Blogs – by Iliriana Zeneli
Strengthen Your Immune System for Winter
Looking to boost your immune system during the winter months and flu season? Here is a list of all my favorite immune supporting supplements.
Blogs – by Iliriana Zeneli
What's The Hype Around Shilajit?
What is shilijit and do I need to supplement with it?
Blogs – by Iliriana Zeneli
HEALTHILLIE'S 2023 MOCKTAIL GUIDE
IS THIS BECOMING MY NEW THING? BECAUSE I AM HERE FOR IT! After ditching alcohol a couple years ago I don't touch a lot of the 'alternatives' until really holiday season. I love making my own mocktails but now with so many brands coming out it's hard to keep up with what's actually GOOD. I've tried a bunch this year and wanted to share yet again, some of my favorites. HERE'S THE LIST: 1. De Soi is still one of my favorite brands for a wine or champagne alternative. I also like that it gives a slight buzz. They make full bottles and also mini cans! 2. Surely is a true wine alternative. It's wine with the alchohol removed so if you miss the taste of wine or like the vibe, this is great and also comes in bottles or cans. 3. For Bitter or Worse is a unique brand with rich ingredients and flavor. Come in cans and beautiful bottles for gifting. 4. Amass makes botanical alternatives to drinks like Gin but they also make ones with alcohol so just be clear on which one you're getting! 5. Optimist Drinks honestly need to be every fancy juice drinkers bar cart. They look amazing, great ingredients and great for any mixologist. 6. If you know, Kin Euphorics will definitely be a favorite of mine, I just love the feeling I get from LightWave when I want to have fun but their other flavors are delicious and you can now find them at Sprouts! 7. For the non-beer drinkers who miss beer, gotta bring Athletic Brewing Co. into the mix. They really did an amazing job with making a better alternative. 8. If you don't want wine, beer, or any type of alcohol, then you just need to sit back with an Olipop. They're so easy to find now and they're great for any party or gathering. I dont even offer typical sodas in my house anymore. 9. My favorite mixer made with all real fruit juice and makes the PERFECT addition to any mocktail is definitely Spindrift. 10. These I recently saw at Sprouts and grabbed a couple and they're great as a stand alone or to mix for friends who still prefer alcohol. With + Co is so delicious and very cute to look at. 11. Another wine alternative that is becoming a hot commodity is NON wine. They have alternatives from white to red. 12. Apothekary is one of the coolest brands I've seen so far. They're little tinctures you can add to ANY drink or alone to kick it up a notch and give you that "alcohol" feel. They sell the cutest little set too which is great for stocking stuffers. 13. If you've been around my favorite Arizona Iced Tea Dupe has been DrinkHalfDay sometimes you just want an iced tea without 30g of sugar, ya know? 14. I dont mean to save the best for last but I recently tried these Curious Elixirs and OMG the best mocktails I've probably ever had. I literally would not believe you if you said it was alcohol free. They are so complex like a true cocktail. Worth every penny. If you want some great mocktail and other drink recipes definitely follow my girl Holistic Rendevous on Instagram. Cheers to 2023!
Blogs – by Iliriana Zeneli
Supplements to get you through Holiday Season
The holidays always seem like a time where everything gets thrown out the window: habits, morals and definitely our routines. Let's be real, with all the running around, stress and more I don't always have the time to prioritize my 56 step routine so that's when my mighty supplements come in handy. I do not take all of these simultaneously but I definitely keep a few in my tool box for whenever I need them. In no particular order here are some of my favorites to whip out during family time. Break it down digestive enzymes: I love these because they contain 15 digestive enzymes to help alleviate common digestive issues like bloating and occasional constipation (which are both super common around this time because of everything we're neglecting). It also includes one billion probiotics to help promote the health of your intestinal wall, which can get damaged when foods are poorly digested. It's easy to overeat or come across an unknown food sensitivity, or find that you feel bloated after certain meals. I personally like the powder because I can make it into a fun mocktail and sip on it before meals. On the topic of gut health one of my favorite supplements from Juna is their new Gut Therapy formula which can really be taken not just around the holidays. It helps with everything from blood glucose levels, gut immunity, reducing nausea, indigestion, bloat and gas. Taking it long term can positively impact your overall gut health if you've been struggling. I recently made a mocktail using our Cymbiotika Molecular Hydrogen and it was amazing and can totally be remixed in different ways! Molecular hydrogen helps beat oxidative stress which can be brought on not just from food but even toxins and things out of our control. Especially if we're not hosting the holidays at home we can be exposed to unnecessary toxins elsewhere with candles and cleaning products. The next two supplements are so important for liver health. Our liver takes a hit not just when we drink but when were exposed to toxins or eating foods that don't love us back. Our Zuma liver detox is great as a tea, in water or juice. Some kind of liver support is ALWAYS in my supplement rotation especially when I cant do my nightly castor oil packs. If you're looking for something more fun that you can add to smoothie or drink as a mocktail our Well Told Health Face The Day powder is perfect for those of you who still like to enjoy a glass of wine or two around the holiday season. It helps to relieve discomfort resulting from what you ate or drank the night or day before & if your liver needs a little extra support after a busy weekend or holiday festivities. Another aspect of health people don't think about much during the holidays is their lymphatic system. When we wake up after a day or weekend of drinking and eating a lot we also wake up puffy, sluggish and have that "full" feeling. This can be due to how taxing the overeating, the drinking and lack of movement can be during the holiday season. Our Zuma Lymphatic Detox can help toxins be eliminated from the body so we don't become more susceptible to sickness. (this is also great for those of us who are acne prone) Last but not least if you're looking for a good probiotic to support you through the end of the year Zuma also makes a great multi-strain one that helps with mood, metabolism and overall gut health. Again like I said, I really pick and choose some that I feel I need. My holiday season will be low key this year but I do plan on eating half my body weight in turkey and cranberry sauce FROM THE CAN so definitely will be adding some digestive support to the tool box. Happy Holidays!
Blogs – by Iliriana Zeneli
Rosemary Beach Travel Guide 2023
If you've never been to Florida's best kept secret (at least for me) welp, now you have to go. I have never heard of 30A, Alys Beach or Rosemary Beach until talking to some local Floridians and asking them where they like to travel since the summer gets so hot here. Then all that was popping up on my FYP was 30A and I knew I had to go. I was skeptical going to another beach town since I literally live in one but BOY was I impressed. (disclaimer I'm going to go back and forth between Alys and Rosemary beach since they are adjacent and walking distance from each other so we went to both the same day) We went for my birthday weekend, just Matt, myself and Moose. I typically plan everything on a schedule but this time around I just wanted to relax and explore and so happy we did. We stayed in an airbnb that was WAY too large for us, it slept 12 people but it was the only place I could find last minute that was dog friendly. This was the airbnb and it was really beautiful. They also have this little area in between Rosemary & Alys Beach called Seacrest beach which is literally a rental community it seemed like with its own tram service, pool access and beach access. We were right outside that community and still had all their amenities. Its very family friendly and a decent amount of bachelorette parties. Highly suggest that area for large groups. We spent a lot of our time just on the beach or walking around with Moose. You can rent bikes were are pretty easy to find. Our Airbnb had bikes available so we didnt need to use a service, if you have more people you can rent a golf cart or hop on the tram. Restaurants were the main attraction here and we had some pretty good food. We didnt get to try everything since we were only there for two full days but ill list out all the restaurants I had on my list so you can mix and match. The hot spot and definitely healthillie approved spot was Raw & Juicy. They have breakfast, lunch & dinner (on weekends), fresh organic juices, a little shop with handmade body products, amazing smoothies, bowls and bites. We ate breakfast here everyday by just walking over. I loved it here. Another breakfast/cafe spot was Fonville Press, lots of healthillie approved snacks in there! Dinner: The Citizen had amazing food, nice ambience, and even mocktail options! The Pearl rooftop/Havana Rooftop had nice views, live music but not my vibe food wise but a cute spot to stop for drink during sunset. Pescado Rooftop topped it for me. Amazing food & views. So cute in here! More Dinner spots we didnt get to go to: Gallion's George's Neat (wine bar) La Crema Paradis Highly suggest just walking around Rosemary Beach and hanging out. Lots of live music and chill night life. Really feels like you're in Europe with the buildings and architecture and just overall vibe of the area. Matt reached out to a company to do a beach bonfire, apparently its a very popular thing to do there, we saw a handful on the beach with large parties and families. They even set ours up to have gluten free smores. Highly recommend Other Mamas. Here are my IG reels to give you some visuals of what we did. Reel 1 Reel 2 Reel 3 Lastly wanted to link a couple things I packed for myself since my supplement routine is very important when I travel. First greens, I NEVER get enough greens when I travel and I feel like thats always what contributes to slower digestion. So I packed a few packets of the Cymbiotika Greens and also the Vitamin C for immunity. Since its very hard to get high quality water on the go I also bring our Cymbiotika Molecular Hydrogen. This really makes such a difference in how I feel energy wise and skin wise. Since we drove I was able to bring my whole pack of matcha by Blume. I live this because its already flavored how i like it so I just need to add milk or water and enjoy. I find I have a hard time sleeping in new places and we had an hour time zone change that I didnt expect so I brought some tea and magnesium with us. Our topical magnesium is something I use everyday so thankfully I was able to bring it since again, we drove. Hopefully you guys add Alys Beach to your future travel plans because I'm definitely going back!
Blogs – by Iliriana Zeneli
MY TOP TIPS FOR PRECONCEPTION HEALTH
How to plan a holistic pregnancy! My favorite books, accounts, and supplements for family planning and preconception health.
Blogs – by Iliriana Zeneli
Finding a Functional Practitioner
As a health coach, who no longer takes clients, I still want to provide so many of you with great ways to invest in your health. I have personally broken away from the western medical system years ago after being gaslit about my health issues and told my blood work was normal regardless of FEELING normal - and Ive found a lot of relief being my own advocate and finding like minded coaches/doctors online. Now don't get me wrong Western Medicine is extremely important and has a place in my health journey but for preventative health, I have found a lot of help and healing by following and investing in people below. If you'd like to find a Naturpathic Doctor near you. If you'd like to find a Functional Doctor near you. If you are local to NYC The Lanby is an amazing place to go - Its membership based and a great place to go for primary care in general. If you are local to Palm beach I go to Manipura Acupuncture that can offer testing if necessary and also Pur-Form that now offers functional testing. If you are looking for at home testing these are some great companies to look into: Function Health founded by Dr. Mark Hyman is a bi-yearly blood panel that checks over 100 basic markers from thyroid to electrolyte levels. It also checks your biological age which is cool and a clinician will give you basic recommendations. Moment Health Co. for overall health Paloma Health at home thyroid test Evvy for vaginal microbiome testing Juna Microbiome IQ test Everlywell has all types of testing from gut to hormone For more knowledge about cancer and treatment, I love following @connealymd and her practice Cancer Center for Healing Here is a list of my favorite practitioners to follow who also currently take clients: I've personally been working with Kale Diagnostics for years now! Her team can address all different types of issues from fertility, pcos, gut issues, acne and more. @drhalieschoff offers lab testing also in her program and depending on where you are in NY (she's up north north) she also does in person and free discovery calls over the phone along with amazing retreats! @drshannoncurtis is my favorite follow for all things ACNE! She has a masterclass on how to heal after Accutane and you can even work with her virtually or in person if youre in Boulder Colorado. @dr.ryan.monahan is a functional medicine doctor who discusses topics from the IUD to chronic UTIs to endometriosis. Really knows his supplements and is a wealth of knowledge. Fiona is one of my favorite accounts who has a really balanced way of approaching health and wellness. She runs lab work and offers 1:1 coaching. Dr. Jess handles all thing detoxification - so if you suspect you have inflammation and need support detoxing whether its from mold or something else, she's a great resource. Health Coaches I like: @ashleytaylorwellness offers Health and Life coaching if you feel you need someone to kick you into shape physically and mentally. Leslie Jackson is a functional nutrition coach invested in helping women identify the root cause of their health challenges using food and lifestyle as medicine to heal from the inside out. She specializes in healing for hormone, gut microbiome, neurological and BMI imbalance. Loren Sofia is a prenatal, pregnancy and postpartum coach offering courses and so much knowledge if you're TTC. You can work with her 1:1 to help address fertility struggles or take one of her courses like Pregnancy Prep for preconception. @jessicaanazareth is a sexual wellness coach specializing in all things libido, sex and vaginal health. You can schedule a 15 minute consult with her here. @meg_langston has an amazing course that helps women fix their period - you can look into it here. @yourgutsygal has great coaching on all things GUT HEALTH. There are also a bunch of new membership based functional practices where you pay a subscription monthly or yearly and have 24 hour access to professionals and lab work. I think this is a great option for people who are unsure where to start and definitely need more support but also people who are looking for health maintenance. Malla is one of those programs! I will be expanding this list periodically as I find more coaches and doctors I love but it IS worth investing in your health. Remember, finding a practitioner isn't as easy as picking out an outfit. Id suggest taking a couple days, look at what each one has to offer and weigh out your budget.
Blogs – by Iliriana Zeneli
Healthillie's 2022 Mocktail Guide
I have been on my sober journey for about 2 years now and that has officially made me a mocktail connoisseur. I have become obsessed with trying all different types of drinks and have accumulated some favorites through a lot of trial and error. Here are some of my top favorites to impress your family and friends and maybe even silence the "JuSt hAvE a DRinK!" comments you're bound to hear all night. By The Bottle: These are some favorite brands where you can buy a whole bottle as a house warming gift, to "pop" like champagne, or just mimic that bottle of wine you gave up drinking. 1. Drink De Soi is actually Katy Perry's aperitif company and they also sell cans and 3 unique flavors. I personally enjoy Golden Hour and they contain adaptogens to help you relax and vibe out. 2. The mocktail option I offered at my wedding was Drink Ghia Aperitif, sparkling water and a sprig of rosemary. It looked and taste so elegant. The bottle is stunning and it also contains botanicals to help you kick up the energy. 3. For Bitter or Worse is perfect to drink alone or as a mixer. Love these options for occasions where you're probably the only boozeless beauty in the fam. These just simply taste nice, no major effects but nice to have! 4. Can't have a list without Three Spirit Livener, It's really the perfect bottle to bring to get the whole party started. Contains guayusa, guava leaf and schisandra to help you literally feel energized. 5. A really nice gift to bring, these are botanical wine swaps! Essentially wine without the alcohol. This is great for anyone who just misses their wine nights or loves the taste of wine, but not that wine migraine - Drink Proxie is where it's at. 6. Optimist Botanicals is another great bottle to use as a mixer to create your own mocktail beverages. Mix with a sparkling soda, tonic or create your own fancy blend and impress everyone. 7. Most cocktail mixers at the liquor store are filled with additives and even colors. Mixly creates great mixers with fruit juices and they have so many fun recipes on their website. 8. Miss the FLAVOR of alcohol but not alcohol itself? Amass makes Gin & Vodka with all natural botanicals. I also just love their packaging, looks so chic. Fill The Cooler: These are brands that will blend right in with the other cans in the cooler. Ive gotten invited to so many house parties or BBQ's where I don't want to sit there concocting my own mocktail, I want something easy to just bring and pop open a can. 1. My number one spot is easily Kin Euphorics in Spritz. I personally like the flavor of Lightwave better BUT after 3 Spritz I literally felt "tipsy" - I was giggly and relaxed. You can find many in stores now so I'd search their store locator but these are a winner in my book. 2. Love a spicy paloma? De La Calle makes some of my favorite drinks ever and truly the perfect in hand drink if your're feeling spicy. The variety pack is a great way to start since there is truly something for everyone, Pineapple and Manzana are my favorite though. 3. C'mon you think I'd leave out my favorite, Olipop? You can find them practically everywhere now so it makes the best in hand purchase if you get a last minute invite somewhere. Plus they have so many flavors someone is bound to love. If you shop online you can use my code Healthillie15 4. Craving a cocktail but not sure how to make your own mocktail? Drink Avec is SO cute to hold and they come in so many flavors. They make amazing mixers so even your drinking friends can enjoy a clean mix alternative. 5. My beer lovers, there is a solution! Athletic Brewing Company created non-alcoholic beer. Now I havent tried these because I never liked beer but they literally look just like beer and they have very similar ingredients. SO if you try it let me know! 6. Canned wine drinkers, Surely got you! They do contain sulfites which some people dont react well to (they're in regular wine too) but if it doesn't bother you then these are not only CUTE, they give me major Hamptons vibes, but they have your favorite wine flavors so you don't miss out on wine night. Kin, Ghia & Drink De Soi also come in cans if you enjoy that adaptogenic feeling! I hope this list helps all you Boozeless Babes on your sober journey and remember why we choose no alcohol - we're making health hot again hehe
Blogs – by Illie Z
Illie's Healthie Holiday Gift Guide
It is almost that time of year to start gifting the family CLEAN PRODUCTS (that they'll probably roll their eyes at, but appreciate in the long run). I am the black sheep of the family when it comes to my lifestyle. Like who asks for an air purifier for Christmas? lol me. Now I wanted to make a list that DIDN'T involve my website although, anything from my website is a perfect gift/stocking stuffer. Personal favorite: candles, grow fragrance, skincare! If you are reading this - we are getting actual stocking stuffers up on the site in a few weeks with such cute minis and trials for the fam who is still hesitant! But enough of that let's get to the ultimate healthie holiday gift guide for literally anyone in the family! 1. COYUCHI Literally anything coyuchi. This brand is all organic, luxurious and definitely pricey BUT you really cant match the quality. Here are a few I would personally go for as a gift: Super Soft Organic Throw Blanket Unisex Organic Waffle Robe Organic Bath Towels 2. For the Nut Milk Lover Definitely a splurge with the $218 price point BUT you literally never have to buy your own milk ever again so..... feel like it pays itself after a while. Nut milk maker 3. Natural Perfume This is something I personally bought for myself and the scents are really light and beautiful. Comes in a set of 3 roller balls and they are all clean scents. They are simple and easy to just pop in your bag. Feel like this is good for any age group too! 4. Mate The Label Who does'nt love an ORGANIC matching set? like cmon. If you build your own matching set its 20% off so I think thats a pretty good deal. Perfect for anyone but especially the HOME BODY. Make your own set here. 5. Clean Self Care Set Okay personally, I LOVE just making a basket full of things depending on what the person likes. So picture this: get some clean bath salts, clean candle, clean exfoliant and then biohack the heck out of it and add a BATH WATER FILTER. Tbh, I would love something like this. 6. The BioHacker That Has Everything This is a product Ive personally been trying for a while now (on the low low because I'm the biggest skeptic) BUT I stayed open minded and it's actually INSANE. I got a somavedic to structure my water and block emf in my home. Water can be really poor quality, as most of us know, so with all the chemical treatments out water gets - the structure of it gets damaged. One thing I've noticed is I literally sleep like an absolute rock. You know those sleeps where you wake up and wonder when the heck you even fell asleep in the first place? yeah. They also have a 100% money back guarantee which is unheard of with most products. The price point is hefty but they gave me a code: HEALTHILLIE20 7. Blue Light Blockers This is a great gift for anyone in your family or friends list that you know is in front of a computer or TV screen all day. A good pair of blue light blockers can be a total game changer in someones health. I love these from RA Optics - lots of nice frames and the right amount of color so that you are actually blocking blue light. The one the eye doctor gives you is NOT enough like... at all. 8. The skincare obsessed These are two brands I plan on holding on my website - very soon BUT I dont want to hold out on you all because they are THAT amazing. Agent Nateur is for the absolute bougie skincare babe that you know. They have a higher price point, but for good reason. If you want to absolute change your skin and defy aging this is it. Really great for all skin types and even mature skin. This is a fun set to gift! The second brand was a black friday find for myself 2 years ago and I used every single drop. I personally got "The Whole Shebang" and it came with their skincare, body oils, body creams, masks and literally everything they have. I used every single thing. They have other gift sets for hydration, clear skin, body and more so you can really find something for most. I personally cant wait to hold them on LiveHealthillie so hopefully by the time you are done with ur trial - well be rocking and rolling! 9. Red Light Therapy Another major splurge that I also asked for for my birthday last year and use it constantly is my red light therapy . Any size does the trick and this is perfect for literally anyone that suffers with pain, poor sleep or are just active people. This can even help with skin to help produce more collagen. I personally use it before bed for about 10-15 minutes to help promote deeper sleep, help with my skin and even on my thyroid to reduce inflammation. It's really a great investment. 10. Toss The Toxins As the last product on my list, this may be a weird one. I really feel like a full kit of Branch Basics is perfect for someone who is really ready to make the leap or has just been wanting it for a while. You get $$ off with my code HEALTHILLIE so thats def a perk. Branch Basics completely swaps out any cleaner you have from toxic ass windex to greenwashing fake clean Mrs. Meyers (yes i said it, fake clean) AND the need to any type of powerful detergent or 'oxiclean' crap. The starter kit is the perfect place and tbh if you don't get it for someone else, get it for yourself. I have such a peace of mind knowing I don't have to worry about my home cleaners being toxic at all. 11. Most Aesthetic Diffuser Ever I personally have a diffuser from here and I absolutely love it. (also got it for christmas) I feel like most diffusers are so typical and ugly tbh but these are so pretty to just have as decor in your house! That's my ultimate healthie list! I know there are SO many more but I felt like most health and wellness peeps always suggest similar things so I wanted to add some unique gifts here for people at all levels of their journey. Also stay tuned for our stocking stuffers slowly hitting the website, we already have one live which is our grow fragrance discovery set! If you are hesitant or want to get someone else on board to ditch the febreze it's such a good stocking stuffer or add on to a gift basket! Happy Holidays!
Blogs – by Illie Z
Parasite Cleanse 101
Okay so you've decided our parasite cleanse is right for you so here we are! This is a master list straight from Zuma on how to do it and how to prepare. Will you see parasites in your poop? You 100% can. Some people get gloves and take their poop apart to see anything large but if you don't want to do all that, then don't and youll be fine. Will you FEEL them coming out of your butt? lol no. They are dead by the time they come out, you will not feel it. I have seem people pull out some crazy long parasites but they usually takes a few rounds before something that large comes out and by then you are a pro. How long is the cleanse? This one is 30-45 days. I have seen longer ones that are more extensive but they are normally 30 days if you want them to be effective. What's it taste like? Gunna be honest, not that great. The herbs used for parasites are extremely powerful - to help with the taste I make it hot like a tea and a big ass squeeze of lemon. DAY 1-3 Take a 1/2 dropper before bed on an empty stomach (2 hours after eating) DAY 3-30 Take 1 full dropper AM + PM (if after day 3 it feels like a lot, take a few more days of just the half dropper than that will end up extending the amount of time you are on the cleanse. OTHER SUPPLEMENTATION (what I will be doing - you do not have to do all this but it can be helpful) full dropper of our Trace Minerals in water on an empty stomach in the morning and then throughout the day. 1 dropper per 12-24oz of water. you can also use the Liver Detox if you are having trouble pooping and add a squeeze of lemon juice (I personally drink this hot like a tea) 1 hour before lunch take a probiotic of choice. I personally use our Trust Your Gut & Ora sells a less expensive version of their probiotic on their website and you can use my code HEALTHILLIE at checkout. DIE OFF SYMPTOMS When doing this cleanse, if you have parasites they will not leave without letting it be known. Some people dont get any symptoms, some get mild symptoms and some terrible symptoms (and normally if its terrible it means you arent supporting your body properly and arent hydrated - remember that) fatigue headaches cravings skin breakouts rash aches flu like symptoms phlegm or stuffy nose brain fog yes the symptoms can be pretty shitty but fair to say the only issue I had the first time around was migraines and they lasted about a week and subsided. I also had bad hormonal acne prior and by the time I finished my skin cleared up id say easily 95%. Not promising anything since we are all different but just sharing my experience. AVOIDING DIE OFF SYMPTOMS drink plenty water (not tap) should be filtered or spring water get good sleep avoid processed foods daily self massages get in nature + ground PREPARING FOR THE CLEANSE cleanse the colon: consume 1tbsp chia seeds + fulvic minerals in 8 oz water and drink daily. move daily avoid highly processed foods check your supplements and food for seed oils, artificial sweeteners, dies, and mystery flavoring start from now to drink plenty water and hydrate. avoid high glycemic fruits FOODS TO ADD WHILE CLEANSING garlic onion honey dates pumpkin seeds!!!!!! pineapple apple cider vinegar spices coconut oil carrots dandelion greens kale broccoli sunflower seeds fermented foods chia seeds!!!!!! okay thats everything you need to know about the parasite cleanse so if you ever plan on doing it again, you have this full blog on my website and even better Zuma has so many amazing blogs on other cleanses that they have and more info on parasites if you are looking for that!
Blogs – by Illie Z
Do you Need a Parasite Cleanse?
So you saw my story about me doing our parasite cleanse and you want to know if you are a good candidate. Ive done one major parasite cleanse at the beginning of my health journey knowing practically nothing about how to do one or if I should even do one - so don't be like me. Im going to go over all the basic questions here that I get and I'll link the next blog here when it's live about how to prep for one, how to do it and what to expect. What is a parasite and how do we get them? I always personally thought parasites were something you get in foreign countries but after joining the wellness space, I realized if you are breathing you most likely have a parasite and I was STILL skeptical so I did one and then i literally saw them in my poop :) so here we are. You can get parasites from public restrooms (people not washing their hands and touching door knobs etc), fruits, veggies and most commonly meat, and you can get parasites from just having a pet. Pet's tend to lick their own ass, then lick themselves, then you pet them and you go about your day just touching your face etc or even more you let them lick your face and mouth. So cleary getting a parasite it more common than you may think so chances are if you are reading this you have one, but it's also not for everyone. Do not do a parasite cleanse if: you are pregnant or breastfeeding you don't poop consistently (you excrete parasites through your poop, so if you don't poop.... well you don't wanna know) you struggle with fainting, not eating enough. you have already done 1 less than 10 weeks ago Always consult with your doctor before starting any type of cleanse because this isn't medical advice and I don't know your life. ALRIGHT, so if you aren't any of the above then let's go into if you even need one, cuz who is tryna go through all this and they may not have to ya feel. Some common symptoms of parasites are: chronic fatigue chronic migraines acne gas bloating nausea vomiting skin rashes like eczema Diarrhea constipation If this sounds like you, then I would highly suggest either joining me for my parasite cleanse or doing one that you prefer that you may have done prior and had success It is suggested to do 2 cleanses yearly, I personally do one year (around fall no particular reason just a very cleansing time of year for me). It is not suggested to do anymore than 2 as your body needs time to adjust. Hope this clarified any questions you've been having about being a candidate for a parasite cleanse!
Blogs – by Illie Z
My Mother's Day Gift Guide
Mother's Day is around the corner and I wanted to make a quick guide to help you find the perfect non-toxic gifts for a mother or mother figure in your life! For The Active Mom: Protein + Greens: this organic protein + greens powder is perfect for mom's on the go. Goes great alone with milk or in a smoothie and has a subtle banana/vanilla flavor Ora Organics Matcha: if you love matcha and want a clean alternative to starbucks favorite - this is the next best thing with a solid boost of energy and no crash Moon Valley Herbal Muscle Rub: we all know moms with achey body parts - so give the gift of relief. This is a natural swap to Tiger Balm! For The Mom That Needs A Break: We all have that mom that never has time for a spa day, so bring it to her with our Sweet Dreams Salt Soak. With calming lavender and chamomile - she is guaranteed to feel relaxed This magnesium sleep spray is a game changer, get one for yourself while you are at it! A few sprays on the body and you are ready for bed. A face mask is a must for any spa day - this gentle enzyme mask is perfect for all skin types and gives such a hydrating boost of nourishment The SkinCare Obsessed Mom: Another great ask for aging skin is the Hibiscus Regenerating Mask, just dump some powder into a bowl and mix with water! Our dual ended jade roller is a game changer for any skincare routine. It stays naturally cool to help depuff skin, tone, and help oils penetrate better. this unique gift is something anyone will love - Sea Body Sponge. Fully sustainable and biodegradable. Great swap to those conventional plastic ones and also helps gently exfoliate skin. Last our newest summer addition- Marina! Perfect for evening out texture and discoloration, perfect addition to any skincare regiment. The Lavender Lover: Personally, my grandma loves anything lavender so I had to give you some insight on what I will be getting her. First, our luxurious body butter - perfect for all skin types but especially super dry skin. Grow Fragrance - for me this is so important since I really want the women in my life to avoid endocrine disrupting artificial fragrance so this is a must and we have a bunch of beautiful scents including Lavender ofc! Our newest item which is a great pair for our diffuser is the Lavender essential oil! It can also be used on dryer balls in replace of dryer sheets. Then we have our beautiful lavender body wash one from Moon Valley and a frothier one from Organic Bath! The New Mom: We always remember baby, but we forget mom needs love too! Make new mom feel cared for with our amazing Lash booster, with botanicals to help eyebrows and lashes grow! My newest obsession is our body scrubs in Peppermint and Blood Orange - super hydrating and fine grains anyone will love! Who doesnt love a bath bomb? Ditch toxic Lush products and get this non toxic bath bomb that smells DIVINE. Our magnesium oil is just perfect for anyone and especially a new mom who can use some peaceful sleep! A lip scrub is simple way to feel luxurious and hydrated- I personally use this probably more than I should but its that awesome The Health Kick Mom: So if I was a mom, what would I want? Well my go-to's ofc! Beauty Collagen is such a nice and simple gift and its perfect for anyone since its unflavored and easy to use Sweat it out detox bath salt is perfect for whoever wants to push out those toxins and start fresh! Zuma Trace Minerals will make any mom feel like they have their life together- since many of us simply do not eat enough variety this is a great addition to any health freaks daily routine! ANY MOM!: We all have that mom we have no clue what to get, has everything, or its a teacher, neighbor, in law whoever you can never go wrong with a beautiful diffuser and essential oil combo Dont want to spend too much? our non toxic candles are just as beautiful and any mom would love! Hope this little blog helps! Happy Mother's Day!
Blogs – by Illie Z
WHICH ZUMA PRODUCT IS RIGHT FOR YOU?
Zuma Nutrition is easily one of my favorite brands on Live Healthillie, not just because of their great packaging and high quality supplements but their entire ethos as a company and their mission towards health. Right now, I hold 4 of their best selling products and I plan on holding more but I truly believe these 4 can create a solid foundation for anyone wanting to upgrade their health. So which one is right for you? I made a quick check-list so you can decide for yourself! Fulvic Acid + Trace Minerals Most of us should be getting our minerals from our food but because of mono cropping and poor access to real spring water - we are lacking. Fulvic Acid has the ability to chemically bind to toxins and eliminate them from the body Helps increase absorption of nutrients Supports Gut Health Protects Brain Health Reduces Inflammation Taken Daily Best Taken With: Liver Detox or Parasite Detox Read more at Zuma Nutrition Parasite Detox Most people have parasites whether we want to admit it or not. You can get them from just living with pets and even eating sushi. Other countries actually encourage parasite detoxes bi-yearly! This may be for you if you struggle with any of these symptoms: brain fog acne sleep disorders teeth grinding eczema hives food allergies loss of appetite Best taken with Fulvic Acid Trace Minerals Before doing the Parasite Detox please read Zuma's Guide. Liver Detox The liver is probably one of the most important detox organics in the body and it is responsible for over 500 different functions in the body. This is the one I have been taking myself before starting a parasite detox so I can make sure my main detox organ is flushing all the gunk out before trying to push out parasites! You may need to support your liver if you struggle with these symptoms: acne + skin rashes allergies blood sugar imbalances fatigue headaches sluggish stools muscle/joint pain depression mood swings best taken with Fulvic Acid Trace Minerals Liposomal Curcmin Most people suffer with chronic inflammation which is mostly caused from things like overload of toxins to untreated symptoms. Common signs of inflammation are: chronic illness skin disorders (eczema, psoriasis etc) joint pain inflamed gums IBS + gut issues asthma This is also the best tasting product from the whole line. Hopefully this will help you narrow down your choices with your next purchase! Disclaimer: this is not medical advice, always consult with your doctor before trying anything new
Blogs – by Iliriana Zeneli
HOW TO SHOP FOR PROTEIN POWDERS
Navigating the protein market when there are thousands of ads for brands daily and fitness influencers saying their protein is the BEST one, makes it that much harder to know what is really good for you. I mad this post for my instagram to get people to make the most informed decisions they can and also know when they are being scammed. I do want to say, good protein almost always comes with a higher price. If you are being sold a protein for $19.99 at Costco we really need to ask ourselves is this quality, because for that same amount you can buy chicken/meat and get in a real source of protein. Protein powder is a luxury and the way fitness influencers act like its a necessity is just a way to get you to use their coupon code and make them more money. Real protein will always be more important than not. How to spot a good protein, it DOES NOT CONTAIN: Artificial Dyes: dyes like RED40, BLUE1, BLUE2, YELLOW5, YELLOW6 and so forth. Many of these dyes have been linked to hyperactivity in children, skin rashes, respiratory reactions like asthma, and tumors. Gums: some gums aren't bad like Gum Arabic which can be a helpful prebiotic but most people who suffer with gut problems or are on a gut healing journey it would actually help to stay away from gums as much as possible. Xanthan Gum, Gellan Gum, Tara Gum, Guar Gum and Cellulose Gum are some to look out for in your protein powders. They are there to thicken these shakes and don't add any nutritional value. HFCS: or high fructose corn syrup has been linked to a wide array of health conditions especially obesity. Most fitness influencers I come across think they don't eat a lot of sugar but sadly they're not looking at their protein powders where things like this are hiding. ALWAYS AVOID. Synthetic Vitamins: If there are vitamins added to the "other ingredients" you know that it has been added synthetically. Although it's great to get in your vitamins, these ones are bioavailable meaning our bodies can't utilize them therefore they are worthless. They can lead to nutrient deficiencies because people think they are getting their required about of (x) vitamin when they simply aren't. Synthetic Sugar: these are the worst culprits and are usually the reason why people may not see the results they want to see because of the hidden sugars in their daily shakes. Aspartame, Sucralose, Acesulfame Potassium to name a few. If it says "0 sugar" on the front or is super low in calories we know that something has been added to make it sweeter. I approve of monk fruit or stevia leaf extract, as long as its from a natural source. Natural Flavors: these flavors can literally mean anything. There is no regulation and the FDA protects the brand from having to reveal what it is made from, go ahead and ask any brand, 99.9% will NOT tell you. This mystery ingredient is a recipe for disaster. The only time I let flavoring slide is when its "organic x ingredient" - this is just telling me its going by organic regulations and I know where its coming from they just used a little bit of science to enhance the flavor which for ME I personally don't mind since I don't want my protein to taste like dirt either Pesticides: well how do I know there are pesticides? well, there are always going to be pesticides in anything since that's how things need to be grown. What I personally avoid is non organic protein since it is sprayed with literally any harmful pesticide they have and especially if there are GMO crops used in the protein then we know it has been sprayed with cancer causing RoundUp. Always aim for organic and go the extra mile to ask for the COA, you can email any company it is public information and you can see the heavy metal content of the powders you are looking into buying. I hope this rundown helped and please take your time when buying supplements, I promise you protein powder should not be 1. cheap and 2. a rush job. If you aren't going to get the real thing you should be getting something as close to the real thing as you possible can.