A Rare Moment

Yearning for time for myself, I did something different this morning. Instead of the usual routine of making breakfast, putting away dishes, and turning on the morning news, I decided to try something new.

I made myself a hot cup of tea and waited for the sun to rise. I closed my eyes and took in 10 deep breaths, focusing on the energy going in through my nose and out through my mouth (Thanks Bikram Yoga!). I repeated my affirmations (Something new I am trying). I said all the things I was grateful for in my life right now (I should do this every day!).

Pure Julia time. No obligations. No looking at the list of things to do. The dishes could wait. I wasn't hungry yet. CJ and Christopher were still asleep. I was making myself a priority and making time for me.

I've always been able to carve time for myself whether it was to paint my nails, read a fashion magazine or watch a TV show uninterrupted. Today, I was slowing things down...way, way down. I can honestly say I lived in the moment.

I was just...being.

Oil Pulling

I'm a girl who loves to try anything once. There's no exception when it comes to healthy living. Earlier this year, I learned about oil pulling. It sounded so odd and weird, but noticed several celebrities who swore by it. I had coconut oil in the pantry and gave it a go.

What is oil pulling?

It's an ancient Indian practice that consists of swishing oil (vegetable-based like coconut, sesame and olive) around your mouth for 20 minutes. The swishing helps pull the bad bacteria and traps it in the oil. Timing is important as 20 minutes is long enough to pull the toxins, yet short enough that the toxins don't go back into your body. Then, you spit it out in the trash and rinse your mouth with warm water (do not spit it out in the sink as it can clog your pipes).

Benefits

• Whiter teeth
• Reduce plaque/gingivitis
• Get rid of bad breath
• Strengthen teeth and gums
• Helps with allergies, asthma, eczema

Final verdict? 
I tried it for 3 months and re-started it recently.  Whiter teeth, shinier teeth, fresh breath and helped with digestion. I don't know if bacteria really is being pulled into the oil, but it's not harmful. I may not do this every day, but I'll definitely be continuing this.


Resources:
http://www.oilpulling.com/

http://wellnessmama.com/7866/oil-pulling-for-oral-health/