• Vegan: your body is begging

    Veganism… it’s you choosing your body and health. Reverse heart disease, preventative medicine, better mental health, all from giving your body what it is made for. 

    Not because of trends or being on a “diet,” but because we should give our bodies what it deserves. The human body is meant to only consume vegetables, not animal products. In reality, our bodies actively reject animal products. 

    Holistic living is putting the best and pure ingredients in your body and understanding why.

    Our bodies are shaped to not eat meat. Our digestive tracts, our teeth, the way our bodies respond to consumption of animal products… all signal to us that we are harming our bodies by doing so. 

    Animal products clog our arites, decrease our energy, make our blood plasma become cloudy, increase likelihood of heart conditions… just to name a few of the effects of consuming animal products.  

    The numerous arguments that defend the human consumption of animal products are there to only support that business, while disregarding the harm to health. The society we live in favors making a buck over bettering human life. 

    The arguments that support the meat industry are the ones that do not support your health.

    So what does eating a vegan diet do?

    Body inflammation goes down, performance is optimized, soreness is decreased, immune system responses are heightened, blood flow is better, antioxidant concentrations are higher…

    This “animal protein” actually is worse for our bodies. The simple biochemical reasoning is that plaques form in our arteries due to this animal protein, which makes it harder for our hearts to pump blood around the body. 

    Premature heart attacks and poor heart health can be a result of consuming animal products for a lifetime, yet the switch to a vegan diet can reverse some of the negative effects. For those without animal consumption damage, vegan diets can be preventive medicine.

    One of the biggest myths is that someone needs to eat animal protein to gain muscle. That couldn’t be farther from the truth! 

    All protein consumed by humans originates from plants. Even the so-called “animal protein” is just based on the animals originally eating plants. Animals are just the “middle men.” 

    Plants contain all the essential amino acids humans need to thrive, so why complicate it?

     

    The human body doesn’t even use protein to give us energy in the body. Our bodies rely on glucose to sustain us during everyday life and during our workouts. In reality, there are systems in our body that prevent protein from being used as an energy source.

    Our brains are desperate for glucose. Where do we get glucose from? Plants!

    Eating a vegan diet is even bettering your mental health by decreasing stress. Eliminating animal products from your diet reduces the amount of cortisol, the stress hormone, in your blood by 27%. 

     

    Studies have shown that those on a plant-based or vegetarian diet have decreased levels of anxiety, depression, and stress. Additionally, these studies have shown an increase in mood for those on these diets. 

    The other argument made by the meat industry is that we should eat like the cavemen did. Well, they were mostly vegetarians too! Evidence suggests early humans ate the vegetation around them, and slightly supplemented it with meat and hunting. 

     

    Simply comparing our digestive tract with actual carnivores shows how different we are. A great example is a lion. Their digestive tract is incredibly short, and their K9 teeth are meant for ripping meat. 

    Human digestive tracts are around 30 feet! Also, we use our molar teeth the most because they are meant to grind plants. 

    Similarly, our eyesight differentiates us from carnivores. Humans have trichromatic vision, which suggests we can see more colors and differentiates things we can eat using our eyes. Carnivores only see in black and white, they just need any meat. 

    As humans, we have the ability to shape our genes. This doesn’t mean we can change our eye color or grow another foot if we wanted to… BUT our decisions and actions can direct some of our DNA to turn “on” or “off.” 

    For example, if someone is predisposed to being overweight based on parents genes, that doesn’t mean that child will necessarily be overweight too. By eating a vegan diet, it can help turn “off” that gene. 

    Many famous athletes are transitioning to the vegan diet because of the boost in health and energy they get once they give their body what they are supposed to. 

    Choose to only put the best nutrients in your body. Only give your body what it wants and needs, and you’ll have more energy, be more uplifted and be the healthiest version of you!

  • The Queen of Vegan Snacks: Hummus & Yogurt Bowl

    Takes less than 5 minutes to make, and it is one of the healthiest snacks! Grab pita chips, pretzels, or your favorite veggies and eat straight away!

    Ingredients

    1 Cup
    1/3 cup
    1 tbsp
    1 tbsp
    2 tsp
    2 tsp
    pinch

    Plain vegan yogurt

    Plain hummus 

    Lemon juice

    Olive oil

    Garlic powder

    Dried oregano

    Salt & Pepper

    ingredients explained

    Hummus: plant based protein

    According to the dietary reference intake, an average woman should consume 46g of protein a day. Homemade hummus on average has 12 g of protein per cup, and store-bought has around 19 grams per cup. A great source of plant-based protein, healthy fats and fibre.

    Yogurt: good for your gut

    The key is finding a plain plant based yogurt that only has probiotic bacteria as the ingredients. These bacteria cultures feed the microbiota that live in your gut, which in return enhance immune responses, can help you balance your stress hormones.

    Lemon juice

    Lemon is high in vitamin C, aids digestion, and improves skin quality.

    Olive Oil: Healthy fat

    Olive oil has high amounts of monounsaturated fats. These healthy fats help you stay fuller for longer and promote anti-inflammation within the body.

    Garlic

    Garlic not only adds amazing flavor to dishes, but has been shown to have healing properties, can reduce blood pressure and improve your cholesterol.

    Oregano, Salt & pepper

    Pack some flavor into the dip with some dried oregano, salt & pepper. 

    directions

    1. Scoop the yogurt into a bowl, then the hummus, lemon juice, olive oil, garlic powder, oregano, salt and pepper
    2. Stir it all together, grab your favorite chip, veggie, or scoop of any kind and eat!
  • Feeling lost..? A holistic mindset can help

    Ever feel lost? I definitely have. 

     

    I wish I could have blamed that uncomfortable feeling on the pandemic affecting the entire globe, but that wouldn’t be completely fair. I’d like to think I’d be employed doing clinical research and continuing on the path to med school prior to shut downs and social distancing.  But that “lost” feeling might have still been there. 

     

    Well, the one thing I am absolutely sure of, is that the pandemic gave me time to think. Maybe too much. 

     

    I implemented the holistic lifestyle into my day-to-day life quite well. I worked-out four times a week, I had the most relaxing, purifying skincare routine, and ate the most nutritious, wonderful foods. Although I was not perfect at executing that plan every second, I aimed for it. But, I still felt like there was a bigger picture than just those. But the issue was that picture was blank. 

     

    I wasn’t implementing being holistic into my mindset. Having that holistic mindset is being able to observe the world around you and realize what is in and out of our control, choosing to prioritize you and take action. 

     

    We are in control of choosing what we do each day. Life does not provide us with any handouts or help. As cliche as it is, life truly is what we make it. If someone wanted to do well on a test, they’d have to study for it. The information wouldn’t magically appear in someone’s head. Of course it needs to be a somewhat realistic choice, as much as I would love to create a covid-19 vaccine immediately, that is out of my control. 

     

    I reminded myself of this idea.

     

    So, I got a sheet of paper and some colored pencils and wrote a list. I wrote down what I wanted to do, especially taking into account the extra time spent at home. I also wrote down my four categories of this blog: mental health, physical health, skincare and nutrition. Although already priorities for me, actively choosing to prioritize myself inside and out is incredibly powerful. 

     

    The other piece necessary to this holistic mindset is having motivation to start choosing you. You cannot just think about going to the gym, applying for that job, or being more grateful. You have to actively do it.  

     

    Count to 3, then get up and do it. Don’t wait for your mind to convince you of the negative side of it (because it will). Count to 3, and do it. 

     

    count to 3

    Two of the aspirations I wrote down were to journal everyday and schedule the MCAT exam. I counted to 3, opened the AAMC website and scheduled my exam for this coming July. Every night, even if I am in bed already cozy and bundled up in my blanket, I know journaling is an amazing form of self care and it is me actively choosing to take care of my mental health. So I count to 3, sit up and journal for at least 5 minutes. 

    If you are feeling lost, remind yourself you choose the world around you. So, choose yourself. Choose to prioritize you and your health. Remind yourself of old goals, or make new ones. Write them down and then count to 3. This won’t solve everything in life, but it adds positive progress to that bigger picture so it’s not blank.  

  • How your gut can control your anxiety: the gut-brain axis

    Anxiety is controlled by our guts...

    Your gut can control your anxiety. Those trillions of bacteria living in your gut microbiome can alter how your brain and body respond to stress. If you have poor mental health, chances are you have a poor gut microbiome. Do any treatments target your gut? Nope…  

     

     

    The current healthcare system in America favors pharmacological treatment of diagnosed illnesses. All problems are medicalized, and therefore the power of our mind-body connection is ignored.

     

    Anxiety is the most common mental illness in America. The percentage of those with anxiety symptoms and disorders has continued to increase. Though there has been little progress in developing effective and novel treatments.

     

    Treatment can be necessary to maintain quality of life. In some cases, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is utilized as a way to retrain negative thought patterns that can lead to anxiety. Though, in some cases that is not a feasible or acceptable option, whether that is due to stratified care, monetary strain, or the lack of confidence in non-pharmaceutical treatment. 

     

    Anxiety can dramatically alter quality of life and can lead to other illnesses. There is not one single factor that causes anxiety, nor is a singular gene responsible. Genetics and environmental factors have been found to influence susceptibility to anxiety. Those with anxiety could even have a hyperactive stress response, show increased levels of cortisol, and/or are more sensitive to stress.

    Treatments now = drugs

    The most common pharmacological treatment for anxiety is selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) that block the reuptake of serotonin in the synapse. SSRIs presumably only target the brain, yet serotonin is found in the nerves that serve the gastrointestinal tract, and the gut-brain axis has been shown to contribute to both physical and mental health. This SSRI treatment chemically targets the HPA axis while ignoring the mind-body connection—the gut-brain axis. Although there is evidence to support its effectiveness, it still employs a reductionist mentality that ignores a whole-body approach, or in other words, the gut-brain axis. Additionally, there can be extreme side effects to using these medications.

    What is happening in your body during stress...

    The stress response system is composed of the autonomic nervous system (ANS) and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. The ANS is made up of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system and triggers the release of the neurotransmitter noradrenaline, while simultaneously activating the hormonal HPA axis. Individuals with anxiety disorders have decreased levels of certain receptors, raising the threshold required to shut off the stress response. The interaction between the stress response and nervous system causes the physiological symptoms of anxiety, for example, increased heart rate and blood pressure. As the field on the gut-brain axis continues to grow, literature continues to suggest the stress response part of our brain can also be modified by the composition of the gut microbiome. 

     

    The brain and the gut can bidirectionally communicate through the enteric nervous system (ENS), which is part of the ANS. The ENS also acts as a regulatory system for the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. The GI tract synthesizes the majority of the body’s serotonin. Similarly, there are nerves that connect the gut and brain, which are able to regulate essential transmitters and can activate the HPA axis from signals in the gut. The gut microflora can regulate behavior by its direct control of the biological stress response.

     

    The microbiome

    A typical gut microbiome has tens of trillions of microorganisms and has critical control overall physical health. It can play a role in digestion, metabolism and even immune response regulation. A microbiome with low diversity of bacteria can result in numerous health issues including how our body functions and responds to normal and stressful stimuli. A diverse and healthy gut microbiome has been linked to a healthy overall body and central nervous system. 

     

    Recent studies have been suggesting that individuals who use treatment therapies that target the gut microbiome might improve their response to anxiety, suggesting that people with an anxiety disorder should keep in mind how important the gut microbiota is to their mental health and well-being.

    Human individuals diagnosed with generalized anxiety show a lower prevalence of bacterial species that are normally in higher concentration in healthy humans. The gut microflora composition of those with diagnosed generalized anxiety is found to have less diversity and variation of bacteria. This can impact the stress pathways and make one more susceptible to anxiety. Additionally, it is not uncommon for those with anxiety to also present gastrointestinal symptoms or be diagnosed with other microbiome-related illnesses.

    A novel approach to mental health?

    Probiotics and psychobiotics present a novel way to treat anxiety and depression. As the literature of the gut-brain axis grows, the ability to understand avenues for treatment does as well. Probiotics and psychobiotics are living organisms that if ingested in high enough concentrations provide health benefits. These bacteria act as an aid to the gut microbiome, which translates to stronger ability to act on the gut-brain axis and reduce anxiety and depression. Recent studies looking at these potential treatments have started to show the anti-anxiety effects of treating the microbiome in both humans and animals. 

     

    It is possible that the strength of the relationship between the gut microbiome and the brain could lead to more effective treatment options for anxiety disorders, which would additionally provide evidence for a more holistic treatment option—and an option that may have less risk of side effects than do pharmaceuticals.

     

     So many people are unaware of the mind-body connection.

     

    Are you now convinced of the mind-body connection?

  • Make a proper skincare routine: choose your skin

    Invest time in yourself. Learn the proper steps to make both a morning and night skin care routine that is the ultimate form of self care. Enhance your look while treating your mind. 

    Having a good skincare routine is essential for many reasons. Investing in your skincare is not only a great idea to look more youthful, healthy and have a natural glow, but taking that time to mindfully treat yourself is the best form of self care. A 5 minute routine in the morning, and a bit longer at night gives your mind and body time to invest in itself to have a great day or a revitalizing slumber.

     

    There is so much information out there about what the correct steps are for a good routine that it can be somewhat overwhelming. I, too, was overwhelmed when I was first learning about all things skincare. I’ve gone through years (& years) of skin struggles. From being on Accutane as a teenager, to clear skin, to hormonal acne, to dry skin, back to adult acne, I feel as though I have had it all. So I want to share the best things I’ve learned along the way. 

     

    So here are simple structures for morning and night routines. I will explain how each step is important and why they are necessary to get that perfect inner and outer beauty. 

                                        MORNING

    1. Cleanse – with water or your favorite gel cleanser
    2. Serums 
    3. Moisturizer
    4. Sunscreen  

                                          NIGHT

    1. Double Cleanse 
      • Oil-based 
      • Water-based
    2. Exfoliate (2-3x a week)
    3. Mask (1-2x a week)
    4. Toner or essence
    5. Serums & Treatments
    6. Moisturizer

    The morning... rise and shine

    Let’s start with deconstructing the morning routine, as it is much simpler. Depending on how oily your skin is or if you sweat at night, you may choose to wash your face with a cleanser in the morning. However, I use just water to rinse my face and prep my skin for the day. 

    Serums are optional in the morning, I keep it simple and use only vitamin C. There are numerous benefits to using a vitamin C in your routine, but studies are now showing when used at the same time as a SPF, the efficacy of the sunscreen increases. 

    Put on your favorite moisturizer to lock that vitamin C in. 

    Then a layer or two of sunscreen, the MOST important step of any skincare routine. Don’t forget your neck and chest!

    Now for the Night...

    Night time routines can be a bit more complicated, but I promise putting in the time is worth it. Friends, a double cleanse is necessary! First, an oil-based balm or cleanser for 60 seconds on DRY skin. 

     

    Why? Well, you are going to want to take off the day, and by this I mean breaking down any makeup, sunscreen, pollution, or dirt. Even if you don’t wear makeup, you should be using an oil-based cleanser for the first step. Thinking about replacing this step with a makeup wipe, please do not! Not only do they not remove makeup, spread around that makeup and those added chemicals on your face, but they are bad for the environment. So why use something that doesn’t work and harms our planet? 

    Pro tip: we hold a lot of stress in our faces so think about it as if you are giving yourself a minute long face massage for some lovely self-care! Add water and rinse it off!

     

    After that minute, it’s another 60 seconds with a water-based cleanser. This would be any gel cleanser you have. You want to make sure you have gotten all the oil off and then to actually cleanse the skin! 

     

    Only after a double cleanse is your face actually clean. If you are in the mood to clean even more, then its exfoliation time. We do not like physical scrubs, as they are too harsh on the skin, so we aim for chemical exfoliation here. Though depending on how strong of an exfoliator you choose, that will dictate how many times a week that should be done. Drying out our skin is never the goal! A chemical exfoliator will be able to remove dead skin cells, get inside your pores and push out all that dirt and sebum (oils).  

     

    Feeling boujee or want even more self care time? This would be the perfect time for a mask! Your skin is clean as can be, so self indulge once or twice a week to your favorite mask.

    Next, toner or essence. They accomplish very similar things and in my opinion, are the same. Essentially, they are there to increase effectiveness of the next products used. Pour a bit on your fingers and pat right into the skin (no cotton pads needed). There are so many types, but I would say go for a hydrating one. 

     

    Serums and treatments. The time to really choose your most important skin needs and use this step to target those directly. Need suggestions for ingredients/ serums, go check out other posts of mine! This would also be the time to use anything prescribed from a dermatologist. 

    Lock all that good stuff in with a good moisturizer for your skin type. Maybe even a thicker one than you use in the day. Not only does this keep all those serums and treatments in that you’ve spent money on, but it prevents transepidermal water loss. A process that happens where we lose water from our skin and we do not like that at all. 

    What steps do you think will change your skin care routine the most?