Be Gone Spots!

So lately Ive been dealing for less that lust worthy skin, due to either wearing makeup everyday, stress or just fluctuating hormone levels.  Red spots were popping up everyday and I found myself looking in the mirror saying "Hey, where did that one come from, it wasnt there yesterday".  And then of course, the more spots you get, you want to cover them up, so then you get more spots because of the makeup-a vicious cycle.  So of course, I thought well maybe I need a professional facial....and then I looked at the prices of a spa quality facial and well, there goes that idea.  So of course, my kitchen beautician thinking cap came on, and I researched home remedies for curing red spots on your face.  I landed on a bunch of sites that recommended the Aspirin Facial.  I was a bit skeptical at first, because well its Aspirin! But using my scientific knowledge it totally makes sense.  The chemical term for Aspirin is Acetylsalicylic Acid, and its metablolite (or breakdown) is Salicylic acid (you'll notice most over the counter acne fighting products have this in the ingredients list).  So basically Acetylsalicylic acid is a precursor to Salicylic acid.  Cool right?

So I decided to go for it, since I am heading to Vancouver Fashion Week, I know Im going to be surrounded by models slim with their spidery long legs, I felt I needed to at least have clear skin.  So I put the facial on my face and left it on for the recommended 10 minutes.  After washing it off there was no difference, so little difference that my boyfriend actually said "you look the same" (gee thanks).   So I followed my usual skin care regime, serum and night cream and went to bed defeated.

The next morning I woke up and although my spots are still there, they were NOTICEABLY diminished in size and redness!  I actually really believe that this facial works!  It also made my skin softer and silky feeling.  Below you"ll find the recipe, give it a try, for $5 you can cure your annoying red spots and still have money in the bank to by a cookie (which may have caused the spots to begin with, but I wont tell anyone).

Aspirin Facial:
3-5 uncoated Aspirin tablets (you can use the generic brand to its no different, but it has to have Acetylsalicylic acid and uncoated, if its coated, run it underwater to wash the coating of the tablets)
a few drops of fruit acid (I used lemon juice, you can use orange if you like)
honey (this helps it stick to your face, and honey is also great for rehydrating.  You can also use yogurt, as the lactic acid in it is great for oilier skin types)

-Put the aspirin in a bowl with the fruit juice.  Crush them up completely then add your honey/yogurt.  Massage onto your face in circular motions and leave on for 5-10 minutes (the longer you leave it on the better)  You might feel tingling, thats the fruit acid.  Tip: try not to exfoliate before this facial, as the facial does both, and you dont want raw skin.  Tip: try to crush the aspirin as fine as possible, bigger pieces=greater exfoliated (but also if you massage to hard, giant red scratches all over you face)

So there you have it Be Gone Spots! Beauty Recipe!

Frankie says RELAX!

According to a bunch of scientific studies we are more stressed today than we were 20 years ago.  You would think that with all the technology and its capabilities, we would be more relaxed as things that used to be done manually are done by a computer now.  But alas, our fingers are tired from tweeting, our eyes exhausted from skyping, our arms are fatigued from taking pictures of ourselves from our reverse cameras.  

Its a hard life now, so hard that in my most recent job interview the employer asked me: "And how do you relieve stress?"  The first thing that came to mind was "Umm well I like to eat my feelings in the way of something chocolate, then wash it down with wine"...but what I actually said was "I work out, exercise and physical activity are really important to me."  And it is! but sometimes its a toss up between the two since I am a big believer that good food cures many emotions and that is just a fact of life.  But having been a ballet dancer for 16 years, physical activity does play a big role in my life, especially when I'm stressed.

Along with the health benefits of exercise, working out (in any way) boosts the happy hormones, the sexy hormones (wink,wink) and gives you an overall glow that even a triple chocolate brownie cant bring about.  And while I am also a huge believer in retail therapy, shopping for a new purse or shoes always puts me in a good mood, exercising is free and that makes it the most economical stress reliever to date!

So weather you are weight lifting, going for a jog, pole dancing or dancing in any way, channeling you inner yogi and taking up a yoga class, getting up and being active can relieve you in a way you never imagined.  The key thing I try to remember is to not make it a chore and although I am guilty of having the feeling of dragging myself to the gym sometimes, the feeling I get after is well worth it. 

Here are some facts you may not have known, about the benefits of staying physically active:

1) Of course I know you know exercise controls weight, but in keeping with my bluntly honest approach on how I overcome stress, if you want to reach for that triple chocolate brownie, how about walk the stairs at work instead of ride the elevator? a nice trade up wouldn't you say?

2) Exercise is a non medicinal way to decrease your risk for health problems, and remedy current ones.  Physical activity is one of the first things I would tell someone to do if they have high cholesterol, it increases the good cholesterol (HDL) and decreases unhealthy triglycerides.  Exercising is also a way of decreasing risk for other ailments such as heart disease and diabetes.

3)  It actually increases your energy levels.  Don't get me wrong, I'm not the girl who works out at the beginning of my day before work, but if you are, more power to you.  But you will realize that the more regular you exercise, the more oxygen and nutrients are delivered to your tissues thus increasing your energy levels to get through your day.

4)  Most importantly, exercise makes "Sexy Time" fun!  Working out releases endorphins, the same ones that chocolate can induce which makes you more than willing to jump in the sack (or wherever sexy time happens) and have more calorie burning fun!  Of course after working out you will also feel better about your body and this will help you let go of your inhibitions.

So what are you waiting for? Thank you for reading my blog, but go out and get your sweat on, because the best Beauty Recipe I have is to work it out!  Let your stress melt away, jam to some amazing tunes and just make sure you have fun doing it!  Need a good tune to jam to while sweating it out? Listen to this song Ive attached its on my current playlist!

Product Push: BB Baby!

I was on a mission, after a terrible breakout from a foundation I was using, (brandname to be undisclosed, becuase its good, just not for everyday), my skin was in desperate need of repair.
Aside from my normal regime of exfoliating and at home masks (see previous blog for that), I needed one more addition to my makeup bag.  Enter Garnier BB cream.
This miracle cream boasts to do 5 thinks at once including acting as a primer and a sunscreen, evening out skintone, color correcting and hiding imperfections/dark spots.  I personally noticed that even when the stuff wasnt on my face, my skin was clearer, smoother and brighter! I swear!

I must put a disclaimer here that this cream is definately not a product I would recommend to those with Oily skin types, as it can be kind of greasy itslef.  I have combination skin, so it works fine for me, but if you want your makeup to have that matte look, this is not the product for you.  Think more along the lines of obtaining a Jennifer Lopez-esq glow, with more of a dewy finish.  You can set your BB cream with a light powder, Im using Mineralize Skin Finish  by MAC to finish off my look, but you can choose any powder you like, or wear it on its own!

Garnier brand makes 2 colors: Light and Medium-Dark.  If you use MAC makeup and your color ranges from NC-30 to NC-45, the Medium-Dark is for you!  It lets your tan show through also, so perfect for summer or vacations that include tanning weather.  It does come off super easily, water alone, so its not waterproof at all, again it acts like a face cream, so think about what happens after you lotion up then shower right away, same thing with this BB cream. 

I didnt want to splurge on this item (Note here: I got a 2 pack from Costco for half the price of one at the drugstore), but there are more high end items, or other drugstore brands that have jumped on the BB bandwagon, those such brands are Loreal, Lancome, Bobbi Brown (a splurge I would like to try), Maybeline, just to name a few. 

So all in all BB cream has been my go to cosmetic this summer, and probably will stick with me through the fall and I will pop one into my makeup kit for clients, thats how much I love it! Garnier had a great Beauty Recipe, Im glad I tried it!

Dear Food Diary...

It has been a month since my last entry “Ode to my Elastic Waste Pants” and I am excited to say that I have put on jeans since then, a few times actually, and made it through the full day without being uncomfortable! 

The vitamins with chromium and green tea, boasted to help digest and burn calories from carbohydrates protein and fat did not have an effect on me and are so big they make me gag! I will continue to take them, but only because they’re a multivitamin.

I know that when I work, I am usually in no mood to schlep myself to the gym, so with the weather getting better, on my breaks at work, I walk around my building, its about a 15-20 minute walk, and I feel great! (elastic waste pants are still my friend though)

You Gotta See it to Believe It!

And now that I have a wedding to attend in June my sister has asked me to join her (she yelled at me and whined until I surrendered) into logging my food.  The old adage “You Gotta See it to Believe it” rings very true, and I have known this for years, teach it to patients and clients (but no I don’t listen to myself).  Keeping a food log or diary is a great way to get on track with healthy eating. 

The act of writing down what you eat when you eat it (or even before you do) makes you more responsible of what you shove in your pie hole!

Like a majority of others, I am a visual learner, and I respond well to visual cues.  A food diary is just that.  You see what you have eaten or what you are planning to eat, and it’s like that food item you just wrote down (Cheese Doritos-55 chips), comes out and slaps you in the face “did I really eat all of those chips”?  may be your first reaction (mine is: “how and why did you count each individual chip?”), but never the less, it makes you aware.  That’s the key word here: being AWARE. Not mindless munching, chatty crunching, daily dipping.  Although it may seem tedious at first, logging your food does eventually lead straight to success.  Another thing I noticed is that my daily food habits have become more routine and consistent.  I more or less eat the same thing every day, and the electronic food diary I use gives me the total calories and therefore I know how many calories I am eating all day.  Again, I am more aware. 

The software I use is called “MyFitness Pal” and its also an app for your phone! You can log in your weight, goal weight and obtain a estimated amount of how much calories you should consume to reach your goal weight.  You can also track exercises.  Ask you friends to join with you for encouragement (don’t be like me and try to sabotage your brother in law and sister who already lost 5+ pounds, gross: I told them I ate my weight in chips, followed by cheapo wine and candy when really I just at carrots)

While you will have to pry the food I love out of my cold dead hands because I will never give them up, I know that I have to start being smart about my choices so that I feel beautiful inside and out. I also want my cute pair of white jeans to fit me in the right places, but regardless, there you have my second Beauty Recipe for shedding some pounds and retiring your (my) elastic waste pants. 

Natural Remedies Please!

“Hi, my name is Rain, and I make my own soap.”

The first thing that comes to mind when I hear the words “natural remedies” is the image of a hippie chick with grass skirts and hemp clothing, she eats barley for dinner and in fact makes her own soap, paper, shoes…you name it.

But I do not like to scoff at natural or naturopathic remedies, because some actually do work. 

One of the ones I swear by is the use of fennel.  I have a super sensitive stomach, anything can trigger a stomach ache, bad food, good food, fried food, alcohol, and the list goes on.  But from a young age, my mom would always give me fennel seeds to sooth any belly aches.

Delving deeper, fennel is what I would call a super plant.  It is not only used as a vegetable, but as a spice and herb!  The bulb that grows in the ground is the vegetable, often used in soups and stews, the sprouts are the herb and the seeds are the spice.  The seeds are what I consume to ease stomach pains, but not only are they great for indigestion they also help with menstrual cramps. 

To take the seeds to another level, their healing properties have been seen to have an effect on colitis (inflamed large intestine), heart disease and high blood pressure.  One study discovered the seeds to have brain boosting effects, making them great for those people with memory loss (even dementia and Alzheimer’s).

3 Easy ways to incorporate fennel into you diet:

1) Add a pinch of seeds to you cup of tea.  This is one of my ingredients when I make chai.

2) Use the seeds as one of your spices when cooking curries

3) The fennel herb is mild enough to pair with salmon (poach it in the oven with a bit of lemon, salt and pepper)

A natural Beauty Recipe indeed!

Ahh...Just Put Some Windex On It!

To my utter mortification, I saw my uncle massage his sore calf with WD40, for those of you who don't know, thats grease used for squeaky hinges, mostly on cars!  His reasoning, it contains fish oil, which is an ancient remedy for sore muscles..."Sure thing uncle!"  was all I could say, but that got me thinking of the weird home remedies I do (in the privacy of my own home, when there is NOBODY looking)

First off, I'd like to say that I'm not weird in any sense of the word, as home remedies is what started the beauty industry in the first place. 

Here are my Top 5 home made Beauty Recipes that work!

1) Dry up pimples with Milk of Magnesia or crushed up uncoated aspirin tablets mixed with enough water to form a paste.  Aspirin aka acetysylic acid is similar in composition to the famous acne fighter salycylic acid (notice the similarities in the names, your a pro at organic chemistry now!) so fight acne back!

2) Honey is your new best friend, use as a moisturiser or as a antibacterial agent to fight against inflamed blemishes.  Honey Firming Face Mask: 1tbsp honey, 1 egg white, 1 tbsp glycerine, 1/4 cup flour, mix to form a paste, slather on face and throat, leave for 10 mins...Enjoy!

3) A&D baby cream is my go to product ALWAYS for scars, scabs, dry or chapped skin, its a universal cream, (smells like babies bottom, but works!)

4) Olive oil massaged into the scalp and combed through to the ends acts as a great conditioner for dry, damaged hair.  Once the oil is in the hair, wrap a warm towel (warm it by running it through the dryer, or stick it in the oven for a minute on low-be careful), for 30 mins.  Shampoo your hair, take extra care to wash out all the oil.  Lustrous locks await you, for more info read my blog "Lustrous Locks"

5)  Milk has been used for centuries for its healing and soothing properties.  Cleopatra would soak herself in a milk bath to maintain soft and supple skin.  Milk contains high quantities of Vitamin A, D and E act as anti inflammatory agents, and the lactic acid in milk is a great exfoliant.  I use it in my nail soak-find the recipe for this on my blog "Dare to go Bare"

Ode to My Elastic Waste Pants

“I am going to die in elastic waste pants!”

This is my rant of sorts where I have just realized that every pair of pants that I am wearing right now has an elastic waste.  I don’t now if this is a habit adapted by the culture of the City of Vancouver (long live the yoga pant), or the fact that when I do decide to be daring and put on pants with a zipper or buttons (what most people call “regular pants”) I feel like a stuffed sausage and cant wait to take them off!

I am not complaining nor am I saying I am fat (well 5 lbs over my normal weight thanks to the long winter here in Vancouver and my love affair with gummies, chips and good food).  If you look at me I am a petite girl all of 5 feet tall and about 110 lbs (notice I said about, I like to round down).  But lately it has alarmed me that none of my pants that aren’t elastic waste fit comfortably, ie: I am getting that uncomfy line around my midsection (to me it’s a beacon claiming that I simply must not wear these pants). But rather than this being an obsession with weight or fashion for that matter, this is me being extremely frugal and not wanting to go out and buy a pair of pants that actually fit!

So yes, as a nutrition and healthcare professional I have to admit to you that I have gone over to the “D” side a few times, and this is one of them (not the Dark side as some of you may think, but the Diet side, which is far scarier, but I like to think I am just on the perimeter of a full blow diet).  Because I am a 25 year old woman first, and body image is something that creeps up on all of us once in a while so give me a break!

This is one of the times where I feel that simply “eating right and exercising” is not going to cut it.  And we all know I am NOT going to go on a diet.  So follow me on my journey while I test out a few products that may help my weight loss (or I will call it “My Plan to Fit Into My Pants Plan”).  These will be products or foods that may aid, enhance or better my well being so that I can fit into my pants again.

First product that I am trying is a multivitamin that contains chromium and green tea.  Chromium is a mineral that our body does not produce but is essential in metabolizing fats and carbohydrates (this will give me the boost I need to jump start my weight loss).  Chromium is usually obtained through a normal balanced diet, and we need 25 micrograms a day.  Green tea is a powerful antioxidant, contains caffeine in its natural form (so that’s going to give me energy to work out after work right?).  Green tea contains a polyphenol EGCG, a fancy word for a compound that has anticancer and metabolism boosting properties (fingers crossed). And did I mention it’s a multivitamin? So I’m doing my body good.  Notice that I am not taking anything that I don’t need (ex: whey protein, weird powder milkshake drinks, pump juice, etc.), this is just my regular routing of eating right (cutting out unnecessary calories, sorry potato chips, you are the first to go) but adding a little natural boost.

Ok so today is April 13, 2012, day one, took my first pill (since it has caffeine one should take it first thing in the morning, you don’t want an unnecessary buzz at 9 at night on a school night right?).  Stay tuned, this may be a Beauty Recipe from the “D” Side!

This Food, That Look

Look 2: Pink Kiss

Pink lips are often thought to be quite retro.  But while you may not wear the pastel pinks inspired by Snooki from the Jersey Shore, or the frosted lipsticks from your mother’s 1970’s yearbook, pink lips can be a fun shade to try out, especially with the warmer seasons coming up!

I love pink it’s my favorite color, so naturally with my favorite color comes my favorite food, Cake!  Coconut Cake that is.  I love making this cake for all occasions.  Sometimes I will make it into cupcakes (you just need to adjust the baking time).  And the cream cheese frosting is to die for!

Get the Food:

Cake:

• 3/4 pound unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 2 cups sugar
• 5 extra-large eggs, at room temperature
• 1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 teaspoons coconut extract
• 3 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting the pans
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 cup milk
• 4 oz sweetened shredded coconut

For the frosting:

• 1 pound cream cheese, at room temperature
• 1/2 pound (2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 3/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1 pound confectioners' sugar, sifted
• 6 ounces sweetened shredded coconut

Then:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease 2 (9-inch) round cake pans, line with parchment paper. Grease them again and dust lightly with flour.

In the bowl, cream the butter and sugar until light yellow and fluffy. With the mixer on medium speed, add the eggs 1 at a time, scraping down the bowl once during mixing. Add vanilla and coconut extracts, mix well. The mixture might look curdled; don't worry!
In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. With the mixer on low speed, alternately add the dry ingredients and milk to the batter in 3 parts, beginning and ending with dry ingredients. Mix until just combined. Fold in the 4 ounces of coconut with a rubber spatula.
Pour the batter evenly into the 2 pans and smooth the top with a knife. Bake in the center of the oven for 45 to 55 minutes, until the tops are browned and a cake tester comes out clean. Cool on a baking rack for 30 minutes, then turn the cakes out onto a baking rack to finish cooling.
For the frosting, with an electric mixer, combine the cream cheese, butter, vanilla on low speed. Add the confectioners' sugar and mix until smooth (don't whip!).

To assemble, place 1 layer on a flat serving plate, top side down, and spread with frosting. Place the second layer on top, top side up, and frost the top and sides. To decorate: sprinkle the top with coconut and lightly press more coconut onto the sides. Serve at room temperature.

Get the Look:

I go for more coral pinks, or a berry type stain, this just matches my complexion.  If you are not sure which pink is for you, here is a super cool quiz to find just the right shade and product recommendations!  Dior Addict Ultra Gloss in “Fuchsia Poplin” is a splurge, L’oreal Le Gloss in “Nude Touch” is a steal!

http://www.totalbeauty.com/content/quizzes/q_pink_lips

I personally think that pink lips are the most flattering when they have sheen to them.  So I suggest opting for a cream or gloss finish, rather than a frosted or matte finish. 

Product Push: Your Gym Look

Don’t judge me when I say, I am the girl that wears makeup to the gym; although, I wouldn’t necessarily call it makeup, but rather “product”.  And OK, yes, most people don’t.  But trust me I have seen false lashes, hot pink lipstick and hair extensions at my gym, so I am modest in comparison.

My sister and I both feel that looking good when you go to the gym makes you feel great when you work out (that includes a cute outfit and a colored headband.  Not the 80’s style is swear!).  I am not talking heavy makeup here ladies, but mere products that work double duty and give you that fresh clean face.  Usually I’m also going other places before or after the gym (that’s my defense for wearing makeup when I workout and I’m sticking to it!)

Product 1: Tinted Moisturizer

                        -Its great because it evens out your skin tone, and if you are doing outdoor activities, it works double duty, since most tinted moisturizers have SPF in them.  My favorite is Laura Mercier in “Neutral”, its light and really does match most skin tones.

Product 2: Mascara

                        -Contrary to what you might think, I do not like wearing waterproof mascara to the gym because, well, as soon as I get home I jump in the shower and I like the makeup removal to be even easier than its application.  Unless you are gearing up for some intense cardio kickbox class and are planning on sweating buckets, stick to a light non waterproof mascara formula.  I like Revlon “Grow Luscious Mascara” (its supposed to improve you lash growth) or Bare Escentuals makes a good one too

Product 3: Tinted Lip Balm

                        -If you have read my previous Product Push: Perfect Your Pucker blog, you know that I love Nivea Lip balm and their “Fruity Shine” in strawberry is my favorite!

Product 4: A touch of Blush

                        -A little cheek color is not essential, since you will probably produce this on your own when you work out, but a little hint of color is always nice.  I like Nars Illuminator in “Orgasm” or just your regular blusher, just go really light on the application!

A finishing touch for me and a gym essential is a great headband. I don't like fussing with my hair, it'll be in a bun at the top of my head with a Goody "Stay Put" Headband (does that sound hot or what?)  

So, see, I told you that its not excessive, but I still think that if you look good, you feel good and that makes me want to work out, and that’s my Beauty Recipe for the gym!

This Food That Look 1

Sometimes I just cannot stop thinking about food.  I also am a bit of a beauty whore, where anything from magazine covers, makeup commercials or even beauty testers at the department store get me excited.  (My boyfriend hates going shopping with me because I make him hang out at the perfume counter while I test lip glosses!)

So for me, pairing food with your beauty look seems like a natural progression, just like pairing wine with your food (more on that in the next blog).

So I thought, why not have my favorite looks, and pair it with what I feel like eating when I wear that look? 

Stay with me, I'm all about the visual effect here, so you will totally get it!

Look 1:  Red Lip

Why not pair a bold red lip with chocolate covered strawberries? or juicy fresh raspberries with white chocolate drizzle.  I asked around, when men see a woman with bold red lips they think of pretty sensual images.  One that comes to mind is eating juice red fruit, because well, why not draw attention to that perfectly painted pucker??

How to get the Food:

1/2 cup semi sweet chocolate chips

3 tbsp. heavy cream

12 long stem strawberries (pick the best ones of the batch!)

A partner or lover to watch you eat them perhaps? (this ingredient cannot be found in the baking isle of your supermarket, sorry)

Melt the chocolate and heavy cream together in a bowl set over simmering water until just melted.  Remove from heat.  Dip each strawberry in chocolate, set on parchment paper on a flat surface to dry.  Speed up drying time by putting them in the fridge.  Can do this with cherries or any other fresh fruit that may be in season!

(recipe courtesy of Ina Garten-my idol)

How to get the Look:

Pick a shade of red that goes with your skin tone.  Yes there are an array of reds, so test them out before you purchase.  A universal red is Revlon's "Fire Engine Red", but if you have a darker skin tone, this may not look right on you.  I use Sephora Rouge "The Red", I love its creamy feel! Pat your lips with foundation powder to avoid bleeding and to make the red last longer. You can line your lips if you choose to as well.  Clean up errors with concealer, this will make the color pop even more!

So, You Wanna Try Pole Dancing??

"Its a Bird, Its a Plane, no that's just one hot pole dancer!"

If you have ever seen a dancer displaying acrobatic moves on a pole, your first reaction was most likely some variation of "WOAH!", and if you're at all like me, you may have secretly thought "I wanna try that too!!!"

Well, the secrets out, because there are a lot of women out there that have turned to pole dancing as a method of exercise.  My first experience with pole dancing was after I saw a pole dancer at an exotic club.  Coming from a dance background (ballet for 12 years) I automatically saw the art and skill in it (yes I realize she was barely clothed, but you don't notice after a while I swear!).  So I went home and did some research on pole dancing, and found an amazing pole dancing studio in Vancouver called Tantra Fitness.

Tantra Fitness' mission statement is what spoke to me "...to create an open space for women to be playful and courageous while discovering their inner beauty through fitness and dance." How could I resist trying it out?  So after reading testimonials and most importantly what you are supposed to wear (regular exercise gear is recommended) I made my way to Tantra Fitness.  After entering the studio, a great space in downtown Vancouver, with its soft lighting, pink walls and friendly receptionist, I felt more at ease.  Tantra Fitness is an all women studio, and let me tell you, all the women there are the friendliest ones you'll meet! (Im not lying! Maybe its because we are all there for the same reasons: A lot of us were so tired of going to the gym with its monotonous workouts, weightlifting, running on the hamster wheel, but we all really wanted to do something active but fun at the same time.  They're all so supportive, especially the instructors, its like going to dance class with girlfriends!). 

Because I was a little nervous at first to go into a foreign studio and register for a pole dancing class, I started out with a lower key class called "Sexy Flexy" which focuses on strength and flexibility.  But after that first class I was hooked.  I dragged my sister along for Pole 101 (the first level) and we loved it, if not a little dizzy at first. Tammy, owner of Tantra and an amazingly talented instructor, led us through spins and basic pole moves that made me want to return the next week and the next to try out all the classes Tantra had to offer. 

With its mixture of high impact cardio classes such as Cardio Striptease or any of the Pole Dance classes (each level gets more intense), it gave me a great variety to choose from, depending on what I wanted to work on.  In no time I noticed a difference in the way my muscles were developing.  I can now go upside down on a pole and do some pretty acrobatic things I never imagined (and it feels pretty darn good!)

It was four years ago that I found this gem of a studio, and it has been amazing.  It mixes up my regular work outs and bonus, it incorporates my favorites, dancing and fitness.  Throw in some poles, high heels (optional) and hot pink (almost everything at Tantra is hot pink, love that!), it is an ideal haven for me to stay in shape, have fun and feel beautiful, how can you ask for more!?  That's my kind of Beauty Recipe!

Your Dose of "D"

"Whats the Recommended Allowance for Vitamin D, I take 1000 IU, but why not 10, 000!?"

2 things freaked me out about this text I got, 1) its a text from my mom, so I guess moms are texting now? and 2) 10, 000 IU for Vitamin D, anything that high freaks me out (almost as much as parents texting or facebooking!).  So with that I knew that I need to shed some light on the powerful Vitamin!

Here are your Vitamin D Facts:

-Its the only vitamin our body can make on its own with the help of sunlight

-The recommended daily allowance: 400 IU (international units).  If you ar over the age of 50, you need to be taking a Vitamin D supplement that contains at least that much.  Going higher than 1000 IU can cause adverse effects

-the two forms of Vitamin D that are important for humans are D2 (made by plants) & D3 (made by humans when skin is exposed to UVB rays from sunlight)

-Many foods such as milk are fortified so you can get your source this way too

-It maintains healthy blood levels of calcium &phosphorus, which are essential to bone health, you will often see Vitamin D paired with Calcium in supplements as it aids in calcium's absorption

-It is also beneficial in preventing arthritis, osteoporosis, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and the flu (all things that make us feel less than beautiful)

-It is also said to be a powerful antioxidant and can prevent certain cancers

So How do you get your Dose of D?

Option 1:

Sunlight is your first natural source, but since Vancouver is a city known more for its torrential rains, Vitamin D can be hard to come by if you think you can get it from the sun alone (you would actually need to stand outside naked for a full day to try to reach/exceed the recommended intake. Although this may fly in Vancouver, they might just think you're protesting the loss of the penny, its not something I recommend)

 Say hello to Option 2:

Food! Fortified foods such as milk, soy products (read the labels), orange juice, Salmon, tuna, egg yolks and if you can stomach it, cod liver oil. 

Interesting food facts:

-4 cups of fortified milk = 100% daily requirement of D

-3.5 oz salmon = 90%

-3 oz can tuna in oil = 50%

-your friend and mine, 1 tbsp cod liver oil = 350% of your daily does of D

So its your choice, but make sure you're getting your dose, sometimes our beauty comes from knowing we are doing right by our bodies, and that's my Beauty Recipe!

Dare to go Bare

While I have always wanted to be one of those ladies with a perfect French manicure all the time, my job at the hospital prohibits me from doing so. Instead, my precious tips encounter almost hourly hand washing with skin drying soap or endure the alcoholic sting of hand sanitizer. So alas, I have decided that I can be the girl with perfectly healthy nails au natural!
Going nude with your nails may help you to uncover many unknown things about what’s going on with your body. Just like our skin, nails are our body’s natural barometer of deficiencies we may have.
Deliciously healthy nails are somewhat smooth (slight vertical ridges are normal) and have a pinkish nail bed (this is indicative of healthy blood flow and a healthy heart!). But if you decide to swipe off that $35+ manicure to go bare and notice some abnormalities, your diet may be to blame.

Some examples of nail abnormalities are: 

-Spoon shaped nails (indicative or Iron deficiency)
-White Spots (vitamin and mineral deficiency ex. Zinc)
-Thin Nails (vitamin B12 deficiency)
-Horizontal Ridges (physical or mental stress)
-Discoloration (well, give your nails a rest from those crazy colors for at least a week, then see if the color came from you “Fire Engine Red” polish. Otherwise speak to your doctore, as discoloration can be from other health problems)
Nails are made up of the protein Keratin, so foods high in protein such as legumes, nuts, meats and fish may help you whip your tips into shape! Also, foods high in calcium like dairy products and green leafy vegetables might be just the ticket to strong, healthy nails! And while I don’t like to endorse supplement use, a good multivitamin, especially if your 50+years of age may be a good option for you!
So I dare you to go bare with your nails and become in tune with your bodies nutritional needs! That’s my Beauty Recipe!

Diet, Detox..umm.. Lets just eat cake!

A topic I encounter a lot and a word that is in style lately is “detox” and “cleanse”. And while lately my body has been feeling a little “ick” on the inside, I don’t know if I could forgo my normal food (normal in this case means actually being able to chew my food) for an all juice diet. After a bit of research and speaking to fellow colleagues, the detox path is one that is not very pleasant and in fact quite difficult to maintain. A common thread with all these diets is to blenderize all the recommended foods into a slurry and chug it back in lieu of a regular diet for 3-10 days. Most of the ingredients in a detoxes are green leafy veggies, berries, apples or any fruit of vegetable you can jam into your blender.
Reading about these detox diets just made me crave a slab of frosted chocolate cake even more, so I know that I would not last past the first 3 hours let alone days of a detox! But this is not to say that the idea of a detox is all too terrible. Take away the blender, and you basically have what a healthy diet consists of on a regular basis. Fruits, veggies, water…so we are blending them up because….?we are to lazy to chew? I think not!
So my conclusion is to consciously make an effort to consume fibre rich foods such as whole grains, legumes, “leafies” as I like to call them, and maybe I will blend my fruits add some probiotic yogurt and make a delicious smoothie, and that’s as close as I will get to a detox. I will try to avoid processed and refined carbs, but who are we kidding, I have a love affair with them that cant be broken! So there you have it, “Alyssa Elle’s not so much Detox”, and that’s my Beauty Recipe!
Tell me, have you ever tried a cleanse or detox, what are your thoughts?

Sparkling Eyes Part 1

Ever heard “The eyes are the window to the soul”? What if they're red? Its not a nice window then right? How do supermodels have such bright and white eyes? The scientific term for this part of the eye is called the ...“sclera”. There have been studies to show that the whiter your sclera is, the more you are perceived to be healthy and youthful.
Most people can encounter bloodshot eyes, which is inflammation of the tiny blood vessels that will surface on your sclera. Not to be alarmed if this happens as it usually clears on its own, but what are the causes? redness can be accounted for alot of things: fatigue, allergies, a cold, excessive cosmetic use, smoking or improper diet.
So, do you want to know how to get the whites whiter?
Well you can begin by doing just the opposite of the causes of the redness: try to improve your sleep patterns, clear your allergies, remove your makeup before sleeping, try to cut back on the cigarettes...but I will focus on diet choices to make to clear out the red has that has attacked your eyes!

An oldie but a goodie: 8-10 glasses of water a day is the best way to flush out toxins. Boring tip, and often difficult to do but there is a loop hole. If you are able to get your hands on foods with high water content ex) celery, watermelon, cucumbers....this can add to you daily water intake and have the added benefit of the nutrients and fibre from a whole fruit! Being that we live in Canada, I want you to keep in mind that the best thing for you body is to eat fruits and veggies that are in season. Your body responds better when you accommodate the weather and temperature outside. It doesn't like it when you keep feeding it pineapple in the dead of winter!
To combat lack of sleep, delve deeper into your lifestyle habits that are keeping you from getting the recommended hours of sleep so that you can A) Function better and 2) have the clear bright eyes you desire!

Ask yourself:

-What do you eat throughout the day, are they good choices? Are you eating later that 8pm?(your body wont let you sleep until ~4 hours after you eat a big meal FYI) whats the last thing you eat before bed?

-highly processed foods have a high content of sodium, and this can lead to later health problems and can really show in your eyes, high blood pressure --> ruptured blood vessels in the sclera 

-Embarrassing question but umm...how regular are you?(a huge indicator of your diet and how your body is responding (its the first question I ask my patients). Regular means every day/every other day. Not regular? your fibre intake is low (<30 g a day), you are not well on the inside, or you are not consuming enough water and water containing foods

-FIBRE IS YOUR FRIEND: it binds to toxins that need be eliminated, keeps you regular, fills you up for longer periods of time (so you don't snack), lowers blood sugar and pressure

So to wrap up, Sleep, Eat Well, Drink Water, Fibre is your Friend...That's my (easy) Beauty Recipe!

Product Push: Perfect Your Pucker!

While normally I like to give advice on what to eat to make you look and feel beautiful, I thought maybe I would mix it up and give you a break from the food, and get you informed of some beauty products ...I love! 

First up, for lips, it’s that time of year when lips can be dry and cracked, less than lustrous for when you slick on your gloss or attempt a bold red lip. Here are some tips to treat your lips to: 

Tip 1) brush your lips (yes that’s right), after you have brushed your teeth, rinse off the toothpaste and give your lips a good scrub (you can use a wash cloth too if you want) it’s a great way to exfoliate 

Tip 2) when you exfoliate your face, include your lips to. Since the age of 15 I have been using St Ives Apricot Scrub (it is the best and inexpensive too!) circular motions all of your face and lips will remove peeling skin, and buff your lips to perfection 

Tip 3) a good lip balm with SPF (Vaseline is not a good choice, it can actually dry your lips out, hence the name “petroleum jelly”) I love Nivea lip balms, they’re so creamy! 

Tip 4) Dry, white or chapped lips are a telltale sign of dehydration, so drink water, you know the drill! 

Tip 5) Pick a hydrating tint for your lips, some glosses peel your lips more than others…Loreal Color Juice is my pick, for a splurge: Lancome Juicy Tubes are great! Give a rest to the matte lipsticks for a while, some can be dehydrating, and you want a luscious pout right? 

So there you have it my first “Product Push” Beauty Recipe!

Getting into the Beauty Industry

My Experience with the Ash Kumar Academy, And Then Some.....

I love all things girly, pretty and fashionable, makeup is my vice, but registering with the AK Academy Hair, Makeup, Styling and Henna courses was the first official step I had taken to pursue my passion (buying a copy of Vogue magazine doesn't count). A snap decision that has proven to be a great one!

Cut to day one of the course, I was amongst other aspiring or already established artists, waiting to meet the world renowned Mr. Ash Kumar. After intros he utters the words “I love my job” repeated 3 times. “Gee, I hope I can say this when I'm finished the courses” I think to myself.

Week one was a blur of makeup, brushes, colour, styling, the words “Lakme Fashion Week” is uttered several times (I Googled a lot during the course). “Blend, Blend is your friend” is also a phrase that has been instilled into my very core. My educator B is my makeup mentor!

Week two is a serene setup with the scent of henna and vanilla candles in the air, with the most peaceful music I have ever heard playing in the background. I am taught by Mr. Kumar himself, all the history, tips, techniques and tricks of the trade from one of the best in the art of henna. In between lessons, yes lessons, with notes and a white board and everything, we practice with a henna cone on paper, free flowing designs or techniques we have learned, and I am in love! Breaking up the serene peaceful ambiance, Mr. Kumar offers comedic relief with stories of his quirky clients and his adventures when traveling to different destinations to do henna or teach.

And after an intense two weeks packed with 10 hour days, I had completed all the AK courses and what a rewarding and enriching experience they were, skills that will be with me for life.

Graduated and certified, now what? My one to one business meeting with Mr. Kumar, that's what! And after that, I walked away excited, amazed and prepared with an actual business plan, to launch myself onto this new world of beauty, that incorporates my passions, personality and skills.

The AK team has provided me with many amazing opportunities. Recently I was able to assist with the Hair, Makeup and Styling course in Vancouver, BC. An honor in itself, I feel that in every endeavor I incur in the beauty industry, the AK team is behind me.

It has now been just over 3 months since graduating, and as I look back I am actually quite proud of what I accomplished, the memories I made with the AK team and the fellow students I met. I am in the world of beauty as a business woman, and windows are opening for me. No longer am I on the outside looking in. I am a part of a fun and exciting industry and in addition to this a new attitude has also come along after my experience, and that is: “Say Yes!” To any opportunity that will push you, challenge you, benefit you, (make you money is a big bonus), and get you out there doing something amazing, just say YES!

I said “Yes” and registered with the AK academy and here I am telling you my story, and fingers crossed, amazing opportunities are in my horizon.

Lustrous Locks

Lustrous Locks

“Rupunzel, Rupunzel let down your hair”. While long locks are not for everyone, a healthy shiny mane is a definite must to look and feel beautiful. Dry, damaged, thinning, are all indicators that something is askew inside ...our body. We may all long to look like the models on the shampoo commercial, but this image is probably one that is the most attainable with a proper diet!

Here is what you know:
Hair is protein, and the length of it is dead protein. But the scalp and the root are what will decide weather you have flowing locks like our fairy tale princess Rupunzel, or whether you should throw in the towel and pull a Britney Spears (shave it all off!) But no need to go so drastic, here is your cure!
Top 5 Hair Friendly Foods/vitamins/minerals:
1) Omega-3 fatty acid- Salmon is not only high in this wondrous fatty acid, it is also a great source of protein, vitamin B12 and iron. Certain nuts such as walnuts and ground flax are great vegetarian alternatives packed with omega 3’s. A deficiency in this fatty acid can lead to dry brittle hair and poor scalp health. Sprinkle a pinch of flax onto your cereal, you won’t even taste it!
2) Vitamin A and C: Dark green leafy veggies, such as spinach, bock choy or broccoli, are great sources of these vitamins which are essential in producing sebum, the natural oils for your scalp, a built in conditioner for your hair! These dark veggies are also high in iron and zinc! Take that “Argan Oil”!
3) Zinc: shedding hair is connected to zinc deficiency. Pecans, cashews and almonds are great sources of zinc. Many of our favorite cereals and breads are fortified with zinc, and that’s another reason to eat breakfast! Oysters are also high in zinc, but if you can stomach those buggers, beef and lamb are also adequate sources.
4) Protein: This is a pretty broad food group, but you need to make sure you are getting the right proteins. Certain foods may contain protein, but are not adequate sources. Milk has protein, but a few ounces of red meat will do you better in terms of available protein for your body to use. Protein deficiency leads to dry brittle hair, and loss of your natural hair color. One serving of protein should be 6-8grams, check your labels! Vegetarian? Legumes should be your new best friend for protein!
5) Vitamin A: Carrots are not only good for your eyes and skin; they are also great for healthy shiny hair. Vitamin A promotes a healthy scalp which = healthy hair! Other orange/yellow veggies such as peppers and sweet potatoes have vitamin A too. Your green leafies will provide you with this vitamin along with eggs and fortified cereals, read the labels!