Chow Down

Glowing skin is healthy skin. Healthy skin starts with a healthy diet. Gobble up nuts, seeds, salmon, sardines, and healthy oils like sesame, walnut, and flax to get your daily dose of super-moisturizing Omega-3s. Increase your intake of vitamin A, vital for healthy skin cells, with yogurt, sweet potatoes, carrots, and kale. If you can find any good berries in the dead of winter, they’re a great source of antioxidants, destroyers of free radicals that prey on your skin.

Pump it Up

By increasing your heart rate, exercise gets blood flowing all around your body and gives you that distinctive workout flush. Take a hot yoga class for a gorgeous afterglow. Don’t want to step outside? Try yoga on your living room carpet, or do a simple routine (jumping jacks, push-ups, sit-ups, squats) in front of the TV to get your blood pumping and your face glowing.

Slough it Off

Exfoliation removes dead skin cells from the top layer of your skin, revealing fresh, glowing skin beneath. Mix equal parts sugar and olive oil and gently massage into your skin, avoiding your eyes, then rinse. The sugar helps to flake off dry, dead skin cells, while the oil gives your skin some much-needed moisture.

Pile It On

Even if you’re not a fan of moisturizing, you might change your mind when those minus four degree winter winds start ravaging your face. Your before-bed moisturizing routine is your chance to go all out, since no one is there to see you if your face turns into an oil slick (and if they see you then, they probably love you anyway!)

Wash your face with a gentle, creamy cleanser, then massage a super-moisturizing oil like jojoba, sweet almond, or olive, all over your face, neck, and chest. These oils won’t clog pores, but will provide your skin with extreme hydration. You’ll wake up glowing.

Pomegranate Lore

Native to Persia, pomegranates are thought to be one of the oldest known fruits.

In Rome, the pomegranate was called the Punic apple. The botanical name is punicum granatu, which has its root in punic. That was the name of the city of Carthage, the namesake of this tasty treat. The other half of the work comes from granatum which means “many seeds”.

The pomegranate has traveled far and wide. The fruit was brought to China in 100 BC. Then, it was the Moors who imported the pomegranate to Spain in 800 AD. Granada, a city in Spain, was named for the pomegranate. The fruit is so popular there it eventually became the cities emblem.

In Britain, the inaugural planting of the pomegranate was performed by King Henry VIII. In the 18^th century, the French named a weapon, a hand-tossed explosive, after the pomegranate, calling it a grenade. It came to America by way of the Spanish conquistadors.

The pomegranate has been revered through time. It is considered a royal fruit, used throughout history in coats of arms, fabric patterns, and praised in literature and art.

The skin has a high tannin content and was, in ancient Rome, used to tan leather.

Nutritional Benefits of Pomegranate

Pomegranates are revered with good reason. Our forbears knew of the power of the pomegranate and its positive effect on the body.

The beauty of the pomegranate is in both its unlikely external appearance and the surprising inner nest of deep red seeds, known as arils, resting within a white membrane. The membrane is bitter to the taste and typically not eaten. The arils contain the juice of the pomegranate and one seed. The arils can be eaten seed and all.

With a tart flavor and an underlying sweetness, the pomegranate offers the best of both tastes, with the promise of possibility held within its seeds. Nutritionally, pomegranates are as full of promise as its legendary status in history.

There are only 72 calories in a ½ cup of arils, while 1 cup of juice contains only 139 calories.

That same cup of juice contains 40% of the recommended daily value of Vitamin C. Combined with the presence of Vitamin A and potassium, the pomegranate is a fantastic source of all kinds of nutritional good.

• Antioxidants: They are, of course, necessary to keep our entire system healthy. In comparison, pomegranate juice has 3x more antioxidant fighting power ounce for ounce than red wine. That makes pomegranate juice an excellent alcohol substitute.

• Blood Thinning: Pomegrantes have been shown to work at thinning the blood and reducing plaque in arteries. In addition, it promotes the HDL cholesterol cholesterol while lowering LDL cholesterol, a positive correlation with cardiovascular health.

• Lowering Blood Pressure: Studies have shown that imbibing a mere 1 ounce  of pomegranate juice daily can lower systolic blood pressure up to 20%.

• Cancer Fighter: Due to its high level of antioxidants, pomegranate juice is a great addition to your diet to fight against breast and skin cancer. New research also shows pomegranate helps inhibit the growth of cancer cells in the prostate, too.

• Arthritis Attacker: A study indicates that pomegranate juice inhibits an enzyme that damages cartilage. For those suffering arthritis and join pain, the addition of pomegranate juice in your diet might just ease some of your woes.

• Flu Fighter: Drink pomegranate juice when you think you’re coming down with the flu (or when you know you’ve already got it!) Pomegranates are rich in punicalagin, a polyphenol that inhibits the flue virus. (from Phytomedicine, July 2009 issue)

Preparation and Storage of Pomegranate

Peel the pomegranate if you have the enduring and Godly patience. Otherwise, slice off the top and cut it into wedges. Fill a bowl with cold water and remove the seeds. The seeds will sink to the bottom and any membrane will float. Compost the membrane and juice or eat the seeds!

Pomegranate seeds will store in the fridge for 3-5 days in a air-tight container.

Pomegranate Passion Smoothie

• 2 oz. freshly squeezed pomegranate juice
• 6 oz. non-fat yogurt or nut milk (depending on the consistency you wish your smoothie to be)
• 1 cup fresh strawberries
• Handful of ice

Put everything in the blender, give it a whirl, and enjoy!

Sources:

• http://habee.hubpages.com/hub/Super-Food-How-and-Why-to-Consume-Pomegranate
• http://www.livestrong.com/article/66461-nutritional-information-pomegranates/
• http://homecooking.about.com/od/fruit/a/pomejuice.htm
• http://www.healthdiaries.com/eatthis/11-health-benefits-of-pomegranate-juice.html

Cleansing the colon is a fantastic way to purge toxins from the body.  The cleansing also provides us with increased energy, a boosted immune system, and keeps us going strong as the weather changes.

The big three of colon cleansing fruits and veggies are carrots, apples, and cucumbers.  Add a lemon for a liver tonic and you’re in cleansing and health business.

All Season Colon Cleanser

• 1 red apple
• 1 medium size carrot
• ½ medium size cucumber
• 1 stalk of celery
• 1 8oz glass of cold purified water
• 1 tbs of honey or agave or 1 tbs apple cider vinegar
• Juice from one lemon

Juice the apple, carrot, celery, cucumber and lemon in the juicer. Slurry them together with the cold water.  Add honey or agave to taste.  Drink immediately, and preferably, do it first thing in the morning.  Or alternatively, dice the veggies and fruits and mix this all up in your blender.

Veggie and Fruit Cleansing Benefits

Apple: The apple’s skin contains pectin which assists in the removal of toxin.  Pectin also prohibits the protein matter in your G.I. tract from putrefying.  Apples also help regulate blood sugar levels.

Carrot: Ease inflammation of the colon. Carrots contain beta-carotene, a great nutrient for the eyes.

Cucumber: Contains an enzyme called erepsin which digests protein. Cucumbers have a high water content which soothes and eases the digestive tract and colon.

Celery: Flushes the kidneys, liver, pancreas, and gallbladder.

Lemon: A natural antiseptic, the acidity of lemon juice destroys harmful bacteria

Apple Cider Vinegar: Prevents the formation of kidney and gall bladder stones.

Honey: Anti-viral, anti-fungal, and anti-bacterial. Boosts the immune system and provides increased energy.

How Much to Drink

The beauty about this colon cleanse is how simple and direct it is.  This juice recipe can be taken daily if you want a deep cleanse or once a week to maintain good health.  Add this cocktail of health to your daily regime and feel the benefits:

• Clearer skin and a natural, healthy glow
• Bright eyes with stronger eyesight
• Easier and smoother digestion
• Regular and productive bowel movements
• Increased energy levels
• Eases frequency of headaches for headache sufferers
• Reduction in allergy attacks

With the beauty industry being a formidable multi-billion dollar business, and one of its most profitable niches being anti-aging products, I know I am not alone in my desire to beat father time.

The skin is a living, breathing organism that needs as much care and attention as the heart. I’ve often wondered why people slather on creams and potions for hundreds of dollars a bottle, when true health comes from within. The logic of these “miracle creams” is slightly off. As with most of the organ function within the body, it’s the natural nutrients we ingest that play a key role in the anti-aging process.

Anti-aging cucumber?

And as effective as these expensive products claim to be, the best and most effective way to ensure that the skin stays healthy is through ingested nutrients and, of course, sunscreen. Collagen is a group of naturally occurring proteins found in animals, especially in the flesh and connective tissues of mammals, and it’s responsible for the supple appearance of skin. When the amount of collagen in the body begins to decrease, that is when skin starts to sag and look, well, old.

One of the best juices for the skin and for collagen production is cucumber. With a water content of almost 75%, cucumber is a natural hydrant, and its juice is as light in flavor as water, making cucumber juice easy to drink and effective in any collagen production quest.

Leafy greens and other green vegetables are known for their high nutritional content and they have been found to contain agents which help in collagen production. Some examples of the leafy green vegetables that contribute to the cause are spinach, asparagus and kale. Not only do they help in the production of collagen, but they also help the body use collagen more effectively.

Another anti-ager: tomatoes

Tomatoes contain a great amount of lycopene, which helps fight collagenases. Collagenases are enzymes that destroy the collagen in your body. Aside from tomatoes, red fruits and vegetables are considered good sources of lycopene; beets and red peppers when juiced together make an especially tasty addition to any juicing routine.

And aside from lycopene, these red natural foods also contain plenty of antioxidants which promote collagen and battle other signs of aging.

The jury is still out as to whether any of these creams and serums in fact work to reverse signs of aging. The best and most effective way to fight aging and ward off collagenases is with a well rounded diet, including juices made from leafy greens and red colored fruits and vegetables. And of course, sunscreen!

• Purify and build the blood
• Improve circulation
• Cleanse the liver, kidneys, and bladder
• Cleanse the intestines
• Combats high blood pressure, anemia, menstrual problems and cancer

Calypso Beet Juice Recipe

Typically, I add a lemon juice to my favorite beet juice recipe. Yet one day, faced only with limes in my fruit basket, I threw two into the mix and was pleasantly surprised at the taste. Lime juice added an island flare reminiscent of Miami Beach and the Bahamas. It made this desert dweller feel as if I was at the beach renewing my belief that adding a lime to just about anything makes life better (and made me want to dance around a bit).

• 3-6 carrots
• 1 medium beet
• 1 inch piece of fresh ginger (or to taste)
• 1-2 limes (to taste)

Juice the carrots, beets and ginger, then add the limes one at a time. Taste the juice in between each lime to get the island flavor that suits your taste buds.

Carrots, Ginger, and Lime Oh My!

• Carrots are a prime source for beta-carotene, which turns into Vitamin A, important for promoting healthy eyes, supporting the immune system, and is keeping your liver in shape. Carrots are a juicing staple because of their fabulousness.
• Ginger is soothing for the digestion and combats motion sickness, all while adding a sharp, spicy taste. You can’t go wrong with a bit o’ ginga’.
• Lime is high in Vitamin C and also supports the digestion. Limes are yummy.

Beet Basics

Cleansing Agent: Beet juice is a strong purifier and ideal for alkalizing your system. Beets contain a nutrient called betalains which provide antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and detoxification power. The full benefits of betalains are best found in raw beets/raw beet juice. The combination of antioxidants is unique to beets giving them a place of status among raw vegetables.

Vitamins and Minerals: Beets contain high amounts of folate (folic acid), manganese, Vitamin C, and potassium, making them a welcome addition to any diet. They are also rich in calcium, magnesium, and phosphorous and to a lesser extent iron, zinc, copper, and selenium.

Origins: The cultivation of the beet is over 4,000 years old. From the ancient Babylonians to the early Greek and Romans, and forward even into the Renaissance, the beet and beet leaves have a long and stately history as a medicinal root. Beets are cultivated worldwide in Africa, Europe, Asian, and India (and of course North America). Mythology holds that the Goddess of Love, Aphrodite, partook of beets to retain her beauty. Folklore suggests that if a man and woman eat of the same beet, they will fall in love.

Cautions: It is better to dilute beet juice with other juices. You may experience a coloring of the urine after drinking beet juice, a phenomenon called ‘beeturia,’ or a coloring of the stool. Drinking straight beet juice is not recommended.

So, now that we’ve covered the basic of beets, how do you take your beet juice? Share your comments below!

I’ve written before about some symptoms of menopause and since I’ve started to have a few more myself, thought I’d catch you up on some more natural alternatives.  My hot flashes lasted (so far) a month or so.  Every day and night.  I try to drink some sort of smoothie every day and I always add ground flax.  I feel much better and recently read that flaxseed is a super-food and can help with menopause symptoms.  Women used flaxseed in ancient Babylon 5,000 years ago.  Greek physician Hippocrates recommended it back in 400 B.C.  Flaxseed contains compounds called lignans, which mimic hormones without the harmful side effects.  These lignans may, in fact, prevent both breast cancer and colon cancer.  This seed is commonly used as a laxative. Another benefit!  Flaxseed and flaxseed oil have both been used to reduce total blood cholesterol and LDL (bad) cholesterol levels.  The result? The reduction of the risk of heart disease.  Flaxseed oil is great too.  I sometimes put that in my green smoothies, however it doesn’t have the fiber that the seeds have.  You can buy whole seed in your store and grind it in a coffee grinder or seed grinder.  Be sure to store it in a glass, air tight container in your fridge to extend the life of your seed.  Also, grind only what you need if you can.  It will turn rancid more quickly in its ground form.

Flaxseed can be added to any smoothie; green, chocolate or fruit.  You can add this super food on top of your fresh fruit, in your oatmeal, cereal or on your yogurt.  Be sure to use ground flaxseed.  Nutrition experts agree that ground flaxseed is better.  Whole flaxseed may pass through your intestines undigested.  This means you won’t get all the health benefits. So grind it up girls.  Here’s what Ameriflax says about substituting flax in your recipes:

And then there’s your skin.  Hormones can wreak havoc on your skin.  I’ve started to notice my skin becoming thinner and it feels different on my face.  Sure enough, hormonal deficits associated with menopause, will start to change the skin.  Women, during their 30′s, begin to produce lower hormone levels.  The symptoms of this do not usually begin to appear until her 40′s.  This is the stage called perimenopause.  I wish I started some things before this time.  I’m here telling you this so you can!  At menopause, women experience a drop in three hormones: estrogen, progestin and follicle stimulating hormone.  The loss of estrogen has the most significant effect on the skin.  The amount of collagen and elastin in the subdermis breaks down and gradually declines, blood supply decreases, and the dermis thins.  This has also affected the strength in my wrists.  And the results of all of this please?  Dry dull skin, changes in texture and pore size, and additional lines and wrinkles.  Thanks.

There are also changes in skin tone.  More freckles or patches on the cheeks and/or around the mouth.  Your pigment cells decrease by about 10% every decade after the age of 30 and with menopause, women begin to see irregular pigmentation.  Estrogen promotes the permeability of blood vessels and the loss of that hormone can cause blood vessels to stiffen and break, which can create broken capillaries.  Hot flashes will cause further damage.

Here are some key ingredients to look for in your skin care products (you may want to begin treatments before the symptoms start):

Peptides -  These are bulky molecules made up of amino acids each with specific skin functions.  Palmitoyl pentapeptide stimulates collagen and elastin formation.  Argireline helps prevent wrinkles caused by muscular contractions.  Oligopeptide 34 helps combat irregular pigmentation.

Pytoestrogens – These naturally occuring plant compounds possess estrogen-like qualities.

Retinoids – Vitamin A in the form of retinol or retinoic acid, improves skin elasticity, re-texturizes and helps reverse photodamage and enhance new cell growth.  Retinol is one of the few skin care ingredients to be scientifically studied and proven in clinical trials.

Moisturizers - Dehydration is the number one skin problem (This is really noticeable on me, even though I drink ALOT).  Look for high powered humectants and emollients, such as: sodium hyaluronate, shea butter, vitamin E, natural oils, squalene and ceramides, in your moisturizers.

Skin, after menopause, will continue to degenerate.  Your skin could lose up to 30% of its collagen in the first five years of menopause.

Take the time now to replenish your skin, before menopause.  I’m learning and guess what I did yesterday?  That’s right, I looked for moisturizers!

The nose.  What are you inhaling in your work and home environment?   Air fresheners, smoke, cleaning chemicals, mold, dust, pollens, and the fumes that come out of the carpeting.  Air fresheners only mask the odor. They are filled with deadly, poisonous chemicals.  For many years I inhaled a common cleaning chemical (I have a cleaning business).  When I started a wheatgrass routine, I expelled mucous the color and smell of this chemical!  Anything that you can smell, is going into your body.  Today we are inhaling toxins on a daily basis.  Get yourself out into nature where the only thing you inhale is the air, the smell of trees and grass.  Reducing the toxins you inhale can have a dramatic effect on your health, helping you with depression, anxiety, irritability, appetite, digestion and sleep.

The eyes.  Through the eyes, solar energy penetrates the body.  The sun is not a toxin.  Lack of sun creates deficiencies and leads to imbalance and disease.  Images entering the eyes are toxic.  Violence from all forms of the media can create bad emotions, causing the body to become acidic.  Remember, we want our bodies to be more alkaline.

The ears.  Things that you put in your ears as well as sound that enter your ears can be toxic.  Sounds are vibration and frequency.  My brother has done tests on growing wheatgrass.  Classical music had a positive effect on the growth of wheatgrass.  Certain music has been know to cause plants to wither and die.  Repetitive sound can cause stress.  Certain frequencies can enter through the ear and cause every cell to be stressed.  This in turn causing dis-ease in the body.  Toxic words from someone, can also enter your body.  Stress and the body?  We already know that’s a bad idea.  Walk in nature and listen to all the sounds.  How about chirping birds and insects, running water and the sound of the wind for stress relief?

Okay, so toxins are out there.  And not just in the air or at the local nuclear power plant.  Consider not only the carbs, calories and fats that are in your food, but the chemicals in processed foods that also enter your bloodstream and organs.  Address the toxins in your life today.  What are you eating? What are you breathing?  What and who are you listening to?   

Unnatural electromagnetic energy is attacking our bodies every day.  Satellites, radar, cell phones, cell phone towers, high tension power lines, electric wiring, computers, microwave ovens and even people emit electromagnetic energy.  Negatively charged ions have a positive effect on the body.  These life-enhancing ions are in the running water of the stream, waterfalls or the ocean.  Wind blowing through the trees also emit these ions.

What are you going to do today to feel good?  Go outside and find some fresh air.  Breathe deeply.  Eliminate the amount of television, computer, and microwave use as much as you can.  Speak positively.  Meditate.  Eat slowly.  Love life.

Now let’s get into the meat of this article (calm down veggies). They say “beauty’s but skin deep”. I’m not sure exactly what that means but I’ve heard it and using quotes is another way to engage the reader and to make yourself look intelligent. They also say that “beauty is in the eye of the beholder” so according to these two sources it can be found either in the skin or the eye. Of course I’ve misunderstood things before. But there’s one place I know it can’t be found and that’s wolfing down half pound angus burgers from Mickie D’s every day or so. Yes, we’re a beauty obsessed culture. But I believe there’s a big difference between real beauty and the cookie cutter, surgically enhanced ideal put forth by pop culture. There is beauty in all of us and unfortunately, most often it is our own attitude and lifestyle that restrains it. Fortunately there are some very simple ways you can go about choosing the right foods that can give you clear skin, shiny hair, a brighter smile and bring out the most beautiful you possible.

Omega-3 fatty acids help decrease inflammation, aid in treating psoriasis (an inflammatory skin condition) and improve blood circulation which produces a healthy glow. One study in Journal of the American College of Nutrition found that elderly people who had eaten more fish and veggies over their lifetime had fewer wrinkles. The best source of omega-3s is fish; Wild salmon, sardines, Atlantic mackerel and herring.

Fill your diet with color. Dark orange, red or green fruit and vegetables like carrots, butternut squash, cantaloupe, sweet potatoes, tomatoes and spinach all contain a high level of beta-carotene, an antioxidant that converts to vitamin A in your body and switches on DNA that’s in charge of producing new skin cells and shedding old ones. This keeps the surface of your skin smooth, fresh-looking and resistant to irritants and damage. Beta-carotene also destroys free radicals that cause DNA mutations that can lead to wrinkles. Many of these fruits and veggies can be juiced or blended while maintaining their nutritional integrity.

Dairy products, especially yogurt, are a great source of calcium but did you know that all green, leafy vegetables contain calcium. Great sources are kale and collards, beets and turnip tops and of course broccoli (all of which can be juiced). Calcium is important for teeth and a beautiful smile. It creates cavity-resistant tooth enamel when you’re young and maintains it as an adult to keep your teeth strong. Studies show that people who get enough calcium are less likely to have severe gum disease.

Zinc is a critical beauty enhancer, contributing to nearly every enzyme in your skin, including those that help create collagen and produce new cells. It also aids in healing wounds and there’s some evidence that the anti-inflammatory properties in zinc supplements play a role in calming skin conditions such as acne. Both zinc and iron are key to cell production in hair follicles so a deficiency in either nutrient could also cause hair to thin or even fall out. Your nails benefit from zinc and iron as well. Whole grains, fortified cereals, lean beef and oysters are great sources of zinc and iron.

Dark chocolate, sunflower seeds and green tea are packed with antioxidants that protect skin from free radicals. Sunflower seeds have tons of vitamin E which blocks free radicals from attacking the membranes so cells stay alive. Compounds found in green tea can suppress agents that trigger inflammation and both green tea and dark chocolate provide powerful antioxidants known as polyphenols. Regular intake of polyphenols found in cocoa may keep skin hydrated and lessen the effects of a sunburn; researchers aren’t sure why but speculate that it has to do with the polyphenols’ ability to increase blood flow to the skin.

Strawberries, citrus, red bell peppers and broccoli are all loaded with vitamin C which triggers fibroblast cells that make collagen, the support system under the skin’s surface. The healthier your infrastructure of collagen, the firmer and smoother your skin will look.

Now… go be gorgeous.

Be Well,

Juicy Josh

877MyJuicer.com

The cosmetics industry in this country raked in billions last year, with sales of skin care products bringing in the largest share.  What most people don’t know is that the cheapest and most effective method for preserving and healing skin comes from natural foods.  Here are just a few:

Green tea, which is rich in antioxidants that reduce inflammation and protect cell membranes, has been proven to reduce the damage of sunburns and overexposure to ultraviolet light.  Therefore, green tea reduces the risk of skin cancer. Green tea is also high in polyphenols — compounds that eliminate cancer-causing free radicals and reactivate dying skin cells.  Green tea is also high in vitamins C, D and K, as well as riboflavin, zinc, calcium, magnesium and iron.

Salmon (and many other other fatty fish as well as walnuts and flaxseed) is high in healthy fatty acids that are crucial for healthy skin. Essential fatty acids such as omega-3s help keep cell membranes healthy by keeping out harmful substances as well as allowing nutrients to enter cells and exit with waste products. Omega-3s also reduce the body’s production of inflammatory agents that can damage the skin and omega-3 fatty acid-rich foods like salmon help keep the skin supple and youthful.  Salmon is also rich in protein, potassium, selenium and vitamin B12.

Many experts believe blueberries to be the highest food source of antioxidants which target free radicals that can wreak havoc on skin cells. The antioxidants and phytochemicals in blueberries neutralize DNA-damaging free radicals, reducing cell damage which makes the skin look younger for longer. Blueberries are also an excellent source of soluble and insoluble fiber, vitamin C, manganese, vitamin E and riboflavin and all that is why load them in my blender every morning for my “power Shake”.

Carrots—my absolute favorite veggie to juice—which also contain high levels of antioxidants, are an excellent source of vitamin A, which is an essential nutrient for healthy skin. Vitamin A is required for developing and maintaining skin cells, and a deficiency of the vitamin can cause dry skin. Carrots are also a superior source of fiber, biotin, vitamins K, C and B6, potassium and thiamine.

And finally, drink lots of pure, clean water.  Drinking plenty of water will help keep your skin young and healthy. Water both hydrates cells and helps them move toxins out and nutrients in. In other words, it sweats more efficiently, which helps keep the skin clean and clear.

One last thing to consider is that many experts consider raw food juicing to be the surest way to healthy skin.  It is recommend to juice fruits, vegetables and nuts (soak them first) in a powerful blender to create superfood smoothies. People who drink raw juices on a daily basis have skin that absolutely glows.

Shine people.

Be well,

Juicy Josh

Pick-up a great juicer at http://www.877myjuicer.com