Choose Happy Hippy Tips for Lovely Legs
Lovely healthy legs means more than keeping them smooth!
When the summer time is in full force here in the Pacific Northwest, I notice the abundance of lovely legs on show.
And unfortunately for some…not so lovely legs! So, I thought it time to Choose Happy with some of my top ‘natural health’ tips to keeping, getting and celebrating lovely healthy legs.
Not Happy Legs! Varicose Veins are veins that have become enlarged and they do not work properly.
Varicose veins are not fun! Neither are spider veins, achey legs, puffy legs and ankles! And anything we can do to avoid them or ease them will not only have our legs looking lovely, but being healthy too.
Did you know that the contraceptive pill can have an impact and contribute to the formation of varicose veins. Elevating your legs helps to ease them, so when you watch telly put your feet up. There, that’s not so difficult is it?
Treatments like Reflexology improve circulation. So whether you have spider veins, achey legs at the end of the day, varicose veins or even puffy ankles…get your feet up when you can. Adding supplements like CoQ10 and Vitamin C & E are also useful for circulation, but check your food sources first and make sure you are eating fresh and healthy.
Making sure your colon stays clean is very important for vein health. VVs are aggravated by bearing down to poo!
Topically aloe vera gel is a great coolant and very soothing. It’s inexpensive and you keep it in the fridge, so it’s lovely on a hot day to slap some on your legs.
Horse Chestnut Cream from Planetary Formulas contains horse chestnut, butcher’s broom, witch hazel, white oak and myrrh, and is reputed to reduce the appearance of varicose veins. Or you can make your own concoction with witch hazel, horse chestnut powder and white oak.
Horse chestnut fruit courtesy of Andrew Dunn
http://andrewdunnphoto.com/
Bonus for you…here’s a fabulous natural healing remedy for keeping your legs happy + healthy. And of course, LOVELY!
Jacqueline’s Lovely Leg Goo:
Make the herb white oak into a very strong tea by boiling on the stove + allowing to cool. Keep it in the fridge
50/50 dilute with witch hazel
and add about a teaspoon of horse chestnut powder to 2 cups.
Make in a jar so you can shake it up. Use cheesecloth to apply like a poultice. Perfect to do when you’ve got your feet up in front of the telly.
What you eat impacts your Leg Health…
Berries & Cherries for Healthy Legs
Blackberries + cherries, garlic, ginger, onions, pineapple are all good to include in your diet. Animal protein is said to be bad for varicose veins. As I currently am enjoying the Primal diet as my grain tolerance as gone bazooey, I’m making sure I up my yoga practice so I can still enjoy meat.
Avoid crossing your legs when sitting around, except of course when doing your yoga!
Whatever your legs are like, get up from the desk every half an hour. It’s good for your body!
Elevate your legs as part of your exercise routine
Change up your exercise routines regularly for optimum leg health. Shoulder stand and other yoga postures to raise your legs above your heart for 20 minutes each day is always a good idea.
And aromatherapy: use a calendula infused oil as a carrier oil to which you can add some wheatgerm cold-pressed oil. The essential oils suggested: cypress, lemon, geranium, juniper berry, rosemary.
Here’s an article about ‘scarring’ It’s well worth reading to get you into the aroma/skincare vibe:
Okay, so let’s Choose Happy and Live Healthy with our Lovely Legs.
And, please do share this information with others. Let me know your thoughts below in the comments section. I love to hear what you think!
If you need some help on your Choose Happy and Live Healthy Quest, please contact me and we’ll get a personalized program rolling for you!
Choose Happy and make today Sparkle! xox
These are great tips! Of course, we all want killer legs, don’t we. I am seriously going to try your ‘lovely leg goo’. Thank you Jacqueline for sharing this.
Great! Let me know how it goes. I firmly believe that taking time to care for your body pays off in many ways…body, mind, spirit and emotion. Stay fabulous!
So many wonderful leg tips mine are OK they just need a bit
of sun 🙂
Lovely…like to hear from you ‘hot legs’ gals. Remember to keep them happy and healthy. 😉
As always, I appreciate that getting up and MOVING is a part of your recommendations for choosing happy! Plus, your tips on eating right for leg and vein health are spot-on. Here’s another idea your readers might want to try: foam rollers for myofascial release. You know the “noodles” you can use for floating in the pool? Lay one on the floor and your leg on top, perpendicular. Lift a little with your hands so you can roll the length of your leg along the roller. Great, right?! It’s terrific for both exercise warm-up and cool down (or just fun anytime).
That sounds like a fab, fun idea! I love it Jessica. Thanks for sharing.
And truthfully…I’m reminding myself as much as anyone to keep moving! I’m off to grab a cuppa now…get’s me moving from the desk and stretching my legs, and I love my tea!
I developed varicose veins when I worked as a nurse in Intensive Care, standing for the most part of a 12-hour shift. I love your natural remedies and wish I had realized the impact of constant pressure on the legs. We were encouraged to wear support tights, but they only work from the outside in, in those days (30 years ago) we didn’t really think about the inside out. Thank you for some great well thought out tips.
You are so welcome. Yes, it’s true, back in the day we thought outside in. I like the way you put that, thinking inside out. Do try the Goo…it really does help.
I had no idea what you eat impacts your legs! Here’s to getting some hot legs 🙂
Woohoo! Glad to be of help…hot legs!
Hi Jacqueline! Love how you mentioned colon health. Our gut and colon is a reflection of our overall health. I’ve been having rolfing done for the past few weeks and I love it! I know my legs will thank me 20yrs. from now:-) I’ll be sure to check out the aroma/skincare article link you shared. xoDana
Wow baby…you are hard core! Rolfing is not for the faint of heart. Good for you…and I bet your legs love it. Thanks for dropping by and do keep in touch xox