Category Nutrition

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Who hasn’t gone through a time (especially in the summer months), when they were constantly hungry but never seemed to get satiated even after eating a full meal, snacks, etc. I can remember summers where I ate like a horse (had some sips of water throughout the day too!) and it felt like I couldn’t get full! Don’t even get me started on the consequences, a.k.a. “mystery pounds” that just seemed to show up on my stomach, thighs, and butt!

Needless to say, those were some less than happy summers, especially when you factor in me wanting to make sure I had my cuteness factor dialed up to ten, hahaha!

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Fast forward to the present and bam! Mystery solved! It’s actually true! In simple terms, your brain can misinterpret thirst for hunger. But first, let’s get a clear definition of both thirst and hunger. In his article entitled “Hunger and Thirst: Issues in the measurement of predictions of eating and drinking”, Richard Dr. Mattes gives the following: “It is first necessary to provide operational definitions of hunger and thirst. Hunger describes those sensations that promote the attainment of minimal energy needs while thirst represents sensations that promote the attainment of minimal hydration needs. ” He also goes on to mention that making the distinction between the two is one that is often made more complex due to a number of factors that feed into the “sensation” of hunger and thirst, namely, individual variability, social behaviors, and physiological attributes, symptoms, etc.

Let’s not even add to that, the constant barrage of media campaigns designed to feed (no pun intedended) and tap into our feelings of nostalgia, comfort and insecurities. These “emotional” wells have  psychological impacts are exploited by marketing campaigns for the sole purpose nudging the public into making particular food choices that are, in most instances, very poor nutritional options.

Unfortunately for a significant segment of society, one of the main consequences of this is the neat epidemic level of diabetes, heart disease and other diet related illnesses. Who would have thought that something as simple as making the distinction between thirst and hunger, could have such potentially, far reaching consequences?

I’m not saying that the, ability to make the distinction between hunger and thirst is the primary root cause or a strong enough association, with the occurences of diabetes and other diet related diseases and illnesses,  but it does give one food for thought.

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My take away from all of this? Before you fill your plate, why not try a glass or two of water and give your brain some time to catch up with your stomach?! The bottom line is that distracted eating is problematic and so is allowing your daily routine to become so busy and out of balance,  that something so basic as nutrition and health become the losers in this equation.

Fast food masquerading as “quick” healthy alternatives to mindfully  (a.k.a. foods that have no foreign additves, preservatives, etc) prepped are not beneficial to anyone in the long run.

Also, rushing through meals, not properly hydrating the body with water (rather than sodas, and drinks or beverages marketed as good substitutes for clean water), and choosing convenience over substance leads down a path that does not end well. Which brings me back to this whole issue of making the distinction between thirst and hunger; “mindless” or “distracted” eating can translate into, consuming more calories than what the body needs, snacking on empty calorie laden foods, and so forth.

Ultimately, balance is the center of it all. Good health is part and parcel of a healthy lifestyle in which self-care  (i.e. fitness,  exercise, stress management,  meditation,  mindfully eating, etc ) is viewed as a necessity rather than optional.

If you’re still feeling clues after all of “this” find out more in my holistic fitness and support tribe right here and thank me later! >>FitTribe.Holistic.Fitness.Health<<

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Tonye Tariah, Holistic Health Strategist and founder of Freedom at The Crossroads Blog, helps free women from inaction and unhealthy habits so they can get fit, healthy, and live free. Her approach is “the cookie cutter method only works for cookies,” meaning she helps each person in a unique way helps them transform their lives from the inside out. She’s not about helping you lose weight quick. She’s about changing your habits and helping you fall in love with yourself so you can live a life with pure joy.

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Healthy food choices and the struggle of sticking to them

When it comes to the holiday season, few people actively think about making healthy food choices. It’s that time of the year again and before you know it the  “Ides Of March” (my little Shakespeare reference,  hahaha) will be upon us and we’ll all be agonizing over those extra rolls we picked up over the winter months. Needless to say, that’s not all we picked up; less healthy eating, more of eating for comfort vs. eating for hunger, more sedentary vs. active, and the lists go on.

The reality for everyday people

So let’s not beat ourselves up over that stuff, rather, let’s focus on solutions that lead to results that can actually be sustained and maintained over time! When I first started my healthy lifestyle journey,  I remember being so TIRED of being sick and tired.  It seemed to be a constant battle between making healthy food choices and living! Rather than shifting my mindset, I was struggling to meet unrealistic expectations that were actually rooted in the “diet” myth After doing my own research, coaching, and personal development, I realized that a healthy lifestyle has to be sustainable!

Starting a healthy lifestyle also starts with your food choices

Making healthy food choices is actually not hard nor is it rocket science. You need a strategic plan that’s uniquely tailored to you and your lifestyle. It’s about getting educated about your food, breaking self-sabotaging behaviors, and valuing yourself enough to make the commitment.

A healthy mindset

I like to start a new season by detoxing my fridge so that I have the right “food” to go with the right “mindset” and that, equals success! Making the right nutritional choices for your health, are not that difficult to come up with nor are they unachievable. You simply have to change your mindset about what it means to be healthy and whether or not you value yourself enough to change your lifestyle. So what are some of the basic things you need to keep in mind when you’re shopping for foods that promote good health and a healthy waistline?

Getting rid of temptation and setting yourself up for success

Now some might say, “that’s easy for you to say”, and my response is, the following: guaranteed sickness, disease, and regret don’t constitute an acceptable alternative. If you want to be fit, healthy, and have a well-balanced lifestyle, you have to just do it and make the commitment, or else you will never have the energy or drive to pursue those things that make life meaningful-simple!

The pantry (and fridge) detox

It’s time to start digging through our pantries and fridges as we get into the business of throwing out those things we no longer need or want (a.k.a. detox). I’m a firm believer in keeping things simple and to the point. For any packaged food that lists ingredients I can’t pronounce (i.e. additives) or have been reduced to acronyms, I throw them out (or avoid buying them in the first place).

An easy hack for avoiding unhealthy foods in the grocery aisles

Another quick tip about labels; if you can’t pronounce the ingredient name then don’t buy it! As more research and awareness comes out, we’re finding that a lot of these “mystery” ingredients and additives are harmful. They often disrupt the bacteria in our guts or lead to unwanted reactions or side-effects. I see that as code for stuff that’s either been banned in Europe for its poor health risks or based on my own personal research about certain ingredients in our food system that are suspect (i.e. no nutritional value or haven’t been pulled by the Food and Drug Administration).

Making holiday favorites healthy

There are a lot of easy ways to make our holiday foods and recipes healthy (or healthier). We can swap out full-fat butter with olive oil (i.e. in some cake recipes) and bake instead of fry. You can also reduce the amount of processed sugar in baking by substituting this with natural alternative sweeteners. I’ve used honey, molasses, date paste, overripe bananas, etc as an alternative to processed sugar in my holiday baking recipes.

Using herbs and spices to fully season meats and veggies is a great way to cut down on salt. You get all of the flavors without the high salt content! I’m constantly experimenting with different herbs and spices in order to keep my recipes healthy without losing the traditional taste.

Before you go

I don’t know about you, but gumbo is a fall and winter favorite because it’s delicious, filling, and comforting! You can try my healthier Afro-fusion version right here. Also, here’s your FREE copy of my Pantry Detox guide and remember, “you are what you eat!” In the meantime, get educated about where your food comes from, get in theFitTribe Zone, and get moving!

About the author

Tonye Tariah, Holistic Health Strategist and founder of Freedom at The Crossroads Blog. She helps free women from inaction and unhealthy habits so they can get fit, healthy, and live free. Her belief is that “the cookie-cutter method only works for cookies”. This means that she helps each woman in a way that is unique to each woman. By doing this, she’s better able to help them transform their lives from the inside out. Her ultimate goal is to help women become healthy and empowered through the transformative self-care journey!

Okay, so everyone is talking about it; some even making huge claims about the near-miraculous benefits associated with taking copious amounts of “bone broth” and incorporating it into your daily nutrition plan. It’s time for some real talk about bone broth!

So what is it? What’s the big deal?

For those wanting a few more specifics,  the Mayo Clinic definition or term for bone broth is, that it is essentially stock derived from roasted bones (typically,  beef or chicken) which may or may not still have some meat attached. They are then cooked for 24 hours or more with the goal being to extract the gelatin from the bones as well as release the nutritious minerals contained within the bones. The final step in the preparation process is to strain the broth (and season to taste) from the bones and then season to taste.

I don’t know about you, but spicy chicken soup, pepper soup, and broths have been a mainstay in my family for years! Not only that, traditional Nigerian pepper soup (in all it’s regional iterations) has been a cure-all for years. We use it for everything from recovery from malaria to the common cold! Is the science to back it up? the jury is still out on that although there are a few studies out there that seem to suggest that there are “some” medicinal benefits to consuming bone broth.

My final thoughts

Will I be stepping out to my fave health food store to buy some bone broth or bone broth supplements? Nope! Especially when I have all the “traditional” ingredients, spices, and secret stashes (available at African food stores only, lol), in my own pantry-Boom! Any real “medicinal” properties, mostly lay in the spices themselves. These spices have everything from turmeric (a natural anti-inflammatory), curry (also contains turmeric), and nutmeg, to garlic, and so forth.

Before you go

If you really want to detox  YOUR body, start with detoxing your pantry!  After all, if your pantry is loaded with toxic crap, so will YOU! You can read more about making healthy food choices and detoxing your fridge and pantry right here.

About the author

Tonye Tariah, Holistic Health Strategist and founder of Freedom at The Crossroads Blog. She helps free women from inaction and unhealthy habits so they can get fit, healthy, and live free. Her belief is that “the cookie-cutter method only works for cookies”. This means that she helps each woman in a way that is unique to each woman. By doing this, she’s better able to help them transform their lives from the inside out. Her ultimate goal is to help women become healthy and empowered through the transformative self-care journey!

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Every day there seems to be some new toxin that we’re being exposed to in the environment; an environment that our current government seems eager to pollute even more by relaxing regulations on the fossil fuel industry, big Agri-business, etc. So what’s the alternative? Do you trust regulatory agencies to do their due diligence for you, the consumer in terms of ensuring that our food sources are secure, safe to consume, and toxin free? Or, do you become your own advocate and educate yourself about where you food choices as well as put your money where your health is?

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Every day there seems to be some new toxin that we’re being exposed to in the environment; an environment that our current government seems eager to pollute even more by relaxing regulations on the fossil fuel industry, big Agri-business, etc. So what’s the alternative? Do you trust regulatory agencies to do their due diligence for you, the consumer in terms of ensuring that our food sources are secure, safe to consume, and toxin free? Or, do you become your own advocate and educate yourself about where you food choices as well as put your money where your health is?

There are a lot of factors to consider when it comes to making choices about what “foods” we will allow into our bodies and in the bodies of our loved ones. Key among them is, “is it safe to eat?”, “is it healthy?”, and the real kicker; “can I afford it?” Now I am sure you’re asking, “what does going vegan have to do with it?” For me, going vegan is simply a spectrum of food and nutritional choices based on one’s own personal decisions and calculations predicated on the issues I mentioned earlier. Given the current state of affairs both nationally and globally (i.e. obesity, climate and environmental crisis) we owe it to ourselves, families and communities, to be proactive about our health and that of the world we live in. We no longer have the luxury of blindly buying foods based on marketing gimmicks and misinformation!

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From a healthcare standpoint alone, diets high in fruits, veggies, nuts, (i.e. Mediterranean diet, etc) or largely plant-based diets, are associated with significantly reduced occurrences of chronic disease, obesity, cancer, and so forth. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that you need to shift your diets (nutritional sources) away from processed and packaged stuff that masquerades as food.

Will it take work? Yes, but no more than usual (if you prep your meals ahead of time,  plan your meals for the week while you watch tv, etc) and your wallet will thank you! In the end, consuming fewer animal products will save you a lot of money as well as lower your chances of having to pay a visit to the both the cardiologist and oncologist sometime in the future.

I’ll let you ruminate on that info for a bit and in the meantime, ask yourself what’s holding you back from taking the right steps to bring your fitness and life in balance. Better yet, if you really want to gain back your power and get off that hamster wheel going nowhere, book a clarity call below and get up and GO!

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Tonye Tariah, Holistic Health Strategist and founder of Freedom at The Crossroads Blog, helps free women from inaction and unhealthy habits so they can get fit, healthy, and live free. Her approach is “the cookie cutter method only works for cookies,” meaning she helps each person in a unique way helps them transform their lives from the inside out. She’s not about helping you lose weight quick. She’s about changing your habits and helping you fall in love with yourself so you can live a life with pure joy.

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Food and your waistline

Why are we so obsessed with food and our waistlines? This constantly leaves me with a bevy of theories or reasons why there so many women in the U.S. and the West in general  (and to a smaller degree, other parts of the world), who seem fixated on both food and their waistlines. Why the constant battle with our food? As a fitness and health strategist with a background in biological anthropology, I can’t help but wonder if something more complex, and culturally relevant is at play in this insanity. Dare I say, misconceptions based on misinformation are at the heart of the food and waistline debate!

Some issues at play in the food and waistline debate

This problem stems in large part, from a grossly uneducated and misinformed public with regard to what constitutes basic “good” nutrition and the plethora of misinformation peddled by a large segment of the media, as well as the fast and processed food industries. Additionally, our food policies and regulatory agencies (i.e. FDA, USDA, etc) have failed to show leadership in this area. Let us get real with ourselves, our food choices are also (and in some instances, largely) driven by factors other than basic hunger (i.e. “I hunger, therefore I eat”).

Some context

Individual tastes, culture, habits, and environment, etc play a pivotal role in our food choices, and by extension, the current food-related epidemic (obesity, heart disease, etc) we are facing at both the local and national level. First, let’s revisit the basics of why we need to eat at all. We need to eat and drink (water, at the most fundamental) to live.  Food essentially equals fuel for the daily life-sustaining functions of the body at the chemical, cellular, and systemic levels.

The basics

There is no physical reason (technically speaking) why we need to eat other than to sustain life. What I’m driving at here is that outside of eating to keep the body operating at an optimum level ( regardless of age, for instance) there is no real reason to eat anything beyond what is necessary for maintaining a “healthy body”. So why do we obsess about that food and waistline? Why are we so unhealthy in terms of what we eat and how that translates into our current health issues? While I don’t claim to hold all the answers to what will arguably, require complex solutions (I’ll leave that in the capable hands of academic researchers), I do believe that an informed public is one that is healthy and empowered.

Some Major stakeholders: Fast food industry, media, and the public

Who are the big winners here? Big agribusiness and the packaged food industry argue that it is “expensive” and “unsustainable” to buy local and organic food items. Many also say that there is no “real” difference (in terms of nutritional content or quality) between organic produce and conventionally grown produce. Additionally, they often point to “research” that supports their claims. However, there is an increasing body of unbiased research that not only counters these claims but also exposes a number of the myths about the benefits of consuming organic produce vs. conventionally grown produce, food additives (i.e. dyes in processed foods, etc), and so forth. Let’s not forget the role of media in this hot mess! Mainstream media amplifies what’s wrong with our society. Skewed body images, cultural norms, etc all factor into how we relate to food.

Why you need to make educated food choices

When you add it all together, you realize it’s a cycle perpetuated by misinformation, profit, etc. Our obsession with food and waistlines hides the issues that we truly need to address in order to claim our health and wellness. Let’s also not forget that we as individuals also have some responsibilities here. In basic terms, good legislation, and policy on food safety, equity in healthy food options, as well as behavior, impact our waistlines (i.e health). As consumers, we have a stake in this too.

Final  thoughts

When you get active about your food, you reclaim your food as well as your health. Recognizing we have options is just the beginning! Want some helpful tips about detoxing your fridge and pantry? Get my pantry detox guide right here! You can also get helpful tips on food storage to help you stretch that grocery budget right here. 

once you get behind the scenes and see what’s really going on, things become easier. You can make educated choices about where your food comes from, save money on the grocery budget, etc. Plus, you won’t get caught up in fad diets, or fooled by slick marketing labels on your grocery items!

About the author

Tonye Tariah is a Holistic Health Strategist and founder of Freedom at The Crossroads Blog, as well as a podcaster and speaker. She dedicates her time to help free women from inaction and unhealthy habits so they can get fit, healthy, and live free. Her approach is “the cookie-cutter method only works for cookies,” meaning she helps each person in a unique way helps them transform their lives from the inside out. She’s not about helping you lose weight quickly. She’s about changing your habits and helping you fall in love with yourself so you can live a life with pure joy.

Why the obsession with nuts and seeds?

People often ask me why I’m so obsessed with seeds and nuts. I could rattle off a whole list about why they’re so great.  I’ve since discovered that less is more, and simplicity is worth appreciating. The fact is that we ( homo Sapiens) are at our optimal health and fitness when we adhere to a diet that is diverse and nutritionally dense. We see the truth of this from the historic and evolutionary record ( I won’t bore you with the details). Also, we see the current health crisis many in the industrialized (as well as underdeveloped nations) are facing in terms of ever-increasing numbers of diabetes, cancer, as well as autoimmune diseases resulting from processed food.

The American diet

It is no small coincidence that our dependence on so-called “quick” and “processed” foods have a strong link to the diseases and associated syndromes listed above. The bottom line is that processed foods, our dependency on them, coupled with a lack of adequate exercise, have brought us to this unhealthy state. Add to that unsustainable environmental and agricultural practices, and a grim picture begins to unfold for the human race.

What are nuts?

In simple terms, nuts can be defined as “small dry hard-shelled dry fruit or seed with a separable rind or shell and interior kernel” (Merriam-Webster Dictionary definition). A much more detailed definition is provided by the National Institutes of Health (see National Institutes of Health website). The NIH states that nuts are “nutrient-dense foods with complex matrices rich in unsaturated fatty and other bioactive compounds: high-quality vegetable protein, fiber, minerals, tocopherols, phytosterols, and phenolic compounds.” Translation? nuts make up a powerhouse store of complete nutrients (i.e. fats, fiber, carbohydrates, etc).

Some nutrition facts

All that being said, there is such a thing as too much of a good thing. While nuts are nutrient-dense, they do contain fat. That means you must balance them with other sources of vital nutrients that contain fewer calories as well as fats. The key here is “BALANCE”! Thar’s in terms of nutritional intake (i.e. amount per serving, etc) as well as a proportion of other nutrient sources. For instance, a balanced intake of nuts (and or seeds, i.e. sunflower walnuts) would be equivalent to 1/3/ cup or 1 and 1/2 oz of nuts 3-4 servings per week for a 1,600 calorie diet. For a 2,00 calorie diet, this would be 4-5 servings per week  (American Heart Association: 2013 Healthy Diet recommendations;Eckel, Robert H. et al. “2013 AHA/ACC).

About seeds

While similar to seeds in terms of nutrient content, seeds are, in simple terms, the embryonic stage of a plant housed in a protective outer shell or hull. The dietary guidelines for seeds are similar to those for nuts, but the caveat remains the same; balance, balance, balance, is the mantra we should all stick to when it comes to nutrition, health (mind-body), and fitness. Why am I pushing them? I’m a firm believer in balance and the important role it plays in our health and fitness for a healthy lifestyle. My personal experience alone has driven home the power of a well-balanced and nutrient-dense diet. Also, from a physical fitness perspective,  a poor diet will doom you to failure and injury (i.e. failing to fuel your body with what it needs for recovery and growth).

Some observations

From a female perspective, I’ve come to learn the importance of incorporating dietary balance into my daily regime. I do this to keep my body aligned as it deals with changing hormone levels, stress, and illness. While nutrition and fitness alone can’t ward off the negative impacts of illness, disease, time, etc, they are powerful strategies to help us stay healthy and whole.

Remember, getting fit and healthy requires that you first make the decision, develop a plan, and take action. For more information as well as assistance regarding how to get started on your journey, join my FitTribe of women who are getting stronger every day!

Before you go

Every day researchers are finding more benefits and uses of nuts and seeds and how we can use them to improve our overall health. You can check out more of my posts on healthy recipes right here! While nuts and seeds alone can’t cure disease, they supply a huge amount of nutrients our bodies need. Also, nuts and seeds add much-needed diversity that’s important for gut health!

About the author

Tonye Tariah, Holistic Health Strategist and founder of Freedom at The Crossroads Blog. She helps free women from inaction and unhealthy habits so they can get fit, healthy, and live free. Her belief is that “the cookie-cutter method only works for cookies”. This means that she helps each woman in a way that is unique to each woman. By doing this, she’s better able to help them transform their lives from the inside out. Her ultimate goal is to help women become healthy and empowered through the transformative self-care journey!

Life is full of challenges. If you’re truly paying attention you’ll get the sense that there is an ebb flow to this life’s journey.  When it comes to having a healthy and fulfilling life, the quality of that life is the ultimate goal. In order to fulfill your passion and potential, you must operate at your optimal physical and mental states and that all starts in the mind! Selfcare is key to a healthy lifestyle.

So what’s the good news in all of this? Well, by making yourself a priority (a.k.a. selfcare) when it comes to your fitness and health recognizing that you can’t give from an empty well or fully explore your innate potential, you are creating a pathway through which your life can begin to shift into balance. In my experience, I’ve learned that one of the most visible indicators of a life out of balance is poor health, stress, anxiety and being “stuck” (i.e. feeling trapped in a situation or state).

Other “physical” manifestations of imbalance are things like weight gain, stress and feeling overwhelmed. That’s right ladies, that ever-increasing number on your bathroom scale that makes you want to scream in frustration because you’re at that point where a simple inhalation results in an additional five pounds! Wow, been there done that, NOT buying the t-shirt again gals, lol.

So what am I getting at? What I am trying to say is that all is not lost, yes you can shed the unhealthy weight, get rid of undue stress and fatigue, etc. The real and lasting solution is to first STOP and reflect on your current state, make an honest decision (about what you need to do in order to change your state), get a plan, and take ACTION. It’s about realizing that selfcare is really healthcare.

It’s one thing to look in the mirror and gripe about weight gain and being in a rut, but it’s a whole other level of truth that makes you jump off of that “hamster wheel” going nowhere and make a serious and actionable plan to change the course of your life. For those who are wondering, I don’t claim to have all the answers, BUT I do know how to get sh*t done because I’ve literally L.I.V.E.D. that journey and I had to dig deep for the courage and aggressively grab hold of the resources necessary to achieve my fitness and health goals. An added bonus to all of that is, other areas of my life began to shift into balance as well and I’m now unlocking my power and potential for other goals for the future.

Sometimes you just have to dive in regardless of your fears or perceived limitations and barriers, otherwise, you’ll find yourself indefinitely stuck in that awful crossroads slowly losing your health, positivity, power, and potential in a death spiral. Yes, it sounds a bit melodramatic, but for anyone who knows that pain, you recognize that the struggle is real. I’ve got no illusions about how hard it can be to make that break, but once you decide, plan, and take action; the process becomes easier and the goal is in sight.

I’m both a physical and visual person, so fitness (and health) is a great way to create movement and progress toward achieving the desired goal. Getting outdoors is an excellent way to not only recharge the body and mind but it also a great way break away from the crossroads (i.e. hamster wheel). True balance comes with making selfcare a necessity rather than a priority (you deserve to be more than a number on a to-list).

A brisk walk along the beach trails, forest preserves, etc, will (if you’re like me) help you activate your mind and body to engage in something new. Remember, exercise comes in several forms and regardless of fitness level, the KEY ingredient here Is ACTION! Moving the body activates all your body systems, as well as the mind and the best gift you could ever give yourself or your family, is a healthy, strong, and positive version of yourself. I’ not saying it will not be a challenge, what I AM saying is that YOU need to invest in yourself recognize your own worth if you ever hope to have others make the same calculation. Bottom line? if you do not value yourself first, no one else will do it for you!

Find out more about how to make selfcare a priority in my exclusive FACEBOOK supportive sisterhood for women everywere at FREEDOM AT THE CROSSROADS!

About the author

Tonye Tariah, Holistic Health Strategist and founder of Freedom at The Crossroads Blog, helps free women from inaction and unhealthy habits so they can get fit, healthy, and live free. Her approach is “the cookie cutter method only works for cookies,” meaning she helps each person in a unique way helps them transform their lives from the inside out. She’s not about helping you lose weight quick. She’s about changing your habits and helping you fall in love with yourself so you can live a life with pure joy.

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Time for some skin and skincare indulgence! It all starts right here with some of my favorite goodies! I love, love, love me some DIY skincare and no, I’m not letting any of it fall out of my hands!  Ha, ha resistance is futile Y’all! But on a more serious note, I’ll always remember my mom’s constant mantra of “take care of your skin, and it will take care of you”, “what you eat shows up on your face”, yadda yadda, yadda…

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Turns out mama was right and thank God I listened! Diet, exercise, and nutrition make up the foundation for great glowy and healthy skin; so put away the gimmicks and tricks to hide the evidence of poor nutritional habits and start taking care of YOUR HEALTH! Did I mention the whole thing about diet, exercise, and nutrition? Yeah? Ok GOOD!! There is no shortcut to beautiful skin, and barring such things as hormonal changes, genetics, etc, REMEMBER: YOUR SKIN IS THE LARGEST ORGAN OF YOUR BODY, get it? Ok now let’s move on to the fun stuff.

Lately, I’ ‘ve become even more about all natural skincare and beauty items, especially DIY skincare. This is because I’m researching and learning so much more about the beauty and skincare industry as well as it’s dark side! Skincare lines that I thought or were claiming to be “all natural”, actually aren’t and I’ve become almost obsessed with it. I fully admit to being a DIY skincare freak and I’m proud of it, so there. The good news is, anyone can become a skincare freak by simply educating yourself about your health and nutrition as well as those products that act as nirvana for your particular skin type.Everybody’s skin is different in terms of sensitivities, needs, problem areas, etc.

My skincare actually starts with what’s in my pantry and If you’ve got tons of processed stuff in there you need to detox your pantry and fridge ASAP! I believe the best thing you can do for your skin is to eat tons of fresh fruits, veggies, spices, etc. Did you know that turmeric, cinnamon, avocado (all ingredients that I use in my DIY skincare, by the way) are awesome for the skin?

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I Was blessed to have a mom who believed that your skin is a reflection of your internal health and it’s also a “canvas” upon which you express yourself through makeup and attitude. So over the years, I’ve tried just about every major skincare line and their bargain brands too! I’ve learned to “evolve” on my skincare product choices based on the needs of my skin and the consistency of product integrity. Needless to say, I’ve moved away from major brands that constantly “REFORMULATE” certain products in their skincare lines; it works for them, but most of the time my skin yells “No, No, No”.

I’ve got a long list of favorites but my foundational skincare regime is made of skincare lines that use nonsynthetic natural products and are NOT constantly changing out formulas! But for the most part, I’ve learned to use my own DIY skincare secrets that nourish and enhance my skin. As a matter of fact, I recently created a yummy spiced avocado mask to soften and moisturize my skin.

I love making DIY skincare mask because I know the benefits of every single ingredient I added to it. Plus, it’s organic and infused with essential oils. You can actually watch my latest skincare video with step-by-step instructions.

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Tonye Tariah, Holistic Health Strategist and founder of Freedom at The Crossroads Blog, helps free women from inaction and unhealthy habits so they can get fit, healthy, and live free. Her approach is “the cookie cutter method only works for cookies,” meaning she helps each person in a unique way helps them transform their lives from the inside out. She’s not about helping you lose weight quick. She’s about changing your habits and helping you fall in love with yourself so you can live a life with pure joy.

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