Striving4Zen

June 29, 2007 -- Even in middle age, adopting a healthy lifestyle can lower the risk of heart disease and premature death, researchers say.
Middle-aged adults who began eating more fruits and vegetables, exercising, keeping weight down and not smoking decreased their risk of heart disease by 35 percent and risk of death by 40 percent in the four years after they started.
"The adopters of a healthy lifestyle basically caught up . . . [with] people who had been doing these behaviors all along," said Dr. Dana King at the Medical University of South Carolina.

I am loving this new book, The F-Factor Diet ($16.47). The basis of the book is to make sure that the foods you eat the most of have enough fiber. I love the idea of adding more fiber into your diet, not only for weight loss, but for the amazing benefits it brings (reduced risk of heart disease). Plus who doesn't love a diet that tells you to eat more?
Tanya Zuckerbrot, the author of the book is a well established nutritionist who has been practicing this program with clients for more than ten years. In other words, she knows her stuff. Of course there is way more to it than that and you'd have to read to book to get all the details, however Tanya gave me the scoop on the five best foods for summer. Here is one of them:
Summer Dish: sautéed or grilled squash Summer squash contains vitamin C as well as beta-carotene, folate, and fiber. These nutrients make summer squash a tool in preventing cancers, heart disease, and diseases of inflammation such as arthritis and asthma.
Whether you're trying to lose weight or just adopt a healthier eating program, summer squash's rich fiber content can help you get full faster -- and give you many of the nutrients you need.
Missed the others? Well, Tanya also told us about tomatoes, salmon, blueberries and corn. Yum!

Labels: F Factor, fiber, health food, nutrition

After more than half a century of denial, the American Dental Association has finally capitulated to the facts and issued warnings on the dangers of fluoride.
Adding fluoride to drinking water (to prevent tooth decay) has been standard practice in many countries for 60 years. But the practice has come under scrutiny, as fluoride has been banned by more and more European countries.
Unfortunately, too much fluoride can lead to fluorosis, a discoloring of the teeth and breakdown of enamel -- itself a result diametrically opposed to the dental health it supposedly is meant to prevent -- and more serious developmental problems such as lower IQ. Excessive use of fluoride also increases the risk of osteoporosis and can damage the nervous system.

Labels: dangerous products, fluoride, teeth

The reason 200 million Americans are overweight is not because of flawed genetics that cause them to make excessive insulin.
Hypersecretion of insulin is an effect -- NOT the cause. The reason 200 million are overweight is because they have impaired insulin receptor sensitivity.
Impaired Insulin Receptor Sensitivity: How do your insulin receptors stop working effectively? Very simple. This is a natural consequence that occurs when you don’t exercise and move the way you were designed to. Your body dynamically makes this adjustment because the receptors are not being used. This is very similar to what happens if you lie in bed for a few weeks; your muscles start to atrophy. Some have called this the “use it or lose it” phenomena. So when your insulin receptors become desensitized the only way your body can adjust is to make MORE insulin. You become an insulin hypersecretor.

READ MORE

Labels: exercise, Fat, Mercola

The Top 10 facts you need to know.

(Click on the facts below for a more detailed explanation of each.)

1.
In the summer of 2000, Israel offered the Palestinian Arabs 97% of the land they claim to be fighting for, making Israel the first and only country ever to offer the Palestinian Arabs a homeland. This offer was rejected with no counter-offer from the Palestinians.
2.
Like the United States, Israel is a democracy. Israel's Parliament includes men, women, Jews, and Arabs.
3.
Israel ensures complete equality of all individuals irrespective of religion, race or sex. These civil rights are granted in Israel's Declaration of Independence and Declaration of Establishment.
4.
The West Bank and Gaza Strip are disputed territories, claimed by Israel and the Palestinian Arabs. (UN Resolution 242)
5.
Israel gained control of the West Bank (Judea and Samaria) and Gaza (sometimes referred to as the "disputed territories") in 1967 after defeating Egypt, Syria and Jordan in a pre-emptive strike after those countries surrounded Israel with troops, launched repeated terrorist attacks, and threatened to "put an end to Israel."
6.
Three major attempts to destroy Israel have been carried out by the Arab World: in 1947, 1967, and 1973. Although many neighboring Arab countries today still wish to destroy Israel, Israel still seeks peace. Israel has forged peace agreements with Egypt (1979) and Jordan (1994), and has lived in peace with these countries ever since.
7.
The West Bank (Judea and Samaria) and Gaza were never controlled by any Palestinian government or organization until 1993, when Israel agreed to give the Palestinian Authority certain controls under the Oslo Peace accords.
8.
Israeli Settlements in the West Bank and Gaza are not illegal under any international law.
9.
There have been roughly as many Jews displaced from Arab Nations as Arabs displaced from Israeli territory. Israel has absorbed the Jewish refugees, yet the Arab world refuses to accept the Palestinian Arabs into their countries.
10.
The combined land size of Arab countries is 650 times the size of Israel -- i.e., Israel is the size of New Jersey, and the Arab countries are the size of the United States, all of Central America, and Mexico combined.

Labels: Arab-Israeli Conflict, Fuel For Truth, Israel, the facts

Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, Inc. announces the introduction of its new Multigrain cake doughnut made with seven grains and topped with an oatmeal crisp crunch. For a limited time, customers can enjoy this delicious treat made with molasses, brown sugar and pecan flavors.
"Krispy Kreme is excited to offer the Multigrain doughnut made with seven grains as another great menu choice for our customers," said Stan Parker, Senior Vice President of Marketing for Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, Inc. "This new doughnut, paired with a hot cup of one of our signature coffees, is a great way to start any day."

-Really?

Labels: Bandwagon, Ridiculoous

June 26, 2007 -- MOISTURIZER mania broke out across the pond this spring when British drugstore Boots launched No7 Protect & Perfect, a $34 anti-aging serum that promises to reduce wrinkles and actually repair sun-damaged skin.

The miracle moisturizer flew off shelves at a rate of 13 bottles per minute. And now it’s in New York. Sort of.

Last week, Boots launched No7 Restore & Renew at CVS on Lexington Avenue and 53rd Street and at Target in Brooklyn (Atlantic and Flatbush avenues), the only two stores in the area that carry select lotions and potions from the British beauty giant.

But the $22 American version is more than just a different name - lipo-pentapeptide, an active ingredient in the British version, has been swapped for lipo-oligopeptide in the American one.
“There’s five amino acids in the pentapeptide formula, and probably only one or two in the oligo,” explains Park Avenue dermatologist Dr. Neil Sadick, a clinical professor of dermatology at Weill College at Cornell University. “It doesn’t mean much, oligo is a non-specific term - it’s possible they’re even exactly alike but they had to change the name for another reason.”
Sadick also says that just because the American formula could contain fewer amino acids, it doesn’t mean it will take longer to work. “Peptides are one of the new approaches to anti-aging, and there is some science behind them,” he says.

“If you’re looking for a $20 cream, it’s possible it will work, yes.”
The beauty buzz first started when the BBC documentary “Horizon” ranked the serum as one of the top products for preventing pigmentation problems, lines and wrinkles - as well as repairing existing damage. On the day the program aired, Boots saw a 2,000 percent increase in sales and still has waiting lists for the product.

At CVS in New York, a few bottles of the cream are still on shelves with an additional 800 pieces expected after July 4, perfect for snapping up and putting on eBay. With the current exchange rate you could make a fortune off the Brits.

SOURCE

Labels: CVS, Miracle Cream, Restore and Renew

Why didn't someone think of this brilliant idea sooner? Yellow Box Beauty is a makeup club that uncovers burgeoning beauty brands and delivers their products to your door every month. And these aren't just dinky samples—they're full-sized products packed in a pretty yellow box, so you're getting what you pay for and then some. Past deliveries have included coconut cream scrub and body butter from LaLicious, and—get this—the entire line of Vanitymark Cosmetics, worth $300.
You can sign up for three-month, six-month and year-long subscriptions; prices range from $29.95 to $34.95 per month, plus shipping. I love the idea of giving this to a friend who's far away, or signing up just to get a new box of goodies each month!

Labels: beauty, gift, surprise, Yellow Box Beauty

As a Scorpio, you tend to feel guilty about not being perfect. It pains you to realize your body is not the ideal that you think it should be. Cut yourself some slack and give up on the pursuit of perfection. Find satisfaction in knowing that you are working hard to achieve you fitness goals and you're getting healthier—even if you never lose those last five pounds. Be true to yourself. If you know that your fitness plan isn’t as good as it should be, do something proactive instead of beating yourself up. Remember that self-love is the first step towards happiness and you deserve the best in life. By learning to accept your shortcomings instead of berating yourself, you may find it easier to reach your goals.
via SparkPeople

Labels: horoscope, Scorpio

The Origins division of the Estée Lauder Cos. Inc. is trying to give "organic" a new meaning this fall with Origins Organics, its first prestige-market organic collection of U.S. Department of Agriculture-certified body, skin and hair care products.
The brand has been known for its green positioning, providing naturally based beauty products for 17 years. However, Origins waited to launch a fully certified and complete line until it could comply with U.S. regulations. "We wanted to be able to meet the highest level of requirements recognized by the federal government," said Daria Myers, global president and co-founder of Origins. "Until now, there has been no unified organization with the same requirements for all companies. "Six of the collection's nine products will carry the USDA organic seal: the lip balm, purifying tonic, face lotion, body spritz, massage oil and hair oil. While not USDA-certified, the face wash, body bar and lotion will each contain between 73 and 90 percent organic ingredients.

All items in the collection were manufactured by the following places: Cosmetic Essence, Inc., Active Organics, Vermont Soaps and Jason Naturals.

As part of the effort, the company is reformulating all of its core products to be paraben-free and converting its retail stores and manufacturing plants from conventionally derived electric power to wind-generated energy by July. In addition, Origins packaging material will soon be made up of half managed forest and post-consumer recycled fiber. In order to receive the USDA Certified Organic seal, Origins Organics products were required to meet the same stringent standards the USDA requires for food.

Put in place less than two years ago, the personal care regulations demand a product contain at least 95 percent organic ingredients — substances grown naturally with only approved fertilizers and pest controls — for it to be labeled "organic" or "certified organic." Under the guidelines, the remaining percentage must be composed of nonagricultural product ingredients found on the National Organic Program list.

"To expect personal care brands to meet the food standard is a high expectation. Origins has come up with amazing, cutting-edge ways to preserve and emulsify products, which allowed them to stay within the rules and deliver incredible products."
SOURCE

Labels: natural products, organic, Origins, personal care

A New Zealand doctor has "confirmed" a case of aspartame poisoning from excessive consumption of chewing gum.
When Ms Cormack, 25, of Wellington, began suffering crippling muscle cramps and tingling in her hands and feet about five months ago, she feared she was having a heart attack. She started suffering heart palpitations, anxiety attacks, depression and skin rashes, was unable to sleep and had to take sick leave. (source)
Despite various tests, and prescriptions on anti-inflammatories and Valium - the symptoms persisted... Until Ms Cormack ceased her 4 packet-a-day chewing gum habit. Her symptoms disappeared within 24 hours.
There are currently many foods that can result in adverse reactions in different people (nuts, dairy, soy, gluten, etc). For these people, the process of isolating the cause (typically through a lengthy elimination diet) is difficult.
However - we know these foods can cause reactions. With aspartame - authorities claim that there is no scientific evidence of any adverse health effects.
The debate over aspartame will continue for some time yet.
In the mean time - you must find what works for you. As far as artificial sweeteners are concerned - it's worth asking the question as to why everything we eat need be so sweet...
Source

Labels: artificial sweeteners, aspartame, chewing gum

Languishing in cardboard boxes near the mushroom sections in local Fairway stores these next few weeks are Sea Beans, mysterious short stalks of a dark green vegetable, looking like something you might find washed up on the beach, but maybe a bit more edible.
According to Elizabeth Schneider’s Vegetables from Amaranth to Zucchini, Sea Beans (aka Salicornia) grow wild in warmer months all over- in North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia. “Salicornia is not seaweed, as it is often described,” she writes, “nor is it a cactus, which it slightly resembles.”
Eaten raw or cooked, its flavor can best be described as sea salty intense, with a sort of grassy asparagus aftertaste. When fresh, Sea Beans are crunchy like snap peas. At the tail end of their one-week refrigerator shelf life, older sea beans can be revived with a five-minute soak in ice water. In addition to their current availability at Fairway (a pricey $8.99 per ½ pound), farm-raised boxes of the vegetable show up every June at NY greenmarkets, often leaving perplexed customers headed for more conventional items like pretty garlic scapes, or local strawberries.

Labels: health food, new product, sea beans

Accolades and ambient music were the order of the day at last week’s talk by Dr. Andrew Weil at the new Miraval Living condominium on the Upper East Side.
“I want to congratulate all of you who have purchased in this building,” Miraval C.E.O. John Vanderslice told attendees before introducing the alternative-medicine guru. “This apartment will change your life.”
In an evening of bold statements, this one stood out. The 41-story development at 515 East 72nd Street is the Tucson-based resort’s first foray into metropolitan real estate. Part of AOL founder Steve Case’s Revolution Living, Miraval is hoping that its impurity-cleansing practices will transfer to big-city residential living.
Read More...

Labels: Dr. Weil, healthy living, MY IDEA, UES

Pinkberry, the upstart FroYo chain whose popularity seems completely divorced from its quality, was recently discovered to have a serious vermin problem. According to FoxNY,
The vermin were seen scurrying around the Upper East Side store Sunday morning. Rats were also a few [inches, feet? word is left out of transcript] from the yogurt machine, and that's not far from bins of fresh fruit toppings. Owners said they shocked by the discovery and have since sanitized all their New York outlets.
Now of course the yogurt isn't real yogurt, and the fresh fruit is certainly not fresh. Still, the rat infestation presents an achingly human dilemma to those UES ladies with pert bums clad in terrycloth sweatpants: Do they wish to continue eating their local vanilla and risk the Plague, or venture off into the wilds of 82nd Street in search of another slightly less vermin-ridden guilt-free pleasure? Ah, l'enfer c'est les yaourts!
Source

Labels: Pinkberry, rats, UES

Mother Nature is trying to tell you something when you crack open a walnut. The little heart-shaped nut offers some powerful cardiovascular benefits. So powerful, walnuts were the first food to receive an FDA-qualified health claim in 2004, allowing companies to say on their packaging that eating 1.5 ounces every day can reduce the risk of heart disease.

The muscle behind walnuts' heart-health profile is omega-3 fatty acids, particularly alpha-linolenic acid (ALA). Aside from raising HDL cholesterol (the so-called good cholesterol), researchers have found that ALA helps keep your blood flowing smoothly through your arteries—even after you eat a lot of saturated fats, which can harden the arteries, potentially contributing to heart attack and stroke.

Walnuts are also rich in antioxidants. These natural compounds, found in plants, help rid the body of unstable molecules called free radicals, which can lead to cancer. Early research is also showing that walnuts may offer some protection against the bone-thinning disease osteoporosis. And they're good for your teeth, too. "Walnuts can lower the acidity made by sweets and fruit juices," says nutritionist Keith Ayoob, associate professor of pediatrics at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine. "If you can't brush, chew a few walnuts at the end of a meal and you'll get some good cavity protection." [ed., Who knew?!]

Because of their fat, fiber and protein content, walnuts are also one of those nutrient-dense foods that help increase satiety, that feeling of fullness you get after a meal. Roizen recommends eating six walnuts twice a day, 30 minutes before lunch and 30 minutes before dinner. Not only will you feel full, but you'll get the health benefits, too.

For a good nut, walnuts can go bad fairly quickly. Especially if you compare them to dry roasted almonds, which can last three to four years. The folks from Whole Foods recommend storing shelled walnuts in the refrigerator in an airtight container, which will keep them fresh for about six months. Freeze them and they will last for one year. You should store unshelled walnuts in the refrigerator, too. But they will keep for up to six months in any cool, dark place. Storage may be moot. Considering how good they taste and their health benefits, it's unlikely you'll keep a package around longer than a week!
Source

Labels: health food, healthy snacks, nutrition, Nuts, Walnuts

"When it comes to wrinkles, technological innovations happen very quickly," said Guilhem Souche, the brand's international marketing director for skin care. "We needed to update and act on our most recent scientific knowledge."
The firm's laboratories identified proteins in the skin, called small leucine rich proteoglycans, which are said to control the diameter and spacing of collagen fibers, preventing its breakdown. "SLRPs control tissue quality in general and the skin in particular," said biologist Professor Yanusz Wergrowski, during a Lancôme press conference here Tuesday.
The brand focused on an SLRP called lumican, whose presence in the dermis depletes with age. As levels drop, collagen fibers are less compactly held together and skin loses firmness. To boost the synthesis of lumican, Lancôme has introduced an oligopeptide with R.A.R.E. technology, denoting Retightening and Repositioning Effect. The brand claims R.A.R.E. doubles the synthesis of lumican within 48 hours in mature skin, thus decreasing the number, depth and length of wrinkles.
While Rénergie's precursor was inspired by the results offered by surgical facelifts, the new iteration is meant to mimic more recent methods used in plastic surgery, which firm slackening features while maintaining facial expressiveness.
Read More

Labels: 2good2Btrue, Lancome, new product, skincare

this does have value......

The UltraSimple Diet is a new book from Dr Mark Hyman, author of the bestseller UltraMetabolism.
UltraSimple is a 7 day program that seeks to address toxicity and inflammation. Hyman believes that these two factors are the reason why many people struggle with obesity.

Here is a rundown of the diet:

Foods containing the following are eliminated from the diet:
Caffeine
Processed and refined carbohydrates and sugar
High-fructose corn syrup
Hydrogenated (trans) fats
Processed, packaged, junk, or fast foods
Alcohol

The book provides very detailed instructions and guidance on how to go about removing these things from your diet (along with any supplementation that may be required).

During the program, the following foods should be eaten:
Filtered water
Fish, especially small, nonpredatory species such as sardines, herring, wild salmon, black cod or sable fish, sole, and cod
Lean white meat chicken breasts (preferably organic)
Fresh or frozen noncitrus fruits, ideally berries only (preferably organic)
Fresh vegetables (preferably organic)
Fresh vegetable broth (three to four cups per day)
Legumes (lentils, navy beans, adzuki beans, mung beans, tofu, and others)
Brown rice
Nuts and seeds (almonds, walnuts, pecans, macadamia nuts, and pumpkin seeds)
Flaxseeds (ground, preferably organic)
Lemons

These are good rules in general.

Labels: diet, health food, nutrition

Touro College Acupuncture Clinic
33 W 23rd St between Fifth and Sixth Aves, lower level (212-463-0400, ext 313)

What is it?
Part of Touro’s Oriental Medicine program, the clinic offers discounted treatments—$10 for the first visit, $25 for subsequent visits—performed by grad students working toward a masters of science in acupuncture. In the tradition of Chinese medicine, a diagnosis is made by asking specific questions about a patient’s health, taking a pulse and examining the tongue.

Worth the risk?
Before this experience, the thought of anyone poking us—professional or otherwise—was frightening. But in these hands and at this price, we’d be willing to give it another go.

Labels: acupuncture, bargain, on the cheap

Speaking of brand names, head to Cosmetics Warehouse (250 W 39th St between Seventh and Eighth Aves, 212-302-5799) for a Sephora-like experience with cheaper prices. The discounter takes 40 to 60% off the sticker price of overstocked beautifiers like Revlon Super Lustrous Lipgloss, selling for $3.59 instead of $7.99.

Labels: bargain, cosmetics, on the cheap, sephora

Boot's No7 Protect & Perfect Beauty Serum flew off the shelves following a programme screened on the BBC called ‘Horizon’. Today there are waiting lists for this miracle serum. Waiting lists are the wave of the future. They are both annoying and enticing.
Boots describes the cream as a 'skin-firming and complexion-brightening serum'. The ingredients include peptides, which have been shown to increase the levels of supporting collagen in the skin, and white lupin extract. This is claimed to reduce the breakdown of collagen by enzymes known as matrix metalloproteinases. I love Peptides! Estee Lauder's CP Perfectionist is chock full of Peptides and works wonders.
Boots No7 Renew & Restore is sold at Target nationwide for $19.99.

Labels: Boots, peptides, skincare

Boots Restore & Renew (known in the UK as Protect and Perfect) is sold out everywhere. I first heard about it in April after it was featured on the BBC2’s show Horizon. They conducted a study that revealed No.7 Protect & Perfect Beauty Serum was equally as effective at repairing sun damaged skin as prescription only products. According to the show Boots No7 Protect & Perfect has been shown scientifically to repair photo-aged skin.
And now earlier this week here in the states they were mentioned on The Today show. So I run out to Target and CVS eager to purchase this product and what am I told SOLD OUT ! I run home to look on amazon and guess what SOLD OUT! So I check ebay and this stuff is going for as much as $80.00. Is that crazy or what? I think i’ll just wait around until it comes back into stock. Do you know how much MAC I can buy with $80.00? Haha.
Is it worth the wait? Has anyone tried it yet? I’d love to hear reviews form those lucky enough to find it.

Labels: Boots, new product, Restore and Renew, skincare

Even those of us with wavy or curly hair?
“Bangs are great on any hair type. Of course, if you have to be careful with really curly hair to get that bottom lash length, it would typically pull down past the chin and that’ll shrink up 50 percent, so take into consideration that elasticity and spring-like effect. I always throw another centimeter onto that bang; the more curl, the longer the bang. What I like to do on wavy hair is I’ll blow dry a bang straight and then, right before I’m done, I’ll take a little conditioner with a little bit of moisture in it, I hit it with that little bit of moisture, and it just brings back a tenth of your natural wave. So you’ve got a well-directed, directional bang that’s been blow dried, but it’s got a little bit of a wave in it, so it actually looks like it just naturally grew out of your head like that.”

Labels: bangs, hair

For many of us, the heat of the pepper is what makes it such a palate pleaser. But peppers also have a lot going for them nutritionally — they are good sources of vitamin C, beta carotene, folic acid, magnesium and potassium.
Peppers and capsaicin also have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, which might reduce the risk of heart disease, certain cancers and other chronic diseases that occur with age. Chile-laden meals have been shown to boost energy expenditure in several human trials. I n one study, for instance, 10 grams of dried hot pepper added to breakfast increased energy expenditure by 23% immediately after the meal and for more than two hours afterward. And a study published last year in the British Journal of Nutrition showed that regular chile consumption interferes with a step in the development and progression of atherosclerosis: the oxidation of lipoproteins in the blood.
When you're eating a pepper and the burn gets to be too much, it's natural to want to douse the flame with water or soak it up with a bland bite of bread. But these things won't work well. Capsaicin is bound tight to nerve receptor sites in the taste buds and is not water soluble. It does mix with fats, oil and alcohol — which may explain why beer makes a better chile chaser than water. The best fire quencher, though, is milk.
LA Times

Labels: capsaicin, chiles, health food, nutrition

A handful of nuts every day can lower your heart-disease risk by a third, chop your Alzheimer's risk by two-thirds, and help you slim down. We pitted the Elite Eight of nuts (coaches' poll) against one another in three categories to determine the best nut of all.

ROUND 1: MONO MADNESS
Winners were based on monounsaturated-fat content, the heart-healthy fats that help lower your total and LDL (bad) cholesterol levels, while raising levels of HDL (good) cholesterol.

BRAZIL 6.5 grams (g) mono fats v. MACADAMIA 16.8 g mono fats
PISTACHIO 6.9 g mono fats v. ALMOND 9.5 g mono fats
WALNUT 2.5 g mono fats v. PECAN 12.5 g mono fats
PEANUT 7 g mono fats v. CASHEW 7.7 g mono fats

ROUND 2: PROTEIN PUNCH
You need protein to help you get lean, pack on muscle, or fight off an afternoon slump at work.

MACADAMIA 2.2 g protein v. ALMOND 6.3 g protein
PECAN 2.7 g protein v. CASHEW 4.3 g protein

ROUND 3: VITAMIN VITALITY
The best nuts are like multivitamins. An ounce of almonds provides half the vitamin E you need daily, 8% of the calcium, and 19% of the magnesium. These nutrients lower your risk of heart attack and improve your bone strength.

ALMOND 7.5 milligrams (mg) vitamin E, 75 mg calcium, 81 mg magnesium, 211 mg potassium v.
CASHEW 0.2 milligrams vitamin E, 13 mg calcium, 74 mg magnesium, 160 mg potassium

(Winners based on ounce-by-ounce comparison of dry-roasted, unsalted nuts.)
AND THE NUT CHAMPION IS . . . ALMOND!

Thanks Men's Health!

Labels: health food, nutrition, Nuts

The Environmental Working Group's database of cosmetic products exposes many trusted natural brands as less than honorable. Some brands use ingredients that were simply derived from natural sources, but are no longer natural or organic.
Sodium laureth/lauryl sulfate is derived from coconut oil, and some brands simply refer to it as such on their ingredients list. But SLES/SLS is no longer natural by any means, and is a common ingredient in anti-freeze and engine degreasers.
It's a shamefully misleading statement, as pure coconut oil is a fantastic moisturizer and a potent source of the beneficial fat lauric acid, from which lauryl sulfate is derived.
The parabens referred to in the articles are commonly used as preservatives, even though they have been linked to various cancers. On the label they may be listed as methyl paraben, ethyl paraben, propyl paraben, butyl paraben, isobutyl paraben or E216.
Truly organic personal-care products do not contain preservatives, although they may contain natural antimicrobial and antifungal ingredients like grapefruit seed extract, or antioxidant vitamins (A, C and E), which come with all the benefits of a preservative, but none of the dangerous side effects.
There is no question that people are being damaged by beauty products. The adverse effects of toxins is compounded over decades. Chemicals are transmitted into the bloodstream in a number of ways: powders have the least absorption, while oily solutions or those designed to increase moisture allow more of the chemical to be absorbed.
It is important to remember that nearly everything you slather onto your skin and scalp goes into your bloodstream, so make sure you read the labels!

Labels: Mercola, natural products, skincare

The 10 featured here were chosen because of their direct link to the Brain-Beauty Connection. These foods (listed here in alphabetical order) are rich in either the Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs), antioxidants or fiber, and as in the case of açaí—all three! In addition, we have included foods that have been proven to lower or help regulate blood sugar levels—an extremely important factor for all of those concerned with slowing the aging process and preventing diabetes, obesity, wrinkles and a host of degenerative diseases.
Learn More About Dr. Perricone's Superfoods:
Açaí
The Allium Family
Barley
Beans and Lentils
Buckwheat
Green Foods
Hot Peppers
Nuts and Seeds
Sprouts
Yogurt and Kefir

Health Benefits
Although many of these foods have reported medical benefits, remember at all times that if you have any type of health problem or physical symptom, do not self-diagnose or self-medicate—even if with a food or herb. Trust your medical professional first and foremost in this department. However, the 10 foods included here do have incredible health benefits. Listed below are just some of the reasons to include these foods in your diet—every day:
Prevent or reduce inflammation
Help regulate metabolism and burn body fat
Lower total cholesterol
Lower blood pressure
Help protect against heart disease
Help protect against cancer
Help protect organs from toxins
Promote digestive health

Labels: Dr. Perricone, health food, list, nutrition, superfoods

You can add to this, lots of other "stresses"—stuff that goes into your body that’s not designed to be there and stuff that should be there, but isn’t:

Pesticide and fungicide residues.
Environmental toxins in air, water, food, mercury fillings, exhaust fumes, home and beauty products etc.
Drugs—legal, illegal, recreational and prescribed.
Lack of sleep, exercise and sunlight.
Unnatural foods—grains, dairy products, processed foods of all kinds especially refined carbohydrates—sugar, white flour etc.
Poor quality foods low in nutrients, grown in poor soils, picked unripe, left too long before being eaten.
Poorly designed diets, for example, too many acid-forming foods. And its mirror, not enough alkali-forming foods—fruits and vegetables, unnatural additives, trans fatty acids etc.

Labels: living holistically, stressors

Healthy Solutions, Green Living

Care2 is a special place. With more than 5 million members, Care2.com is the largest online community for people who want to make a difference.

We're about values. If you care about health, human rights and protecting the environment, and if you believe individuals have the power to change the world, you're going to love Care2.

You can learn from, and meet, amazing people here. You'll discover wonderful organizations working on the front lines. And it's fun, usually really easy, and always rewarding.

Labels: healthy links, natural products, tips

It has only one ingredient--you just can’t get more simple than that--and it will help you to have thicker, fuller-looking hair in a jiffy.

Here’s the secret ingredient:
1/2 cup coconut milk

Just put the coconut milk in a spray bottle. After you shampoo your hair, spray your still-wet hair with the coconut milk, then blow dry.
This formula will keep in the fridge for about a week.

HELPFUL HINTS: You can buy plain unsweetened coconut milk at the health food store.

Labels: coconut milk, DIY, hair, volumizer

If your tresses could use a little bodifying boost, this simple formula is for you: it will add strength, luster, and incredible fullness to your hair.
Only one herbal ingredient does the trick, and a few drops of optional essential oil adds fragrance, shine, and silkiness.
Nettles are a wonderful herbal ally, not only for fuller, more beautiful hair, but as a calcium-rich tonic that benefits the entire system. (See the Drinkable Nettle Infusion recipe below).
Dried nettles and nettle tincture are easy to buy. Just order online at Blessed Herbs or Mountain Rose Herbs.

Here are two variations on the Big Body formula. The second one couldn’t be easier!

Big Body Hair Rinse
INGREDIENTS
2-4 tablespoons dried nettles
1 cup purified or distilled water
3-5 drops lavender essential oil (optional)
1. Combine herbs and water in a stainless steel or glass pan. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat, and simmer, covered, for half an hour. Remove from heat and let cool, then strain out the liquid and discard the spent herbs.
2. After shampooing, gently towel-blot your hair, then wrap a towel around your neck. Leaning over a sink or basin, apply the rinse with a spout bottle. For extra potency, pour over a basin so the rinse won’t drain away, then pour the collected liquid through the hair to use every drop. Do not rinse out. Blot hair dry with a towel.

Even Easier Big Body Formula
INGREDIENTS
30 drops nettle tincture
1 cup water
This formula does not require boiling or fussing. Simply mix the ingredients and apply to hair as above.

Drinkable Nettle Infusion
Place a generous handful of dried nettles in a clean quart jar and fill jar with boiling water. Allow to steep for at least 4 hours (8 is better). Strain, sweeten with honey if desired, and drink this strong infusion throughout the day.

Labels: DIY, hair, natural products, nettles

A new pricey skin cream, Amatokin, is coming to the U.S. and making those who are always on the prowl for the next great anti-aging treatment reach for their wallets. The product is on sale at Bloomingdales for $173 for a one month supply. That's far from the kits we have seen that sell for several thousand dollars but certainly expensive enough to make me wonder what it is made of. So what's the secret? The product uses stem-cell technology harnessing the regenerative potential of your own facial stem cells. The product is being marketed by the same people who marketed StriVectin which explains the rather basic packaging. A recent article in the Daily Mail reports that a woman tested it out for French Elle and was quite pleased with the results.

Labels: miracle?, pricey creams, skincare

Here is a great moisturizing masque made with just avocados and eggs, courtesy of the California Avocado Commission.

Beat the yolk of an egg until it is light and frothy.
Add the mashed pulp of half an avocado, mix well in a blender.
Cleanse your face thoroughly before using this masque (or any masque, for that matter).
Spread the avocado mixture over the face and neck evenly, and just lie down and relax about 20 minutes.
Remove with clear tepid water and a face cloth, followed by a rinse of cold water or a mild skin lotion.

Labels: DIY, dry skin, skincare

Try this simple mango aloe toner to soothe your chapped or windburned cheeks.
You are going to need:

1 cup aloe vera gel, chilled
2 tablespoons chopped fresh mango
1 lime, juiced
Puree the aloe vera gel, chopped mango, and the juice of one lime. Chill mixture, and apply to face at night with clean cotton pads. The toner will feel slightly sticky from the exfoliating sugars in the mango.
Leave on overnight or while you watch your favorite shows, and rinse with cool water (hot water can dry out and irritate your skin.
Toner will keep for approximately 2 weeks if refrigerated.

Labels: DIY, skincare, toner

Mix in a plastic bowl:
½ cup of raw turbinado sugar (or brown sugar)
¼ cup of honey
Add 3-4 drops of essential oil if you have some around.
Use scrub all over your body once you are in the shower. If you have bath gloves or a loofah use those for scrubbing. Focus a little extra on areas that tend to get dry like elbows and heels.
Wash the scrub away with water and then enjoy your sweet smelling, soft skin.

Labels: body scrub, DIY, skincare

Here is a home treatment for deep cleaning your pores. It works like those pore cleaning strips you find at the drugstore, but all you need is:

1 Tablespoon Knox unflavored gelatin
1-1/2 Tablespoons of milk
Mix the above ingredients and microwave them for 10 seconds. You want the mixture to be slightly warm.
Apply the warm mixture onto your nose and chin using a clean cosmetic brush or small spatula. Avoid the delicate eye area.
Rinse brush immediately.
Allow mixture on nose and chin to dry for 10-15 minutes. Kick back on the sofa and relax while it dries into a stiff film.
Peel off the film and marvel at all the gunk that was clogging your pores.

Labels: DIY, mask, skincare

Malic acid (apples, vinegar, applesauce, cider);
Lactic acid (buttermilk, yogurt, powdered skim milk, sour cream, blackberries, tomatoes);
Tartaric acid (grapes, grape juice, wine, cream of tartar);
Citric acid (citrus fruits such as lemons, limes, grapefruit, and orange);
Glycolic acid (sugar cane).
Just dab some of the liquid on your face with your fingertips, let set for ten minutes or so, then rinse.
**Note, too, that your skin can get sunburned more easily when you use fruit acids, so make certain to use sunscreen.

Labels: ALPHA-HYDROX, DIY, skincare

We all know by now that exfoliation is important for healthy skin and many folks use Alpha-hydroxy Acid (AHA) products, which are essentially fruit acids. These acids loosen the "glue" between dead skin cells so the cells fall away, leaving your face very smooth and soft.

Lemon juice, strawberries and grapes are common fruits with acids that can benefit your skin. Just applying a little of these on your skin every other evening can make your skin so much softer.
Just dab some of the liquid on your face with your fingertips, let it set for ten minutes or so, then rinse with cool water. Don't forget to moisturize after you pat your face gently dry.

Labels: ALPHA-HYDROX, DIY, exfoliate, skincare

Mix together:
1 Tablespoon of coarse, clean sand
1/4 cup light canola oil
1/4 cup liquid hand soap
1/4 cup sea salt
1/4 cup Epsom salt

If you have any essential oils on hand you can add about 5 to 10 drops. Peppermint oil can bring renewed vitality to exhausted feet.
Apply salt scrub to wet feet and gently massage all parts of your feet, paying particular attention to your heels. Rinse off the salt and pat dry.
Moisturize.

Labels: DIY, foot scrub

Grapes are a well known antioxidant that contain a natural ingredient called pycnogenol which is a skin purifier that helps to deep clean, tighten and refine the tone of your skin.

If your face is lookin' a little tired and you'd like to pep it up, use your fridge for a fast, easy and inexpensive instant fix.

Mash the grapes up good so that they are very fine - almost like a paste.
Use a paintbrush (one that's never been used preferably) with soft bristles and paint your entire face (stay away from your eyes) with the grapes.
Next, lie down for ten minutes and let nature do its thing.
Rinse off with cool water, pat dry and follow with your favorite moisturizer.

Labels: DIY, grapes, pycnogenol, skincare

- Take a handful of fresh mint leaves and pulverize them with a pestle in a bowl.

- Next, add moist oats to the mixture and mix until it forms a paste.

- Apply evenly to your face, or just to your affected areas, and wait 20 minutes.

Relax and take deep breaths during your waiting time. Allow the oats and the oils to absorb. The mixture should smell delicious and should also do the trick. Apply twice a day as needed storing the remaining mixture in a sealed container in the fridge.

Labels: DIY, natural products, pimple

Take one green apple and cut it into small cubes. Leave the peel on but remove the seeds.
Combine the apple and 1/2 cup lukewarm water in a small saucepan and bring to a boil. Once it boils, remove from heat and allow it to cool completely.
Strain the mixture through a fine mesh sieve into a clean bowl.
Stir in 1/4 cup of witch hazel.
Apply the toner with a clean cotton ball, or pour it into an empty spray bottle and spritz on.

Labels: DIY, natural products, skincare

The Institute of Medicine recommends 200 international units (IU) for children and adults younger than 50. For men and women over 50, the RDI is 400 IU.
Which Foods Have Vitamin D?
Many foods are fortified with vitamin D, most notably milk. One cup of milk provides 98 IU, almost half the recommended amount for adults under 50. Many breakfast cereals are also fortified with vitamin D, but many only provide 10 percent of the RDI. Cold water fish such as salmon, tuna and sardines, are excellent sources of vitamin D. Just 3 1/2 ounces of salmon, half of an average restaurant portion, provides 360 IU of vitamin D.
There are also a variety of vitamin D vitamin supplements. The NIH estimates 30 to 40 percent of older adults are vitamin D deficient and could benefit from a supplement. Also, people living in northern latitudes and people with a high amount of melanin in the skin (darker skin) are prone to vitamin D deficiency.

Labels: nutrition, Vitamin D

Joining fruits such as açaí and pomegranate in the superfruit category, goji berries have become the latest “it” fruit to hit the shelves, generating major fans for both their nutritional factor and, interestingly, their aphrodisiac reputation. Naturally packed with beta-carotene, vitamins C, B1 and B2, minerals, amino acids and antioxidants, goji berries have been used since ancient times to improve vision, complexion, circulation, nourish internal organs and strengthen the body on a cellular level. Available as pure goji juice and a goji-cranberry blend, we love Gloji’s light bulb-shaped bottle and lightly sweet flavor. Mix it up with VeeV for a super anti-oxidant rich cocktail! www.gloji.com

Labels: acai, goji berries, health food, new product, nutrition

When Liz Earle and Kim Buckland launched their all-natural botanics-based skin-care and beauty line on a British home-shopping network in the late '90s, no one could have predicted it would sell out in half an hour. In the 10 years since, Liz Earle Skincare has become one of the most sought-after cult beauty brands in Europe - with women traveling to London on shopping trips dedicated to cleaning out the stock at Browns and, as of last year, Liz Earle's flagship boutique. Now, for the first time, Liz Earle products can be ordered online and shipped to the United States. We're crazy about the Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser ($22.50), a makeup-dissolving, dirt-removing cream and washcloth ensemble that soothes even the most seasonally irritated epidermis, and the line's Skin Repair Moisturizer for dry skin (pictured, $28), all available at lizearle.com.

Labels: europe, natural products, skincare

NYP June 7, 2007 -- Shop 'til it drops....
IF you spent $48 on the "Lux" brand dress at Urban Outfitters , you just got frocked. Sure, it seems worth the money - it's relatively cheap and perfect for a steamy hot summer day, paired with leggings or even over a bathing suit.
But the exact same "Angie" brand dress - stitch for stitch, button for button - is $17 at Strawberry. Even the tag on the inside is the same: Rn# 66170 and Ca# 32054.
A third look-alike - a $32 "Nolita"-brand dress at Century 21 - features the same Southwest-style print but is a little longer, has a belt and big yellow fabric buttons.
So what's the deal? Turns out they're all manufactured by Star of India Fashions, an Arizona-based company with a New York showroom in the Garment District. Angie and Nolita are divisions under the Star of India umbrella, and the company makes private-label dresses for Urban Outfitters. We learned our lesson - it pays to shop around.

Labels: bargains, NYPost, shopping

Get firsthand information from experts about natural personal care products.
Find out why you might want to take a closer look at your deodorant, oral care, hair care and skin care products.

Listen Here

Labels: natural products, podcast, Whole Foods

All Multivitamins Are Not Created Equal
Learn why all multivitamins are not the same and what you can look for to support specific needs.

Listen Here

Labels: podcast, Vitamins, Whole Foods

Summer is just about here and it’s time for our skin to be looking its best. Tune in to learn why natural skin care is the best choice.
Listen here

Labels: Audio, natural products, podcast, skincare, Whole Foods

June 6, 2007 -- With 53 percent of city residents classified as overweight, lawmakers said yesterday they're allocating $6.5 million to fight the battle of the bulge.

"New Yorkers are consuming more calories than ever before," said City Councilman Joel Rivera (D-Bronx), the trim Health Committee chairman, in announcing grants to five groups to expand obesity-prevention programs.

NYPOST

Labels: battle of the bulge, Fat, NYC

To help its shoppers choose the products that are right for their skin, Whole Foods Market, the world's leading natural and organic foods supermarket, has launched the "Be Good to Your Whole Body" campaign in its Whole Body® departments. Taking care of the body's largest organ, the skin, is the focus during the month of June. A free class will be given on skin care to help educate shoppers on natural ingredients.

"All skin types should avoid products with heavy mineral oils, harsh preservatives and chemicals, and artificial colors," says Jody Villecco, national food and nutrition Quality Standards coordinator for Whole Foods Market. "Look for cleansers, moisturizers and sunscreens that contain plant-based oils that penetrate and nourish the skin. Products scented with pure essential oils tend to be less irritating than synthetic fragrances."

Villecco encourages shoppers to read ingredient labels and look for products with beneficial ingredients for their skin type. For oily skin, for example, witch hazel, jojoba oil and rosemary cleanse and tone to help the skin look refreshed without adding extra oils. For dry, stressed skin, moisturizers and lotions with natural plant oils such as olive, almond and borage improve the skin's moisture retention. To help reduce clogged pores and breakouts in acne-prone skin, patchouli and bergamot oils in cleansers and toners accelerate the healing process that occurs with mild breakouts.

Skin care for mature skin, aimed at promoting youthful, vibrant skin, is another important component. As an alternative to harsh products, the Whole Body department features products containing:


* Blends of amino acids and botanical extracts

* Magnesium oxide crystals from seawater and ocean salts to exfoliate

* Evening primrose oil, olive esters, and vitamin E to moisturize

* Alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) or beta-hydroxy acid (BHA) to help uneven skin
tone and sun spots

* Sunscreens with zinc oxide and titanium dioxide to provide a protective
barrier against sun damage

A skin care podcast is available at http://wholefoods.com/socialmedia/wholebody. Check local store listings for events and more information.

Labels: natural products, skincare, Whole Foods

If you haven’t yet heard of Red Mango, you will soon. Red Mango is the original Pinkberry. Red Mango has over 140 locations in Korea and has been operating since 2002. Ten Red Mango locations will be opening in 2007 with the first in Westwood, CA by the end of June. Although many people in the states will think Pinkberry was the first of its kind, rest assured that Red Mango is in fact the one that started it all. You can now prove your friends wrong when they try to convince you its the other way around.
.....

The nutritional expert was also on hand working out the nutritional facts of the yogurt and enlightened me to the fact that Red Mango is not only healthier than Pinkberry due to the yogurt elements but also less in calories (about 20 calories in 1 ounce, compared to Pinkberry with 25 calories.)

Labels: Fro-yo, Pinkberry, Red Mango

Science Buzz: A new study links the sodium benzoate found in some soft drinks to the destruction of DNA. Finally, a new health scare to worry about! A British researcher says the chemical - a common preservative in sodas, sauces and pickles - has the ability to switch off important parts of your DNA, leading to cirrhosis and/or Parkinson's.

Wikipedia - Sodium benzoate is used as a preservative, effectively killing most yeasts, bacteria, and fungi. It is effective only in acidic conditions: vinegar, carbonated drinks (carbonic acid), jams (citric acid), fruit juices (citric acid), pickles (vinegar), and Chinese food sauces (soy, mustard, and duck). It is also found in alcohol-based mouthwash and silver polish. Sodium benzoate is used in many soft drinks and can be identified on the label of the bottle or can as 'sodium benzoate' or E211. The taste of sodium benzoate cannot be detected by around 25 percent of the population, but for those who can taste the chemical, it tends to be perceived as sweet, salty, or sometimes bitter.

Labels: dangerous additives, food, sodium benzoate

"Spirulina is one of the only non-animal sources of complete protein," says Jessica McNamara, product specialist for Frontier Natural Products Co-op, which supplies spirulina to natural food stores and cooperatives throughout the country. "It has all eight of the essential amino acids in the correct proportion, plus 10 of the 12 nonessential ones. So one serving all by itself translates into 5 grams of complete protein for the body. And for that reason, it's become really popular with strict vegans and people in the raw foods movement."
It's also extremely low in calories (26 per tablespoon), carbohydrates and fat. And because the carbs it does contain are complex, married to a protein- and mineral-rich base, McNamara says it's possible spirulina also stabilizes blood glucose levels by slowing the body's process for metabolizing sugars and simple starches. But she's reluctant to make any overt health claims.

Read more in Salon....

Labels: greens, nutrition, superfoods

Dole Organic lets consumers “travel to the origin of each organic product.” By typing in a fruit sticker's three-digit Farm Code on Dole Organic's website, customers can read background info, view photos of the farm and workers and learn more about the origin of Dole products.
Thanks Trendwatching!

Labels: Dole, organic

Ten olives contain about 50-80 calories, depending primarily on their size. (Jumbo olives weigh about twice as much as small olives). This amount of calories is minimal when we think about the calories usually consumed during snacking. Yet, the fact that olives are a good snack option is not just limited to their being low in calories. You also get a wealth of nutrients for those calories. Olives are very nutrient-rich, containing heart-healthy monounsaturated fat, vitamin E, and antioxidant phytonutrients, including polyphenols. With all of that goodness, it's no wonder that olives play a central role in the Mediterranean Diet, which has been found to promote vitality and offer protection against a host of different diseases.

Labels: health food, nutrition, olives