beauty cosmopolite

Barefoot for Beauty and Health

Tai Chi done barefoot to encourage healing energy flow from earth to body.

Hi all! Following my post on smoothing away calluses, someone mentioned to me that her favourite way of doing so was walking barefoot on the beach. Agreed! I love going for long, barefoot walks on the beach whenever I get a chance -- it's great exercise for feet and legs, and feels amazing. And apparently, when we do this, we are getting a lot more than just a foot-polish. 

According to Clint Ober, author of Earthing: The Most Important Health Discovery Ever?, walking barefoot on natural ground surfaces allows us to achieve a grounding effect through the transfer of the earth's free electrons. Apparently, scientific studies have shown that when we are barefoot on the earth (as many would claim we were always intended to be), we gain potent health benefits, including a significant reduction in bodily inflammation. (And as we know, inflammation is a root cause of aging and disease, so it's important to do everything we can to minimize this!)

The idea is to walk in a park or on the beach or somewhere else barefoot-friendly for about an hour and 20 minutes. Research has apparently showed that after this amount of time, people's blood profiles changed and improved. According to an interview on this topic, Lance Armstrong incorporated this technology in his Tour de France training. 

I haven't read this book and don't know a lot about its theory. But I am familiar with the idea of "grounding" and the transfer of energy from earth to body from a Traditional Chinese Medicine perspective. This concept plays an important role in Qi Gong and Tai Chi, both traditional methods of healing energy-work (that's why you'll see barefoot Tai Chi practitioners in the park!) It's interesting that science has now "discovered" a form of healing power employed in traditional medicine for thousands of years! :)

So -- now's the perfect time of year to kick off those shoes, feel the freedom of going barefoot, and enjoy a regenerating and beautifying walk or run! Have fun, everyone! 

"Dirtiest" and "Cleanest" Fruits and Vegetables

Blueberry season is coming up...be sure to choose organic! 

Hi all! I wanted to pass on the newest versions of the Dirty Dozen and Clean 15 lists that the Environmental Working Group just put out today. I've posted EWG's lists in the past; the Dirty Dozen lists the top conventionally-grown fruits and vegetables with the highest contamination of pesticides, and the Clean 15 lists those lowest in pesticides. A couple of notable differences: blueberries now rank as one of the Dirty Dozen; and the Clean list has been expanded to include cantaloupe, watermelon, and honeydew melon (and bananas no longer make the Clean list).

So, in a perfect world, we'd all be eating organically all the time -- but that's obviously not reality, especially considering cost and access! That's why I find these lists so helpful for making informed choices on what to buy organic and where to save money buying conventional. I do suggest opting for organic whenever you can. For optimum beauty and health we want to keep our toxic load as low as possible -- the more toxins our bodies are forced to deal with, the more we accelerate the aging process. I've written a fair bit about this topic -- here's a post you can check out if you haven't already.

And here are the lists -- hope you find them as useful as I do!

DIRTY DOZEN

• celery
• peaches
• strawberries
• apples
• blueberries
• nectarines
• bell peppers
• spinach
• kale
• cherries
• potatoes
• grapes (imported)

CLEAN 15

• onions
• avocado
• sweet corn
• pineapple
• mangos
• sweet peas
• asparagus
• kiwi
• cabbage
• eggplant
• cantaloupe
• watermelon
• grapefruit
• sweet potato
• honeydew melon

8 Ways to "Reduce" for Increased Health and Beauty

Reducing the amount of time indoors, and spending more time outdoors doing activities you love, is one way to enhance beauty! 

Hi everyone -- hope you all enjoyed an inspiring Earth Day! Everywhere I went, I saw messages about Reducing -- and it made me think about how that message can be applied very effectively to our own beauty routines. I've always believed that, in many instances, less is more when it comes to beauty. Sometimes the less we "do" to ourselves, the better we look and feel! During my travels in Asia, I met a lot of local people and was struck by their glowing complexions, shiny hair, and healthy physiques. Many of these people, simply due to lack of means, did not have the option of indulging in much of what we take for granted in the West, whether it be skin and body products, cosmetics, gym memberships, fancy dietary supplements, and lots more.

So, I'm not going to suggest that we should think about giving up some of the truly beneficial beauty and health tools that so many of us are fortunate to have access to! I'm as much of a consumer as the next person and there are definitely things I wouldn't want to do without. But I think we can tend to over-expose and over-indulge ourselves, simply because we enjoy such abundance -- often to the detriment of our beauty and health. On that note, here are a few things I thought of to Reduce when it comes to beauty -- that will, in turn, benefit the environment, our wallets, and most of all, ourselves!

REDUCE:

1. the amount of personal care products you use. I was in someone's bathroom recently and their entire counter was filled with products -- cleansers, exfoliators, toners, moisturizers, sunscreen, night cream, neck cream, eye cream, serums, zit-zappers... This woman used all these products on a regular basis in an attempt to improve her skin, but, as she told me, her skin never felt "right". And no wonder -- all these products were "confusing" her poor skin! Our skin has its own abilities to cleanse, lubricate, protect and repair itself. Assaulting it with tons of products, especially ones with toxic ingredients, seriously impairs that natural ability.
2. personal care product ingredients. If you see a long list of unpronounceable, unrecognizable ingredients on your cosmetic labels, chances are there are things in there that you don't want on your skin. When it comes to skin care, a few high quality, natural ingredients can be so much more beneficial to your skin than an abundance of cheap, synthetic ingredients, no matter what they promise to "do". At the very least, avoid anything that contains parabens and phthalates. 
3. make-up. I'm not anti-make-up, but my personal opinion is that less is definitely more in this area. Most of us tend to look fresher and prettier without a lot of make-up. But aside from the aesthetics issue, it's important to remember that skin is meant to BREATHE. In fact, nature always intended that our skin be bare so that it can perform its natural functions and receive and produce important nutrients like vitamin D. If the thought of going "bare" freaks you out, think about trying one day a week with no make-up (that includes "natural" make-up like mineral make-up). You may find that you start feeling more comfortable about gradually paring down your make-up routine.
4. indoor workout activities. I hear a lot of people complaining about going to the gym -- they hate the expensive memberships; the hassle of driving there and finding parking; waiting in line for equipment; and just the lack of pleasure from being in a stuffy, sweaty, stinky environment. I'm not knocking gyms or any other workout establishment (I love my indoor yoga classes, after all!) but I suggest looking at ways to spend less time indoors and more outside, especially now that spring has arrived in many parts of the world! I believe that spending time outside in nature, moving our bodies and breathing in fresh air, is essential for our well-being. Taking in external beauty through all our senses truly enhances our own beauty.
5. hot water showers. I've said this before, but it bears repeating (if only to remind myself!) that long, hot showers really dry out the skin. Just think how much your skin, wallet, and the environment will thank you for reducing time spent in the shower!
6. shampooing. That "lather, rinse, repeat" idea is just a marketing tool to get you to use more shampoo. So is the idea of shampooing every day. Over-shampooing strips the scalp and hair, causing you to need more conditioner to replace what was stripped...an unhappy cycle. Over-shampooing impairs your scalp's ability to produce, in a balanced way, the natural oils necessary for shiny, healthy hair.
7. food wastage, especially when that food can be used for some fabulously effective beauty treatments! I thought of this because the other day a friend of mine was going to toss some bananas that had gone brown-ish and mushy. I don't blame her -- I don't like to eat mushy bananas either -- but these were the PERFECT texture for a banana facial mask! Think about ways you can use various foods that might have gone past the stage where they're palatable for eating -- but are great for masks and other beauty uses. I've posted some recipes in the past and will continue to post more!
8. time on the computer and in front of the tv. First, too much time in front of either is very detrimental to our eyes. Like our bodies, our eyes are meant to move, something they don't naturally do when staring at a small screen. Second, the more time away from the computer and tv, the more time we have to spend nurturing ourselves, whether it be pampering beauty treatments, or going outside for a walk, or spending time with people who make us feel great, or all those other things we often feel like we just don't have the time for in our busy schedules.

Okay, I know there a lot more things I could add, but this is just a start. If you have any ideas on ways to Reduce when it comes to beauty and health, I'd love to hear them! 

BPA: Bad for Beauty (and more!)

Opt for canned salmon in BPS-free cans!

Hi everyone! I've had a busy, productive week -- and more questions following my recent "food" posts -- all things I love! Here's one regarding canned foods. The reader writes, "In your 30-plus Beautifying Food Choices post, you recommended canned salmon. I appreciate your suggestion for something easy I don't have to cook, but aren't canned foods processed, which you suggested we avoid? Or is canned food okay as long as there are no chemical preservatives and artificial ingredients?"

Great question! As I mentioned, fresh is best. But, living in the real world, I also recognize that high-quality fresh food is not always available and/or practical for various reasons, and that we need high-quality alternatives as well! When choosing packaged options, it's critical to label-read to ensure we avoid chemicals, artificial flavourings and other beauty-stealing ingredients. And -- it's important to be aware that some packaging can contain possibly harmful chemicals that can contaminate the food itself. 

You've probably heard of one chemical that's been making headlines lately -- BPA (Bisphenol A). BPA is used to harden polycarbonate plastic, and in can linings. In fact, most canned foods in the U.S. have BPA in the liner, which can leach into the food. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control found BPA in the bodies of 93 percent of people tested.

Why is this a concern? Because even trace amounts of BPA have been linked to a range of serious health issues from cancer to reproductive and chromosomal abnormalities to obesity. A study published in 2008 in the Journal of the American Medical Association linked BPA exposure to cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and liver enzyme abnormalities. The National Toxicology Program has noted possible damage to brain and prostate development in children and fetuses. And latest evidence suggests that BPA can cause sexual dysfunction in men. Hm. Not good.

So, back to the canned wild salmon. It can still be a great choice, especially when you can't access fresh wild salmon, one of my favourite top beauty foods! The key is to opt for BPA-free cans -- easier said than done. So, thank you to the reader above whose question reminded me to share the two brands I'm aware of that offer salmon in BPA-free cans. 

One is Raincoast Trading, a Vancouver, Canada-based company that provides sustainably-harvested seafood. I can personally recommend them, as I'm a fan. If you've tried other canned salmons and been turned off by the mushy texture or "yuck" taste, this salmon is in a different league. It's tasty, packed in natural fish oils, and the salted variety uses natural sea salt instead of the very inferior processed salt that you often find in other canned salmons.

The other is Vital Choice, a U.S.-based company. I haven't personally tried their salmon, but have heard it highly recommended by several reputable sources.

As for other suppliers of canned foods, Eden Foods, a very reputable company, is the only one I'm aware of that offers BPA-free cans for all their organic beans. This is the only brand of canned beans (which can come in very handy!) that I'll buy. You may notice that their canned foods can be pricier than other brands. But keep in mind that Eden Foods says they pay 14% more for BPA-free cans. With all the health risks associated with BPA, I say it's worth it to pay a little more. (By the way, Eden Foods canned tomatoes are still packed in standard BPA-cans because the FDA hasn't approved any other can lining for highly acidic foods. Just another good reason to eat your tomatoes when they're fresh and in season.)

Other ways of avoiding BPA is to look for BPA-free plastics (especially when it comes to drinking bottles and baby bottles), and buying foods and beverages that are frozen or packed in glass instead of cans. And of course, the best way of all is to opt for fresh, non-processed, non-packaged foods whenever possible! Happy weekend, everyone!

Collagen-Boosting Beauty-"Fruit"

Rose hips have more vitamin C than citrus fruits...

Happy Tuesday, everyone! This weekend, I went out rose-hip-picking...it felt like I was getting in touch with my inner-hippie, as I braved brambles and bugs, when I could have been fall-shoe-shopping. Okay, I'm exaggerating -- it was actually a fun outing! My husband and I went down to a riverside where there are masses of wild rose bushes, all currently bursting with gorgeous rose hips. While I'm familiar with the beautifying properties of topical rose hip oil, I wouldn't have thought to take advantage of the internal benefits of rose hips, until a friend told us they were highly prized for teas and such when he was growing up in Czechoslovakia. (So of course, I needed to investigate immediately!)

Rose hips are the "fruit" of wild rosebushes like Rugosas (as opposed to cultivated ones), and now is the perfect time to find them (depending on where you are in the world). When the petals fall off the flowers, they leave a hip that turns orange or red and is about the size of a cranberry or larger. (They sort of look like cranberries as well, and have a similar tangy flavour). Ideally, you want to pick them after the first frost, which leaves the berries bright red and slightly soft (so we were probably a tad early this past weekend, but still managed to find plenty of usable rose hips).

These little gems are packed with vitamin C -- they have more of this important beauty-vitamin than citrus fruits. And -- we all know that vitamin C is essential for building collagen (protecting us from wrinkles!), fighting free radicals and boosting our skin's natural ability to protect itself from the sun, healing wounds, and sooo much more. Rose hips are also a great source of many other important nutrients, including: 

Vitamin A (critical for a hardy immune system, healthy vision and more)

Vitamin B3 (essential for metabolizing carbohydrates and fats)

Vitamin D (so important for preventing bone loss)

Vitamin E (which protects cell membranes from free radicals amongst other benefits)

Zinc (which promotes collagen production, has antioxidant actions, and more).

With their high levels of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties, rose hips have been used to help treat everything from osteoarthritis to the flu to bladder infections. I don't believe in "magic bullet" foods, but I do believe that to optimize our beauty and health, it is important to include a wide variety of natural (especially plant) foods in our diet to provide maximum variety of nutrients.

So -- rose hips definitely appear to be a worthwhile addition to your food repertoire, especially if you happen to have wild rose bushes in your area. (By the way, never pick from bushes that have been subjected to pesticides or any other chemicals.)

The easiest thing to do with them is make a tea. All you need to do is to trim the ends, remove the little seeds inside (as the hairy covering on the seeds can be irritating), wash them thoroughly, and then steep about three or more hips in a cup of boiled water for about 10 minutes.

I like the subtle, tangy taste, but you could always sweeten the tea (preferably with a natural sweetener as opposed to refined sugar) or add mint leaves if you want a flavour-boost. You can dry the hips and use them all winter. And if you're adventurous in the kitchen, you can make jams or jellies with them -- I won't be going that "Martha", but I will experiment with the rose hip tea, and may try adding some to my usual green tea for an extra boost of vitamin C (something we can all use around this time of year!) And -- if you're not into picking your own, or they don't grow in your area, you can usually find rose hip tea at health food stores if you want to try this little collagen-boosting beauty "fruit"!

Foods for Beauty: Why Eat Organic (Despite Recent Headlines!)

Eating vibrant, organic foods (like these gorgeous heirloom tomatoes) goes a long way to enhancing vibrant, healthy beauty!

Hi everyone! The other day, someone mentioned to me they had decided, based on recent summer headlines, that they weren't buying organic food because it has now been "proven" that it is not any more nutritious than conventional. Regular readers know I believe eating as organically (and locally) as possible goes a long way to supporting long-term health and beauty. So...I was dismayed to hear these words. Not because I don't respect other people's choices on how they spend their hard-earned food-dollars (eating organic is definitely more expensive than eating conventional!). But rather, because so many of these sensationalized news stories focused on attention-grabbing sound-bites rather than complete information. No wonder the stories generated confusion and doubt about the benefits of eating organically!

The London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine conducted the study that garnered so much attention. Researchers looked at previously published papers to compare nutrients between organic crops and livestock foods to conventionally produced foods, and concluded that organic foods were not more nutritious than conventional. There were some obvious flaws with this study, including comparing incompatible research papers, and failing to compare some important nutrient categories (such as critical phytonutrients which provide foods with their antioxidant power!), etc.

In fact, there have been studies that have shown much higher levels of nutrients and antioxidants when comparing organic and conventional produce. BUT -- possibly even more important than this is the fact that eating organically makes a significant difference in avoiding dangerous, health-and-beauty-stealing pesticides and other toxic contaminants. The pesticide issue was, oddly, not even mentioned in so many of these news reports, even though the researchers stated that they "did not address differences in contaminant contents...or the possible environmental consequences of organic and conventional agriculture practices..."

Such contaminants found in conventionally produced food include: antibiotics; growth hormones related to everything from lower sperm count to breast cancers; irradiation which reduces nutrients and critical enzyme activity, and forms byproducts like formaldehyde; genetically modified organisms (GMOs) which have created antibiotic-resistant genes... the list goes on. These toxins, consumed over time, lead to toxic-buildup in the body, and can result in digestive problems, poor metabolism, and other issues that compromise health and beauty.

For those of you who point out the inherent problems within the relatively new organic industry (regulating what is, and what is not, truly organic, for example), I completely agree that we have a long way to go. And there are still relatively few comprehensive studies on organic foods. But again, the studies that have been done show that contaminants like pesticides are significantly less than what you'll find in conventional foods -- and for all of us, what it comes down to is reducing our toxic-chemical load as much as possible.

And one thing you don't need ANY study to tell you, is just how much better organic food tastes! It's all about life quality. When you compare a beautiful red, juicy, organically grown heirloom tomato, for example, to a sterile, pale, tasteless conventional tomato, there is simply no denying that organic foods can have a vibrancy to them that conventional foods lack. This "life force" quality (more on this in future posts) gets translated at a cellular level in our bodies, where beauty begins.

Whew, well, those are just some reasons to consider eating organically. As far as I can see, there's only one reason not to, and that is, as I mentioned above, expense. (And, of course, availability. Also, I recognize it's a huge privilege to have access to fresh, non-contaminated food...I wish it were a "right" for all, which is, a much deeper issue...) What I do, and a suggestion that might work for you, is to allocate more of my overall beauty budget to better-quality foods. I believe eating as fresh, locally and organically as possible has a much deeper, long-lasting effect than, say, purchasing the latest pricey skin cream. (I know someone else who cut out her weekly manicures and daily lattes to put those dollars towards higher-quality foods). 

Also, as I've mentioned before, focus on the foods that make a real difference. If you eat dairy and/or meat, that is definitely the place to begin, as pesticides collect in animal fat. And remember the dirty dozen and the "cleaner dozen"  lists. I don't eat all-organic --  it's not a matter of all-or-nothing. Small changes can make a difference -- and can add up to real differences for our personal health and beauty, our family's, our earth.

Cherry Brightening Mask

Cherries - a divinely delicious anti-wrinkle food...

I went to the farmers market the other day and my cherry vendor told me that one of my favourite fruits won't be around for much longer. Wow. For me, that says summer is already on the wane in my part of the world, and there's no time to waste in squeezing out (literally) the benefits of this gorgeous fruit.

In Japan, cherries represent beauty, and in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), they are considered one of the top anti-wrinkle foods -- and no wonder. Aside from the fact that they are packed with nutrients and antioxidants that combat free radicals, TCM recognizes cherries as an energizing food that regenerates fluids and strengthens digestion -- critical elements for glowing, vibrant skin. And being rich in iron, they nourish the blood, giving a healthy boost to your natural skin colour.

Aside from eating them, you can take advantage of their skin rejuvenating properties with a cherry facial mask. The easiest thing to do is simply crush them (a great way to use those cherries that have gone soft) and smooth the juice right onto your face. But I like to add them to honey, giving an extra beautifying boost to my favourite basic mask. Simply crush a few cherries, add about a tablespoon of honey, and mix well. Apply to a clean, product-free-face and leave on for about 15 minutes. It's best to do this when no one else is around, as it looks a bit scary -- but afterward your skin will feel toned, refreshed, and hydrated.

By the way, cherries are on the dirty dozen list, so if possible, buy only organic cherries -- yes, they are expensive, but they are worth it. Farmers go to great lengths to grow organic cherries (my vendor uses various techniques, including spraying the trees with organic honey to entice the insects away from the cherries). 

Enjoy the internal and external beauty benefits of this amazing fruit, and let me know how you like the cherry brightening mask!

 

Could You Wear the Same Dress Everyday?

We're having a heat wave in my part of the world, with some high humidity. Great for skin, not so great for fashion choices. I'm tempted to keep reaching for the same couple of loose, airy dresses that are perfect for this weather -- and thinking I need more. But do I?

Sheena Matheiken has been wearing the exact same style dress now for the past three months, and will continue to do so for a full year. It's all part of The Uniform Project, which she describes as "an exercise in sustainable fashion". She has seven identical copies of a dress that was designed to be season-less and versatile (it can be worn front and back, and as an open tunic). Each day, she reinvents the dress with various accessories, most of which are either vintage, hand-made (Etsy is a favourite source) or handed down. (Anyone wanting to donate or design accessories for this project can contact Sheena).

I've enjoyed following Sheena's fashion efforts -- she's really mixing it up with some creative, fun, unique looks. And what I especially like is the fundraising aspect: all funds raised through The Uniform Project are going to the Akanksha Foundation, a grassroots non-profit founded in Mumbai, devoted to bringing education to children living in the slums. Sheena is contributing her own dollar a day; at the end of the year, it will add up to enough to sponsor one child in school. 

Style creativity, sustainability, recycling, philanthropy -- I like it! And it's inspired me to think about getting a little more creative with what's already in my own closet. What about you? Could you satisfy your fashion cravings with a few basic "uniforms", along with some creative accessorizing?

Down the Drain

Only one percent of the world's water can be used for drinking...

Happy Earth Day, everyone!

I'm such a good hostess. This morning, I freaked out our house-guest K., when she found me running cold water from the kitchen tap for nearly five minutes. K. (who used to live in California and then Las Vegas, two places where water conservation is of particular concern) generally just opens the tap and uses the water immediately so as not to waste a precious drop. I totally get why she feels this is a good environmental practice -- but it may not be a sound health practice. And being me, I had to explain to her why.

Contaminants from your household plumbing system are more apt to leach into water that's been sitting dormant for six hours or more -- hence the importance of running your kitchen tap water first thing in the morning for three to five minutes. (I'm very aware of water-wastage as well -- I try to collect this water for plants or use it for rinsing dishes and other domestic chores). Of particular concern is lead. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), most lead in household water comes from residential plumbing, not our local water supply. Older pipes are of greater concern, but even if you've recently installed new "lead-free" pipes, the EPA says that "pipes legally considered lead-free can contain up to eight percent lead". Even tiny amounts of lead is a health concern (especially for children and pregnant women). Lead consumption over the years can lead to kidney problems, high blood pressure and other health issues. 

K. seemed slightly mollified by my explanation, but she's a fierce debater and continued pushing her points about water literally being wasted down the drains. So I changed tactics and moved on to other things we should be concerned about going down our drains. A recent American study found traces of a wide variety of drugs in the drinking water of at least 41 million Americans, including antibiotics, antidepressants, ibuprofen and more. How does this happen? Our bodies excrete what they don't absorb, the excretions end up in waste water that is treated before going back into reservoirs and then treated again before it goes back to our homes. The concentrations of drug traces found were low, but the long-term health impact remains to be seen. 

And it's not just drugs -- studies have found literally TONS of residue from cosmetics and personal care products in our ecosystem. Whatever is in our soap, lotions, shampoos, make-up, perfumes, etc. ends up going down the drain and into our ecosystem, affecting our earth and all living creatures. Referring back to my Skin Eats post, if a personal care product is not good for you, it's not good for the environment -- and vice-versa. Most of us probably use products that really shouldn't be going down our drains, myself included. There are eco-friendly cosmetics out there which I'll be reviewing in future posts.

Well, that was my little Earth-Day speech to my house-guest who really just wanted some breakfast. So, I got off my soapbox and cooked up some oatmeal made from water that had been run through the tap for five minutes, then run through a Brita filter, then boiled. I'm sure she noticed the difference. (Thanks, K., you know you're one of my favourite -- and most challenging -- debating partners!)