Showing posts with label apple cider vinegar. Show all posts

No More Frizzy Summer Hair


I have naturally wavy hair and when the humidity is through the roof it can get out of control! Tame that frizz with my quick tips! 

When you have a few extra minutes before your shower, scoop out some coconut oil and warm it in your hands. Apply directly to dry hair, put on a shower cap, and then wrap your head in a towel for 15-20 minutes. Shampoo and condition hair as normal. 

Avoid products with alcohol because it can dry out hair.

Try not to shampoo daily so your hair doesn't get stripped of its natural oils. 

Make a rinse with equal parts apple cider vinegar and water. After you shampoo, rinse hair with the vinegar mixture.  

Apply a small amount of coconut oil to hands or to a wide-toothed comb and gently apply to hair. Don't use too much or it will look oily.  I also like to use a few drops of Vika's Essentials Organic Argan Nut Oil on my hair to tame frizz. This oil can also be used to moisturize your skin and cuticles! 




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Copyright, 2017, Jackie Mart. For further information about this blog, or Optimum Wellness LLC, contact Jackie Mart at 712.790.5883 or Jackie@OptimumWellnessMN.com. As a holistic nutritionist and lifestyle coach, I will support you in taking steps to a healthier and happier you. My goal is to help you create an art of balance in your life. You will also learn how important balance between primary foods (relationships, physical activity, sleep, career and spirituality) and secondary foods (organic food and whole food) is.




Jackie's Health Tip of the Week 1/22/17



Digestive upset?


Sip apple cider vinegar. As many as 90 percent of Americans produce too little stomach acid. This acid, known as hydrochloric acid (HCL), is responsible for unlocking digestive enzymes, promoting digestion and improving nutrient absorption. Low acid means the body is not properly absorbing nutrients from food, so you may be prone to deficiencies even if you have a balanced diet! Acid reflux is the result of producing too little stomach acid. By consuming 1 to 3 teaspoons of raw, organic apple cider vinegar (ACV) with the mother (I use Bragg's) diluted in water about 20 minutes before eating, ACV can help to increase stomach acid and nutrient absorption. Be sure to swish water in your mouth after drinking in order to protect your tooth enamel from erosion. 





Copyright, 2017, Jackie Mart. For further information about this blog, or Optimum Wellness LLC, contact Jackie Mart at 712.790.5883 or Jackie@OptimumWellnessMN.com. As a holistic nutritionist and lifestyle coach, I will support you in taking steps to a healthier and happier you. My goal is to help you create an art of balance in your life. You will also learn how important balance between primary foods (relationships, physical activity, sleep, career and spirituality) and secondary foods (organic food and whole food) is.






Holistic Approach: Acid Reflux

Avoid Triggers: Alcohol, coffee, tea, carbonated beverages, chocolate, citrus fruits and juices, onions, peppermint, spearmint, spicy foods, full-fat dairy, fatty foods, tomatoes and tomato sauce.

Alkaline Water: drinking water with a pH of 8.8 inactivates pepsin, the enzyme that, activated by the acid, causes reflux damage in the esophagus.

Aloe Vera Juice: A little of this goes a long way! Try drinking 2 ounces daily with a meal.

Apple Cider Vinegar: I personally swear by this! Take two teaspoons daily. 

Herbs: Try turmeric, slippery elm (comes in lozenges, capsules, or tea) that helps coat the esophagus, or sipping chamomile or fenugreek tea.

Digestive Enzymes: these help with the process of breaking down food. I like the ones from Enzymedica.  Take them 30 minutes before eating for best results.


If your heartburn happens at night while you're trying to sleep, elevate the head of your bed. Stop eating 3-4 hours before bedtime and eat smaller meals.  If you're overweight, dropping about 10 pounds can help relieve pressure in your abdomen that may push acid into your esophagus. If you smoke, try to quit. Smoking can impair the muscle that closes off the esophagus.  De-stress! Anxiety can make heartburn worse.


*If you have any health, wellness, or nutrition questions please contact me to schedule your free 20 minute phone consultation. 712.790.5883 or Jackie@OptimumWellnessMN.com 




Copyright, 2015, Jackie Mart. For further information about this blog, or Optimum Wellness LLC, contact Jackie Mart at 712.790.5883 or Jackie@OptimumWellnessMN.com. As a holistic nutritionist and lifestyle coach, I will support you in taking steps to a healthier and happier you. My goal is to help you create an art of balance in your life. You will also learn how important balance between primary foods (relationships, physical activity, sleep, career and spirituality) and secondary foods (organic food and whole food) is.





Apple Cider Vinegar for Acne

I came home last night and my mom had bought a jug of apple cider! She usually makes hot apple cider with cinnamon for the holidays in a coffee pot and it got me thinking about the apple cider vinegar (ACV) that I use daily. Braggs is the best brand to use; it is organic, raw, unfiltered, unheated, unpasteurized and contains the "mother" which is the dark, cloudy substance that is formed from naturally occurring pectin and apple residues - it appears as molecules of protein connected in strand-like chains. The presence of the mother shows that the best part of the apple has not been destroyed.  



It has multiple uses but here is what I have used it for:

-Produce Wash

Rather than buying "produce wash" from the grocery store, mix 4 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar with a gallon of cold water, and use it to rinse your produce free of bugs, dirt, and pesticides. 


-Teeth Whitener

Apple cider vinegar can remove stains in your kitchen and bathroom—and the same theory applies to your teeth. To remove stains, rub or scrub apple cider vinegar directly onto your teeth. (I use a toothpaste  powder with baking soda and peroxide that naturally whiten my teeth)


-Shiny Hair

Are your strands lacking luster? Wash away buildup, seal cuticles, reduce frizz, and stimulate hair growth with an apple cider vinegar rinse. Just a few tablespoons run through your hair after you shampoo will go a long way.


-Facial Toner

Acting as a natural anti-inflammatory for skin, apple cider vinegar can be very handy indeed. Dilute the vinegar with two parts water, douse a cotton ball, and then apply to your entire face for tighter skin and fewer breakouts. ( I added a few drops of essential oil so it didn't have such a strong vinegar smell) 


-Weight Loss and Digestion

Can help balance blood sugar levels by lowering the glycemic index of a meal. It is true that the prevention of blood sugar spikes can support weight loss. It has strong anti-fungal properties, and can help fight candida.  ACV supports digestion by providing enzymes and certain acids. The enzymes help support those who do not produce enough enzymes on their own, an all too common issue in this modern day. Take two teaspoons apple cider vinegar in water 15 minutes prior to meals to help get your digestive juices going to prevent indigestion, gas or bloating. 


-Salad Dressing

Splash a little bit of this and extra virgin olive oil on your next bowl of leafy greens! 




Copyright, 2013, Jackie Mart. For further information about this blog, or Optimum Wellness LLC, contact Jackie Mart at 712.790.5883 or Jackie@OptimumWellnessMN.com. As a holistic nutrition and lifestyle coach, I will support you in taking steps to a healthier and happier you. My goal is to help you create an art of balance in your life. You will also learn how important balance between primary foods (relationships, physical activity, sleep, career and spirituality) and secondary foods (organic food and whole food) is.


www.optimumwellnessmn.com