This week we are sharing Mary’s story! Thank you Mary for sharing your experiences on your Beauty Detox journey. It is amazing to see your skin transform over the last three years, I loved reading how you have been able to grow in so many areas of your life and now feel more connected to your body and to nature.

Meet Mary…

How long have you been following the Beauty Detox philosophy? Was it easy to incorporate it into your lifestyle?

I’ve been following the Beauty Detox lifestyle for almost three years. It’s a very special part of my life. I had been fighting a losing battle against severe acne since I was 18 (I began the BDS when I was 22). After trying every cream and medication out there (except Accutane), I knew I had to make some internal changes. I fell in love with Kimberly’s Beauty Detox Solution, and I ran to grocery store after reading the first ten pages to stock up on veggies.

My skin at its worst. (This is the only photo I could find of my skin at this stage without makeup.)

The lifestyle was fairly easy to incorporate, partly because I was so ready for a change. It also helped that I grew up in a healthy household, so I was accustomed to eating salads and lots of fruits everyday. I also took my time with the transition—after about five months, I my diet was fully vegan. After a while, I just stopped craving dairy (I had never been that crazy about meat). My fiancé is an omnivore, but he’s been supportive through my transition and has developed a taste for less processed food along the way.

While I was making the transition to a whole foods vegan diet, I also became fascinated with natural beauty and body care products. I detoxed my makeup bag, and I love my new cosmetics. In some cases, the natural stuff works better than your typical drugstore fare. (100% Pure, Alima Pure, and Lily Lolo are some of my favorite brands.) My combined interest in health, veganism, and beauty lead me to Peaceful Dumpling, a vegan blog where I serve as beauty editor, so you could say that the BDS has influenced by career path!

What is your daily regimen? Give us an example of a typical meal plan and exercise routines?

I start the day with a mug of warm lemon water, a probiotic supplement, and raw food multi-vitamins. (I also take saw palmetto, burdock root, milk thistle, and a DIM supplement to help with extra stubborn acne). I usually do 20 minutes of yoga before making a green smoothie. I usually drink about 20 ounces and save the rest in two jars (one for my fiancé; one for my afternoon snack). A little later, I usually have a bowl of steel-cut oats with maca powder and a cup of coffee (I still love coffee—I know, I know…). I make a blend of half-caf using organic, Swiss water processed decaffeinated coffee then add a splash of coconut milk. For lunch, I usually have a big salad topped with leftovers (usually quinoa) and any veggies I have handy.

If I don’t have GGS for an afternoon snack, then I’ll have a grapefruit or carrots with almond butter. I begin each dinner with a salad tossed in olive oil, tamari, apple cider vinegar, and nutritional yeast (never gets old!). I alternate between quinoa, brown rice, and other starches like baked sweet potato and roasted squash. I love adding steamed or lightly sautéed veggies. My fiancé and I always finish dinner with a little piece of dark chocolate. Depending on my free time during the day, I may go for a jog or do a ballet session from Mary Helen Bower’s Ballet Beautiful series (it’s quite fun!).

How do you feel after adopting the Beauty Detox lifestyle? What changes have you experienced?

I feel incredibly healthy on this diet. I am physically stronger and more energetic than I was in high school and college. I’ve experienced increased muscle tone (yoga and ballet are a part of this, too). My hair grows like weed, and I have fewer split ends. I’m less prone to mood swings (yay!).  When I began the diet, I was not trying to lose weight, but after a few months I lost five pounds that never returned. I never feel like I have to worry about my weight. Even my brittle nails are just a little bit stronger J

Best of all, my skin is much better! It took me a long time to figure out how to treat it (and I’m still learning and trying things out). Incorporating the Beauty Detox lifestyle into my life turned my severe acne to mild acne. In other words, diet alone has probably knocked out about 80% of my previously untreatable acne (and this took about a year). Natural products and the supplements I mentioned above help with the rest. I still get a few bumps here and there, but it’s nothing like what I was experiencing.

After several months on the Beauty Detox Solution, my skin was starting to get better, but I still had an unpleasant amount of acne

After a few years on the Beauty Detox Solution, my skin is much better. These things can take time!

How has this impacted your outlook on life?

I feel more connected to my body and to nature. There’s a distinct feeling of lightness (in all ways of being) that comes with eating whole plant foods. It’s difficult to put into words, but there is something almost divine about eating simply yet colorfully. It makes me giddy.

I no longer feel lost about nutrition, and I’m confident that I’m really feeding my body what it needs. Having direction for this part of my life has eliminated a lot of food-based anxiety (and worry in general). With less anxiety about what’s ok to eat, I can fully embrace my foodie tendencies. I love reading cookbooks, following recipe boards on Pinterest, and, of course, actually cooking!

Favorite Recipe and Why?

Kimberly’s Raw Key Lime Pie never disappoints! I’ve made this for company a few times, and even the non-key lime lovers adore this dessert. I personally love the combination of its rich texture and tart flavor. It’s simply delightful, and the ingredients are so clean. Sharing this pie with others has been a great way to show how delicious and gourmet vegan recipes can be. Making this recipe for the first time introduced me to raw coconut nectar, which is now a staple in my kitchen. (I always have fond memories about discovering new ingredients!) The recipe that I make most often (besides the GGS, of course!), is Kimberly’s Veggie-Turmeric Quinoa Recipe. I follow her suggestion and make a huge batch, so there’s always something healthy in the fridge when I don’t feel like doing extensive cooking.

I am wearing mineral foundation in this photo. Even though have minimal skin flare ups, I still have a lot of residual scarring. Mineral makeup really helps on that front!

What words of encouragement do you have for others in the Beauty Detox Community?

This lifestyle has become one of the most exciting, fulfilling parts of my life.  Even though I’ve been following the lifestyle for three years, I still feel that I’m only at the beginning of something wonderful. Kimberly dedicates her first book to her readers, writing: “I hope that applying this knowledge will free you, in the way it has freed me.”  This always makes me tear up—eating whole, vegan foods has helped me enjoy food, love my body, and empower myself.  And I feel wickedly free.

Social Handles?

Twitter and Instagram: @marydianehood

 Thank You Mary! 

I hope everyone is feeling inspired after reading this! Mary, you are an inspirational beauty and it has been amazing to read about your transformation applying The Beauty Detox principles. We all support you, and are honored to have your beautiful spirit in our community. Keep going, Beauty!!

I encourage you to enjoy your weekend by doing something for yourself, taking a moment to pause and be grateful for the abundance you have in your life.

If you too want to share your story, please contact Katelyn our community manager at Katelyn@kimberlysnyder.com — we’d love to feature you!

See you back here soon.

Love,

Kimberly