New's Year Eve

What are doing New Years, New Years Eve? A line from one of my favorite songs on a wonderful Christmas Album, "Sleighride" by the Randy Van Horne singers.

When I look back on this year I am surprised by how quickly it has gone with some dog days keeping Fall feeling like Summer until our heads whirled and we were in the thick of the holidays. It is time for me to give thanks for 2010.Thanks for finding my long lost best friend without contact for 18 years, when hit by a whimsy I sat down at the computer with sheer determination that I wouldn't get up until I found her. Four and a half hours later I was talking with her on the phone. When you love someone through your young formative years it is a pure love, the adult mind doesn't get in the way. It is just as it ever was, we have changed over the years, grown and stumbled and came out the other end stronger and hopefully a little wiser. I dedicate this post to you my dear friend. You have always been an angel in my life and I am so glad we are together again. I give thanks.

Christmas Swag Glory

This photo was well worth the 12 block treck in biting temperatures. I was moved by the unconventional use of colors, with pinks and purples. They added so much to this heather swag adorning a lovely historical home in Alexandria, Virginia. Note the addition of Pheasant feathers, this puts me in the holiday cheery mood for sure. Have the greatest Holidays and all the best from us here at Skin Pure Skin.

Colon Detox-Flatten that Holiday tummy

There are many colon detoxification products out there. Many can leave you feeling rather sick, a process called auto-intoxification, or make you literally run to the bathroom. I don't know about you, but I have a busy life and do not want to be rudely interrupted for the sake of a healthy colon.

Meet Oxy-Powder these little capsules help to slough off the internal dead stuff called mucoid plaque that keeps you from digesting all the wonderful nutrients from your foods.

Ever feel hungry all the time but you know you are eating enough? And with my own personal experience I lost one pant size in three days. Not fat, not water, just slow leftover, no nice way to put it, poop.

Oxy-powder is an oxygenated geranium vegetarian capsule that boosts your immune system. You take four powdered capsules with a full glass of water in the evening and then in the morning everything is completely liquified. I only do this once a week for a maintenance routine. Energy for the day is increased and that lower abdomen bump is lessened, you will have clearer skin for it too. Rejuvenate you skin, colon, and energy. I have only been able to find it online from GHC. I truly would go up a pant size without this easy feel good product. A must have.

Varicose veins and Bioflavonoids-A Pithy Thing

Varicose veins are unsightly yes, but they also cause some discomfort and for those not ready for the stripping surgery or saline collapsing procedures what can we do? Strengthen the veins naturally by eating Bioflavonoid rich foods. Some of which include-Green tea, grapes, wine, dark chocolate, and citrus fruit. These are full of anti-oxidants and help with inflammation, blood flow, keep skin radiant, and capillary permeability.

EAT THE PITH! The white flesh in between the rind and the fruit of citrus is pith and is loaded with bioflavonoids. It is bitter, so it is best eaten with the fruit to make it more palatable.

Silk Pillowcases-Reduce those Wrinkles

Sleeping on silk pillowcases has been know to reduce wrinkles. The American Academy of Dermatology cautions that sleeping in certain positions night after night leads to "sleep lines - wrinkles that become etched into the surface of the skin and don't disappear once you're up. Sleeping on your side increases wrinkles on cheeks and chin, while sleeping face-down gives you a furrowed brow. To reduce wrinkle formation, the AAD says, sleep on your back. For many people sleeping on their back is not ever going to happen because they have a habit of sleeping naturally in one position or another. 100% Silk retains the natural moisture of skin and hair and is extremely gentle. Your facial creams and moisturizers won't get absorbed into the silk as easily as they do cotton. Silk pillowcases have many benefits, not only are they a pleasure to sleep on with less tossing and turning, they are hypo-allergenic and resistant to dust mites. Sweet silky dreams.

MMMMMMMMMMMMMassage

Tight shoulders and worried minds release and relax with a therapeutic massage. If you haven't had one recently I highly recommend it for a stress buster. Massage can boost your immunity, helps with hypertension, clears toxins from the liver via the lymph nodes, which in turn will clear your skin. Whether you like deep work or Swedish, hot stones, Thai, or sports, massage is a great holistic tool to keep you relaxed and handling stress and life in general with less worry and easy of mind.

Barrier Function, Hydrolipid Film, Acid Mantle

These are all names for the very important protective layer of keratinized cells that protects the skin. Think of it like bricks and mortar. If there is a weakness in the layers or mortar then bacteria can thrive or substances that should otherwise stay out, penetrate and cause sensitivities or worse, ance.

Our skin is acidic around a 5 on the Ph scale. This is to fight off unfriendly bacteria like Propionibacterium acnes. This is where acne got it's namesake. If you wash your face with soap which is very alkaline, ususally a 10 ph, then you are setting yourself up for a breakout. If your cleanser is too acidic you will usually have dry, red, sensitive skin. The solution is to always use products that say on the bottle that they are ph balanced. Otherwise the only way to find out is to do a little research on your own. Call the 800 phone number off of the packaging (usually only found on the box) and ask them what their ph is of that particular product. It needs to be a 4.5-5.5 range or don't get it.

Also, it takes 24 hrs for your skin to get back to a normal acidic ph 5 after you use a bad product. If it is used morning and night your skin doesn't have a chance. I have seen many many women who are having troubles with their skin that have corrected it simply by switching a cleanser or cream. I really believe ph is extremely important to perfect looking, beautiful skin. If you do have a product with a bad ph and move over to a ph balanced product make sure to give it a fair shot. It takes typically 2 months for skin to completely come around, but it is so worth it. If this helps even one person out there I am happy. Tell me how it goes. All the best.

Smarty Dish

One evening I was running the dishwasher and I needed a spoon. It happens, there isn't a spoon to be found so you reach in while the wash is running. I was hit by a toxic plume of steam.  You shouldn't have to hold your breath or run out of the kitchen coughing just to get a load of dishes sparkling clean.

Then I found Smarty Dish by Method. Oh yes, we did try other brands but none brought us such pure squeaky joy as the no phosphate, no bleach perfect oval diskettes.  We have no more fear when reaching in for that illusive deep cleaned dish. I love you Smarty Dish thank you, my lungs and skin thank you too.

Authentic Beauty

Being true to yourself in this day and age is sometimes hard to do.  We are constantly bombarded with the media telling us how to look, act, what careers to have.  Listening to your own needs sometimes calls for a moment of stillness.  Be your own wonderful person.  Do you go fresh faced or do you really like makeup?  Are you a girl y girl or do you love dressing in boy clothes.  Be true to yourself and find you inner muse.  I am sure you will be happier for it.

Thanks grandma!

The end of Summer isn't usually the time I feel like baking, but this custard is so worth it.  My grandmother's recipe is the most silky experience when it comes to this reassuring comfort food.  I like to have a cold bowl for dinner along with a salad. Top it with a little real maple syrup, plain is great too.

The Recipe: Beat ingredients with a whisk
4 cups cold water with non-fat powdered milk mixed in until frothy and tastes creamy
4 eggs
Dash of salt
vanilla
1 Tbs or so of sugar/honey depending on how sweet you like it.
Cook at 325 degrees for around 45 min
Insert a knife in the middle of the custard when you think it is done, it should come out clean.

Important-You must cook this in a water bath, place the custard dish on a large pyrex baking dish and pour warm water around the custard to be baked. This is what gives it that velvet smooth texture.  I enjoy giving you this family secret. Enjoy!

Pesky back of arm bumps-a.k.a. Keratosis Pilaris

As many as half of the population, especially women, suffer from unsightly, red bumps on their arms.  This is a genetic condition and isn't contagious.  It wrecks havok with ones' self esteem.  It is an excessive build up of keratin (dead skin cells) that clogs the hair follicles which leads to the red bumps.

Exfoliation is an important part of treating KP. Gentle use a body exfoliator, or the My Dermafile™ microdermabrasion file on the effected area. Go gently because over scrubbing may lead to irritation.  Follow this up with a rich body butter.  Once a week can make a big difference and get you back into those flirty Summer tops.

Cacao is Pure Raw Chocolate

Ever heard of Cacao? It is unrefined chocolate in it's purest form. Cacao contains antioxidant compounds called polyphenols. These occur in higher concentrations in cacao than in any other know food. Polyphenols are chemicals found in many plants that can help to improve the overall health and firmness of the skin. They help prevent skin aging by fighting free radical damage. Cacao is sold in places like Whole Foods and they call them Cacao nibs. I find it delicious to nibble on and it gives much needed energy throughout your day and emparts a happy, in love mood.

Microdermabrasions Good vs. Bad

Microdermabrasion is a skin treatment that can help strengthen your skin and build vital collagen. It helps with crow's feet, acne scarring, age spots, and fine lines. Unfortunately, many microderm systems out there use toxic aluminum oxide crystals that you can't help but inhaling. Aluminum dust is an eye and respiratory tract irritant in humans and hard for the body to eliminate. The My Dermafile™ at home microdermabrasion kit solves this problem by using a stainless steel file made of cosmetic grade crushed diamonds (no loose crystals!)  Non-toxic microderms just makes better sense overall. Normally a microdermabrasion will run you anywhere from $155-$200 for one treatment.  Use this file monthly for only $99 + 4.95 S&H (Files typically last 1-2 yrs)
Your skin will thank you.

Up in the Air Junior Birdman

My first time flying without a fuselage. The hang glider was tethered to an ultralight going up and the bumps really made my stomach turn.  Going down was a dream and I wished it would have lasted forever, it was so lovely.  The birds really do glide on the breezes with happiness in their hearts. I recommend this, at least once, for a truly remarkable experience.

California Baby

Your skin glows

Sunscreen has become and essential part of our daily skin routine year round.  Dermatologists and The American Cancer Society urge it. That being said, do you know that most sunscreens include ingredients which have been know to cause cancer?
The culprits (to name a few):  Benzophenones (dixoybenzone, oxybenzone), PABA and PABA esters (ethyl dihydroxy propyl PAB,  glyceryl PABA, p-aminobenzoic acid, padimate-O or octyl dimethyl PABA), Cinnamates (cinoxate, ethylhexyl p-methoxycinnamate, octocrylene, octyl methoxycinnamate), Salicylates (ethylhexyl salicylate, homosalate, octyl salicylate), Digalloyl trioleate, Menthyl anthranilate, Avobenzone [butyl-methyoxydibenzoylmethan. I could go on and on. Suffice it to say I won't be putting this yucky, toxic stuff on my skin.
The three primary defects of chemical sunscreens:

1. They are powerful free radical generators. Their free radical generation increases cellular damage and changes that lead to cancer.
2. They often have strong estrogenic activity, they mimic hormones. Estrogenic - "Gender Bending" - chemicals interfere with normal sexual development - 
   Engendering a host of secondary medical problems.
3. They are synthetic chemicals that are alien to the human body and accumulate in body fat stores. The human body is well adapted to de-toxify biologicals that it has been exposed to over tens of millions of years. But it has often has difficulty removing new and non-biological compounds such DDT, Dioxin, PCBs, and chemical sunscreens.

California Baby sunscreen is one of the highest rated safe sunscreens on the Environmental Working Group's skin deep cosmetic safety database. That's why Skin Pure Skin gives a hearty endorsement to the complete California Baby Sunscreen line.  It's the only one we use.
Skin Pure Skin recommends using sunscreen daily and especially after using our at home microdermabrasion kit that has the My Dermafile and Organic shea butter. www.skinpureskin.com
How to apply: Before makeup, after moisturizer. In the morning, after you have washed your face apply your regular moisturizer. After a couple minutes, apply approx. a pea sized amount, or more, to your face and neck. Pay special attention to your nose and high areas of the face, these are the most suseptable to actinic keratosis (a precursor to melanomas). Ladies with balding loved ones, please teach the guys how to use sunscreen as a gift to you both. I forgot to mention that this sunscreen gives a special subtle luminosity to skin, I always get complements due to it.
With affection and appreciation, we hope you enjoy these last sunny days of Summer.

Salt of the Earth

Real Salt brand salt is amazing.  It is unrefined, has 50 trace minerals that your body and skin need to control acne, heal wounds, keep skin elastic and firm, strengthen hair and nails. Etc, etc...
By comparison, refined salt is heated up to 1,200 degrees and treated with caustic soda or lime to remove all traces of magnesium salts, which are important to health.  Then they mix it with anti-caking and flowing agents that the FDA Code 21CFR101.100(a)(3), does not require their disclosure to consumers. It's important to look at what we are consuming and how does that make us feel. Real Salt increases your energy, decreases your appetite, and feels just plain good. 
Tip: Use less by salting food after it is cooked, just before serving. Then the flavor won't cook out and make you need to use more than is necessary.

Dry Skin Brushing

Help your body eliminate toxins by using a natural bristle brush daily before your shower.  Using long upward stokes, brush your entire body from the soles of your feet all the way up to your neck.  Focus on cellulite areas with a circular motion to help mobilize fat stores.

Dry brushing helps stimulate the lymphatic system and takes the burden of excess waste off of your liver and spleen.  Your skin releases 2 to 5 pounds of toxins daily and is the largest organ in your body.  Why not give it a helping hand and get your glow on.  Brush away!