable or in pain.

Check out the links to learn more details about each product.

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NYC Non-Toxic Self Care at sundays Nail Studio

I have been going to sundays nontoxic nail studio for the last few months and I am a huge fan! Since middle school, I’ve always, like clockwork have gotten my nails done every two weeks (and yes my nails have always been this long). When I started looking into more natural products a few years ago, I slowly started to take breaks between manicures to let my nails breath from the chemicals in the polish.

As we know, using toxic products that affect our endocrine system can contribute to disease over a prolonged use in the body. Last year a went a full 3 months in the winter with no polish. There really is no nail polish that is COMPLETELY chemical free, so I still like taking breaks in between my manicure here and there. But, there are better options that have way less chemicals in them, like the polish used at Sunday’s. It’s really nice to be able to get a manicure and not feel like I am doing something bad for my body in order to have a “fresh and polished” look. I was really impressed with their nail polish color selection. I have brought my own less toxic nail polish colors with me before to the nail salon, but there is still that toxic smell from the remover and from other chemicals being used in the salon.

I didn’t notice a super toxic smell at sundays, which is a major plus. I often feel bad for the manicurists in salons thinking how they have to breath in the chemicals in all day.

A few other things I liked about Sunday’s:

🔹They offer headsets for meditation while getting a mani or pedi ⠀⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀ ⠀

🔹They offer tea (caffeinated and caffeine free)

🔹They put lemon in the water to soak your hand

🔹Their polish is cruelty free

Their newer Hudson Yards location includes:

🔹table with herbal tea for you to sit and let your nails dry

🔹a gratitude journal

🔹love letters to write to oneself

You can use code SIMPLY11 for 15% off any of their products. To shop, click here.

The light pink color I used above is color No 7. The darker color I used was color No 24.

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Kambo – Healing Frog Poison

KAMBO. Aka Frog Poison.

Kambo is a traditional ritual that uses the poison of the giant monkey frog to purify the body.  

I originally heard of Kambo when I was in Costa Rica last winter. I saw something that looked like a unique tattoo on a girl I was talking to and asked what it was. She explained it was from multiple Kambo experiences. She felt great benefits from Kambo and it was on my radar ever since. A few weeks ago, one of my friends posted about it on his Instagram, so I reached out. He directed me to someone who was in NYC for the next week doing Kambo house calls, so I jumped on the opportunity.

Kambo is a bright green tree frog native to the Amazon basin is supposed to act like a reset to ones body. Many people seek it out to  reinvigorate the body and mind. Kambo has a span of traditional and potential therapeutic applications, both medical and psycho-spiritual. The secretion is known for its powerful purgative effects.

The women asked me which side of the body I would like to have the Kambo. The right side is for the “physical” and the left is more for “emotional”. My friend who had done Kambo had relief from some of his chronic pain. I was doing it to hopefully relieve my joint pain, so I chose the right arm.

She then burned my arm (the size of one of the dots seen in the photo) and proceeded to put the kambo on top of the burn. After a little but, we moved onto a second dot. I started to feel the kambo pretty heavily at this point.

My body became very hot and my heart started to beat more rapidly. I felt pretty out of it. Then, I started to get nauseous. The feeling was overwhelming. Then, she put one last dot on my arm. This is when I started to purge. I was purging bright green liquid which is supposedly bile from your liver. The Kambo practitioner had a really calming energy to her. She was supporting me with positive words and  made the process a bit more tolerable. After about 20-30 min of vomiting, I had to use the restroom. Then, my body started to normalize. The Kambo was very uncomfortable for about 40 minutes.The Kambo was then taken off. Then, the practitioner put on Dragon’s Blood (or Sangre de Drago) on top of the three burn marks, which is liquid resin obtained from the Croton Lechleri Tree. This is applied to the burns upon conclusion of the ceremony, Dragon’s Blood protects the healing burn by covering it with an antibacterial layer.  It helps to heal wounds and preventing scar tissue. When dried up it completely closes the wound. This is what you are seeing in the photo of my arm. The Dragon’s Blood fell off after a few weeks naturally and I can hardly see any scar now (see 3rd photo). Apparently, the scars fade completely in a few months, but depending on your skin color and type you may always have small visible scars. Most people see their Kambo scars as a badge of honor.

Then, I was given tobacco called Rapé, which is a tribal healing, blown into the nose through a blow pipe. Rapé clears and focuses the mind and thoughts, centers and grounds your energy, opens up your physical and spiritual senses and awareness, cleanses and purifies your body and energetic fields, connects you to your spirit allies and other medicines, and much more.  

For the next few hours, the only thing I was able to do was relax and watch TV. I went outside and took a short walk, almost feeling like I was high. I went to bed really early that night and slept 12 hours and could have slept longer. I was so exhausted from the experience.

That being said, everyone feels differently after taking it. It’s a warrior medicine so traditionally the tribes take it before going hunting.

The aftermath: it’s really hard to tell whether or not Kambo had a noticeable effect on me. I tried it hoping it would help ease up some of my joint pain, which it did not. However, I have been eating a cleaner since and haven’t had many cravings for dairy/gluten which I try and stay away from but usually give in to from time to time. I also my sleeping and some other habits are better. That being said, I also did Kambo a week before Memorial Day Weekend. Before the start of summer, I am generally in a better mood and more motivated to eat clean. It is hard to tell how much of my habit changes are directly related, but I can keep you guys posted on updates/if I try this again.

To prepare:

24 hours before treatment –  I was informed not to eat meat, anything too spicy, no alcohol, drugs, prescription medications, no supplements and to be well hydrated.

No caffeine in the morning the day of.

Fast for 10 hours before the treatment. It is common for people to do the treatment in the morning.

Make sure to have 2 liters of spring water on hand.

After the treatment – it was advised not to drink alcohol for a few days after the treatment to give my liver a rest.

If you are interested in learning more about Kambo, the article I sourced is a good reference to learn more. See below.

References:

Teal, George, et al. “Everything You Need To Know About Kambo, The Tree Frog Medicine.” The Third Wave, thethirdwave.co/psychedelics/kambo/.

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Sunbathing & Natural Sunscreen

☀️When I was younger, I would bake out in the sun for HOURS at a time seeking a dark tan & didn’t use sunscreen. After learning about how many chemicals are in synthetic sunblock, I am not sure if loading up on the sunscreen would have caused more harm than good? ⠀⠀⠀⠀

Now, I have a whole different approach around sunbathing. I allow myself to get sun when I am walking around/in the ocean for about an hour or less & put a natural sunscreen on, or nothing on if I have a base tan. When I am not being “active”, I seek shade and also love using a hat & coverup to cover my chest/shoulders. ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀

The sun IS good for us in healthy doses. I am Vitamin D deficient in winter months & it really affects my mood a TON. After being in the ocean/sun, my friends commented on my increased energy levels & overall mood change. There are also many studies that show that Vitamin D is super important for bone health. ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀

I really loved @moonandbloom post from the other week. She is a Registered Herbalist. I share the same thoughts as her relating to ☀️. She recommends: “Exposing one’s eyes to the sun (safely in moderation) activates the pineal gland quite markedly, as we know from ancient practice of sun gazing. It’s so good for skin disorders and healing, and cleans & oxygenates the blood.

While the whole synthetic sunblock industry is WAY toxic to humans, animals, and the Earth, there are numerous plant oils with natural SPF. All skin types have their own unique thresholds for sun that can vary with age and genetics. When the sun is really strong, I like a blend of St. Johnswort oil (approx SPF 8), Sea Buckthorn oil (approx spf 30) & coconut oil (approx spf 4-6). Watch the amounts- the Sea Buckthorn & Johnswort will dye your skin orange.” ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀

Face: I used a sunscreen by Naturopathica for my face for the first time & loved it! On the Think Dirty app it is rated as a 1 out of 10 toxicity level.

Body: I used a natural sunscreen I bought in Costa Rica and really like! See below for ingredients.

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Carry-On Essentials for Sleep

Being able to fall asleep on the plane can sometimes make or break a vacation. Especially on overnight flights or when I have a early flight and hardly slept the night before. ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀See the photo below and keep reading for my Carry-On Essentials for Sleep.⠀

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1. Evolution Pillow: I would NEVER sleep on planes before getting the Evolution Pillow 6 years ago. It wraps around your head in a way that any way your head tilts, its supports it. Other neck pillows never worked and always felt like a strain on my neck. Ever since getting this pillow, there has not been a flight that I haven’t slept on. Whether its from a 20 min nap, or sleeping for hours straight. I managed to sleep 3.5 hours going to Cartagena. ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀⠀

2. Passionflower and Valerian: For sleep. I used to take melatonin on flights but decided to try these new herbs I recently bought from arielletheherbalist at the flowerpower in nyc I woke up after my 3.5 hours of sleep feeling energized. Sometimes after taking melatonin, I feel groggy when I wake. Be aware: some people GAIN energy from Valerian instead of become sleepy from it. It is individual to the person & something one must experiment with. ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀⠀

3. Earthen Warrior – Silk sleep mask, naturally dyed & handmade in NYC: A must especially when you don’t have control over the window situation.

This mask is made with:

-Rainbow Moonstone Third Eye: Moonstone helps promote rest, intuition and psychic abilities, making it a perfect crystal to place at your third eye during rest. -The front: Indigo dye -The back: Skin healing Turmeric silk against the eyes for extra restorative rest

-Filled with lavender, organic wildflowers, calendula & flax. ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀

4. Earplugs: KEY to muffle out any sounds.

5. Headphones: I’ll use these if there is a really loud sound like a crying baby to play relaxing music to help me sleep.

6. Pashmina: I’ll use this as a blanket on the plane, a scarf in the cold weather and a jacket at night in the warm weather.

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Kadampa Meditation and Compassion

I attended a class yesterday evening at Kadampa in Chelsea, New York City.  The class started off with a 10 minute conversation about meditation led by the instructor, Taz. Taz then led the class into a 25 minute meditation- both guided with some moments of silence. The theme of the class was compassion- self compassion and compassion for others. ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀

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After meditating, the instructor read some parts of Geshe Kelsang Gyatso’s book, Modern Buddhism. It is the distillation of Geshe Kelsang’s life’s work of bringing Kadampa Buddhism to the contemporary world in practical and modern way. Taz read through some of the book and then would reflect on the concepts to help us integrate methods of Buddhism into our lives, continuing with the theme of compassion. She spoke about having a headache and how in that moment how irritating a headache could be. When thinking about how many people in the world have headaches, the headache’s annoyance could then dissipate.
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This reminded me of many concepts from one of my favorite books by Pema Chodron , “When Things Fall Apart.” Below are a few excerpts from the book that came to mind during class. ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀

🔹”Unwise selfish people think only of themselves, and they result is confusion and pain. Wise selfish people know that the best thing they can do for themselves is to be there for others. As a result, they experience joy.”⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀

🔹Tonglen is a practice to awaken our compassion. Whenever we encounter suffering in any form, the tonglen instruction is the breathe it in with the wish that everyone can be free of pain. Whenever we encounter happiness in any form, the instruction is to breathe it out, send it out, with the wish that everyone could feel joy. It is a practice that allows people to feel less burdened, a practice that shows us how to love without conditions.

Taz gave us a short homework exercise to do before next week’s class- to breathe in the pain/stress of someone we knew, then as we breathe out, to send happiness and joy their way.

The class was from 5:30-6:30 for only $10. They also have $5, 30 minute classes during lunch and after work during weekdays. I really liked this class and definitely recommend. It was really nice to go to a class that incorporated learning about Buddhism, meditation as well as self reflection.

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Natural Tick prevention tips in the Hamptons

IMG_4968Eastern Long Island is at High Risk for Lyme Disease. May through September are the highest risk months due to intense nymphal activity. Make sure you are taking the proper steps for tick prevention! Below is some information from lectures I have been to in Sag Harbor with Lyme literate doctors and my own research.


Ticks hate the scent of lavender. Use soaps, detergents, shampoo,etc. Put dryer sheets in kids pockets. I really like Dr. Bronner’s Pure Castile Soap. This soap made out of all natural ingredients and is very versatile. See this soap’s multipe uses at the end of this article.

  • For Laundry- 1/3 cup soap in large load. Add 1/2 cup vinegar in rise cycle
  • Body Wash: one small squirt applied to wet hands or loofah
  • For Shaving
  • Other uses for Dr. Bronner Lavender Soap (good to have this smell in your home)
    • All Purpose Cleaner: add 1/4 cup of soap to quart of water in spray bottle
    • Dishes: Dilute 1:10 with water for hand-washed dishes.
    • Fruit & Veggie Wash: A dash in bowl f water to remove reside
  • Use dried lavender sachets in clothing drawers.

  • Treat your shoes. Your feet is where ticks usually first come in contact with you.
    • Spray BUG OFF on your shoes & you can also use it as an air freshener, on your bedroom sheets and pillow, in your hair body spray and clothing spray. When applying to your skin, shake well before EACH spray. Spray into hands and then run onto skin. When applying to hair, clothes etc: Shake well before EACH spray and spray. BUG OFF is non greasy so is perfect for this!
  • For a stronger clothing repellent- use permethrin (use monthly) to ward off ticks and killing any that come in contact with your clothing. You can purchase impregnated permethrin clothing or do it yourself. This is not all natural.
  • Avoid sitting on the ground or on stone walls. Avoid where ticks live: tall grasses, stay in the center of paths, etc.
  • If you are going in a wooded area, wear pants and sneakers. Tuck socks into pants.

Tips for the yard:

  • Wood Chip Border: Ticks will rarely cross a 3 foot wood chip border, use liberally around your property
  • Cedar Mulch & Bags of Cypress. Buy Both and Mix them
  • INSECTICIDES: Treat your property with a product called “Damminix”. This consists of cardboard tubes containing cotton balls that have been dipped in insecticide. Place these tubes around your property in the wooded areas and below shrubs.
  • Mice transmit the most ticks that make people sick. Prevent Mice with these tips:
    • Use Damminix and Permethrin on cotton balls. Use cotton balls in/near mice burrows around yard.
  • Prevent Deer from entering property with a tall fence
  • Remove wood piles, rock walls, and bird feeders as these attract tick-carrying animals and can increase the risk of acquiring Lyme.
  • A 3-foot wood chip border around your yard helps prevent tick spread.
  • Get your yard sprayed. There are companies in the Hamptons and other parts of Long Island offering Organic Pesticides
  • Plant Lavender plants around your yard.

 

 

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Take note of the crucial makes which you feel should enter the essay. When you first complete the essay, believe that you just’re merely midway. The article has to be written about something exceptional, so as to stick out from hundreds of different applicants. Continue reading Expertise in coaching may become exceptionally handy to turn within an app for research positions.

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Earthing/Grounding

Now that Spring is here, do you have any new goals set in accordance with the nice weather? Have you ever heard of Grounding or Earthing? One of my goals for the spring is to spend at least 15 minutes a day in nature on the days  I am not in the city. ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀

What is Earthing?

According to Dr. Joseph Mercola, DO, walking barefoot on the earth can have many benefits. The body can obtain electrons by being in contact with the Earth. These electrons have antioxidant effects which can reduce inflammation in the body & can make the immune system function optimally. When you are in direct contact with the ground (walking, sitting, or laying down on the earth’s surface) the earth’s electrons are conducted to your body, bringing it to the same electrical potential as the earth. Modern lifestyle separates humans from physical contact with the earth. Research suggests that this disconnect may be a major contributor to physiological dysfunction and a lack of well being. ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀

Some other benefits include: IMG-2793

  • Reducing chronic pain
  • Improving sleep
  • Relieving muscle tension and headaches.
  • Improving menstrual and female hormone symptoms
  • Speeding the healing process.
  • Improve blood pressure and cardiovascular arrhythmias
  • Improve autoimmune conditions

Allegedly, many on the Tour de France,(e.g. Lance Armstrong) used an earthing recovery bag to speed recovery and increase their quality of sleep while on this endurance race.

It make sense that the more humans are connected to nature, the better we feel.  This is true for me. Do you think this could be one of the reasons people sleep better while at the beach? ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀

There are reviews on amazon from the book “Earthing, The Most Important Health Discovery Ever” which I read through. People wrote about how grounding has changed them for the better. If you are interested, consider reading through some!


References:

Chevalier, et al. “Earthing: Health Implications of Reconnecting the Human Body to the Earth’s Surface Electrons.” Journal of Environmental and Public Health, Hindawi, 12 Jan. 2012, www.hindawi.com/journals/jeph/2012/291541/?hc_location=ufi.