Everything About Beauty and Staying Healthy
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Posted by Reporter on Monday
Get bee-stung lips by practicing yoga-like face exercises that firm the facial muscles.
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HealthBeauty Skin Beauty Skincare Care Plumper Plump Style Making Creating Exercising
Categories: How To
Posted by Reporter on
It’s no secret that I’m a huge advocate for salad. I eat a large salad for two meals of the day on average. But no matter the combination of vegetables, greens, and patés, salad can get a little redundant. That’s where dressing comes in.
Nearly all dressings you buy in a bottle are full of chemicals, additives, thickeners, and sugar. A quick check of the ingredient list tells all. But an easy, healthy, and considerably more delicious option is to make your own dressing. Fresh squeezed lemon juice and a good quality olive oil make a nice dressing, but sometimes you want something with a little more pizazz.
Personally, I’m partial to creamy dressings. I use nuts and seeds to achieve a rich, creamy dressing while adding healthy fat. I have never measured the ingredients while making a salad dressing, but I’ll give you a basic template to experiment and some of my favorite combinations.
Template for Salad Dressing
- 1/2 cup nuts or seeds. Try cashews, walnuts, almonds, sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, pumpkin seeds, or a combination.
- Tangy component. I prefer fresh squeezed lemon juice (one lemon’s worth) which is detoxifying and alkalizing to the body. You can also use 1 tablespoon raw, unpasteurized apple cider vinegar, which has many known health properties as a detoxifier. Avoid other types of vinegar as they encourage “bad bacteria” growth in the intestines and don’t offer anything nutritionally.
- Fresh herbs or spices. I will use almost a full bunch of cilantro or basil to make a dressing flavorful. Herbs and spices have great medicinal properties and can be used in abundance. Don’t be stingy; this is creating your dressing’s flavor identity! Basil, cilantro, dill, parsley, and thyme are all good options. If you don’t have fresh herbs on hand, try spices like cumin, curry powder, or powdered ginger.
- A little kick. I will often add 1-3 cloves of fresh garlic. You can also use a bit of red onion. Remember that because these ingredients are raw, they will be quite pungent. A little goes a long way. If you like a spicy dressing, adding cayenne pepper.
- Sea salt. How salty you like your dressing is up to you, but certainly add some to enhance the flavor. You can also use raw soy sauce (Nama Shoyu) or Bragg’s Liquid Aminos.
- Water. I’ve never measured how much water I use, but I estimate around a half a cup. Add more as needed. How thick you want your dressing is up to you. Remember that once you refrigerate your dressing, it will thicken.
Combine all ingredients in a blender. I use my high powered Vita-Mix. If your blender is not very strong, consider grinding your nuts/seeds in a food processor first. Store in jar or tightly-closed tupperware container in the refrigerator for up to a week.
Here are a few of my dressings to get you started.
Creamy Cilantro Dill Dressing
(pictured above; quantities of ingredients can vary)
- 1/2 cup combination of pumpkin seeds and sunflower seeds
- 1/4 to 1/2 cup water
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 bunch to 1 bunch fresh cilantro
- 2 tablespoons dried dill
- 1/8 cup chopped red onion
- sea salt
Tahini Dressing
(quantities can vary)
- 1/2 cup sesame seeds
- 1/4 to 1/2 cup water
- 2-3 cloves of garlic
- 1 tablespoon cumin
- juice of one lemon
- sea salt
Basil Pesto Dressing
(quantities can vary)
- 1/2 cup combination of cashews and almonds
- 1/4 cup to 1/2 cup water
- 1/2 bunch to 1 bunch fresh basil
- 2 cloves of garlic
- juice of half a lemon (optional)
- drizzle olive oil
- sea salt
I hope this inspires you! Do you have any good ideas for salad dressings? Share them with me. I’m thinking of attempting an Asian-inspired dressing next, using fresh ginger, soy sauce, and sesame oil. If you need a little salad inspiration, be sure to check out my post, Salad Making 101 for a step-by-step guide. Keep your salads interesting!
Eat well,
Emily
Posted by Reporter on
Summer is finally here and mySpaShop.com(mSS) is welcoming it with open arms. mSS has gathered seasonal Home Spa Recipes from its expert advisors to help consumers look and feel their best this summer. According to mSS founder, Kimberly Matheson Shedrick, “This summer it’s all about the generations. Children, teens, young adults, parents and grand-parents should all be preparing for a healthy and fun summer.” For this reason, Matheson Shedrick has hand selected products for every generation and created a Summer Spa Treatments Remedies Collection for all to enjoy.
Christopher Drummond, one of mSS’s Spa Lifestyle Expert Advisors, is a professional makeup artist with more than 15 years experience in the cosmetic industry. He has created a list of summer makeup tips that will help to keep your skin healthy, make your makeup last longer and keep you looking fresh:
Tara Grodjesk, another mSS Spa expert advisor, believes that “The seasons have an enormous impact on the human body and its well being.” Grodjesk feels so strongly about seasons effecting health; she creates seasonal remedies for every season. One of her summer remedies includes a recipe for an invigorating salt glow which calls for four tablespoons of Muscle Soother Bath Salts, two tablespoons of Revitalizing Body & Massage Oil and two tablespoons of water. In the shower, rub gently onto the entire body to exfoliate skin surface, then rinse off.
Another important tip to remember during the summer months is to stay safe and mSS has many products that both help to prevent sun damage and repair existing damage. Just a few of the products that mSS carries to apply Sun Care Recipes are Atzen, TARA Sun Therapy and Shady Day.
mySpaShop.com s the Web’s first virtual spa with everything you need to lead the spa lifestyle — accessible to anyone, anytime, anywhere, mSS brings together experts, spa treatments and shopping for the newest Spa Products Boutique with a spa community of bloggers to share personal stories.
To join the mSS community and earn a 10% discount coupon (mss1) register with mSS and gain the opportunity to earn additional rewards with Spa Products Boutique purchases and referrals to friends.
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Lumenis Ltd., the world’s largest medical laser company, announced today that their UltraPulse TotalFX treatment was featured on 20/20 on Friday, July 17(th) 2009, as a “secret weapon” to improve the texture, flexibility and appearance of severe scars from traumatic injuries.
The comprehensive feature chronicled the personal stories of survival of Chandra, Trae and Jordan Berns, who at just 17 months old were burned by a devastating arson fire that claimed the life of their mother. The triplets have lived with the reminder of that horrible night ever since and now, at the age of 22, they have found new hope in Lumenis’ Ultrapulse Laser. After a total of three treatments, by Dr. Jill Waibel using the Ultrapulse, the triplets have all noticed significant reduction in the appearance of scars on their arms, chest, back and face and should continue to see further results in the next few months. In addition to cosmetic improvements, they have experienced improved flexibility and mobility in their arms and other areas of their bodies.
A pioneer in treating burns, Dr. Jill Waibel of the Palm Beach Aesthetic Dermatology & Laser Center in Palm Beach, Florida is very sympathetic to the emotional journey of burn victims and stated, “Scarring can be psychologically traumatic for any patient … bad scars remind the patient over and over about the event that caused the injury.”
Thick, deep, and inflexible, burn scars such as those shared by the Berns triplets are the most difficult skin wounds to treat, and although physicians and scientists have worked for years seeking out new treatment options, including other lasers, nothing has been effective on these severe burn scars until now.
Dr. Waibel’s new “secret weapon” in treating scars is Lumenis’ UltraPulse TotalFX laser. Commonly used for other cosmetic conditions such as deep wrinkles and unwanted pigment, Dr. Waibel discovered that this system could also be used to treat burn scars. The UltraPulse laser uses two different methods of treating the skin as well as a unique delivery to stimulate new collagen growth, lighten dark colors on the scar and remove some of the scar tissue.
“We literally take the scar out, and as a result new collagen is stimulated and formed. We not only improve the scar — we create new healthy skin where there was a scar,” explained Dr. Waibel. “We are able to treat scars that we were never able to treat before.”
“Lumenis is excited to support the triplets’ treatments along with Dr. Waibel’s exciting work in scar revision, but most importantly to provide hope for Chandra, Trae and Jordan where they had no options before,” stated Mr. Dov Ofer, CEO of Lumenis. “The company is grateful for the significant efforts of all of the physicians and nurses at the Palm Beach Aesthetic Dermatology & Laser Center especially that of Dr. Waibel and Dr. Kenneth Beer its founder”.
“The significant improvement in the appearance of the triplets’ scars has generated profound interest in using UltraPulse technology in improving the quality of life for burn survivors around the globe. The treatment offers hope for many since it is far less traumatic than traditional surgical revision of scars, results can be seen within a few weeks and the skin continues to improve for up to six months following treatment,” added Mr. Robert Mann, SVP and General Manager of Lumenis Aesthetic Business.
Motivated to share their success with others, Chandra, Trae and Jordan have also started a foundation to help burn survivors cover the cost of their treatments which is called “Three For Hope” (read more about the Berns Triplets www.bernstriplets.com and the Ultrapulse treatments featured on Lumenis website: www.aesthetic.lumenis.com.
About Lumenis
Lumenis Ltd., the world’s leading medical laser company is a global developer, manufacturer and seller of laser, light-based and radiofrequency devices for surgical, aesthetic and ophthalmic applications, with more than 800 employees globally. Lumenis has over 250 patents worldwide, over 75 FDA clearances, worldwide presence in over 100 countries, and an installed base of over 70,000 systems. For more information about Lumenis and its products, please go to: www.lumenis.com.
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With the multitude of skin cancer cases reported by the National Cancer Institute, sun damage to human skin could be reaching epidemic proportions. Reviva Skin Care Labs has stressed that a strong anti-oxidant cream formulated for absorption deeper than the sunscreen cream or lotion, and applied under the sunscreen, can offer an important extra level of protection against sun damage.
Sunscreens are important but they work only on the surface. Some degree of free-radical ultra-violet rays (particularly UV-A,the aging rays) often get through. A strong anti-oxidant cream could “zap” free radicals that get through the sunscreen.
Reviva Labs offers two such antioxidant creams formulated for deeper absorption.
Both creams are not sunscreens but their outstanding anti-inflammatory and antioxidant qualities- -used under a sunscreen cream- -offer a valuable double layer of defense against skin aging and skin cancer. Both creams are available in Health Food Stores nationally including Vitamin Shoppes, Whole Foods and GNC as well as Ultra Cosmetic Stores and some independent cosmetic stores.
Reviva also suggests that these creams be used after sun exposure.
Reviva Labs is one of the most unique skin-care brands in the cosmetic industry. Reviva’s products are not conventional commercial items. Established in 1973 to serve the newly emerging skin-salon market, the Reviva line is comprised of skin treatments created for skin professionals’ demand for individualized formulas that meet specific needs. Focus on natural ingredients soon led Reviva into Health Food stores. Reviva Labs via it’s European affiliations and dermatological research, has introduced more skin-care firsts through America’s skin salons and health food stores, than most of the cosmetic giants.
Free skin care advice is available from Reviva Labs at www.RevivaLabs.com or by writing to 705 Hopkins Road, Haddonfield, N.J. 08038.
Posted by Reporter on
DailyMakeover.com, the web’s leading beauty information site that provides access to its virtual try-on technology to create customized makeovers, has released the Daily Makeover Index: Most Popular Celebrities. More than four million women visit the DailyMakeover.com online beauty community each month to create and share virtual makeovers. The index provides insight into specific celebrities women are seeking to emulate through the hairstyles they select to try-on. DailyMakeover.com found the majority of women are seeking to mirror hairstyles from Miley Cyrus, Anne Hathaway and Adrianne Bailon.
“Celebrities make fashion statements every time they walk out the door. Sometimes women love them and other times they fall flat,” said Rachel Hayes, editorial director at DailyMakeover.com. “The celebrity hairstyles most tried-on this year show us that while it is always fun to try-on Angelina Jolie or Paris Hilton’s look, women are really looking for a style that is attainable and will work for them in their everyday life like the classic cut of Adrienne Palicki or the young, fun look of Brittany Snow.”
January – March 2009 Index April – June 2009 Index
1. Adrianne Palicki 1,881 1. Brittany Snow 946
2. Adrienne Bailon 1,642 2. Jennifer Lopez 864
3. Paris Hilton 1,639 3. Ashley Tisdale 834
4. Alexis Bledel 1,630 4. AnnaLynne McCord 829
5. Angelina Jolie 1,564 5. Ashley Greene 784
6. Tara Reid 1,197 6. Anne Hathaway 741
7. Miley Cyrus 1,050 7. Amanda Seyfried 647
8. Janet Jackson 1,045 8. Miley Cyrus 646
9. Anne Hathaway 981 9. Adrienne Bailon 608
10. Alicia Keys 976 10. Anne Hathaway 593
Daily Makeover Index: Most Popular Celebrities provides insights into hairstyles from specific celebrities women are selecting to try-on. The numbers are the ratio of the “try-ons” of a particular celebrity relative to the average of all celebrities within the DailyMakeover.com Makeover Studio.