The truth is most of us are overfed, undernourished. In order to reduce your need or desire for preservatives, additives, sugars and salts from processed foods, it’s no surprise… Eat fresh, organic, whole unprocessed foods wherever possible. The quality of life begins with the quality of food you eat.

Some fruits and vegetables are just simply better than others, when choosing go for nutrient dense vegetables that are low in calories and although fruits are full of valuable nutrients they also contain natural sugars which makes them higher in calories, so keep that in  mind and eat them sparingly.

Here’s a list of the best ones:

Vegetables: 1. Bell peppers, 2. Parsley, 3. Kale, 4. Broccoli, 5. Spinach, 6. Celery, 7. Brussel Sprouts, 8. Cauliflower, 9. Carrots, 10. Cabbage, 11. Beets

Fruits: 1. Pineapple 2. Cantaloupe 3. Watermelon, 4. Tomatoes, 5. Apple, 6. Strawberries 7. Pears, 8. Oranges, 9. Grapes

Having trouble getting them all in?

Try juicing! Juicing helps the body’s digestive process for quick absorption of high quality nutrients. I’m not saying juicing is better than eating the whole fruits or vegetables– both great for you, however without juicing it’s hard to get all those nutrients in without some form of supplementation or a lot of time on your hands, juicing does provide soluble fiber which helps lower cholesterol, it’s a great way to start the day if you aren’t a breakfast eater. An afternoon pick-me-up (instead of your cup of joe) or snack!

*Drinking juice is best on an empty stomach.

Focusing on eliminating heavy metals and chemicals from foods and the environment found in just about everything we use or are surrounded by today, specifically from the liver and the blood stream.

How?

Detoxing can be done easily and effectively just through modifying your diet and lifestyle. You can detox from things just by taking a break from them or you can easily still eat food while on a detox (eating nothing but whole natural foods for a period of time like fruits and vegetable smoothies, broths, soups, raw salads, steamed fish and by avoiding acidic foods and substances that interfere with process). It is helpful to sweat toxins out daily either by adding heat such as a steam bath or sauna and or vigorous sweaty exercise). Promote circulation with dry-brushing and exfoliation. Resting and sleeping help to rejuvenate and repair. Alternatively or additionally a cleansing-juice-fast can amp things up by decreasing the amount of work your digestive system has to do.

The Liver.

This sucker is just about the most amazing powerhouse in your entire body, seriously. Your liver is a power house. It’s major function is to get toxins out of the body on a daily basis. Give it some slack with some helpful detoxifying foods, herbs and spices like beet juice, artichoke, wasabi, milk thistle, sarsaparilla and cook with turmeric regularly!

Why?

Increased energy and stamina, mental clarity, better sleep patterns, radiant complexion, healthy hair and nail, improved self-care & self image.. Let’s just say you’ll just feel amazing, light on your toes and vibrantly full of life!!

First off, congrats on doing a cleanse! Cleansing is an amazing lil gem you can do to rid yourself of toxins, clear your mind and reset your system and your whole way of eating back to the basics. Now that you’ve done all that amazing work on yourself, it’s essential to make sure you’re equipped with a maintenance plan that will help keep you on track and maximize the effects of cleansing.

Break Cleanse.

Now that your official cleanse is over, break the cleanse by consuming small portion sizes approximately 3 meals per day and 1-2 snacks (if needed). Remember digestion begins with the simple act of chewing. Chewing initiates the release of digestive enzymes that break down food available for maximum nutrient absorption in the small intestine.

Below are some guidelines for types of food to choose for the first 3 days post-cleanse:

Day 1:

Begin: 1/2 squeezed lemon & cayenne tonic
Breakfast: Fruit smoothie or fresh fruit
Lunch: Greens smoothie
Dinner: Bone broth soup made with green vegetables or greens smoothie

Day 2:

Begin: 1/2 squeezed lemon & cayenne tonic
Breakfast: Fresh fruit or green vegetable smoothie
Lunch: Raw salad, steamed vegetables or raw vegetable salad (dressing: olive oil with lemon)
Dinner: Raw salad or steamed vegetables, small portion of power grains either quinoa, amaranth, millet, or buckwheat or sweet potato. Option 2: Bone broth soup made with pureed green vegetables

Day 3:

Begin: 1/2 squeezed lemon & cayenne tonic
Breakfast: Fresh fruit or fruit/greens smoothie
Lunch: Raw salad, steamed vegetables or raw vegetable salad (dressing: olive oil with lemon)
Dinner: Raw salad or steamed vegetables, small portion of power grains either quinoa, amaranth, millet, or buckwheat or sweet potato. Option 2: Bone broth soup made with pureed green vegetables

Done. But it’s just the beginning!!Do your best to keep your diet rich in whole, raw foods.

Notice how you feel right now when things are clean. You’ll feel so much better when you keep it that way. Stick to the basics as listed above; eat alkaline foods for vibrant health (root vegetables, leafy greens, cruciferous vegetables, garlic, cayenne peppers and lemon) and stay away from refined carbohydrates, processed and fried foods. You can slowly reintroduce meat and dairy products if you wish. Steamed or grilled types are best! Use common sense and do your best to keep portion sizes minimal and avoid heavy foods that clog. You’ll want to keep those newly-cleaned pipes fresh working in optimal order!

You are well on your way to a healthier you, and you should be very proud!

Say hello to your new morning mood enhancing, natural glow-tonic and your new-and-improved-Slim-Saucy Self! First things first, the recipe: Mix the juice from a 1/2 fresh lemon with 1 cup hot water and a dash of cayenne pepper.

Lets just say this is your new health and weight maintaining weapon (among so many other benefits):

Even though lemons are acidic they incredibly alkalizing for your body. The sauce helps to moderate and even lower your PH and high acidity levels (caused from a diet with meat, dairy, caffeine, processed foods and artificial sweeteners) that cause prematurely aging, fatigue, obesity and cancer.

Hot lemon water not only helps with stimulate digestion and elimination it helps fight hunger cravings! It acts as a diuretic that will also make you pee more often which flushes out toxins and ridding toxins reduces all that puffiness!

The cayenne pepper, adds the extra zip in your step and kicks up your metabolism 1st thing. If you aren’t a spice person, add just the tiniest amount!

Whole Body Beauty:

Lemon juice is loaded with Vitamin C which reduces inflammation and stress both inside and out and it’s ultra hydrating which reduces fine lines and wrinkles, brightens, evens and tones skin.

Make up is meant to enhance what you’ve already got going on, especially during the day– keep it simple! A natural look not only looks best it’s easy to maintain. Save brighter, bolder, darker colors, and red lips for night time!

My favorite products that I’ve found work the best.

Concealer:

To hide blemishes and mask dark undereye circles, these 1 trick wonders can miraculously camouflage just about anything! For flawless skin and to make your eyes pop. MAC and Benefit make great ones, but I absolutely LOVE it and swear I can’t live without my Touche Eclat Radiant Touch concealer, by YSL for it’s multi-purposes and convenience sake (no brush required). My new favorite for summer is by Dermablend  SPF 20 Concealer.

BB Cream and Foundation.

BB cream is like a foundation, but lighter! It evens skin tone, control shine, lightly mask imperfections, and infuses skin with a fresh-from the-yoga-studio radiance without all the excess gym baggage! I like Jane Iredale’s because it’s non-comedogenic especially great if you have skin issues, although I’ve come across a new favorite: Marcelle BB Cream Golden Glow!

Brows.

Of course you should still see your eyebrow lady for perfectly shaped ones. Brows are highly underrated, yet they frame the face, and in my opinion the most important part of your beauty routine. Penciling them in is a must, this doesn’t mean making them fake looking– just define and fill for a soft natural look. I love Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz, it has a pencil on one side and brush on the other, and no sharpening necessary.

Highlight.

Highlighting is the key too gorgeous-ifying! Luminize your face with a pencil or powder. It’s the little trick that pulls the entire face together, giving you a unified look that plays up features for model-esque cheekbones and alluring eyes. Use to subtly brighten the brow area, top of your cheek bone, middle of the upper lip. Try YSL Touche Elcat, Betty Louminizer powder, or try a pencil (they work great on the go under the brown or to make your eyes pop!

Glow.

Bronzers bronzer bronzer!!!  My number 1 essential. I wear Laguna by Nars, Betty-Lou Manizer by the Balm! See Glowing Beauty for detail on this!

Eyes.

I like to add a little liner or highlight inner eye with shadow.  Mascara, looks great day or night, but I don’t wear it. My bestie Sarah Maxwell applies my eyelash extensions every 3 weeks, it’s the perfect beauty deal for me, I don’t have the time for messy mascara at the gym, pool or beach, in bed on my pillow case, but I get to wake up already done!  Extensions are simply amazing!!  If you can’t find a good applier better the old fashioned way; the cheap stuff aka Loreal Voluminous works perfectly good as any expensive one.

Cheeks.

I love the palette I made at MAC Cosmetics with the sales associate, I sometimes use the blushes on my eyes too! I’m obsessed with Nars cosmetics blushes because they really make the cheeks pop. I think Orgasm blush is universal favorite.

Gloss.

Lip gloss is the icing on the cake! I can’t stand sticky gloss, I like mine smooth almost as if I’m not wearing any, just to give lips a soft punch of shine or color. I love Smith’s Rose or Minted Lip balm day time and ModelCo SHINE Ultra Lip Gloss in any color at night, I especially love “Strip Tease” shade.

Here are my tips to prepare and endure a cleanse or detox with ease.

1. Stock up on.

I suggest avoiding the grocery store while cleansing. Make sure to grab lots of herbal teas like soothing chamomile, lavender and mint, a bag of lemons (for lemon water), real thai young coconut water & aloe leaf or juice (to calm intestines) and a good probiotic. Also you may want to incorporate your own juices or light smoothies into your cleanse just incase you need some extra pow in your step! Some great ingredients to blend (see smoothie & juice recipes): kale, mint, ginger, parsley, strawberries, blueberries, apple, beet, watermelon.

2. Drink A LOT of WATER

Sounds obvious, but make sure you get plenty of high quality filtered water. You can add lemon juice for flavor and if you are adventurous add some cayenne too.

3. Rest.

You are going to be tired. Don’t put any extra added stress on yourself to stay up late or be everything for everyone. Take time for yourself, power naps, and head to bed early.

4. Break.

Cleansing takes a lot out of you, keep that in mind when scheduling one in your calendar. You’ll want to take the work out of everything; remove yourself from social situations (especially evening) where you’ll be tempted to have things because you’ll need all your strength to get totally cleansed. Keep your schedule super relaxed and just give yourself a break from things and people (if possible)!

5. Add Heat.

Your body is hard at work getting rid of all your toxins, it doesn’t want to exercise hard to sweat them out, rather it wants to relax in a steam room, sauna or better infared sauna!

6. Spa.

It feels great to be pampered on a cleanse or not, the human touch is needed more now than ever! Plus it just seems right, it’s the perfect time to treat yourself. Get a good exfoliating scrub and a detoxifying massage. I love the Korean spa for great service without breaking the bank!

7. Added Cleansing Rituals.

Have a colonic, book in with your colon hydrotherapist for a few sessions to help speed things along during and after. Incorporate dry brushing, it’s awesome for removing dead skin cells and circulation. A DIY bubble bath with bath salts, light candles and call it a great night.

8. Journal.

Write thoughts and emotions as they come up. Your going to be detoxing more than just on a physical level; things will come up.

9. Restorative Yoga.

Breath deep without the pressure of a downward dog for once! Restorative yoga and or mediation is the perfect compliment to cleansing. You’ll unwind, aka take your mind off of eating with breath while stretching into some yummy feel good poses that get into the sticky spots (like hips, low back and shoulders) that you wouldn’t otherwise get to spend a lot of time on in class. Plus you’ll get boost your immune and get super energized!

10. Sunshine.

Duh… It makes your happy! Try to get a good 30 minute dose of sunny D to boost your mood and immune system.

11. Keep it Easy.

Take probiotics and eat fermented foods every day. The beneficial bacteria really help to flush and metabolize toxins.

12. Let Go.

Gratitude is expressed through the giving and receiving. When you give in abundance you’ll receive in abundance. Let go of negative thoughts and feelings. Try a yoga class to cleanse and detox the mind of lingering emotions that weigh the spirit down.

Diet, sleep and exercise are the best ways to complement your complexion, but sometimes life has a way of holding you in a head lock. I know it can be hard to stick to a perfectly healthy regime 100% of the time, however looking fabulous isn’t just for Victoria’s Secret models. It’s okay to cheat it a little with these beauty trix that make you appear wide awake with a luminous beautiful glow, you’ll look 100% all the time!  All you need are the right products applied well! is super easy to achieve in less than 5 minutes.

For a radiant, illuminated streak free all over glow you don’t need to wreck your skin in the sun and you can have it all year round right out of a bottle!  

Self tanner is not only great for getting a smoldering hot radiant look, but it also takes off about 5 pounds.  Get yourself glowing by first exfoliating your face and entire body (it’ll prolong the tan and prevent any flaking), next moisturize dry spots (hands, elbows, knees & feet), then apply tanner to dry skin (I like to apply tanner at night so that it can dry completely without risk of water damage or smear from clothes– it’ll last longer and you get the most bang for your buck.  After applying, scrub your hands really well (I use a little yellow scrub towel I picked up at the Korean spa for $2). I’ve tried so many different types of tanners and the closest I can get to a pro spray tan with at home products is with the St. Tropez Bronzing Mousse, the color lasts well and it doesn’t make you orange or streaky.

Bronzer, a quintessential product!!

When applying bronzer, the key is in the shade– you don’t want to go to dark because you’ll wind up lookin dirty. Pick one that is a few shades darker than your powder. Apply it where the sun would naturally hit your face with a soft fluffy brush: 1) under cheek bones blending upwards in a C shape towards the temples, 2) a tiny bit on the forehead at the hair line 3) once down the centre of your face, and 4) on your neck (this helps to connect your now darker face with your body. My favorites include Nars Laguna and The Balm’s Betty-Lou Manizer.

Highlighter! Welcome to your beaming complexion! Sculpting isn’t just for your legs ladies!

This little diddy can capture sleep and add dimension with a few strategic strokes of your make-up brush or pen (see below).  You can use this beauty brightening trick anytime (day or night) to sculpt and highlight: 1). On top of cheek bones, 2). inner corner of the eye, 3). just under eyebrows, and 4). on the centre of your upper lip before applying gloss. I have a few personal favorites: The Balm Mary-Lou Manizer (powder), YSL Touch Éclat (pen), part highlighter and part concealer, it erases dark circles, signs of fatigue and mask discoloration (complete miracle worker–especially on the go) and Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Duo (pencil), gives two great looks and works great on the go!

Mix 1 TBSP of coconut oil and 1 TBSP of sugar.  Take it to the bathroom, dampen your face and gently massage in upward circular motions on your face and neck, and if you like make extra for your entire body– jump in the shower, rub the mixture on your dry skin first to get the most exfoliation or lightly dampen if you’ve got sensitive skin.

As it is annoying to get them, it is even more troublesome to cover them up.  Although there isn’t a one size fits all solution that works for everyone, banish these bastards from showing up in the first place with some of these tricks I’ve learned.

Never sleep with your makeup on, EVER.  No matter how tired you are or how late you get home at night–wash your face!!!  Sleeping with your day and night on your face (even if you don’t wear make-up) will clog pores and encourage breakouts, simply a disaster for skin.  Night creams with extra good ingredients were invented because the skin absorbs EVERYTHING twice at much at night.

But– don’t washing too much!! Your skin produces natural oils–things like over washing or using harsh cleansers can cause the skin to activate it’s oil glandes to produce more oil in it’s attempt to adapt to you “stripping them away”.  Try limiting your facial cleansing, once in the morning, after the gym and once at night.

Resist the urge to pick.  When you pop and pick, the sore is open to bacteria getting in and the problem becoming inflamed; picking tears layers of the epidermis which also cause scarring to occur–face skin is very delicate.  Your best bet is to have a facial every 3-4 months and leave the cleaning to the pro’s, they use the proper technique.

Keep Hydrated. Water helps helps your brain function, maintains energy levels, body temperature, helps digestion and flushes out toxins.  It goes through a process before it comes near your skin, but essential anyhow.  Drink 8-10 glasses and more if you’ve done a hard workout, in the sun or if it’s especially dry where you live– limit your exposure to low humidity, harsh winds, dry heat, sun and alcohol. If you’re bored of plain ‘ol water, try adding some sugar free aloe juice to it, drink herbal teas, and coconut water post workout for extra electrolytes!

Eat healthy fats and oils– A diet rich in essential fatty acids found in salmon, olive & coconut oil, flaxseeds, walnuts, avocado etc keeps the skin supple and elastic; they also help to lubricated and hydrate your internal organs.

Keep stress levels on the low.  Stress affects your body and health in many harmful ways, from minor to major. It virtually impacts every system in the body and ages you prematurely.  When your stress levels are high, your produces extra cortisol—the stress hormone which throws your entire body out of whack.   Whether acne is caused or worsened by stress, it’s unknown– but limiting stress levels limits the negative effects it has on the body that can result in acne.  The best solution is mediating, deep concentrated breathing, exercise and a good night’s rest.

Quick tips:

When you wash your face, use a fresh face towel to pat dry every time.  Change your pillow case ever 2-3 days. Clean your make-up brushes with disinfectant spray and wash them with shampoo weekly. Check to make sure all the products you use (even hair) don’t clog pores.  Disinfect phone(s), keyboard and other stuff that comes into contact with your face daily. Don’t touch your face with dirty hands and unwashed skin.  Massage your face after you’ve cleaned it. Use a Spin Brush like the Clarisonic nightly for extra clean polished skin.

I use great products that do the job.  Great by the way doesn’t mean super expensive. Just effective cleansing, toning and hydrating products to get me glowing! I’m product junkie at heart but thanks to my Birch Box product sampling delivery service (great for all us triers out there), I get great samples and keep my product spending down, plus the sample sizes are great for traveling and just to stick in my makeup bag my gym bag.

In the AM.

Cleanser Options: The Max facial cleanser  or Fresh Soy Cleanser 

Tone and balance options I like: Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Oil-Free Toner, Witch Hazel, Caudalie Beauty Elixer.

Serum: Origins Mega-Mushroom Skin Relief

Moisturize with Visual Changes clinical skin care “Retexture Creme” , Perricone MD Face Finishing Moisturizer.

Eye Cream Visual Changes clinical skin care Eye Youth, Bliss Triple Oxygen

Sunny Days: Daily defense matte moisturizer SPF 30 by Image Skincare

Body.

Exfoliate: with a mitt I bought from a Korean spa or regular mitts you can buy at CVS, I also love dry brushing for circulation it’s amazing!

Soap: Dr. Bronner’s 18-in-1 Hemp Pure-Castile Soap– I love the Organic Rose!

Nourish: with  a mixture of grape seed oil or olive oil and essential oils (usually rose), body butters from Body Shop or Kielhs and Lush Cosmetics dream cremes lemony flutter cuticle cream.  In the summer for bronzed legs, try Sarah McNamara’s Miracle Skin Transformer SPF 20 makes your legs/body look tanned and it protects from the sun!

In the Evening.

Wash with The Max cleanser and my Clarisonic Spin brush (sensitive brush head)

Tone then moisturize and eye cream, I love Egyptian Magic under my eyes, and for my lips!

For breakouts or any skin issues a little Ozone Oil goes a long way!

2-3x per week.

Exfoliate at night before bed: 1-3x per week with brightening-polish,

Lately I’ve been using Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta Peel and I love it!!

Fake a Tan.

A tan always looks great, I’m all for Vitamin D but I don’t want the wrinkles and cancer that goes along with it. go in the sun without my screen, sunnies and or a hat.  It’s not just that I’m afraid of skin cancer, it’s more that the sun damages skin leaving spots and causing premature wrinkles. I save pro spray tans for a super big event, they are a bit of a process, plus if you don’t have a really great girl to apply it, it could also be a nightmare! Fake tanner stinks and my boyfriend hates it, so every few days I apply St. Tropez foam, it smell mild and it works, I also use Dr Dennis Gross glow pads, there’s a ton of these wipes on the market, I’m sure they are all comparable.  I’ve tried a few and this one is my favorite one I’m sticking with for now, the tan lasts and it comes out streak and almost smell free!