Topknot & Tea

Category: Wellness

• A Cheat Day on Keto is No Bueno

  Posted at 10:44 am by Browyn, on June 14, 2019

  

  After two months of Keto and a serious case of PMS, I had a carb/sugar bonanza day. I’m talking a no holds barred carb fiesta. By early evening, I was sick. Seriously sick and it came on quick. It started with shakes, sweating, the feeling of maybe passing out. I layed down for awhile and felt better. By feeling better I mean I was then only feeling extreme lethargy and nausea. I went to bed and woke up today still feeling nausea, tiredness, and a disturbing fullness. I’m not sure how to feel better at this point. Non/low carb smoothies and soups when I can eat maybe??? Any suggestions?

  The moral of this story: If you decide to eat carbs/sugar after an extended period of Keto eating, do so gradually.

  Posted in Cravings, Wellness | 0 Comments | Tagged keto cheat day, keto cheat sick help, keto sick

• My Keto Food Must Haves

  Posted at 2:12 pm by Browyn, on May 28, 2019

  

  In case you’re thinking of trying to eat the Keto way, here’s a list of staples I ALWAYS have and use on a daily basis.

  • Almond and Coconut Flour
  • Stevia or whatever alternative to sugar you use
  • Coconut Oil/Olive Oil
  • Cacao/Cocoa powder
  • Plain Greek Yogurt
  • Almond Milk
  • Eggs
  • Cheeses
  • Meats
  • Veggies

  Here’s my normal Keto daily menu options:

  Breakfast:  Smoothie; eggs, bacon/sausage; waffles; muffins.

  Lunch: Veggie Soup; sandwich w/keto bread; chicken/meat; keto pizza. A slice of Almond Yogurt Cake

  Dinner: Almost always a big salad with cheese and sometimes meat/chicken.

  Desert: A slice of Almond Yogurt Cake; Fat bomb; yogurt popsicle or a couple spoonfuls of Lemon Curd.

  Snacks: Fat bombs, cheese, nuts.

  *Almond Yogurt Cake is my biggest go-to. Recipe is under Cravings.

  ***Not sure if this meets the Keto pyramid guidelines, and I don’t count the cal/carbs/sugar ratios. I’m just doing what makes my body feel good and work well.

   

  Posted in Cravings, Wellness | 0 Comments | Tagged keto daily menu, keto must haves, keto pantry staples

• Blood Work After 5 Weeks Keto

  Posted at 6:14 pm by Browyn, on May 23, 2019

  

  It’s been 5 weeks eating the Keto way and I wanted to get my blood work done to see if anything is looking bad. I have to admit eating so much fat and eggs concerns me. (BTW: In the past, my bloodwork tests always have come back in the normal range.)

  This morning, Sr. Elizondo and I woke up early to be the first people at the lab. (We were the second.) It was a quick blood draw with same day results. It turns out my blood tests once again turned out normal. My cholesterol, triglycerides, magnesium, etc all okay. Two thumbs up to that.

  Next week will be my last week on Keto before adding carbs back into my diet.

  Posted in Cravings, Wellness | 0 Comments | Tagged keto 5 weeks, keto bloodwork, keto health

• 4 Weeks of Keto and Feeling Great

  Posted at 12:00 pm by Browyn, on May 19, 2019

  

  I started doing the Keto diet after watching a Netflix documentary about how bad carbs and sugar were and how it almost miraculously helped people get healthier with chronic illnesses. So I thought I would give it a try.

  I have had 8 years of severe and not so severe IBS and/or digestive issues. Digestive problems can make day to day life a struggle. After 4 weeks of eating the Keto way, I no longer have any problems. Not one. It’s been such a relief to feel digestively healthy after so long.

  Then I found out after talking with a medical nutritionist that the Keto Diet is not healthy to do longer than 3 months. I was under the impression that this was a lifestyle. Because my goal is health and a healthy lifestyle, not weight loss (I’m off that BS diet treadmill), I will slowly be implementing more carbs from fruits and grains, paying close attention to my body’s reactions.

   

  Posted in Cravings, Wellness | 0 Comments | Tagged keto 4 weeks, keto chronic illness, keto diet, keto ibs

• Popular Mexican Product Buy

  Posted at 12:24 pm by Browyn, on February 8, 2019

  There’s a plethora of articles and reviews about French cult products. It made me wonder if there are any products that Mexicans swear by. After some amateur investigating, one product did keep coming up. It seems everybody uses Pomada de la Campana.

  

  When I saw the picture of it, I immediately recognized it. We actually have this in the back of our bathroom drawer. I’ve never used it as I was never sure what it was for. It turns out this stuff is used for a number of things: Dry skin, psoriasis, dark spots, wrinkles, cracked heels, to help lessen the itch of mosquito bites, burns, etc. Apparently if you have any skin problems, this is the cream to use.

  The above image on the right has Tepezcohuite in it. Tepezcohuite comes from a plant that is said to excellent for helping to keep skin smooth, wrinkle and acne free. I found an article online that said Salma Hayek swears by this for her beautiful skin. I’m not sure if the article was true, but there is definitely a lot of intel on the internet about Tepezcohuite benefits.

  If this product is as beneficial as it appears to be, it’s a ridiculously cheap option for great skin.

  Posted in Beauty, Culture, Wellness | 0 Comments | Tagged cheap skin creams, Mexican cult product, pomada del campana review, tepezcohuite

• Menopause Product Recommendation

  Posted at 6:03 pm by Browyn, on November 28, 2018

  Menopause sucks. HRT for me caused more problems than I originally had. Because of that and other reasons, I have had to find alternative treatments to help get me through this nightmare.

  My latest symptom is I’m as dry as the Sahara desert. I had no idea the pain that can come from this. After consulting with my gynecologist, she had me try Velastisa. This company has multiple products for women for all stages of life (per their tagline).

  

  This specific product is a cleanser and moisturizer which helps the PH and flora. I’ve been using it for a few weeks now and this product is well worth it. The effects were noticeable almost immediately. It’s worth a try ladies.

  Posted in Wellness | 0 Comments | Tagged perimenopause product recommendation, premenopausal dryness

• Tasting a Pithaya (Dragonfruit)

  Posted at 1:56 pm by Browyn, on July 20, 2018

  I’ve been seeing this fruit sold on the street corners recently and had no idea what it was. Then I saw it at the grocery store and it’s called Pithaya (aka: Dragonfruit). It’s such a pretty pink, I decided to give it a try.

  

  I wasn’t sure how to cut it, so I cut the ends and took off the skin.

  

  Later, I looked up the proper way. You slice it down the center an then scoop out the inside. Oh well.

  

  I simply cut it up and had a go at it. My immediate reaction was a kiwi.  It has the same texture and seeds. It’s sweet and has a slight cactus after-flavor to it. I read another review that says it has a marshmallow flavor.  I didn’t taste that, but then I’m not familiar picking out a Dragonfruit, so I’m not sure if the one I chose was a “good one” or not. Regardless, it was still tasty.

  I added cut up banana and pineapple to it for a fruit salad. It was so delish, I ate it before I took a picture! Next time…

   

   

  Posted in Cravings, Wellness | 0 Comments | Tagged dragonfruit taste, pithaya taste

• Juice Fast Day 6

  Posted at 3:39 pm by Browyn, on July 4, 2018

  It’s the end of day 6 and I’m finished!

  

  I have to admit the last day was not as stringent as before. After yesterday’s salad fiasco, I wasn’t hungry at all…for anything. I had my morning lemon water and water in general, but thinking of any of the juices made me nauseous. It wasn’t until after 1:00pm that I had my first juice. Then I had 2 more and that was it.

  In the end, I’m happy I did it. I feel lighter and it was a great motivator to get healthy. On the downside, it was REALLY difficult. The flu symptoms were the worst, but I guess if you want the toxins out you have to accept the pain. And as for losing weight, I have no idea. It was a detox for health, not a diet.

  Would I do it again? Yes, but probably at a retreat/spa with all the herbs, massages, colonics, etc. I feel like those things really help the process. What I would do at home is a modified version of juices with a daily plant based meal.

  As for tomorrow I plan on a morning smoothie, a plant based meal, and a squash soup that’s in process now. Cheers to healthy living!

   

   

   

   

  Posted in Wellness | 0 Comments | Tagged at home juice fasting, juice fast day 6

• Juice Fast Day 5

  Posted at 2:30 pm by Browyn, on July 3, 2018

  Good morning from Monterrey. It’s day 5 and I can see the light!

  

   

  I felt okay today, but not energized like yesterday. I was wishing the juices were more varied. I have 4 different flavors each day, but they are same everyday in the same order. The monotony is getting to me.

  In the evening, I broke it. I had a salad. About an hour later, the salad came right back up. So does that still count as cheating??? haha.

  Anyway, tomorrow is my last day of juicing and I’m wondering how to handle the days after. I definitely want to continue the plant-based healthy eating. It’s time to do some research and get a plan in place.

   

  Posted in Wellness | 0 Comments | Tagged at home juice fasting, juice fast day 5

• Juice Fast Day 4

  Posted at 1:54 pm by Browyn, on July 2, 2018

  Day 4 = Relief!!!!!

  I felt good today. My bloating was gone, I don’t have hunger (at least not like before), and I have energy. I’m hoping the worst is behind me. I’m on point with my juices and morning routine (see day 1). I even did an extra 5 minutes on the elliptical.

  

  Feeling a lot of gratitude today.

   

  Posted in Wellness | 0 Comments | Tagged at home juice fasting, juice fast day 4

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