Striving4Zen

Copper is an important trace element for human nutrition. The body needs copper to absorb and utilize iron, and copper is also a component of the powerful antioxidant enzyme superoxide dismutase. Copper supplements have been shown to increase superoxide dismutase levels in humans (Source: Healthnotes Review of Complementary and Integrative Medicine). The synthesis of collagen and elastin is in part related to the presence of copper in the body, and copper is also important for many other processes.
For example, there is research showing that copper is effective for wound healing (Sources: Journal of Clinical Investigation, November 1993, pages 2368–2376; and Federation of European Biochemical Sciences Letter, October 1988, pages 343–346). However, wound healing is the result of many biophysical processes that have nothing to do with wrinkling. See superoxide dismutase.

SOURCE

Labels: copper, iron, peptides

Love Saves the Day
119 Second Ave.,
212-228-3802

After 40-plus years in business, Love Saves the Day is still holding down the East Village's grimy, gender-bending old guard. Assorted pop culture kitsch – Pez dispensers, Spice Girls dolls and the like -- can be found in every nook and cranny of this kooky shop, which appeared in Madonna's 1985 flick "Desperately Seeking Susan." But the real deal is the weekend sidewalk sale, where tables are piled high with vintage clothing and accessories priced from just $2.

Labels: Cool Store, NYC

The recommended plants can be found below. Note that all the plants in the list are easily available from your local nursery.
1. Philodendron scandens `oxycardium', heartleaf philodendron2. Philodendron domesticum, elephant ear philodendron3. Dracaena fragrans `Massangeana', cornstalk dracaena4. Hedera helix, English ivy5. Chlorophytum comosum, spider plant6. Dracaena deremensis `Janet Craig', Janet Craig dracaena7. Dracaena deremensis `Warneckii', Warneck dracaena8. Ficus benjamina, weeping fig9. Epipiremnum aureum, golden pothos10. Spathiphyllum `Mauna Loa', peace lily11. Philodendron selloum, selloum philodendron12. Aglaonema modestum, Chinese evergreen13. Chamaedorea sefritzii, bamboo or reed palm14. Sansevieria trifasciata, snake plant15. Dracaena marginata , red-edged dracaena
For an average home of under 2,000 square feet, the study recommends using at least fifteen samples of a good variety of these common houseplants to help improve air quality. They also recommend that the plants be grown in six inch containers or larger.

SOURCE

Labels: clean air, Houseplants, plants

Houseplants, like the low-maintenance snake, spider, and ficus, clean air of toxins ($15 for six-inch potted plant at Starbright Floral Designs, 150 W. 28th St., nr. Sixth Ave.; 212-229-2623).
SOURCE

Labels: clean air, Houseplants, toxins

In our quest to take our beauty routine 'au naturel' we've struck oil ... essential oils and carrier oils that help nourish our skin naturally, that is.

Our recommendations for all skin types:
Normal/combination: Chamomile (anti-microbial, calming), Lavender (relaxes, regenerates), Rose Hip (revitalizing, repairs wrinkles), Ylang-ylang (balances moisture content). Dry/mature skin: Rose Hip, Avocado (nourishes), Apricot Kernel oil (moisturizing, yet very light).
Sensitive: Chamomile, Rose hip, Witch Hazel (astringent, refreshes), Carrot Seed (improves tone).
Oily/acne prone: Tea Tree (astringent, repairs), Eucalyptus (anti-viral), Witch hazel. (While applying oil may seem counterintuitive, remember that over drying your skin can signal it to produce more oil).
How to: Dilute the essential oils in a carrier oil such as almond, sunflower (unrefined) or jojoba oil. Apply to face or massage into body. You can also add a few drops to your favorite moisturizing products or to a bath before bed.
Bonus: Use almond oil and sunflower oil to remove make up and dirt, leaving skin nourished.

Labels: essential oils, living holistically, natural health, natural therapy, skincare

1. TEST YOURSELF To gauge your progress, take this test every 4 weeks: See how many strides you can complete in 10 minutes within your target heart-rate zone. Or, if the machine has a built-in fitness test -- as many brand-new models do -- try that instead.
2. LET YOUR RATE RULE Elliptical machines feel so smooth and comfy, it's easy to doubt that you're actually getting a workout. Ignore the calories (which are okay as a benchmark but aren't entirely accurate, as they don't take room conditions into account) and focus on stride rate (number of times per minute your legs go around). If you're not averaging at least 160, you're not racking up cardio benefits.
3. CROSSTRAIN SMARTER Adjust the angle of incline based on the sport you're training for, suggests Emily Cooper, M.D., founder of Seattle Performance Medicine in Seattle. For hiking Set it to 7 to 10 percent to mimic trail conditions and make your glutes do the brunt of the work. For cycling Set it to 4 to 6 percent to work your hamstrings and quads, the pedaling muscles. For running Set it at 1 to 4 percent to target your quads and calves.
4. TAKE IT IN STRIDE The elliptical's sweetest feature is that you can adjust your stride -- usually in half-inch increments from 18 to 26 inches. Generally, someone under 5'5" should stay below 22 inches; taller people can go up to 26 inches.

THANKS!

Labels: exercise, fitness, gym, The Elliptical

New findings suggest that eating foods high in vitamin C and linoleic acid can prevent wrinkles and dry skin, according to a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
While past studies have associated supplements and vitamins with skin health, this is the first time dietary intake of nutrients has been evaluated for their effects on skin aging.
The research team used data from the first National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES I) to analyze the association between nutrient intake and skin aging in 4,025 women aged 40-74. The original data was collected between 1971 and 1974 in the United States, and, in addition to dietary intake, includes measures such as exposure to sunlight, amount of exercise, supplement intake, and height and weight. After filtering the data, the researchers were able to independently associate vitamin C and linoleic acid with skin health.
Vitamin C, an important antioxidant, is instrumental in the production of collagen, the protein that plays a role in the skin's elasticity. Fruits and vegetables are the best dietary source of vitamin C, and at the time of the original research, the main dietary sources of vitamin C were orange juice, citrus fruits, and tomatoes, according to the study.
The study found that linoleic acid, an omega-6 fatty acid that is digested and converted into the fatty acids DHA and EPA, prevents senile dryness and skin atrophy. Nuts and some oils, such as sunflower oil, are high in linoleic acid.
The researchers concede that the historical nature of the data may present some limitations as changes in dietary nutrient intake have occurred over the past 30 years. They were also unable to factor in the effect of facial cosmetics in combination with diet on the skin.
Thanks!

Labels: healthy diet, linoleic acid, skincare, Vitamin C

CLINIQUE Continuous Rescue Antioxidant Moisturizer, Combination to Oily Skin ($39.50 for 1.7 ounces).
Clinique is one of the few skin-care lines whose moisturizers typically contain lots of great antioxidants, and all of their Continuous Rescue moisturizers are packaged in opaque tubes, which is excellent. This version is suitable for combination skin, but too heavy for oily skin or oily areas. It contains well-researched emollients, silicone, slip agents, Vaseline, several antioxidants, cell-communicating ingredients, and soothing plant extracts. The only frustrating element is that half of the really intriguing ingredients are listed after one of the preservatives, meaning that they’re basically window dressing rather than efficacious. However, even without the dustings of those ingredients this moisturizer can still be considered antioxidant-packed, and it is recommended for normal to slightly dry or slightly oily skin. And this moisturizer is fragrance-free. Find it!

Thanks Paula!

Labels: Anti-oxidant, Clinique, Paula Begoun, skincare

The debate over whether organic food is healthier than conventionally grown food may be over, according to results from a $25-million study into organic food -- the largest of its kind to date. The four-year, European-Union-funded study found that:

Organic fruit and vegetables contain up to 40 percent more antioxidants
Organic produce had higher levels of beneficial minerals like iron and zinc
Milk from organic herds contained up to 90 percent more antioxidants

The researchers obtained their results after growing fruit and vegetables, and raising cattle, on adjacent organic and non-organic sites. They say that eating organic foods can even help to increase the nutrient intake of people who don’t eat the recommended five servings of fruits and vegetables a day. The UK’s Food Standards Agency, which has formerly said that there is no difference between organic and conventional foods, is reviewing the research findings.

SOURCE

Labels: organic, study, vegetables

1. Clear Your Mind
Find a place in your home to designate as your "intention space," suggests author Lynne McTaggart in her book about the law of attraction (LOA), "The Intention Experiment." You might want to set up an altar, or set plants nearby. Even when you're not here, you can summon this spot for future intention-setting. Then sit, quietly, comfortably, and breathe. Meditate for five to 10 minutes, writes Taggart, to help your brain slip into a relaxed, receptive state.

2. Decide What You Want
You need to get clear about what you actually want, or, say LOA experts, you'll attract mixed results. In their book, "The Law of Attraction," Esther and Jerry Hicks say that the thought "I don't know what I want" is really just the psyche's way of saying "I'm afraid of what I want." So get clear and dream big. You might need to confront some scarcity demons, but don't dwell on them, just keep focusing on your desires, whether it's a law degree or a million dollars.

3. Ask For It
Write down what you want very specifically, says philosopher Bob Proctor in "The Secret." And, he says, write it in present-tense, as if you've already gotten your wish: "'I am so happy and grateful now that...' And then explain how you want your life to be, in every area," Proctor says. It's also crucial to ask for it in a way that's positive-the Universe, say LOA experts, responds to every word. For example, instead of the potentially self-sabotaging "I want to get out of debt," (the Universe will "hear" debt and keep on sending more your way), say, "I am living a life of abundance and wealth."

4. Visualize Having It
Every day, close your eyes for several minutes and imagine yourself standing inside your dream home, embracing your soul mate, standing in your ideal body. Keep focusing on what you want and imagining it so clearly that you can see, feel, smell, hear, and taste it. Recent brain imaging tests show that imagining doing something is almost exactly the same to the brain--and the body--as actually doing something. The idea is to have your thoughts and feelings "vibrate" at the same frequency as what you want; if you desire stupendous wealth, raise your emotional bar to bring that in--expand, expand, expand.

5. Express and Feel Gratitude
Make a list of all that you're grateful for. Gratitude will further magnetize good things to you. It will also open your heart and assure your unconscious that you are capable of having a beautiful life, because in fact, you already do. In "The Secret" book Byrne writes: "With all that I have read and all that I have experienced in my own life using The Secret, the power of gratitude stands above everything else. If you do only one thing with the knowledge of The Secret, use gratitude until it becomes your way of life."

6. Release Control
You've cleared your mind, decided what you want, visualized those things and experiences, and expressed gratitude for what you already have. Now, see your request going out to the Universe. It will sweat the details, the "how" of manifesting your request.

7. Stay Positive
Be aware of your thoughts. But, as author Marci Shimoff says in "The Secret," it would be impossible and exhausting to watch every single thought-we have about 60,000 a day. Instead, be aware of your thoughts by monitoring your feelings. If you're tilting toward sad or angry, re-calibrate quickly. Read a beloved book, walk in nature, listen to a stunning piece of music-anything to stay up, light, and inspired. If you start doubting, replace it with knowing, with that feeling of having it. The more you saturate yourself with having your desire, the higher your positive vibration becomes.

8. Be Patient
As metaphysician Joe Vitale says in "The Secret" film, there's no guaranteed timeline for these sorts of things. But don't give up. If your wish or some version of it doesn't manifest in a few, or even 30, days, worry not. Just keep on believing and sending out positive thoughts and feelings. The important thing is to keep doubt--and negative feelings--at bay.

9. Invite It In
Really receive your gifts and enjoy them. And remember to send out gratitude and love for this magical-seeming process based on the connectedness of all matter. Also, continue to steep in it--surround yourself with photos of what you desire, say your desire aloud, go to an open house, a test drive. Do what it takes to let it enter your life.

10. Share the Wealth
Though "The Secret" doesn't specifically address using this manifesting power to help the world, the Law of Attraction is a perfect tool for that. As Jack Canfield, founder of the "Chicken Soup for the Soul" series, says in the film, Mother Teresa said she wouldn't attend an anti-war rally, but if there was ever a peace rally she'd be there. Along those lines, see Iraq and other troubled places filled with smiling, calm, peaceful people, bustling markets, sweetness, and inspiration. Feel peace in your body, send your love.

SOURCE

Labels: power of attraction, The Secret

Rubbing an extract made from broccoli sprouts on your skin may help you to prevent skin cancer, according to Johns Hopkins researchers.
Broccoli, and the sprouts in particular, contain a chemical called sulphoraphane, which activates cancer-fighting enzymes inside your cells. The researchers spread broccoli sprout extract on the skin of six people, then exposed them to high levels of ultraviolet (UV) radiation. The areas of skin covered by the extract had 37 percent less redness and sunburn than skin not covered -- both indications of skin damage that could lead to cancer.Sunscreen, meanwhile, did not offer any protection against the UV rays, the researchers said.
Whereas sunscreen works by deflecting UV rays, and therefore must be reapplied often to work, broccoli sprout extract works by penetrating skin cells and stimulating their natural cancer-fighting mechanism. Since sulphoraphane extract from broccoli sprouts appears to fight cancer in your skin, the researchers believe it may be effective against cancer in other organs as well.

Labels: broccoli, natural therapy, skin cancer, sprouts, vegetables

One form of training, however, has been shown to maintain and improve brain health — physical exercise. In humans, exercise improves what scientists call “executive function,” the set of abilities that allows you to select behavior that’s appropriate to the situation, inhibit inappropriate behavior and focus on the job at hand in spite of distractions. Executive function includes basic functions like processing speed, response speed and working memory, the type used to remember a house number while walking from the car to a party.
Executive function starts to decline when people reach their 70s. But elderly people who have been athletic all their lives have much better executive function than sedentary people of the same age. This relationship might occur because people who are healthier tend to be more active, but that’s not the whole story. When inactive people get more exercise, even starting in their 70s, their executive function improves, as shown in a recent meta-analysis of 18 studies. One effective training program involves just 30 to 60 minutes of fast walking several times a week.
Exercise is also strongly associated with a reduced risk of dementia late in life. People who exercise regularly in middle age are one-third as likely to get Alzheimer’s disease in their 70s as those who did not exercise. Even people who begin exercising in their 60s have their risk reduced by half.
How might exercise help the brain? In people, fitness training slows the age-related shrinkage of the frontal cortex, which is important for executive function. In rodents, exercise increases the number of capillaries in the brain, which should improve blood flow, and therefore the availability of energy, to neurons. Exercise may also help the brain by improving cardiovascular health, preventing heart attacks and strokes that can cause brain damage. Finally, exercise causes the release of growth factors, proteins that increase the number of connections between neurons, and the birth of neurons in the hippocampus, a brain region important for memory. Any of these effects might improve cognitive performance, though it’s not known which ones are most important.

SOURCE

Labels: brain, exercise, healthy living

Twist: We recently discovered a new favorite in the ever-growing flavored water category. Twist is an all-natural beverage containing no preservatives, artificial flavors or sweeteners. But what made it stand out from the rest is its unique organic flavors: Mango Acai, West Indies Lime, Mandarin White Tea and Pomegranate Blueberry.

Rice Works Gourmet Brown Rice Crisps: We are increasingly hearing consumers talking about gluten-free diets, even among those who do not suffer from celiac disease. Maybe it’s due to all the delicious gluten alternatives on the snack shelves these days, like these Rice Crisps made from whole grain brown rice. We devoured the Sweet Chili flavor and can’t wait to try all the others, including Thai Curry and Sesame Soy.

Labels: gluten-free, healthy snacks, water

Gary Goldfaden, M.D., who has practiced dermatology for 40 years, has become a true believer in the power of red tea. That is why he is bringing the ingredient to skin care with the launch of a preventative and restorative line, called Goldfaden.
Goldfaden was searching for a topical antiaging, antioxidant ingredient and discovered the benefits found in red tea — also known as rooibos — from his mother-in-law, who stocked boxes of the tea in her cupboard. He later learned that she had discovered this traditional secret through her South African caretaker, who used the ingredient for its nutrients and antioxidant benefits.
"It is proven that red tea had more than twice the antioxidant benefits of green tea," said Goldfaden, who founded the family-run business now run by his son Robert, the chief executive officer, and daughter Lisa, director of marketing. "Not only does it have extremely high levels of antioxidants compared to green tea, but it has one of the most potent of all antioxidants called super oxide dismutase. It's something in tea that acts as a protective barrier against environmental damage and free radicals. Once you pass the age of 25, the amount starts depleting, so it needs to be added externally."

SOURCE

Labels: Anti-oxidant, red tea, rooibos, skincare

Natto (fermented soybeans) is a traditional Japanese food with a thousand year-old history. I have personally started to consume a serving of natto every other day. It contains nattokinase -- a powerful enzyme -- and is very high in vitamin K2, which is essential for building strong bones and promoting heart health.
One serving of natto is actually equivalent to taking eight capsules of the vitamin K2 that we sell, and it’s a fraction of the price, with far more benefits than isolated K2. Ancient Samurai consumed natto on a daily basis to increase their speed and strength. To this day, the people of Japan consume natto regularly, and live longer. That is one of the reasons I started it. It is loaded with a bacteria called bacillus subtilus that may also preclude the need to take a probiotic. I think we all should regularly consume fermented foods and natto is the one that I have chosen to eat.
Remember, even though they are soy beans they are FERMENTED so virtually every negative element associated with soy is neutralized by the fermentation process.

Labels: fermented, health food, living holistically, Mercola, natto

Not only are mushrooms a low calorie food, containing only 18 calories per cup, but they are also 90 percent water. Most importantly, all varieties of 'shrooms contain large amounts of an antioxidant called L-ergothioneine, which is only found in fungi. This is a powerful antioxidant that fortunately is not destroyed when mushrooms are cooked.
A variety of animal studies have also found that compounds found in mushrooms may bolster the immune system as well as work to prevent both breast and prostate cancers. Mushrooms are also high in the mineral potassium, which can help lower blood pressure. In fact, five white button mushrooms have as much potassium as an orange.

Labels: health food, mushrooms

We recommend that you vary your choice of seeds in the morning and include types of seeds in your overall meal plan. Both flaxseeds and chia seeds are nutrient rich. They are both known as concentrated sources of the omega-3 fatty acid, alpha-linolenic acid (ALA).
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's SR19 Nutrient Database, one ounce of flaxseeds contains about 6.5 grams of ALA while one ounce of chia seeds contains about 5 grams. They are also both rich in dietary fiber: one ounce of flaxseeds contains 7.7 grams while the same amount of chia seeds contains 10.7 grams. Like all seeds, both chia and flax contain significant amounts of minerals, and they also both contain a variety of vitamins as well. Because they are very small seeds that we typically don't eat in large amounts, chia and flax do not provide us with large amounts of protein, even though they do contain a good bit of protein in comparison to their size.
At this point in time, researchers have looked more closely at the nutritional profile of flaxseeds than the profile of chia seeds. For this reason, we know that flaxseeds are concentrated sources of lignan phytonutrients, which have antioxidant and other properties. There have also been a number of animal studies showing clear benefits of flaxseeds (or lignans obtained from flaxseeds) on the health of the prostate gland in male animals and the cardiovascular systems of both males and females. However, the extent of these benefits in humans has been a matter of some debate and some mixed research findings remain in both of these health areas. (It's the extent of the seed benefits that appears unclear in these studies-not the nature of the flaxseeds as a beneficial food). There has not been the same level of research with chia seeds, but we would expect researchers to find unique benefits for these seeds as well.

Labels: ALA, chia seeds, flaxseeds, health food, Omega-3s

Rene Furterer’s Naturia Dry Shampoo has become a lifesaver for me- especially on weekday mornings when rushing to work, rushing out of the gym, or freshening up in an office-to-dinner routine. This water-free cleanser could not be easier to use: I simply spray on, wait a minute and then run a towel through my hair quickly. The unique formula instantly deodorizes, soaks up any oil and restores volume and shine. My hair never looks greasy and my scalp actually feels clean and rejuvenated! This light formula is highly effective and suitable for all hair types. I’m so dependent on it now that I can’t believe I ever lived without it! Naturia Dry Shampoo retails for $23 at dermstore.com.

Labels: dry shampoo, haircare, Want it

Frequent reports on potentially dangerous pots and pans have us wondering: what's cooking with cookware?
Recent studies have allayed some fears (most metal cookware doesn't seep into food), but the consensus on nonstick pans is not as clear.
Nonstick pan coating (Teflon) contains perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) that's considered a "likely carcinogen" by the EPA's Scientific Advisory Board. According to the Center for Science in the Public Interest, studies suggest PFOA can cause cancer in animals and might be hazardous to humans.
While EPA officials give Teflon the official ok for cooking, these precautions will reduce your risk:
-Stay in a ventilated area when using nonstick cookware.
-Don't let pots and pans get too hot -- very high temperatures can break down the coating, releasing fumes that can cause flu-like symptoms (and possibly kill house pets like birds). For this reason, never leave dry or empty cookware on heat.
-Don't use pans that have started flaking, which can cause uneven heating and higher emissions. -Avoid using abrasive cleaners and metal sponges or utensils.

Labels: carcinogen, healthy cooking, living holistically, pans, pots, Teflon

Both spinach and Swiss chard are among the most nutrient-rich foods we know. Nutrient richness refers to the quality by which a food provides a concentration of nutrients for the calories that it contains. If a food is nutrient rich, it means that you'll get a lot of nutrients but you won't have to "spend" a lot of calories on them.

In general, spinach does contain a higher concentration of many nutrients than does Swiss chard; yet, there are exceptions such as vitamin E for which Swiss chard contains about double the amount contained in spinach. And Swiss chard contains phytonutrients that spinach doesn't contain.

The other thing to consider is biochemical individuality; for example, while both vegetables contain oxalates, spinach is also one of the most common foods to which people report allergies/intolerances and commercially grown spinach is among the 12 foods upon which the most pesticide residues have been found. So, while spinach may be consider 'more healthy' for some people since it has a higher concentration of many nutrients, it would be less healthy for those who are allergic to it or are very sensitive to pesticides.

For more information on this topic, please see:
Spinach
Swiss chard

Labels: health food, spinach, swiss chard; greens, vegetables

It's essential that we remain healthy this cold and flu season -- so we turned to Noelle Katai, Certified Aromatherapist and host of "Everybody Nose" on Veria TV, for tips on how essential oils can protect us from aches and pains.

Headache: Inhale peppermint essential oil right from the bottle or put a few drops on a tissue. (Feverish? Rub a small amount on your feet.)

Achy all over: Best handled with a massage blend made with essential oils that have warming and anti-inflammatory properties like: Lavender, Ginger, and German and Roman Chamomile. Blend together in a carrier oil like sweet almond oil.

Sniffles: At the onset of a cold, Bay Laurel, , Eucalyptus Globulus, Eucalyptus Radiata and Lavender help boost the immune system to fight off infection. Massage a blend in a carrier like jojoba oil on your body after a hot shower.

DIY spray: Dilute a blend of Tea tree, Eucalyptus Globulus, Eucalyptus Radiata, Melissa and Lavender with water -- makes a great anti-bacterial spray for armrests and tray tables when traveling (or around the office.)

Labels: essential oils, Holistic Health, living holistically

As haistyles get smoother and bangs become the mode, the demand for flatirons has risen with celerity. In response, Warren-Tricomi has downsized with a minified version of the classic straightening iron. The six-inch wonder has ceramic tourmaline-coated plates and tucks neatly into handbags or desk drawers. Not merely for traveling or workplace preening, the diminutive appliance also offers greater control so that amateur stylists can easily tame frizzy bangs, tight side tendrils and hard-to-manipulate short cuts. It costs $90 at the Warren-Tricomi flagship salon in New York, (212) 262-8899

Labels: flatiron, frizzy hair, haircare, innovative, straightening iron, Warren-Tricomi

All yoga seeks to awaken Kundalini energy. It’s creativity, soul energy, universal energy and we use it to elevate our consciousness. The practice en-kindles the process of living life to the fullest and maximizing our potential as human beings.
Kundalini was first introduced into the western world in 1969 by Yoga master Yogi Bhajan ph.D. kundalini yoga is an ancient and powerful form of yoga, considered to be the mother of all other forms of yoga. An ancient yoga form - very appropriate for the times in which we are living in- ideal for the active person who needs to lower their stress level, achieve inner peace and calm and improve their health and well-being.
Kundalini Yoga is referred to as the yoga of the consciousness because it works to integrate the glandular system and the nervous system. The benefit is then a balance between the physical, emotional, spiritual aspects of the self. The breath, combined with posture and with mantra (mantra = mind -vibration, a sacred primordial current of sound) focuses the mind and can help to eliminate harmful negative thought patterns, a word or combination of words. It is the scientific use of sound to affect the consciousness.

SOURCE

Labels: KUNDALINI, yoga

New York Natural:
Health and Wellness Showcase
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
5–8 p.m.
The Altman Building

Start 2008 feeling refreshed and renewed. New Yorkers are always on the move, often forgetting to take time for themselves.
We invite you to a few moments of peace at the inaugural New York Natural. Stroll among vendors offering solutions to your health and wellness needs with the latest industry expertise in nutrition information, medical guidance, spa services, beauty and skincare tips, fitness advice and apparel, healthy food and beverages, and eco-friendly products.

Labels: Event, NY Natural, save the date

Snapple Antioxidant Water features seven unique flavors inspired by nature's "superfruits," including pomegranates and acai berries. The antioxidants, vitamins and electrolytes in each flavor provide one of four distinct benefits for the body:

-- The Power to PROTECT: Vitamins A and E, electrolytes and a complete
dose of Vitamin C help protect the body against free radicals.
Available in Tropical Mango and Orange Starfruit flavors.

-- The Power to DEFY: Vitamins A and E, Grape Seed Extract, plus
electrolytes assist in refreshing the body and mind. Available in
Raspberry Acerola and Grape Pomegranate flavors.

-- The Power to AWAKEN: Vitamins A, E and B, Caffeine, Guarana, Ginseng
and Ribose, plus electrolytes will awaken your senses. Available in
Strawberry Acai and Dragonfruit flavors.

-- The Power to RESTORE: Vitamins A and E, plus a double dose of
electrolytes assist in restoring the body after any endurance and
strength activity. Available in Agave Melon flavor.

The LYTeWater introduction complements the Snapple Antioxidant Water line, a mineral enhanced water with electrolytes from magnesium, manganese, calcium and zinc for premium hydration.

Snapple

Labels: Anti-oxidant, beverages, innovative, Snapple, water

Both white and green tea come from the same plant (Camellia sinensis), but pure white tea (also called Silver Tip) is made exclusively from the unopened leaf buds of the plant, whereas green tea is made from the more mature, opened leaves.
The harvesting of leaf buds at this earlier stage of the plant's growth cycle can mean a greater concentration of certain nutrients, because most plants change their nutrient composition in distinct ways right when they are starting to germinate or bud. Some antioxidant nutrients - including vitamin C - can be found in greater concentrations in the early stages of a plant's growth, and this change is true not only for the buds of the tea plant, but also for broccoli sprouts and other sprouted foods. The epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) concentration can also be higher in the buds versus more mature leaves of the tea plant.
Traditionally, production of white tea has involved minimal processing, limited to withering (the simple air drying of buds for a period of several hours) followed by firing (heating) or steaming. Crushing, cutting, rolling, or fermenting are all typically absent from the white tea production process.
It is the health-promoting flavonoids (which account for 30% of the dry weight of a leaf), including catechins and their derivatives, which provide tea with its health promoting benefits. The most abundant catechin in green tea is epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), which is thought to play a pivotal role in the green tea's anticancer and antioxidant effects. Catechins have been found to be potent free radical scavengers and deserve to be considered right alongside of better-known antioxidants like vitamins E and C.
So far, the research on white tea has shown special promise with relationship to cancer protection and it's also interesting that white tea extracts have also been applied topically to the skin and found to help protect immune cells in the skin, allowing these immune cells to do a better job in preventing damage to the skin by a variety of means, including excessive exposure to sunlight. We look forward to more research investigating the protective role of white tea with respect not only to skin cancers, but also cancers of the digestive tract, and potentially other cancers as well. Due to the role of EGCG in protection of the cardiovascular system, we'd also expect to see significant benefits from white tea in this regard.
We'd also point out that green tea already has a great track record in these same areas of cancer and cardiovascular disease prevention, and that these two teas should both be regarded as unique in their health benefits. As always, quality is important when you are purchasing white or green tea, and we recommend organic teas produced by companies that have a reputation for high standards.

Labels: EGCG, green tea, white tea

We're obsessed -- with not getting sick. So we're spending lots of time on newbie WhoIsSick.org, which lets us search and filter for sickness by location, time, symptoms, gender, age and keywords.
Going on a business trip to Chicago? No problem, a quick search will let you know to pack something for a runny nose or the stomach bug.
Feeling feverish? Don't forget to anonymously spread .. the word: post your symptoms!

Labels: link, sick

Since we heard the news that some lipsticks contain lead, we've been on a mission to safe-up our makeup -- which is why we love the Environmental Working Group's Skin Deep database.
They've paired ingredients in 25,000 products against 50 toxicity and regulatory databases -- within seconds you'll know if your beauty booty makes the cut.
You can also keep things simple by avoiding 7 of the most problematic ingredients, as identified by The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics:
Mercury: Often listed as thimerosal. Check: eye drops, ointments and mascaras.
Placenta: Interferes with the body's normal hormone function. Check: hair relaxers, moisturizers and toners.
Lead Acetate: A developmental toxin that's banned in the European Union. Check: hair dyes and cleansers.
Petrochemicals: The byproduct of crude oil appears as petrolatum, mineral oil and paraffin. Check: hair products, anti-aging creams, make up and perfumes.
Phthalates: Dibutyl and diethylhexyl, 2 common types, have been banned in the E.U. Check: nail polishes, fragrances and hair sprays.
Hydroquinone: Possible carcinogen. Check: skin lightening products and moisturizers.
Nanoparticles: Untested particles capable of being absorbed by the bloodstream. Found in some eye shadows, bronzers, sunscreens and lotions.

Labels: chemicals, make-up, skincare

During the 12 months through Sept. 9, Americans spent $150 million on the top three mass-market natural personal care brands, including Burt’s Bees, Jason Natural Cosmetics and Tom’s of Maine, an increase of $51 million over the year before, according to Information Resources Inc., a market research firm. Meanwhile, sales of organic personal care items reached $350 million last year, an increase of $68 million over 2005, according to manufacturers’ data compiled by the Organic Trade Association, an industry group.
“We’re seeing an increased consciousness that what you put on your body is as important as what goes in your body,” said Jeremiah McElwee, the senior coordinator in charge of personal care at Whole Foods, which is the company’s fastest-growing department. “The biggest impetus for buying natural or organic body care is the perceived health benefit.”
It would seem logical to assume that common ingestible ingredients like olives or soy would naturally be healthier for the skin and body than hard-to-pronounce, multisyllabic industrial cosmetic ingredients like the preservative methylchloroisothiazolinone. But representatives for the government and the beauty industry, as well as some environmental activists, acknowledge that there is no published scientific proof to support the notion that plant-based cosmetics are safer, healthier or more effective for people.

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Labels: NY Times, organic, organic make-up, personal care