Wellness – World of Soraya

Detox Your Laundry

Rozi Soraya — Tue, 19 Jan 2021 00:53:42 +0000

Photo Credit: The Laundress

Laundry and I have a love/hate relationship. I love jumping into bed to nice, warm, fresh sheets that smell like lavender and just heaven. However, I hate doing laundry. It is definitely not one of my favorite chores lol. Some people find it therapeutic. My forms of therapy include organization and closet clean outs. With any chore or task, I try to make it as enjoyable and health conscious as possible. With my many allergies, I like to keep my products as clean and simple as possible. Below are some of my favorite all natural laundry products and my favorite scents!

xx
RSE

Photo Credit: The Laundress

The Laundress is one of my absolute favorite companies to shop all laundry products. I pretty much have their entire line. I love the scents they have, especially their new collab with Le Labo! Their signature scent smells so lovely, like a combination of jasmine, sandalwood, lilies, and fresh citrus. All their products are eco-conscious and easy to use without harsh chemicals, pro-planet and less plastic and never tested on animals. I also am obsessed with how they have specific formulas for different types of garments, like detergents for darks, whites and even denim! I also use their sports detergent on all my athletic clothing since I workout a lot! I truly love their story and all their products!
Shop them below.

Photo Credit: The Laundress

Here are some other products I love using and the scents I usually buy them in.

New Year, Clean Start

Rozi Soraya — Fri, 08 Jan 2021 21:58:56 +0000

Happy New Year! I can’t believe it is 2021. As slow and as tough 2020 was, it also flew by so fast. One of the ways I like to reset is always freshening up my space. Anyone who knows me knows I LOVE organizing and cleaning. It truly does make me feel so at peace and happy. I do believe that your mindset and mood have so much to do with your surrounding space. If your home and office is cluttered, it can’t be the easiest place to work or find peace. When I wake up to an organized, clean room and home, it automatically makes me relaxed and in a great mood.

The new year is a perfect time to tackle any room or area that you have been putting off. I like to also update and redecorate certain areas, which makes your home feel like you are giving it a little facelift. My tip would be to take one area at a time as a project or else it can get overwhelming. Dedicate one room for the week and do everything from declutter the space, deep clean, organize and decorate!
The kitchen and pantry are probably my favorite places. I tend to pull everything out and reorganize a lot. It has become my stress reliever! lol. I also love making sure my closet is organized and easy to navigate. This makes picking out outfits much easier.

I listed some products and items I use in my home that help me organize and declutter! I will be doing a follow up post with all my favorite household items, which you can also shop on my Amazon storefront: https://www.amazon.com/shop/influencer-c38e0d56
Comment below for any product suggestions you may need for your home.
I promise these small moves will get your year off to a great start and a fresh new space! Wishing everyone a better, safer and happy year ahead filled with lots of peace, love and light!

xx
RSE

I Tried It: Sakara Level 2 Detox Review

Rozi Soraya — Sun, 03 Nov 2019 17:32:36 +0000

The word detox doesn’t exactly sound fun, which is why I was nervous to try this, especially with the title “LEVEL TWO detox”….sort of wanted to start with a PREGAME detox. I haven’t done a detox or cleanse in a VERY long time, so I felt like I was overdue. I decided to commit to this program and just sign up so there was no looking back. My biggest fear was the fact that I couldn’t have coffee for 5 days. I am a coffee addict (cut down to about 3 a day, so you can imagine what I had before). I knew the withdrawals and migraines would be painful to say the least, but I wanted to prove to myself that I could actually do this. Instead of writing a review at the end, when I would be feeling great (as I am now), I journaled everyday on the detox to give the most honest review. Below is my journal as well as my overall review at the bottom! Comment below if you have done this detox and what your experience was like!

Photo Courtesy of Sakara

Night Before

Excited/Nervous. My whole detox kit arrived yesterday night (looked so cute and chic). Read my little pamphlet that gives you lots of info on how to go about each day, how you will be feeling, side effects, and a brief explanation of what this detox exactly is.

This detox is semi intense. It was not meant to be a weight loss solution (even though you of course lose weight!) but a total body reset. Sakara teamed with functional medicine doctor, Dr. Aviva Romm, to create this plant based detox, which follows Sakara’s pillar of nutrition and foundation of the company, but also an intense cleanse to temporarily eliminate common dietary inflammation triggers and release years of toxic build up. It also was designed to reboot the metabolism and heal the gut.

Just like Sakara’s Signature Program, this detox eliminates:

meat | dairy | gluten | refined sugar | pesticides | harmful chemicals | GMOs | toxins

but goes a step further to eliminate:

all sugar (including fruit) | nuts | soy | nightshades (white potatoes, bell peppers, eggplant, tomatoes, chili peppers) | alcohol | caffeine

The process of this level 2 detox is to:

CLEANSE: eliminate inflammatory foods & reducing chronic stress

BURN: ketosis (burn stored fat as energy)

RESTORE: replenish beneficial gut bacteria and heal the gut lining.

This all sounded lovely to me, but actually doing it was another story. The detox kit also came with your daily supplements, digestion teas, and a dry brush, to be used twice daily.

Day One

I made it through Day One and it was NOT easy. I felt so odd in the morning waking up and not having my morning latte. I almost did not know what to do with myself. I downed 16 oz of water with 2 dropperfuls of the Beauty Concentrate and had my digestive tea instead included in my detox kit. I did a dry brush sesh and rinsed off as instructed. I was killing it. Then I had to eat Breakfast….

Photo Courtesy of Sakara

The first breakfast was tough for me. It was a ROOT VEGGIE DETOX. The meal was actually delicious! However I usually do something sweet or light in the mornings with my coffee (think oatmeal, parfait, fruit, healthy carb etc), so having pure veggies with aioli sauce was hard because I just don’t crave that type of foods first thing when I wake up. I managed to finish it but it was a struggle. It was honestly yummy and if that was for lunch, I would have devoured it. I also took my morning supplements!

I had another round of digestive tea and then the headache came. I usually am on coffee #2 by now, so my body definitely went into shock. Fast forward to lunch time and it was a full blown migraine. Lunch was cabbage dumplings with healing broth. This wasn’t my favorite honestly, but it wasn’t bad at all. Let’s just say I was starving. I drank my coconut kefir after lunch which helped my sweet tooth (I ALWAYS have some sort of sweet, a healthy one, but something with my afternoon coffee). I was dreading the rest of the day because I knew all I had left was Medicinal Broth for dinner.

Dinner: Medicinal Broth.

Mood: BYE.

Day Two

My head is about to explode. I have literally no energy and this is rough. The struggle is real. Just finished breakfast which was a Cinnamon Chia Detox Parfait….thank God something sweet at least! The parfait was yummy and more along the lines of what I usually eat for breakfast, but my lack of coffee is hitting my hard. Had my tea, downed my water, took my supplements, but honesty no energy at alllll.

I usually drink about 60 oz of water a day, so this is not new for me to be hydrating, but I am trying to up it to 80 oz while on this detox.

Lunch: Zucchini & Jicama Noodles with Superfood Falafels
Snack: Coconut Kefir (love!)
Dinner: Medicinal Broth

Now it is around 9pm. I tried to keep myself busy today so I did not have to constantly remind myself of food or lack of coffee. I wasn’t so much hungry as I was tired. I went to my office, but honestly wasn’t so productive because I was so sluggish I couldn’t focus. I went to a pumpkin patch tonight which was fun and took my mind off of things, but it also was a struggle! They recommend you rest A LOT during this detox because your body is working hard. I understand why now.

Lunch Day 2: Zucchini & Jicama Noodles with Superfood Falafels

Day Three

Today my migraines seemed a bit better or maybe I just got used to it. I don’t ever take Tylenol or any sort of medications, so I definitely did not want to start on this detox. My energy however seems to be increasing and I feel a good switch in my detox today.

Breakfast was tough because it was a “Magic Mushroom Detox”. I had trouble swallowing this, but somehow seemed to finish it. I downed a lot of water to help with my hunger and made sure I was hydrated.

I had a light work schedule today and one event I had to go to, so it kept me busy enough without over exerting energy.

Lunch was a Rainbow Kitchari with Chia Tortillas. This meal was not my favorite, but not the worst. I was REALLY hungry so it felt good to eat. I also was getting ready for the following day which would be all liquids, so I knew I should be eating all my main meals today. My coconut kefir drinks really were a life saver because it killed my sweet tooth.

I had my medicinal broth before I left to meet my best friend who was in town for dinner. It was EXTREMELY difficult not to eat or drink at the restaurant when all the girls were! It really is a mental strength and toughness you are building, while detoxing.

Day Four: ALL LIQUIDS

I feel like today is going to be tough because it is straight liquids so I am trying to mentally prep. I am also going to the J Balvin concert tonight, which I am SO excited for because he is one of my favorite Latin singers. I just wish I wasn’t on this detox for it, (not just so I can drink) but hopefully I have enough energy especially on ALL LIQUID DAY.

Took my probiotics, had my tea, and downed my beauty water.

On the menu for breakfast today is a Morning Green Detox Blend. Super yummy! It tasted exactly like a green smoothie I have all the time anyways, but I am still hungry!
I have a beauty event to go to so I’m hoping that keeps my mind off of my hunger. I have been drinking so much water today too to hydrate!

Lunch consisted of an Alkalizing Carrot Ginger Soup. I loved this soup and it was actually really filling. I’m started to realize today I have actually felt more full than any other day, even though it is all liquids. I think my stomach has adjusted to smaller meals and portions.

Snack: Coconut Kefit & another Green Detox Blend

I drank my snacks on my way to the concert and kept the green detox blend for the concert, so I would have something to sip on. I honestly wasn’t hungry at all and felt great! The concert was so fun (even though I wish I could have turned up with the girls).

Dinner: Medicinal Broth (kind of getting tired of this broth!)

Day 5: FINAL DAY!

I made it! I can’t say these five days have gone by quickly because it definitely was tough, but waking up today felt so good! Yesterday and today I felt the difference. i totally felt that my body was cleansed and had so much energy. I woke up feeling refreshed. My coffee migraines were gone and I woke up not needing some espresso, which was so odd but amazing. Today’s final menu is below. I can’t say I will quit drinking coffee because I genuinely love the taste vs the caffeine, but I wanted to prove to myself that I can do this. This final day of meals is super important to transition to your regular eating.

Breakfast: Sunshine Squash Protein Frittata
Lunch: Cauliflower & White Bean Burger
Snack: Coconut Kefir
Dinner: Detox Macro Bowl

I was skeptical at first and nervous trying this detox because it seemed intense and everyone knows Im a foodie. I’ve done a juice cleanse before a long time ago, which I absolutely hated. However, I think a detox is more than just cleansing your body. It is also so great for you mentally and to build strength. It feels so good on your final day when you know you have achieved something, and of course you get amazing results of cleansing your body of all toxins, caffeine, alcohol etc. My morning coffee is not something I need as bad now, but more something I enjoy. I really loved this Sakara detox because you incorporate real meals filled with nutrients and superfoods, unlike juice cleanses. It trains your stomach. I would recommend this detox for anyone looking for a boost in their health. I definitely will be doing this detox once every 4 months.

Let me know if you guys try this and what your thoughts are!

Bedtime Hacks-Hi Sleepyhead

Pink Shark — Mon, 14 Oct 2019 23:17:40 +0000

Anyone who knows me knows how much I love to sleep. What’s better than a full night’s beauty sleep, power nap, or snuggling in your warm cozy bed? Not much…besides food and maybe a couple other things lol… Anyways, I have my night routine and I’m always looking for little things to enhance my sleep to be as peaceful as possible. This includes meditation, wellness rituals and even hair and skin products. I’ve listed some products I use and routines below that have become nightly staples for me. Let me know if you try any products below and how you love it!

xx
RSE

My Daily Supplements

Rozi Soraya — Thu, 18 Jul 2019 22:11:57 +0000

Before taking any vitamins and supplements, it is important to talk to your doctor, as everyone’s body is completely different. Over the years, I have tried so many different vitamins and supplements and as well as done tons of research. You kind of figure out what works best for you, depending on your health gaps. I am a big believer on all things natural and preferably vegan when taking vitamins and supplements. I don’t even take Advil, so if you see me pop one, you know I am in excruciating pain! I have a super sensitive body and prefer to take things as clean and with the most simple ingredients as possible. Plus with my many allergies, it took me awhile to find the right ones, so I wanted to share with you! Below are the vitamins/ supplements I take daily and the ones I try to incorporate into my routine when I need a little pick me up!

Coconut-Based MCT Oil
This is great on a Keto diet, which is the diet I do the most. MCTs are a type of fat that help your body reach ketosis-the process which your body burns fat for energy. I use this Premium MCT Oil and put a tablespoon in my coffee every morning.

Ora Organic Supplements
I’m obsessed with Ora! I take several of their supplements and after trying many vegan supplements, these work best for me. The team is also so friendly and helpful! They will walk you through and figure out which supplements work best for you. Below is what I take daily from Ora. Check out their website as well because they have so many more supplements I can’t wait to try.

Photo Courtesy of Ora Organics

“Trust Your Gut” Vegan Probiotics with Prebiotics: I love that these have prebiotics in the capsules as well. Probiotics help manage your gut health, immune functions, as well as being acid-resistant. Prebiotics serve as the fuel for probiotics and keep good bacteria in your gut thriving. These also help with mood balance, hair and skin, and help fight against pathogens. I take these on an empty stomach every morning.

Photo Courtesy of Ora Organics

“You’re Golden” Organic Turmeric Curcumin Pills: It is so important for turmeric pills to have curcumin and black pepper in them, because it enhances absorption. Turmeric, in my opinion, is the best thing to help inflammation and the only thing that truly helps me. It also supports joint stress and cardiovascular health. It’s great for bloating and anyone who suffers from inflamed stomachs. I take these on an empty stomach every morning.

Photo Courtesy of Ora Organics

“Appley Ever After” Organic Apple Cider Vinegar Pills: ACV helps your body detox from unwanted toxins. Some people prefer to take an ACV liquid supplement (which I used to do), however I prefer these pills so much more. It is easier to take and you don’t have to mix with anything or deal with that ACV taste! Plus taking pills prevents erosion of tooth enamel from acetic acid when you take it in liquid form. I love that these pills also have organic milk thistle and lemon, which are high in antioxidants. I take two tablets with lunch.

Photo Courtesy of Sephora

HUM “Red Carpet” Skin & Hair Supplement: I love these vegan supplements! They have vitamin E and antioxidants to help support glowing skin and shiny hair. It also helps minimize pores and prevent wrinkles. I’m obsessed with these. It almost gives you a head to toe glow from within. The main ingredients in these supplements are black currant seed oil and sunflower seed oil.

Photo Courtesy of Ritual Vitamins

Ritual Vitamins: After doing LOTS of research, I decided to try Ritual multivitamins. I like that they’re vegan, organic, and apart from all other popular women’s multivitamin, they have only 9 essential ingredients, which are folate, omega-3, vitamin b12, vitamin d3, iron, vitamin k2, boron, vitamin e, and magnesium. Ritual is passionate about giving you only what your body needs, the necessary amounts and nothing extra. They have a no-nausea capsule design and of course no synthetic fillers or colorants. So far, I love them and can already feel a difference. Their mission is to create a stronger foundation for better health.

CLEAN Beauty Products

Pink Shark — Fri, 28 Jun 2019 21:29:42 +0000

I have always been pretty good about skincare, especially wearing sunscreen. My mama taught me from a young age to protect and take care of my skin, but I feel like this past year I have really amped up my skincare routine to a new level. I have never had problematic skin, but I definitely have sensitive skin with a lot of allergies, so I have tried to switch out all my products to be CLEAN. When I say clean, it means these products are formulated WITHOUT the following: Sulfates SLS and SLES, parabens, formaldehydes, formaldehyde-releasing agents, phthalates, mineral oil, retinyl palmitate, oxybenzone, coal tar, hydroquinone, triclosan, triclocarban. All skincare, hair, and usually less than 1% of synthetic fragrances.

Being conscious of what you are putting on your skin is just as important as what you are eating! I am not saying these products or brands will work with everyone’s skin, but below are my favorites I have all the time. I have normal to oily skin, so I tend to lean towards oil free based products and those that are meant to for oily complexions. Each brand has products targeted for each type of skin.

Drunk Elephant, Tatcha, Sunday Riley and Caudalie are by far my favorites! Sephora also has a “CLEAN” category, so you know you are safe when you see the green checkmark next to products. Let me know your favorite clean beauty products or if you have tried any of the below!