Grin and Bare it All

Grin and bare it all. (We should all look good naked.)

In the United States we say that "New York is about how good you look in your clothes, while Miami is about how good you look out of your clothes." (That might explain Miami's obsession with plastic surgery.) At www.beautifulbumbum.com we believe that if you don't feel good out of your clothes you probably don't feel good in your clothes. But what really matters here is how you feel.

We want to address this, because even if you live in New York or Luxembourg, Germany, Italy, Canada, Paris - any place where there are revolving seasons, and low temperatures cool enough to force us into layers of warm clothes that protect and hide our body  (and consequently our body dissatisfaction), we want you to at least have the option of accepting a last minute beach getaway without fearing what you look like under your clothes. Body dissatisfaction shouldn't dictate which invites you decline. (Learn from my less-than-prepared moments. It's beach season all year thanks to my new beau.)  We want you to have it all. 

Taking care of your body is a full-time commitment. Even if you aren't a beach bum like me you don't want to worry about slipping into that little black dress, undressing in a shared locker room, or bumping into an ex when you are not at your best. A healthy fit body never goes out of style. (Also, you need a LBD - and we want to look and feel great when wearing it.) Always be prepared for that last minute invite to some place really nice. We want you to look good naked, and feel great about it. 

It's Friday, but we're high achievers, so we'll just assume you've been running, squatting, swimming, biking, lifting, and stretching all week (of course you've also been taking care of your body with the right products, this is a lifestyle) and now you're ready to go out, relax, and dance - if you're me.  So, what have you been putting in your body to give you that healthy, youthful, toned, smooth, flawless look? We have a few recommendations from our beauty playbook. 

​1. Water 
Every organ in the body needs water to function well. If you need more convincing, think clear skin, moisturized kissable lips, a smooth clean complexion, healthier hair, nail support, and a natural internal cleanser. Help your body function the way it should. 

We started this blog by offering small albeit essential tips (like reminding you to drink water) to create your own life changing beauty regimen, to highlight how every small action - or inaction - we take either helps or harms our goals. These small changes, if implemented and committed to, are preparing you for a body that is healthy and happy, and that you feel good about. Also, it's worth noting that prevention is your best ally when it comes to beauty and health considerations. It's much easier to prevent acne, cellulite, stretchmarks, and damaged hair than it is to repair (just as it is easier to prevent disease than to cure it). 

​2. A Balanced Diet
This is going to look different depending on your health needs, but leafy green vegetables, smart lean protein, and energy sustaining foods will definitely be included.

• Try a new vegetable each week.
• Commit to eating foods that contain the essential vitamins and nutrients using the letters in the alphabet as a guide, to ensure that you're diversifying your vitamin and nutrient intake. 

My weekly staples are avocado, beans, nuts, seeds, dried seaweed, spinach, sea food, fresh basil, and bananas. I also eat carbs. I enjoy a healthy well balanced diet with a lot of variety in my weekly meals, and in my intake of essential vitamins and nutrients.

I am always finding ways to supercharge my routines and diet (for example: I gargle with cayenne pepper water in the morning, always cleanse my skin of bacteria before going to bed, and if I have not eaten all of my veggies for the day, I put them in the blender or juicer to make sure I don't miss any nutrients). When I go out with my gentleman. women and men are impressed that I actually eat. (When did women stop eating? I shouldn't be handed a badge of honor for eating in public.) Find a balanced diet that works for you and then make it better. It has to work for you, and it's alright if you start with small changes.

I like to start my morning with this homemade blended shake:

                                                              Tropical Avocado Basil Smoothie:

• 1-1/2 cups almond milk
• 3 tbs avocado
• a sprinkle of nuts
•  a handful of spinach
• small bunch of fresh basil
• a small lemon wedge with rind on
• a banana
• chia and hemp seeds
• dried coconut or a spoon of solid coconut oil
• honey to taste and a few ice cubes. Blend and enjoy. 

3. Add Spice to Your Life
I never pass up an opportunity to add nutrients and value to my body. Whether you add them to a homemade salad dressing, salads, meats, fish, or sides, add at least 3 additional herbs or spices to each day. I love oregano, basil, fennel, rosemary, turmeric, cloves, and cayenne pepper to start. Don't forget about onions, garlic, leeks, sprouts and all that other goodness you can throw in to add flavor, texture, and so many health benefits. (My kitchen is filled with spices and I love them all!) So many of the products we use get their beneficial qualities from herbs and spices. I say go straight to the source and add some spice to your day. 

4. Apple Cider Vinegar
In The Whole Body Rule, I shared how I use apple cider vinegar as part of an external body cleansing ritual. Here, are two recipes using apple cider vinegar that cleanse, detoxify, boost the immune system and burn fat internally. 
                                                           Spicy Apple Cider Vinegar Lemonade: 
                                                                             (Serve hot or cold)
                                                                1/5 cup Bragg's Apple Cider Vinegar
                                                     1 small lemon wedge squeeze, add to cup (rind on)
                                                                          1 pinch cayenne pepper
                                                                               grated fresh ginger
                                                                                   honey to taste 
​                                                                                 1-1/2 cups water
                                                                                 (to Serve Frozen)
                                                                       add a handful of fresh basil
                 1 tbs fresh aloe vera pulp (aloe pulp is a bitter translucent slimy gelatinous substance)
                                                                  1-1/2 cups ice (reduce water to 1 cup)
                                                                                   blend and enjoy

I hope you're beginning to see how small changes can have a monumental impact on your goals. 
Recommended Brand:

                                                                                   (affiliate link)
Note: you won't taste the aloe with Bragg's Apple Cider Vinegar and fresh basil in your frozen drink. 

​Tip: remember acids can be harsh on tooth enamel, so use a straw when you can. Also, remember to save the scraped aloe leaf to use on your skin after your evening bath. 

Bragg's Apple Cider Vinegar gives me a boost of energy, aids digestion, supports my immune system, burns fat, and promotes overall internal and external health. When used in the recipes above, the apple cider vinegar should be slightly tart but pleasant to drink. Enjoy! 

And just in case dancing after a week of achieving and accomplishing doesn't sound relaxing to you, run a warm bath (throw in some rose petals if they're on hand), play some music, have a romantic dinner at home for one or two - you've earned it. Catch up on your favorite shows, find a new show to binge watch this weekend, or fall in love with a new book.