I have always been a strong believer and advocate for all natural products because of the obvious reason that I know exactly what it is and exactly what I am putting in my body. Anything that is all natural, you can sign me up because I am most likely willing to give it a try. I have gotten myself into using certain items on a daily basis and I can assure you that I have seen the positive results. I want to share my favorites so that you can experience these awesome benefits as well.
CHIA SEEDS
This seed is MAGICAL. I am sure you’ve at least heard of chia seeds, but allow me to share with you the reasons I swear by them. Chia seeds are a complete superfood- they help your digestion, balance your blood sugar, and are full of antioxidants, fiber, calcium, and Omega 3 fatty acids. All of this in one seed?! Maybe this doesn’t sound too exciting yet, but all of these are VERY important for your health, your beauty, and your overall well being. Another great thing about this seed is that it has tons of nutrients with very few calories, which leads to an aid in weight loss. This is due to fiber absorption of large amounts of water, which causes them to expand in your stomach, which should increase fullness and slow the absorption of food. Glucomannan, which has been linked to weight loss, has also been found in this seed
What to do with it:
You can add chia seeds to just about any food by sprinkling a spoonful onto it. My favorites to add them to are oatmeal, yogurt, and cereal. My absolute favorite thing right now is chia drinks. You can go out and buy them, but why bother when you can make your own with two easy steps? All you need is 1 cup of water with flavoring like mio/crystal light or juice of your choosing + 3 spoonfuls of chia seeds.
APPLE CIDER VINEGAR
This is definitely not everyone’s favorite smelling thing, but because of its vast amount of benefits it is entirely worth it. The intake of apple cider vinegar helps to naturally whiten your teeth without causing sensitivity or harming your enamel. You can also use it to get rid of bad breath and germs in your mouth. For this, simply rinse or gargle with a spoonful of apple cider vinegar, then with water. Another awesome thing to use apple cider vinegar for is for sunburn or peeling skin, and with summer right around the corner this is going to be very helpful. All you have to do is add a cup of it to a bath and soak for 10 minutes and you should be feeling relief almost immediately.
Drinking a glass of water with a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar each morning 30 minutes before eating is incredible. I have started implementing this into my daily routine and I have noticed so many positive differences since. My reasons for doing it is because I am a fanatic about my body being in good health and it balances your pH, detoxifies your liver and clears out toxins from the entire body. This results in the regulation of the digestive tract and a daily boost of energy. If all of this isn’t enough, it is also good for when you get sick! It gets rid of congestion and heartburn as well as soothes a sore throat. In terms of physical appearance, it can aid it weight loss as well because the acetic acid suppresses your appetite, increases your metabolism, and reduces water retention. And finally, it can clear up acne! Use as a toner and spot treatment by putting it on cotton ball and wiping it onto your skin. Malic and lactic acids that are found in apple cider vinegar soften and exfoliate skin, reduce red spots, and balance the pH of your skin.
COCONUT OIL
I swear by coconut oil and brought a huge jar of it to college with me. It has many beauty benefits starting with your hair. It moisturizes and penetrates your hair better than other oils and helps with split ends and fly-aways!
For makeup uses- you can apply a small amount to your cheeks to highlight your cheekbones or for to use contouring. It has the same effects as any store bought cheekbone highlighter, except its all natural and actually nourishing for your skin. Speaking of skin, it also makes for an AMAZING moisturizer. You will smell like coconuts and get a great glow from it, who wouldn’t want that? It is great for removing makeup in a gentle way, and so good for shaving to receive a soft and glowing finish.
Using this oil for cooking or mixing into foods is really beneficial (and delicious) because it helps our bodies fight and gain resistance to both viruses and bacteria that cause illness. It helps to manage our blood sugar levels and fight off other gross things our bodies come into contact with. It can boost thyroid function to increase your metabolism and energy and also helps with digestion and reduces cholesterol. I have read a lot about coconut oil and my favorite thing about it is probably its ability to get rid of belly fat by having 2 tablespoons of it daily. Sounds kind of weird, but it tastes good so it isn’t really much of a hassle and it is SO worth it.
GELATIN
I have recently started taking gelatin pills, and I can already tell the difference, and other people have noticed these differences about me as well.
Gelatin is known for building up great skin, hair, and nails from the inside out. It is a huge source of amino acids- one gelatin capsule has 12 of the essential amino acids in it, which means a source of protein. Many people take biotin pills, but after looking into both gelatin and biotin for a while I have found that gelatin has all the same benefits as biotin but better…and more. Not that any college girls have to worry too much about this just yet, but gelatin is a huge advocate in preventing wrinkles. It firms and tones the skin and also reduces cellulite, which I have noticed first hand in myself.
Gelatin is a really popular supplement for people in the fitness and modeling industry because in addition to all the benefits listed above, it also boosts your metabolism, human growth hormone production, and helps to heal the digestive tract.
If you ever get the chance to give any of these products a try, I can assure you that you won’t regret it. They have nothing but positive outcomes and anything that is all natural or organic is in your best interest to start using in your day-to-day life.