Apple Cider Vinegar

Since taking up yoga almost nine years ago and becoming a yoga instructor last year, I've become very health concious. I have also become extremely healthy - I used to get the flu, shot or not, every other New Year's. I vividly remember 2000, being a flight attendant on a layover in Phoenix, sitting in the hotel room watching the millenium on tv with a bottle of Gatorade in one arm and a box of kleenex in the other. The next day I had a 36-hour layover in San Francisco and I slept the entire time.

However, I rarely get sick anymore. I only have aches and pains if I haven't gone to yoga, and that's only because I can feel my body getting stiff again. It's a myth that you should take days off from exercise. People think that because when they do work out, they are usually punishing their bodies, pushing them beyond their limits, not listening when the body says to stop. Those people wake up the next day so sore they can't move and that's why they usually take a day off, unless they head back to the gym for more punishment and to beat their body into submission. Of course, that's where cramps and torn muscles happen - that's your body demanding that you stop whatever the heck it is you're doing.

But gentle physical activity (like yoga) where you honor the body and its limits can be safely done every single day and you're usually better for it. I have never felt better or healthier in my life!

Earlier this year I was on earthclinic where they have all kinds of natural remedies for what ails you and I came across apple cider vinegar. It's supposed to be a great remedy for just about everything but what caught my eye is that it's good for acne. I have suffered from hormonal acne since I was 28, which is a major drag because I never had skin problems when I was young so I never really learned how to take care of my skin. When my face exploded, I had no idea what to do. I tried everything from drugstore to expensive to prescription. All worked for a little bit but then I just ended up breaking out again. It's horrible for the self-esteem and finally I gave up and got on birth control. My skin cleared up but I always hated the idea of hormones in my body and wanted nothing more than to get off. When we decided that I would finally stop in December, I had a panic attack, knowing the skin explosion was coming and wondered how my boyfriend was going to react when my face was no longer clear.

Enter apple cider vinegar! A dash in my water bottle at work every day has cleared up my skin and kept it clear like no other expensive or cheap product ever has! I've used the Heinz and the organic and both work the exact same; I only break out when I don't do it and as soon as I start again, my face clears up! It's like magic!

The first time was hard, as drinking vinegar is incredibly unappealing - but I'll do anything for clear skin! After a while you get used to the taste, but if you don't you can add honey to the mix. Honey is a great antibacterial and you can put it straight on a pimple at night, cover it and by morning it's gone! The acidity in the vinegar balances me out on the inside and my clear skin is a testament to that. I still have some scarring from some particularly stubborn ones, but even those have faded and I don't mind going without makeup anymore.

I thought I would share because dealing with bad skin is so horrible and if I could help just one person that would be so cool!

Now, it has to be apple cider vinegar and don't drink it straight - you'll burn the crap out of your throat. I got a bit of a sore throat because I was putting too much in my water. I got excited - I thought if a dash was working, more would be even better. Nope - stick to a tablespoon or less in 16 oz. of water. I put a dash in my 32 oz. water bottle and sip on it all day. My skin is amazing and I love it!

Peace and cookies y'all!