Tuesday, October 29, 2013

Blog Update!

Hey everyone!

I just wanted to address my NEW blog name and URL! 

I feel like my blog is about much more than fitness.  It is about life and everything that comes along with it!  So I felt it was important to update the blog name and description.

I started this blog so I could share my experiences with the world!  I love telling stories and helping others by sharing bits of my life.  Whether you are here because you want to know about the latest arrivals at Sephora or because you need some motivation to stay on track with your health and fitness goals or perhaps you stumbled onto my blog because you were looking for some advice... You have come to the right place.

This is the kind of blog that reads like a conversation with your girlfriends - it's relaxed and I hope that after you've read a few posts, you leave feeling inspired.
 
Grab a cup of tea and settle in, we have a lot to cover :)

Until next time,
Kayla

Monday, October 28, 2013

Oil Pulling with Coconut Oil


*Disclaimer – I am not a doctor and my opinions are just that – opinions.  Not suggestions or anything more.  Please consult your physician before making any changes.*

Hey everyone!

I have so many things to blog about; I just don’t know where to start!  I have had epiphany after epiphany in the last month or so and it has really awakened something in me… My quest for health had really turned inward; yes I want to lift and get toned and strong, but I also have a strong desire to care for everything beyond the muscle etc. 

I love to research – I am a knowledge fiend… I crave information.  If I get onto something, it is not uncommon to find me on my laptop researching at all hours of the night.  So, my quest for natural health began…  I wanted to find ways to improve my health with some easy steps I can add to my day.  This led me to oil pulling…  The oil acts like a cleanser in your mouth, pulling out bacteria, viruses, and toxins.  Think of it like oil for your car – it collects all of the debris and gunk and when you replace the oil, it takes all of the bad stuff with it, leaving your car running smoothly.

I had heard a lot about oil pulling and the benefits, but it just seemed so strange to me.  Who wants to swish oil around in their mouth – YUCK!  But as I felt yet another sinus infection coming on, I thought I might as well give it a shot.  I went to Zehrs today and picked up some coconut oil and before I jumped into bed I took a scoop, let it melt in my mouth, and started swishing.  Pushing and pulling it between my teeth, just like any other mouth wash.  Surprisingly, it didn’t feel greasy at all!

I have decided to record my experience so I can look back and see how much has changed!


Oil Pulling – Day One:

Symptoms:  for the last few days I have been feeling off, like I am catching a cold.  Then the sinus pressure and pain began to build.  As soon as I lay back or tilt my head to one side, I get stuffed up.  Ugh.  I am also developing a slight cough.  I can feel my achy lungs through my back.

Experience: my first time oil pulling was interesting.  I didn’t know exactly what to expect, but I am fairly certain my experience was typical!  I set the timer on my phone for 20 minutes and I watched some YouTube videos while I swished!  After about 10-15 minutes the coconut oil stopped tasting so coconut-y and began tasting metallic.  I can only assume this was the taste of all the bad stuff being pulled from my mouth.  (uh… GROSS!)  I also noticed that I had a strong urge to clear my throat; it was phlegmy.  (Double GROSS!)  Anyway, I continued until the timer went off – woo hoo!  Success!  I did it :)  I rinsed my mouth out with warm water and then proceeded to brush my teeth.  Everything was looking good!  Then, it started – OMG I think I am going to be sick! – BARF CITY!  Oh man, it hit me like a truck!  Within a few moments though, I was done being sick and I felt absolutely fine.  (Background:  I have a very strong stomach – it takes a lot for me to throw up).  Apparently I have some detoxing to do… (they say this is typical)

Benefits/Changes/Results:  As I type this I can feel my gums tingling as though they have just had a really good cleaning and are a tad bit irritated with me.  They don’t hurt or anything like that – I can just feel a slight difference.  My sinus pressure and pain are still the same – no changes there.  My teeth do feel extra clean – like straight from the dentist clean.  Woo hoo!

OK guys, that is it for my first update!  I will update my progress weekly, as I don’t expect a whole lot to change day to day.  We shall see!

If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to leave them below!  Or if you also practice oil pulling and would like to share your experience or any tips I would love to hear from you :)


Until next time,
Kayla

Coconut Oil