My Detox Water

Water is a huge part of my daily routine. Drinking water helps with your immune system and skin, metabolism. The benefits of water are important for the body to maintain normal functions. See https://gracehagedorn.com/2019/05/09/why-i-drink-my-weight-in-water/ for more information.

Whenever, I get a new client I tell them 10-16 oz of filtered water to start the day. My Detox Water is made up of essential nutrients broken down to help with different benefits. I created this drink to start off in the morning because, its helps stimulate and amped up your metabolism and detox your body. Lemon is rich in Vitamin C, which helps reduce muscle and joint pain. Lemon can aid in weight loss and helps boost the immune system and help absorb iron. Adding lemon to my water was crucial for those reasons. Mint can aid with indigestion and stomach ache and is a great source of vitamin A, and antioxidants. Mint can also help the flow of bile which ends in the result of improved digestion. The Lime helps with fighting infections big to small as it can also help control inflammation in the body. The cucumber is packed with antioxidants. It is a very good source for B1, B6, Calcium and Vitamin K, which is good for supporting healthy bones. Cucumber is also a great weight-loss factor and is great for healthy skin and joint health.

There are multiple benefits of Pink Himalayan Salt . The first example is it helps aid in the balance of pH (alkaline/acidity) which in the end helps to reduce acid reflux and having the proper electrolytes throughout the day. More benefits can include it helps the improve circulation and lowering of blood pressure. Pink Himalayan Salt not only allows nutrients to get absorbed but also allows the body eliminate toxins. Finally, the Ginger has many properties that are super beneficial to the body. I used Ginger to help with Nausea and muscle pain. Which is why I added Ginger Root in this recipe. Ginger also has active properties that can help fight infections, also help maintain a strong immune system.

Fun Facts: *

1. Warm Lemon water helps prevent gingivitis and toothaches.

2. 18 Species of mint

3. Ginger can grow up to 4 feet tall.

4. Pink Himalayan Salt Contains 84 trace minerals vital for wellbeing.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 Lemon
• 1/2 Lime
• 
• 10-14 Fresh Mint Leaves
• 
• 2 inches Fresh Ginger Root
• 1/2 Cucumber
• Pinch of Himalayan Salt
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Steps:

1. Cut Cucumber, Lemon, Lime into slices and chop ginger into cubes.

2. Add all ingredients to a large pitcher of filtered water and stir in the fresh mint. Enjoy!

@JoshLepikPhotography

Why I Drink My Weight In Water

What most people don’t realize there are many benefits of drinking our weight in water. Water can help boost the immune system in many ways and help cleanse your body of wastes. Drinking water everyday is part of my Wellness Regimen. Most people find, by drinking water they are also able to lose weight naturally. Half the time, the body thinks its hungry when really it is thirsty. I always tell my clients Water first, and to always start the day drinking 16oz. The weight loss aspect comes from drinking a lot of water, the body will stop retaining as much. More water more weight loss. Drinking water daily can also help with factors such a,s having more energy and mental focus will increase.

To figure out how much water your body needs a day is your body weight divided by 2. I personally drink 82 oz a day to maintain my health, weight, and skin. This can prevent the body from not going into dehydration mode. When the body is dehydrated it can cause the skin to prematurity wrinkle and be vulnerable to skin disorders. Dehydration can lead to an imbalance of Electrolytes. The importance of electrolytes are they generate cell electricity from Sodium and Potassium.While, drinking water can help with weight loss, it is very ideal to help the functions of the kidneys as well. If they Kidneys don’t function waste products can build up in the body causing damage or failure of the organ or organs. The kidneys help to balance out the Electrolytes in the body to regulate it and keep it stable.

Fun Fact: Adults are 60% Water, and our blood is 90% water .

Enhancing Your Water Flavors: (Here are some ideas to enhance your water flavor. Some but not limited to.)

Fruits/Veg:

• Cucumber
• Melon
• Lemon
• Lime
• Pineapple

Herbs:

• Mint
• Lavender
• Basil
• Rosemary
• Pink Himalayan Salt
• Ginger Root

Sources:

• Water from Tap or Bottle
• Food with high water content (Such as Cucumbers, Watermelon, Oranges, Soups, Califlower, Grapefruits, Yogurt, Zucchini ect)
• Milk, Teas and Juices are a good source, however not drinks with high caffeine levels or alcohol levels are not good due to empty calories.

My Favorite Go To Water : Waiakea Water @Waiakea

I choose Waiakea Water as my favorite water, not just because it taste great but also it has beneficial electrolytes and minerals. The water is filtered through volcanic rock from Hawaii. The nutrients in this water helped strengthen bone structure for skin, hair, nails to make them more radiant. It can also help with healthy blood flow throughout the body and radical damage.

@JoshLepikPhotography

Baked Caramel Stuffed Apples

I wanted to create a dish that was simple, easy and delicious. This recipe is great snack or dessert for the up coming holidays such as Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas.  The green apples give the benefits for healthy bones and skin, as well as they are low in fat and carry a lot of vitamin A and C.   Sweets are always good in moderation,and great as a treat.

Ingredients:

• Green apples 3-4 ( or how every many  as you would like)
• Butter ( I use I cant believe its not butter)
• Cinnamon
• Werthers Soft Caramels

Steps:

1. Pre-heat at 375 degress.
2. Scoop out about a little more than a dollar coin  f or 1-2 caramels. For more caramel scoop out a bigger hole for 3-4 caramels in the middle.
3. Melt butter in microwave and brush melted butter with a thin layer over inside of the apples.

4.  Add the caramel than add the cinnamon on top.

5. Baked for 15-20 mins (watch apples).

6. Enjoy! Ice cream Optional!

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@JoshLepikPhotography

Organic Sheet Pan Steak Fajitas

 

I have been working on dish this for  two to three months. A lot of trial and error was made with this dish but this is the final outcome I was finally happy with. I wanted a dish that was rich in flavors but, also simple to make after a long day. The organic grass fed beef is healthier than regular beef. It is packed with main nutrients like vitamins and antioxidants. Conjugated Linoleic acid(CLA) is found which has been linked to anti- inflammation benefits and immunity.

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons Olive Oil
• 1/4 teaspoon Ground Cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon Kosher Salt
• 1/4 teaspoon Chipotle chili powder( Depending how spicy you like it, I use 1/4)
• 1/2 teaspoon Oregano
• 1/4 teaspoon Garlic Salt(optional)
• 1/2 teaspoon Black Pepper
• 1 red Bell Pepper halved and seeded 1 Green Pepper halved and seeded
• 
• 2 Yellow Onions, thinly sliced (non stick cooking spray)
• 12 ounce Skirt Steak( Grass fed, non Gmo)
• 1/4 teaspoon Cilantro Leaves
• 1/2 cup Sour Cream
• 1/4 teaspoon Cayenne Pepper(depending if you like it spicier I use 1/4)
• 8 corn or white tortillas

Steps:

1. Preheat broiler with oven rack in the top position place a rimmed baking sheet in the oven when it preheats.

2.  In a small bowl mix together all oil, cumin, 1/2 teaspoon salt, chili powder , oregano, black pepper, Cayenne. In a large bowl mix pepper and onions drizzle half of the oil mixture. Toss to coat.

3. Remove baking sheet from oven coat on with non stick spray add pepper to pan broil 10 mins or until tender.

4. Add steak to small bowl drizzle with remaining oil rub to coat. Remove pan from oven move peppers to side of pan arrange steak in middle on pan.

5. Broil 3-7 minutes or until steak reaches doneness. Transfer steak to cutting board slice across grain.

6. Serve sour cream/ fresh Guacamole  and steak with peppers in tortilla and Enjoy!

@JoshLepikPhotography

 

Organic Stuffed Mozzarella Chicken Breast

This is a brand new dish I decided to try out one day. I than added my own touches to the basic stuffed chicken breast to make it organic friendly. Non- Gmo, Chickens are packed with protein which help the building block for muscles. It also contains vitamin B6 and B3 which help aid with lowering cholesterol and assisting in production with cell growth in the body. It is very low in fat compared to steaks and fish.   This is also a great way to have plenty of left overs, and have a hearty dinner for you or the whole family.

Ingredients-

• 1-2 lbs of organic, non Gmo boneless skinless chicken breasts
• 8oz Mozzarella (Low fat)
• Salt and Pepper
• 1 cup of flour
• 3-4 eggs (beaten)
• 1 cup bread crumbs ( I only use Prego)
• 1 tsp dried Oregano
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• Italian seasoning (Flavorgod) to taste
• Parmesan Cheese
• Vegetable oil or Olive oil for frying
• 2 cup tomatoes sauce ( I use only prego)
• Fresh basil

Directions-

1. Pre-heat over to 425 F degrees.
2. Using a sharp knife cut deep slits into each of the chicken breasts. Stuffed the mozzarella in the slits. ( Don’t be afraid to add a lot of cheese to each breast it melts most of it away in meat when cooked)
3. Press chicken edges together so cheese stays inside and season outside with the salt and pepper.
4. Put flour, eggs and the bread crumbs into three separate bowls. In the bread crumbs add the garlic powder, and oregano, Italian Seasoning (flavorgod) 1/4 parmesan, 1/2 tsp of salt.
5. Dip the chicken into flour first than dip into egg, tossing to coat. Next dip chicken in bread crumbs with an even coat.
6. In a large Skillet (medium heat) add layer of oil of your choice and add chicken to skillet until both sides are golden brown.
7. Add sauce around chicken and top with fresh basil.  Turn of heat add extra Parmesan to top.
8. Transfer skillet to over and bake for about 20 minutes.
9. Serve fresh with Parsley, Basil and Enjoy!

 

2 Ways for Bone Broth ( Homemade & Store Bought)

Whenever I feel a cold, I always try to make a huge pot of bone broth. Bone broth is very concentrated in vitamins and minerals to help the immune system. By boiling the bones, the broth absorbs Magnesium (good for bones), Calcium (also good for bone growth and development), Collagen 1 and 2 (helps elasticity of skin, strengthens skin, hair, nails, bones and joints, hydration of skin, maintains firm skin) Glucosamine (helps with joint support), Glycine (can help aid in sleep) and more! Bone broth can also help the gut, and help lining of colon. Bone broth is also known for natural weight loss, and detoxification for body. You can cook with the bone broth or drink it. I drink 1-2 glasses of bone broth a day heated up in a mug, (4-6oz) but when I am sick 2-4 cups.

Homemade Bone Broth-

Ingredients-

1. Bones from either Chicken, Grass-fed  beef, Turkey
2. 1-2 tbsp. of apple cider vinegar (don’t worry you wont taste the ACV afterwards!)
3. Half a Onion
4. Baby carrots or assorted color (handful or so)
5. Herbs (rosemary, thyme, sage, Himalayan Pink Sea Salt)
6. Filter water and or vegetable broth

Instructions-

1. Place the bones from either chicken, turkey, or grass fed beef into slow cooker
2. Add than apple cider vinegar with water to cover bones ( add veggie broth as well)
3. Wait an hour before stirring the bone broth
4. Set timer for 2 hours (on high)
5. Strain broth so veggies don’t mix
6. Use left over veggies for soup or next meal!
7. Broth can be stored up to 3-4 days in fridge (or stored in freezer for a later date)

Store Bought (Go-To’s)

1. Jarrows Formulas

This Bone broth is my go to and drink this one regularly everyday. Bone broth benefits are good for joints and the digestive tract. It is powdered drink mix that contains Type I and Type II collagen peptides, cartilage  sulfate, calcium. These nutrients have significant amount of impact on the body and provide nutrients and vitamins that goes beyond homemade broths.

2.                                                                 Imagines Foods

For quick on the go, Imagine Foods makes it easy to warm up the bone broth and take it to go. All you need to do is pour some into a glass and warm up. This company is vegan, Non -Gmo, Vegetarian, Soy- Free, Low Sodium, Kosher, Organic, Non- Dairy. Bone Broth is designed to give you a nutritious boost with a good source of protein. Sometimes if I am extra sick, I add my Jarrows Powder to the broth!

 

 

 

How to get Longer and Thicker Lashes Naturally

If your eye lashes need an extra boost here are different natural ways to help thicken and lengthen them. It is also important to treat your eyelashes if you wear a lot of mascara or fake eye lashes with the glue. Mascara and fake eye lashes take a major toll on your eyes. I mix all three oils in one small container and put it on my eyes every night before I go to bed!

1.1. Vitamin E oil is great to put on your eye lids and lashes every night to promote growth so they can get conditioned. The oil will allow strengthening and thickening of eye lashes as well as eye brows! Make sure the vitamin E oil has jojoba oil as well if it doesn’t it can be mixed with the vitamin E oil. You can use vitamin E oil with jojoba oil but it really helps promote growth to your eye lash. Vitamin E oil also has many other uses such as removing dark spots under eyes, helps reduce appearance of acne and damaged tissue, helps with brittle hair works as a conditioner, lip balm, removes all makeup, and moisturizer. Use vitamin E oil and castor oil and jojoba oil for best results!

 2. Jojoba Oil is very gentle and great to use all around your eye reign. It is a natural way to stimulate eyelash growth. You can even use it on your eye lashes! You can even use jojoba with  vitamin E oil on your hair and as a moisturizer (day or night), acne and spot treatment, lip balm, makeup remover and hair treatment. Even as a post shaving cream! Use vitamin E oil with Jojoba and Castor for best results!

3.   Castor oil is very important for thickening and re growing hair. It can help prevent breakage and moisturizes the eye lash by hydrating the tired, brittle, dry lashes. This will help the eyelash to grow full length and height so new lashes will come in easier. Mixing castor oil with both jojoba and vitamin will enhance results. Make sure you get 100% cold pressed. Mixing with Castor oil with jojoba and vitamin E oil will show better results.

4. Try massaging Shea butter on your eyelids, along the lash line. This will help the blood flow and increase efficient circulation that will help your lashes grow and prevent thinning in the future. If you wear extensions a lot or tryin to repair the lashes from extensions this is an amazing all natural way to repair. Make sure you use 100% raw Shea butter

5. Brushing you eye lashes everyday in an upwards motion can help get rid of any clogged pores you have. This helps essential nutrients to reach the follicle. By stimulating the follicles in the eye lashes will help promote growth. Once to twice a day is recommended.

Benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple Cider Vinegar has many benefits regarding your hair, skin and health. Apple Cider Vinegar helps the most with your body’s need and capability to absorb nutrients easier. It is made up of amino acids as well as antioxidants to help promote healthy hair and skin. ACV is also known for reducing blood pressure, migraines, nausea, helps kill certain cancer cells, helps joint pain, helps prevent acne as well  regualtes the pH in you body. Apple Cider Vinegar is simply crushing apples and squeezing out all of the extra liquid.

Hair-

Add 1 half apple cider vinegar and the other half water through your hair (1-3 tablespoons). Rinse after 2-3 minutes. You will notice results in a few weeks. Also combining a little apple cider vinegar in your condition helps as well. It helps get rid of all the extra build of with oils that you don’t need.

Drinkable-

Drinking it also has amazing benefits if drank daily. If you mix some apple cider vinegar into water can help reduce bloating and help your body absorb materials more efficiently. ( two tablespoons twice a day with a large cup of water) It is also known to help with weigh loss. One of the major benefits to drinking ACV is reducing acid, may help prevent certain cancers, reduce blood pressure and even help people who have diabetes with blood sugar levels.

Teeth-

Add 1-2 teaspoons of apple cider vinegar to a glass of water. Swish and rinse out. Apple cider vinegar is a natural antibacterial so it can kill all the bad germs in your mouth.

 

Cranberry Brie Appetizer Bites

These snacks are  delicious to make and just in time for the holidays. It is very simple to cook and doesn’t call for many ingredients. Cheese is moderation can actually be good for you as well because it contains calcium and protein, vitamins A and B12, zinc, phosphorus. According to multiple studies, cheese can help protect your teeth from cavities.

Ingredients-

1. Crescent dough (1 can)
2. Mini muffin tin
3. Organic vegetable spray
4. Flour
5. 8 0z of Brie Cheese
6. Can of whole cranberry sauce
7. Rosemary(fresh)
8. Pecans or walnuts (I prefer NOT to use pecans or walnuts but optional)

Directions-

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees and spray organic vegetable oil in mini muffin tin
2. Lightly flour a clean surface and cut dough in 24 small squares
3. Place squares into mini muffin tin slots
4. Cut brie into small pieces and place inside the dough
5. Take a spoonful of the cranberry sauce and on top of the brie (if using nuts add nuts after brie is in dough than rosemary) add one small sprig of rosemary
6. Bake for 15 minutes or until dough is golden
7. Serve warm and enjoy!

Shower Essentials

I have tried a lot of skin and hair care over the years but a couple have really stuck to my everyday use. I have an array on hair and body products that I switch between depending, on my needs. It is always good to use different products so you hair doesn’t get use to just one. I even use apple cider vinegar twice a week. Scroll down for my go to’s for cleaner and healthier skin as well, as hair.

HAIR-

The Ouai Haircare

Ouai haircare is one of the best hair products I have tried in years. It makes your hair feel super refreshed and smells amazing. There are several types of shampoo and conditioner depending in you hair care needs. The smooth shampoo and conditioner makes the hair calm with no frizz, cleanses each strand and moisturizes.  These shampoos include smooth, volume, repair, clean and curl. I mostly use smooth everyday but, when I get my hair colored I use repair. It is free of sulfates and parabens, never test on animals and protects color in hair longer.

Viral by Celebrity Luxury

Viral by celebrity luxury is one of the best shampoos for color treated hair. I use this before Ouai (see above)  everyday to keep my hair colored between color sessions. I use a combination of red and purple for my hair. It adds and retain color longer preventing color from fading.

The Ouai Haircare

The Ouai masks are my go to for when my hair needs ultra repair and softness. It has artichoke leaf extract which helps seal the ends of the hair to keep repair going for weeks. It will also help prevent future damage from hair breakage and heat and styling. It can repair damaged hair within same shower time.

BODY-

Glossier

I have just recently switched to Glossier from just regular body wash from bath and body works. This body wash and face wash really help get rid of the oils and dirt we get in everyday life. The face wash  can be use on dry skin to get rid of makeup and dirt.  The pH-balanced is made with  five different skin conditioners leaving your face feeling soft and healthy. The body wash helps provide skin with moisture and never strips it. This body wash has seven-oil blend which likes grime and sweat , lifting it away from your skin. When water hits, the body , the oil turns to  froth that washes it all away. The body wash is made 0% water so it wont affect the pH on your body. The body cream also makes  skin, tightens and smooths skin’s surface. It can also increases skin’s elasticity, and all-day hydration as well as zero residue on your clothes.

First Aid Beauty

First Aid beauty is amazing for after the gym to get out all the extra impurities, and helps clog hard to get pores. This  can be used as daily cleanser for blemish-prone, combination,  oily skin and as a deep treatment cleanse for normal skin. After using my skin cleaner and purer.

 

Kate Somerville

I like to use a daily detox cleaner before a mask or even a heavier cleanser. Kate Somerville is great for all types of skin. I have seen great results in my skin cleaner up over the years. I have tried all of her products and these two are my favorite for in the shower. When using ExfoliKate in the shower, the steam will help to activate all the different enzymes on your face, making it more effective. The detox cleanser is great for getting off the dirt and sweat on your face .It also restores the clarity to acne-prone skin, it removes impurities and leaves skin feeling cleaner, brighter, smoother, and softer. Phytic acid brightens the loo appearance  of skin. The botanical extracts and vitamins moisturize, conditions the skin to help with not over drying.