Hello My Fellow Health Seekers! Happy Mid-Summer To You! As many of you know, I'm a Licensed Holistic Esthetician, certified aromatherapist, raw food advocate, herbalist specializing in topically-applied herbal medicine, and prolific author of books that deal with the topics of chemical-free skin and body care, raw food nutrition, and herbal medicine. I teach classes all around the country, especially at the regional Mother Earth News Fairs www.motherearthnews.com (see their website for upcoming fair schedules), plus in my local Bucksport, Maine area - espousing the benefits of living a "clean" life with plenty of exercise, fresh air, good organic food, satisfying career, great companions, and using chemical-free products on yourself, on your property, and in your home, etc.
With the dangers of chemicals in our environment (air, water, soil), and in our food, personal care products, and medicines being in the forefront of national and global news, it baffles me that there are sooooo many people still out there that are of the notion that what we put on and in our bodies makes absolutely no difference in our health and the health of our planet! How can that be???
Since I specialize in natural skin care - it's near and dear to my heart - I'm going to tell you why it's important to use organic personal care products - for yourself, your significant other, and your children. Some of this information is adapted from my best-selling Organic Body Care Recipes book (Storey Publishing 2007) and some of it just rambles out of my brain today. You've got to stop putting chemicals on your body!
A Natural Approach To Skin & Body Care
Did you know that women use an average of 12 personal care products daily? And men aren't far behind, with about 7 in their daily routine. Each day we use soap, body scrub, lotion, face cleanser, toner, night cream, shave cream, after-shave balm, sunscreen, makeup, and deodorant, so it's important to know what's coming into contact with our skin. Remember: Your skin eats - or, more accurately, absorbs.
The official terms for the process of absorption of substances via the skin is transdermal penetration. All topical substances can either penetrate or affect the skin's surface. To what degree depends on the particular substance, molecular size of the ingredient(s), temperature, and the condition of the skin at the time of contact.
If you're having a hard time believing that your skin can actually absorb some of the ingredients from your favorite body product, then you have only to think of 3 popular drugs that are transported into the bloodstream via a topically applied patch: nicotine used for cessation of smoking, hormones for birth control as well as for menopausal symptoms, and nitroglycerin for angina pectoris.
The High Price of Vanity
According to Myra Michelle Eby, founder of MyChelle Dermaceuticals, a large number of the chemicals and artificial fragrances in our daily applications of body care products have names that might sound like Greek to us - but because our skin may absorb up to 60 percent of them, they can all be potentially harmful. Once in our bodies, our fatty tissue stores these chemicals, leading to a host of possible problems. The solution to avoiding these chemicals: Read the label and choose organic next time you purchase personal care products!
Parabens, "estrogen mimickers and chemical preservatives found in almost all standard, commercially-prepared body care products," can affect those who have what's known as paraben-mix allergy, resulting in rashes after applying a product. In fact, some topical parabens have even been detected in human breast tumors!
Other preservatives such as DMDM hydantoin, imidazolidinyl urea, and quaternium 15, are very common and can release trace amounts of formaldehyde into the skin, leading to joint discomfort and contact dermatitis.
The chemical triethanolamine (TEA), often used as a base for cleansers and in cosmetics to adjust pH, may cause allergic reactions, skin and hair dryness, and eye irritations.
Artificial fragrances are often manufactured from petrochemicals and can irritate the skin and strip it of its natural protection and even lead to difficulties such as headaches and asthmatic complications.
Synthetic colors such as FD&C or D&C followed by a number can be carcinogenic. Fortunately, some commercial products do have natural coloring agents.
Phthalates, which can accumulate in the skin and lead to an increased risk of reproductive abnormalities, can be found in hair sprays, perfumes, and nail polish.
As a lic. esthetician and holistic skin care specialist, my focus is on educating individuals so that they can realize their highest health and beauty potential through the use of natural skin and body care products and vitalizing lifestyle habits. I want my clients, event attendees, and readers of my books to become active participants in their own well-being (and the well-being of this precious earth of our!), too.
In my years of experience, I've worked with a wide range of commercially prepared products, including high-end preparations and "natural" products from health food stores and wellness spas. Many of these skin and body care preparations, even the so-called "natural" ones, contain highly toxic and irritating ingredients. Frequently, I've heard from both clients and my readers who have endured allergic reactions or other skin sensitivities resulting from their use of these often costly and often synthetic products.
But if potentially irritating or harmful chemicals and artificial colorants and fragrances can be absorbed by your skin, then so can highly beneficial natural ingredients (especially organically-derived ingredients), which can promote beauty and wellness.
In this rapidly advancing technological age of skin and body care, you can visit your local medical spa and choose from a dizzying array of "youthifiers." A few of the products and services offered might be pharmaceutically enhanced cosmetics; laser skin resurfacing; acid-based skin peels; microdermabrasion; surgical face and body reconstruction; application of permanent eye and lip liner and brow color; intense pulsed light for acne treatment; or an injection cocktail to temporarily remove this, that, or the other wrinkle.
While these technological advancements do have their place, they shouldn't prevent us from taking control of our own bodies. These quick fixes do not come without some pain or irritation, risk, or high cost. Nor do they offer an everlasting cure-all to our perceived physical or emotional shortcomings.
The time is ripe for getting back to the basics. Many of us have lost sight of our true selves in an effort to become synthesized, smoothed, or physically augmented. It's important to remember, however, that Hollywood hype is NOT reality - nor should it be.
Holistic herbal skin and body care comprises an ancient tradition practiced for thousands of years, promoting mutual respect between individuals and generations; harmony and balance within; gentle co-existence with the earth; and a visible physical radiance in the individuals who practice it. Herbs and other natural ingredients are nourishing, pampering, cleansing, protective, and fragrant to body and soul. They produce in us a profound sense of authentic beauty, contentment, and well-being.
With the instructions and recipes in my best-selling skin and body care books, Organic Body Care Recipes (Storey Publishing 2007) and Hands-On Healing Remedies (Storey Publishing 2012) - both available from Barnes & Noble and Amazon and other retailers of books - you'll learn how to create natural, often organic personal care and topically-applied medicine products that sing with vitality, vibrance, and inner wellness. The formulas I've created will help correct current skin problems and prevent future ones, smooth and balance your skin, deodorize, pamper, and fragrance your body, entice your significant other, address some intimate-care issues, create radiant hair and nails & beautiful, comfortable feet, and show you how to heal minor-to-moderate afflictions using herbal remedies that you make yourself at home. Natural, simple, cost-effective remedies can be the basis for long-term skin and body care.
While I enjoy making many of my personal care products at home, I realize that there are many of you out there that are not of the inclination to do that nor do you have the time . . . so I have discovered a fabulous company from which you can purchase your organic personal care products . . . it is NYR Organic. Ever heard of Neal's Yard Remedies? The UK company that began in the early 80's? For the last 5 years, they have had a strong US presence. I've been looking for a an ethical, environmentally sound, fair-trade-based, personal care company that uses nearly 100% organic, plant-based ingredients (they're almost vegan) to refer my conference attendees, clients, and readers to . . . I finally found that company. If you want to peruse their products - which are absolutely fabulous - just go to my NYR Organic website: www.us.nyrorganic.com/shop/herbs and cruise around. I'm sure you'll be happy with what you see. If you would like a seasonal catalog of all the products, just e-mail me with your name, address, and zip and I'll shoot one off to you.
I'm not trying to do a "hard sell" about NYR Organic - just wanted to tell you - my health seeking friends - about an amazing company that will "do your body good"!!
Here's wishing that your journey with herbs and other pure, natural ingredients brings you endless joy and delight and the realization that your body is a beautiful and faithful friend to your spirit! Peace to all . . .
Showing posts with label organic body care. Show all posts
Showing posts with label organic body care. Show all posts
Monday, July 28, 2014
Monday, May 11, 2009
Edible Skin Care Recipes, Part III
These next two recipes, Honey Pecan Cookies & Apricot Chews (which I will give to you in Part IV), were graciously donated by Bill & Sylvia Varney, owners of the Fredericksburg Herb Farm in Fredericksburg, TX. This herb farm and restaurant is simply beautiful - an oasis under the hot Texas sun.
The Varneys say, "For healthy hair and skin, what goes in the body comes before what goes on it. The skin, like every other part of the body, receives its nourishment from the bloodstream. Overload your body with caffeine, alcohol, cigarettes, refined sugar, saturated fat, emotional stress, and guess what? Poor color, circles under the eyes, blemished skin, and a never-ending bad hair day. Take a nibble, boost your body and your spirits with a cookie.
"Surprised? ask the Varneys, "Our cookie recipes are different! They are dense in nutrients, without the abundance of fat and refined sweeteners found in ordinary cookies. They're rich in B and E vitamins to nourish your nerves and put a spark in your eyes; rich in calcium to strengthen your bones; rich in iron for your blood; rich in fiber to clean out your insides; and rich in potassium for your heart, too. Best of all, you'll find that in the pursuit of health, vigor, and beauty, your taste buds never had it so good!"
RECIPE: Honey Pecan Cookies
Full of vitality-boosting minerals and vitamins B and E, that help keep you calm, cool, collected, and beautiful, these lemon verbena-scented cookies perk up those afternoon slumps. Nibble one and resist empty-calorie temptations.
Ingredients:
1 cup whole wheat flour or white whole wheat flour
1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons unbleached flour
2 tablespoons wheat germ
2 tablespoons bran
2 tablespoons organic powdered milk
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 cup unsalted butter
1/2 cup honey
1 organic egg
1 4" sprig lemon verbena, minced, or 1/2 teaspoon dried or 2 teaspoons minced fresh lemon balm leaves, or 2 teaspoons grated lemon zest
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1/2 cup organic fresh buttermilk or reconstitute from a dried buttermilk mix
1/2 cup pecans, raw or toasted (your choice) and finely chopped
Raw or toasted (your choice), chopped pecans for garnish
To Make:
1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees fahrenheit
2. Stir together all dry ingredients in a bowl.
3. In food processor, beat the butter and honey together, then add egg, lemon verbena, lemon juice, and buttermilk and process until smooth and creamy. Add dry ingredients and mix briefly until incorporated. Pulse in chopped pecans.
4. Drop batter by heaping spoonfuls about 2 inches apart onto an ungreased cookie sheet. Garnish with pecans. Bake for 15-18 minutes. Check cookies frequently, they do burn easily. Remove to wire rack to cool.
To Eat:
Enjoy one for a sweet breakfast or anytime for a quick, energizing, skin-healthy snack.
Yield: Approximately 1 dozen large cookies, 200 calories each
NOTE: The above has been adapted from the book, "Naturally Healthy Skin", by Stephanie Tourles, Storey Publishing, 1999. The information is true and complete to the best of the author's knowledge. The author disclaims any liability in connection with the use of this information. It is for educational purposes only.
The Varneys say, "For healthy hair and skin, what goes in the body comes before what goes on it. The skin, like every other part of the body, receives its nourishment from the bloodstream. Overload your body with caffeine, alcohol, cigarettes, refined sugar, saturated fat, emotional stress, and guess what? Poor color, circles under the eyes, blemished skin, and a never-ending bad hair day. Take a nibble, boost your body and your spirits with a cookie.
"Surprised? ask the Varneys, "Our cookie recipes are different! They are dense in nutrients, without the abundance of fat and refined sweeteners found in ordinary cookies. They're rich in B and E vitamins to nourish your nerves and put a spark in your eyes; rich in calcium to strengthen your bones; rich in iron for your blood; rich in fiber to clean out your insides; and rich in potassium for your heart, too. Best of all, you'll find that in the pursuit of health, vigor, and beauty, your taste buds never had it so good!"
RECIPE: Honey Pecan Cookies
Full of vitality-boosting minerals and vitamins B and E, that help keep you calm, cool, collected, and beautiful, these lemon verbena-scented cookies perk up those afternoon slumps. Nibble one and resist empty-calorie temptations.
Ingredients:
1 cup whole wheat flour or white whole wheat flour
1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons unbleached flour
2 tablespoons wheat germ
2 tablespoons bran
2 tablespoons organic powdered milk
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 cup unsalted butter
1/2 cup honey
1 organic egg
1 4" sprig lemon verbena, minced, or 1/2 teaspoon dried or 2 teaspoons minced fresh lemon balm leaves, or 2 teaspoons grated lemon zest
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1/2 cup organic fresh buttermilk or reconstitute from a dried buttermilk mix
1/2 cup pecans, raw or toasted (your choice) and finely chopped
Raw or toasted (your choice), chopped pecans for garnish
To Make:
1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees fahrenheit
2. Stir together all dry ingredients in a bowl.
3. In food processor, beat the butter and honey together, then add egg, lemon verbena, lemon juice, and buttermilk and process until smooth and creamy. Add dry ingredients and mix briefly until incorporated. Pulse in chopped pecans.
4. Drop batter by heaping spoonfuls about 2 inches apart onto an ungreased cookie sheet. Garnish with pecans. Bake for 15-18 minutes. Check cookies frequently, they do burn easily. Remove to wire rack to cool.
To Eat:
Enjoy one for a sweet breakfast or anytime for a quick, energizing, skin-healthy snack.
Yield: Approximately 1 dozen large cookies, 200 calories each
NOTE: The above has been adapted from the book, "Naturally Healthy Skin", by Stephanie Tourles, Storey Publishing, 1999. The information is true and complete to the best of the author's knowledge. The author disclaims any liability in connection with the use of this information. It is for educational purposes only.
Monday, February 23, 2009
Maximize Your Nutrition, Part II
This is Part 2 to last week's blog regarding "eating for health and beauty".
"Whole-Food Supplements"
Along with a whole-foods diet, nutritional supplements also have their benefits towards your well being. No matter how balanced you think your diet is, virtually everyone has a deficiency or low-intake of one nutrient or another. Supplements help fill in the nutritional gaps so that you look and feel your best - giving you the appearance of youth (or actually prolonging your youth) from the inside out.
While many professionals believe differently, I believe that the most effective supplements are derived from whole, real foods (as opposed to being entirely synthetic). I take my three favorite supplements on a daily basis - a green drink blend, OPC's, and a mix of raw sunflower and pumpkin seeds. Combined, they contain all of the specific nutrients that help combat aging, nourish skin, hair, and nails, and promote well-being.
This week, I'll discuss my Green Drink Blend and next week I'll conclude this three-part series with a discussion of my other two favorite supplements. Every morning, I toss a handful of frozen raspberries, strawberries, mango chunks, or a frozen banana into the blender, then add a cup or more of freshly-made almond milk, raw skim cow's milk, or unsweetened soy milk, a dollop of raw goat or cow's milk yogurt, and two tablespoons of an organically-produced, green plant powder. The powder I use contains "powerhouse plants" including chlorella, a single-celled green algae; blue-green algae; barley grass; wheat grass; and alfalfa.
When cloosing a green-plant powder blend, make sure the product label states that the ingredients were organically grown and were processed rapidly, immediately after harvesting to preserve the live enzymes and vitamins they contain. The grasses taste the way a freshly mowed lawn smells - sweet and green. The blend is also available in easy-to-swallow capsules.
Green drink blends are ideal for those of you with with digestive difficulties in that the live enzymes aid digestion and enable proper assimilation of vital nutrients. Here's to your health.
(Note: Portions of this article are adapted from the book, "Organic Body Care Recipes" by Stephanie Tourles, copyright 2007, Storey Publishing. The author disclaims any liability in connection with the use of this information and recommends that the reader use their common sense. This information is for education purposes only.)
"Whole-Food Supplements"
Along with a whole-foods diet, nutritional supplements also have their benefits towards your well being. No matter how balanced you think your diet is, virtually everyone has a deficiency or low-intake of one nutrient or another. Supplements help fill in the nutritional gaps so that you look and feel your best - giving you the appearance of youth (or actually prolonging your youth) from the inside out.
While many professionals believe differently, I believe that the most effective supplements are derived from whole, real foods (as opposed to being entirely synthetic). I take my three favorite supplements on a daily basis - a green drink blend, OPC's, and a mix of raw sunflower and pumpkin seeds. Combined, they contain all of the specific nutrients that help combat aging, nourish skin, hair, and nails, and promote well-being.
This week, I'll discuss my Green Drink Blend and next week I'll conclude this three-part series with a discussion of my other two favorite supplements. Every morning, I toss a handful of frozen raspberries, strawberries, mango chunks, or a frozen banana into the blender, then add a cup or more of freshly-made almond milk, raw skim cow's milk, or unsweetened soy milk, a dollop of raw goat or cow's milk yogurt, and two tablespoons of an organically-produced, green plant powder. The powder I use contains "powerhouse plants" including chlorella, a single-celled green algae; blue-green algae; barley grass; wheat grass; and alfalfa.
When cloosing a green-plant powder blend, make sure the product label states that the ingredients were organically grown and were processed rapidly, immediately after harvesting to preserve the live enzymes and vitamins they contain. The grasses taste the way a freshly mowed lawn smells - sweet and green. The blend is also available in easy-to-swallow capsules.
Green drink blends are ideal for those of you with with digestive difficulties in that the live enzymes aid digestion and enable proper assimilation of vital nutrients. Here's to your health.
(Note: Portions of this article are adapted from the book, "Organic Body Care Recipes" by Stephanie Tourles, copyright 2007, Storey Publishing. The author disclaims any liability in connection with the use of this information and recommends that the reader use their common sense. This information is for education purposes only.)
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