Tag: health

health

Affordable Supplements | Genuine Health

September 29, 2017

I am always on the hunt for new protein and supplements to use. Ther are so many to choose from and I know it can be overwhelming, thus, I will try to sort through all the crappy ones and only show you the ones that are worthwhile and while. I have written about probiotics and guy health before in my book “FitHair Foundations and also is one of my top five vitamins and supplements for healthy hair and body from the inside out. I am passionate about gut health so much that I dedicated an entire chapter of my book to breaking down this point. Gut health is the foundation for overall health and thus good gut health will help your body produce healthier hair. Probiotics help improve intestinal flora balance, inhibit harmful bacteria, promote good digestion, boost immune function, and increase resistance to infection. Fermented foods such as kefir, sauerkraut, and miso are some options fo natural probiotics. – Alexandria Williams Since everyone is on a vegan kick thanks to “What the Health” documentary, I figured I would showcase a few vegan products that will aid in healthy hair and body from the inside out. Today I wanted to highlight a brand and product most folks haven’t heard of, Genuine Health. I have been using their probiotics and proteins for a little bit and really like them. I think they are a great option for many who are looking for an affordable vegan supplements line. About Genuine Health Genuine Health is a proudly certified B Corporation that develops researched-based natural health supplements to help nourish your body. The flagship product, Greens+, has been keeping people healthy and alkaline for over 20 years! The company believes everyone deserves a healthy, vibrant life – and a lean, well-nourished body is the best way to get there. The Founder and CEO Stewart Brown says; “Health gives you the ultimate freedom – freedom to live your life to the fullest.” Genuine Health started over 15 years ago in Canada with greens+, the original, research-proven superfood formulated by Sam Graci for energy & well-being. The company has several different products such as probiotics, multivitamin, and omegas to say the least. Today, Genuine Health has over 170 products and is sold in both Canada and the U.S.Most of their products are vegan and or leave out soy and wheat for those of you looking to reduces or are allergic to those ingredients. Take a look at the other products. Genuine Probiotics Advance Gut Health Genuine Health probiotics contain 15 strains carefully selected for their abilities to repair and restore. The strains are treated with the utmost care – in a temperature and humidity-controlled environment, they are cleaned to remove toxins and weak cells, ensuring that only the strongest and fittest remain. A vegan, delayed-release capsule with a fermented prebiotic ensures that strains pass through the stomach acid, taking 45 minutes to reach the g Probiotics & The Body I have already discussed having probiotics daily via food source or supplemental is vital to your hair but also your overall body. Here are a few ways how your gut health can be affected a variety of factors. Psychological factors, like stress, and sleep problems, have been found to reduce microflora. New research has found that just as we have sleep rhythms, so do our bacteria. Drug addiction and lack of physical activity have been found to alter gut microflora – less movement equals less diversity of bacteria in the gut! Antibiotics in prescriptions and in the food supply not only knock out select bacteria – once these bacteria have died, so do the others that were dependent on them. Environmental toxins, alcohol and tobacco have been found to alter the ratio of good to bad bacteria, causing what is known as dysbiosis, which translates to “life in distress.” Diet creates changes in the microbiome. Certain foods feed the good bacteria in our gut while others do not. What’s for certain is that we are eating too much of the not so good stuff and not enough of the good. Additionally, what I do like about them the most is that the probiotics are not a large size pill. This is major win for me!! Fermented Vegan Proteins+ The other product I wanted to highlight is the protein called fermented vegan proteins+. The protein is packed with a lot of guy health but also hair healthy foods that will help keep you healthy from the inside out. The fermented protein+ contains a variety of healthy ingredients but also is a great source of protein. It also doesn’t taste bad as I pair the chocolate with my homemade walnut milk recipes you guys know I love. Some of the benefits of the fermented vegan proteins+ are No bloating 40% more absorption to the body Strengthens gut health Contains 15g protein Non-GMO and gluten-free Contains essential amino acids If you want to know what I look for when picking out the right protein supplement, check out my post “3 tips for picking out the right protein supplement.” for a quick overview. Ingredients matter, so I always make sure to look and read my labels. If I can’t understand the products or ingredients then I am less likely to purchase. I love and fully understand the ingredients used in the protein. Cost of Products The cost of this the protein is $34.99 and the probiotics are $19.99. Both are very affordable for a supplement line that contains both soy and gluten free products as well as non-gmo ingredients. This is a Win-Win for me. You can purchase the product locally at Sprouts or online direct. Also, they are available at Vitacost, Iherb.com, Vitamin Shoppe and other locations. FTC: This post is not sponsored

Brandless Not Worth The Hype?!

August 23, 2017

Brandless is a website that has one big mission. with one little $3 price. It’s a site that basically had brandless aka generic/store brand products for one flat price $3. It focuses on the essential products for the kitchen and home. Every single item in the store is $3. YES. You heard and read it right. Literally every single thing on the site is $3. From can openers to organic granola, it has a little bit for everyone all within a few clicks of a button. Most of the products is non-geo, organic or free or crazy additives and chemicals. This sounds to good to be true to me. Brandless has gotten a lot of press and crazy fans of the web since launching just a few months ago. As a frugal shopper, I knew this would be the site for me to help keep me right with my budget and on the healthy track. I was super excited and even reached out to the company regarding my upcoming purchase. So I decided to do a review of my first thoughts of what I ordered and much more. Is Brandless Worth the Hype? First Impressions & Unboxing What did I get for $3? Or the Grand Total of 34.50 bucks + Shipping I ordered a few items that were both good for the belly, body, and household from Brandless — and the whole thing was only $34.50. At first, my order was well over $50 bucks, which is part of the problem. Everything is $3, so you feel like you can go HAM on things you think you want and or need. I had to cut out a lot and only got essential items I needed or could use up should I not like them. Here is the list of items I purchased. Multi-Surface Cleaner Dish Soap – wasted and opened Peppermint Mouthwash Can Opener – scratches on it Organic Oats & Honey Granola Organic English Breakfast Black Tea Fig & Thyme Crisps – can get locally for same price but good Organic Blue Corn Tortilla Chips (2 bags for $3) Organic Brown Basmati Rice Gochujang Korean Sweet & Spicy Cooking Sauce Organic Poppy Seed Dressing Organic Light Brown Sugar There area few items that are not $3 such as canned beans and chips. They offer those as a certain amount for $3. In this case, the bag of chips were 2 for $3. The items in bold are the ones I like and say are winners. The ones italicized I liked but were questionable as I noted about them in my video. Shipping, Discounts & Membership Shipping is where things get iffy. It is $9 via FedEx, which comes in about 2-3 days. Not too bad. If you want free shipping, you have to spend $72, so that’s roughly purchasing 24 products at one time. They have a membership called B-Program, which cost $36 bucks a year. It allows you free shipping at $48 instead of the $72 price tag. Additionally, you get a sneak peak at new releases early and access to special events. You can learn more about their B-Program here. Meh…. A post shared by Alexandria – FitHair Expert (@alexandriawill) on Aug 22, 2017 at 7:05am PDT For first time orders you get shipping at $3 after that it’s $9. I was so excited when I opened the package but unfortunately it turned into disappointment. It was packaged nicely, but most of my items had some issue with them. From scratches on the can opener to chips and ships and crackers being broken. I think they need to rethink the shipping part especially if I order again and am paying $9. Thanks to shipping issues and most my products looking like they went through hell to get here, I say this is a major FAIL for me. Additionally, by paying $9 for shipping for a little bit over ten products means my items were almost $4 with no way for a refund thanks to the damages. Overall Brandless is a No For Me With Amazon (Prime, Now and Grocery), Trader Joes , Sprouts and Costco all sitting within my finger tips or backyard, I don’t find the need for Brandless. Most of the household items I honestly can purchase at the same price or less even online for name brand products or other ones I trust. Most items that are $3 honestly looked like they were worth $3. I like the packaging of things but most of my items were broken upon arrival or opened and damaged. This is a major fail for me. It get’s a no for me. Save ya coins. ALTERNATIVES FOR BRANDLESS & GREEN CLEANING If you are looking for a site that does have a cool membership and great healthy products for the house. I really love The Grove Collaborative. They have some of the best natural products at great prices, delivered right to your door. It’s my favorite online site to shop for organic, eco-friendly and sustainable items like Dr. Bronner’s, Meyer’s and Seventh Generation. On my first order, I grabbed a special filled with 4 free products – mak ing this FREE 99 for products. Check out why toxic chemicals can affect you hair and my shift to all natural products. Additionally, you can grab $10 bucks to shop on the Grove Collaborative by clicking here. Disclaimer: I wasn’t contacts nor sponsored for this post or to review Brandless. Paid for everything out of my pocket.

5 Quick Tips for Summer & Fall Travel

August 21, 2017

5 Quick Tips for Summer Travel It’s officially the summer travel season. If you have been keeping up with me on Instagram or the #whereisalex hashtag you will see I have been hitting the road in the past few weeks. I was asked by Weight Watchers® Ice Cream to create some unique tips celebrating the anticipation of the summer season so here are my five super easy and fun quick tips for summer travel. Switch it Up If you are looking for cheap flights for the summer, make sure you take a look at a variety of destinations within your budget. There are tons of great deals happening to the cities of Dallas, Chicago, D.C. Caribbean and Mexico. Instead of going to Disneyland or Vegas, try going to a new destination in another country or take a cruise. This year, I opted to switch from a traditional cruise trip, which allowed me to island hop and ended up hopping within one island – the famous island of Jamaica. Bring Snacks No matter when or where I go, I always bring snacks. Nothing is worse than being delayed and being famished and irritable. I pack a variety of snacks with me so I can munch on just in case I am not able to buy food or when hunger strikes! A few of my favorites are trail mix, Larabars, Garden of Life Raw Protein and greens and fresh fruit, Make sure to rinse and clean your fruits and veggies before packing or grab an Eat Cleaner wipe to not only clean but prolong shelf life. Stay Hydrated When traveling out of the states, I have learned bottled water is very expensive. I often will bring my filtered water bottled like from lifestraw to have filtered water within seconds. But don’t forget about your hair. Make sure you have a hydrating spray, moisturizing products and daily cream to keep tresses in tact. I love the Brita Water filter water sports bottle, which saves money and offers clean water within seconds. Shop Smart If you’re going to travel, know the best days to buy tickets. According to FareCompare.com, the best days to buy is Tuesday at 3 pm. Don’t forget to compare airfare and fees on a variety of websites. Comparing fares and fees can save you tons of cash. Keep Cool When I don’t travel with this, I also make sure to have loads of foods that are cold. From frozen fruit, smoothies to desserts and low-fat yogurt and popsicles, you’ll appreciate not only the taste but also cooling off with some of my summertime’s favorites. Now that you have a few tips. I want to hear from you on how your getting ready for the summer. Let me know if your traveling anywhere or need to get away.

Benefits of Wheatgrass for Hair, Skin & Body

August 11, 2017

I love wheatgrass because of the benefits but I am not a fan of the taste of wheatgrass. Quite frankly it makes me gag at times. Lately, I have been falling in love with wheatgrass powder and making my own drink. I love wheatgrass powder because it’s a concentrated and much cheaper than a wheatgrass shot at Jamba Juice. Chlorophyll is one of the top nutrients from Wheatgrass. Chlorophyll is known to assist with detoxing and liver health and improve digestion. Before you purchase wheatgrass powder, make sure you review my top tips for picking the right supplements. Did you know wheatgrass is good for not just the body but good for the hair? Check out 13 benefits of Wheatgrass for hair growth, your body and much more. 13 Benefits of Wheatgrass for Hair, Body and Skin Benefits of Wheatgrass for Hair Helps hair growth by increasing oxygen: Since Wheatgrass helps increase oxygen in the blood, this, in turn, will be detox impurities but also increase stimulation of hair growth. Revitalize Skin: Wheatgrass can regenerate skin cells and is thus helpful for the complexion. Many people take a wheatgrass shot daily or apply the juice straight to the skin to get rid of acne, overcome dryness or eczema, and treat discoloration. Helps prevent or alter gray hair: According to Under Ground Health Report, regular consumption of the young grass of this common wheat plant can recolor those grays so that you can enjoy your lush, natural color well into your senior years. Got Dandruff? Some sites note a simple way to eliminate dandruff is to massage 4-6 ounces of wheatgrass on to the scalp and cover with shower cap for 15 minutes. After 15 mins, rinse and condition. Here are several other benefits of wheat grass listed below. Benefits of Wheatgrass for the Body Suppresses appetite Boost immune system Stabilize and improves blood sugar levels Improves digestion Contains all minerals and the following vitamins, A, B-complex, C, E, I and K Contains 17 amino acids Removes heavy metals from the body Gluten-free because it’s cut before the grain is formed Antibacterial and natural healer thanks to chlorophyll So I know you are wondering, how can I consume Wheatgrass? I admit it’s a bit of an acquired taste but I did create a simple way of drinking it. You can tweak it as needed but thus far I really enjoy it in a glass of lemonade. Wheatgrass Lemonade So I know you are wondering, how can I consume Wheatgrass? I admit it’s a bit of an acquired taste but I did create a simple way of drinking it. You can tweak it as needed but thus far I really enjoy it in a glass of lemonade. 2 cups water 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice 1 scoop of wheatgrass Stevia or honey to taste 4-5 ice cubes Mix all ingredients in shaker and enjoy!

The Importance of Meditation

May 4, 2017

So often our brains are overloaded with various messages, emails, to-do-list, events and more that it hardly has times to rest and slow down. It is important to unplug, shut off and relax the mind. Mediation is critical in shutting off as it helps get rid of unnecessary feelings and thoughts and to reflect. It also helps to improve health, sleep, mentality, reduce stress, and improve concentration. Monday, I was so grateful to relax and take a break with a few local fitness and slow down on Monday with my Dallas Fitness Ambassadors crew. We met at the gorgeous Alexan apartments in Downtown Dallas and had a great platter of healthy foods and low-calorie drinks from Sprouts. Sprouts, by the way, is one of my favorite grocery stores to shop at so it was great to learn more about their cater services and new products. Additionally, we had chair massages from Spa Kneads, DIY essential oils demo from Aura cacia, and amazing homemade tea from Restore Simply. After being pampered and relaxed for a bit, I took my first official meditation class, which was soo needed!!! I have always struggled with meditation and during those last few minutes of yoga in the class, I am always going through my to-do list. As I started to deal with depression and listening to my internal struggles, I realized the importance of meditation and having a little bit of time in my life. Now it’s a regular part of my healthy lifestyle and can actually see the benefits of meditation such as reducing stress, sleeping better and much more. Meditation Apps There are tons of youtube videos that have meditation tips or practices, which is great. Sometimes the videos are removed or slow to buffer so instead I prefer meditation apps or audio that can aid in meditation, mindfulness and easy to use. With most of the apps, you can choose the time and then sit or lay down for the instructions of what to do. It’s that easy! Don’t worry, these apps are for both android and iTunes users and don’t cost anything to use at first. Calm Headspace Mindfulness App Simply Being Dr. Wayne Dyer (Spotify) Three Easy Tips To Start Meditation Establish a Daily Practice: Mediation doesn’t have to be complicated, but it’s important to have a set location, time and routine. Start with taking two to three minutes a day and then work your way up. I highly recommend starting your day off with meditation too! Proper Posture: Posture is important in any activity so whether you are laying down or standing up, make sure you are keeping yourself aligned. Choose a position Here are a few tips on my Pinterest board of postures, setting up a meditation space, movements and more. Breathe & Release: It is important to know our mind is going to have a lot of thoughts popping in randomly. Continue to take deep breathes, acknowledge the thoughts and release them. Hopefully, these tips will help you think about meditation a bit different or plant the seed in your journey. Special thanks to DFA and Sprouts for reminding me the importance of being mindful!

Running From Depression – My Story

April 27, 2017

Many of you know I am a runner but you don’t know one of the main reasons why I run is how I am dealing with depression. This is probably the longest video I have ever done but I was pushed to speak up about my journey with depression and how running has helped me to heal in the process. Articles On Depression Information about depression Tips for getting out of depression Christian Resources & Mentioned in Video Celebrate Recovery: http://www.celebraterecovery.com/ Re: Generation: http://www.regenerationrecovery.org/ Battlefield of the Mind: http://amzn.to/2qcmrEv Power Thoughts: http://amzn.to/2oBRexj Resources For Depression National Suicide Hope line: 800.784.2433 National Suicide Prevention: Lifeline 800.273.8255 National Alliance on Mental Illness: 1-800-950-NAMI https://www.nami.org Anxiety and Depression Association of America: http://www.adaa.org National Institute of Mental Health: 1-866-615-6464, http://www.nimh.nih.gov Financial Help Partnership for Prescription Assistance: https://www.pparx.org NeedyMeds: 1-800-503-6897, http://www.needymeds.org Together Rx Access: http://www.togetherrxaccess.com Social Security Administration: https://www.ssa.gov

Toxic Chemicals & Hair Growth

April 18, 2017

It’s spring time and if you are like me, you are full of cleaning and purging mode. As you are working to clean your house, I wanted to recommend taking another look at the cleaning supplies you are using on a daily basis. Household Toxic Chemicals According to Organic Consumers “the chemicals in cleaners foam, bleach, and disinfect to make our dishes, bathtubs, and countertops gleaming and germ-free, many also contribute to indoor air pollution, are poisonous if ingested, and can be harmful if inhaled or touched. In fact, some cleaners are among the most toxic products found in the home. In 2000, cleaning products were responsible for nearly 10% of all toxic exposures reported to U.S. Poison Control Centers, accounting for 206,636 calls. Of these, 120,434 exposures involved children under six, who can swallow or spill cleaners stored or left open inside the home.” Toxic Chemicals Affect On Skin and Hair As you look into the chemicals you use in your household, it is important to note these chemicals could also affect your skin, hair and overall health. There are hundreds of chemicals in these cleaning products, which a lot of them could be absorbed into your body. Additionally, these products could cause skin irritation, breakouts and affect your body, hair, scalp and overall health. Where To Buy Green Products Spring cleaning your home doesn’t have to be dirty work or potentially harm your overall health. The Grove Collaborative has some of the best natural products at great prices, delivered right to your door. It’s my favorite online site to shop for organic, eco-friendly and sustainable items like Dr. Bronner’s, Meyer’s and Seventh Generation. On my first order, I grabbed a special filled with 4 free products. Yeah! I got all this for free-99! Don’t be jealous though because as a result of joining, I can share with you $10 to spend online. Yep! So click and get to shopping and replace your toxic chemicals without the stress or harmful chemicals.

Pumpkin Seeds For Healthy Hair & DIY Pumpkin Milk

February 10, 2017

Pumpkin seeds are the edible seed of a pumpkin or other types of squash. They are oval, flat and can be found in a variety of colors such as green or white from the outer hull. Pumpkin seeds are a natural source of vitamins, minerals and essential fatty acids. They are powerful seeds packed with vitamins B and K, calcium, iron, phosphorus, magnesium, zinc, potassium and copper. Pumpkin seeds also contain vitamin E and A, which helps improves the skin tone and aid in the production of new skin cells and repair. Did you know, just a small handful or about 1 ounce of pumpkin seeds contain almost 10g of protein and are packed with fiber?! As you can tell, eating pumpkin seeds can aid in growing healthy hair from the inside out. You can eat pumpkin seeds raw, roasted or add them to salads or snack mixes. My favorite way to consume these seeds is by making my own milk. Homemade Pumpkin Milk This is a quick and easy recipe for making your own homemade pumpkin milk. All you need are the following items: a milk strainer or cloth, about a handful of pumpkin seeds, a 32-ounce mason jar and 64-ounces of water. You can use a sweetener such as vanilla, cinnamon or even honey as an option. I love using pumpkin milk in my shake, smoothies or ice matcha. Check out my video, where I dish on the benefits of pumpkin seeds and show you how to make homemade pumpkin milk. Here are the bags I showed in the video. You can purchase the affordable and popular strainer or the organic cotton cloth I use in the video via amazon.

3 Healthy Tips to Make it Through the Winter Season

January 11, 2017

The winter season often brings an increase of comfort food, weight gain, and sickness. Here are three quick tips to help your immune system and keep you healthy this year during the season. Keep Moving – While you may want to stay in and sleep in, try to stick with a daily exercise plan. Physical activities are known to help to boost the immune system. Try new classes at a specialty gym or download a workout app to keep active while on the go. Staying active is great for your mental toughness as well as your overall health. Eat Smart– Winter season is known for loads of comfort foods, which can contribute to weight gain, lower immune system and much more. Try incorporating foods that are rich in boosting the immune system such as mushrooms, leafy greens, Matcha tea and coconut oil. Fruits and unprocessed foods are still vital yearly so don’t skip on these for comfort foods. If you are unable to incorporate these items, having a daily protein shake like Burt’s Bees™ Daily Protein + Daily, which includes plant-based protein and vitamins from real fruits and vegetables, which is a great alternative especially those who are on the go. Wear Sunscreen – I know. It’s a lot of gray days full of ice, snow, and cold winds during the winter months. The thought of “sunscreen” when there isn’t much sun just doesn’t make sense. While there may be the lack of sunlight during the winter season, this doesn’t mean you should skip on sunscreen. Snow increases your risk for UV exposure during the Winter months. So while it’s gray and the sun isn’t out, exposure is higher for most during the cooler temperatures. Thus it’s vital to switch your moisturizer and skin care to accommodate seasonal needs. Sunscreen is more important in the winter season, so don’t skip it. This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Burt’s Bees. The opinions and text are all mine.

3 FitHair Hair Resolutions

January 2, 2017

Whether you are starting a New Year’s Resolution or just declaring today as a day to make a change, now is the perfect time to resolve to have healthy hair for the year. Take a look at three resolutions you should make to have healthy hair from the inside out. Quality Sleep Did you know, “alterations in sleeping patterns have been shown to affect the body’s immune function, hormone secretion, and physical and mental stamina? According to the Belgravia Centre, the hair is very sensitive to changes in the body, and hair loss is nearly always the consequence of an internal disturbance.” Yes! Lack of sleep can, could and does affect hair growth negatively. So make sure you have quality sleep each night. I am currently tracking my sleep with the MisFit activity tracker, which I love and highly recommend. If you don’t have one there are multiple apps, which help track your sleep at night. DRINK CLEAN WATER Water is essential to hair growth but also your overall well-being. If you are having a hard time drinking water, add fruits to mix it up. Still, can’t drink enough? Did you know you can eat your water? Fruits and vegetables like cucumbers, berries, and celeries are high in water content. Juicing is a great option to quench your thirst and increase your water intake. Make sure you check out my YouTube Video as I test the ph and teach about the importance of water. TAKE DAILY VITAMINS Everything we do to our body affect it in some way. Stress, working out, even medications can affect circulation and the absorption of nutrients from foods. Since I am not a doctor, I can’t prescribe a cocktail for each person. It’s a general rule of thumb to have vitamin supplements to ensure we are getting everything we need for optimal health. If you are wondering where to start, I follow Sprouts Essential 4 Supplements as a great foundation for knowing what to take each day. Here are the top 4 essential vitamins for both healthy hair and body. Multivitamin Omegas (Fish, flax, chia etc) Super Foods aka Green supplement Probiotics Optional: Vitamin D during the winter time or if low. Here are my favorite vitamins to have Garden of Life Multivitamin, Omegas, Raw Green supplement, and Mood Probiotics. WANT TO LEARN MORE???