greetings friends!!

I suffered from moderate to severe acne for nearly 6 years. I have felt hopeless, depressed, suicidal, and deeply emotionally and physically distressed due to the condition which seemed to have plagued me -- and no one else I knew -- for years.

I bought hundreds of products promising clear skin, took a shower each day (often 2 showers a day), been to the dermatologists only to be put on rounds of antibiotics and retin-A, gotten embarrassing facials where the aesthetician spent a half an hour poking and prodding clogged pores until she left scars (then she charged me a great deal of money) and I have spent even more money trying to cover my acne with toxic chemicals in make-up.

this experience has taught me to have SO much compassion -- for myself and other people whose ailments are a byproduct of a sick society that champions unhealthy food, a sterilized environment, prescription medications which only treat the symptoms of these ailments (instead of getting to the root of the problem), and the seeking of satisfaction through objects and material wealth.

I am here to tell you that after much trial and error I have found something that has proven more effective than any possible over the counter product I have ever used. this is a total lifestyle change.

NOTE: please take from this post only what resonates with you. it is my intuition and researching which has brought me to these conclusions. please research for yourself and you will most certainly find that acne is a sign from your body! your body is trying to convey to you that something is going awry in there, and typically it is because you are being overloaded with toxins, negative thoughts, and an over sterilized environment.

the importance of gut bacteria

good gut bacteria = good health. lately, many people have been talking about probiotics (good bacteria) which can reseed your gut with bacteria to fight the "bad guys." our bodies mainly consist of various strains of bacteria which -- depending on whether or not you are providing an environment promoting good bacteria -- are meant to have a symbiotic relationship with our bodies.

The problem with the antibiotics that doctors, dermatologists, and ultimately the very profitable pharmaceutical companies spoon-feed us anytime we have a problem are indiscriminate of which bacteria they kill. they wipe out the bad AND the good guys, and leave the host (us!) more susceptible to immunity issues, disease, and yes... even more skin issues.

you can take a probiotic supplement, but it is best to get those yummy, healing, powerful gut bacteria through traditionally fermented foods such as sauerkraut, kimchi, kombucha, milk and water kefirs, etc.

organic, gmo-free eating

I have found that what I put in my body everyday matters! it is not only pizza, fried foods, or chocolate that can cause acne (though these can, because they are highly processed and full of toxins). after switching to an all-organic diet, and even eating foods that would be deemed devoid of nutrients (chips and salsa was a staple for me because it was so cheap!) my skin and digestion improved.

SO many pesticides are chilling on the conventionally grown fruits and veggies in the grocery store. coupled with environmental toxins, these pesticides can't all be filtered through the body without adverse effects. what you consume everyday has the biggest effect. the food, water, and air you consume affect you mentally, physically, and emotionally

note: I do champion organic food, but if it was grown in a one-crop (monoculture) system, it has probably been grown in poor soil conditions. this is due to the tilling (or turning over) of the soil in order to easily plant seeds in the bare soil. for those who have a green thumb and some room in their backyard to play with, start your own garden! it is fun, easy, and certainly beneficial to get out in the sunshine and soak up some wonderful vitamin D rays.

permaculture

even better solution some of you may be into: try to find permaculture farms in your area or better yet -- start planting fruit trees and perennial plants in a polyculture format in your yard. Polyculture -- as opposed to the monoculture -- increases the immunity of plants and trees by setting it up with plants that will fix nitrogen, deter unwanted pests, supply nutrients to heavy feeding trees, etc. research permaculture! it is truly a blessing and can help reduce the food insecurity present in modern society.

the importance of water

I have discovered water is mega important too. not just the amount you drink, but the quality. try to find a spring in your area and get pure, living water -- filtered by nature. the vast majority of our water (in cities, any way) is chlorinated by water treatment plants. it is contains chlorine because the aim is to kill all bacteria which may be living in the water. of course, this also kills our delicate gut bacteria. unless you have a really good water filter, it is probably not filtering out the chlorine in the water. aim for fresh, pure, living spring water found locally, and preferably not packaged in toxic plastic.

I think it's also important to note that distilled water makes me feel sluggish because it is essentially dead water. it has been heated to high temperatures and de-mineralized. your body needs those precious minerals to thrive! which brings me to my next point...

salt is supreme

contrary to popular belief, of course. BUT ya gotta get the right kind of salt. table salt is unhealthy because it is processed and thus devoid of those essential nutrients present in something like Himalayan pink salt or sea salt. Himalayan pink salt has been my saving grace... it has so many minerals and electrolytes to help get the body to an optimal state.

.

vitamins and suppplements

synthesized vitamins, created in laboratories around the world, have never had a positive effect on me. I have felt nauseous even after taking them with heavy meals, which is generally recommended to reduce nausea. what your body wants and needs are whole foods -- fruits, vegetables, herbs, nuts, seeds, beans, eggs, saturated fats such as coconut oil, and sparingly some grass fed meats (all organic of course, and try to eat lots of raw food too!)

personal hygiene

in the case of showers -- I always thought you needed at least one a day to be clean. I would run the water on hot for about 15 minutes, vigorously washing my face and body with toxic chemical products given to me by corporations who are ultimately trying to make a buck. this worsened the problem. you body absorbs the chlorinated water through your pores, and the heat gives rise to chloroform particles which are definitely unhealthy for any human body.

I have switched to washing only with safe, non-toxic, organic soap (check out Dr. Bronner's soap company!!) I take "military showers" by getting my body wet, turning off the water, washing with Dr. Bronners, and then rinsing. It has had a wonderful effect of the vitality of my skin and my immune system. (bonus: you can use Dr. Bronner's to wash your laundry and dishes and skip out on those toxic liquids which are bombarding your precious bod with toxins)

make-up

when I stopped wearing make-up my skin definitely improved. it was difficult in the beginning, because I was so self-conscious, but I realized that each and every person has an insecurity given to them by the brainwashing society who set up the circumstances for this delusional way of thinking. health is wealth. kindness and generosity is strength. peace, bliss, and a heaven on earth are attainable when one ditches the judgmental, individualistic mentality given to us by some corporations who are profiting from our insecurities. you are beautiful in your own skin.

fasting

I have done mono-fruit fasts, juice fasts and water fasts and found them all excellent. these detox methods are for those who want to reboot their systems and heal their ailments. water fasts in particular take support and willpower. if you do not have this kind of support, please e-mail me and I will explain more about my fasting experiences and the wonderful effect they have had on my body -- especially my skin.

the power of positivity

overall, a positive outlook on life is essential to healing any ailment. meditation, listening to enlightened masters ({LINK REMOVED}), and respecting each and every living thing I encounter (with no judgement, no jealousy, no anger) has given me a beautiful peace. we are all in observation of this glorious miracle called existence! you are all divine, all beautiful, and all miracles. if you feel hopeless, angry, or upset, just observe those emotions... do not try to push them away. allow them to be there. be present and kind, as if you were with a child undergoing a temper tantrum. what you spend mental or physical energy trying to push away only perpetuates the problem. energy flows where attention goes.

too: I have learned to thank my negative past experiences, including my skin, because without them.... I wouldn't have been able to appreciate and feel gratitude for the positive experiences! and I wouldn't feel the dimension of compassion and kindness so deeply and fully.

You are all brave and truly the healers of this generation, if you allow yourself to listen to your body -- to the higher wisdom instilled in each and every one of your cells. I feel that everyone would benefit from these (and many other) positive practices where one values their body as the greatest instrument they will ever know.

peace, love, + fresh, organic produce to you all,

young sprout