It’s time for #featurefriday here on the blog!
I’m so happy to share with you the story of Anika, a beautiful young woman who is in our Beauty Detox tribe, and has an amazing story to share with all of us Beauties. She shares how she went from living a life full of headaches, stress and mood swings to finding overall health and vitality, by applying the Beauty Detox lifestyle.
Meet Anika…
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 over 2 years now. I was feeling very bad before incorporating the lifestyle. I had very bad acne, a lot of heartburn after almost every meal, bloated and very tired all the time. I was also very stressed, which contributed to mood swings.
Before I discovered the Beauty Detox lifestyle, I was vegetarian and I ate a lot of dairy products. With every meal I had to have cheese, or milk and some kind of dairy in it. I never thought these symptoms came from my food.
At that time, I was looking for a method to detox my body. I found Kimberly’s Beauty Detox Solution on the internet and ordered it. That book opened my mind about eating and being healthy. I was so shocked to read what dairy products do to our bodies.
In one week I devoured the book and immediately put my diet into the vegan lifestyle. From the beginning it was not easy to incorporate the BD lifestyle. My body was craving cheese and other things I use to eat all the time. I missed my coffee so badly and had really bad headaches all the time.
After 2-3 weeks it got a lot better. I felt like a new person. There were no headaches and no heartburn anymore, so I decided to eat the Beauty Detox way all the time.
What is your daily regimen? Give us an example of a typical meal plan and exercise routines.
My morning routine is as follows: the first thing in the morning is hot water with lemon. After that I meditate for about 10 min. Then I write down my affirmations for the day. The last thing is a little exercise routine with 7 exercises (lunges, squats, planks, etc.). Before I take a shower, I dry brush my body. Since I’ve been doing this, my skin is so beautiful.
In the mornings I drink a lot of water before starting my breakfast at 9 a.m.. For breakfast I have the Glowing Green Smoothie®. I try to change it up with different fruits and veggies. If I’m still starving, I eat some fruit or a raw porridge with avocado.
During lunch I have a big salad with regional veggies, greens, and apple vinegar or lemon juice as dressing. In the afternoon I always need a little snack, so I eat carrot or celery sticks or some Chia Pudding.
My dinner usually consists of green salad or a lot of veggies combined with sweet potato fries, raw zucchini pasta or baked sweet potatoes. My dinner during weekdays has to be quick and easy. I love to try new recipes. I always have to use nutritional yeast because it tastes like cheese.
I try to move as often as possible, because I work in the office and sit a lot of the time (and sitting is the new smoking).
(I just love this photo! I love Anika’s genuine happiness flowing through. Beautiful!)
From spring to autumn I cycle with my bike to work (one way is 5.6 miles). Once a week, on the weekends, I go to a hot yoga class. I run in the morning before starting my day. My goal is to run a half marathon in 2017.
How do you feel after adopting the Beauty Detox lifestyle? What changes have you experienced?
I feel really amazing after adopting the Beauty Detox lifestyle. I have so much more energy and I don’t need coffee anymore. My exercise level is higher than years ago and I rarely catch colds anymore. I feel so healthy and sleep so much better.
My skin has cleared up and looks younger than in my twenties. My hair is shinier and my nails are strong and beautiful. And the best thing I’ve noticed is that my mood is so much better. I have a clear mind and I’m happy most of the time.
How has this impacted your outlook on life?
I feel really connected with my body. With myself I am peaceful and calm. I have lost most of the anxiety from doing new things. I know that I can do everything, when I want to. Because I’m now so interested in nutrition I’ll be starting an education as a nutritionist, in July. I’m so grateful to have found Kimberly and her books. For me she’s a real game changer.
What is your favorite recipe and why?
It’s not easy to pick one favorite recipe since I love so many of them. Here are my top three. First, my favorite recipe is the GGS. I love it so much because it changed my life and I love the taste.
Next, is the Chia Seed Delight. I have a sweet tooth and this recipe saves me in the afternoons. I also love to eat the Raw Purple Cabbage Slaw. This goodness is simple and easy, perfect for workdays, and doesn’t take a lot of time.
What words of encouragement do you have for others in the Beauty Detox Community?
Listen to your body because it will show you the right way. It’s so important to be in love with yourself and your body. Try new things out and be open minded. Don’t listen to other people’s opinions- you have to find out your own way.
Don’t say ‘I can’t do this’ or ‘I can’t do that’. You can change your life and be the best version of yourself. Everyone has ups and downs. No one is perfect. Stand up and think positive, or like Kimberly says, “progress not perfection”.
Thank you Anika…
I hope everyone is feeling inspired after reading this! Anika, you are a True Beauty in every way and I am so proud of you!! You are an inspiration to the community and to those who have, or are, suffering from their own personal battles.
There are many Beauties out there suffering from mood swings and depression, and it is so inspiring to see how you were able to move forward in your life by becoming more aware of the impact food has on our lifestyle.
It has been amazing to read about your transformation applying The Beauty Detox principles in your life. We all support you, and are honored to have your beautiful spirit in our community. Keep up the great work, Beauty!
If you too want to share your story, please contact Katelyn our community manager at Katelyn@kimberlysnyder.com — we’d love to feature you!
I encourage you to take a moment to pause (breathe!) and be grateful for the abundance you have in your life. You have so much strength you can pull from and use to make incredible changes in your life, no matter how you feel right at this moment. If Anika can do it, and I can do it, so can you.
Sending you lots of love,
Kimberly
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