2015 | Hella Natural

1. Drink More Water – You should drink half your weight in ounces of water a day. For instance if you weigh 200 lbs., you should be drinking 100 oz. of water a day.

One thing I do to get this accomplished, is fill up on water first thing in the am. To prevent nausea, and because it is awesome for your digestive system, I drink warm water. It may seem counterintuitive, but try you might be surprised.

2. Eat Your Colors – Different colored foods provide different nutrients. Try to get as many colorful things on your plate as you can!

Not friends with veggies, yet? Add them to a smoothie. I promise you, the benefits are amazing, and they are delicious. Don't be scared!

Healthy Times Blog

3. Shop the Perimeter of the Store – All of the fresh foods in the grocery stores are along the perimeter. Stay out of the aisles and you will be less tempted to get processed food.

Start by ditching boxed foods. These things are usually very high in sodium, and they are just not good for you. Plus, nothing from a box tastes as good as the real thing. I used to love boxed jambalaya, that was until I learned to cook it from scratch. There is no substitute for fresh food. You're saying, okay, but I don't have the time. Try using a crockpot. There is nothing better than coming home and having dinner already done and waiting for you!

4. Give Gratitude to Your Food- Saying grace or giving thanks honors your food. It has given you its energy (calories = energy) be grateful!

My Blessing is: Creator thank you for the blessing of this food. I give thanks to all the living beings that gave their energy so to that I might use it. Also please bless anyone and everyone who had a hand in bringing it to my table. Let it nourish my body and my soul. Amen!

5. Cook!! – We all know home cooked is best!! You control the quality of ingredients. Processed foods always have more sodium and sugar than you would put in your food yourself.

Plan ahead so you know what you are cooking. Again pull out that crock pot, if you're short on time. Don't know how? The web is full of info on cooking.

Or you could try cooking with this guy:

Small Changes Count!!

XOXO,
Riss

I am over the blue moon to be bringing you this interview. I am constantly seeking fresh new perspectives, and looking for something different to offer you, my beloved reader. One day, on Facebook I came across a post by Tiffany Janay, that said, "Maybe a yoni egg is all you need." or something to that effect. Intrigued, I went to her site and read more about yoni eggs. What I got from my visit was a beautiful gemstone egg, and so much more. I became a part of a sisterhood that has brought my life so much joy. All thanks to Tiffany's vision and hard work. She embodies all of what it is to be a woman, and empowers other women to do the same through her work. Read now, and thank me later.

How would you define healthy living?
I love this question! Everyone has a different definition. For me, healthy living is about being in alignment mind, body, and spirit. It means going to the root of the issues and healing from there. It's a daily commitment of honoring self.

Was there a turning point in your life that made you decide to become healthier?
Yes, for sure! My first one was when I was in 7th grade. I declared to my mom that I was no longer going to eat beef or pork. She didn't believe me at all because up until that point I was eating 1-2 steaks a day, and could easily finish off a pot roast all to myself.

That continued into my twenties, and I thought I was healthy the whole time because I only ate seafood, turkey, and chicken, and everyone told me that was healthy.

In my early twenties, I hit my highest weight of 190 and was blacking out randomly, mood swings were all over the place, and my bad cholesterol was at 298!!

I was confused because I thought I was healthy. When my husband and I got together in 2006 we began really taking a look at our eating habits and how we cared for our bodies. We learned about artificial flavors, white products, high fructose corn syrup, partially hydrogenated oils, and the effects of animal products on the body.

From there we did our first cleanse together, the Master Cleanse, and started studying everything we could. We lost the excess weight and brought our bodies into a place where we felt really good.

We never went back after that.

What piece of knowledge would you like to share with others?
Self work is supreme. As long as you have yourself figured out and are comfortable with who you are, everything else is a breeze.

Also, learn to understand energy. Energy never dies, it only takes new form in different vessels but its always the same. When you understand energy you don't have to question peoples motives or characteristics. I hope that makes sense. Study energy.

What is the one natural product you can’t live without?
Dr Bronners soap! You can use it for EVERYTHING and its all natural ingredients.

What piece of advice would you give your younger self?
It's just a game. Enjoy.

What makes you hella fresh, in case you don't understand this one, it Bay Area
speak for, what makes you your uniquely amazing self?

Lol! I was born in the Bay so hella is a part of my natural vocabulary. I'd say my sense of expression. I'm hella random and you never know what to expect, I shock myself! I wear my emotions externally and always dress for the occasion. When I fall in love with people, I give my all and my best. And I love that I'm a good mix between street smart, fairy Goddess, Earthy, hood, sophisticated, and a real homegirl.

Where can we find you in the webosphere?