Archive for October, 2008
October 31st, 2008
Last week I asked a new client of mine how often she received facials…She said “I get facials often about four times a year.” I smiled and proceeded with the facial. It was all I could do not to get on my soap box and rant about the importance of getting facials more often. So here I go: You should get facials a bare minimum of four times a year. Our skin cells renew themselves every 28 days (roughly every 4 weeks). If you are serious about skin care and anti-aging you should see your Skin Care Pro every 4 to 6 weeks.
Simple skin physiology…..Every 28 days your skin produces new cells and the old ones are pushed to the surface of the skin. This is why over time skin will look dull and heavy. Also, lines in the skin will appear more prominent. Getting facials frequently will help with this. Facials will keep the skin exfoliated, the pores cleaned out, and looking more rejuvenated. The end result being beautiful skin which means a more beautiful you.
Please see your Skin Care Pro more often.
See you at the Spa…..
October 21st, 2008
Certain foods, along with physical activity, can boost brain chemicals that may help improve your mood and overall outlook. Being active is one of the best strategies for boosting your physical and mental health. It not only lifts your mood, but can also give you more energy and motivate you to make healthier food choices. When it comes to food, researchers have studied how certain nutrients and food components can affect your moods. While the effects will vary greatly from person to person, there are some general guidelines:
- Try to eat a mix of foods and nutrients at each meal. Protein and carbohydrates affect brain chemicals in different ways. For example, when only protein foods are consumed, you may feel alert but not fully satisfied. When you eat a meal of mainly carbohydrates, you may experience feelings of relaxation and contentment, but this generally won’t last very long. Eating a mix of foods and nutrients may help you experience fewer mood swings and maintain your energy level throughout the day.
- Choose your carbohydrates wisely. Avoid the highs and lows of mood and energy associated with fluctuating blood sugar levels by choosing foods that are digested slowly. Carbohydrate foods with fiber, such as whole grains, legumes, fruits and vegetables, release their energy slowly and keep you feeling good for longer.
- Examine how caffeine affects you. While it may help increase mental alertness and concentration, too much caffeine (this will be a different amount for each person) may also affect your level of anxiety, cravings, sleeping habits, mood swings, and nervousness.
Some nutrients, including vitamin B12 and vitamin D, may help to prevent and treat mood disorders and depression. Research also supports a link between omega-3 fats and reducing depression. If you’re feeling more than just the “blues” despite your best efforts to eat the right foods and get regular exercise, you may be experiencing depression, a condition that requires medical attention.
October 21st, 2008
Wanted to make sure that you all know there are many options available for healthy eating around our community! Not just the CHIP Cooking Class that will begin on October 27 and run every first Monday of each month thereafter until we get tired and can’t do it anymore…
There will be a Heart Healthy Pancake Breakfast Fundraiser benefiting MotherHouse on Sunday, October 26th from 8 AM until noon. Feel free to contact me for additional information. We’re serving fortified organic whole grain pancakes with your choice of yummy toppings, blueberry, strawberry, and pecans! Plus there’ll be a lovely fruit bar, coffee and orange juice. Completely vegan, absolutely filling, heart healthy, and all for a great cause!
$5 for adults, $3 for children, 325 North Alpine Road.
See you there!
October 8th, 2008
Isn’t it frustrating trying to figure out your skin type? Are you dry, oily, combo, t- zone….it goes on and on. It is true your skin can be seasonal. You may need to adjust your products in the fall/winter season and again in the spring/summer season.
Typically in the winter we all need to wear a more emollient rich moisturizer (heavier moisturizer), because the weather is so harsh. Our daily moisturizer is what protects our skin from the harsh elements of the weather. When are skin is protected it will help fight off the appearance of fine lines.
On the other hand, in the summer we will typically wear a less emollient rich moisturizer, because of the excessive heat. Again, we want our skin protected from the harsh elements but not so rich in emollients, that our skin can’t breathe.
It is always best to have your Skin Care Pro analyze your skin and recommend the correct product for you. Our skin is an amazing organ of the body and we need to keep it protected.
See you at the Spa….
October 7th, 2008
Being lactose intolerant means you can’t digest lactose, the natural sugar found in milk and other dairy products. Lactose intolerance is actually a type of food sensitivity, not an allergic reaction. In most people, there is simply a shortage of the enzyme, lactase, which is produced in the small intestine. Lactase breaks down milk sugar into two simpler forms of sugar, which are then absorbed into the bloodstream.
If your body does not produce enough lactase to digest the amount of lactose you consume, then you will likely experience symptoms such as gas, bloating, or diarrhea. Many people mistakenly believe that you can’t eat any dairy products if you’re lactose intolerant. Avoiding dairy foods means that you may be missing important nutrients found in milk, cheese, and yogurt, including calcium, potassium, phosphorus, protein, vitamins A, B12, riboflavin, and niacin. But lactose intolerance is not an “all or nothing” condition. It’s likely that your body still produces lactase, but at a lower level. In fact, most people with lactose intolerance can have a glass of milk with a meal without a problem.
Because symptoms of lactose intolerance can also signal other digestive problems, ask your doctor about diagnostic tests, such as a lactose tolerance test or a hydrogen breath test. This way you’ll know for sure. Levels of lactase in the body tend to decrease as you age and some ethnic groups are more likely to have low levels. Lactose intolerance is less common in young children than adults.
If you are lactose intolerant, there are simple strategies to make dairy foods easier to digest:
- Drink milk with food. Solid food helps slow digestion, giving your body more time to digest the lactose
- Aged cheeses like Cheddar, Colby, Parmesan, and Swiss are very low in lactose.
- Introduce dairy foods slowly, then gradually increase your portions to find your comfort level.
- Try reduced lactose foods, such as lactose-free milk. Or look for lactase enzyme pills at the drugstore and take them with your first sip or bite of dairy foods.
- Look for yogurt with live, active cultures. These friendly bacteria help digest lactose.
