Hydrating Toner - A Rave Review from A Tough Audience

Lee Chamberlin

One of my toughest customers has been my own mother. A fountain of support in innumerable ways convincing her to try the Sense skin care line was not easy. I thought I had a slam dunk at Christmas time. The Basic Pack was the perfect gift. It's a rare woman that can resist beauty treatments right?  What could be sweeter than getting a little TLC in the form of spa grade products from your  own daughter?  I was excited at the prospect of how thrilled I thought she would be and imagined she would scamper off to the bathroom right away to try them out. I was pleased knowing that I had given her something that was easy to travel with, packaged to protect from UV rays and bacteria, that would last her months and was nourishing and healing to her skin.When the Big Day arrived with everyone unwrapping their presents I anticipated her squeals of delight.

                                                 Frosty Reception?

Perhaps it was because she had already tried a bajillion products that had disappointed her again and again. Perhaps my claims that the products would heal, nourish, hydrate and balance her skin at a cellular level just seemed too farfetched. Whatever the case, my mother the veteran of spa facial treatments from the top purveyors of said services in the cities of Los Angeles and New York was unmoved. Why should she believe these products would help her complexion when expensive treatments had only provided temporary relief?  How could it be so simple? She had endured steaming, squeezing and laser treatments for all those years and had spent a small fortune on products. In short, I was just her daughter and what did I know? While she assured me she would try them once back in France (much to my chagrin) and only after all her other products had run out,  it was clear I was going to have to wait. And wait. And wait.

 

December 2011 to August 2012

Clary Sage, Green Tea & Grape Seed help refine and brighten the skin

Last week and nearly a year later I finally got this amazing testimonial.

 "The hydrating toner is just that. At last I have found the perfect solution for my skin that truly balances it- and that's a good thing." 

 - Lee Chamberlin, Artistic Director, PIP 

The combination of clary sage, green tea and grape seed extracts help refine and brighten the skin while gently removing excess dirt and makeup. Pores are closed and the skins natural ph balance restored. I discovered in our follow up conversation that she had been using soap to clean her skin. This is a big no no. Soap is drying and clogging and while it might be okay for your body depending on what kind it is I do not recommend it for the face. I had assumed she knew that and had failed to ask more probing questions from the outset. She revealed that she realized the soap had been clogging her pores and drying out her skin which lead to her sebaceous glands producing more oil to compensate for the drying effect of the soap which created more pimples. You can see the round robin effect of drying, clogging and oily breakouts. I asked her how she liked the soap free cleanser and she said "It works well!" It turns out these two products are her favorites. And there you have it -  The equivalent of a rave review from one of the toughest critics in the world. (Love you forever Mom.) 

To Learn More About the late  Lee Chamberlin go here (1938 - 2014) 

Sleep Stress & Longevity with Dr. Ladd Mcnamara

In light of our upcoming event on sleep that I will be co- presenting with colleagues Sheryl Rosenthal Karen Yanku and Maher Benham I present to the readers a recapitulation of a wonderful webinar by Dr. Ladd McNamara on Sleep Stress and Longevity that was broadcast as a webinar. It's clear that North Americans are not getting enough sleep and it is effecting everything from our weight to our vital organs, emotions and day to day performance. The webinar had close to 300 attendees! The need is clear. We need to slow down, turn off our gadgets at night and for our health's sake  get a good nights rest! I have long felt my sleep was sacred. Thanks to The Mulherns and Dr. McNamara for making this information available.

 Introduction to Dr. Ladd McNamara

• Graduated: Univ. of Texas Southwestern Medical School at Dallas with a Medical Degree in 1989.
• 
  Residency: Obstetrics and Gynecology at George Washington Univ. Hospital in Washington, D.C. in 1993.
• 
  Received "Resident of the Year Award," and "Teaching Resident of the Year Award." Board Certified in Ob/Gyn from 1995 through 2005.
• 
  1993: Practiced medicine in Atlanta, specializing in Ob/Gyn, Laser Laparoscopy, Menopausal Management, Anti-Aging and Nutraceutical Medicine.
• 
  Retired from Practice in December 2003 to become Full-Time Author, International Speaker, and Independent Sales with USANA Health Sciences.

  Sleep Stress and Longevity

  Humans can survive longer without food than sleep. The lack of sleep is calculated to cause 25,000 deaths annually resulting in 2.5 million disabling injuries with $56 Billion dollars spent on the aftermath. Today 70 million Americans suffer from a sleep disorder. With the average use of TV and the internet ranging to about 6 to 7 hours per day (or more in the case of our children)  our sleep is being interrupted by factors that were unheard of to our grand parents and for Boomers, our parents. The price of lack of sleep is premature aging, a weakend heart, a liver that has difficulty functioning properly and a  weakend endocrine system. The stress placed on the body due to lack of sleep leads to other symptoms such as irritability, anxiety, head aches, difficulty in thinking, memory loss as the frontal cortex is affected, depression, poor motor skills and personality changes and premature aging. 20 minutes of stress keeps cortisol levels up for 8 hours which can lead to weight gain.
  Cortisol
  The stress and strain that is created on the bodily organs is one layer of what happens when we are sleep deprived. Our bodies release adrenaline and cortisol which in turn raises blood pressure and blood sugar and increases the heart rate. This is like punching a hole in the wall of our arteries which we call a heart attack. Lack of sleep contributes to a  resistance to our own insulin, problems such as obesity heart disease, stroke, cancer and even mental illness start to appear. For those who work late or on night shifts the problem becomes more complicated and it has been shown to be just as bad as jet lag.  In other words instead of going for more food when you are tired go for more sleep in the form of a nap if you can't get to bed earlier. There is also a link to a higher incidence of breast cancer. The abnormal production of cortisol contributes to lymphoma a result of lack of sleep. Cortisol can suppress the immune system so if you are experiencing a restless nights sleep look to your caffeine intake, your stress levels and your hormones. These issues can be easily addressed with proper supplementation, a cutting back on caffeine if that adversely affects you and beginning simple exercise like walking 30 minutes per day. Another organ, our skin, that is affected by lack of sleep contributes to that one thing no one wants - looking old. If you want to look younger get more sleep. Collagen is the glue that holds skin cells together and the lack of it leads to wrinkling and the inability of the skin to retain moisture.  Your body needs adequate rest to produce collagen. The term "beauty rest"  is not an arbitrary term having it's roots in the reality of how the body works.  Like everything in life systems work  in a synergistic manner and the human body is a master piece in synergy. This underscores the fact that night time and sleep time is a restorative healing time for the entire body.
  
  Melatonin The Master Hormone
  Melatonin is the hormone that helps us sleep at night. It's purpose it to drive the brain into deeper stages of sleep. As we age we produce less and less of it. (You may have noticed the aged don't sleep that much) It is the master in a cascade effect of all the hormones such as cortisol, dopamine, seratonin, glokogon, cytokoes and HGH or the growth hormone. HGH function is to keep you healthy by reducing the livers uptake of glucose. HGH  promotes and builds muscle strength, builds bones, strengthens the immune system and helps regulate sexual drive and function.  Most commercial melatonin products is made from animal glands. However Pure Rest is not. It is a bioavailable synthetic mimic of our own melatonin. Not a drug,  it helps replace the melatonin we lose over time. Lepatin is part of this  important hormone group. It's job is to tell the brain "Stop eating. I've had enough. "  Lepatin reduces hunger by increasing satiety. Chewing your food thoroughly in a peaceful environment is a simple step you can take to aid your body in the digestive process. Wolfing down food in a stressful environment does more harm than good. It also explains why people feel hungry again a short time after eating as if they had not eaten at all. Again these processes in the body are interrelated and how you treat or mistreat one aspect of your health has a direct impact on the rest of it.
  

  Simple Steps for Better Sleep

  * Restorative Sleep can be aided  with optimal in take of Omega 3 fatty acids
  * Magnesium plays an important role in getting adequate sleep
  * Massage helps relax and can mimic restorative sleep
  * Emotional release is important; laughing, crying and the healthy management of stress and anger through exercise
  * Phoshatidylserine (available in a soy version) can help reduce the production of excess cortisol
  *Sleep in a darkened room
  * Unplug and remove all gadgets including night lights, cellphones and computers
  * Get to bed at a decent hour at the same time every night
  * Find a relaxing routine to prepare for bed

Sleep Seminar How To Get Better Rest at COCOMat SoHo

COCOMAT 49 Mercer Street

Join us on October 18th from 5:30 to 8PM at COCOMAT 49 Mercer Street in Soho. This wondefrul event is free with your registration on EventBrite! Bring your friends and family. Children and parents welcome. Light refreshments served.

The Art of the Lullaby - Getting Your Child to Sleep Through the Night an interactive for children and parents with Maher Benham
An interactive session for parents and children! Learn how music, dance and creative movement can calm and soothe you and your infants and children preparing the family for a sound and restoring sleep. Bring your family and join us for fun and relaxing session!  Door Prize: 90 Minute Yoga Session with Maher in Your Home
About Maher Benham is a certified JivamuktiYoga Teacher, a Martha Graham dancer, and the Founder and Artistic Director of Coyote Dancers, a modern dance troupe.Martha Graham gave Maher her permission to teach the Graham Technique anywhere in the world in her name.  Maher is also the Founder and Artistic Director of Shakti Raja Yoga and The Hummingbirds Institute, a program of dance, yoga and music for people with special needs.  She is now establishing The Maher Benham School of Dance and Yoga in Soho.

Maher Benham Founder & Director Shakti Raja Yoga

  

Effective Treatments for Restorative Sleep with Karina Yanku Healing Arts

Interactive: Learn simple self massage techniques such as acupressure for a better night's sleep.

* How A Bad Mattress & Pillow Can Harm Your Body

* How Effective Massage Can Mimic Restorative Sleep

* Circadian Rhythms - How Sound  Music Affect Sleep

* Color Therapy for Sleep

About Karen  

Karen Yanco,LMT

Karen Elaine Yanco has been in practice for 15 years. She finds that three of the most profound healing elements on Earth are sound, rhythm and touch. They are the most primal forces we humans resonate with, regardless of race, gender, age and culture.  A warm, reassuring touch or the sound of beautiful music can literally restore and lift your spirit, grounding you and letting you know that you are safe and loved.The mission of Karina Yanku Healing Arts is the discovery and creation of new ways to merge these powerful energies of massage and music to affect an even greater sense of balance and well-being.  Whether it is Swedish, Deep Tissue, Hawaiin Lomi Lomi, massage accompanied by live didgeridoo, vibrational sound therapy, or composing exclusive musical scores for OANAMASSAGE ®, she seeks to provide increasingly innovative healing therapies for the 21st Century, specializing in touch, rhythm and sound for the body, mind and soul.

The Importance of Sleeping in a Toxin Free Environment with Sheryl Rosenthal owner Broadening Horizons, CHHP, AADP

Sheryl Rosenthal, CCHP, AADP

Sheryl will be giving an introductory talk on positive changes you can make in your home and lifestyle to support your sleep, including an interactive meditation exercise.
* Are hidden toxins in your environment sabotaging your sleep?
* Effects of Sleep Deprivation on Your Health and Wellness
* Setting Up for Sleep Success
Door Prize : Integrative Nutrition Feed Your Hunger for Health & Happiness
About Sheryl
Sheryl Rosenthal is a Board Certified Holistic Health Practitioner by the American Association of Drugless Practitioners. Sheryl trained at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition and Columbia Teachers’ College. As a NYS licensed Special Educator with a Masters in Educational Psychology and certification as a Music Therapist, Sheryl has over 25 years of experience helping children, adolescents and adults improve their quality of life through step by step individualized plans based upon their bio individuality and lifestyle.

Night Renewal & The Care of Your Skin- Restoring the Look of Youth While Mending the Look of Aging with Ekayani Chamberlin, Sense Beautiful Science,paraben free skin care About: Learn More

Ekayani Chamberlin, Sense skin care expert

Your skin is the largest organ of the body and is the barrier between pathogens and your internal organs. Protecting your skin from sun, smog, smoke, and stress during the day is just half the picture. Night time is the right time to reverse the signs of aging on our skin. Proper sleep and the right ingredients that hydrate, protect against oxidative damage and supply topical nutrition for the health of your cells are critical to younger looking skin that’s truly healthy from the inside out. Interactive: You will be filling out Skin  Assessment Questionnaire so bring a pen!
* Learn About the Importance of Beauty Sleep
* Learn How RegenisomesTM Enzyme Technology mends the look of aging
* Learn About the Harmful Effects of Parabens and the wonders of Self -  Preserving Technology
* Learn How to Protect Your Cells from Oxidative Stress
* What Does Nutrition Have to Do with Your Skin?
Door Prize:  Night Renewal Cream

Ekayani Chamberlin is a Sense skin care expert for Usana Health Sciences a pharmaceutical grade company that specializes in internal and external nutrition for optimal health. This unique line is patented and paraben free with over 8 years of research by a team of scientists on how to best partner with nature to deliver topical nutition and cellular rejuvenation for the life of the skin without harsh chemical preservatives. Her passion is educating both men and women and parents about the importance of what the body ingests through the skin. Now 49, Ekayani got her start in fashion in Paris where she was exposed to many :top" products that failed to deliver effective results.Her foundation and inspiration for healthy living comes from her 111 years young grandfather Bernando LaPallo.

Watch this Video About COCOMAT

Dr. Oz Key Note Speaker at USANA International Convention August 18th

August 18, 2012
The lovable Emmy Award Winning cardio vascular surgeon Dr. Mehmet Oz is making a much anticipated appearance today at USANA Health Sciences 20th International Convention in front of an audience of 10, 000 eager  Usana associates. A recent partnership was formed between Dr. Oz  & Lisa Oz's  Health Corps Foundation and USANA Health Sciences to target teen obesity and will undoubtedly be the topic of his speech today. I had the good fortune of attending the Health & Happiness Summit on February 23, 2012 at Radio City Music Hall where a cluster of leading edge health specialists were gathered to speak about their areas of concern. Dr. Oz was the delightful headliner with a jaw dropping and engaging multi media presentation.
Check it out!

Children's Hunger Run 5K in Social Media Time!

Photo by Dave Wentz CEO Usana Health Sciences

Social Media can be a wonderful thing. This is a shot of the runners assembled this morning in Salt Lake City, Utah an hour ago (7AM Mountain Time) to run the 5K for the Children's Hunger Run. It looks a bit over cast so I take comfort in the fact that they might not be too bad off running a race in heat that has been in the triple digits in Utah this summer. They would have done so anyway just like last year as all the money raised goes to ophanages established in the war torn countries where countless children have lost their parents due to the folly of man.CHF work is expansive covering many states in the U.S. Programs are broad in scope and includes farming to emergency disaster relief. The programs are impressive. Better yet the overhead is low.

Halfway There! Photo by MJ Holmes

USANA’s Dr. Myron Wentz and Dave Wentz created the Foundation (est. 2012) to enable the USANA family to expand and enhance their on-going charitable efforts.

Learn More Here

Congrats to All The Runners! Photo by Steve Yu

111th Birthday Celebration! Bernando LaPallo Living with Health and Vitality

Ekayani and Bernando at The Grand Canyon

This Living Connection blog is dedicated to my Living Connection to Health and God's grace, my  grandfather, teacher and mentor Bernando LaPallo who is celebrating his 111th birthday today August 17, 2012. I give thanks to and for this man whose firm conviction in the healing bounty of His Divine creation has connected me to all good things made for us. He has given me unshakable faith in those gifts and he is living proof of it. Free of dementia, arthritis, heart disease or diabetes with a memory for history that rivals any college professor, I spoke to him this morning and we covered a range of topics on what he forsees for himself over the next year.  Plans for his second book, the possibility of a film on his life, his speech tomorrow at a third more informal birthday party being held at Miss Peggy's Raw Food Potluck (the main was held last night with dancing and live music! ) this is a man to watch and be inspired by. Look out for two of his recipes for health right here and know you heard it as I got it from the horse's mouth. I am sharing one that includes a simple treatment for cancers and a sleepy time smoothie. Bernando has lived his life to the fullest and continues to do so for as he says "I am making plans to live, I know I gotta die." Healing is here for the taking. Knowing how to is wisdom.

111th Birthday - The Celebration

Dancing Shoes

 

The festivities were held at Warren's Jazz Bistro in Phoenix with a smorgasboard style spread, live band and dancing! My cousin remarked that all the ladies were busy dancing with Grandfather and he couldn't get a dance. Well cousin brush up and look as slick as your grand dad and maybe next year you will have a turn. The meal was prepared by an old ship mate that hadn't seen Bernando for 40 years. They had met and worked together briefly in Sao Paulo, Brazil during a trip. When you pick up a copy of Age Less Live More you'll learn that he worked as a chef for many years on luxury cruises that sailed around the world as well as a merchant marine during the second world war. "What a small world it is!" Grampa remarked to me this morning. I'll say! How incredible that this man, now 60 years of age would have the chance to reconnect with an old colleague who maintains perfect health 40 years later. How did he know it was him? "You haven't changed a bit!". In what could be taken as a joke Bernando replied "No I don't. I've gotten old".

Future Plans A Biographical Cook Book

It appears that due to popular demand grampa is going to be dictating a second book about the story of his life illustrated through recipes. There are thoughts about including a companion DVD. This will be a rich journey as grampa has traveled literally all over the world from Hong Kong to Europe and back to the United States cooking and learning all the while. One of our favorite recipes here at home is his Health Salad that he picked up in Haifa during the War. It's delicious and does a great job in keeping the colon clean which is definitely  his tag line. There may be a film in the works with the setting being aboard a ship, deemed a far more civilised and leisurely way to travel. It's one that Bernando feels quite at home with having spent a considerable portion of his career at sea. He still extolls the benefits of getting lungs full of clean ocean air.

Eggplant Cures A Man's Cancer

This morning Grampa related a story. Friends with a woman whose only brother was dying of liver cancer  she prepared to spend the remainder of his time with him in Washington state. She confided that this was really tough  due to the fact that they were quite close. Suggested was daily consumption of either baked or steamed eggplant and only if necessary, the addition of sea salt as it is mineral rich. "Guess what happened? " asked Grampa. Within the short period of only ten days the man exclaimed he felt terrific and is alive today to tell the tale. Cancer was stopped in it's tracks and his liver healed.  Eggplant contains something called  chlorogenic acid a powerful free-radical scavenger. It is also rich in  manganese, copper and potassium. It doesn't take long to prepare eggplant in these two ways. Whether you are baking or steaming it cook for  about 15 minutes to 30 minutes. Cook until tender. You can test this easily be inserting a toothpick into it.
Let cool slightly and enjoy.

Sleepy Time Banana Smoothie

 If you are having trouble falling asleep and staying asleep at night try why not try this banana smoothie before going to bed ?  This is one that Bernando uses himself. He  said he no longer wakes up in the middle of the night. When his wife of 50 years passed away two years it was a source of sadness and stress for him and he found his sleep interrupted. Bananas are rich in potassium which is a sleep inducer.
 * Take 2 ripe bananas and fresh squeezed orange juice.
* Mix in a blender and drink.
Bernando says he sleeps like a baby and is usually out cold within ten to twenty minutes. As an alternative you can mix with some fresh green vegetable juice made from greens like kale, swiss chard or spinach.

Happy Birthday Grampa!!! And Many Happy Returns!!!
You can wish Bernando a Happy Birthday on his website here

 

 

 

USANA Convention Rocks! Dr. Oz, Larry King, John C Maxwell. & Belinda Carlise!

Stellar Line Up at USANA Health Sciences 20th Anniversary

USANA Health Sciences Celebrates with Leading Edge Health Practitioners

August 15, 2012

Today Usana Health Sciences, the nutritional supplement company that is an industry leader in wellness products is celebrating it's 20 year anniversary in grand style! Visionary, founder microbiologist, micro immunologist, and best selling author,  Dr. Myron Wentz will be joined by world class leaders in wellness and positive thinking in Salt Lake City now through August 18th. Dr. Mehmet Oz, Emmy Award winning cardio vascular surgeon, Dr. Christiane Northrup, author and leading edge advocate in women's health, Dr. Libby Weaver sleep specialist and expert on womens health, Dr. Dennis Waitely motivational coach to Fortune 500, television personality Larry King, John C. Maxwell author of The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership, Jason Ryan Dorsey " the Gen Y Guy" and Darren Hardy will all have their turn to address  and educate thousands of passionate Usana associates who take making the communities around them a healthier and wealthier place seriously with a good dose of fun along the way. Tonight everyone will be rocking out at the Usana Amphitheatre to the sounds that go back to the 80's that  reflect the sensibility of the Boomer age musical taste. The Go - Go's Belynda Carlisle, Kenny Loggins, Eddie Money, and Tommy Shaw (the voice of Styx)  and a few surprises will have every body pumped in their 80's gear. Make some noise!

Topics of Discussion

Usana pours a lot of time and energy offering their reps world class training during International Convention. Phil Kirk one of Usana's top leaders once remarked that Usana was " a self improvement course disguised as a nutritional supplement company". USANA Health Sciences is a research based manufacturer that spends millions of dollars annually to improve products made for human consumption partnering with the Linus Pauling Institute, TOSH and even the U.S. Olympic Team. Realizing that the heart and spirit need to be addressed as well as the intellect, enjoy this sampling of  some of what is being offered on the Training Stages as part of the  Convention package to attendees:
How Women Ignite Prosperity In  Business
Hosting Health & Wellness Seminars with Carmen Marshall
Building A Solid Foundation
Setting Up Your Business Online
Digestion & Detox- Fact or Fiction
Healthy Living Tips from Sanoviv
Building Your Business with the Everyday Athlete with Gold Medalist Jennifer Azzi
Branding Yourself with Jen Groover
Generation Connected with Ryan Dorsey
Revitalizing Skin with Sense with Amy Chalmers
Wow! What a menu and that's not all.

Health Corps vs Child Obesity Partnering with Lisa and Dr. Oz 

One of the most exciting and in my mind critical partnerships that have emerged this year is the partnership between Usana and Lisa and Dr. Oz for their teen obesity project Health Corps. The scope an ambition of this program is vast and the reasons why are voiced below by founder Dr. Oz and Dave Wentz CEO of Usana Health Sciences.

"Consider that approximately 12.5 million American children and adolescents, ages 2 to 19 years, are obese," Dr. Oz said. "In New York State alone, obesity among children and adolescents has tripled over the last three decades. This is among the many issues that HealthCorps is committed to address, and with USANA's generosity, we are able to do much more with our programs."

From PR Newswire

"One of the reasons we chose to donate to HealthCorps is because we share such similar values," said Dave Wentz, USANA's chief executive officer. "Our common mission is to create a healthier world for future generations, while helping people make better decisions today. It's impressive to see how HealthCorps is impacting people's lives."

From PR Newswire

• HealthCorps “Coordinators” carry out unique in-school and community programming targeting high-need populations. Coordinatorsare recent college graduates who defer entry into medical school or graduate health programs to serve a two-year full time assignment at a designated public high school.
• Using peer-mentoring to deliver an experiential curriculum in nutrition,fitness and mental strength, Coordinators give teens purpose, help develop human character and inspire an interest in health and culinary arts careers.

• Children's Hunger Run 5K -  Raise Funds While Running Around Town

  

  5K Childrens Hunger Run with participating associates

  The event begins on Saturday, August 18, 2012, with registration onsite at 6:00 a.m. and the event starting at 7:00 a.m. Tickets are now on sale, $25 USD for adults and $15 USD for children 12 and under, and include a commemorative T-shirt. All proceeds are donated to the USANA TrueHealth Foundation. Register at the USANA True Health Foundation booth, located inside the Salt Palace Convention Center beginning Wednesday, August 15, oronsite the day of the event at the Energy Solutions Arena, beginning at 6:00 a.m. Awards will be presented to: the first man; first woman; first man or woman 60 years or older; and first child 12 or younger who cross the finish line, as well as the best representation of a hero. This is a wonderful way to start to bring the International Convention to a close.  Since 1991 The Children's Hunger Fund  has distributed 927 Million dollars in food and resources  to serve the needs of 10 million children in 35 states and 72  counties with Dr. Wentz establishing orphanages in war torn countries.
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Thairapy & Make Overs at Henri Bendel

BEFORE

After Thairapy 365

A wonderful week just concluded at Henri Bendel Fifth Avenue location for the week long Trunk Show for Christopher Drummond Beauty. 

 I Get Some Thairapy

 Established in 1895 by milliner Henri Bendel the department store that bears his name is known for having the latest in fashion trends for upscale ladies.  One of the perks of working during the Trunk Show for Christopher Drummond Beauty was getting to sample various products. On Day 3 Aaron a rep from THAIRAPY called me over as I was the "perfect model" for their line of infra red curling and straightening irons. Aaron was in luck since my hair had extra frizz that day. In about 15 minutes my hair went from super curly to bone straight without the use of sprays, chemicals or blow dryers.  I spent part of my childhood in upscale  salon chairs as my mother searched for ways to deal with my locks. While I have grown into and assumed my mane, the 70's were a time of relaxers, jerry curls and feather cuts.  As  scalp burning lye relaxers were not the way we wanted to go, the more manual approach was the method of choice and it took hours. At Raymond & Nasser first came the wash, setting with curlers (45 minutes), sitting under a hair dryer (1 hour), and then blowing out all the segments by hand (1 hour). This tabulation does not included the wait for my turn with the hairdresser that could take up to another half hour as other clients experienced similar processes to get the tresses they were seeking. Thairapy by contrast was a moment in time. The "treatment" iron is infrared does not heat up and burn the hair yet miraculously relaxes leaving it silky. So Ladies and Gents - If you are looking for a way to get straight locks that last for days stop in and check out this product. Life time guarantee to boot. In this case believe the hype.

Christopher Drummond Beauty Changes Minds

 

My duties on the Main Floor as lead makeup artist were to make sure everything was neat and tidy, get feedback, restock, connect and get customers to simply try the product line. Offering free mini makeovers and touch ups was the order of the days yet met with some trepidation. The most common remarks I heard were "I don't want  anything too crazy" or that makeup always "feels like a mask".  I assured everyone they were in the right place as Christopher Drummond specializes in natural looks that lets skin breathe. What does that mean exactly? His Veludo powder foundation is titanium dioxide and bismuth free and melts into the skin without clogging pores. Smooth as silk you get total flawless coverage in a few easy strokes with his Flat Top vegan brush. Now that is amazing. The feeling and ease of application is in marked contrast to liquid foundation which can be tricky to apply. The vegan brushes Christopher designed do not shed and feel light as air. Paraben free and infused with botanicals Chris's  makeup is leading edge for the woman who is aware of her environment and how she fits into it. I like to say it's eco friendly sexy makeup for the aware fashionista!

Fall Preview Collection

Sporting the Fall Preview 

His Fall Preview is made of a very light palette that veer away from the heavy trad maroons and purples trotted out for the season. Suitable for every woman regardless of their shade, this collection is brilliant. I applied it to fair to very dark complexions and all looked wonderful wearing it. The kit consists of two eye shadows;  the compressed Innocent and loose Aymee which is a lovely shimmery peach/gold day into night color that blends wonderfully. Innocent is applied from brow to lid as the foundation color that opens the eye. Fresh as a pink tea rose it was lovely on every lady. Matte Fraiche powdered blush for the cheeks delighted adding a duskier layer without being over bearing. I loved showing how to apply the Nude lip pencil that provides definition and a good base and made a natural lip color.  Can't or don't want to wear lipstick because you are just running errands? It's the perfect solution for a finished and natural look. Pink Kiss liquid lipstick is truly genius. How Chris managed to hone in on this color that literally suited everyone adapting to the their skin tone I don't know. It worked on yellow to ebony complexions magically. It hydrates too. Get it. It is like Saude Pele for the lips. Chris's  algae based mascara is the beautiful and sane choice for ladies looking to nourish their lashes with A, C, and  E without the lead or mercury. I predict there will be many copy cat products on the market. Black eyeliner pencil was used sparingly to fill in the gaps on the lid making the eyelashes appear darker and fuller. Instead of drawing a solid dark line try this method that will make you appear naturally sexy up close. A light dusting of the translucent Finale finishing powder pulls the entire look together adding a subtle glow and toning down anything that needed it.
Tip: Spray a light mist of water all over the face to conclude. It melts away any excess makeup and softens any hard lines.
Thanks to everyone who stopped by to try and the staff at Bendels who made being there all week a pleasure!

Synergy Yoga Miami Opens a New Location

This is a simple invitation to join me at Synergy Yoga's Brand NEW Studio in Miami proper in the Russian Turkish Baths! This is a return engagement to Miami the last one being at The Standard Hotel & Spa in 2010. We are just so lucky to be in this environment where we can dance, sing , steam and swim! Save the date for this very special event celebrating Synergy's second location!

Dr. Christine Wood - The Nutritional Needs of Children

Dr. Christine Wood

A few nights ago I listened to an extremely informative talk via the web by Dr. Christine Wood a pediatrician who practices in San Diego, California. She is the author of  "How To Get Kids To Eat Great & Love It". A native of Michigan she reminisced about the juicy, sweet apples that she enjoyed in her childhood while comparing the tasteless and dry apples obtained in the super market today. Since 1951 apples have lost half of their iron content, broccoli half its calcium, and potatoes nearly all vitamin A. The RDAs or recommended daily allowance as of 1995 were insufficient and that is almost 20 years ago. We are not keeping up with the nutritional needs of our children as a nation.This testimony brought to life the salient facts that she brought to our attention regarding the nutritional deficiencies in our youngest population. She also offered suggestions on how to counteract these findings by optimal supplementation. She is a member of Usana's Scientific Advisory Council.

Consider the following:

1. Only 30% of U.S. medical schools offer separate courses on nutrition. On average, a medical students receives under 23.4 hours of instruction on nutrition. ( Staggering compared to the number of years it will take them to matriculate and the years spent in practice).

Topics touched upon are diseases of yesteryear like scurvy - (you know the pirate and seaman's disease caused by a lack of Vitamin C)  which is rarely seen today. In other words none of the issues that face people in contemporary North America are being taught. It's going to be difficult to deal with problems if you don't even know what they are, where they come from let alone how to recognize them. 
2.
Doctors are no longer the primary source of nutritional information for the general public. We are getting information from health food stores, magazines, TV, and friends.

Nutritional Risks for Kids

Getting back to apples, Dr. Wood pointed out what should be a red flag. There is still only one fruit and vegetable aisle in super markets where the majority of Americans shop while the cookie and snack aisles have expanded. Americans are eating more processed foods made from processed corn which does little for their nutritional intake while increasing caloric intake. With the amount of GMO corn flooding the market this is alarming indeed.
* 1 and 4 teens eat less than a fruit per day and even less consume fresh vegetables or 1 in 3.
* Contrary to popular belief ketchup is not a vegetable nor are processed french fries.
* TV watching during dinner. 66% of Americans eat dinner while watching TV.
What does this have to do with nutrition? The focus is off the food and chewing slowly. Digestive problems can be avoided when a mindful peaceful routine with members of the family are established. Engaging in conversation, inquiring after each others well being -  in short bonding help divert problems down the road. The average parent only spends just  38 minutes per week talking to their child. Not 38 minutes per day but 38 per week! Family meals reduce risky behavior.
* The average lunch time for teenagers at school is only 7 to 11 minutes meaning they eat everything in that time frame. Is there any wonder digestion or  lack of energy is an issue?

Trends Media Multi Tasking

Another trend is what Dr. Wood called Media Multi Tasking. Kids are on facebook, texting on their phone and listening to iTunes while doing homework. The average time a teen spends on media is ten hours per day. The stats show that this has increased from  6.5 hours in 2005 to 7.8 hours in 2010 daily ranging in ages from 8 to 18 years. This was a real eye opener for me. I wondered have all children ceased to play outside getting the fresh air, exercise and social interaction they need? If they are spending that much time inside,  the following statistics on the "sunshine vitamin' Vtamin D  made sense.

 What's Missing in Your Childs Diet? 

Dr. Wood revealed the alarmingly low amounts of Vitamin D in the blood of infants and bigger kids in the USA.  

* 7 out 10  children are not getting sufficient Vitamin D even in sunny San Diego where she has her practice.
* These deficiencies are showing up in breast milk as women are in the majority of cases deficient.
* While it is important to wear sunblock note it should be applied after the first half hour giving the body a chance to manufacture D. (Very small children should not be left out in the sun). These days Vitamin D is being recommended for infants such Baby D drops by mixing 1 drop a day in breast milk.
* Inadequate D contributes to wheezing or asthma in infants and children. In a study a group deficient in D were followed into adulthood. There was an increased mortality rate of 26%  or in other words premature deaths due to disease.
Vitamin E

 * 91% of children don't have adequate levels of Vitamin E. E is important as it is required for infant brain development and visual acuity. While it may not guarantee perfect vision  ocular development  is a barometer of the development of the brain. Healthy brain development = Higher problem solving scores.
* Fish oil improves  eye and  hand coordination.
For small children Dr. Wood recommends squeezing USANA's triple distilled mercury free Biomega  into a smooth food. Think of 1 capsule 3 or more times a week.
Omega 3 vs Omega 6
Mediterranean diet is heart healthy. Omega 6 (found in corn) tend to be pro inflammatory and I would add the corn of today is a far cry of the corn the natives cultivated here so lovingly. Our soil is not the same and the addition of aggressive pesticides and fungicides add a dimension that is undesireable.  So while fresh corn on the cob may be fine,  the rows and rows of processed foods that contain depleted corn products is not. It is also fed to our livestock instead of the traditional grasses.
Stress Diabetes Cancer
In the year 2000 Type 2 diabetes affected 1 out of 3 children  1 in 2 for males
In the year 1900 cancer risk was 1 in 33.
Environmental toxins are a huge issue and antioxidants can combat this.
Interestingly, childhood stresses resurface later transforming into disease later in life.
Stressed out moms over feed babies. Anxiety and  depression  leads to weight gain and intoxicants.
It serves everyone when mothers take time off to take care of themselves. Conversely it is not hard to imagine a mother medicating herself and child through over eating.
Probiotics  have positive health benefits on gastro intestinal tract, inflammatory bowel syndrome, eczema, and colic in infants.

*Using probiotic can reduce the crying in  babies by 74%
*Safe for 1 to 2 month old children
* Use a partial sachet and it can be mixed with breast milk.
* Gestational diabetes seems to be reduced with the use of probiotics.

Given this state of affairs Dr Wood suggested that parents give kids Usanimals. It contains Xylitol which is a natural sweetener occurring in fruit that may prevent ear infections in children. It contains raspberry, cranberry,wild blueberry, and blackberry powders. Free of artificial colors and flavors it supplies what a growing body needs to stay well and is recommended to children between the ages of 24 months and 12 years. It includes vitamins A, C, E and zinc for healthy immune function.Starting a local food coop, supporting your farmers market or starting a garden patch in your backyard and involving your kids is a wonderful way to reconnect with your families nutritional needs in a fun and all engaging way.
You can visit Dr. Woods site KidsEatGreat and sign up for her newsletter! She is a wonderful source of information who cares deeply.