American Farming and Food Processing in the Hot Seat?
07/02/2009 In Skin Nutrition
Food, Inc is a new documentary film that has been sparking many conversations on just what may be required to “eat healthy.”
With great knowledge comes great responsibility. It’s no secret that our farming industry is in crisis and that we need to figure out a way to get out of the cycle we are in. But can we really go back to individual private farms and grow all our own food? Can we force all of America to become vegetarian? We can educate ourselves on the obesity rate and Western diseases we face in the US, and research how they are connected to the typical American diet – but then what? Here is a great, simple article about what we can do after our eyes have been opened a bit. Enjoy, Bon Apetit!
New York Times-Eating Food That’s Better for You, Organic or Not
Hungry for more?
Check out these related posts:
Book Review: In Defense of Food
Book Review: The Omnivore’s Dilemma
Vegetarianism and Your Skin
Baby Carrots Not Really Babies?
You Are What You Eat
The Raw Deal
*update
After posting today, I found a great guide for any of you thinking about starting that veggie and herb garden in your backyard.
Are you motivated to buy local and support local farms, all while eating healthier, more nutritionally dense foods? Visit Local Harvest.
5 Ways To Stay Beautifully Safe This Summer
07/01/2009 In Skin Care 101
1. Drink Up.
Ditch the sodas and go for water instead. Our bodies use gallons of water daily and in order to function properly we need to replace some of it. Here is more information on dehydration and the skin
Don’t like the taste of water – or in the mood for something a little fancier? See my spa recipe idea for jazzing up your water!
2. Munch All Day…
…on raw fruit and veggies containing powerful antioxidants to help protect your skin from the inside out. The bright colors in these snacks are what provide you with the antioxidants that end up settling in your skin after digestion! They are also more satisfying in hot weather because of their water content!
tip: Eat in your bathing suit…you will end up eating less and still stay satisfied
3. Protect Yourself
Use a sun block with titanium and / or zinc oxide every time you are out in the sun -especially if you are in the water or on the white sandy beach as the reflection from both can intensify the effects of the sun on your skin. Be careful not to use synthetic sunscreens, like and as they may be toxic (research is still being conducted on their safety in certain doses.) These chemical sunscreens still allow the UV rays to enter the skin, then change the way they react with your skin in order to prevent burning. My advice is to use an SPF 15-45 with the natural sun-blocking minerals mentioned above so that the UV rays are literally blocked from penetrating your skin – keeping you safer.
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Spa Water Recipe
06/30/2009 In At Home Spa
Over the years, I’ve seen many different spa lounge and relaxation room set-ups and I have to say that one of my favorite parts has always been the creative yummy flavored water I enjoy while meditating in the sauna or soaking my feet, waiting for my massage therapist to whisk me away.
I’m sharing one of the best spa water recipes with you – it makes for a beautiful party presentation, and will definitely encourage you to drink more water!
- prepare an ice cube tray *preferred if using a water bottle, or a few small plastic disposable cups (Solo, Dixie)
- slice ingredient of choice (try mixing some of these together: strawberries, kiwi, mint, lychee, blueberries, raspberries, limes, lemons, tangerines, cucumber)
- place your favorite combo or ingredient in the bottom of cups or a small amount in each compartment of ice cube tray
- fill the ice cube tray or cups with water (if using the cups – fill less than half-way full)
- place in freezer overnight
- remove cubes from tray and use like regular ice cubes
*if using plastic cups – remove cups from freezer and run upside down for just a few seconds under hot water to loosen the ice inside – the ice should come right out and can be placed in a pitcher or glass
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fill with drinking water and enjoy!
ahas and retinoids: friends or foes?
06/29/2009 In Key Active Ingredients
Recently, there was an article written by respected dermatologist, Dr. Baumann (respected dermatologist and author of “Skin Type Solutions”) that stated AHAs and retinoids should be used separately as they can inactivate each other. I’ve been reading some conflicting information on the subject and figured I’d try to shed some light and hopefully cut through any confusion on the subject. Here it goes.
Retinoids: Vitamin A is used in three main forms. Retinoic Acid, the active ingredient in Retin-A and Accutane, Retinol – the alcohol form of Vitamin A that is converted into retinoic acid in the skin, and retinaldehyde, the non-acidic ester form of the Vitamin that also gets converted in the skin. All three forms of the vitamin work to fight free radicals, strengthen the skin and boost cellualr metabolism. When Vitamin A is applied topically, it is escorted by the skin directly into the nucleus of the cell where it charges fibroblasts into action to create more cells. Retinoids are commonly used in skincare for this reason and can be very helpful in treating fine lines, wrinkles, scarring, acne lesions and more.
AHAs: Alpha Hydroxy acids are located everywhere in the human body. When you pump iron at the gym, you are breaking down muscle and feeling the burn. That burn is actually lactic acid being released – an alpha hydroxy acid. AHAs started popping up everywhere in skincare after research showed how the use of glycolic acid stimulated cellular metabolism, softening fine lines and bringing more moisture into the skin in the process. Since then, we’ve experimented with other AHAs and now use lactic (milk and beets), glycolic (sugar and certain fruits), malic (apple) and mandelic (almonds) and found that each hold merit for healthy aging as well as the reduction of hyper-pigmentation and acne lesions. Simply put, AHAs break skin down on the very surface in order to enourgae skin to “bulk up,” growing faster, bigger and stronger (kinda like a gym workout for your face.)
Benzoyl Peroxide: brings oxygen into the skin which kills bacteria – this ingredient is used quite a bit in acne products in order to help the skin eliminate bacteria, thus heling to clear acne lesions.When overused, however, it can cause
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UV Radiation from Energy Efficient Light Bulbs?
06/24/2009 In Skin Care 101
Here’s a recent article from derm blog that I found interesting. I was unaware that certain “green” fluorescent bulbs (many of which we have in our office and home) actually gave off a bit of UV radiation. Apparently not enough to promote the use of ’round the clock or indoor sunblock, but interesting still. The article also reminds us about not sitting too close to the TV (especially great big flat screens.)
DermBlog-Fluorescent Light Bulbs and UV Exposure
An additional word to the wise about electronics in the home: even when turned off, if TV sets or other electronics remain plugged in they can still emit radiation, so it may be best to avoid these electronics in the bedroom close to where you sleep. We get enough sitting in front of our computers all day! Feng Shui experts also suggest counterbalancing electronic energy with items that promote healthy Chi (energy): like plants, flowing water or windows (preferably the kind that open to let in fresh air.)
