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Health Benefits of Parsley

The botanical name of parsley is Petroselinum Crispum. It is a green colored herb which is often used as a spice. Some people also refer to it as the rock celery. Parsley has been grown for more than two thousand years and it has been used for its curative properties much before it was used as a spice in the kitchen. Parsley is a popularly used spice in the American cuisine, Middle Eastern cuisine as well as the European cuisine. The leaves of this herb are aromatic in nature and are often used to flavor many dishes. Parsley has many health benefits as well. Please read on to know more about them.

The health benefits of parsley herb:Parsley herb has many curative values and is used to heal several health problems. Here we list some of the most common and useful health benefits of this herb:

1. Parsley is rich in Vitamin B12, Vitamin C[1], Vitamin K, Vitamin A as well as Beta Carotene. Apart from the above listed vitamins this herb is also a good source of folic acid as well as iron. ttar_itialianparsley_02_v_launch

2. Parsley is a power plant of chlorophyll, this helps curb the growth of bad bacteria as it has anti bacterial properties. Chlorophyll found in parsley is a good cure to stop and avoid bad breath (halitosis) for long time.

3. Parsley herb has some volatile oils such as myristicin, limonene, eugenol as well as alpha thujene which are antioxidants in nature. The above mentioned oils counterbalances the effects of some carcinogens (such as benzopyrenes found in cigarette fumes) and reduces the chances of getting cancer.

4. Having parsley everyday helps in reducing blood pressure and reduces the risks related to high blood pressure[2] such as hypertension.

5. Parsley herb is found to be diuretic in nature which promotes healthy workings of the kidney. The diuretic found in parsley helps in getting rid of sodium and other harmful elements from the human body.

6. The oil of parsley herb is a good remedy for hair loss as well as dryness of the skin. Daily application of this oil helps in improving the hair growth as well as makes the skin supple and smooth.

7. Parsley herb is used by the herbalists to cure some ear infections, ringing in the ear and partial deafness.

8. Having parsley herbal tea is helpful as it stimulates digestion of protein as well as fat. The tea also promotes enteric absorption and storage in the liver[3]. It is helpful in treating diarrhea.

9. Parsley herb improves the hormonal balance in females and it also betters the estrogen secretion. This herb is helpful in treating hormonal problems like premenstrual syndrome, menopause or delayed menstruation[4] cycle. This herb is also known to be helpful in easing cramps during menstrual cycle.

10. Parsley is loaded with Vitamin C as well as iron. These nutrients make parsley a helpful herb in curing anemia as well as fatigue[5]. It is also known to repair blood cells as well as improve the blood vessel elasticity. The Vitamin C found in this herb supports the absorption of iron in the blood stream. Vitamin C also reduces the risk of arthritis and osteoarthritis.

 

Eat Parsley

 

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“CAFFEINISM”

 

 

The Side Effects Of Caffeinew-Giant-Coffee-Cup75917

Remember the days when we used to talk about our problems over a cup of coffee? Well, now coffee is the problem. Rather than getting the edge, we’ve found that coffee makes us edgy. Some people drink three cups of coffee, a few cokes, and take a couple Excedrin all in the course of a morning. That amounts to over 500 mg. of caffeine. Is it any wonder the use of tranquilizers is one of the most prevalent drugs prescribed in America? In fact, one in seven adult Americans take some sort of tranquilizer to calm their nerves. Taking stimulants and tranquilizers is like driving with your foot on the gas and the brakes at the same time. It’s all too easy for doctors to misdiagnose a case of out-and-out caffeinism as anxiety neurosis caused by emotional factors.

Coffee is the number one drink in America with six of ten adults drinking it every day. Caffeine is probably the most widely used drug in America, and it has absolutely no nutritional value. With this wonder drug, people think they can get the jump on their fellow man. And teenagers love cola, which accounts for 25% of the total caffeine consumption. It is estimated that 30% of Americans take between 500-600 mg. of caffeine per day, and 10% use more than 1000 mg. per day. The average person, including children, consumes 200 mg. per day. One cup of coffee contains 100-150 mg. and one to two cups exceed the level at which your brain can be adversely affected.

HABITUATION IS CAFFEINE’S SECRET OF SUCCESS. Caffeine enters all organs and tissues of the body within a few minutes of ingestion. Ninety percent is metabolized and only 10% is excreted unchanged in the urine. Caffeine’s may be subtle and obscured by the multifactored nature of many chronic disease states.

You may be thinking, hey, everybody drinks coffee, tea or coke… Can it be that bad? Well, it’s time you understand some of the side effects of caffeine, and if you are having any of the symptoms we are about to describe, it may be well to discontinue consuming anything with caffeine. We have categorized how caffeine affects all the systems of the body for better understanding.

 

Caffeine’s Effects On The Nervous System:

  1. In children, it may cause damage to the brain and central nervous system development. A Survey revealed that even pregnant women consume an average of 193 mg. of caffeine per day. And 13% (or over 400,000) pregnant women drink five or more cups of coffee per day, causing thousands of birth defects.
  2. Caffeine is a powerful central nervous system stimulant. Large doses may impair motor function, where delicate coordination is required. It increases reaction to sensory stimuli, but the post stimulation produces a “letdown effect” resulting in fatigue, lethargy, and depression.
  3. High doses can produce symptoms indistinguishable from anxiety neurosis.
  1. Caffeine can cause nervousness, irritability, jitteriness, muscle tension and trembling.
  2. It can also cause headaches, shaky hands, and even hallucinations.
  3. Caffeine is the principle cause of “restless leg syndrome”. This results in insomniamedlineplus-2000-05-25

    and an uncomfortable feeling caused by involuntary movement of the legs.

  4. Children have increased hyperactivity and insomnia from cocoa and cola drinks.

    Too many parents can’t figure out why they can’t control their kids and why they

    can’t sleep when the reason is due to the caffeine they consume.

  5. Caffeine has significant effects on muscle contractions…relaxing smooth muscle

    and increasing the contraction of skeletal muscles.

  6. Caffeine may mask mental and physical fatigue. This may be dangerous if used

    while driving. It is not a substitute for normal rest or sleep.

  7. Caffeine may interact with other drugs. It decreases barbital-induced sleeping time.
  8. Caffeine is habit-forming and addictive.
  9. Thiamine (vitamin B1) is destroyed by both coffee and tea. Any heavy coffee

    drinker is likely to be deficient in B1 which is crucial to mental health and tranquility. It is called the morale vitamin. Lack of thiamine causes nervous exhaustion, fatigue, loss of appetite, loss of memory, depression, constipation, inability to concentrate, feelings of inadequacy, lethargy, and intense drowsiness.

  10. Caffeine could trigger psychosis through its action on a set of chemicals in the brain called neurotransmitters. They convey information across microscopic gaps, called synapses, between nerve cells in the brain. Caffeine causes significant changes in these different transmitter systems. Caffeine taken in ordinary doses is a threat to your mental health.
  11. The American Pharmaceutical Association’s “Handbook on Non-Prescription Drugs” says: “Doses larger than 250 mg. often cause insomnia, restlessness, irritability, nervousness, tremor, headache, and in rare cases, a form of delirium manifested as perceived noises and flashes of light.” (5th edition, 1977) It takes just two cups of strong black coffee to deliver 300 mg. of caffeine, and the latest survey by the international coffee organization found that Americans age 10 and over drink coffee at a rate higher than two cups a day.
  12. All mental and physical stimulation ceases if you consume more than two cups at a time. After two cups, coffee acts to slow your reaction time and impair your thinking.
  13. Caffeine could well be one of the most frequent causes of chronic recurrent headaches.
  14. Ten grams (40 cups) may cause grand mal seizure, respiratory failure and death.

 

Caffeine’s Effect On The Heart And Circulatory System:

  1. Coffee increases the free fatty acids causing an increase in blood fats and cholesterol associated with heart attack and other cardiovascular disease.
  2. Caffeine can cause heart palpitations and lightheadedness.
  3. It can cause flushing as it dilates the blood vessels.
  4. Caffeine can cause tachycardia (rapid heartbeat), arrhythmias (irregular heartbeat),

    as caffeine stimulates the cardiac muscle.

  5. Caffeine can cause coronary disease, heart disease and high blood pressure.
  6. There is an increase in myocardial infraction (lack of blood supply to the heart)

    among coffee drinkers.

  1. There is a 60% increase in heart attacks associated with consumption of 1-5 cups per day and 120% increase with more than 5 cups per day. Yet, some coronary care units still serve coffee, tea, and cola drinks.
  2. Heart specialists have recognized coffee as a mild poison.

 

Effects Of Caffeine On The Gastrointestinal System:

  1. Coffee increases the amount of hydrochloric acid in the stomach causing hyperacidity. This accounts for the “burning” sensation reported by ulcer patients. There is a 72% greater chance of developing ulcers in coffee drinkers compared to non-users. Caffeine aggravates the symptoms of peptic ulcer.
  2. Coffee drinkers are twice as likely to develop cancer of the pancreas than non- users. Coffee could cause more than half of the cancer of the pancreas in the U.S., according to Harvard researchers. This deadly form of cancer takes the lives of 20,000 Americans annually. One to two cups per day doubled the risk; three or more tripled the risk. Cancer of the pancreas is one of the deadliest forms of cancer. Less than 1% survives more than five years.
  3. Caffeine affects how your body absorbs iron, leading to anemia. Strong coffee takes twice as much iron from being absorbed, and using cream worsens the effect. The tannic acid in tea also combines with iron to form a non-digestible complex that is passed out of the body.
  4. Caffeine accumulates in the body in liver disease.
  5. Caffeine is a possible stimulating factor in cancer of the stomach.
  6. Caffeine stimulates the secretions of the small intestines.
  7. Caffeine stimulates water secretion and can cause nausea and loose stools.
  8. Caffeine causes a hypoglycemic response in the presence of glucose, and it

    elevates blood glucose.

  9. Caffeine alters the metabolic status of human beings and can increase your

    metabolic rate 10-25% with 500 mg. of caffeine.

 

Caffeine’s Effects On The Kidneys, Bladder, And Prostate:

  1. A study at Harvard showed a correlation between coffee and cancer of the bladder. Cola drinkers have a significant increase in bladder cancer.
  2. Fluid retention, which persisted 10 years, was caused by daily ingestion of 18 cups a day by a patient who complained of being a nervous wreck. All symptoms disappeared when she quit coffee.
  3. Under conditions of stress from dehydration, temperature changes, and decreased food intake, caffeine is even more toxic.
  4. Alcohol and caffeine have been shown to be physiological antagonists. Alcohol consumption is increased in rates when caffeine is added to the diet.
  5. Caffeine is a diuretic. It causes frequent urination.
  6. There is a correlation between national coffee ingestion and prostate cancer.

Birth Defects And Congenital Malformations:

1. FDA scientists are advising pregnant women to avoid caffeine-containing foods and drugs. They are considering putting a warning on coffee to pregnant women due to the risk of fetal malformations.

  1. Caffeine crosses the placenta to the baby and even gets into the breast milk.
  2. Birth defects may include: Cleft palate, digital defects, joint defects, absence of a

    jaw, unusual smallness of a lower jaw, blood tumors, club feet and delayed skeletal

    development.

  3. In England, Ectrodactyly (a congenital absence of all or part of the fingers or toes)

    has been connected to heavy caffeine consumption during pregnancy.

  4. In large doses it has been shown to be a mutagen in animals, plants and bacteria.
  5. Caffeine may also cause abortion.

Miscellaneous Side Effects:

  1. Caffeine is a stimulant of thyroid hormone secretion.
  2. Caffeine has immunosuppressant properties (it decreases the body’s resistance to

    infection).

  3. Caffeine predisposes women to fibrocystic breast disease, which involves lumps,

    thickening, and nodules in the breasts, and it increases the risk of breast cancer.

Withdrawal Symptoms Of Caffeine:

How do you know if you are addicted to caffeine? Stop using it for two to three days. You will experience the following symptoms:

  1. Headaches – about 18 hours after your last consumption
  2. Drowsiness and almost overwhelming malaise
  3. Lethargy
  4. Runny nose and nausea
  5. A cottony feeling in the mouth
  6. Nervousness and irritability
  7. Trembling with a chill
  8. Insomnia
  9. Depression and inability to work effectively

These withdrawal symptoms can last up to two weeks or more depending on how much you have consumed at your age.

The most obvious question you are probably asking yourself right now is: “If I can’t drink coffee, tea, alcohol, soft drinks, or chocolate cocoa, what else is there to drink?”

First of all is the obvious: Fresh spring water. Everyone should drink 8-10 glasses of water each day to provide the body with needed fluids. After strenuous exercise on a hot day, nothing quenches your thirst like water. The juice of a fresh lemon in a glass of hot water is a good way to start your day and will also help you lose weight.

Next, try carbonated spring water (Perrier), plain or with lemon, lime or orange. It can be purchased in any grocery store. It contains no calories, sugar, or chemicals. It is a good carbonated, refreshing substitute for pop. Next try sugar-free fruit and vegetable juices. One of your best investments could be a vegetable juicer to juice them fresh. Nothing tastes better or is healthier for you than freshly juiced fruits and vegetables. Last, most health food stores have natural cereal beverages to replace coffee that are very pleasant tasting. Some popular ones are Sipp, Caffix, and Pero.

Last, what about caffeine-free coffee and soft drinks? A chemical used in making decaffeinated coffee (TCE-trichloroethylene) has been known to cause liver cancer. The National Cancer Institute also warned against using three possible substitutes to TCE. Replacing a chemical with carcinogenic risk with another chemical of unknown risk may result in a more hazardous alternative. In other words, all the side effects of the chemicals used in decaffeinated coffee are still unknown. Caffeine free soft drinks and sugar-free soft drinks still have substitutes and chemicals. It’s best to try to develop a taste for healthy beverages. Think about how much beverage you consume every day and in a lifetime! It’s the fluid your body uses to trigger every chemical reaction and enzyme activity in the body. If you don’t think a few chemicals in the beverages you consume make any difference in how you feel, try putting one percent water in your gas tank and see how well your car runs.

The Bottom Line Is That Health Is A Choice — Your Choice !!!dangers-of-caffeine-exposed1

Conquer Caffeine

Tips To Lower Or Avoid Caffeine Intake:

1. Have Plenty Of Healthy Substitutes Around: Mineral water, fresh fruit and vegetable juices, herbal teas, frozen juices, etc.

2. Question The Impulse: Are you thirsty? Drink water
Do you need to wake up? Breathe deeply. Take a brisk walk, quick calisthenics.

3. Do You Need To Feel Better? Regular exercise produces more of the natural brain chemicals that improve mood.

4. Are You Chronically Sleepy And Tired? Get more sleep!

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Nine foods you should never eat again

 

 

 

 

(NaturalNews) With so much misinformation out there about food and how it affects human health, making healthy food choices for you and your family can be difficult and confusing. There are a number of specific foods; however, that you will want to avoid in almost every circumstance because they provide virtually no health benefits while posing plenty of health risks. Here are nine foods you should never eat again if you care about preserving your long-term health:

1) White bread, refined flours. By definition, white bread and refined flours in general are toxic for your body because they have been stripped of virtually all vitamins, minerals, fiber, and other important nutrients. Because of this, the body does not know how to properly digest and assimilate these so-called foods, which can lead to health problems. Refined white flour has also been bleached with chlorine and brominated with bromide, two poisonous chemicals that have been linked to causing thyroid and organ damage. (http://drlwilson.com/ARTICLES/BREAD.htm)

2) Conventional frozen meals. Most conventionally-prepared frozen meals are loaded with preservatives, processed salt, hydrogenated oils and other artificial ingredients, not to mention the fact that most frozen meals have been heavily pre-cooked, rendering their nutrient content minimal at best (especially after getting microwaved again at home). With the exception of a few truly healthy frozen meal brands such as Amy’s and Organic Bistro, most frozen meals are little more than disease in a box, so avoid them in favor of fresh foods. (http://www.4us2be.com)

3) White rice. Like white bread, white rice has been stripped of most of its nutrients, and separated from the bran and germ, two natural components that make up rice in its brown form. Even so-called “fortified” white rice is nutritionally deficient, as the body still processes this refined food much differently than brown rice, which is absorbed more slowly and does not cause the same spike in blood sugar that white rice does. (http://globalnaturopath.com)

4) Microwaveable popcorn. This processed food is a favorite among moviegoers and regular snackers alike, but it is one of the unhealthiest foods you can eat. Practically every component of microwaveable popcorn, from the genetically-modified (GM) corn kernels to the processed salt and preservative chemicals used to enhance its flavor, is unhealthy and disease-promoting. On top of this, microwaveable popcorn contains a chemical known as diacetyl that can actually destroy your lungs. If you love popcorn, stick with organic kernels that you can pop yourself in a kettle and douse with healthy ingredients like coconut oil, grass-fed butter, and Himalayan pink salt. (http://www.naturalnews.com)

5) Cured meat products with nitrates, nitrites. Deli meats, summer sausage, hot dogs, bacon, and many other meats sold at the grocery store are often loaded with sodium nitrite and other chemical preservatives that have been linked to causing heart disease and cancer. If you eat meat, stick with uncured, nitrite and nitrate-free varieties, and preferably those that come from organic, grass-fed animals. (http://www.naturalnews.com/028824_processed_meat_heart_disease.html)

6) Most conventional protein, energy bars. By the way they are often marketed, it might seem as though protein and energy bars are a strong addition to a healthy diet. But more often than not, these meal replacements contain processed soy protein, refined sugar, hydrogenated fat, and other harmful additives that contribute to chronic illness. Not all protein and energy bars are bad, of course — Thunderbird Energetica, Organic Food Bar, Boku Superfood, Vega Sport, PROBAR, and Zing all make healthy protein and energy bars. Just be sure to read the ingredient labels and know what you are buying.

7) Margarine. Hidden in all sorts of processed foods, margarine, a hydrogenated trans-fat oil, is something you will want to avoid at all costs for your health. Contrary to popular belief, butter and saturated fats in general are not unhealthy, especially when they are derived from pastured animals that feed on grass rather than corn and soy. And if animal-based fats are not for you, stick with extra-virgin coconut oil or olive oil rather than margarine. (http://www.naturalnews.com/027865_saturated_fat_health.html)

8) Soy milk and soy-based meat substitutes. One of the biggest health frauds of modern times, the soy craze is a fad that you will want to skip. Besides the fact that nearly all non-organic soy ingredients are of GM origin, most soy additives are processed using a toxic chemical known as hexane, which is linked to causing birth defects, reproductive problems, and cancer. Soy that has not been fermented is also highly estrogenic, which can throw your natural hormone balance out of whack. (http://www.naturalnews.com/026303_soy_protein_hexane.html)

9) “Diet” anything. Many so-called “diet” products on the market today contains artificial sweeteners like aspartame (Equal) and sucralose (Splenda), both of which are linked to causing neurological damage, gastrointestinal problems, and endocrine disruption. Many diet products also contain added chemical flavoring agents to take the place of fat and other natural components that have been removed to artificially reduce calorie content. Instead, stick with whole foods that are as close to nature as possible, including high-fat foods grown the way nature intended, and your body will respond surprisingly well. (http://www.naturalnews.com)

Sources for this article include:

http://www.rd.com/slideshows/15-foods-you-should-never-buy-again/

 

I found this information from this link here ~  http://www.trueactivist.com/nine-foods-you-should-never-eat-again/

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Toxic Colon Signs & Symptoms

Get The Facts

Here are some staggering facts and statistics about the state of the human colon:

  • The healthy transit time of food through our body is less than 24 hours.
  • Today, with processed foods lacking enzymes and natural fibers and loaded with refined sugar, combined with a more sedentary and less active lifestyle, the transit time is slowing down to 70 hours!
  • Many experts believe that the average person has 5-20 pounds of accumulated waste matter in their colon. While a person with a toxic colon can have 40 pounds or more.
  • In the USA, over 100,000 colostomy surgeries are performed each year to remove part or all of a diseased colon.
  • The National Institute of Health published a survey that showed 4.5 million Americans are constipated most or all the time.
  • In the USA, over 2.5 million doctor visits per year are made by patients who complain of constipation.
  • 80% of all disease and discomfort is related to a toxic colon – due to impacted fecal matter.

A Healthy Colon

The colon, or large intestine, is an important part of the digestive system. It is often referred to as the sewer system of the body.

The human colon must handle the bulk of the food we eat. Its lining includes sensitive nerves and glands that aid in the assimilation of food – especially vitamins, enzymes and water.

When the colon is working properly, its peristaltic (muscular, wave like) motions move food through the system and eliminate unassimilated substances in the form of waste within 16-24 hours of eating.

A healthy individual, with a clean and healthy colon, will have two bowel movements per day. They should be large, well formed, buoyant and not accompanied by a foul odor.

Needless to say, a healthy colon is essential to a healthy body.

What Is A Toxic Colon?

Over time, your colon may become unhealthy and lose its ability to properly eliminate all the waste materials from your digestive tract. This is due to a combination of the following: Poor diet, lack of exercise, stress, drug intake, lifestyle and a variety of other factors.

When the human colon becomes less active, the body does not eliminate its waste materials as effectively. Therefore, when the elimination process is not functioning properly, deposits of waste matter build up along the wall of your colon or in the pockets of the colon.

Normally, your body pushes waste out of your colon in 16 to 24 hours. When you’re not able to eliminate properly, these wastes remain in your body for days.

Even worse, if some of this waste material deposits along the colon wall, it may not leave for months or even years. Amazingly, these deposits of hardened fecal matter can get to be 2 or 3 inches thick and as hard as tire rubber.

The average healthy person who is not constipated will carry about 5-20 pounds of fecal matter in their intestines and colon at any one time. However, people who are constipated or irregular can be carrying up to 40 pounds or more of this toxic fecal matter, which is continually poisoning their body and organs.

(This picture displays the health problems caused by a toxic colon) 

Picture of a toxic colon

 

Effects Of A Toxic Colon

As I mentioned earlier, 80% of all disease and discomfort can be related to a toxic colon. Yet, most people are unaware they have an unhealthy colon. People are not making the connection between an unhealthy colon and an unhealthy body. However, an unhealthy colon can adversely affect your total health, including all the systems of your body.

If we abuse and neglect our colon and hinder the elimination process, the toxins that should be removed will continue to build up and be reabsorbed into the bloodstream. This creates a serious health issue known as autointoxication or self-poisoning.

Autointoxication is the process in which the body literally poisons itself by maintaining a cesspool of decaying matter in its colon. This inner cesspool can contain as high a concentration of harmful bacteria as a cesspool under a house.

The toxins released by the decay process get into the bloodstream and travel to all parts of the body. Every cell in the body gets affected, and many forms of sickness can result. Because it weakens the entire system, autointoxication can be considered a cause for nearly any disease.

Need More Proof?

In addition to the alarming information I’ve listed above, here’s more proof of the harmful effects a toxic colon has on your body.

A toxic colon can…

  • Weaken and stress your heart.
  • Cause skin blemishes, paleness, psoriasis, liver spots and wrinkles.
  • Irritate the lungs and cause bad breath.
  • Affect the brain, disturb mental functions and cause senility.
  • Cause pain and stiffness in the joints and contribute to arthritis.
  • Cause muscle weakness and fatigue.
  • Rob you of your youth, ruin your wellness and cause premature aging.

Many experts believe that all diseases begin in the colon! Not only does the decaying food produce toxic substances and provide a breeding ground for harmful bacteria, but it also blocks the intestine from absorbing good nutrients. This all leads to an unhealthy body.

 

http://www.colon-cleanse-information.com/toxic-colon.html

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January 24

Yay! Things are really rolling along with Bella Vous!!  It took a bit of time to get the last of my certifications, but now I’m preparing my spa and getting ready to open to the public.

 

Before I open  publicly I want to practice my body wraps on some friends and/or family that will be openly honest and give me constructive feedback on the whole process.  You will first come to my studio which is located on Bridgeway street in Sausalito. We will do an initial consultation to talk about problem areas you want to work on, and set goals for what you want to work toward. Currently I’m offering a Detoxification, Body Wraps, and  home cellulite  kit (which works in conjunction with a series of body wraps). We will take before & after photos if you choose to do a series of wraps, and I would really appreciate it if you would write a testimonial about your experience with Bella Vous.

 

Sssshhhh!!! I’m offering the Body Contour Program to 4 people for FREE in exchange for anonymous before & after photos, testimonials, & you have to tell all your friends about Bella Vous!!

 

Detoxification Kit ……… $75

Detoxification Kit

Home Cellulite Kit ……..  $75

Cellulite Home Care Kit

Body Contour Program …….. $475

 Detoxification Kit, Home Cellulite kit, 3 Body Wraps,

weekly check-in, before & after photos & measurements