Apple Cider Vinegar uses on P2

Hi All the Phases To Forever readers!  I had a great and all consuming summer, my hope is that you did too!  It was this time last year that I had finished losing all of my needed weight loss.  What an accomplishment!  I still pinch myself everyday and thank God for the strength to complete it!  You can do it too!  Even if you had a few set back during start up, had a little too much fun this summer or are on your very first round...You are worth every pound lost!

I have been experimenting, with Apple Cider Vinegar.  ACV, raw, unfiltered and organic version is loaded with probiotics and enzymes.  True it is great to drink and cook with, turns out it does the exterior a lot of good too. 

Have you seen the latest greatest trend in expensive spa masks, lotions and products?  It is probiotic and enzyme based products.  Costing a lot of money for a tube or treatment. 

My thoughts were, how can I get this benefit more naturally?  I started testing Apple Cider Vinegar on my skin as a toner.  Loaded with nutrients and all the benefits of the expensive brands without chemicals or the high price tags.  Results are in...amazing!

How to: use Apple Cider Vinegar as a moisturizer, toner, acne/ rash treatment and pH neutralizer. 

1 bottle- organic, raw, unfiltered, "withe the Mother" Apple Cider Vinegar. 
cotton balls

Use to treat your face and skin to a moisturizing, enzyme, vitamin and probiotic treatment your skin will love. Use after bathing or showering, before bed, over acne prone skin.  Treat your P2 "candida die off rash" which is a common appearance the  first few weeks...it also seems to be very moisturizing, which is nice during P2 when there is very little moisturizers to chose from.
Note:  Do not use on open wounds- ouch!  It does kind of stink but close your mouth, wave a little and know it will go away quick once it dries.

Lemon Cucumber Water

Sick of drinking plain water?  Haven't quite mastered the art of tea drinking?  No more black coffee for you?  Try this fresh, tasty Lemon Cucumber water that they serve in very high end spas around the world!  Drink this while sitting in your Detox Bath to keep you nice and refreshed.  Here is one fancy drink you can indulge yourself with during your Phase 2!  Sick of lemons?  Leave them out, it is very good without them too.

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Lemon Cucumber Water

1glass  water pitcher

1 gallon cold water  

1/2 cucumber, sliced

1 lemon, sliced

small handful of fresh mint leaves (optional)

Place all the ingredients into a pitcher, let sit in your refrigerator for 1 hour up to overnight.  Serve over ice for a cool and very refreshing drink.  Will keep a few days in the refrigerator.

Options:  Try replacing the lemon with a few slices of oranges, grapefruits, strawberries or apples!  Try other herbs you have around you as well, Sweet Basil, Rosemary or Lavender would be so good..

Detox Bath- Take II

I was out shopping at our local co-op this week when I spied this...

Then I got home and saw this article speaking about toxins can cause weight gain.  Toxins and chemicals are all around us, it is unavoidable. 

Don't go crazy, but do what you can to help in eliminating them from your home and body.  Eating organically was a huge step for our family but the benefits it brings are irreplaceable.  Trading out the cleaning products in your home, laundry and dishwasher soaps, room sprays and deodorants, lotions and soaps are a easy switch now a days with all the wonderful and comparably priced, available products at your small and big box stores. 

Using the Detox Bath is a great way to help your body if it is feeling congested, weighted or sluggish.  Brain fog, lethargy and muscle soreness are some severe symptoms but what about just feeling tired, hormonal or just plain "a little bit lazy"!  This will help.  Trying either one will help you feel rested and give you the bounce back into your step the next morning.  I think this new Detox Bath- Take II is great for skin rashes, irritations or sunburns too.  The added vinegar helps in balancing the pH and soothing the skin.  The ginger makes it smell nice too!

Detox Bath- Take II
(Bulk recipe)
2 C epsom salt
2 C sea salt
2 C aluminum free baking soda
5 TB ground ginger
1 C vinegar

Combine all dry ingredients, store in a closed container.  During bath time, add 1 cup of dry ingredients mix and 1 cup vinegar to hot running water.  Soak 20-40 minutes.  Enjoy!

Benefits:
Epsom Salt draws out toxins from your body while relieving aches and pains.
Sea Salt soothes and heals blemishes and open wounds.
Baking Soda balances and over acidic system, leaving you refreshed, energized while softening the skin.
Ground Ginger increases circulations, aiding in the eliminations of toxins.
Vinegar soothes and soften dry, itchy skin while balancing the bodies and neutralizing the bodies pH.

Detox Bath

Getting clean from the inside out!  The Detox Bath is for all phases of life.  This recipe is simple and can be used anytime during and after Phase 2.  The purpose for the Detox Bath is to help aide and speed up the detoxing process already going on in our bodies.  Fat cells hold toxins so as they are released, the toxins are released with it.  Which is a great thing but can take a toll on our energy and overall strength.  Being released are chemicals, metals, food additives and even Rx drugs.  Detox your skin and organs, neutralize Ph balance, restore hormone balance with this easy, low cost recipe.  Using this after Phase 2 will help those toxins from building back up in your body. 

The Detox Bath
1 cup Epsom Salt
1 cup aluminum-free Baking Soda
1 Bathtub

That's it!  Run your bath water as hot as you like.  Pour the salt and soda into the tub and swish to dissolve.  Soak for 20-40 minutes.  Bring a glass of iced lemon water with and a book or magazine.  After at least 20 minutes, rinse and towel off.  Drink a full glass of water when your finished.  Repeat weekly.

Warning! You will be exhausted after your bath, so do this right before bed.  You will sleep very well and wake up feeling wide eyed, energized, refreshed.

Note:  Don't have a bathtub?  Do a foot soak!  Place 1/2 cup of each Epsom Salt and aluminum-free Baking Soda into a large bowl, fill with hot water and soak for 20-30 minutes while watching t.v. or reading.  Rinse feet when done and towel dry.

PS-  Using a natural bristle Body Detox Brush does wonders too.  They are cheap and make your skin feel smooth like using a salt scrub.  Start at your feet and work upwards, brushing the legs, then hips, on to the stomach, chest and face.  Brush more gently where the skin is thinnest and always brush towards the heart.  Using a Body Detox Brush helps in smoothing away dead skin, improve circulation in blood and lymph system, remove skin blemishes like black heads, encourages cell rejuvenation and helps release cellulite!  Why not do this a few times a week!