Alkaline Beauty
A Your Skin Perspective
Beauty is an Inside Job
Alkalinity dominates throughout the majority of our body and it works very hard daily to maintain our alkaline/acidic balance. In fact, it’s one of the most important roles our nutrition plays. It’s fascinating. What matters most is how what we eat is absorbed when broken down and delivered to our blood, tissues and organs. Keeping a slightly alkaline environment helps our body to detox naturally everyday ridding itself of toxins and sludge. This is the normal order of things and allows an easy ride (picture a highway with no traffic or road work). And from the perspective of beauty and aging well, this daily cleansing equals more energy, vibrancy and ability to absorb the life giving minerals and enzymes our hair, skin and nails need to thrive.
A chronically acidic environment (very common with traditional American diet) over time will lead to a host of issues. When we become overly acidic, our body compensates by pulling minerals from our bones and organs, doing whatever it can to stay in balance. This results in depletion and chaos. You will notice everything from dull skin, dark circles, brittle hair to brain fog, disrupted hormones, inflammation, digestion issues, kidney stones, excessive mucus…..a perfect environment for disease.
Habits and Foods to increase Alkalinity
Water
Green Tea
Ripe Fruit
Greens / Sprouts
Vegetables (even starchy ones)
Lymph Support (yoga, dry brushing, breathwork). More on this in a future post!
Chew your Food Thoroughly
Sleep Well
Calm & Centered Emotions
Move towards each meal being at least 80% alkaline foods. These include fresh vegetables and fruit…foods from nature! Beginning your day with a green smoothie is a great way to ease your body into gentle digestion, balance and absorption of life giving minerals and enzymes. Mix and match your favorite fruit and greens based on the season and your preferences. I would recommend always adding a squeeze of lemon or lime and use water instead of a non-dairy milk (save that for later in the day as you eat more complex meals.)
Habits and Foods that create Acidity
Alcohol
Coffee
Dairy
Meat that is not grass-fed and grass-finished
Processed Food
Refined Sugar
Soda
Stress
Anger and Resentment
These things don’t need to be completely eliminated, but consider making them a smaller percentage of the big picture.
With continued awareness to this balance AND a practice of listening to your body, you will feel and see the benefits of an alkaline lifestyle!
