Fountain of Youth

I believe it would be fair to say that the majority of people view the body's natural aging process as an immutable reality. It's easier to blame genetics or "old age" on appearance and vitality than to actually look at the environment in which the body is feeding off from. This entails food choices, lifestyle habits, stress management, sleep quality, and daily thoughts. But there are actual secrets to staying youthful! We just need to starting putting intention and energy into those specifics. (I'll get to the secrets soon) 


First, I would like to share an example to hopefully give a fresh perspective. Think of 2 house plants that need 50% sunlight and daily water. They are being raised in two different houses. One of the homes is occupied by a retired resident who takes great care of her indoor and outdoor gardens. She rotates the plant every other day to face the sun, she waters, feeds, and every so often transplants the plant into a new pot as it grows. So, the second home with the same exact plant has it stationed in a dim corner with very rare view of the sun. The residents bought this plant as a decorative piece with the intention of keeping it in the same pot. They water the plant when they remember, which is typically once a week. These residents are also smokers and frequently smoke indoors. Now, both of these plants were seeded on the same exact day but one of them is going to have a much longer and more vibrant life. When it comes to humans, this information is crucial for the later years when it does become natural to mature. Sadly, deterioration can sneak up quickly and prematurely if the proper care hasn't been displayed. We all have that one friend that is 80 but they look 60, or they are 50 and they look 30. That's no unicorn, that's the Fountain of Youth!


I was deeply inspired to create this article because I am witnessing the miracles of The Fountain of Youth and trying to influence the ones closest to me. Watching your loved one visibly shed some years off from their life as they transform their health is one of the most beautiful and rewarding gifts. ​

Let's talk about fruit and our body's inner environment. Now, I am sure we have all seen the craze in the recent years with the word "alkaline." Alkaline has made its way to most bottled water labels in the supermarkets, and at a higher price too. Why is this? Is this a marketing scam or is there actually some truth behind it? Well, if you ask me, I will say both. Here is why... 
I've seen many articles and videos of individuals taking it in their own hands to test the alkalinity of the variety of waters available for purchase. The PH scale ranges from 1-14, with 1 being the most acidic and 14 being the highest alkaline. (See photo for reference)  

Some companies claim that their water falls in the 8, 9, and even 10-11 range. But unfortunately, not every claim is actually true. The marketing idea behind alkalinity is truly beautiful, but that's only if it is true. Why is this PH scale so important? Well, our bodies naturally lie between a tight range of 7.35-7.45. So, the food we consume plays an important role in maintaining this happy neutral environment. Meaning: No disease can survive in a state of alkalinity. Although, viruses, bacteria, yeast, mold, fungus, candida, and cancer can thrive at an acidic or low oxygen level.


Sadly, most of the food in supermarkets today are highly acidic. Processed foods filled with oils, table sugar, refined flours, artificial preservatives & sweeteners, chemicals, MSG, etc... are all substances that our bodies immediately spot as toxins. Our cells use fat to protect an overabundance of toxins from the rest of the body and store it away. This leads to a sluggish lymphatic system, fatty liver, heart disease, and much more, also making it even more difficult to shed weight and toxins that we gathered years prior. Of course, there are many other things happening within the body at the same time, but this is how I would explain it to a child who maybe isn't aware of how food choices influence their inner environment.


So how does fruit fit into all of this? Well, most fruits fall #1 on the alkaline scale, especially when eaten raw and in their organic form. So, instead of investing thousands of dollars into cosmetic surgery... just invest into fruit! (I'm kind of kidding...kind of!) Truth is...fruit is cleansing, fruit is healing, and fruit is life. Fruit brings the body deep cellular hydration which reflects in its largest organ, the skin. I wish every human had the access and ability to make fruit the base of their own food pyramid.

Hopefully I haven't lost you yet! Us humans have a tendency to live in our minds. Sometimes drifting away with thought after thought, which brings me to my next topic, daily thoughts. If what I am about to share next doesn't pertain to your lifestyle, try to hang in there, as I am sure you will be able to relate in a major way. I wish we had a (private) visible pie chart that analyzed our daily thoughts and categorized them into percentages. Categories like happy, anxious, stress, anger, motivated, relaxed, depressed...so we could have a general diagnosis in which we can start to work on ourselves.


I brought up this pie chart example because I feel most of us are unaware of how much influence our thoughts have on our reality. We may say, "Oh, I'm just mindlessly scrolling on social media after a long day of work,' or, 'I'm exhausted, so I'll watch an exhilarating thriller movie while I eat this take-out dinner." (Ignoring what our body is actually asking for at that time.) We might even say, "I don't like this situation happening in front of me, but I don't want to say anything that may hurt someone's feelings." (In return, those thoughts are bottled up and stored away for another time, and another time, and so on.) I'm sure we are all guilty of at least 1 of these examples, if not all 3. I know I am!


Let's dive deeper into one of these examples...


Social media is huge in today's culture. This is where you'll probably stumble upon this article. We all have that one friend who goes off the grid and disappears from the gram every so often, but most commonly, everyone scrolls. Do you occasionally stumble upon that one girl you went to high school with who can't stop showing off her "picture perfect" life? And you can't help but remember how much of a jerk she was to you. Or that group of people that have to bring their political views into EVERYTHING. Its madness! You instantly re-live trauma, pass judgment, and get defensive all in a matter of seconds while scrolling.


After seeing this insanity for years, it becomes a mindless addiction. Similar to binging crime documentaries or gossiping with your neighbor every night about all of the neighborhood issues. These toxic thoughts accumulate in your brain and reflect in your reality. It makes it really difficult to witness the magic, blessings, and beauty on earth. But I totally get it, after the pandemic hit, it seemed like the whole planet was going up in flames, living in a perpetual state of fear all the while losing hope for humanity. I can only imagine what you went through, and my heart truly empathizes. But we have to redirect our minds to be a phoenix in situations like this. 


My answer is not to go and be like that one friend who disappears from social, unless you feel it to be best for you. Some of us can't escape it because we use it for work. But instead, to take the time and filter what you are absorbing on a daily. (This is an actual feature on Facebook- unfollow without unfriending someone) With Instagram, I did a total overhaul at the start of 2022. This meant I went through every page I was following and unfollowed everything that wasn't bringing me thoughts of joy, inspiration, enlightenment, and laughter. Social media has its gifts- a sense of connection, community, keeping tabs on our parents and grandparents ;), motivational stories, discovering small brands & charities, personal growth, etc. 


So, let's start controlling what we allow to appear in our free space of thinking. This concept applies to work life, social life, and personal life. We shouldn't overlook the power of the mind. Some call it a change of perspective, some believe it to be law of attraction. Either way, this present way of thinking holds scientific and spiritual truths that allow us to change our physical reality.\


When those unavoidable thoughts arise, start to ask yourself "Is this serving me for the better?" Try to stay mindful in day-to-day situations where we can only control ourselves. After some small changes, overtime, you should start to feel lighter. This state of mind will lead you back to your inner child. Youthful, open, little worries, and endless excitement for life! 
True freedom of the mind.

This last Benjamin Button secret is HUGE! I think we all take sleep for granted every so often. It falls in that mundane nightly routine as something we have to do because the doctor or our parents said so growing up. But I'm not just talking about a few hours of shut eye because you have so much to do the next day. I am talking about prioritizing the highest quality sleep possible. This is essential for full body recovery, so you can continue to operate refreshed every day. Like anything in life, if something can't fully recover and it's forced to operate because people depend on it, eventually, this thing will burn out, literally. 


What entails the highest quality sleep you say?
Here are a few tips that have helped me over the years. My sleep is now a sacred ritual, and I look forward to it at the end of every day!
-Finishing your last meal at least 2 hours before bed. This ensures that your body will not be awake & working to digest while you are putting your mind to rest.
-Eliminating blue light screens an hour before bed. Now this will still happen occasionally where I will fall asleep to the TV, but when I make it my intention to read, meditate, or listen to soothing music an hour before bed, my sleep taps into a whole new level. 
-Have a bedtime routine. This is going to look different for everyone. This may be a shower, bath, skincare routine, foot care, walking the dog, meditation, stretching, putting water by your bed... 
-Sleep encouraging herbs. I don't personally take them but many people around me do and are loving it! Lavender, Valerian, Magnesium, L-theanine
-Adjust your bedroom temperature. Sleep studies have shown that 70 degrees seems to be comfortable for most. That way you can snuggle with your favorite sheets or comforter without getting too hot or cold. 


If you can prioritize your food choices, lifestyle habits, stress management, sleep quality, and daily thoughts, you will watch and feel yourself drinking from the Fountain of Youth! 

​Yours truly.