I don't think I can ever talk about this subject enough, social media detox. It is a burden really to our society and detrimental to our overall health. While I do in fact use social media, it has become nothing more than a tool for me in regards to business. This however does not exclude the fact that I do scroll and get stuck in a social media loop. That blue light beaming into my corneas like some mind controlling hypnosis. As I scroll I read and see nothing but pain from friends, family and followers. Rather than unfriending I simply unfollow. Being an empath and getting on social media I often times feel drained within minutes. If someone opens up there phone and starts scrolling I can feel the negativity seeping through the wave lengths into the air like driving by a cow farm in the middle of the country. We are so concerned with likes, hearts, laughing faces, being right, starting debates and pushing buttons all because we have the opportunity to hide behind this screen. Don't get me wrong, I am far from perfect and I have in fact done all of these things over the years.... until recently. Going back to my nomadic ways I have slowly been detaching myself from my phone and social media. Most days I hardly pick it up to check the time, generally I am changing music stations on my Spotify. But, when was the last time that you took a week away from your social media and went back to a hobby or started to focus on yourself? These things are important and instead we feed the virus and the machine that put it there DAILY. Forever collecting emotions, thoughts, desires, struggles, needs, and the festering narcissism that slowly grows and builds up inside of you the more you give in. Pictures of yourself, food, travels, family, children, jobs, belongings all filed away and categorized to be used against you later. I swear my phone knows my thoughts sometimes. Ever scroll through and see an advert for something you haven't even said out loud yet or even typed into your phone? You will now. There are so many things in this world that are so much better than subconsciously giving into the virus that will suck your soul. 

DETOX

1. First and foremost, PUT THAT PHONE DOWN Y'ALL!  But seriously, put it down and go outside without it. Look around you, and take in imagery around you. Or better yet pick up a hobby, bake a cake, or read a book. I haven't seen any of those things kill anyone yet, however words on social media are powerful enough to make our youth take their own lives when they haven't even gotten warmed up for the rest of it.  Keeping your phone out of sight and out of mind will in fact force you to find other things to do. Whatever you do, do not give in to going back to your phone and endless newsfeed of negativity.

2. Sleep with your phone away from you, if you have to get up to get something and it's not THAT important odds are that you won't. Never mind the fact that when your alarm goes off you will be forced to get up and turn it off. Once your blood starts to move you will slowly come to life, much like a car in the winter. Cold when you start up and could break if you move too quickly, but once it's warmed up it can go and go and go. 

3. Read, meditate, or do yoga before bed. Quiet the mind rather than fill it with hate, envy and negativity. You will sleep better and wake up feeling more refreshed without the thoughts of someone else's words ringing in your head.  

These are some great and simple ways to detox from social media. It's important to our own mental health and sanity to clear ourselves of the filth and negativity of others. Wether they are a family member, your best friend or spouse. Sometimes to help you need a clear mind and calm and relaxed body. So put down your phone and take hike or have a real conversation with your friend over a cup of coffee WITHOUT looking at your phone, even for the time. 

Okay, so as of the last few months, I say few months but it's really been over the course of the last year and a half,  I have accidentally and slowly transitioned into mainly vegan foods and eating a 70%, possibly more, raw foods for my meals. I never expect anyone to fully eat or live the way that I do, I am here merely to educate you on lifestyle aspects. I get a lot of questions about being vegan and eating raw, one of the biggest is the benefits it brings. Recently I couldn't figure out why I wasn't hungry as often as usual and I noticed the only thing that had really changed drastically for me was the foods I was eating. 

WHAT DOES RAW MEAN?

Simply put raw is anything that is non-processed or cooked and edible in it's organic and original state. Fruits and vegetables are the main things in this type of nutritional eating. However, keep in mind there are some fruits and vegetables that benefit from being cooked or roasted. Tomatoes for example fall into this category (1). Some of the more beneficial and powerful antioxidants that tomatoes offer are released and more easily absorbed when slow roasted or lightly pan fried over a low-medium heat. 

WHY EAT RAW?

Now again, keep in mind this is not a way for everyone to fully eat. And by that I mean be a "raw vegan", I am however suggesting adding at least one meal or snack of this sort to your daily meals and eating rituals. Now raw, well raw because when something is in it's organic state and hasn't been touched or altered in any way it is more nutrient dense. 
There are certain building blocks our bodies need to function properly, if food is the source of all life and food is also the culprit for the majority of disease in America then maybe we need to reexamine what foods we are eating rather than blame it on our jobs, children, money, or even our genetics in some cases. Eating raw provides more of these vital building blocks such as: enzymes, vitamins, minerals, essential fats and fibers, and even protein than adding heat for a little extra pizzazz to your meal. Or maybe because you're cold and let's be honest, everyone loves a hot meal when they're cold. Okay, okay back on track; Raw is better for this simple fact.  

Many raw food lifestyles include fermented foods, sprouted grains, nuts/seeds, raw fruits and veggies. There are some raw food advocates that claim raw is so far the only way to go that they even consume dairy in the raw, meat, and fish in the raw also. Personally I think cooking things keeps us safe from the harmful bacterias and viruses that could be brimming on your chicken breast or lurking in your salmon, cream cheese and lox. 

Adding heat, even a low amount of heat helps to preserve vital nutrients and activate others. Oh yes I said activate. Remember those enzymes I was talking about?  Certain foods, such as tomatoes, have some vital nutrients and enzymes that  aide in fighting inflammation and digestion. However eating tomatoes raw instead of lightly sautéed, will leave you a little empty on the nutrients, that's not to say that they aren't still very nutritious raw. 

On the other hand to deactivate any and all enzymes they only need to reach a temperature of 117F (47C), that's not much when you think about it. Boiling vegetables may reduce content of water-soluble vitamins by as much as 50-60%. Steaming, roasting, or stir-frying are some of the most effective cooking methods for retaining vital enzymes and nutrients found in our foods. Some nutrients and vitamins can also be leached out of food during the cooking process, vitamins such as Vitamin C and B. 

CONCLUSION

Personally I love the way I feel after I eat some raw, vegan tacos but that doesn't mean this lifestyle is for everyone. While I think everyone could incorporate aspects of this lifestyle into their own to aide in finding what their own bodies need, well then we may have a little healthier nation. My advice is simple; Listen to your body, eat the foods you need not what you crave. You will feel better not only in the present but also in the future. 




​