FINISHED…

Saturday was the big race and it felt so great to get back into the Chicago race circuit!  I now want to sign up for a half marathon and just trying to figure out which one I want to do!  I just have to say that these running events are getting a bit pricey!  The Soldier Field 10 miler was worth every penny of the $60.00 entry fee!  Thank you Fleet Feet for putting on one of the most organized racing events ever!

One of the most important things I did to prepare myself for the race was I started really hydrating on the Wednesday before the race.  I try and drink a lot of water everyday, but I really had to make some strides starting on Wednesday even if it meant getting up from my desk ever 20 minutes to pee! 

Friday night I had a friend over for dinner and I made the steamed Halibut with whole-wheat couscous, (see blog 2/9/10).  In the past my pre-race dinner would have been a big carbohydrate overload!  A nice glass of red wine to help me relax, fresh blueberries and yogurt for desert, and then early to bed for hopefully a rest full nights sleep!

Race day, up at 4am with high anxiety and great anticipation I had my morning addiction of java and a slice of protein bread with a smear of raspberry jam (1 tsp = 30 calories, 0 fat 8g of carbs and sugar)!  Some race day jitters, some final decisions on what to wear and what to bring, I was ready to go!  My friend picked me up at 6am because who knew what kind of traffic we might encounter!  It was fine with me to get there early!  We were able to have the professional’s stretch us out which is always a treat!

Standing at the start line, the adrenalin flowing, getting my music playlist going and just waiting for the starting gun to sound and off we go!  All in all almost a perfect race!  I might have been able to cut off some time if I didn’t have to make a pit stop and walk a little to try and work out the side stitch I got at mile 6.5!  I crossed the finish line in 1:49:35!  My goal was to do it under 2 hours and I did with room to spare!  My one big mistake I made was not taking any water at mile 9, at that point I just wanted to race on to the finish! 

OMG!  Running through the tunnel of Soldier Field, home of our beloved Bears was just a thrill, I got goose bumps finishing on the 50-yard line!  I went straight for the water and shade, and then got my medal and the food goody bag!  I found out that the conditions turned to code black, extreme and dangerous conditions.  It did get very hot and humid and I heard they did stop the race!  It was unusually hot for Chicago in May!  You just never know in Chicago! The medical tent was full!  We got our pictures taken and time to leave!

I felt great!  Thrilled, smelly and hungry, I couldn’t wait to get home to shower, eat and to rest the remainder of the day! 

Thank you EVERYONE!

What a year!  What a week!

Thank you my diet guru for the abundance of information and total commitment!  Your time and energy brings tears to my eyes!

Thank you family and friends for your all your encouragement and support. 

Thank you runner friends who inspired me to get back into the racing circuit and do the Soldier field 10 miler tomorrow.  (Finish line details to follow Monday) 

Thank you Bob for your patience and letting me watch you cook for the last 20 years and now sharing the kitchen with me!

Thank you Cameron’s for the genius stove-top smoker, you gave me the confidence to start cooking!

Thank you my new beauty Guru for my new outer beauty!  A new me with a new look, another work in progress!

I could never have accomplished any of this without any of you!

I love you all!

Until Monday – keep thinking veggies and protein!

New Clothes…

One of the first things people say to me about my weight lose is “it must be fun shopping for new clothes?” Well, not really!  I liked my clothes!  I got to the point that I felt comfortable and felt like I was able to work with what I had!  OK – I went from a size 12/14 to a size 2/4!  Pretty shocking, and yes, that feels GREAT!  Even when I lost weight before a size 8 was a squeeze!  To say the least I had to get rid of A LOT!!!  I hung onto those size 8/10 with wishful thinking for long enough and surpassed them! I was able to do some, very limited, alterations on my sewing machine.  A tailor would have been a small fortune because they would have had to basically re-make/re-cut everything!  I gave a ton away and hope that whoever got some of my favorite things enjoy them as much as I did!

It really was a shock when I showed up to work in clothes that actually started to fit!  I needed new EVERYTHING!  OK, not shoes!  Thank heavens my feet didn’t shrink!  Slowly I am building up another wardrobe!  I am so grateful to those who have given me their hand me downs, you saved my life and gave me variety!  Pay-it-forward!!!!!

Every picture tells a story…

Results!  I never thought I would ever take a picture like this, bare it all and display it for the world to see!  Even if I had a before photo– I would never show it!!!!   If you look at my blog from APRIL 14TH, it is a good indication of my workouts, training and strengthening!  I am waiting patiently for the Bosu Ball so I can try some new routines!  I am still working on toning up some problem areas, but for the most part I am excited about the accomplishment of all the effort and hard work that went into this year!  I must admit that if I had any extra funds I would get some nips and tucks!  50 forever, believe me there are some areas that just seem to have gone south and all the toning in the world won’t be able to help!!!! LOL!!!

Chefs and how they eat…

So, I feel I have truly learned to eat, or have found the true meaning of eating!  I have found a few restaurants that I feel comfortable going to and ordering an almost 100% healthy meal and learning my way around a menu.  There are a few places that I allow a few slips or rewards, knowing what I have to do the next day to compensate for the indulgence! 

I have been reading a few suggestions and intended inspiration from some of our nationally acclaimed chefs!  Marcus Sammuelsson suggests, “expanding your concept of sauces and go beyond the butter-based variety.  Try light, bright vinaigrettes, such as an herb-rich chimichurri sauce!  No need for butter or cream; try beet and carrot reductions with a bit of orange or lemon juice and perhaps ginger.”

Mario Batali decided to drop to drop 45 pounds by working out, eating half portions at restaurants.  “You don’t want a giant bowl of pasta; you maybe want a cup.”  He also tastes food with a finger, not a spoon and skips the breadbasket!

Oprah’s ex-personal chef, Art Smith has also taken the health plunge!  He is also exercising by walking, cut out his soda habit and swapped lean proteins like turkey sausage for pork to keep his southern tastes in tact! 

Just another tip on how our top chef’s stay thin!  They are on their feet 12 to 18 hours a day, running around a kitchen.  Laurent Gras of Chicago’s L2O says, “I am certainly burning more on my feet than I eat.  I try to stay clear of butter and cream, but other then that, just the sheer effort I spend getting the food out will burn everything else.”

Just reading about these few inspiring tips has given me some knowledge of ordering in a restaurant.  I know for the most part that you can order just about anything WITHOUT BUTTER!  I am striving to keep this lean, mean fighting machine figure!  It just gets easier with time!  I still have to think about food, I am not as obsessed as I was in the beginning, and I am constantly learning more tips along the way that I am enjoying sharing with anyone who reads my blog!

You’ve come along way baby…

This is going to be a very emotional week!  I just completed 52 weeks, a year since I have started this quest!  A year of keeping a food journal, tracking my workouts and getting used to the new me!  October is when I hit my target weight and I have been maintaining within a 5 pound radius ever since!  Vacations and special occasions are usually the culprits!

I am grateful for all the support I had along the way!  The advice and all the encouragement is what kept me on track!  I am still going to keep a food and workout log and as long as I still have ideas to write about I will continue this blog!  It really helps keep me focused!

This has been a lifestyle change and not necessarily a “diet”.  I know you’ve heard it all before, but I feel strongly that there isn’t much room for failure!  I have learned so much and just the fact that I am cooking more, I know what is going in my food and I know how I like it!  I have become a creature of habit, I have found what works for me and I also know that at least it is 95% all good stuff!!!

I once did the Atkins diet and I was able to lose weight, but of course it all came back on, and with a vengeance!  I have seen results with the South Beach and Weight Watchers diets but I knew that they just weren’t for me!  I am a firm believer in; whatever works for you, go for it!  Just stick to it and get on the healthy band - wagon!!!!  It’s about the best journey you can take!

Morningstar Farms…

I finally tried these!  I have been reading so much about them.  Got to tell you – not bad at all.  They do come in a few different flavors. I just started with the basic breakfast patties.  I was impressed with the sodium count of only 240 mg, 80 calories per pattie, carbs 4g, sugar 1g, total fat 3g. I never was much of a sausage patty person at breakfast, if an option I always went for the links.  Anyway, these are a great healthy substitute!  I just made my eggs over the couscous and had one pattie on the side.  It was almost like having a southern breakfast!  Think eggs and grits with a side of sausage. 

Until Monday – keep thinking veggies and protein!

A new breakfast solution…

I admit, I have developed certain routines, especially my morning rituals!  I am a creature of habit! I have now expanded my breakfast menus.  To the suggestion of Bob, while I was boiling water for my coffee (French press coffee), I put a 1/4 cup of Trader Joe’s whole-wheat couscous in a bowl and poured a 1/4 cup of water over it.  While I was getting ready for work the couscous was getting ready for my fried egg.  I like my eggs somewhat runny! Season to your specific tastes and, wow – it is delicious and satisfying! 

Off to the races…

On a more personal note!  When I turned 50 I had it in my head to do another marathon!  That inspiration unfortunately didn’t last long!  I was just starting to get into a training routine when I got the knee pain! I had a MRI  that showed a possible tear in my meniscus and some other medical terms I can’t quite remember. I tried staying off it for a few weeks, that didn’t help.  I went to physical therapy, that didn’t help.  I had a shot of cortisone/steroids, that didn’t help. I had a second opinion, and surgery was suggested!  I told myself I would NOT go for the surgery until I could no longer walk!!!!  So for about a year and a half I basically stayed away from any heavy impact, like running! 

I did some power walking and just started getting into riding my bike a lot!  Well it seems that it all worked out to my benefit – I am running again and so excited to be doing the Soldier field 10 miler on the 29th! 

I was inspired last year when a friend came in from Florida to do the race!  I was on the side line cheering her on and I saw so many familiar faces that I decided to try and see if I could run again.  Like any exercise, I took it slow.  I would run a song and walk 2 songs and eventually - Voila!  I am running!  I am slow, but I am running again and it feels so great!

I am an Egghead…

I eat just about an egg or two a day!  I use the trader Joe’s organic, free range because of the added omega-3!  They are more expensive, but so much more healthier!  This was a very interesting and informative article and can help with making choices!

Choosing eggs is not nearly as simple as it should be. After all, the average egg weighs about 2 ounces. How many decisions can you possibly have to make for something so small and seemingly simple? Well, let’s see: Brown or white? Large or small? Organic or not?

And those decisions are just the tip of the iceberg. Egg cartons can be stamped with any number of labels, some meaningful, others not so much.

It's not always easy to separate fact from fiction when it comes to eggs. Below are some of the most common mis-perceptions.

Myth: Brown eggs are different than white.

Fact: The only difference between a brown and white egg is the color of the shell, which is merely a reflection of the breed of the hen. In general, but not always, hens with white feathers and earlobes lay white eggs and those with dark feathers and red earlobes lay brown eggs.

One isn’t healthier, more “natural,” or more eco-friendly than the other.  There aren’t any differences in nutritional quality, flavor, or cooking characteristics.

Myth: Free-range eggs come from hens that roam freely outdoors.
Fact: The claims are not regulated for eggs, according to Consumer Reports. So there is no guarantee that the hen that laid the eggs ever saw the light of day. Of course, it may have spent time outdoors, but the “free range” label doesn’t mean anything. The following labels are also meaningless when it comes to eggs: “free roaming,” “hormone free,” and “raised without antibiotics.”

Myth: Organic eggs are healthier. 

Fact: They certainly can be, but it all depends on the chicken’s diet. Organic eggs come from hens that are fed a 100-percent organic diet. However, what really matters when it comes to nutrition is whether the hens were raised on pasture. Studies, such as those conducted at Penn State University and by Mother Earth News, found that eggs from chickens that ate grass and insects contained higher levels of omega-3 fat, and vitamins E, A, and in some cases D.

If you want eggs from hens that are raised on pasture or spend a lot of time outdoors, then you’ll have to find a farmer you trust at your local farmers’ market.

Myth: Egg substitutes are simply eggs (or egg whites) without the shells.

Fact:  Most products have added stabilizers, thickeners, vitamins, carotenes, and, sometimes, spices, according to Marion Nestle, author of What to Eat. She also points out that they cost about twice as much as real eggs. (A pound of egg substitutes weighs slightly less than a dozen small eggs.) 

Of course, if you can’t eat egg yolks for health reasons or have no use for them, egg substitutes are a good option, and most products only have a tiny percentage of additives. Just read the labels before buying.

Flax to the Max….

There has been numerous studies and research lately on this tiny seed!  Besides tasting good and adding flavor to many different recipes, this little nutty flavor seed hold some health benefits! It contains alpha-linolenic acid, a type of omega-3 fatty acid similar to the omega-3 found in fish.  It contains lignans, naturally occurring chemical compounds that act as antioxidants.  And it contains fiber.  Consider it an added bonus that flax seeds actually taste good!

I discovered flax seeds a few years ago to help reduce those bothersome hot flashes of menopause. It really does help!  I usually sprinkle it over my berries and yogurt I have for desert almost every night.  If I remember I’ll even sprinkle the seeds over a salad!  I guess I am nuts for more nutty flavors!

My Post-Pig-Out plan…

OK, so it was our anniversary and I went overboard!  It was a planned pig-out, and oh so yummy and what a treat!  I have been really missing and craving the hot dogs.  We have a new “gourmet” hot dog place in Chicago that I had been dying to try, Franks ‘N’ Dawgs.   Oh, did we ever overindulge, and I will not admit to the extent that we did!  Let’s just say the pork loin sausage, Cobb smoked bacon, fried egg and maple syrup reveals a portion of the story!  The high sodium and high fat contents helped me put on 5 pounds!  Here is what I did to take off those five pounds and put it all behind me and off my behind!  With fond memories!  I drank tons of H2O to flush out the sodium!  I did not starve my self; I just made sure my next meals were all healthy and back on track – NO EXCEPTIONS!  I also upped my workout, granted I knew I was going to do a long run on Saturday, but I really pushed myself to go longer! It took a few days, but the pounds are history.  As I have said before and I’ll say it again, it is meal-by-meal, not day-by-day!

Until Monday…keep thinking veggies and protein!

Low-Fat, No-Fat…

Label reading can be so confusing at times. I am still learning! If you see “low” fat on the label, that’s your first clue to look further!  Start checking the serving size and the number of calories on the Nutrition Facts Label.  Low-fat foods often contain the same amount of calories or even more calories than the regular versions.  But still beware!  Calories, fat, sodium, carbohydrates and sugar – they are all important components!

This also holds true to fat-free foods.  If fat is taken out, something else is put back in, and that often means sugar!    I love when someone entices me to eat a twizzler (one of my many cravings), “they say fat-free”!  Ha-Ha, do they say sugar free, fat free?  No!  We all know that sugar turns into fat!

It can all be so misleading!  When in doubt, step away and do some further investigating!

PATIENCE…

How fast do we want to see the results of all our hard work!  Do Not Get Impatient! The biggest enemy of our fitness goal can be impatience.  It’s hard to pitch the idea of patience when we live in a world where information and services are available instantly, driven by customer demands. Do not despair!  Our bodies do not work that way, producing instant results for changes in diet and exercise.  Really, it’s in our best interests to have bodies that adapt and respond to exercise and nutrition changes over the course of time.  We want bodies that make long-term adaptations over several weeks and months of training because those changes are the ones that will last longer! It’s an individual thing; everybody’s bodies react to any given training program differently!  The main objective is to just get off your butt and just get started!  Those love handles will start to fade away – I SWEAR IT!

Taking advice with a Grain of Salt...

Most Americans are now consuming an average of about 3400 milligrams of sodium a day, or about 1 1/2 teaspoons, WOW!  That is so far over what the daily intake should be - which is no more then 1500 milligrams a day!
You can't see it and we have become so accustomed to it that it is difficult to detect.  It is almost virtually impossible to limit yourself to such amounts if you often eat processed foods, prepared foods or fast food chains, hell don't even think about using the salt shaker in those incidents!  There are NO health benefits to a high sodium diet; it IS a major contributor to heart disease and stroke.

Here are some tips for lowering your sodium intake:
1. Chose fresh, frozen or canned food items that don't contain added salt.
2. Select unsalted nuts, seeds, dried beans, peas and lentils.
3. Limit salty snacks such as chips and pretzels.
4. Avoid adding salt and canned vegetables to homemade dishes.
5. Select unsalted, lower sodium or fat free broths, bouillons or soups.  MAKE YOUR OWN STOCKS - IT'S EASY!!!
6. Select low-sodium, low fat cheeses.
6. Add fresh lemon juice instead of salt to fish and vegetables.
7. Specify how you want your food prepared when dining out.  Ask for your dish to be prepared without salt.
8. Don't use the saltshaker!  Use the pepper mill or pepper shaker instead.
9. Learn to use spices and herbs to enhance the taste of your food.  Most spices contain very small amounts of sodium.

CEVICHE for two….

Hurray, a new recipe from me!

I got 4 beautiful fresh sea scallops and 4 beautiful uncooked jumbo shrimp.  I peeled the shrimp and marinated both in lemon and lime juice for about 5 hours with some diced red onion in the refrigerator (until the translucent raw fish turns opaque).  About an hour before serving I started dicing up, a jalapeno pepper, tomato, orange bell pepper and an avocado, also chopped up some cilantro. I mixed these all together with salt and pepper to taste and with a teeny hint of hot Spanish paprika and ground chipotle spices.  About 10 minutes before serving I strained out the shrimp, scallops and onions, added some of the lemon/lime juice and mixed everything together.  I had two martini glasses chilling in the freezer to serve the ceviche in!

SUCCESS!  The best compliment I could ever get from Bob “I wouldn’t change a thing”!

I need this reminder every now and then…

So what's so bad about sugar?
Each meal is an opportunity to fuel your body, maximize your energy, and deliver the nutrients that help you feel and look your best. Foods packed with refined sugar, like candy, baked goods, and soda, miss the mark on all three counts.

Sugar gets absorbed fast, so it delivers a brief burst of energy, quickly followed by a crash that leaves you feeling lethargic, irritable, and hungry all over again. And, of course, sugary treats aren't bundled with antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and fiber. These key nutrients not only sustain energy and keep you healthy; they're also key to glowing skin, gorgeous hair, and a de-bloated belly!

If you currently spend more than a few hundred calories a day on sweet treats, especially the really processed kind, you're eating too much. Cutting back or taking a break from refined sugar altogether can help you feel better immediately, upgrade the quality of your diet, and even shed a few pounds.

To do your own "sugar fast"

These three hints REALLY helped me!  I swear, give it two weeks and it will get easier!

1) For the next two weeks, cut out all foods made with sugar and/or corn syrup.

2) Keep your sweet tooth satisfied. Replace your usual sugary treats or snacks with a baseball-sized portion of fruit.

3) Pair the fruit with protein. The combo will help you absorb fruit's naturally occurring sugar more slowly than if you just ate the fruit, and it will keep you feeling fuller longer.

Until Monday…keep thinking veggies and protein!

Sugar Snap Peas….

Everything is just so much fresher and tastes so much better in the spring! 
Try these sweet, tender vegetables in a salad, side dish, stir-fry, or just simply eat them raw as a snack.

1.  Sugar snap peas have a high fiber content, which can help keep your digestive system functioning properly. They're an especially good source of soluble fiber, which helps regulate blood sugar levels so that you can maintain a healthy weight.
2. Sugar snap peas are low in calories. One cup contains just 67 calories!
3. Sugar snap peas are good for your heart. These peas are fat free and contain folate, which helps lower amino acid levels in the body. Too much amino acid can cause heart attacks and heart disease. The higher fiber content of sugar snap peas also makes it a great food for lowering your cholesterol, which can reduce your risk for heart attack.
4. Sugar snap peas can boost your immune system. These peas contain vitamin C and caretenoid. Vitamin C helps prevent colds and flu, while carotenoids can reduce your risk of cataracts and help prevent some types of cancer. One cup of sugar snap peas contains as much vitamin C as a medium-sized orange.
5. Sugar snap peas are good for your bones. In addition to improving heart health, preventing disease, and helping you manage your weight, sugar snap peas can also help you build strong bones. They contain vitamin K and iron, which can also help combat anemia.

You don’t need a lot of extra fiber because just one cup of peas provides over 1/3 of the necessary daily fiber. Best of all, they taste good. This naturally sweet legume is a favorite of both children and adults. The carotenoid in the green pea is lutein, well known for reducing the risk of cataracts and macular degeneration.

Walk it off…

I found this article in the May issue of Shape Magazine and I thought it was an easy way to get inspired to get off the couch!

We gave the world's simplest workout a makeover and created a plan that takes walking— and your body—from ho-hum to va-va-voom. The secret behind our strategy: When you walk at a quick clip, you zap as many calories as you would jogging. Add in hills or stairs and you boost the burn while also increasing the sculpting benefits for your butt and legs. This easy-to-follow plan, designed by Shape's fitness director, Jeanine Detz, uses both tricks to speed up your results. "You'll see a difference in a month if you follow two rules," she says: "Make sure your brisk pace is just that—it should feel so demanding, it would be easier to break into a run— and always walk on a hilly circuit, which increases your calorie burn by up to 50 percent." Think of this routine as your walk 2.0—it's more challenging, more effective, and guaranteed to give you a leaner body by summer. Now step to it!

Treadmill trotters, try to use 3.0 as your easy pace, 3.5–4.0 as your moderate, and 4.0–4.5 as your brisk. If you walk outside, your easy pace is the speed you move while walking around the mall, moderate feels like you're rushing to make an appointment, and brisk is so fast it's tough to talk. Use the recommended distance to calculate your route—actual distance will depend on your pace— and always walk for at least the total time listed. If there are no hills in sight, incorporate stairs into your session.

1. 39 minutes, distance 2.5-3miles you can burn 200 – 250 calories.  60 minutes,  3.5-5 miles 350-400 calories.
2. Track your progress: Write down your daily total steps from your pedometer and challenge yourself to beat the previous day's count—you'll likely increase your number of strides by 10 percent (and up your calorie burn while you're at it), say researchers at Loughborough University in England.

3. Take it outside: Women who walk outdoors versus on a treadmill enjoy the exercise more and are more likely to stick to their routine, according to a study from Ohio State University.

4. Map your route: Studies show that people judge a steep uphill path to be farther than the same distance on flat ground, which can potentially discourage you from logging the workout you intend to. Preplan your walk at mapmywalk.com so you know exactly how far you're going. (The site also has a finder for scenic routes near you and paths to try when you travel.)

I know the day will come when I won’t be able to run anymore and these walking hints are very encouraging and will be so much easier on my knees! 

I get my thrill on top of Blueberry Hill…

The bluer the berry, the bigger the benefit!  While studies have shown that blueberries may be a weight loss wonder, there's no doubt they're just simply delicious! There are endless ways to make blueberries your new springtime snack. It’s just so nice that they are just about in season and we don’t have to rely on the frozen berries.  I just eat them plain or with Greek fat free yogurt, or add them to my yogurt smoothies!

Blueberries have been known as an anti-ageing 'superfood' because of its many health benefits and they contain disease-fighting properties. Blueberries, like many other foods are a natural source of antioxidants. Blueberries also have a number of naturally occurring antioxidants including Anthocyanins. Antioxidants are important to our bodies because they can protect us from the undesirable effects of free radicals and help to slow down the ageing process. In fact, blueberries have been found to have the highest antioxidant level of any other fruit. Anthocyanins, on the other hand, are responsible for giving nature its vibrant colors and they are present in every fruit and vegetables that has color. Anthocyanins are the phytochemicals responsible for changing the colors of the leaves from green to red, orange, purple, yellow and more. Hence, the darker the berry, the higher the concentration of antioxidants.

Springtime and Artichokes…

Oh, I was so happy when Bob surprised me with one of my favorite vegetables!  Besides loving them, they certainly bring on the feeling that spring is among us!  I also discovered a new and improved healthy way of enjoying them!  We used to dip the leaves in butter, or a spicy aioli dip.  I thought we were being healthier when we would drizzle olive oil, balsamic vinegar and sprinkle parmesan cheese over them!  Thank God, we never got into stuffing them!  Anyway, now we eat them with a squeeze of lemon or with some of my many different types of spicy vinaigrettes, without any oil!  Bob has been experimenting with grilling the artichokes and using them in our many different salads!  Steamed, grilled, leaves and hearts – I love it all!

Some Artichoke facts…
Since ancient times, the artichoke has been used for liver and gallbladder conditions, 'cleaning' the blood, as well as the bladder. The Egyptians highly prized it as a health and diet food and Plinius described it as the 'food for the rich' because of the health problems contributed to a 'rich' life style - excessive in rich foods, fats and wine that led to liver illnesses (such as cirrhosis), gout and a general run down condition.

Today we know that the artichoke is very high in fiber, potassium, calcium, iron, phosphorus and other trace elements important for a balanced system. It is known to positively help poor liver function (thus helping to lower the blood cholesterol), arteriosclerosis, gout, supports the treatment of hepatitis and improves the gall secretions. It can slightly lower the blood sugar, improve the appetite and digestion, is diuretic and may help some migraine conditions (most especially those caused by toxins in the blood). As it helps the body rid itself of excess water and moves toxins it also has the added side effect of improved skin luminosity.