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!