New Cut + New Complexion

Yesterday I got a haircut (which is irrelevant to my post) and today I'm on a mission to master the Ayurvedic approach (a holistic Eastern medicine practice) to better health and clear skin and I'm hoping you'll join me in the journey--whether you have unruly skin or not. Last year I blogged about my battle against acne. I also blogged about a few products that seemed to help me get on the road to clearer skin. While all the methods I previously talked about helped immensely, a new obstacle arose that I wasn't prepared for, of which I'll discuss a little more about below. 

All-in-all I've realized that I've been targeting my skin as a single entity and haven't truly understood that the war isn't happening on the outside, but it's taking place internally and the results of that battle lost is visible on my face day after day. In past years I've attempted and failed to overhaul my diet. Admittedly, sodium-filled foods and Sour Patch kids have always gotten the best of me. Thus, this year I'm rooting myself in prayer, discipline, and love for the body that God gave me in an effort to truly make 2014 the best year yet.

New haircut! I chopped off 5 inches on a whim and I'm loving it so far. (Disclaimers: 1. I'm sorry for my weird stare in this awkward selfie 2. My skin looks 100x clearer in this picture than it is in real life. I'm thanking the light from the window behind me for that extra ethereal glow.)

Now back to this obstacle I mentioned. Earlier in 2013 I began getting these large, cyst-like bumps around my jawline and cheeks. They felt like golfball-sized tumors that were hot to touch, painful, and truly alarmed me since I've never gotten them before. Two doctors have diagnosed the lumps as cellulitis, a common skin infection within the deep layers of tissue under the skin. I was prescribed antibiotics and topical gels, which helped temporarily, but the cellulitis has continued to come back month after month. So what can I do to stop it? (For two months I took birth control pills to help regulate my hormones, but in the end I was only doing my body a disservice by being on the pill. More on this topic to come.)

As I learn more about my body, I know that my acne is caused by a hormonal imbalance. But what is causing this imbalance? For one, I haven't been exercising nearly as regularly as I should be. I'm also not filling my body with the nourishing foods that it needs. I believe that this lack of nutrients and exercise has decreased my skin's immunity to fight off these infections and I only have myself to blame. 

So, here's where I'm starting and I hope that you'll join me. From rosacea to eczema ridden skin, the journey I'm venturing into has proven to benefit all skin types. The two resources I'm pulling from are the blogs Holistic Vanity and Joyous Health. Below are some of their easiest tips to kick-start this adventure. 

1. Joyous Health: Eat and Live Well without Dieting available for pre-order. You can find amazing recipes and tips for holistic wellness at nutritionist Joy McCarthy's website http://www.joyoushealth.ca/ 

2. Drink lemon water all day, everyday. Don't have the time to get fresh lemons every week? A  teaspoon of apple cider vinegar in your water does the same thing!

3. Eat.More.Kale. Pinterest, of course, has a bunch of great recipes to try. Just stay away from the sodium-rich recipes!

4. Take these three vital supplements daily. Omega 3 (fish oil), vitamin D, and probiotic supplements. See Joy's video here for the good reasons behind taking these three super supplements.

5. Beauty Pure + Simple: The Ayurvedic Approach to Beautiful Skin by Kristen Ma. I just ordered Kristen's book and can't wait to dive into it. I've been reading every article on her site and am excited to give her methods a try!

How do you feel about holistic approaches to health? Have you tried it before? I hope to post regularly about my progress. Please let me know if you decide to give it a try! 

xo,

Elissa