Neuroplasticity & Neurogenesis--The Brain's Amazing Ability to Change, Heal, and Grow

If you want your brain to "grow" and "stretch," and to be happier & healthier, you'll want to read this!  

What is neuroplacticity? 
Neuroplacticity is the brain's amazing ability to remodel and reconfigure itself in response to experience, learning, and injury. Neuroplacticity enables us to change the more undesirable traits and characteristics that were once thought to be "hardwired" from birth, and to heal from severe brain injury. People who have suffered brain injury like a stroke or an accident, or who are genetically predisposed to having diseases or issues like Alziemers, depression, anger problems, or alcoholism CAN change, heal, and evolve for the better because of neuroplacticity & the brain's amazing malleability.

What can you do to encourage neuroplacticity?
1. Expose yourself to new experiences
2. Deliberately set out to learn new skills
3. Live with passion, enthusiasm, excitement, curiosity, and LOVE
4. Stay positive and happy-- seek out opportunities for growth & learning. When we are unhappy our ability to make wise decisions, see opportunity, and learn new things becomes radically impaired.

What is neurogenesis?
Neurogenesis is the growth of new neurons.
It was once thought that all the brain cells we will ever have are the ones we are born with, however that idea is now antiquated as science has shown us that brain cells do regenerate and grow.

What can we do to promote neurogenesis?
1. Exercise DAILY- in doing so you bring oxygen to the brain and increase your number of new nerve cells.
2. Continuously engage your mind. Constantly learn new things and maintain an environment that is environmentally rich and stimulating (Read! Learn new languages, travel, study a wide variety of subjects).
3. Social Connectedness-- Think of how ants communicate with each other in order to search out and find food. When we connect with other we learn new things and gain valueable insight on our environment and the world around us. In addition, having positive social environments of mutual trust keeps us connected, emotionally healthy, happy, and mentally sharp.
4. Live in Compassion-- studies show that living in compassion towards others creates the perfect environment for brain cell growth.

What to AVOID (What prevents neurogenesis):
Emotional Stress. Emotional stress produces toxins known as glucocorticoids in the brain which have been know to be damaging and inhibit neurogenesis.

How to Make Your Own Toothpaste

After suffering with extremely sensitive teeth for a few weeks, I decided I needed to take action. Of course, I’d be taking the holistic route to healing my sensitive teeth. In addition to eating less sugar (no fruit for me!), taking more Vitamin D, and the other action steps I mentioned in my previous post, I also began brushing my teeth with Activated Charcoal, OraWellness, and this home-made toothpaste recipe that works like a charm! After only a few days of doing these things, my sensitivity went away and I was able to eat and drink normally again but without the pain! Yay! (Not only that, but people also began remarking on how white my teeth looked-- double yay!) 

To make this all-natural toothpaste, you will need:

• 2 parts baking soda
• 5 parts calcium powder
• 3 parts xylitol powder (unessential –for taste)
• 1 part diatomaceous earth (may be abrasive to some, this ingredient is optional)
• 3-5 parts coconut oil
• A few drops of essential oils for taste (try orange, cinnamon, or mint)

Directions:

1. Mix all of the ingredients together with the exception of the coconut oil and essential oils.
2. Add coconut oil gradually in order to achieve the desired consistency.
3. Add any essential oils of your choosing for added flavor.
4. Store in a small container, and use a small spoon to distribute it onto your toothbrush.

There you have it! Pretty simple, huh? You are now one step closer to having cleaner, healthier, brighter, and stronger teeth!

Heal Your Acne Naturally!

For many years, I struggled with severe, heartbreaking, cystic acne. Before making the dietary and lifestyle changes I implement in my life now, I had horrible acne that plagued my face and chest. It was both an emotional and physically taxing thing to have to deal with... That is, until I discovered the healing powers of food, herbs, and supplementation!  

Many people ask me why I became a vegan, or know so much about health, herbs, the body, and supplementation, and it's because of my struggle with acne. 

Tired and sick of struggling with skin issues, I sought solutions endlessly. I read every book I could on skin, health, digestion, and hormones. I began changing my diet and lifestyle and saw dramatic changes in the condition of my skin. Now, I can happily say that my cystic acne is GONE, and when I do get a minor pimple here and there because of stress or lack of sleep, I know EXACTLY what to do to make it disappear! 

I am so incredibly grateful for all of the research I came across supporting the idea that with proper diet, exercise, and nutrition, clear skin can belong to anyone. And in an effort to help as many people as possible end their struggle with acne, I've put together a guide so that you too can learn what to do to achieve and maintain clear skin!  For more information, visit TheSecretToClearSkin.info ❤

A Word on Self-Love

With Valentine's day just around the corner, I'd like to take a moment to talk about one of the most important people you'll ever love... Yourself! Self-love is something I’m constantly emphasizing. I’m constantly emphasizing it because it’s something that’s so important!

So why exactly is self love so important? 

When we love ourselves, we hold ourselves to higher standards. We are less likely to treat ourselves poorly, or allow another individual to treat us poorly as well. When we love ourselves, we have a healthy self-esteem and self-respect, and we don't go looking for love in all the wrong places because we already have our fill of love. 

Conversly, when we fail to love ourselves we become prone to compromising in our love lives, lowering our standards, or accepting treatment from others that is far less than what we deserve. We are unable to keep healthy boundaries and become people-pleasers; unable to stand up for ourselves out of fear of upsetting or losing that person. Our sense of worth becomes dependent upon other people’s ability to see it, and we seek validation from external factors (i.e. other’s approval) rather than feeling it ourselves. 

People who fail to love themselves suffer from a low self-esteem, low self-worth, a lack of self-respect, and poor/ impaired decision making. 

When we practice self-love everything changes for the better. We become empowered to be fully expressed, because whether other people like or approve of us is not important. We are able to accept and appreciate ourselves despite our flaws and weaknesses. While we don’t deny that weaknesses exist, we are able to recognize them and love ourselves in spite of our imperfections. In addition, we are able to make wise dating decisions; because we love and respect ourselves, we set the standards for the kind of treatment we expect from others.

People who love themselves are confident, have a healthy self-esteem, self-value, and self-worth.

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We teach others how to treat us based on the behavior we are willing to accept. 

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There’s a quote that says “we accept the love we think we deserve,” and I couldn’t believe this to be more true. You deserve love, and happiness, and someone who treats you with respect; so it’s essential for you to start treating yourself that way. We teach others how to treat us based on the behavior we are willing to accept. It’s so important to treat yourself with love and respect, so that you can attract others who will show you love and respect. If you don’t love yourself, you’ll always be chasing after people who don’t love you either. As soon as you start seeing your own worth, it becomes a lot harder to stay around those who don’t. If you want another human to give you the love you deserve, start showing yourself that love.

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Love yourself first, so you know what you deserve. 

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A few ways to cultivate some more self-love? 

1.       Practice Positive Self-Talk.  Speak kindly to oneself and avoid harsh self-judgement and unnecessary self-criticism. Speak to yourself the way you would a beloved friend or child. Be nice to yourself!

2.       Practice Self Care. Take care of yourself. Eat like you love yourself. Make sure to get adequate amounts of restful sleep and rejuvenating exercise.  Treating yourself right is an essential aspect of cultivating more self-love.

3.       Have Healthy Boundaries.  It’s essential to have healthy boundaries in place to ensure one is treated the way one deserves to be treated. Having healthy boundaries is an act of self-love.

4.       Surround yourself with people who love, respect, and appreciate you. Immediately cut ties from anyone who treats you with disrespect, is un-supportive, or demeaning. Removing toxic people from your life is not mean; it’s healthy and essential to your self-love and self-respect. 

Treat yourself kindly, show yourself love, be respectful of yourself, have healthy boundaries. Do this, and you’re guaranteed to attract more people into your life who do the same. 

All my love,

Brigitte xx

Natural Facial Cleansers

I recently got a question from Genevieve, who wrote:

Hi Brigitte! Let me start off by saying that I really love your blog! I just decided to start following a vegan diet and your blog is definitely one of the easier to understand and informative blogs out there! That being said, I do have a question; what do you recommend for facial care products? I am trying to eliminate harsh chemicals from my skin care routine as well, and I use coconut oil to wash my face but I really want to start using chemical free make up, lotion, etc. Do you have any recommendations? Thank you so much!
-Genevieve

When it comes to maintaining clear and beautiful skin, there are definitely certain things you want to avoid: Such as inorganic products that are animal tested, full of chemicals, preservatives, and other unwanted harmful substances that strip the skin of its natural and necessary oils. Our skin needs those oils to prevent dryness, premature aging, and damage. In order to have youthful and healthy skin, and to heal from any blemishes, you want the skin to be as clean as possible, as often as possible. This means avoiding the use of makeup whenever you are able to, as it allows the skin to breathe and repair damaged tissues. This also means using organic, natural, non-comedogenic products that are as close to the earth as possible. Non-comedogenic means it is a product has been specially formulated as to not cause pore-blockages. When it comes to skin care, I don’t even bother buying expensive creams or products. I simply cleanse my face with essential oils, natural astringents, makeup removers, and moisturizers, and fruit facial masks! All of these are completely harmless, and as close to nature as you can possibly get when it comes to skin care. Here are a few of my personal favorites:

Seabuckthorn- Seabuckthorn is useful in the treatment of acne when taken internally or applied externally. Internally it helps boost the immunity, balance hormones, and reduce inflammation. When applied externally, seabuckthorn softens, soothes, and strengthens the skin, reducing inflammation, irritation, scarring, and swelling and is helpful in the treatment of acne as well as a variety of other skin disorders. Seabuckthorn comes in the form of oil which can be applied topically, and is also in many natural soaps that can be used for cleansing the skin. One of my favorite Seabuckthorn products is David Wolfe’s Best Skin EVER serum, which contains Seabuckthorn, Lavender, and other essential oils that are healing to the skin.

Lavender Oil- Lavender kills bacteria and stimulates new cl growth. It is a great antibiotic and antiseptic and can be directly applied to the individual blemishes.

Tea Tree Oil- A natural antibiotic and antiseptic. It can be used with just a few drops in water to wash your face with. 

Vitamin E Oil- Vitamin E oil helps heal scars and retains skin moisture. You can buy the oil or buy them in capsule form and then break them open. Cleanse the face without drying it, and then apply the oil and leave on for 10 minutes before rinsing. For daytime use, use 5000 IU of Vitamin E for a less glistening effect.

Witch Hazel-When applied topically, witch hazel has astringent and healing properties. It also works to reduce itching and is a useful ingredient when it comes to skin care.

Rose Oil-A natural Antiseptic, Antibacterial, and Bactericidal, a few drops of rose oil can be added to water and used to cleanse the face.

Apple Cider Vinegar- Mix 1 part Apple Cider Vinegar with 10 parts water and apply to the affected area of skin. Doing this will help keep the skins pH balanced.  

Sandalwood- An age-old Ayurvedic treatment for skin disorders, sandalwood works by removing excess oils and bacteria from the face that would normally cause breakouts. Sandalwood has antiviral, anticarcinogenic, and bactericidal properties. It can be purchased in oil form, or in a natural soap.

African Black Soap- African black soap is a natural cleanser and great alternative to the harsh chemicals found in stores. While it does not work to remove existing acne, it works by naturally removing the excessive oil and bacteria which caused the acne in the first place. All it consists of is cocoa pod, roasted plantain skins, palm kernel oil, coconut oil, palm oil and natural sodium. I use the soap made by Shea Moisture.

For more information on healing blemishes and maintaining clear skin, check out my guide-book How to Heal Acne Naturally now available on Amazon.com.

The Importance of Self-Acceptance & Loving Your Body

Women are beautiful in all shapes and sizes and I think it's time that more of us wake up to that fact and start appreciating our bodies as they are. I love the words of Sophia Loren, who said, "Nothing makes a woman more beautiful than the belief that she is beautiful."

I like to compare us women to fruit. Though each of us is different in shape and size, we are all delicious in our own way! ;-) 

As silly as it would be for a pear to try to be an apple, and an apple to try to be a pear, it's a waste of our time to try and be something that we're not. I like the words of Miranda Kerr: “A rose can never be a sunflower, and a sunflower can never be a rose. All flowers are beautiful in their own way, and that’s like women too." 

We need to begin loving and accepting our bodies. We need to begin having a health focus on health and wellness, rather than an unhealthy obsession with weight. 

I've found that when we have a healthy self-love for our bodies, everything else seems to fall into place. When we neglect and fail to take care of our bodies, all areas of our lives suffer, including our self-esteem, relationships and personal lives, and even our careers and business lives. If we want to live out the best version of ourselves, and live our best lives, we must start by taking care of our bodies. Taking care of ourselves is a reflection of self love. And the better we take care of ourselves, the more our self-love increases, increasing our self-esteem, and helping us make better life decisions. 

Here are a few things you can begin doing to show your body some more love:

- Get enough rejuvenating sleep.

- Eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables.

- Avoid an overload of toxins such as tobacco, alcohol, and cigarettes.

- Exercise daily.

- Get plenty of sunlight. 

- Manage your stress with yoga, dancing, talking with a friend, journaling, or exercise.

- Indulge a little in things that make you happy. 

- Every morning tell yourself 3 things you like about your body.

- Focus on the things you like about yourself, rather than what you don't.

I wish you all a wonderful week of self-love, gratitude, and appreciation for the beautiful bodies you have! 

Much love, 

Brigitte xo

How to Break the Cycle of Emotional Eating

Today I'm going to shed some light on emotional eating, and what you can do to stop it. 
First of all, I'd like to address the question, "What is Emotional Eating?"

Emotional eating occurs when there is a "trigger," usually a stressful situation, tragedy, or loss of some sort that causes us to crave fat-saturated, unhealthy foods. The reason this happens is because when our bodies are in a state of stress, they need more energy (sugar, carbs, fats) to cope with or "cover up" that stress.

 Naturally, we'll begin to crave things that are high in sugar and far in order to compensate for the stress we are feeling. However, the problem is not that we are craving these things, the problem lies in what we are giving our bodies in order to satisfy that craving. Most people will turn to a fast source of energy such as candy, donuts, ice cream, cheese, pizza, and other junk foods for comfort. This then puts our bodies into a "food coma"  where we experience a state of bliss. The aftermath however, is the hangover. After the sugar-high comes the crash, and our bodies experience fatigue, nausea, constipation, bloating, and heaviness. In addition, people who binge eat also experience a sense of guilt, asking themselves "Why did I do that" and battling with thoughts of "I shouldn't be eating this." So what's the solution to putting an end to emotional eating?

The problem is not the fact that we are experiencing the craving, but what we fuel our body to supplement that craving. The body is having that craving for a reason, because it needs energy to keep functioning. But in order to break the cycle of emotional eating, we have to give our bodies highly-nutritional, energy-enhancing foods. Junk foods, sugary foods, processed foods, and meats all require a lot of energy for the body to digest. So while they may provide an initial energy boost, they put our bodies into a slump later. Eating nutrient-rich foods, low in calories, but dense in nutritional value is the best way to ensure you're giving your body what it needs and kick those cravings to the curb. For fast energy, try a banana, blueberry, and almond milk smoothie, green-vegetable juice, or banana-chia seed pudding. All of those will provide your body with the nutrients and energy it needs to get you through a stressful situation. 

The most important thing you can do to end emotional eating is to first recognize it. Ask yourself, "Am I eating this because I'm actually hungry? Or am I just sad/ bored/stressed/ unsatisfied with life?" 

The next step would be to directly address the issue, and what I mean by this is choosing to reach for some delicious fruit, rather than a bag of Cheetos. 

In addition to that, recognize and identify what "triggers" the emotional eating in the first place, and then have a healthy form of stress management to deal with it. Go for a walk or run, journal, talk to a trusted friend or family member, engage in an activity you enjoy, or just get some rest. 

Do these things, and you'll be well on your way to ending the habit of emotional eating! 

Have a great week everyone! :-)