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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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Organic Tinted Moisturizer

My new skincare addiction is Organic Tinted Moisturizer by Sanre Organic Skinfood.⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Why I love it:

🔹 Its all natural and organic (for real) ⠀ ⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀

🔹It makes my skin glow in the off summer months

🔹It doesn’t clog my pores or make me break out (my skin is sensitive to breakouts) ⠀ ⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀ ⠀

🔹I can continue to use it into the spring/summer, get a nice glow without overexposing myself to the sun ⠀

⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀

I got this product a few weeks ago after trying a sample tinted moisturizer from a non-natural company and loving the way it made my skin look. The problem was, after using it for a week long, my pores started to clog with the toxic ingredients in the product. This was another reason (in addition to always looking for more natural products) to look for something with more pure ingredients. ⠀ ⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀

I’ve been putting the tinted moisturizer from Sanre Organic on my face as a lotion during the daytime to test it out everyday over the past week and a half. After, I’ve been putting on the hibiscus tea on my checks (the trick I showed in my video 2 posts ago). When doing this, I’ve had people comment on my “tan, glow, Caribbean tan”! I even went out to dinner last night and used the same process INSTEAD of using foundation/bronzer/blush on my face and did my (eyes/lips) as per usual & it looked great. ⠀ ⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀

The Ingredients are ALL ORGANIC (except for the iron oxide & titanium dioxide)

INGREDIENTS: Safflower Oil, Grape Seed Oil, Purified Water, Beeswax, Aloe Vera Gel, Iron Oxide, Titanium Dioxide, Citrus Extract, Essential Oils of Lavender, Rosemary, Jasmine Absolute, Sweet Orange, Thyme, Patchouli, Hyssop

I also have been using their products for a few years now and really love them. Their ingredients are the real deal- all natural and organic and not just marketed that way. I feel so comfortable knowing I can trust this brand when I use it.

Two of my other favorites by them are:

C-LOVE . I love this for my neck, chest and eyes or for face if I’m super dry. It smells AMAZING

Footsie Fiesta. I’ve never been one to use foot lotion, but I was very impressed with this. The texture and smell is perfect for the feet, locking in moisture and helps to relax.

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Organic Homemade Body Butter

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Ingredients:
  • 1c Shea Butter
  • 1/2c Coconut Oil
  • 1/3c Olive Oil
  • 5 drops Tea Tree
  • 30 drops Eucalyptus essential oil

Directions: Mix oil and heat in double oil until melted. Put in fridge for about an hour to solidify. Storing in glass instead of plastic is essential when it comes to oils. Phthalates, a group of chemicals found in plastics to make them softer. They are Endocrine (hormone) disruptors & are oil soluble.

I realized I’m not a fan of olive oil on my skin (some people like it.) Next time I will try another base oil (sesame, jojoba, almond etc.)⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

Essential Oil Breakdown: You can trade out Tea Tree and Eucalyptus for different essential oil of your choice. Eucalyptus is an antiseptic and can help with skin infections, bug or mosquito bites and cuts. It helps relieve muscle pain. It is also cooling and refreshing. It is a stimulant and can remove exhaustion and mental sluggishness. It can be effective for helping with stress. Rubbing this all over your body in the morning and breathing it in all day sounds good to me! Tea tree is well known for its antiseptic and anti-fungal properties. It can be effective with toenail fungus and athletes foot, so this could be a great hydrating foot cream. Tea tree has also been shown to fight against MRSA, a type of staph infection which is resistant to many antibiotics. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

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Apitherapy: Bee Venom Therapy

Apitherapy  or Bee venom therapy (derived from the Latin word apis, meaning bee) is the medicinal use of products made by honeybees. Bee Venom Therapy  has magnificent healing properties and is effective for the treatment of multiple chronic and autoimmune conditions.

Homeopathic honeybee venom therapy is a natural anti-inflammatory and pain reducing agent. Therapies using the honeybee have existed for thousands of years. The ancient rock art of early hunter-gatherers portrays the honeybee as a common source of natural medicine. Bee Venom Therapy was practiced in ancient Egypt, Greece, and China, three Great Civilizations known for their well advanced medical systems. Hippocrates, the ancient Greek physician known as the “Father of Medicine”, identified the healing properties of bee venom for treating arthritis and other joint problems. Today, there is scientific evidence developing that suggests that various bee products promote healing by improving circulation, decreasing inflammation, and stimulating a healthy immune response, according to the American Apitherapy Society.

As stated by Holistic MD, it is particularly helpful for patients with arthritis, fibromyalgia, neuralgias, lyme disease, Bell’s palsy, carpal tunnel syndrome, herpes zoster, osteoarthritis, multiple sclerosis and many other conditions.

There are three ways to get Bee Venom Therapy:

  1. You can go to a practitioner and have them inject bee venom stings using a siring.I recommend starting of this way. This way, the practitioner who is injecting you, for example, can inject an equivalent to one honey bee venom sting into 10 different shots on your body. That way, if you are very sensitive to the sting, you will not blow up a grand amount in one spot on your body. The practitioner can also test before doing thing with a small amount how reactive you are to the honey bee venom. As you continue to get treatments, your tolerance to the bee venom stings will get better, allowing your body to receive more venom.
  2. You can also get live honey bee venom stings from a practitioner. This way supposedly has more benefits coming from a live bee. After building up a tolerance, you can start getting live honey bee venom stings.
  3. The last way to do this, is ordering bees and stinging yourself. There is a community of people on facebook, most who are chronically ill who use this method. The group is called Pioneers: Healing Lyme with Bee Venom Therapy. Here, they have a specific Bee Venom Therapy Protocol to follow.

Reactions

Most reactions are mild.  Most people experience redness, mild swelling, heat and itching in the area of the injections, which is a conventional part of the treatment process. This can last from a few minutes to 2-5 days and go away by themselves.  More serious reactions include flu-like symptoms lasting up to several days. This herx reaction is also routine as your body is going through a fighting/healing response. It is best to do nothing, to recognize the reaction and allow the body go through the healing process.

The composition of Bee Venom according to Biocure:

Melitin: Powerful Anti-Viral , Anti-bacterial & Anti-inflammatory , Stimulates ACTH secretion in the Pituitary Gland , Destabilizes all the membrane structures at the level of the phospholipids – which produces Strong anti-inflammatory effects.
Long-lasting, short-acting histaminic effects: Increased capillary permeability, edema (swelling), temperature elevation, itching, pain; increased vitality and sense of well being; forces bee venom to attach to negatively charged cell wall; anti-oxidant action.
Apamin: Stimulates central and peripheral nervous system. Stimulates secretion of serotonin and dopamine; anti-arrhythmic. So it Increases central and peripheral pain threshold, decreases pain, increases sense of well-being.
Adolapin: Inhibits enzymes in metabolic cascades of arachidonic acid and cyclo-oxygenase. so it has an anti-inflammatory and analgesic / pain releife action.
Mast Cell Degranulating Peptide (MCDP or peptide 401): Has Anti-inflammatory actions (approximately 100 times stronger than hydrocortisone) So it Reduces inflammation and pain through local action on tissue inflammation. Activates adrenal and sympathetic system.
Hyluronidase, Secapin, Tertiapin, Procamine: Anti-inflammatory , Pain relief by inhibition of “substance P” ( It function as a neurotransmittor and neuro-modulator , Substance P is released from the terminals of specific sensory nerves, it is found in the brain and spinal cord, and is associated with inflammatory processes and pain).
Compound X , Phospholipase A2 , Histamine: Involved in the inflammatory response of Venom, with the softening of tissue and the Facilitation of flow of the other substances deeper into the tissues.
Measurable amounts of the neurotransmittors: Dopamine , Norepinephrine and Seratonine.

For more, check out my instagram @dshamptonorganics


Recommendations where to get treated

  • Dr. Michael Gurevich, MD: Phone: 516-674-9489 Address: 997 Glen Cove Avenue · Glen Head, NY 11545
    • Bee Venom stings from a siring
  • BioCure: Phone: (917)-214-7298 Address: 92-04   95th  Ave.  Ozone Park , Queens, NY. 11416
    • Live Bee Venom stings

References

“ABOUT APITHERAPY :American Apitherapy Society.” ABOUT APITHERAPY :American Apitherapy Society. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 Feb. 2017.

“Apitherapy: Homeopathic Bee Venom Therapy.” Holistic MD. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 Feb. 2017.

“Bee Venom Therapy Clinic (Bee Sting Therapy) at Queens , New York. USA.” Bee Venom Therapy Clinic (Bee Sting Therapy) at Queens , New York. USA. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 Feb. 2017.

 

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Ionic Foot Bath

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It is difficult to find reliable sources on the Ionic Foot Bath. I usually like to source all of my blogs from reliable sources. For this particular article, I will state some information on what an Ionic Foot Bath is and my own experience with them.

What is an Ionic foot baths?

In simple terms: Removes toxins by generating positive and negative ions which are able to attach themselves to impurities that are oppositely charged in your feet.

In more detailed terms: The bath operates through a process called electrolysis. In this process, an electrical current is generated within the foot bath water which causes the molecules of water to divide producing negative ions. Once an abundance of these negative ions are present in the foot bath water, the body then absorbs the ions through osmosis, which is the movement of particles through a membrane from a higher concentration to a lower concentration. In this case, the higher concentration refers to the negative ions produced by the ion field that is set up by placing electrodes into the water. As the vast majority of foreign contaminate matter found on the feet and within the body is positively charged, including such matter as harmful chemicals, heavy metals, parasites and other such materials, the negative ions are attracted to the positively charged foreign contaminates and bind with those foreign contaminates. The body then can readily eliminate the bound foreign contaminates through its own natural processes.

Toxins Removed:

  • Heavy Metal Toxicity
  • Lactic Acids
  • Pesticides/Fungicides
  • Cholesterol Deposits
  • Drugs/Medication Debris
  • Lymphatic Congestion
  • Cellular Debris
  • Exhaust Fumes
  • Parasites
  • Second Hand Smoke

Benefits:

  • Liver Detoxification
  • Increases Energy
  • Reduces Stress
  • Pain Relief
  • Improves Memory & Sleep
  • Sexual Health
  • Stronger Immune System
  • Oxygenates Your Cells
  • Better Well Being & Attitude
  • Calms & Relaxes

My Experience

Based on how your foot bath looks at the end of the session, tells you what toxins were pulled from your body through the pores of your feet. Common colors are orange for joint toxins, blue for hormonal toxins or black for liver toxins. Usually within your first few foot baths, the color will get darker, which indicates more toxins being released. As you continue to get the foot baths on a regular basis, the water should get lighter. I have had many foot baths. I have noticed this pattern occur in my foot baths. There was a time a few months ago my water was almost completely black. I noticed that my bath always has a heavy dose of colors specific to my “problem areas” of my body. I have had people sitting next to me with completely blue baths who tell me they have hormone problems and that their bath is always that color. Also based on my observation, usually older or those with serious illness have very dark baths, indicating high toxicity levels. Based on these observations it seems like there is some validity to the Ionic Foot Bath detox.

Where to get an Ionic Foot Bath

 

For more check out my instagram @nychamptonshealth

References

“Colon Hydrotherapy | Detox Clay | Garden City | Smithtown.” Cleansing Concepts. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 Feb. 2017.

 

 

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Teeth Whitening Formula- Homemade & Natural

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Ingredients:

  • Coconut Oil
  • Turmeric
  • Activated Charcoal
  • Bentonite Clay
  • Mix these four ingredients together. Below are the approx ratios I used for Turmeric, Activated Charcoal and Bentonite Clay. Mix the coconut oil until you get a smooth paste-like consistency.
    • 3:6 Turmeric
    • 2:6 Activated Charcoal
    • 1:6 Bentonite Clay

Directions:

  • Brush your teeth with this for a few minutes and leave it on your teeth for 2+ minutes before brushing your teeth normally. Sometimes I will leave it on for 15 minutes if I have time.
  • Do not dip your toothbrush into the mix. Use a wooden or plastic spoon NOT use metal. Bentonite Clay & Activated Charcoal both bind to metals and toxins. If you use a metal spoon, you reducing the clay & charcoals ability to remove metals from your mouth.
  • For maximum results, oil pull with activated charcoal mixed into the oil in the AM & use this formula before brushing teeth in PM.

I used to use Crest White Strips whenever I wanted my teeth to look really white. They worked extremely well within a day or within a few days. People would always comment on how white my teeth were when I used them.
However, my teeth were always sensitive after using them and since I’ve been using them on and off for 10 years are permanently sensitive. I also noticed my bottom teeth are slightly translucent toward the top. Once I started working in finance 3 years ago and not getting much sleep, I was drinking 1-2 cups of coffee s day and noticed my teeth started to get more yellow. I’ve been hesitant since to use the white strips due to the sensitively (being in only 24) and am glad I came up with this formula that’s non-toxic and healthy for your teeth and mouth!

For more, check out my Instagram @dshamptonorganics

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Homemade Organic Dry Shampoo

FullSizeRender (1).jpgAbove is a photo of me using my dry shampoo a few days after getting my hair blown out. 

Ingredients:

  • Arrowroot Powder
  • Cacao Powder
  • Lemon essential oil – to get golden highlights
  • Rosemary essential oil- to promote hair growth
  • Eucalyptus- for a dry scalp

Directions:

  • Use more arrowroot powder for lighter hair and cacao powder for darker hair
  • Massage the arrowroot into your scalp & in first couple of inches of hair if desired.
  • Take note: I personally used arrowroot powder because I wanted to make my hair look lighter.
    • If you decide to mix in cacao, be aware some of this residue could come off onto your pillow at night. I am not sure if it would stain or if any type of bug would be attracted to if (in NYC). I haven’t experimented with this or seen this being an issue in my research but it could be something to keep in mind.

Many of my friends use dry shampoo or baby powder as a dry shampoo on days they want to skip washing their hair or to extend a blowout for a few days.  There have been many links to the talcum in baby powder and cancer. When hearing this, I decided to come up with my own powder very similar to baby powder but one that is beneficial for your skin, hair and body instead of being detrimental toward your health.

In the most recent lawsuit against Johnson and Johnson (February 2016), $72 million dollars was awarded to to a women’s family for using their baby powder which contributed to her ovarian cancer death after 35 years of use. See more in an article here.

For more, check out my instagram at @nychamptonshealth

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Coconut Water & Green Phactor

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Fresh coconut water and dried vegtables mixed together makes a refreshing summer drink. Coconut water is a great source of electrolytes, such as potassium, necessary for proper hydration, while Green Phactor’s organic dried vegtables mixed in has many minerals, vitamins, phyto-nutrients, enzymes and micro nutrients.

Ingredients:


Coconut water: If you can’t get coconut water from a fresh coconut, make sure you are buying the coconut water from good packaged brand. Here are some things to look out for:

  1. Minimum pasteurization time: to remove bacteria the water only needs to be heated for a matter of seconds, but some brands will heat their water for up to 4 minutes, killing off many beneficial nutrients in the coconut water.
  2. No added sugar
  3. Avoid flavored coconut water

Green Phactor : this is a great addition to your diet. Make sure you are still eating tons of raw and cooked vegetables.

  • Ingredients: kale, wheat grass, spinach, alfalfa grass, broccoli sprout, parsley water, oat grass, barley grass, alfalfa sprout, spirulina, chorella, wheat grass juice, oat grass juice, alfalfa grass juice, barley grass juice, stevia extract, natural berry flavor.
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Natural Deodorant for Summer

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Ingredients:

  • Shea Butter (Organic)
  • Arrowroot Powder (Organic)
  • Coconut Oil (Organic)
  • Baking Soda (Organic)
  • Beeswax Pastilles
  • Witch Hazel
  • Activated Charcoal
  • Vitimin E
  • Essential oils.

Sandalwood is great for men and I like Tea Tree and Lavender essential oils for myself.

Directions:

  • Heat Coconut Oil & Beeswax on the stove.
  • Remove Coconut Oil & Beeswax off stove
  • Mix in all other ingredients

Why this is a great summer deodorant: Beeswax Pastilles preserve coconut oil so this deodorant is good for warmer months since coconut oil has a 72 degree melting point on its own.

When switching from antiperspirant deodorant to natural deodorant, ones pores start to unclog and function properly. Therefore, toxins are released and ones body odor may temporarily increase. This purging usually lasts about 2 weeks depending on the toxicity level in the body. Make sure to eat healthy and drink plenty of water to help the purging process be more odorless.

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Detox Bath

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Ingredients:

  • 2 cups Epsom Salt
  • 2 cups Apple Cider Vinegar
  • 1 cup Bentonite Clay (if its the powdered form & about 2 cups if its the liquid form as seen in photo)
  • Warm water

Directions:

  • Stay in bath for 25-40 minutes (25-30 minutes for first timers until your body adjusts)
  • Have a water bottle next to you to stay hydrated. (Epsom salt pulls water out of body)
  • Submerge your whole body up to your chin for the most benefits.
  • Take before bed-makes you tired.
  • Shower after
  • Take 1- 2x a week or more once your body adjusts.

*Do not stay in this bath for more than 40 minutes. I once stayed in for about an hour and became very sick after with sinus infection, sore throat, fever etc that lasted between 24-48 hours. My read on this is that too many toxins were brought to the surface and it was too much for my body to handle.

Benefits

  1. Epsom Salt relieves pain and muscle cramps. It is great for detoxification and also good for after a hard workout. Epsom salt helps to detoxify your body by making you sweat out toxins. Also, you will absorb some of the minerals and trace minerals found in the salt such as magnesium.
  2. Bentonite clay external benefits include: detoxify heavy metals stored in body tissue, acne, aching joints, sprains and strained muscles, relieve symptoms of Herpes 1 & 2, Eczema, Psoriasis, skin rashes, heals cuts and bruises, pulls out infection from a wound or sore and more. Do not use metal with Bentonite Clay because it makes the clay less effective.
  3. Apple Cider Vinegar provides relief for those with joint problems, arthritis and tendonitis. It also is very helpful foexcessive body odor. ACV can naturally help kill fungus and bacteria on the skin. It provides relief for skin problems like eczema, dandruff, dry skin and acne. ACV can also help with UTIs by helping to kill off the yeast or fungus. I like Bragg Organic Apple Cider Vinegar.

The main drawback to using water to detoxify is that all tap water is contaminated with things such as chlorine, flouride, heavy metals, bacteria etc. Steps you can take to help purify your bath water are:

  • Dechlorinate your bath with a Crystal Bath Ball  Dechlorinator or Vitamin C
    • FYI-the Crystal Bath Ball you have to move around in the tub for 5-8 minutes before bathing. If you are someone that is pressed for time, the Vitamin C might be a better option.
  • Using Bentonite Clay in the bath. Upon contact with fluid, its electrical components change, giving it the ability to absorb toxins. Bentonite is known for its ability to absorb and remove toxins, heavy metals, impurities, and chemicals.

-Consider using a dry skin brush before taking bath for added benefits.                                     -My first 20 baths or so were very draining on my body but as my body adjusted, the baths have gotten less draining and I added a little more Epsom salt (about 1/4 of a cup) to get the same effect I had gotten previously.

References:

Jeffrey A. Morrison, M.D.,  2011. Cleanse You Body, Clear Your Mind, New York, New York, The Penguin Group