*This post is sponsored by Exzo. Opinions are my own.*

January – the month that starts off with you dragging yourself back to work, the realisation that you’ve eaten your weight in turkey and mince pies over the festive season and the mild onset of depression when you realise that it’s finally time to sort yourself out like you kept telling yourself you would as you were throwing back the mulled wine and pouring on the brandy sauce throughout December. The start of the year can, however, also bring with it a renewed sense of motivation to introduce healthy habits into your lifestyle and a detox is an ideal way to jump-start the process. The benefits of detoxing include increased energy, a stronger immune system, and improved skin as the body releases toxins, clearer thinking and improved sleep. I recently tried a 7 day Exzo detox teatox cleanse in December as a way to avoid the pre-Christmas bloat that is often brought on by the excessive amount of festive dinners and drinks in the lead up to Christmas. I wanted to see whether Exzo’s Clenzo Herbal Blend Tea would actually make me feel different during the busiest and most indulgent month of the year (you know, since most detox teas require you to eat nothing but kale and claim that the tea is the reason you’re feeling on top of the world after 7 days.) I also tried not to read up too much about how I ‘should’ feel when I take the tea, because I didn’t want to unintentionally be influenced about how the tea made me feel. Yes, this may seem like an unconventional approach but I wanted to really test the tea and I’m happy to say that I was seriously impressed with the way I felt! Usually at the end of December I feel worn out, bloated and generally unhealthy. And with a trip to Mauritius at the end of the month, I wanted to see whether using Exzo would make the idea of wearing a bikini in just a couple of weeks’ time, feel a bit less daunting. I did however try to avoid alcohol and refined sugar, but in all honesty the tea banished cravings and helped keep me on track. The first thing I noticed about the Clenzo blend was the taste – it was delicious! Unlike some herbal blends it didn’t taste like grass, but instead had a refreshing, lemongrass flavour with a hint of goji berry and ginger. I genuinely looked forward to my next cup (recommended 3 times a day during a 7 day cleanse.) The second thing I noticed was how calm I became, I felt so relaxed. This surprised me because I remember when I tried a different detox tea years ago I began feeling a bit dizzy and anxious. After the teatox when I researched the ingredients, I learned that this was due to the high GABA content, which is a neurotransmitter that naturally calms the body and helps reduce stress. I felt alert – even though December was packed with late nights, during the week that I tried Exzo tea I noticed that I concentrated more on tasks I was doing and was not as easily distracted. Exzo banished all cravings for sweet or unhealthy food and stabilised my blood sugar. It made me feel lighter and full of energy and the thought of a fatty meal or junk food was the last thing I felt like. I noticed that my usual 3pm trip to the office pantry was replaced with a trip to the kettle – the tea is not designed to be a meal replacement, but I noticed that I began snacking less. Clenzo is also not a laxative, meaning that you are guaranteed no damage to the digestive system and any weight loss you notice is real instead of the dehydrating and mineral eliminating laxative effects that come with other detox teas (which can contain harmful ingredients, such as Senna.) The great thing about Exzo is it can be used whenever you like and alongside any diet – you don’t have to use it purely for a 7, 14 or 21 day cleanse. Whether you want to avoid packing on the kilos in December or start the year off a bit lighter, Exzo is the perfect solution. It is packed with energy boosting and bloat busting ingredients making it the perfect addition to any healthy lifestyle. These natural ingredients include Oolong, dried ginger root, nettle leaf, goji berries, liquorice root, fennel seeds, lemongrass, ginseng and garcinia cambogia. Exzo herbal tea is also eco-friendly (yay!) and contains no harmful ingredients. I would highly recommend Exzo and I personally can’t wait to start another 7 day cleanse to kick start 2017 with a healthy bang…and to make up for all the curries and noodles I had whilst on holiday… Subscribe to A Girl’s Gotta Spa! beauty blog. Watch our reviews on YouTube, see our pins on Pinterest and check us out on Instagram. Got a Kindle? We’re on Kindle too!

National day(s) of complete diet obliteration ...also known as "the holidays," is almost upon us. As much as I am looking forward to unlimited pumpkin pie and stuffing, I know that beginning the day after Thanksgiving, all I am going to want to do is detox. This year I am one step ahead of the game with Teami Skinny Tea. Teami Skinny Tea combines a blend of natural ingredients meant to boost metabolism, improve digestive problems and help to suppress cravings to help achieve weight loss goals. Teami Skinny Tea is a loose-leaf tea that contains Oolong, Yerba Mate, Lime leaf Extract, Lotus leaf, Ginger Root, Dandelion leaf, Rhubarb Root and is gluten free, GMO free, dairy free and sugar free. Unlike a lot of detox/weight loss teas that I have tried, Teami Skinny Tea does not have a laxative effect nor does it make me feel jittery or over caffeinated. I drink this tea first thing in the morning and have definitely noticed a decrease in my cravings for sugar and carbs, as well as feeling and looking less bloated after meals. I would highly recommend getting the insanely cute Teami Tea Infuser to go with your Teami Skinny Tea. The infuser has really small holes so that your tea leaves do not end up floating in your cup. Genius. Will you be including tea into your daily detox and weight loss plan? Subscribe to A Girl’s Gotta Spa! beauty blog. Watch our reviews on YouTube, see our pins on Pinterest and check us out on Instagram and Twitter. Got a Kindle? We’re on Kindle too! *Disclosure: press sample

Detoxing and cleansing have now become a normal part of healthy lifestyle, and since I now live in Los Angeles it seems almost mandatory! I am all for a good cleanse/detox program, but I personally am not a fan of all juice cleanses or not eating.  I'll save you my laundry list of reasons, but I prefer eating actual solid, clean healthy foods, drinking a lot of water and green tea and taking my necessary vitamins and supplements. This is why I LOVED the Hum Nutrition Cleanse to the Rescue 21 Day Cleanse. Cleanse to the Rescue is a 21 day system designed to optimize digestion through the removal of toxins and assisting in the breakdown of nutrients.  The set contains 21 packets, each containing 4 capsules; 2 detox blend capsules called Daily Cleanse and 2 Flatter Me capsules that contain an enzyme combination for digestion and a flatter tummy.  Daily Cleanse combines botanicals for clear skin, organic chlorella algae, bladderwrack kelp, beetroot and milk thistle work together to detox and protect your skin as well as liver, bowels, kidneys, lungs, and lymphatic system. Flatter Me contains an enzyme blend that supports all major phases of nutrient digestion. Optimized to breakdown protein, carb, fiber, and fats, Flatter Me helps relieve indigestion.

The Cleanse To The Rescue 21 Day Cleanse is super easy to use, just take one regular sized capsule before your two main meals. I took mine right before I sat down to eat lunch and dinner, then took the two larger capsules between meals without food. There is no weird aftertaste with these capsules, they actually smelled and tasted a bit like pineapples and I loved how convenient the packets were...no large bottles of juices to lug everywhere.  I never felt tired or fatigued or had headaches or any of the other negative side effects associated with most cleanses and this is one of the least expensive cleanses I have ever done.  Just $42 for the 21 day supply. My skin also cleared up and my belly bloat all but disappeared on this cleanse. One very odd thing that happened during this cleanse is that I could not stand the smell or taste of seafood or meat. I am not sure if this was due to the cleanse or if my body just decided it was tired of meat and seafood. I finished my cleanse yesterday and I still cannot stand the thought of seafood or meat and I've never felt better. Even though I've completed the Cleanse to the Rescue 21 Day Cleanse, I fully intend to purchase and continue taking the Daily Cleanse Capsules, I may also give Ripped Rooster, Pimp My Calcium and Beauty zzZz a try! The Hum Nutrition Cleanse to the Rescue is available online or at Sephora. Have you tried Hum Nutrition yet? Subscribe to A Girl’s Gotta Spa! beauty blog. Watch our reviews on YouTube, see our pins on Pinterest and check us out on Instagram and G+. Got a Kindle? We’re on Kindle too!

My scenario may sound familiar to some of you: I work out regularly, and eat a healthy, balanced diet for the most part (there is the occasional burger about once every 2-3 months and a few pieces of candy sprinkled in here and there), but can never seem to get my stomach to get flatter and more toned.  When I say I work out regularly, I mean that I work out 5-6 times per week for at least 45 minutes and my workouts consist of cardio in the form of zumba, running or interval training, strength, yoga and various other exercise...so I definitely mix it up.  My diet also consists mostly of fresh or steamed,  veggies, quinoa and fruits, so the fact that my stomach refuses to cooperate with the rest of my body is just aggravating. I decided to try something else, which led me to purchasing my very first box of the 14 day supply of Tiny Tea Teatox.  I follow them on Instagram and am always blow away by some of the before and afters that people have posted after trying their system. Tiny Tea Teatox is formulated with Chinese medicine herbs and based upon Chinese medicinal principles.  It is a cleanse and herbal blend meant to nourish and cleanse the digestive system, providing the support your digestive system needs to replenish and restore it back to its natural state. This cleanse also assists with reducing weight, easing bloating, increasing digestion functionality, improving skin clarity, increasing energy levels and alleviating issues associated with food intolerances. I purchased the 14 - day Teatox and consumed it according to directions, 3 times a day, 30 minutes before or after meals after first letting it soak  in a cup of boiling water for 5-7 minutes at a time.  I have read a few reviews where people had complaints about the taste of the Teatox, but I had no issues with the taste.  I am a tea lover and to me it tastes just like regular tea. Within the third day of consuming Tiny Tea Teatox, I noticed I had a lot more energy and not the jittery, wired sort of energy.  Consuming the Tiny Tea made me more aware of my diet as well.  As I mentioned I eat pretty healthy for the most part, but I do get my sugar cravings.  After drinking Tiny Tea for a week, my sugar cravings completely went away.  I've been off of the tea for almost two weeks now and I still have no sugar cravings; not even on Halloween when baked goods and candies galore were right in front of my face. I avoided staring in the mirror and looking at my stomach to see if it was less bloated during the Teatox because I wanted to wait until after the two weeks were up to compare my before and after pics.  I will say that during the Teatox, few people mentioned how much smaller my waist seemed and more than a couple pair of jeans did fit a bit looser in the waist.  The ultimate test was comparing my before and after pics, which I have posted on this blog post so that you can be the judge. While, I realize one pic is a little closer than the other (nobody is perfect to get the exact same angle), I think the definition is clear in the after picture. Whether that is a result of decreased bloating or weight loss (or a combination of both), I am happy with the results. I experienced absolutely no side effects drinking Tiny Tea Teatox and I am planning on getting the 28 day Tiny Teatox to get me through the holidays without regret and without facing the new year obsessed with undoing the damage overindulging did to my body during the holiday season. Would love to know if you've tried it yourself!  Subscribe to A Girl’s Gotta Spa! Watch our reviews on YouTube, see our pins on Pinterest and check us out on Instagram and G+. Got a Kindle? We’re on Kindle too!

A seasonal detox is an effective way to clear toxins out of one's system to speed up metabolism, and to enhance overall health. On the heels of its successful Fresh Start Cleanse Retreat this spring, the award-winning Mirbeau Inn & Spa offers up a do-it-yourself detox for those who seek to continue its health benefits at home. While I've never been to Mirbeau, I hear it is only about 3 hours from me and I've heard amazing things about it...I may just have to take a trip up there one weekend... Here are Spa Director Matt Dower's top tips for an at-home cleanse:

• Start your morning with a tall glass of water with the juice of ½ of a lemon. Lemon helps re-hydrate the system and promotes digestion, which will help the flow of waste out of your body.
• Decrease your sugar intake, including honey, molasses and artificial sweeteners. If you eat more sugar, you ask your body for more insulin, straining your pancreas and wearing yourself out. In the long term, this kind of habit can cause you to become chronically fatigued, diabetic, develop cancer, and pack on excess weight.
• Eat more rice products and less wheat and processed grain. Eat more garbanzo and mung beans. Certain foods contain nutrition that enhances the liver's ability to clear toxins from the body.
• Eat as much fresh organic fruits and vegetables as possible, especially leafy greens, carrots, beets, broccoli, cucumbers, garlic, onions, artichokes and peppers. Certain foods contain nutrition that enhances the liver's ability to clear toxins from the body.
• Use unheated flax seed oil instead of other cooking oils.
• Eat vitamin C-rich foods to help detoxify your liver and strengthen the immune system against toxic exposure.
• Make sure you have adequate amounts of vitamins D, E and K in your diet. Many people are deficient in these vitamins that play a key role in antioxidant function.
• Sweat. Sweating is a natural way for the body to get rid of toxins. Whether through aerobic exercise, heated yoga, a sauna or otherwise, sweat daily.
• Make sure you drink plenty of filtered water during and after your workout to replace the water loss.
• Eat more foods with amino acids such as grass-fed meat, wild fish, cage-free eggs, milk and legumes. Amino acids have a special ability to attach themselves to toxins and drag them out of the body.
• Meditate. Creating a quiet, calm and focused mind helps eliminate toxins that build up in the mind.
• Exercise. Regular exercise encourages circulation in the blood and lymph system, enhances digestion, reduces tension, lubricates the joints, and strengthens the body. People who exercise regularly have far fewer total toxins in their systems.

Spa-goers can complement their at-home cleansing rituals with a variety of detoxifying spa treatments at Mirbeau Inn & Spa. These include: Aromatherapy Ritual (lymphatic drainage massage): A personalized aromatherapy experience and fusion of eastern and western massage techniques promotes balance of mind, body and spirit. Pinot Noir - Body Polish & Wrap (Vinotherapy treatment): Pinot Noir Body mask is applied and exfoliated off to expose fresh nourished skin. The body is then wrapped with a Shiraz Firming Cream to tighten, nourish and hydrate. Nature's Most Pure Facial: Blue lotus symbolizes purity of mind and body. Restore balance, clarity and radiance to skin with this deep cleansing facial. A Spirulina Mask is used to draw out impurities and aid with extractions. (From what I hear, they use Amala skincare products for this facial...which I am very partial to. In full disclosure, I also work with Amala--which is why I know they have amazing skin treatments!) Have you ever been to Mirbeau Inn & Spa? Please leave a comment! Subscribe to A Girl’s Gotta Spa! for more beauty reviews! Watch our reviews on YouTube. Got a Kindle? We’re on Kindle too!