My next big thing: apple cider vinegar, of course. A while back, Deb had mentioned that I could try taking ACV to help with one problem or another that I was having, (I can't remember what it was) but I never followed through with it. Last night I jumped on the ACV train after taking a look at all the other amazing benefits it has to offer. As I sip on a concoction of ACV and water right now, I have to tell you that I hardly mind the displeasing taste knowing that my body will thank me later. A sensitive bitch will try anything that is known to work, has several benefits, and is natural/organic in times of need. As I have mentioned before, I feel like I'm becoming more sensitive to the foods I initially eliminated but reintroduced. For this reason, I have had to eliminate again. When I was in the Cape this weekend, I had the most difficult time with eating the *right* foods because we ate out often. By the right foods, I mean that it was close to impossible to just eat my low-reactive foods. Restaurants don't always accommodate the sensitive bitch and I wasn't about to starve all weekend. So, I did have to resort to eating some of my moderately-reactive foods. Wouldn't you know that I'm feeling and seeing the repercussions of my food choices this week. I'm feeling extremely fatigued, irritable, achey, my joints hurt, and I'm breaking out on my back and face. Yes, I drank alcohol while I was in the Cape, although not excessively by any means. I was careful about what I drank, too. Regardless, we know alcohol isn't good for our bodies and to boot, it's candida- which I am sensitive to on a disappointing level.

So where does ACV come into the equation? In my attempts to reboot my system previously and now post-Cape, I have realized something important: my body has become accustomed to certain "sensitive" products because I've used them for so long and they don't seem to be getting the job done. My breakouts aren't going away with the usual baking soda and coconut oil concoction that I've always used. Epsom salt isn't cutting it. Lemon juice isn't cutting it. So, I figured maybe it's time to try something different. That's where ACV comes to my rescue. I did some research to see if it had any benefits associated with clear skin. Not only was I pleased to find that it did, but it also had a long list of other benefits that I was particularly psyched about. 

Some benefits that ACV has to offer include:
* Increased hair body & shine if used as a hair rinse
* Regulates the pH of your skin
* Fades acne scars and age spots
* Minimizes appearance of pores
* Dissolves dead skin cells 
* Removes stains from teeth
* Aids in weight loss & decline in abdominal fat
* Balances entire inner body system by helping the body maintain a healthy alkaline pH level
* Boosts energy (Research shows that lower pH levels lead to fatigue and more frequent infections. By maintaining a healthy alkaline pH level with the use of ACV, you boost your energy and reduce your risk of infection.)
* Detoxifies the body
* Stimulates cardiovascular circulation and helps to detox the liver
* Helps break up mucous throughout the body and clean out lymph nodes
* Reduces effects of allergies and risk of sinus infections/head colds
* Helps rid your body of candida (eureka!)
* Reduces heartburn 
* Helps with inflammation
* Can be used to remove warts
* Can be used as a sunburn remedy (Mitchell, 2012).

As with everything else in this sensitive life, the quality of the product is tremendously important. Don't go looking for your Heinz bottle of ACV, please. Raw, organic, unfiltered, unpasteurized apple cider vinegar is what you'll need if you want to reap any of these benefits. The brand I use is Bragg and it sports that beautiful Non-GMO Project label I adore so much. 

Since I just started using ACV last night, I have yet to see any earth-shattering results. I'm extremely optimistic based on my research, though. So many people swear by it. I will include links below that provide information on how to make your own facial toner, hair rinse, etc. with ACV. Many sources will tell you that you can also add to your homemade ACV/water toner with witch hazel or essential oils. Check them out! If you've used ACV and have a success story to share, please feel free to comment on the post. I'd love to hear any feedback you have to share. :)

How to make your own ACV facial toner
ACV Toner- how it works
How to use ACV for beautiful hair and skin
5 fab uses for ACV
Reader's Digest- 8 health benefits of ACV
Huffington post- 10 amazing facts about ACV you should know
Natural News- 7 powerful, therapeutic uses for ACV

Today's post is inspired by another one of my wonderful followers, who contacted me with this:

Hi there! I just wanted to congratulate you on a great blog/following. I have food sensitivities too and am also doing nutrition/healing work (reiki) to combat some of my gut issues. I wanted to ask you, since you are also in your early 20s, what alcohol you would recommend and/or any you clearly stay away from? I have found gluten-free vodka and tequila to be mostly OK...and I LOVE my gluten-free cider but am afraid to try again because of all the sugar. I'm also a wino, but have steered clear for the last few months. (I am supposed to stay away from yeast, sugar, dairy gluten and other things). When you do drink, what do you drink? And what do you stay away from? I have noticed if I drink too often during the week my stomach can't handle it, so I have pulled back the reigns a bit. 

Girl knew she was preaching to the right choir. Prior to reintroducing alcohol, I had to do my research. The last thing I needed was to have a major setback all for the sake of good fun. And let me tell you- it was good fun. That weekend I successfully managed to check, "dance-off with a ghetto Asian in the basement of a bar" off of my bucketlist. Back to the subject at hand. The general consensus is that vodka is the way to go if you're a sensitive bitch like me. It's the purest of all hard alcohols. However it goes without saying that you can't just get any brand of vodka and assume all will be well the next morning. My college experiences with Zhenka are proof of this. As a well-informed, sensitive adult I know that I need to be reaching for the top shelf stuff. I started from the bottom, now I'm here- living the sensitive life. I wouldn't be entirely shocked if there was proof that the Zhenka had something to do with it.

I always, always, always ask for/buy Ketel One vodka. I've read that Absolut vodka is another good brand to consider. They're both gluten, sugar, and yeast free. I add my seltzer and a wedge of lemon, lime, or orange. I think orange is the best. I personally don't drink gluten-free beer or ciders, just because I'm sensitive to so many things and it's not worth taking a chance. Ciders tend to be very high in sugar content. A Woodchuck hard cider has 21g of sugar per bottle, for example. That's a lot of sugar, especially considering you may not stop after one. A lot of the ingredients in GF beers and ciders are ones which I haven't been tested for, and I'd rather not find out on my own that I'm highly sensitive to any of them. 

Another thing to avoid- flavored alcohols. Flavored alcohols contain sugar and artificial shit that we, as sensitive people, do not want to be drinking. I'll be honest and share a story from last weekend because I've admitted several times that I'm human. I went to Rhode Island to visit with my college roommates and naturally, we went out drinking. I was smart about all my choices until a Fireball shot was handed to me ever so graciously. I don't know why I thought it was a good idea. I don't know why I thought it was "polite" to accept this gesture. Not only am I sensitive to cinnamon, but that shit isn't even real cinnamon. I refuse to look at the nutrition label for it so God only knows what else was in it. Anyway, the story doesn't end well, unless throwing up blood is your ideal bag of fun. I know it's not. This was my body's way of saying "you're fucking rude with your polite bullshit." Lesson learned.

As for wine- I prefer white and fruity, but I know better than to do that to myself now. I'm sensitive to grapes and sulfites, so I try to be kind to myself by not drinking it too often. However, I just found this wine at Trader Joe's- it's USDA organic, no sulfites DETECTED wine. It's "Well Red" and only $5.99, which is a fabulous price. My biggest piece of advice when it comes to making a good wine selection- make sure there's a USDA certified label on it. That's how you'll know it's made with organic grapes. It doesn't matter if the bottle simply says "organic" on it, or if the sales person tells you it's organic. It can only be organic if it's sporting that USDA label I adore so much.

To conclude- please drink responsibly...and sensitively.

Here are some links that may be helpful to some of my thirsty, sensitive followers.
Celiac Sisters
Gluten free alcohol
Top 10 yeast free alcoholic drinks
Yeast free alcoholic beverages 
More yeast free alcoholic beverages
My gluten free USA
Gluten free for life- which ones are safe?
Gluten free booze
Gluten free beer
Gluten free ORGANIC beer
Celiac.com - gluten-free alcohol