Striving4Zen

The Clorox Company, as part of its strategy to grow in and beyond its core in fast-growing, higher-margin consumer-product categories, today announced it will acquire Burt’s Bees, a leader in the natural personal care category.

The highly fragmented U.S. natural personal care market represents about $6.4 billion in sales and is currently growing at about 9 percent annually. Founded in 1984, the Burt’s Bees® brand today is regarded among many consumers who purchase natural personal care products as the “most natural” personal care brand and as the leading natural brand in the U.S. The acquisition of Burt’s Bees is strongly aligned with Clorox’s Centennial Strategy to pursue growth in areas aligned with consumer “megatrends” in health and wellness, sustainability, convenience and a more multicultural marketplace.

SOURCE

Labels: big company, burt's bees, clorox

Discoloration and wrinkles and veins, oh my (skin)!
Thanks to the rapid rise of medi-spas (See today's Vital Vocab for more on medi-spas), we aren't stuck with the hand (and face) we were dealt.
If anti-aging is your thing (and whose thing isn't it?), The STAR Center (psst...Skin Therapy Antiaging and Rejuvenation) may just be the place for you. It's a state-of-the-art medical spa featuring the latest equipment and treatments tucked away on the Upper East Side of Manhattan.
Book an appointment with Karen Blass, the laser and skin care guru, for a fully customized session. Are you more chemical peel, microdermabrasion or photodynamic therapy? Not a clue? That's where Karen comes in. Her passion is to "enhance the skin you're in." In fact, that's her motto. Her therapeutic touch turns every session into a transporting experience of both body and spirit. Relaxation while having laser leg vein removal? Who knew it was possible!?

November is "Healthy Skin Month" (every month should be), so schedule an appointment through 11/30 and you'll receive a 10% discount.
Tell them Vital Juice Daily sent you!

Labels: MediSpa, NYC, skincare, UES

I've been using the Bella Pelle Skincare All in One Firming Elixir for a few months, and I must say I love what it does for my skin. Much as I like it though, I've been on the lookout for a product that is more of a serum as I have very oily skin. Bella Pelle Skincare's Rosehip and Hibiscus Serum seems to be my answer. I'll list the ingredients at the end of my review and I think they'll make clear why this stuff is so incredibly effective. From the first moment I applied it, my skin look brighter, firmer, and healthier. After having used it now for about 2.5 weeks, I must say I'm really amazed by the results. My skin has just never looked so good. I have friends who spend literally 10 times as much on serums without such dramatic smoothing and firming. I love trying new products, but this is one product I think I'm going to be sticking with for a long, long time! The only place I've found it online is at their site: http://www.bellapelleskincare.com

SIMPLY PERFECT ROSEHIP & HIBISCUS SUPER SERUM Ingredients: Aloe barbadensis (Organic Aloe Vera) Juice, Kosher Vegetable Glycerin, Hibiscus sp. (Hibiscus) Flower Extract, Emulsifying Wax NF, Rosa mosqueta (Rosehip) Seed Oil, Dimethylaminoethanol (DMAE Bitartrate), Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM), Tocopherol (Vitamin E), Phenoxyethanol, Ascorbyl Palmitate (Vitamin C Ester), Niacinamide (Vitamin B3), Calcium d-Pantothenate (Pro-Vitamin B5), Beta Carotene (Pro Vitamin A), Lecithin, Xanthan Gum (Polysaccharide Gum), Rosmarinus officinalis (Rosemary) Oleoresin, Azadirachta indica (Neem) Oil, Tetrasodium EDTA, Citric Acid

Labels: natural products, new product, skincare

If you've ever gone to the store in search of the perfect hair dryer, you may have found yourself overwhelmed by all the styles, shapes and sizes that line the shelves.

A few general ground rules:
-Dryers with wattages above 1800 watts tend to work best (though there are exceptions, as you'll see below)
-Look for a dryer with multiple heat/speed settings (4-6 is pretty standard these days), and for a cool shot button to lock hair in place after it's been heat styled
-Make sure your dryer comes with a nozzle attachment, which will concentrate the air as you blow dry

Professional hair dryers ($80 to $100-plus) can be purchased at a beauty supply store, a salon or through a professional catalogue. While these hair dryers are geared toward repeated use by professionals, they can be beneficial at home if you are willing to pay the price. Many of these professional dryers are quiet and feature new drying technologies such as ionic and ceramic energy to cut your hair drying time in half. They infuse moisture and only cause minimal damage to the hair cuticle. They'll usually last you a lot longer than the moderately expensive dryer. Their motors are far more powerful and well-built than the moderately expensive dryers, and with the technology they use, there's less chance of blowing out the dryer completely. The more expensive models are also better for women who straighten their hair on a regular basis. They have far more horsepower than their commercial counterparts, and will withstand prolonged high heat better than the less expensive models. Once you choose your price point, the next step is to narrow down the different models.
To do so, look for some of the bells and whistles that could be highly beneficial to your type of hair.

IONIC DRYERS: Ions are hot these days in the world of hair dryers. They are charged particles, each of which contains either a positive or negative charge. Positive charges, from the common blow dryer, cause the cuticle covering of the hair shaft to open, causing the frizzies and a dull appearance.
Ionic hair dryers produce negatively charged ions, ostensibly causing the cuticle to remain flat, "trapping" moisture, thus eliminating the frizzies and giving hair more body. Plus, they promise to dry hair faster than regular dryers and leave it shinier and smoother. Ionic dryers are also supposed to banish the static electricity that results in a flyaway mess of hair. These are good for everyone, especially if you have normal hair that doesn't need a tremendous amount of styling help.

Vidal Sassoon Ionic Sensor Touch 1875w ($30): Turns on when picked up, turns off when put down, and provides 8 heat/speed combinations plus a cool touch button
Solano Top Power Ion 1875w ($149): Has two speeds, five temperature settings, emits more than 2,100,000 ions per cubed centimeter each minute.

CERAMIC DRYERS Stylists have become fans of ceramic brushes during the past several years because they style hair quickly without damaging the outer layer of the hair cuticle. Dryer manufacturers are now incorporating ceramic into their dryers, which yields many positive results. Conventional dryers have a standard rope heater that heats the perimeter of the airflow. The addition of a ceramic heater provides even heat distribution to help prevent hot spots and hair damage when styling. The ceramic heater is self-regulating and turns itself down as it senses the surrounding temperature. Because ceramic dryers are self-regulating, many don't come with multiple temperature controls, usually just low and high. Ceramic dryers are also said to reduce bacteria formation, resulting in a healthier scalp. They also prepare hair to resist the effects of weather conditions, help create lustrous hair that feels freshly conditioned and produce a high-heat drying effect at a lower temperature than your conventional dryer. Pure ceramic dryers are great for women who need a little more power from their dryer than those with "normal" hair.

Chi Turbo Driver ($200): Evangelista says this one can't be beat for people who straighten their wavy hair. It uses the highest grade of ceramic coils, is the only dryer on the market with a low electromagnetic field — something to consider about an object that you're pointing at your head every day — and runs on only 1500 watts of power with all the drying benefits of a higher-speed, higher-powered dryer
Twinturbo Ceramic Ionic 3200 ($199): The combined effect of ceramics and negative ions radiates heat inside the hair shaft without drying it out. This dryer has four temperature settings plus instant cold air, two speed settings and an anti-overheating device.
Conair Ceramic Smooth ($30): Has a conventional heater and an additional ceramic heater and, despite its small size, runs at 1875 watts. It's great for travel because it folds up and runs on dual voltage.

TOURMALINE DRYERS Several dryers are using ground tourmaline in their heating mechanisms, which boosts the ionic power of the dryer and slashes drying time and static. Some companies, such as T3, claim drying time is 70 percent faster with the tourmaline dryers. Tourmaline-infused dryers, like those from BaByliss and T-3 Tourmaline, will cost you a bit more money than their plain-ionic counterparts, but there are bargains to be found. Conair's Infiniti Tourmaline Ionic Styler is among the less expensive models and very accessible. And some actually combine ceramic and tourmaline technologies for even faster drying time. These are wonderful for women who put their dryers through the ringer. Steady, heavy-duty usage for straightening or blowing out hair is what these dryers were designed for.

T3 Tourmaline Hairdryer — 1800 watts ($200): Combines ionic super powers of Tourmaline, plus it uses infrared heat, which is said to help dry hair from the inside of the cuticle out, thus not frying the outer layer of the cuticle
BaByliss Pro 5000 — 1900 watts ($150): Has 6 speed/heat settings, plus a finishing cool-shot button
Infiniti by Conair Tourmaline Ionic Styler — 1875 watts ($40): Also uses full-spectrum infrared heat, and combines tourmaline and ceramic technologies for speedier drying As with all thermal styling tools, hair dryers cause damage to the hair shaft. Incorrect or repeated, high-temperature use of a hair dryer can leave your hair looking dull and frizzy. Evangelista recommends using a medium-sized barrel brush and pulling the hair taut from roots to ends. As you move the brush down the hair cuticle, follow it with the nozzle of the dryer with the nozzle pointing down. Pointing the nozzle up the cuticle will disrupt it and make it look frizzy. For extra lift, with hair wrapped around the brush, blast the underside of the roots before blowing out each section. Continue to dry all the way around your head in the same fashion and just be a little patient.

Labels: ceramic, hair dryer, ionic, tourmaline

Physicians Formula is going natural with the launch of Organic Wear, the first certified organic makeup line to be sold in the mass market.
According to Physicians Formula chief executive officer Ingrid Jackel, research from sources such as Datamonitor and the Organic Trade Association showed that last year's U.S. organic sales hit $24 billion, growing a healthy 20 percent from 2005. Jackel noted that organic personal care is now an $8 billion industry, with expectations of surpassing $12 billion by 2011. She added that personal care has seen a 15 to 20 percent growth rate each year for five years and is expected to become a major force in the U.S. beauty industry by 2012.
"We found that more than half of women in the U.S. are seeking natural personal care products, and 44 percent are specifically looking for organic ingredients so we wanted to create something based on certified organic ingredients to fulfill the needs of this new demographic," said Jackel.
Each product contains the EcoBlend proprietary complex, designed to condition, fortify and protect skin from environmental impurities. EcoBlend complex features trademarked formulas OrganiSoy and Eco-Olive, certified organic soy and olive designed to help nourish and protect skin. The organic soy helps to even out skin tone and texture to restore smoothness, while Eco-Olive acts as an antioxidant to help protect skin from environmental aggressors. The formula also contains a variety of ingredients such as cornstarch, organic corn, jojoba seed oil, rice silk and orange extracts, which vary depending on the product.

source

Labels: innovative, organic make-up, skincare

The new "it" beauty ingredients are giving us nothing but wrinkles -- of worry!
What really works (on wrinkles, on zits)? What's safe and what's not?

Here's a primer to take with you next time you're surfing Sephora ...

Retinoids: Most effective jack of all trades (reduces wrinkles, acne and age spots by enhancing the turnover rate of skin), but may heighten sun sensitivity. VJD Pick: Topix Replenix Retinol Smoothing Serum 3x.

Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs) and Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHAs): Help reduce fine lines by increasing cell turnover, but also cause sun sensitivity. VJD Pick: Murad AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser.

Vitamins C, E and Coenzyme Q10: These natural antioxidants help to undo damage and protect against fr*ee radicals, but CoQ10 is relatively untested. VJD Pick: SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic Acid.

Peptides: Have been shown to reduce skin roughness and wrinkle volume, but need to be used consistently for results. VJD Pick: Kinerase C6 Peptide Intensive Treatment.

You may want to avoid hydroquinone, often used to lighten brown spots -- it's been linked to cancer in rodents (but not in humans).

SOURCE

Labels: Alpha-Hydroxy Acids, skincare

The key is to be strategic in your organic purchases. Opting for organic produce, for instance, doesn’t necessarily have a big impact, depending on what you eat. According to the Environmental Working Group, commercially-farmed fruits and vegetables vary in their levels of pesticide residue. Some vegetables, like broccoli, asparagus and onions, as well as foods with peels, such as avocados, bananas and oranges, have relatively low levels compared to other fruits and vegetables.

Read On...

Labels: living holistically, organic

The New York City Health Department recently analyzed blood samples for mercury and other heavy metals and found significantly higher levels in people who ate more fish. Levels were also notably higher among wealthy New Yorkers, presumably those who eat more expensive fish such as that found in sushi.

A non-profit environmental group known as the Turtle Island Restoration Network, also analyzed samples of tuna purchased from New York City sushi restaurants, finding nearly half of the 13 samples analyzed contained levels of mercury that exceeded the levels that the FDA considers safe for some women and young children. Some samples even exceeded 1.0 ppm, the level that FDA considers unsafe for human consumption.

Mercury has been used in a wide range of products including dental fillings, electrical switches, thermometers and batteries. Mining metals and the burning of fossil fuels, primarily coal, are among the greatest causes of mercury releases in the environment. Disposal of mercury-bearing consumer products also releases a substantial amount of mercury. While there’s little that can be done to clear the oceans and fish stocks of mercury that’s already out there, cutting back on energy consumption, finding alternative energy sources, and getting mercury out of consumer products are all important ways to help keep the problem from getting much worse.

Consumer Reports

Labels: fish farming, mercury, sushi

Who doesn't love sugar? I know I crave that sweetness (especially during certain times of the month), but experts now believe that eating too much sugar can make your skin look dull and wrinkled.
How? When you eat the sweet stuff, sugar in your bloodstream attaches to proteins to form harmful new molecules in a process called glycation. These new molecules are called advanced glycation end products or, appropriately, AGEs for short – am I the only one that finds that acronym highly ironic? The more soda, candy, and deep-fried twinkies you eat, the more AGEs you develop.
Dermatologist Fredric Brandt says, "As AGEs accumulate, they damage adjacent proteins in a domino-like fashion." Collagen and elastin are the protein fibers in your skin that make it firm, springy and elastic. Once they're damaged, they become dry and brittle, which leads to wrinkles and the ever-so-wonderful sagging.
Another thing about AGES is that they deactivate your skin's ability to produce antioxidant enzymes, which leaves your skin more vulnerable to sun damage (another cause of wrinkles).
It's never too late to work on reversing the effects.

To find out how read more

Labels: healthy living, skincare, sugar, wrinkles

The Garment District is a disjointed and overwhelming section of New York, and those who don't frequent the neighborhood for professional reasons rarely find it worthwhile. In this town, there's no reason to make-your-own anything. With so few hours in the day and an abundance of thrift stores, bodegas, and tiny shops, it usually makes more sense to buy anything you crave. In spite of this, the Garment District's abundance of idea-spawning materials, interesting people, and historical significance make it a neighborhood worth investigating. As a modest beginning, we've compiled the neighborhood's best shops to carry the small stuff. Because if you're not ready to pull down a ream of fabric from a eight foot tall stack, perhaps you should start with the finishing touches (thankfully all located in a two block radius).

See more on Gridskipper

Labels: DIY, Garment District, NYC

Apples are in the peak of their season and are our food of the week. Did you know that, compared to other fruits and vegetables, apples have been found to be most consistently associated with a reduced risk of cancer, heart disease, asthma and type 2 diabetes?
Apples, which contain significant amounts of phenols and other flavonoids that act as powerful antioxidants and help protect against cell-damaging free radicals, were also associated with increased lung function and weight loss. These findings are from a recent review of 85 different studies.
The total antioxidant activity of 100 grams of whole apple (with peel) was found to be equivalent to the antioxidant effect of about 1,500 mg of vitamin C! Most of apples' antioxidant protection, however, does not come not from vitamin C (100 g of apples contains only about 5.7 mg of vitamin C), but from their rich supply of phytonutrients.

Labels: Apple, fruit, health food

Sit on the floor with bare feet.
Stretch your left leg out straight.
Cross your right leg over the left so that your right foot is resting on your left thigh.
Interlace the fingers of your left hand with the toes of your right foot.
Make circular movements with your hand, rotating the foot as much as possible.
Make the same movement but let the foot drive the movement, in opposition with your hand (like your foot is moving and fighting your hand).
Let hand and foot move together (as if hand and foot have made up, and in unison).
Change legs: right leg out straight, left foot resting on the right thigh.
Repeat steps above with the left foot.

Stand up and see how your foot feels. Notice how your connection to the ground changes as you’ve freed up the tightness in the feet.
Do this exercise daily. Give it a spin before your next tree pose and see the difference in the way your foot grounds down into the floor.

Labels: exercise, feet, yoga

For those who like their cocktails responsible and their fruits trendy, VeeV, a new drink made from sustainable Amazonian Acai berries, is a wise anti-oxidant-rich choice. Aside from being a celeb favorite, $1 from every bottle sold goes to support environmental causes. If you prefer a fruity DIY drink, Modmix makes organic cocktail mixers -- like pomegranate cosmopolitan -- to blend with your favorite organic alcohol.

Labels: acai, cocktails

Many of the best beauty solutions aren't found in complex (and wallet-busting) formulas. Porcelain skin can be found in your very own refrigerator -- right next to last week's Chinese takeout.

Here are 3 easy, natural masks to tease out that blushing bloom.

Oily: Plain, all-natural yogurt gently exfoliates while tightening pores and blasting blemishes. Simply apply half a cup of plain yogurt to your face and neck for matte, conditioned skin.
Combination: Banana nourishes and moisturizes, lemon is a natural astringent, and honey heals. To balance your complexion, mash half a banana and stir in a dollop of honey and a few drops of lemon juice.
Dry: Avocado is the ultimate penetrating moisturizer. Mash half an avocado and add honey for its regenerative properties.
Directions: Open your pores with a warm cloth, let the mask set for 15 minutes, rinse off with warm water and finish with a splash of cold.

Labels: DIY, skincare

Despite massive opposition from almond producers, retailers and organic consumers, the USDA has implemented its ruling to require that raw almonds be pasteurized. The rule went into effect on September 1st, and since then, all retail outlets have been forced to remove truly raw almonds from store shelves. Consumers will be misled by this action as there will still be almonds on store shelves labeled as "raw", but they will actually be pasteurized. One of the FDA-recommended pasteurization methods requires the use of propylene oxide, which is classified as a "possible human carcinogen" by the International Agency for Research on Cancer and is banned in Canada, Mexico, and the European Union.
Since the decision about the rule was made, Secretary of Agriculture, Mike Johanns, has stepped down. He is temporarily replaced by Chuck Conner. This may provide a new opportunity for reversal.
Please contact Conner today to ask that the rule be suspended for 6 months while the public comment period is re-opened: http://www.organicconsumers.org/articles/article_5227.cfm

Labels: almonds, pasteurization

On October 5, the EPA approved a new chemical fumigant for use on strawberries and other food crops across the U.S. The pesticide, methyl iodide, vaporizes quickly, causing it to drift far distances. Although the state of California has categorized it as cancer causing, and the EPA admits it causes thyroid tumors, the Bush Administration has been advocating approval of the fumigant for the better part of two years. In a letter to EPA Administrator Stephen Johnson on September 25, the nation's leading chemists asked EPA not to approve methyl iodide without further scientific review. The chemical has been used to induce cancer in laboratory experiments and causes neurological and thyroid problems, as well as miscarriages in studies with laboratory animals. Farmworkers, families, rural workers, and the food supply will now be subjected to exposure to the carcinogen unless the EPA revokes the approval immediately.

Please take action now: http://www.organicconsumers.org/articles/article_7580.cfm

Labels: chemicals, EPA, organic, pesticides

We’ve all seen those recipes for at-home beauty concoctions: hair masks, body scrubs, bath soaks.
But who has the time to whip up the perfect facial exfoliant?
Get Waxed owner Elisha Reverby will do the work for you. She produces a line of handmixed, organic beauty products that can be delivered do your doorstep. Made with only certified organic and wildcrafted foods, oils, herbs and hydrosols, Elique Organic Skin Food To Go includes an array of face and body products for men and women. The lavender-infused Whipped face and body cream is among the top sellers, with cold-pressed safflower oil and farmers market beeswax. Another standout product is the soothing bath soak called Calm the Sea with French grey sea salts blended with buttermilk powder, farmer’s market honey, rose hydrosol and certified organic rose essential oil. Products are mixed and delivered within 24 hours to guarantee freshness. If you live in the L.A. area, schedule your order and Reverby will hand deliver. Or do it the old-fashioned way and order online (nationwide).
Available at Get Waxed
304 Westminster Avenue,
Venice, 310.396.2929
www.EliqueSkinandSpa.com

Labels: innovative, MY IDEA, organic, skincare

Sure the Meatpacking District teems with oh so popular clubs with doormen, multiple levels, celebrity sightings, and overpriced drinks. But for those of us who love dancing but are allergic to MePa's stench of cologne and doucherie, there are plenty of alternatives. Streams of new dance clubs have opened up downtown over the past few years, and those already in existence now curate parties with better DJs and hipper crowds. Nowadays you can see some of the city's most innovative spinners spinning until 4 a.m. every night of the week at some of the following clubs in Chelsea, the West Village, the LES, and Brooklyn.

THANK YOU!

Labels: cool spot, dance clubs, dancing, NYC

35% percent of adults in San Francisco used organic food products during the past month compared with 17% of all adults in the U.S., a recent study by Scarborough Research reveals. Five of the top six organics cities in the U.S. are on the West Coast, and organic food consumers spend 10% more on their grocery bills each week, according to the study.
Source

Labels: healthy living, organic, San Francisco

Quirky prints and vivid colors were key runway trends on both sides of the Atlantic.
Several key runway looks: easy shift dresses in vibrant colors and lots of quirky prints, also adding a touch of shine with cropped sequined jackets.

Labels: fashion, Spring 2008, trends

At the American branches of this Hong Kong sweet shop, you can get your hands on Asian gummy candies and a great selection of dried fruit. They also feature more unusual snacks like cuttlefish tentacles, lobster… chips, and duck gizzards. Most of the stuff tastes much better than it sounds. If it wasn't for Munchies Paradise, I would never have discovered my weakness for dried rose petals.

Aji Ichiban Munchies Paradise
37 Mott Street, New York, NY 10013

Labels: Candy Store, Cool Store, NYC

Supermarket shoppers may soon be cruising the aisles with "intelligent" shopping carts that warn them if they're buying too much junk food, technology experts say.

It will read each product's individual code to give customers information about calories, nutrition, ethical sourcing and the environment.

SOURCE

Labels: food shopping, innovative, shopping carts

Can a little pink swirl become as ubiquitous as a certain green mermaid logo?

The founders of Pinkberry, the company known for its sour frozen yogurt with esoteric toppings, apparently think so. The retailer that has inspired almost cultlike devotion will announce today that it has raised $27.5 million in its first round of venture capital.
Read on....

Labels: Pinkberry

Aka "the fountain of youth" occurs naturally in our bodies, helping to cushion and lubricate joints and organs. It's beloved by the beauty biz for binding moisture to the skin (take that fine lines!). It's particularly effective on damp skin (seals in moisture) before you apply your regular moisturizer (for a hydrating boost).

Labels: dry skin, hyaluronic acid, skincare

Lipsticks tested by a U.S. consumer rights group found that more than half contained lead and some popular brands including Cover Girl, L'Oreal and Christian Dior had more lead than others, the group said on Thursday.
The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics said tests on 33 brand-name red lipsticks by the Bodycote Testing Group in Santa Fe Spring, California, found that 61 percent had detectable lead levels of 0.03 to 0.65 parts per million (ppm).
Lipstick, like candy, is ingested. The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, a coalition of public health, environmental and women's groups, said the FDA has not set a limit for lead in lipstick.

Reuters

INGREDIENTS:
4 cups filtered water
1 cup raw almonds that have been soaked 4 hours
Sweeteners and/or flavorings, such as pinch of salt, raw honey, vanilla, nutmeg, etc. (optional)
PREPARATION:
Soak almonds 4 hours and strain.
Place filtered water and soaked almonds in blender.
Blend on high speed for 1 minute.
Pour contents from blender through nut milk straining bag.
Close bag and strain almond milk by squeezing milk through bag.
If desired, sweeten with raw honey or vanilla.
Enjoy!

Note: Nut milk bags can be found on the internet. Alternatively, you may use cheesecloth, any bag made of fine mesh, or a fine-mesh stainless steel strainer.

Labels: almond milk, DIY, health food, Holistic Health

How many times have you played peek-a-boo with your bra straps? Strap Couture has made that game more interesting by creating a line of luxurious bra straps that attach to your strapless bra for a new way to accessorize. They work like real bra straps–without looking the part–and are designed specifically to peek out from your tank top, strapless dress, or wide neckline. Proceeds from the pink and gold ribbon bra straps go towards The City of Hope Organization to benefit breast cancer research. If someone points out that your straps are showing, you can say that you’re showing them off with–and for–a purpose.

Labels: great idea, innovative

We now know where we will be spending many of our afternoons this fall: 380 Broome St. That is where the famous Papabubble is set to open. For those of you that are unfamiliar with this candy from the gods, the store originally opened in Barcelona and has spread to Tokyo and Amsterdam.
We had the opportunity to taste it in Barcelona last summer and excited would be an understatement in describing how we feel about these guys opening in Soho October 18th.
Right now, the only place in NYC you can get the stuff is at Dean and Deluca, and it’s a limited selection, therefore, we would have been happy to travel way above even 23rd street for this stuff, however, we are happy to know that we can stay downtown.
So, though everyone’s been talking about this for quite sometime, we wonder if they know that the founders (Christopher King and Nigel Chouri) are actually Australian (from Melbourne), and that they routinely give away free samples…god we love what those Aussies are doing for our city. Well let’s hope that whoever they hired to open their New York branch will do as sweet of job as they have.

Labels: candy, new store, NYC, Papabubble

While cocktails were once thought of as an empty-calorie guilty pleasure, we’re seeing mixologists introduce not-so-guilty beverages with added nutritional benefits. From high fiber and vitamin C-rich kiwi puree to sake based liquor TyKu made from free radical fighting Oolong tea, the variety of good for you combinations is endless. Current buzz cocktails include the Joie de VeeV, made with VeeV, an acai liquor infused with extract of prickly pear, fresh strawberry, lime, mint, and a sprinkle of Splenda; and Vitamin Dj, made with elderflower liquor, vodka, Granny Smith apples, fresh carrot juice, fresh ginger, and a squeeze of lime. We expect the added-value liquor category to expand with herbal, organic, and antioxidant rich varieties catering to the consumer demand for “healthy” booze.

Labels: cocktails, healthy booze, innovative, Vitamins

Honey has numerous beneficial properties, many of which I've reported on this site in the past. Unfortunately, there is still a lot of confusion when it comes to this natural sweetener.
What is honey good for? Well, it's been shown to provide natural support for a wide range of body structures and functions. For one thing, honey contains a number of good health-promoting antioxidants.
Vitamins found in honey include thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B-12, and biotin. Along with minerals and amino acids, honey also contains a number of live enzymes that help promote optimal health.
Honey is also known to help with occasional diarrhea and insomnia.
The Problem With the Majority of U.S. Honey
If you've read my book Sweet Deception, you're likely already familiar with the massive fraud going on with U.S. honey. As many VitalVotes readers have pointed out, much of the honey in the United States (perhaps up to two-thirds of the annual honey production) is made by force-feeding bees high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) or other sugars.
This is done so that the bees can produce honey year-round; however the end result is NOT pure honey, but rather a partial honey/HFCS mix.
Most honey sold is also pasteurized, which means that the beneficial enzymes have been damaged or killed off entirely.
So if you choose to use honey, either topically to soothe your skin or as a sweetener, make sure you are getting pure RAW honey. Perhaps the best way to do this is to find a local source for the raw honey, and then ask the beekeeper directly whether or not he or she supplements the bees' diet with HFCS.
If you are unable to find any reliable sources of raw honey, I recently found one I can recommend. I was also able to secure a supply for our store to make it more convenient for you. Pure Gold Raw Honey is an awesome alternative to table sugar.

Labels: health food, honey, Mercola, Vitamins

Blue Ocean Institute, a conservation group, has launched a texting service to send messages to consumers with the information they need to make ecologically savvy seafood choices.Here's how it works: You are at the seafood counter or in a restaurant (put that ringer on mute or vibrate, please) and you are awash in social consciousness.
You are ready to order, but you can't remember if the catch of the day is caught using an environmentally sustainable manner. What to do, what to do?
Technology to the rescue.
Send a text message to Blue Ocean Institute to get the 411 in seconds.
To use the service, send a message to 30644. In the message, type FISH, followed by the name of the seafood in question, such as catfish. The service covers more than 90 species, and suggests alternatives to options that pose environmental concerns.

SOURCE

Labels: eco-friendly, environment, fish farming, innovative, seafood, text

But I’ve recently stumbled across a Web site that makes healthy dining a lot easier. It’s called healthydiningfinder.com, and it’s based on nutritional analyses of over 10,000 menu items from a variety of restaurants. You simply type in your zip code to find the healthiest options at nearby eateries.
The site does a much better job of providing nutrition information than the restaurant chains themselves. Starbucks offers details on its beverages, for instance, but facts on its food items are displayed in a spreadsheet that’s impossible to read. Panera Bread uses a handy nutrition label for its food items, but often it provides information for just half a portion. The conscientious diner needs to double the numbers to learn what she’s eating in, say, a whole salad.
On healthydiningfinder.com, on the other hand, this info is clear and easy to read. The site will even suggest calorie-saving special requests, like asking for a sauce or dressing on the side. You’ll be surprised at how easy it can be to find healthy fare, even at a Mexican restaurant like Chevy’s. Healthydiningfinder.com lists several Chevy’s dishes in the 300-to-500 calorie range, as well as nutrition info on side dishes and condiments like beans, sour cream and the restaurant’s signature sweet corn tamalito.
The downside is that to be listed on the site, restaurants have to pay a fee, so you may not find many of your favorites here. It is also heavy on restaurants in California, where the site was started. Still, you’ll find several national chains here: Chili’s, Chevy’s, Burger King, Macaroni Grill, Au Bon Pain and Subway, to name a few. And you may even find some establishments unique to your area.
Finally, the people who put the site together have a lot of credibility in the nutrition community. The site has been recognized by the California Dietetic Association and has won research grants from the California Department of Health Services and the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Labels: cool new site, healthy dining, healthy links

Cascades are especially common in medicine as doctors take their cues from others, leading them to overdiagnose some faddish ailments (called bandwagon diseases) and overprescribe certain treatments (like the tonsillectomies once popular for children). Unable to keep up with the volume of research, doctors look for guidance from an expert — or at least someone who sounds confident.
Diet and Fat: A Severe Case of Mistaken Consensus

Labels: Doctors

A number of chains are adding at least one whole-grain pasta choice to their menus to answer consumer demand for healthier eating options. Olive Garden has been offering a whole-grain linguine option for the past one and a half years, Buca di Beppo and Romano's Macaroni Grill provide whole-wheat penne upon request and Noodles & Company serves whole-grain Tuscan fettuccine.
Nation's Restaurant News

Labels: healthy dining, restaurants, Whole grains

Your palate readily takes to the tang of turmeric, paprika and mustard. And so does your stomach -- i.e. digestive health -- it would seem. From killing bacteria to soothing cramps, the good ol' spice rack strikes back.

Here's what to stock:

-A dash of turmeric or saffron keeps stress (which diverts attention away from digestion) at bay.
-Cinnamon kills bad bacteria and lets good bacteria (that helps regulate your digestive system) grow.
-Add a drop of peppermint to tea to soothe menstrual cramps and diarrhea.
-Sweet-smelling cardamom, a staple in Indian and Middle Eastern dishes, prevents gas.
-All-star mustard seeds purify blood, neutralize toxins and monitor the digestive tract.
(No wonder Koff's Homestyle Mustard, made with turmeric, saffron, apple cider and vinegar, pleases taste buds and tummies, too.)

THANKS!

Labels: digestion, healthy living, natural health, spices

I'm sure you've also used natural remedies to heal yourself. Peppermint tea or ginger for a tummy ache, aloe for a burn, and tea tree oil for poison ivy or acne. These remedies all come from Naturopathic medicine, which is based on the healing power of nature. It is often used in conjunction with conventional medicine.
Naturopathic doctors (also called Naturopaths) seek to improve their patient's health, treat illness, and prevent disease with natural methods that support the body's own healing abilities. Naturopaths also help their patients make lifestyle changes (through diet and exercise) that are necessary for the best possible health.
These doctors have a holistic approach, which means they care for the whole person - body, mind and spirit. They don't just treat the symptoms of illness, they try to figure out what's causing those symptoms in the first place. For example, if you were to have stomach pains every time you ate, instead of taking Pepto Bismol after every meal, a Naturopath may have you go on an elimination diet, to see if a certain food was to blame.
Naturopaths prefer not to use invasive surgery or most synthetic drugs, but rather use different forms of natural medicine to treat and prevent disease. These methods include acupuncture, homeopathy, nutrition, aromatherapy, counseling, herbal medicine and massage therapy.
Fit's Tips: If you are thinking about going to see a Naturopath make sure that they are licensed, and that they graduated from an accredited university. Also check to see if your state has licensing laws that govern the practice of Naturopaths. To locate a qualified Naturopath in your area, contact the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians (AANP) at 206-298-0125. Or visit their website at www.naturopathic.org.
Source

Labels: Doctor, Holistic Health, natural therapy, Naturopath

In fact, the rats were better at telling the difference between organic and conventional foods than many humans have been. In the handful of carefully designed taste-offs reported in the last few years, people were often unable to identify the organic foods, and often didn’t prefer them.
This is puzzling, since organic produce generally does pack more antioxidants and other potentially healthful — and potentially flavorful — phytochemicals than conventional produce. Just last July, Professor Alyson Mitchell and colleagues at the University of California, Davis summarized 10 years of data from tomatoes grown in carefully controlled organic and conventional systems. The antioxidant contents varied from year to year, but were consistently higher in the organic tomatoes.
What do phytochemicals have to do with flavor? Phytochemicals are chemicals created by plants, and especially those that have effects on other creatures. Plants make many of them to defend themselves against microbes and insects: to make themselves unpalatable, counterattack the invaders and limit the damage they cause. Most of the aromas of vegetables, herbs and spices come from defensive chemicals. They may smell pleasant to us, but the plants make them to repel their mortal enemies.
Why should organic produce have higher phytochemical levels? The current theory is that because plants in organic production are unprotected by pesticides and fungicides, they are more stressed by insects and disease microbes than conventional crops, and have to work harder to protect themselves. So it makes sense that organic produce would have more intense flavors. For some reason, taste tests haven’t consistently found this to be the case.
Read More....

Labels: health food, nature, organic, rats

Another trip to the store, another package of mystery meat -- that is, beef and poultry labeled with so many confusing terms you wonder if it's as healthy as it sounds.

Can't tell a cage-free from a certified organic?

Neither could we, until Naomi Lewis, MS explained the options:

A GOOD CHOICE: Products labeled free-range or cage-free, because these animals may have experienced the outdoors. The downside? Maybe they haven't -- loose laws mean they only have to be exposed to space and sunlight (an open door passes the test).
A BETTER ONE: Certified organic meat and poultry. It was produced without synthetic fertilizer, antibiotics, hormones, pesticides or genetically engineered ingredients; however, the animals may have been raised in cramped quarters.
THE BEST: Grass-fed beef and pasture-raised chicken and pork: these animals eat what they're inclined to eat in the wild (instead of difficult-to-digest corn and soybeans). Bonus: The meat is lower in fat.
AVOID meat labeled "natural," which means only that it's free of artificial flavors, colors, and chemical preservatives, but says nothing about an animal's diet or treatment.

For help finding healthy meats near you, go to eatwellguide.org.

Labels: healthy dining, meat, organic

Stevia is a non-caloric herb native to Paraguay that has been used as a sweetener for over 1,500 years in South America. If anyone is doubting its safety, I would encourage them to consider that fact; it is a MAJOR clue that stevia is safe.
Stevia has also been used in Japan since the early 1970s to sweeten pickles and other foods. In the United States, however, the FDA has turned down at least three industry requests to use stevia in foods.
Please understand that Japan is not encumbered by the same conflicts of interest as the United States, and most of their research is not directly financed or greatly influenced by the very industry that is seeking to promote a product. So in this environment stevia has proven to be safe.
What is ironic, of course, is that while the FDA is scrutinizing this naturally sweet herb, they maintain a historically generous attitude toward synthetic chemical sweeteners like aspartame and sucralose.To use stevia as a commercial food additive would require years of testing. Even though this sweetener has passed the test of time, it is viewed as dangerous until proven otherwise. Not so with the big-name artificial sweeteners on the market; they are innocent until proven guilty.
In the United States, stevia has been the subject of searches and seizures, trade complaints, and embargoes on importation. Many believe that the FDA’s actions regarding stevia are nothing more than a restraint to trade designed to benefit the artificial sweetener industry.
Stevia is not the only natural sweetener that is being unfairly targeted by the FDA. A pair of entrepreneurs tried unsuccessfully to create a natural sweetener based on a West African berry called Synsepalum Dulcificum, for instance. However, in 1974 the FDA ruled that their natural product was a food additive that needed years of testing before it could be used commercially. Now here’s the kicker: that very same year, the FDA approved the dangerous artificial sweetener aspartame.
Mercola

Labels: artificial sweeteners, FDA, Mercola, Stevia

Karan started her initiative after witnessing the medical system's shortcomings first-hand when her late husband, Stephan Weiss, and her friend Lynn Kohlman battled cancer. Her desire to incorporate alternative and holistic healing methods, including organic nutrition, restorative yoga and healing rooms into established medical institutions led to Urban Zen. Karan, who cofounded the initiative with her friend, designer Sonja Nuttall, also produced a subsequent seminar on Africa, and next month Urban Zen plans to host a series of events with the SFK (Spirituality for Kids) Foundation. In preparation, Karan recently traveled to Israel to work with Israeli and Palestinian children.
A portion of the profits from the store will go to Karan's foundation and to Urban Zen's programs. The boutique is adjacent to the Stephan Weiss Studios, where the Urban Zen events have taken place.
WWD

Labels: Donna Karan, Urban Zen

1) Digestive Cleansing
One of the most comprehensive ways to rid the body of the accumulated junk (mucous and build-up) in our digestive track. Digestive cleanses may involve fasting, wheatgrass juice, or juicing, cayenne pepper, enemas and colonics. Each of these is intended to assist the body in the process of elimination (particularly the elimination off all the "bad" things we’ve ingested over the years). Often the results of digestive cleansing - after the initial "reaction" stages of headaches or irritability- include feeling more "clear-headed", lighter, more aware, less fatigued, energized.
2) Skin Brushing / Dry Brush
Brushing your skin with a dry body brush is one of the best ways to clean your skin. It may feel kind of odd but it is more effective than brushing your skin with a wet soapy brush or sponge.
3) Pranayama
Incorporating a breathing practice, with breath retention, and focus on expelling all the air out of the lungs helps invigorate and cleanse the lungs. Many yoga studios offer a pranayama class or incorporate pranayama in their scheduled classes.
4) Tongue Scraping / Tongue Cleaning
Ever notice that slimy white (or sometimes yellow, if you’re sick) film on your tongue? Sounds, gross, I know, but that’s the mouth’s eliminatation system and one of the causes of bad breath (the rest of it is coming from your digestive system). A tongue scraper can be used to scrape off coated tongues first thing in the morning.
5) Detox Bath
Use a combination of epsom salt, sea salt and baking soda to help pull out toxins from the skin (another great way to eliminate toxins). This one can be especially beneficial to ease emotional imbalances.
6) Water Flush
Most of us know that it’s important to stay hydrated and drink lots of water. A Balinese healer gave me another tip…drink 2 liters of warm water first thing in the morning to flush your system.
Thanks!

Labels: cleanse, detox, dry brush, Fall 2007, toxins

Nori (also called Laver) is a dark red, lavender seaweed. Nori makes a great addition to salads. Nori has the highest protein content of any seaweed (48% of dry weight). It also contains an enzyme that helps break down cholesterol deposits. Nori is high in Vitamin A, B1, niacin (B3), and trace minerals.

Labels: health food, healthy snacks, nori, seaweed

Vitamin D supplements may lower your risk of dying from any cause, according to a new European study. Researchers from the European Institute of Oncology in Milan, Italy, and the International Agency for Research on Cancer in Lyon, France, reviewed 18 trials of more than 57,000 people. The trials involved doses of vitamin D ranging from 300 international units (IUs) to 2,000 IUs. The average dose was 528 IUs.After a period of six years, the data showed that people who took vitamin D supplements had a 7 percent lower risk of death compared to people who did not take the supplements.
Further, according to the nine trials that collected blood samples, people who took vitamin D supplements had a 1.4- to 5.2-fold higher level of vitamin D in their blood than those who did not.Because vitamin D can reduce the proliferation of cells, which occurs in cancer, the researchers believe their finding could lead to new drugs to fight cancer and other illnesses. Vitamin D also helps your body to uptake calcium for bone health.
The researchers recommend taking between 400 IUs and 600 IUs of vitamin D daily. Your skin can also produce its own vitamin D by getting moderate sun exposure each day.
Archives of Internal Medicine September 10, 2007;167:1730-1737
Forbes.com September 10, 2007

Mercola adds:
If you decide to supplement your diet with vitamin D, there are two crucial things to know:

*It IS possible to overdose on oral vitamin D supplements (there’s very little risk of overdosing on vitamin D from the sun, however), so you need to have your blood levels of vitamin D measured regularly.
*Only vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol), the type of vitamin D found naturally in foods like eggs, organ meats, animal fat, cod liver oil, and fish, is appropriate for supplementation. Do NOT use the highly inferior vitamin D2.

Labels: cure all, Mercola, supplements, Vitamin D