An Anti-Aging Grocery List

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Want your skin to stay gorgeous all summer? With the weather getting warmer we’ll be having fun under the sun and maybe a few cocktails too many.  This lifestyle will deplete our body of water and vitamins, causing dark circles under our eyes, uneven skin tone, acne, and wrinkles.

To combat these undesirable traits, I’ve created a simple anti-aging grocery list. When shopping, try choosing organic goods if possible and keep an eye out for any sales.

Keeping these anti-aging foods in your kitchen and making it a part of your diet will help your skin naturally fight against the sun’s harmful UV rays and show off clear, supple, and youthful glowing skin.  Maybe you’ll look a year younger this summer!


Raw and Unsalted Nuts and Seeds

  1. Walnuts: Helps with stress management and mood, preventing skin disorders and wrinkles.
  2. Almonds: High in antioxidants it’s also detoxifying and healing for the skin keeping it strong.  Almonds are the most nutritionally dense nut.
  3. Pumpkin Seeds: Fights bacteria that can cause acne and helps to regenerate cells.
  4. Sunflower Seeds: Calms the body and allows better blood flow to skin, keeping it healthy.
  5. Flax Seeds: Moisturizes and evens out skin tone.

After creating this list I realize I need all of these nuts!


Fruits

  1. Goji Berries: Amazing amounts of anti-oxidants.  It’s also healing, stimulates collagen production, retains moisture, and helps keep skin clear.
  2. Papaya: Naturally exfoliates the skin.
  3. Peach: Excellent for moisturizing the skin and healing the skin quickly.
  4. Apple: Best for toning and conditioning the skin.  Also increases collagen and elasticity of the skin.
  5. Avocado: Healthy fats and phytonutrients help moisturize the skin.
  6. Grapefruit/Oranges: Helps decongest the skin, reduce cellulite, and tones the skin.

Goji berries are a must for your pantry since they’re dried and won’t spoil as quickly.

Vegetables

  1. Black Kale (top) tastes better than curly kale (bottom) : Detoxifying and high in anti-oxidant. Promotes healthy blood circulation, fights wrinkles, and keeps your skin clear and glowing.
  2. Spinach: Helps prevent acne, blemishes, and other skin conditions. It’s healing for the skin and great for overall health.
  3. Red/Green Cabbage: Detoxifying, healing, moisturizes skin and promotes supple and glowing skin.
  4. Beets: It is anti-inflammatory, fights blemishes, moisturizes skin, and helps get rid of those unwanted dark circles,

I love how I can get away with putting black kale or spinach in my morning smoothies without my boyfriend noticing.


Beans/Legumes

  1. Red Beans, Red Kidney Beans, and Pinto Beans, Black Beans: Contains the highest amount of antioxidants among beans.
  2. Garbanzo Beans/Green Beans: Helps heal the skin and prevents acne.
  3. Peas: Good for keeping your skin rejuvenated and prevents dullness.

I had no idea beans were so good for us, even better, they don’t lose their nutritional value when cooked!  Time to stock up on canned beans!

Fish/Seafood

These fish have the highest Omega’s.

They’re low in contaminants and have either no or low mercury.

Nutrients prevent dryness, dark circles, acne, pimples, and promote healthier cell structure in the skin.

  1. Wild Salmon
  2. Anchovy
  3. Sardines
  4. Black Cod
  5. Rainbow or Golden Trout
  6. Pacific Halibut
  7. Mussels
  8. Oysters

I love knowing that farmed mussels are delicious and safe for the environment.

Dairy

  1. Yogurt: Cleansing, moisturizing, reduces discoloration, relieves sun burn, and anti-bacterial so it fights acne.

I love how yogurt is a great snack between meals and keeps bad breath away.


Mushrooms/Fungi 

You may have better luck finding white button or crimini mushrooms at your local grocery store

  1. White Button/Crimini: Fights wrinkles, anti-inflammatory, and a safer way of consuming Niacin than supplements.  Niacin is known for skin strengthening and increasing blood flow to the skin.
  2. Shiitake: Anti-viral, anti-inflammatory and immune enhancing, promoting healthier skin. Encourages skin cell renewal, blocks skin aging proteins, and naturally lightens the skin helping to fade sun spots and acne scars.
  3. Oyster: Anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial

I’ve never been a mushroom fan because of the flavor, but I’ve learned an Italian appetizer that helped me eat white button mushrooms. Raw sliced white button mushrooms, drizzle some olive oil, squeeze a little lemon, and salt and pepper to taste!

Here’s a summary of the anti-aging grocery list for your convenience:

Raw and Unsalted Nuts: Walnuts, Almonds, Pumpkin Seeds, Sunflower Seeds, Flax Seeds.

Fruits: Goji Berries, Papaya, Peach, Apple, Avocado, Grapefruit/Oranges.

Vegetables: Black Kale, Spinach, Red/Green Cabbage, Beets.

Beans/Legumes: Red Beans, Red Kidney Beans, Pinto Beans, Black Beans.

Fish/Seafood: Wild Salmon, Anchovy, Sardines, Black Cod, Rainbow or Golden Trout, Pacific Halibut, Mussels, Oysters.

Dairy: Yogurt – try to go with organic and whole instead of nonfat.

Mushrooms/Fungi: White Button, Crimini, Shiitake, Oyster.

Pretty Skin for Bikini Season

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Bikini season is here and not only do we need to protect our skin with a lot of sunscreen but we should also make sure it’s ready to be admired. Acure Organics Body Lotion Cocoa Butter and CoQ10 ($10 for 7 oz.) can help us feel confident taking off our cover ups this summer.  With ingredients like organic olive oil, cocoa butter, evening primrose, and CoQ10, this body lotion promises smooth, firmer, and hydrated skin.

I was drawn to this body lotion because it was inexpensive, organic, and unscented. After using it daily, I noticed within a couple of weeks that my skin was smoother and firmer. 

Surprisingly, this unscented body lotion was NOT unscented at all.  I could smell this chocolately-nutty scent that I, even as a chocoholic, didn’t really care for.  The good thing is the scent doesn’t linger for the rest of the day or interfere with other fragrances.   If you don’t think you’ll like this scent either, Acure Organics has three other scented body lotions that contain beneficial ingredients such as Omega 3′s, Argan oil, and Vitamin C.  Otherwise, this one is worth using for smoothing and tightening skin naturally.

Unlike most body lotions, this one was thicker, so I really had to massage it into my skin.  What I like to do with thicker moisturizers is add a couple of drops of my favorite body oil to help disperse the lotion.

Something to appreciate about this brand is they’re family owned and all their products are free from animal testing, sulfates, parabens, phthalates, synthetic fragrances, harmful preservatives, and artificial colors.

As for a touch of philanthropy, with every bottle that’s purchased $1 goes to Bright Pink for breast cancer education.

Who doesn’t love a win-win situation when it comes to pampering your skin?

An Enlightened Traveler

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I was telling my boyfriend during lunch today how I’d love to do some kind of a climbing trip in Yosemite.  When I looked up at him for a response he had a confused expression on his face.  He began telling me about an email he received from a reputable travel site and how it was a listing for an overpriced hotel in New Jersey.

“It was like $300 a night for a bed out in the middle of the forest and like a toilet roll next to a tree.  I don’t’ understand who would pay that much money, I mean I could just put our bed outside and it’d be the same thing,” he said.

“What do you mean? Like no toilet or running water?” I asked with so much awe and enthusiasm.

“No, they had a water bottle and some mosquito repellent, but they had a picture of a big grizzly bear so it can’t be safe, right?” he said.

I paused, realized something, then looked at him in the eyes while he looked back at me for an answer.

“When did you receive this email?”  I said, wishing he wouldn’t answer my question.

He looked at me, thought about it, then started cracking up laughing in the restaurant until his face was bright red and tears were flowing out of his eyes.  Then somewhere between his laughing and gasping for air he screamed, ”I can’t believe they got me!  What a great April Fool’s joke!”

Thank you Jetsetter for proving to me that I’m not the only ditz in this relationship.

Naka Island: A True Getaway in Phuket

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When our speedboat arrived at the dock of Naka Island that morning, they greeted us in Thai with their palms pressed flat together at their chest, heads bowed, and the friendliest smiles on their face. “Sodi-kaaaa!”  They were picking us up on golf carts and one of them had just backed into a fire extinguisher that hung on one of the pillars of the dock.  The female driver squealed as the others rambled something to her in native language.

 

We made our first stop at the “entrance of the island” where a large Thai gong hung.  Each guest was to hit the gong twice then make a wish, a Thai tradition performed upon arrival and departure of the island.  For the new year of 2012, I secretly wished for an engagement ring and a puppy.

At the entrance of the resort stood a gold deity, known as Lord Brahma, with four faces and eight hands to ward off evil spirits.  He is the god of creation, mercy and benevolence.  The locals had already draped their deity with offerings.

The 67 villas of the Naka Resort reflected the island’s natural beauty with simple and organic décor.  In our villa, a soft white canopy bed overlooked our private infinity pool, which overlooked the beach below.  The engraved stone with open eyes and closed eyes was our “Do Not Disturb Sign”. What a sanctuary.

Behind the enclosed bedroom was an outdoor bath area including the closet, bathtub, shower, a separate steam room, lots of geckos, snails, and something that sounded like a laughing hyena.

At night the maid would light incense and candles in the bathroom to keep the mosquitoes away.  Lemongrass spray bottles were readily available throughout the resort for guests to use freely day and night.  By the end of our stay in Thailand, we never wanted to eat or smell lemongrass again.

That afternoon we talked about Argentina and how South America is one of our dream destinations.  It’s funny how no matter where we are, we are always dreaming about the other side of the world once more.

When the sun was setting we hid from the mosquitoes in our villa and listened to the cicadas sing.  In the days to come, I found myself listening to them in the morning, around noon, and sunset.  That night after they stopped singing, a light breeze filled the air and kept the hungry mosquitoes away, allowing us to be invited out into the warm night.

As the sun rose the next morning and the cicadas had sung their song, I went outside and connected with myself and my surroundings during my yoga practice.  After breakfast, we decided to explore the local fishing village that shared the cozy private island with us.  The other guests were enjoying their private villas or the resort pool.

We knew we were officially out of the resort when the bike path turned into a rugged dirt path with puddles and large rocks.  The locals lived in these humble bungalows and watched us with friendly eyes. They sold food amongst each other and hung sheets of rubber on a line like laundry.  We saw a man harvesting rubber from the rows and rows of tall rubber trees that shaded our path.  Lots of cats, chickens, and roosters roamed freely around the village.

We rode our bikes out onto the dock where the shallow water revealed hundreds of sea cucumbers.  These little sea creatures are used as medicine and known to be an aphrodisiac.

Back at the resort, we spoiled ourselves with an amazing spa treatment where we were given a jasmine body scrub outside and our massage inside.  The only thing I wasn’t prepared for was how the masseuse had no problem taking my towel off of me under broad daylight.

 

 

For the rest of the day we enjoyed the pool, the drinks, and peacefulness of the resort.   That night the main restaurant had live Thai entertainment.  At the end of dinner we made a wish and lit our floating lotus to welcome the coming year.

 

We left Naka Island feeling refreshed, peaceful, and wanting nothing more than to stay one more night or at least take the bed back with us.

A Moisturizing Concealer by RMS Beauty

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A problem I often run across with concealers is how it’s so visible.  Have you ever applied concealer flawlessly at home then step outside only to realize it’s far from flawless?  It’s like people can see each piece of the puzzle on my face and that’s not sexy.  Maybe it’s just me since I’m no make-up artist, but that’s where RMS Beauty “Un” Cover-Up  concealer comes in.  For $36, I don’t have to check my skin under different light conditions anymore.  This moisturizing concealer finishes with a smooth and dewy glow.

What hooked me from the beginning is that it’s completely natural.  With the top three ingredients, coconut oil, castor seed oil, and beeswax, it’s packed with antioxidants, rich enzymes and also protects against harsh conditions, retains moisture, and soothes skin irritations.

Photo Credit SpiritBeautyLounge

From my experience, heavy concealers tend to be dry resulting in a matted look that can reveal signs of aging or create unwanted creases around the eye.  That’s not the case with RMS Beauty “Un” Cover-Up.  This concealer is so lightweight that when I first tried it on I thought it wasn’t going to cover dark circles or spots on my face.  But the trick is to apply it two or three more times depending on how much coverage is needed and it still won’t be “cakey”.

I also like using it as a light foundation for needy areas of my face (which is like my whole face).  Even more, I can skip the eye cream if I’m in a rush because it’s that moisturizing. I love little time-savers!

While RMS Beauty “Un” Cover-Up only has four colors to choose from, I was surprised that #22 matched me perfectly.  Before I always had to blend two different concealers to hardly create a match that I might as well use bandaids.  It’s something about this effortless concealer that adjusts itself and truly blends.  This also makes it ideal for men to wear without losing their ego or patience.  That’s right men, you can be flawlessly gorgeous like us.

If you already use an oily serum or moisturizer you can try setting this concealer with a touch of powder to help absorb excess moisture.  Otherwise, try it on top of a lighter moisturizer.

With it’s reflective abilities, RMS Beauty “Un” Cover-Up camouflages itself against the skin making it virtually undetectable and that’s what I expect from a concealer.

A Multi-Purpose Organic Oil

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I had to try Dr. Alkaitis Organic Nourishing Treatment Oil when I heard it could be used for our face, body, hair, scalp and nails!

I received this multi-purpose oil in a sleek, discreet, and almost masculine little pump bottle. When I applied this nourishing oil to my face, I felt like I walked into the vitamin section of a health food store. It has an herbal and slightly soapy scent that will linger for about an hour.  It’s definitely not something I’d wear as fragrance.

Photo Credit Alkaitis

For my face, I use 3-4 pumps as an intense moisturizing treatment at night and don’t wake up with breakouts.  If I’m craving for extra moisture in the morning, I mix one pump with a creamy moisturizer for both face and neck.  The organic ingredients stimulates circulation, improves skin’s elasticity, and protects against environmental damage.  

If I used this on my body everyday, I’d go through the entire bottle in less than a week as my skin absorbs this oil so quickly that I don’t even need to rub it in.  As for my hair and nails, I feel that it’s better to apply it at night since it’s oily and heavy.

Dr. Alkaitis Organic Nourishing Treatment Oil can be purchased at http://www.saffronrouge.com where they offer free samples, sale items, and free shipping when you spend $100.

In the end, this healing and therapeutic oil makes a wonderful primer, soothing moisturizer, and a convenient travel companion for our overstuffed bag of toiletries!

Ila Face Oil for Glowing Skin

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With dry skin, I have no problem putting oil onto my face or body.  It’s actually one of my favorite things to do after a bath or a shower.

Photo Credit Spirit Beauty Lounge

Currently trending in my skincare routine is Ila Face Oil for Glowing Skin.  First I was attracted to the simple name “Ila” and all of its vibrant packaging. Then I discovered the face oil’s cult following, good customer reviews and beauty awards.  I purchased mine from Spirit Beauty Lounge (www.spiritbeautylounge.com), my favorite go-to site for organic beauty products and skin care.  When I finally received my little bottle full of promises, I tried it on that night and fell in love with the warm floral scent.  My boyfriend said I smelled like a spa.

After a couple of weeks of using it AM and PM or just PM, I will admit that I did NOT notice any more radiance in my skin than before.  Perhaps because I’m use to wearing serum with high potency of Vitamin C, which, for me, guarantees radiance. However, I’m ever-so-addicted to the arousing scent.  Yes, arousing.  Ila Face Oil for Glowing Skin is made of Argan Oil, Rosehip Seed Oil, Sandalwood, Rose Otto Oil, Vitamin E Oil and other natural ingredients.  What I smell is rose and sandalwood.  Overall, 92.52% of this product is certified organic and the ingredients in this oil is suppose to protect from sun rays, fight wrinkles and regenerate the skin.

I received some samples of other Ila products and so far have enjoyed Ila Hydrolat Toner and Ila Cleansing Milk for Natural Beauty.  Their toner smells similar to the face oil which is a plus.  Their cleansing milk was gentle and hydrating for my skin and perfect for AM cleansing.

I’m so in love with the fragrance that I’m hoping they’ll come out with a perfume!

 

 

 

 

Shopping for a Yoga Outfit

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Sometimes we buy clothes only to find them unworn year after year.  The last thing you need to do is waste money in building a yoga wardrobe.  In the beginning, when I first started yoga, I made the mistake of buying pants got in the way or a top that didn’t cover enough during twisting poses.

Here are a few things to consider when you’re shopping for yoga apparel:

FABRIC

Go for a cotton spandex blend.  Cotton is breathable while Spandex is used more for it’s stretching properties.  You can go for 100% cotton but if you sweat a lot be prepared for a wet crotch area.  Going with dark colors really help hide the sweat.

 

Photo Credit Prana

TOP

The length of your top should be long enough to cover your midriff when your arms are reaching for the sky.  Make sure the neckline isn’t too low cutso everything is covered when you’re in twisting position or upside down.  Tanks and tees are fine.  If you get really hot easily, you can wear your sports bra with good coverage.

 

Photo Credit Vickerey

PANT

Fitted pants are great because they stay snug onto your leg and won’t bulk up during twisting poses or get caught between your feet and the floor.  You can go for a pair of pants that go down to the ankles or cropped above the ankle.

 

 

 

Photo Credit Lucy

SHORTS

The shorts leg opening should be snug so nothing shows when your legs are apart and if my stomach looked like the photo I wouldn’t be talking about yoga right now.

 

 

AVOID

  1. Ties or anything that dangles off the garment 

    2. that could get caught during vinyasa flow or untie between the floor and your body.

  2. Zippers or anything that can be uncomfortable laying on hard surface.
  3. Garments that are difficult to get into because you’ll dread putting them on when you’re trying to get yourself to go to yoga class.
  4. Thin fabrics that can reveal the color of your underwear when stretched.

You want everything to be snug and smooth against your body but not constricting.  If you find yourself wearing your yoga outfit all day even after your yoga class, you know you’ve made the right purchase.

My Croissant in Paris

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While we were trying out our bikes with a group of other tourists, Paris was slowly waking up.  I noticed that the Parisian women hardly wore any make up and men wore faded jeans and t-shirts.  What ever happened to fashion capital of the world?

Our guide told us the tour would be very easy as Paris is flat.  He told us to just watch out for curb sides, pedestrians, and to remember which bike is ours as each had it’s own name.  I quickly looked down at my lightweight little bike and saw the white letters spell “Croissant”, perfectly named after my Paris diet.