RBNfeature: #WCW: Lesley Rubinoff, CNP (Montreal counterpart)

 Happy #WCW - Woman Crush Wednesdays people!

To recognize this fine day and all of the great women - We are going to add in some female highlights, features, guest blogs and more bi-monthly on Wednesdays! 

Our first female up is Lesley Rubinoff, CNP, NNCP.  We met last year over social media and are now in talks about how we can be each others Toronto & Montreal counterparts.  Leslie will also be guest writing to keep us in the loop all things French, health and food!

Today Lesley is sharing her top 3 essential oils, a bit about herself and as always a delightful smoothie (we love making new ones)!... take it away woman..

 #WCW number one: Lesley Rubinoff CNP. NNCP

As a certified Holistic Nutritionist and in practice for the past 5 years, my soul purpose in life is to change the lives of others, to educate, to inspire, to motivate and to be a leader in the dynamic field of wellness.  I believe everything I have gone through has put me where I am today, I am the reason others change their lives, because I am an example. I have the knowledge and the tools to enable others to take control of their lives. My journey into all of this started with me!

2015 was a really rough year for me, I went from high and thriving to the bottom of the barrel. It was at that lowest moment that a friend had reached out to me and introduced me to the power of essential oils. Even as a holistic practitioner, I wasn't sold on the idea of essential oils, I was skeptical. However, I started to use the oils and things for me started to change.  My mood enhanced, I was able to quiet my mind and shut it down so I could sleep, my hormones balanced, my blood sugars balanced, I was able to concentrate and focus and my body started to detoxify. I noticed the glow in my skin returned, I was sleeping better then I ever had, waking up rested and ready to conquer the world, my food cravings subsided and my metabolism seemed to ramp up. My body truly came into balance. Recently, I had a completely random severe allergic reaction; I used a combination of 3 oils, which acted as a powerful all-natural antihistamine. Automatically cooling down my body, reducing the inflammation and calming me down. I believe there is an essential oil that can benefit everyone. It is important to only use certified pure therapeutic grade essential oils CPTG.

My top 3 favorite essential oils

*All 3 of these oils server multipurpose, here are a few ideas.

Lavender

Calming – Reduces anxiety and stress, calms the mind, a few drops on the temples, bottom of the feet, neck and wrist or even directly on your pillow.

Insect bites - Put a drop of Lavender oil on a bee sting or insect bite to stop itching reduce swelling.

Nauseas or motion sickness -Alleviate the symptoms of motion sickness, place a drop of Lavender oil on end of tongue, behind the ears or around the navel.

Cuts – Put a drop of lavender oil on cut to stop bleeding, clean wound, and kill bacteria.

Lemon

Detoxifying- To every 4 oz of water add 1 drop of lemon oil for a natural body cleansing of your liver, kidneys, and digestive system.  Also helps boost metabolism.

Heart burn- Add three drops of lemon to water to help reduce heartburn and acid indigestion.

WE LOVE LEMON!

Disinfectant - Add Lemon oil to a spray bottle of water to clean tables, countertops, and other surfaces. Kills germs and bacteria.

Congestion - Can help clear congestion in the respiratory tract as it contains cooling, anti-histamine and anti-inflammatory properties. Add 2 -3 drops to your drinking water.

Peppermint

Headaches - Use one drop or peppermint oil and massage into each temple for instant headache relief

Mental alertness and Concentration- Put 2 drops in the palms of you hands and inhale, peppermint oil powerfully affects and improves mental clarity and raises energy levels.

 

Post work out- Use 1-2 drops of peppermint on the back of your neck to instantly cool down the body post work out. Runners can add a drop to each shoe to help keep your feet cool.

Digestion – 1 -2 drops under the tongue or applied topically to stomach can help ease digestion

Chocolate Peppermint Smoothie

(gf, vegan) 

Ingredients

• ½-1 frozen banana
• 1 cup non-dairy milk (almond or hemp)
• 1-2 handfuls of spinach
• 2 Tbsp. dried coconut flakes
• 2 drops peppermint essential oil
• 3 Tbsp. cacao powder

* optional 1 scope favourite protein powder

Feel free to contact me regarding essential oils!   

**Special for RBN READERS, Lesley will offer free 10 minute consultations and enter anyone who contacts me in a draw for a free bottle of one of my 3 favourite oils!!!

As I always say, be happy , be healthy , be inspired. 

EMAIL:

lesleymr@gmail.com

___________________________________________________________________

Thanks Lesley and stay tuned darlings, have a great new recipe on the blog this week!  

xoxo

rbn  

The REAL reason why I went to school for Holistic Nutrition ***SOME IMAGES MAY BE DISTURBING

Lately I've been asked how I found my way into Nutrition.

I have two versions of MY story - Both of which are completely TRUE: I've always been obsessed & around food, travel & wellness thanks to my parents.  In & out of the food industry for 10+ years as a server, bartender, GM, events, food writer, caterer etc etc..  Left FASHION (model/stylist) and then went back to school....

The TRUEST version includes a part that I don't share with many & have kept it pretty secret until today.  Why am I sharing this now - Well after filling in a few people over the last year - the response seemed that its a story of MY healing, makes my path more open & vulnerable which could help others down the road OR inspire more people to turn to natural healing!

So here is the mini missing link..

A few years ago in the summer of 2010 I was unfortunately in a chemical explosion of sorts - for this purpose I'm not going to mention names or location for privacy & really has no purpose to the story. 

The explosion found its way into my path - burning my face, neck & arms from 1st degree to 3rd.  I was rushed to the hospital (in shock so I'm told) and had to have a chemical wash & infection prevention.  I remember none of this.  I woke up the next day not actually aware of what had happened the night before.  It was oh so painful and sore.  The doctors had me on a "cocktail" of prescription drugs for pain, infection, immune & more.  I was taking up to 10 pills per meal (which was soup because of my mouth being burned) & was covered in gauze - quit my job & was on house arrest for weeks... which ended up being months.

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This is roughly a week or two after it happened.  Not impressed as you can tell.

It sound weird but I was worried about my eyebrows growing back weird LOL.

Anyway...after weeks of healing and my skin finally feeling better - I had a reaction to what I believe to be one of the pills I was on.  My eyes we're swollen shut, skin covered in red/white bumps and mouth was swollen.  I went to the doctors and they simply said to take a anti-histamine (which I already had and had made things worse - I was allergic again!).  I explained that I had & they refused to offer any more advice and simply said "we don't what it is but will most likely clear up in 2-4 weeks, until then stay on all medications".  WTF!  Are you kidding me?  Deciding this was no longer working for me - I STORMED out (For those of you who know me - I have perfected my storming out!) of the doctors ranting that this was BS and completely unacceptable treatment/lazy ...


The next morning I bought a giant ALOE plant from my local market (at night because I wasn't allowed in daylight/sun for 1 year because of the new skin) & stopped taking ALL of the pills!

Starting to HEAL!

SAD face.

 

The beginning of the infection/rash. 

If you can believe it - within 4 days the rash was starting to clear up, my eyes we're open-ish, and was starting to feel hopeful again! 

THE POINT of this story: Natural & alternative healing (the aloe) opened my eyes about a new way of approaching health & wellness.  I had always believed in whole foods, wellness, natural skincare BUT now herbal medicine & healing was my new obsession.  I needed and wanted to learn MORE!  The next year - after properly healing - I enrolled at IHN - The Institute of Holistic Nutrition - wanting to LEARN and SHARE - and the rest as they say is history!

I hope this helps you in any way or at least opens your mind to alternatives to Modern Medicine...



Email me if you have any questions!  #askme 
Like my RachelBies Nutrition page on FB OR follow us on Instagram for Recipes, Wellness & Health Tips and more!

xoxo
rbn.

*This is not meant to take away from people living with disease, auto-immune etc - that we're in my class & field, merely my small story to inspire & help people choose more natural options rather then pharmaceuticals, processed foods, etc. 

Sexy FOODS! Get your best skin & groove on with these foods!!!

Happy TUESDAY everyone!

  For our loyal followers - you saw how fun our last trip was!  Home safe and sound and next weeks blog will feature another RBN Travels highlighting local produce, restaurants, snacks and more from BC - Calgary!  Plus RBN Mobile KItchen will be cooking with all the fine local seafood and produce...Mmm.  

 

Anyway... Today's post is all about sexy hair, skin and life!  Delicious and approachable ingredients that will make you radiant from the inside out!

** Follow me on my instagram account for adventure snippets!

 

10 Super Foods for Sexy Skin, Hair & Life

Blueberries: 

Tons of antioxidants, and can prevent premature aging.  Try incorporating ½ daily when in season or ½ frozen into your smoothies and oatmeal. Promote collagen production.

Eat pretty with this delicious & versatile fish!

Wild Salmon (not farmed): 

 Is a great way to increase your intake of Omega 3 fatty acids, which keeps your skin supple and moisturized.  Salmon also has selenium, which protects your skin from sun exposure and vitamin D, which helps keep your teeth and bones nice and strong!

*RBN Tip: Bake in foil with roasted lemon & herbs, bbq with miso & lime or pan sear with dry rub!

 Spinach (dark leafy’s):   

Greens are loaded with nutrients, antioxidants and lutein, which makes and keeps your eyes bright and healthy.  Greens are a great source of vitamin B, C, E (great for skin) and potassium.  

*RBN Tip: Throw into salads, soups, stirfry's and smoothies to pump up nutrition and benefits! 

All delicious - the more bitter, the better for digestion. Better for digestion, better for SKIN!

Walnuts:   

Powerfood, throw into your salads, oatmeal or just a handful daily will promote brain health, bright eyes and vibrant skin! 

*RBN Note: Ever notice that walnuts look like our brains - crazy right!

Be still my HEART.

High quality dark chocolate:   

Mmm.  Keeps skin hydrated, a source of antioxidants and protects from sun damage.  Not milk chocolate though, should be 70% cacao to reap all these benefits.  Great to share with a special someone.

Yogurt:   

Full of protein, calcium and healthy bacteria, which will help your teeth, bones and nails look ravishing! Throw into your smoothies for a no hassle dose.

Sweet Potatoes:  

 Dense source of beta-carotene (signature orange colour), which is a powerful antioxidant that fights against premature aging!  

Feed each other some sexy baked fries!

 *RBN Tip: Yay, roast them up with olive oil, sea salt and herbs or make a spicy mash instead of potatoes.

Tomatoes:   

Great source of anti-aging antioxidant, Lycopene which is best absorbed by our bodies if its cooked or heated.  Try making sauces, soups or jars of strained tomatoes from your favorite grocery store.

Oysters:   

Super sexy food!  Major source of zinc, which is crucial for skin repair, and keeping your eyes, nails and hair healthy.  ***Maybe feed them to your loved one :)

POP open some champs & have a sexy night in...see what happens!

Kiwis:  

 High in fiber and vitamin C, helps keep your skin bright and shiny! 

*RBN Tip: Eat as is, throw into smoothies or with yogurt (double sexy food) or make a great salsa for shrimp and salmon!

Hope this inspires you to incorporate more of these ingredients for bright and glowing skin!

For more recipes or inquiries visit rachelbiesnutrition.com

OR

Email me for your consult at rachelbiesnutrition@gmail.com

Happy week y'all!
xoxo
rbn