Fall and Different Wellness Modalities

 

 

fall alandscape 10-3-14Hello and welcome again to our blog, thank you for your visit and time we appreciate it. It is what keeps us going. This week 242  we are sharing information on how to prepare ourselves for fall so we can enjoy this time of the year in harmony with the earth and our wellness, according to Chinese medicine and with many other sciences like Ayurveda, the different seasons not only rule nature in its whole but rules our body and its wellness, I grew up in nature and with people that taught me how to be in harmony with this process, we ate what was seasonal and what grew in our immediate vicinity no imported foods and is a reason why nature does that, here in our research we are sharing what is the best ways according to Chinese medicine to stay in harmony and avoid disbalances in our body and mind and with that in our overall, enjoy and please share and like if you do, thank you again from all of us at Isabel’s Beauty Blog.

 

There is a slight nip in the air. The days are starting to get shorter and just as the squirrels have gotten down to the business of storing nuts for the winter. Fall is the beginning of the yin cycle when the daylight lasts less than twelve hours. It’s a time of harvest when we gather the colorful fruits and vegetables for winter storage. Pumpkins and squashes are our symbols of bounty. We also store wood for the fire and get out our warm clothes for the colder, darker days of winter.

Within the cosmology of Chinese medicine, human beings are regarded as microcosms of the natural universe. We are subject to the same cycles that occur in nature. Autumn follows on the tail of the harvest, signaling that it is time to prepare for winter. The sap of trees settles into the interior, sinking down toward the roots. With fall comes a sense of gathering in, stocking up, mingled with a sense of loss as the light begins to fade and the air chills. It is a time to eliminate what is unnecessary and become aware of what is essential.

The organ system that shares the power of this season is the Lung. Corresponding to the temperament of autumn, the Lung pulls in and refines the Qi, (energy) sending it downward to nourish our roots. Ruling the skin, the outer limit of the human body, the Lung protects against external invasion and safeguards internal resources. Since autumn is a dry season, we need to protect ourselves from cold air evaporation of moisture from our skin. Moistening, softening and nurturing foods for this time include white rice, white beans, pears, radishes, sea vegetables, potatoes, cabbage, turnips, and parsnips here if you notice the color of foods that nourishes the lung is white.

The fact that the lungs rule our skin is important for the people that notice great changes in their skin in fall, this season is we need to adjust  our skin nourishment to a creamier thicker product, I love Shea butter myself, I add essential oil of Sandalwood to it and maybe a drop of rose and make a fantastic protection to my skin.

The Lung is also responsible for our capacity to discern and discriminate, defining and refining our sense of what is right, morally and ethically. It is the Lung that nourishes our capacity to be analytic, critical, methodical, efficient and disciplined. Autumn reminds us that we reap what we have sown, that all of our actions have consequences interesting time for Karma. The clarity that comes with autumn enables us to distinguish between the things that contribute not only to our own well-being but also the benefit of others, reminding us that we live in an interdependent world.

 

Lung & Large Intestine Organ System

From: http://www.chineseherbsforyou.com/lung-diseases-chinese-medicine-s/6119.htm

The Protector

The Lung Organ System energy is descending and is associated with the distribution of Wei Qi outward to your muscles and skin in their nourishment and protection. It is associated with the emotions of grief and sadness, the element metal, the color of white or metal luster, the season of fall, bodily fluids that lubricate, the Wei Qi or immune protection and the Large Intestines. The Lung Organ System opens into the sinus and nasal passages and is directly related to respiratory and circulatory energy especially of water. The Lung Organ System is responsible for the mixing of air [Gong Qi] and food [Gu Qi] received by the Spleen creating Essential Zong Qi.

The Lung’s task is that of making a boundary between the inner and the outer world. The inner environment needs to be protected by a clear boundary which both defends and defines the person. Across this boundary, vital materials can be taken in and waste materials excreted. The most vital and obvious material that the Lung takes in is oxygen; but as we shall see, the Lung, in Chinese medicine, is more than the respiratory system. The Lung has to do with boundary, breath, and renewal.

The skin is like an outer lung and the pores are seen as the ‘doors of Qi’. The skin also breathes and exchanges substances with the outer environment. It’s healthy functioning is seen as an aspect of Lung function. Beneath the skin the protective energy known as Wei Qi is said to circulate, defending the body against invasion from pathogenic forces.

 

 

From: http://www.meridianpress.net/articles/thelung-chinesemedicine.html

The Lung’s paired Organ, the Colon, is concerned with release and elimination. The Lung and Colon together are related to immunity, the strength of the protective boundary. Pathogens most easily enter through the respiratory and digestive systems and the Lung and Colon are responsible for maintaining the integrity of these systems so that they are not penetrated by invaders. According to Chinese medicine, the body’s defensive energy is directly dependent on the strength of the Lung and Colon.Another organ that the Lung works with is the Spleen. After receiving food nutrients from the Spleen, the Lung mix them with the air you breath to create healthy QI. It then sends the healthy Qi to the rest of the Organs and throughout the entire body. The remaining impure Qi is expelled through the nose, your pores, and the large intestine.

When is Lung imbalance, it means your Lungs ability to distribute and regulate internal water flow by turning some of the Qi into moisture. After receiving nutrients from the Spleen , the Lungs transform this form of QI into a fine mist that permeates the body from head to toe, inward toward the center of your body and outward to the surface of your skin. It produces the soft, dewy, and lustrous appearance that your skin craves when this delicate balance is off, is like a plant without water.

 

lungs-in-a-blue-body

The Lung’s physical expression as the boundary between the organism and its environment is expressed at the psychological level as a sense of one’s personal boundary. A clear psychological boundary enables us to know who we are, to meet another and to establish the clear relationship. When the sense of boundary is strong we can receive experience through the boundary and communicate outwards through it; the boundary is flexible and responsive, opening to receive ‘good’ influences and closing to screen out ‘bad’ influences. It enables us to say ‘yes’ to what we want and ‘no’ to what we don’t want.

Whereas the Spleen is archetypally related to the mother, the Lung is archetypally related to the father. Traditionally it is the father who teaches a sense of self-value and helps us to leave home and find our place in the world. Good fathering teaches boundary, and helps with individuation and separation from the mother. The Lung is, therefore, concerned with feelings of self-esteem and respect for both ourselves and others. Knowing who we are, believing in our self-worth and taking our place in the world are all part of the realm of the Lung.

Finally, the Lung’s role as boundary-keeper may be metaphorically extended to the boundaries we keep in our own home. Well-maintained fences, sensible security, clean windows and a well-kept exterior are domestic expressions of Lung energy.

 

lung

Lung complementary organ : large Intestine

The lungs govern the desire for structure and boundaries, so a lung type’s personality is also well defined and structured. The lung types keep their emotions in check and they intellectualize their feelings, they usually contain and controlled.

Skin issues Nourish the Lungs

The role of the lung for healthy skin:

Healthy lungs are personified in glowing skin, due to Lung’s primary responsibility, which is to nourish and maintain healthy pore size, skin and proper breathing among many other roles.

Eastern medicine has an expansive concept of the role of the Lung. The belief is that the Lungs are responsible for all parts of the body that “Breath”. This includes the skin, the largest organ of the body, with pores that cover us from head to toe. Consequently, when the Lungs are healthy your skin is soft and dewy and your pore size is even.When the Lungs are weak, your skin changes texture and quality. I become thick or thin, dull or blemish, dry or oily.Damage to your Lungs can happen in many ways. Weather conditions, especially overexposure to wind, cold, and heat aside from pollution like cigarette smoke etc. Excessive sadness or grief,due to the combination of emotional turmoil and too many tears, affects the Lungs and it can have a profound impact on Lung types.
As with all organs, the imbalance of one organ can impact the Lungs. Spleen dampness or Kidney weakness are the conditions most likely to interfere with Lung Qi. by the same token,a weakness in theLungs can negatively impact the large intestine, wish is why Lung types are prone to bowel issues.
Wester medicine believe we are all born with a skin type – normal, oily, dry, a combination of oily and dry, or sensitive.that it  is yours for life and doesn’t change much. Eastern medicine sees it different. Chinese doctrine says we are all born with normal skin.When skin becomes oily, dry, or a combination of both, or is sensitive is not destiny or skin condition we just pick up, is most likely due to Lung Qi imbalance.
The skin, as part of the Lung system, can be nourished by rubbing with a good cotton towel or dry brushing these will help maintain the skin’s health and support the immune system. Wearing natural fibers will allow the skin to breathe freely; going naked from time to time when weather and circumstances allow will also help the skin to breathe. Moderate sunbathing will nourish the skin, although overexposure may be damaging.

Among the outside factors that affect Lung Qi environmental conditions, such as weather changes, pollution, excessive lifestyles, such as poor diet or too much drinking,fluctuating hormones, especially around menstruation.

Emotions

If you have gone through or are currently going through, a great deal of grief, sadness or loss and has not been able to “cut off” or resolve the connection you may have weakened Lung or Protective Wei Qi. Disharmonies associated with weak Lung Qi may appear as shortness of breath, chronic lung illnesses [or a chronically low general immune system] and a chronic cough. An important raw formula that helps in replenishing the Lung Qi Depletion would be the Immune & Energy Enhancement Formula.

Emotionally there is likely to be constraint and sadness, perhaps a hiding within one’s boundary. There may be the lack of self-esteem, harsh judgment of both self and others and failure to respect or understand one’s own and others’ boundaries. Dignity may turn to false pride, leaving a person feeling alone and separate. It may be hard to claim a place in the world.

Related Lung & Large Intestine Disharmonies

Research the below Disharmonies on our Chinese Medicine Search

• Chronic cough
• Spontaneous sweating
• Dry throat/nasal passage
• Mental and physical fatigue
• Low immune
• Unresolved sadness/grief
• Dry, flaking skin
• Shortness of breath
• Edema of the body and extremities [water retention]
• Night sweats
• Constipation
• Fungal skin problems

According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, our lungs are one of the most important parts of our body to protect when preventing a cold. They are considered the most superficial organ in the body and are thus most vulnerable to insult from the outside environment.

The lungs are thought to be most active in the fall, and also play a large part in our body’s defense systems. Nourishing the lungs by incorporating certain foods into your diet and avoiding others when you are sick may help you get over colds and flu faster – especially if infections tend to settle in your lungs.

The lungs control the circulation of an energy called Wei-Qi, (pronounced “way chee“) or defensive Qi, which is responsible for protection against infections like colds and flu. The defensive Qi travels throughout the body just under the skin surface, keeping you warm and preventing illness. Nourishing the lungs and Wei-Qi at this time of year may help you avoid colds and flu or bronchitis.

 

 

Foods that complement the Lung

white-foods

 

from: http://chinesemiracleherb.com/five-colors-that-nourish-five-organs/

White moistens lungs
Common white color foods include white beans, winter melon, pear, white radish, white fungus, lotus root, lily, wild rice, rice, tofu, cauliflower, bamboo shoots, yam, jicama and so on.

 

winter melon

 

 

white radish

 

pear

 

 

 

Foods that nourish Wei-Qi


One classic food to nourish the lungs are pear – also known as the singer’s fruit. Pears help to keep the lungs clear and moist, useful during a dry cough. Warm drinks help nourish the lungs – try a warming concoctions like shredded ginger root steeped into a tea sweetened with honey and a bit of lemon. Other warming foods for the lungs include onions, garlic, horseradish, radish, mustard, cabbage, and turnip. Many of these foods have a pungent quality that is thought to help protect the lungs.

Raw or lightly cooked is best, try including onion and garlic at the end of cooking a homemade soup. Eating veggies that are dark green or orange may offer protection to the lungs thanks to their high content of vitamin A. Other foods that help protect the lungs include carrots, broccoli, pumpkin and squash, kale, parsley, turnip and nettle tea. Marshmallow root tea and fenugreek are also excellent nourishing foods.

Unless you have wind cold in your Lungs, it is especially important to avoid foods and beverages that are drying and will rob your body of moisture, is best to avoid

Alcoholic beverages ( although cooking with wine is okay because it acts as a carrier to expedite the effects of other ingredients )

Coffee

Caffeinated drinks in general

Spicy foods

Cigarettes

Lung function Possible symptoms of imbalance
Govern Qi and respiration Congestion and pain along the respiratory systemShortness of breath, cough, dyspnoeaLack of vitality, tirednessWeak voice
Control dispersing and descending Water accumulation (edema) especially in upper body or under the skinThickening of fluids and accumulation of phlegmDryness in the skin or anywhere in the respiratory systemCough, breathlessness, oppression in the chestConstipation/ Urinary retention
Rule the Exterior of the body Allergic reactions (particularly respiratory and dermatological)Low immunity, tendency to catch coldsDry, rough skinSneezingItching and skin rashesNo sweating/spontaneous sweating
Open into the nose and manifest in the body hair Blocked nasal passages, sinus problemsImpaired sense of smellNose-bleedsImpaired thermo-regulationLoss of body hair
House the Corporeal soul Chronic sadness, depressionInability to “engage” or feel emotionsLow self-esteem/feeling of self-worthFear of change and extreme attachment to people, things or situations

 

 

Foods to Eat When You Are Sick

Foods that help dry dampness in the lungs are often bitter. These may include lettuce, celery, turnip, rye, asparagus, vinegar, papaya and chamomile tea. Also, try miso soup with green onions and root vegetables.

Foods that may promote mucous formation and dampness are the ones you should try and avoid especially if you have a runny nose or a productive cough. These include dairy products, heavy meat products, tofu, soy, pineapple, salty foods and very sweet foods.

Citrus fruits and spinach should also be avoided as these are cooling foods that can promote dampness. Foods high in processed sugar are also thought to create phlegm. Try avoiding these when you get sick to recover faster!

 

Healthy Lung Habits

Use a scarf or collar to cover the front and back of your neck when you go outside, and make sure to have your lower back covered. These two areas are called our ‘wind gates’, where wind has a chance to enter and cause cold and flu symptoms in the lungs. Avoid drafts and wind.

  • Let go of pre-conceived ideas and prejudices that serve no purpose in your life: Just as we need to de-clutter our environment and our inner space, clearing out mental waste such as culturally acquired ideas that hold no truth but which stop us from engaging with people and situations is important for good health and the renewal of our energy.
  •  Seize the moment: The Lung energy fuels our ability to be in the moment and is nourished by our enjoyment of the present. As children, we tended to inhabit our bodies powerfully and to experience each moment fully. As we grow up, many of us lose this ability so as adults staying in the moment needs to be achieved through deep breathing and accessing a grounding calm that allows us to engage with what is happening now. Activities that help us “be in the body” as opposed to trapped inside the mind such as Tai Chi, Qi Gong or Yoga can also provide us with tools that help us achieve this.
  • Detach yourself: The Lungs have the ability to constantly renew our energy through a combination of elimination of what is no longer needed and a continuous intake of potentially new energy. This implies an ability to recognize what needs to be discarded and a willingness to allow it to go. Understanding that everything in life – things, ideas, situations, people – is transient enables us to go smoothly from one stage of life to the next. When we are reluctant to accept this reality, we may remain in grief and pain until we make room for new things to come.

 

 

 

Chinese Herbs for Strengthening Lungs

 

Huang Qi (Astragalus Root)

huang-qi

Tian Men Dong

Tian Men Dong

Schisandra

Schisandra

 Licorice Root

Licorice root

Reishi Mushroom

reishi_mushroom

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Herbal Lung Cleanser from Traditional Chinese Medicine regimen TCM way to keep healthy the organ

https://youtu.be/I1AuJy-CDvM

 

 

 

Chinese Herbal Medicine Formula for the Lungs and Grief

 

 

5 Minute Healing Sounds Qi Gong for Healthy Lungs!

 

 

 

 

 

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Eyebrows tips, tricks, everyday wear, and tattooing

 

Eyebrows tips and tricks everyday wear and tattooing

 

 

 

85406370

 

 

This is the week 241 and here we are sharing a post on Eyebrows. In the many years of my makeup career, one of my passions it’s been eyebrows. My point of view is that you can build and change a character with a few strokes, eyebrows not only frame the eyes, they have the ability to create moods of expressions. Here we offer tips and bits of experience and research of years of collective work. We are sharing answers to questions regarding what to look for in cosmetic tattooing work also. Enjoy and please feel free to write us an email at isabelsbeautyblog@gmail.com if you have further questions. It is a lot of information that we edit so we can keep the attention of all walks of readers. We wish to thank you once again for all your support , please remember to share and like It is an important part of our blog.

 

 Eyebrow Drawing Guidelines

 

Beginning Of The Brow

Expert advice teaches that eyebrows should start above the inner corner of the eye.  Sometimes the brow is pulled out or in a little depending on how close or wide set the eyes are. This is of importance due to the fact that that proportion can either make the person look cross-eyed if the bridge of the nose is smaller and if the face is round, and the eyebrows are to separate it makes the face look rounder and the eyes smaller . Pulling the brows abnormally close together for the purpose of slimming the nose starts working against you and will make the nose look more prominent or look angry. Some beauty tips say to put a pencil straight up from the outer edge of the nose, but may not be so accurate  because there are too many variations in nose width.  A little more precision is needed if it will be a permanent eyebrow because it is there to stay, is a good rule of thumb to have the technician draw the eyebrows in first to give you the look that will be final, because once is there  is not much to take the power of desition in your hands, cut pictures from a magazine or bring references to the actual day so you have what you want everyone has their own taste of what a good look is but it may not be for you just take a look at how many “Beauty” procedures go wrong it may look good in their eyes but not on you , better safe than sorry,. I mark the center and measure distance from this point to the start of each brow. This works most of the time. However, nothing can be taken as ever, never or always and  you can make adjustments before you draw it ll the way, is some great stencils that you can use to try different looks.

 

 

put-your-tweezers-down-read-these-brow-tips-first_di_600c390-600x390

Stencil work

You can always use stencils to shape the eyebrows if the proportions are too much to handle on an everyday basis, you can get them on Amazon or Ebay for very little money and some like the ones below in the picture are adhesive so it give you more flexibility , be gentle when you remove them so you don’t pull the delicate skin of the eyelid, these stencils are good to use for plucking  hair also.

 

 

Arch Of The Brow

diagonal-arch-eyebrows

The break of the eyebrow arch should be in the area above the outer edge of the iris while focusing straight ahead. This will be a little short of two-thirds. You can move the arch out a tad to widen that side of the face, or for other preferences, keep in mind a balance. Beauty tips often say 2/3, or to line a pencil from the outer edge of the nose going up along the outside of the iris and breaking where the pencil hits. The two-thirds is one-fourth inch too far out for the average face. The pencil or a long brush from the nose puts the arch even farther than 2/3 unless you are making an extra long wrap around the temple brow. Again, there are variations in nose width that would fan the pencil in or out. Other variations include length of the eyes and how close or wide set they are.

 

The shape of the brow and the entire arch should be seen from the front of the face. The head should not have to be rotated to see the whole brow. The last half inch may start disappearing from the frontal view, but not an inch or more. Too many faces have the arch out too far. It looks like that part of the head was stretched out horizontally, or the brows are too big for their face. It also makes the eye length look shorter. We don’t want to return to the 50’s center arch and look surprised. The best look for the arch is almost two-thirds. Factors that affect the need to move it in or out a little bit include brow size and shape, sharp or smooth arch, face size, and face shape.

Bold-brows

Ending Of The Brow

 

end-of-eyebrow

The tail end of the brow is marked by placing a pencil or a brush from the center of the lip traveling up along the edge of the outer eye. The mark is made on the inside of the pencil. Variations in face length, face width, eye length, and how close or wide set the eyes are may require moving this mark in or out . Most Beauty tips say to go from the outer edge of the nose, but noses have different widths that would cause this line to fan in or out. The center of the lip stays the same.Is many different looks that can be accomplished by lifting or lowering the outside tip of the brow you can rather lift or drooped the look of the eye and the face for that matter.

 

According to most eyebrow experts, the ending tip of the eyebrow should be at the same level as the beginning, this can vary depending on the effect you wish to accomplish. A small difference is not noticeable, and the contours of the skeletal structure and fat pads may dictate some modifications. An example is, tails ending lower than a small amount below the beginning look sad or aged. my dear friend Leonard Engelman once told me that he likes to end the tail of the brows a bit higher than the inside if the brow that made the eyes more a life I fully trust him with any tips he is an amazingly talented makeup artist that has many stars under his belt Cher for one Anne Margaret, Meg Ryan and so many more he is very tasteful and incredibly skilled artist.

cher

 

 

Eyebrow Styles

 

Basic Eyebrow Shape Guidelines

Eyebrow measurement guidelines are meant to assist in optimizing an individual’s brow shape, there are many companies that offer stencils to aid with shape if you have any doubts. For maintaining brow hair growth in the designed shape when considering  permanent eyebrow tattoo, working with the hair growth pattern is preferred to shaving and redrawing most likely you will be happier. The eyebrows do not have to be shaved to apply permanent cosmetics Tattoo needles go around and between the hairs when it is done correctly. The eyebrow shape can be enhanced toward the shape desired by coloring high in the hairs at the arch, in the middle or as needed in other parts. If a part of the eyebrow, such as the outer portion, does not allow the shape you want, then you can tweeze . The outer brow hair is usually sparse and not an issue for many people. Hair in the inner portion is usually plentiful, and at least part of the hair growth should be incorporated into the design. Eyebrows are drawn on first. When you are happy with the drawn on design, permanent makeup is applied on top of it, using it as a pattern or guide. You may draw them yourself, or let the tattoo artist help you. If there is a particular shape and thickness you want, bring pictures from a magazine to your appointment. This will save time and eliminate any miscommunication about your preferences.

diferent-shapesobf-browsface-shapes1

Drawing Eyebrows For Face Shapes And Facial Features

Uneven eyebrows may affect the shape you wish to attain. We are all born with one eyebrow shaped differently than the other, like one side of the face is different than the other or one brow higher than the other. Uneven eyebrow height usually occurs later in life as a result of the aging process. One side of the face will be lower than the other, and it is almost always the side you sleep on. The pressure on the skin decreases circulation for hours while sleeping, plus the skin gets pulled and slid around when I work on faces, I can always tell the side they sleep on. They usually have a crease and definitely sags more, as a well-known dermatologist that I visited told me that was my weak side! Ah didn’t like that. Women often appear to have uneven eyebrows because of the habitual raising of the forehead muscles – one side higher than the other –  Interestingly, the brow that women raise higher is actually the brow that is lower in the relaxed position . The muscle gets stronger and stronger, able to raise the brow higher and higher. Remember what Mom said is that if you keep making faces your face will freeze that way?  Some of the brow-raising women cannot relax their forehead muscles when they try and not only affects the brows it also affects the creases we make. Sometimes, older women are raising eyebrows to open the eyes more to see better that is one of the trades that plastic surgeons look for when assessing the eyes for a lift, and by the way, Insurance covers the upper blepharoplasty lid surgery the reason being off site obstruction !!. Sagging upper eyelids weigh down the eye and decrease, a visual field a test will show that lateral  peripheral and superior upper vision is affected. If the eyebrow is sagging below the brow bone orbital rim, insurance may pay for a direct brow lift (incision above the brow – not an entire forehead lift).

If one eyebrow is lower than the other or shaped a little differently, you have three choices:

1) Leave them uneven because you want all your real hairs to be growing in the permanent makeup area

2) Make small modifications to improve symmetry (color high on the low side and color low on the high side) – a compromise that would reduce but not eliminate eyebrow hairs in the cosmetic tattoo area, and may still be a little asymmetric

3)Remember we are not Robots similar eyebrows is good exactly the same no so good, it looks weird

 

Many women have not noticed that their eyebrows are not the same, and are less likely to notice it on other people. On the other hand, there are some eyebrow obsessed fanatics that are as upset over a one hair difference as an anorexic is with a one-ounce weight gain. We want to get the two eyebrows as similar as possible, but each side of the face is different – which is why it is of importance to keep it in mind  and it can be time-consuming to draw the eyebrows the same every morning. The shape of the skull differs from one side to the other in the curvature of the frontal to temporal bone, the prominence of the brow ridge, and the indentation above it each side of the body is different for a reason,masculine, and feminine, left and right has a different use and development. The contour of fat tissue is also different on each side. Each side of the face has its own set of muscles, nerves, and blood supply. Often, one side will be the dominant, stronger side. A person will typically raise the same brow to vary degrees all day long without realizing it. This adds to the challenge of drawing eyebrows evenly each day. Women tend to raise a brow when focusing in on something – like themselves in the mirror. One side of the forehead muscles tenses unnoticeably as you concentrate and become irritated by multiple attempts to complete the task. When you finally reach a satisfactory result, you go finish the morning routine. One last glance in the mirror and AYYYY ! they are uneven after you relaxed the muscles. The eyebrows are going to be in varying positions all day as you work and interact with others, especially if you have a tendency to be very expressive.

A note of caution: When drawing your eyebrows in preparation for cosmetic tattooing, this same thing can happen. The brows can be drawn on; look even, tattooed, and then later looks uneven. One of two scenarios can occur. 1) The muscles were tense and raising the skin unevenly at the time the eyebrows were drawn. They were thought to be even and were even – in the tensed muscle state. Once relaxed, they are uneven. 2) The muscles were relaxed at the time the eyebrows were drawn. They were thought to be even and were even – in the relaxed muscle state. Once you return to your normal raised brow position, they are uneven, so is a very good measure to pay attention to the process so you don’t want to erase your artist from the face of the earth, a well trained professional will be swear off this habits.

If a person raises a brow briefly or occasionally, the brows should be drawn evenly in the relaxed position. If a person keeps the same brow raised almost all the time, the raised side can be drawn slightly lower and flatter to compensate. If you are drawing the eyebrows yourself, do it hours before your appointment so you will have plenty of time to recheck them. If you are letting the permanent makeup artist draw your brows, your forehead will be most relaxed while gazing downward at the floor (but keep the head up straight). Don’t close your eyes because the lack of visual stimuli makes you more sensitive to touch and forehead muscles will tense when you have nothing better to do than wonder what is going on with your eyebrow shaping. Looking at the artist or straight ahead may cause the muscle to tense and raise a brow.

face exercises

BOTOX VS FACIAL EXERCISING

Repeated facial expressions leave wrinkles in the skin. The forehead over the raised brow will have more wrinkles and/or a different pattern of wrinkles. A person could try to break the brow raising habit by training not to react with the forehead. Placing a strip of tape( brownies)  upward from the brows can serve as a reminder every time you contract the muscles. Botox shots paralyze the muscle to prevent contraction and give the skin a chance to smooth out. It also helps the muscle forget what it was constantly doing (raising) and helps weaken the too strong hyperactive forehead muscles. It wears off in about four months for most people are different. After many repeated injections, it begins lasting longer and the muscle may become permanently paralyzed Mhmm!.  Vendors of facial exercising gadgets like Flex Effect tell us that deteriorating facial muscles cause facial sagging and that exercising these muscles will lift and tone the face, and increase circulation to feed nutrients to the skin.I like Microcurrent to retrain the muscles it really works and very fast. Lack of muscle use leads to atrophy. Daily exercise, which would contribute to strengthening the facial muscles and increase circulation is a great approach. There are electronic muscle stimulators like the Face master from Suzanne Somers that can give maximum muscle contraction with minimal skin disturbance in the contrary it will regenerate the muscles and the overall of the face. My opinion is that occasional Botox injections are beneficial for preventing wrinkles, but the muscles should be given a period of normal activity before repeat injections. How long the time lapse should depend on the severity of the case.

 

BOTOX AND PERMANENT MAKEUP

Botox is used in various areas for specific effects. Injected into certain locations of the forehead, it can raise the eyebrows. If botox is raising the brows at the time they are drawn for the eyebrow tattoo, the brow placement and shape will be different after the botox wears off. An eyebrow tattoo should be timed before or after the brow raising technique is in effect unless you plan to have repeated injections forever. Worth mentioning is that when the brow is raised by botox, it pulls the arch out in the spot that the botox determines, it can make the arch too far out by the pull and the shape looks a little odd.

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Choosing an eyebrow color

Perhaps you change shades of hair color throughout the year and are concerned about the shade of permanent eyebrow color. The implanted color will coordinate with slight to moderate hair color changes. For more drastic hair color changes (red to brown,etc), all it takes is an appointment with your cosmetic tattoo artist after the appointment with your hairdresser, keep in mind the hair color changes so you keep up with the initial choice. You can change your eyebrow color in the same amount of time it took to color your hair. If you expect a drastic color change to be temporary, you might want to apply  temporary eyebrow color on top of the eyebrow tattoo during this time.

The guideline is to choose eyebrow color 1 – 2 shades lighter than head hair, unless you are blonde or gray, in which case you would choose a couple shades darker. You are not matching the color of your eyebrow hairs, merely creating a shadow behind it.I prefer their shades so they look more natural like real hair shades.

For women with little or no eyebrow hairs, the best technique will be to use at least two to three shades of color drawing Hairstrokes.!!! ideally not a plank of solid color it looks very unnatural and heavy. Multiple colors prevent the ‘blackened in’ look, and hairs are not just one color – they have many shades. The planned eyebrow shape should not be outlined, then filled in — this produces a “coloring book” look (the way children outline & fill in). Using the brushstroke technique for eyebrow cosmetic tattooing results in a very natural appearance. The edges will be more feathery instead of a sharp painted on look. The most natural looking brows are made by using 2-3 tonnes of brushstrokes on a soft powdery base shape.

 

“Layering” describes subsequent touch-up visits for a few additional strokes of same (monochromatic) or similar (analogous) color to produce varied depth and dimension. The monochromatic look is variations of lightness and saturation of a single color. The analogous look is one color being used as the dominant color and similar colors are used to enrich the look. The analogous scheme is similar to the monochromatic but provides more contrast. Recent strokes blending with older strokes which are fading off produces an awesome dimensional look. When this maintenance is performed on a regular basis (2-3yrs light blondes, 4-5yrs medium browns, 6-7yrs dark browns & black), you only pay a touch up layering price which is half. If you wait until the brow color is all or almost all faded off, the work is the same as a new job. If you want to reshape the brow, let it fade off as much as possible and do the different color strokes with temporary eyebrow colors. Don’t forget the fact that in three or four years the brows may have changed their shape or amount of hair.

Eyebrows are so important in the expressions and shaping of the eyes and face ,they play a dominant role. Eyebrows not only suggest a variety of moods but can also show your stages of age, emotional reactions and state of mind. If they are too thick, too thin, or arched incorrectly, you can look tired, depressed, angry, or surprised. Cartoon artists and theater makeup artists rely heavily on the eyebrows and mouth to not only convey feelings but also to help create the illusion of the character to be portrayed. Certain eyebrows and mouths are associated with certain personalities: smart, dumb, strong, weak, evil/mean/scary, nice, glamorous, young, older, and on and on. For instance, a skinny brow highly placed and highly arched would be more suitable for a damsel in distress than a woman of power – which would need a stronger brow placed low to medium with less arch. The villain usually has angry eyebrows. To make someone look like an alien from another planet, they usually upswing the tail or remove the brows altogether.

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 Not so good brows

 

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wow-what-happenedThe surprised or startled look is avoided by placing the peak of the arch closer to two-thirds out instead of in the center of the eyebrow, and not over exaggerating it. A highly arched rounded half-moon arches have vein used for clowns for an example. Eyebrows that end higher than the beginning can look angry, devious, or alien-like Spock on Star Trek. Eyebrow tails that end too low have a whiny, sad or depressed  giving up look. You want your brows to represent you well. If the tail is too short, the brows look unfinished or like part of it was wiped off accidentally and don’t support your eyes. The tail should not be too long either – some people extend them way out through the temples like in the 1930’s. Brows should be a little thicker at the beginning and taper in thinner towards the arch. The tail continues tapering into the end. The beginning of the eyebrow should be above the inner corner of the eye, and should not have a downward hook that makes the brow look like you are frowning . That look closes  the eye and makes it look smaller.

Have you ever noticed the many different eyebrow shapes? Do you know what you do or don’t like? How much curve or arch do you like? How smooth or sharp do you like the arch? Do you like your eyebrow styles thin, medium, or thick? The eyebrow pictures will provide comparisons. It is a good idea to collect photos of different eyebrows and match it to your style of face and the expressions that you are habitual with so at the end of your decision they go with your persona  instead of obviously not belonging on your face, it will be too late and they should be a complement.

Beauty tips are only suggestions, and it is wise to follow your choices with the help of a well trained professional. I recommend a couple of opinions at least in the case of permanent and nonpermanent eyebrow shaping. Don’t forget that in many cases when tweezing hair may not GROW BACK !They are not laws that the fashion police will enforce is your face and your confidence at taking here. If the beauty book says this face shape needs a sharper arch, and that face shape needs a rounded arch, but the eyebrow hairs don’t grow that way,use discretion and don’t make the fast decisions hat you can regret. We all have our favorite type of brow, and cannot insist everyone else wear their eyebrows the way we would like to see them. The goal is to get the basics right and make it look natural.

I get a lot of clients that want eyebrows that are not possible to create or look just very very wrong, so I show them the difference and for the most part they change their minds once they see it.

 

Eye brow Buddy

The Brow Buddy 

 

Tools and tips that we suggest

 

 

The space between

The eyes determine if they are average, close set, or wide set. The distance between the eyes is normally the width of one eye. When the eyes are close set, the brows can be groomed further apart so the space between is the width of one eye to create the appearance of more widely spaced eyes. When the eyes are wide set, the eyebrows can be groomed closer together so the space between is the width of one eye to create the appearance of more closely spaced eyes.

Typically, the eyebrow begins above the inner corner of the eye. A tad shorter or longer is ok as long as it isn’t too much. The differences between the two sides of the face can affect the look of symmetry on this also. Women can carefully place each eyebrow to begin above the inner corner of each eye, and then spend a lot of time trying to figure out why it doesn’t look right. Women will zero in on the center spot above the nose and view length of distance to the right for the beginning of that eyebrow, and length of distance to the left for the beginning of that eyebrow. One brow will look like it comes in closer to the center than the other, but both are at the same point above the inner corner of the eye. The challenge here is that one side of the face has a greater distance between the center of the nose bridge and the inner corner of the eye – more so on some than others so here you can use a stencil to me sure it isotherm tools in the market that can aid with this desition.

Mark the center spot above the center of the nose bridge. Don’t look down the nose for a straight line because many noses lean off to one side or the other. With a flexible measuring tape, measure millimeters to the left to a general starting point above the inner corner of that eye, then mark the same millimeters to the other eye. Depending on how much difference in length there is to each eye, compromise a couple of millimeters the direction needed on both sides so that they are both about the same distance from the center starting point try to draw it in and then make a decision and changes keeping in mind the asymmetry of the face. It has been my experience that women are happier with a symmetrical distance from the center point than symmetrically placed above the inner corner of the eye.

Eyebrows-for-Your-Face-Shape

Eyebrows for different face shapes

The principles behind particular eyebrow shapes for different face shapes are really quite simple. To achieve harmony, we incorporate five principles of art and design: 1) Proportion – the appreciation of line and scale to give the illusion of better proportions of facial shape and features. 2) Balance – the observance of equilibrium to balance the face. 3) Emphasis – making the brow a focal point to detract attention from other features. 4) Rhythm – the flow and movement of brow lines to create harmony in relation to facial structure. 5) Unity – the coordination of smooth lines and sharp angles to unite all aspects for a total look as a whole.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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PERFECTLY TAUT PERFECT BROW CONTROL

A clear liquid designed to keep brows in place all day. Controls, separates and keeps brows groomed all day. A makeup artist must-have.

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RapidLash Eyelash & Eyebrow Enhancing Serum

RapidLash is an groud breaking paraben-free eyelash renewal serum that helps promote healthy, natural lashes and borws and improve the overall appearance and condition of your lashes and brows.

 

 

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Revitalash RevitaBrow Eyebrow Conditioner

Winner of THE BEST Treatment For Perfect Brows in the 2015 New Beauty Awards!
Get beautifully shaped eyebrows quickly and easily. RevitaBrow® Advanced uses the power of peptides and botanicals for strengthening and conditioning. Revitalash RevitaBrow Eyebrow Conditioner is a breakthrough, category leading eyebrow conditioner featuring a high impact, proprietary technology for iconic-looking eyebrows.

 

 

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Chella Beautiful Eyebrow Stencils

To guide you in creating the perfect brow, Chella has developed four templates to help you fashion a beautiful brow that is just right for you. Pick from Alluring, Sassy, Confident or Timeless Chella Stencils.

 

 

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LASHFOOD BROWFOOD Phyto-Medic Natural Eyebrow Enhancer

Formulated for those experiencing brow loss or thinning due to aging or overly plucked brows.

 

 

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Model in a Bottle Eyebrow Sealer

Eyebrows give expression to your eyes and frame your face. Now with Model in a Bottle? Long Lasting Eyebrow Sealer, you can be confident that your brows will stay in place all day.

 

 

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Guerlain Eyebrow Kit

Eyebrow Kit (3x Powder, 1x Highlighter, 1x applicator) – # 00 Universel

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neuLASH Brilliant Brows Set

Perfect your face framers with our limited edition Brilliant Browsset.  An essential set for precision brow shaping and defining in a beautiful zippered bag. Perfect for at home and on the go!

 

 

 

 

 

 




What Inflammation has to do with beauty

Inflammation

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For me, the best makeup is to first have healthy glowing skin. Otherwise, it’s like a band-aid covering up something that is letting us know how our internal system is o.n alarm mode with a challenge that is making us aware of an issue that needs to be addressed

When I work with a client, one of my top  priorities  is to maintain and support a good skin care regimen from the inside out, I love to share information with them about hydration and signs of inflammation, they are usually very grateful and it makes our journey much easier.
Inflammation is the reflection of how the inner health is maintained .

This week 240 we are sharing information about what inflammation is what to look for tips and authority facts to recognize and help the challenge to get resolved, thank you for your visit and all the likes please share so others can get help also, from all of us at Isabel’s’ Beauty Blog

Many skin care specialists believe inflammation is a key factor in premature skin deterioration and a majority of internal issues. Because the body’s basic response is to protect itself from irritation via inflammation, many people believe this response is a positive one. However, several scientists and skin care professionals from around the world advise people to avoid inflammation altogether. Bottom line: Anything that causes redness, overheating, swelling and any kind of irritation may be detrimental to a person’s overall wellbeing.
There are a few upsides to inflammation: It is a sign of the body attempting to repair an affected area by bringing blood to the site; it helps to remove intruding agents from the site; and the additional white blood cells arriving at the site help to counteract the aggressor. Still, individuals should avoid inflammation at all costs.
In simplest terms, inflammation is the body’s immediate reaction to guard itself against some type of damage caused by an environmental external invader. Without the crucial process of inflammation, the body cannot restore itself in the face of damage.

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Essentially, all inflammation starts in an acute phase. The body becomes damaged in some capacity due to a foreign agent, and it responds immediately to repair the damage. In many cases, this reaction goes undetected. Signs are so mild that they are even unnoticeable. Once the threat is gone, the body is able to go back to a non-defensive state—and the inflammation process turns off.

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That’s why long-lasting inflammation is being labeled the 21st century’s number one challenge. Unlike its short form, long lasting internal inflammation can occur undetected because it falls just below the radar of discomfort and visible swelling. You feel nothing, or you may experience vague, unexplained signs for which there are no conventional answers. And while you search for answers or even ignore the signs altogether, your body’s inflammation process carries on for weeks, months, or even years—which compromises your immune system.
In my opinion, wellness is the absence of inflammation. A possible key to optimal wellness is to detect long lasting inflammation and address its root concerns promptly and effectively.

12 foods that fight inflammation 2

 

The signs of inflammation are many and varied — it’s been linked to everything from bloating to joint pain to sinus congestion and skin rashes. Although a clinical assessment is the only way to determine for sure if you suffer from inflammation, the more of the following symptoms you experience, the more likely you have low-grade inflammation, says Mark Hyman, MD, author of The UltraSimple Diet (Pocket Books, 2007).

 

•  Bloating, belching, passing gas
•  Diarrhea or constipation
•  Fatigue, sluggishness
•  Itchy ears or eyes
•  Dark circles or bags under eyes
•  Joint pain or stiffness
•  Throat tickle, irritation or coughing
•  Stuffy nose, sinus trouble, excessive mucus
•  Acne, cysts, hives or rashes
•  Ruddy, inflamed-looking skin
•  Flushing
•  Water retention, skin puffiness
•  Craving certain foods
•  Compulsive or binge eating

To mention a few is a lot more to it.

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The good news

 

 

The beneficial Side of Inflammation:

It helps heal wounds the body will react immediately to a swelling in order to bring it down.This is the first attempt that the body makes to heal itself. The healing happens in stages. The first stage of healing is irritation, then it becomes inflammation, which consists of swelling, rashes etc., If these attempts from the body don’t happen one safely assume that wounds and infections would not heal properly or at all.

It is part of our innate immunity,  we are born with it for most of us is a very lucky gift of life, because some people don’t have that luxury. This is called acquired immune deficiency or have an immune system that is too active among many other disorders of the immune system, so we should consider ourselves very lucky and take a minute to contemplate GRATITUDE, wouldn’t you think?

Water is a big part to help inflammation, insufficient water consumption causes toxicity of the body as well as constipation, tension,tightness, overeating, dryness, and kidney damage. Heat symptoms such as INFLAMMATION, fevers and feeling too warm can also be part of it.

Nutrients for inflammation:

Every Person require different dosages so consult a health practitioner if you are not sure, we are sharing information from authorities, still is a good idea to take the information and research what is the ideal for you.

Vitamin B complex          50mg 3 times a day              Need it for tissue repair

Vitamin B12                     2,000   daily

Vitamin C                         3,000 – 6,000 mg daily         Essential to the healing and reduction of inflammation. We recommend buffered.

 

 

Recommendation from  http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2015/02/02/anti-inflammatory-foods-herbs-spices.aspx

 

Four Spices That Pack Powerful Anti-Inflammatory Results

 

For one week, 10 to 12 subjects in each of 13 groups consumed a small amount of a particular spice each day. For example, those in the oregano group ate just half a teaspoon of oregano daily for seven days. Blood samples were drawn one hour prior to consumption, and at the very end of the experiment.

The participants’ blood was then analyzed for antioxidant capacity. The researchers also analyzed how well the blood could dampen an induced inflammatory response in white blood cells.

This was done by placing the participants’ blood onto white blood cells that had been damaged by oxidized cholesterol (commonly found in fried foods). Even at the “everyday” dosage amounts given, four spices were found to be significantly effective at quelling the inflammatory response:

  1. Cloves
  2. Ginger
  3. Rosemary
  4. Turmeric

The use of these Spices in our food is perfectly useful for our bodes to stay inflammation free, as a maintenance, if it is a health challenge, your health practitioner may recommend higher dosages specifically designed for your personal needs.

 

Other Potent Anti-Inflammatory Spices

 

In an earlier study published in the Journal of Medicinal Foods it was found a direct correlation between the antioxidant phenol content of spice and herb extracts and their ability to inhibit glycation and block the formation of AGE compounds (advanced glycation end products), making them potent preventers of heart disease and premature aging.

Here, cloves were ranked as the most potent of 24 common herbs and spices found in your spice rack. In all, the following were found to be the top 10 most potent anti-inflammatory herbs and spices:

  1. Cloves
  2. Cinnamon
  3. Jamaican allspice
  4. Apple pie spice mixture
  5. Oregano
  6. Pumpkin pie spice mixture
  7. Marjoram
  8. Sage
  9. Thyme

To mention a few Spices and in order of importance.

 

A word of Caution: from https://www.bulletproofexec.com/best-anti-inflammatory-herbs-and-spices/

How To Avoid Mold Toxins in Spices and Herbs

 

You won’t be surprised to learn that mold toxins are found not just in coffee and food, but in spices and herbs too. The Bulletproof Diet book details how and why this happens, and all the best practices to pick the best spices and herbs.

The herb and spice industry is painfully aware of spoilage issues, which is why it’s become so common to irradiate spices.

This process exposes them to radiation so they become sterilized. Irradiation may destroy some of the anti-oxidant and health benefits of herbs and spices, and irradiated or not, herbs and spices can spoil easily in your own home. Herbs often contain naturally strong antifungal and antibacterial oils, so the species that can flourish on them are usually the most aggressive toxin-formers.

When you get that canister of paprika down from the back shelf, pry it open, and dump some into a steaming pot of food, you’re likely putting a substantial amount of toxin in, too, because the *last* time you did that, the steam entered the paprika package and started the mold growing. You’ll always find a few mold spores in natural products, and the environment in your spice cabinet above the stove is a perfect incubator.

This means it is critical to select your source accordingly:

  • One of the simplest things you can do to increase your performance is to toss out opened, dried spices that are more than a few months old.
  • Use high-quality, recently opened, fresh or dried herbs and spices, or don’t use them at all.
  • I’ve done my best to identify the rationale behind the spice rankings in the Bulletproof Diet Roadmap but there is always room for personal experimentation. Black pepper is so commonly contaminated that I moved it into the suspect zone! It’s up to you to decide where you go on the roadmap and how that makes you feel and perform.

If you’re eating an anti-inflammatory diet and including Spices as your ally, the suggestion here is to find the spices fresh. in the market, or you can grow them and have a direct relationship with them.

 

This is recommended by Prescription for NUTRITIONAL HEALING by PHYLLIS A, BALCH,CNC.

 

Cartenoid complex, follow the label instructions this product strengthens the immune response.

Essential fatty acids, like evening primrose oil, flaxseed oil, fish oils mercury free, or fermented,use as directed on the label,they reduce overall inflammation.

Grape Seed extract this is am amazing powerful antioxidant, use as directed on label,

Proteolytic enzymes or Inflazyme Forte from America Biologics , use as directed on the label, is best used between meals and at bedtime for 1 month, this aids controlling inflammation.

Superoxide dismutase (SOD), check the label for dosage, this is a high potency free radical scavenger that reduces infection and inflammation.

Zinc recommended 50 mg daily, is best not to exceed 100 mg daily from all supplements, this helps control inflammation and promotes healing,is recommended to use zinc gluconate lozenges or OptiZinc for best absorption.do not use Zinc for more than a month straight it can deplete other minerals.

Bromelain take it on an empty stomach and as directed on the label, 100 – 500 mg,is best used along with magnesium and 500 mg,and L-cysteine to enhance results, this supplements should be taken separately from copper and Iron.

Bromelain has anti-inflammatory activity and increases the breakdown of fibrin, which s known to form around the inflamed areas, blocking blood and lymphatic vessels.

 

Inflammation is fixable: “Our best tool to reverse inflammation isn’t a drug, but our diets,” says Barry Sears, Ph.D., a former research scientist at Boston University School of Medicine and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and author of the forthcoming Toxic Fat Syndrome. One of the best ways to snuff out inflammation is by heeding food sensitivities and intolerances. These are inflammatory responses that occur when the gut fails to break down certain foods.
The most notorious offenders are dairy, wheat, corn, sugar, soy, eggs, peanuts poor diet, mostly sugar,refined flours, processed foods, inflammatory fats such as trans fats and unhealthy saturated fats,and STRESS is very inflammatory, Anger is inflamed thoughts. Keep a food diary to identify negative reactions (which may be delayed by hours or days after you’ve eaten), then root out food sensitivities by following an elimination diet for at least a week. (For more on that, see “False Fat” in the March/April 2003 archives.)
By eliminating the foods that irritate your body and eating more of those that help your body combat inflammation, you’ll get rid of a lot of bloating and water retention, produce fewer “weight-gain” hormones, and have more energy for activity, says Elson Haas, MD, medical director of the Preventive Medical Center of Marin in San Rafael, Calif., and author of The False Fat Diet (Ballantine, 2001). That sounds like a slim-down strategy we can all live with.

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Thankfully, the list of things that cause inflammation is relatively short:
• Poor diet–mostly sugar, refined flours, processed foods, and inflammatory fats such as trans and saturated fats
• Lack of exercise
• Stress
• Hidden or chronic infections with viruses, bacteria, yeasts, or parasites
• Hidden allergens from food or the environment
• Toxins such as mercury and pesticides
• Mold toxins and allergens

 

 

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The Zone is not some mystical place or some clever marketing terms. It is a real physiological state in your body where the hormones that control silent inflammation are maintained in a zone that is not too high, but not too low. This requires treating food as if it were a drug to be taken at the right dose and at the right time. However, saying food is a drug is actually derogatory to food since your diet affects hormones that are hundreds of times more powerful than any drug. In many respects, food will be the most powerful drug you will ever take because you are using this drug at least three times a day for the rest of your life. Thus your diet can be your greatest ally or worst enemy because the hormonal rules for humans haven’t changed in the past 150,000 years, and they probably won’t change tomorrow.

 

 

Anti-inflammatory Recipes

 

 

 

Salmon and Quinoa Bowls with Kale and Tahini-Yogurt Sauce

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Serving Size: 4

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Ingredients

  • 1 cup white quinoa
  • 1 bunch Lacinato, Tuscan or dinosaur kale, thick stems removed and thinly sliced
  • 1 medium carrot, peeled and thinly sliced
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • Olive oil
  • Sea salt
  • 2 cups cooked chickpeas, rinsed and drained if canned
  • 1/4 cup dried currants, cranberries or cherries
  • 1 tablespoon hemp seeds (optional)
  • Four 4-ounce sockeye salmon fillets (skin on)
  • For the sauce:
  • 1/4 cup tahini paste
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1/2 cup Greek yogurt
  • 1/2 teaspoon sea salt

Instructions

  1. In a medium saucepan, combine the quinoa and 2 cups water. Bring to a boil, cover, and reduce the heat to low. Cook for 15 minutes, then let stand covered for 10 minutes off the heat. Fluff with a fork and set aside.
  2. Meanwhile in a large mixing bowl, combine the kale, carrots, lemon juice, garlic, 2 tablespoons of olive oil and 1/2 teaspoon sea salt. With clean hands, toss the kale until very well coated in the lemon and oil. Add the cooked quinoa to the kale along with the chickpeas, dried fruit, and hemp seeds (if using). Mix until well incorporated and taste for seasoning.
  3. Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a large nonstick or cast iron skillet. Pat the salmon dry and season with salt. Cook the salmon skin-side down over high heat until nicely browned, 2-3 minutes. Carefully flip the fish and cook for another 2 minutes, until opaque up the sides.
  4. Divide the quinoa between 4 bowls and top with the seared salmon.
  5. In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the ingredients for the sauce until smooth. Add more water as necessary to make the sauce drizzle-friendly. Spoon over the fish and serve immediately.

Notes

The quinoa and tahini sauce can be made up to 3 days in advance.

 

 

Moroccan Red Lentil Soup with Chard

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

Serving Size: 4

 

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Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced
  • 2 medium carrots, diced
  • 2 large cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
  • 1/2 teaspoon red chili flakes
  • 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
  • One 15-ounce can dice tomatoes
  • 1 cup dried split red lentils
  • 2 quarts vegetable stock
  • 1 bunch chard, stems removed, roughly chopped

Instructions

  1. In a large stockpot or Dutch oven, heat the oil. Saute the onion and carrot over medium-high heat until soft and beginning to brown, 7 minutes. Add the garlic, cumin, ginger, turmeric, chili flakes, and salt. Cook one minute more. Stir in the tomatoes, scraping up any brown bits from the bottom of the pan, and cook until the liquid has reduced and the tomatoes are soft 5 minutes.
  2. Add the lentils and stock. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer uncovered until the lentils are soft, 10 minutes. Fold in the chard and cook until wilted, but still vibrant, 5 more minutes. Taste for seasoning.
  3. Serve the soup in bowls with a wedge of lemon on the side or a dollop of Greek yogurt and some crusty bread.

 

 

Root Vegetable Tagine with Kale

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

Serving Size: 6-8

 

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Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons olive or coconut oil
  • 1 large sweet onion, diced
  • 1 medium parsnip, peeled and diced
  • 2 large cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • ½ teaspoon ground ginger
  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon sea salt
  • ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 3 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and diced
  • 2 medium purple potatoes (or sub regular Yukon gold), peeled and diced
  • 2 bunches baby carrots, peeled (or sub 2 medium diced carrots)
  • 1-quart vegetable stock
  • 2 cups roughly chopped kale leaves
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • ¼ cup cilantro leaves, roughly chopped
  • Pepitas or toasted slivered almonds, for serving (optional)

Instructions

  1. In a large stock pot or Dutch oven, heat the oil. Sauté the onion over medium-high heat until soft, 5 minutes. Add the parsnip and cook until beginning to turn golden brown, 3 more minutes. Stir in the garlic, ground cumin, ginger, cinnamon, salt, cayenne, and tomato paste. Cook until very fragrant, 2 minutes. Fold in the sweet potatoes, purple potatoes, and carrots. Cover with vegetable stock and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer, uncovered, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are tender, about 20 minutes.
  2. Stir in the kale and lemon juice. Simmer for another 2 minutes, until the leaves are vibrant and slightly wilted. Garnish with the cilantro and nuts, if using, and serve over quinoa or couscous.

Notes

You can simplify the ingredient list by only choosing a couple types of root vegetable. Most of the other ingredients are pantry staples, so don’t be intimidated!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Anti-Inflammatory Diet Tips From Dr. Andrew Weil

 

 

The Perricone Anti-Inflammatory Diet

 

https://youtu.be/KtHBB6Yq1Hk

 

 

 

 

23 Ways To Getting Rid Of Inflammation and Joint Pain – Saturday Strategy

 

 

 

 

David Wolfe on Inflammation

 

https://youtu.be/x0A2ydwrOjk

 

 

 

 

 

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Michael’s Naturopathic Programs Xtra Recovery W-Zymes

Proteolytic enzyme support formula for muscle excursion, Supports joints and tendons in both athletes and the elderly, Support’s the body’s natural inflammatory response.

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The Inflammation Solution: When Everything Works and Nothing Hurts

What “it is” is in your body? You will find the solution to your inflammation problem in this book. Enjoy not only a trusted science made simple and fun approach, but also sit back and smile. To tackle a confusing medical problem like inflammation, Dr. Sears writes with the intent: “If you laugh, you will learn – and heal.” Join in as you take a trip through the hurts in your body and learn how to heal them: – Why you hurt, how you heal – Enjoy the six-S anti-inflammatory diet – Help your body make its own medicines – Handle stress – Raise a less-inflamed child – Stay lean, and less inflamed – Eat gut-friendly foods – Ease hip, back and knee pain – Enjoy a smarter and less-inflamed brain – Use more self-help skills and fewer pills

 

 

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The Anti-Inflammation Zone

What do these devastating illnesses have in common? All three have been linked to silent inflammation, a condition that occurs when the body’s natural immune response goes awry. Silent inflammation can continue undetected for years, continually assaulting the heart, arteries, and even the brain — and you will not even know it.

New research confirms that obesity is a primary cause of silent inflammation. And inflammation is the smoking gun that links excess body fat to today’s epidemic rise in heart disease, cancer, dementia, and countless other health threats. Although the science of this relationship is complex, the bottom line is simple: If not detected and reversed, silent inflammation will devastate generations of Americans and bankrupt an increasingly stressed health care system. The medical establishment appears to be ignorant about this problem, politicians don’t talk about it — and yet virtually everyone in the country is affected by it.

 

 

 

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The Inflammation Diet: Complete Guide to Beating Pain and Inflammation with Over 50 Anti-Inflammatory Diet Recipes Included

Inflammation has been called the “silent killer” and it has been linked to a wide variety of illnesses including heart disease, arthritis, diabetes, chronic pain, autoimmune disorders, and cancer. Often, the root of chronic inflammation is in the foods we eat. The Inflammation Diet: Complete Guide to Beating Pain and Inflammation will show you how, by making simple changes to your diet, you can greatly reduce inflammation in your body and reduce your symptoms and lower your risk of chronic disease. The book includes a complete plan for eliminating inflammation and implementing an anti-inflammatory diet: • Overview of inflammation and the body’s immune response – what can trigger it and why chronic inflammation is harmful • The link between diet and inflammation • Inflammatory foods to avoid • Anti-inflammatory foods to add to your diet to beat pain and inflammation • Over 50 delicious inflammation diet recipes • A 14-day meal plan Take charge of your health and implement the inflammation diet to lose weight, slow the aging process, eliminate chronic pain, and reduce the likelihood and symptoms of chronic disease.

 

 

 

 




What are the effects of stress on your skin and the way we age?

 

 

Effects Of Stress On Your Skin

Girl stress out

Welcome back to our blog, we appreciate your time and visit in a world that doesn’t have time for much in the go, go, go. We realize that your time is golden and your visit is well appreciated.

On week 239 we are sharing a post in the relationship of personal  external and internal beauty and STRESS !!. we all know that the effects of stress on our overall wellbeing is devastating and life threatening, not much focus or readily available information on the effects on our appearance. So with that said we like to share our research and authority information that will take you to a different understanding of what happens when we are in I don’t have time mode and the rushing through lifestyle that is so common across the planet especially in the US. I hear kids saying I don’t have time, wow really.  If they don’t have time who does? We live fast we die fast and that is a fact so lets take a look at the effects of stress on our overall health and includes appearances what is commonly called BEAUTY.

Thank you for the thousands of likes and shares, with gratitude, love, and respect from all of us at Isabel’s beauty blog.

 

It has been said that stress can manifest itself on one’s appearance in many ways, but primarily by making the skin more sensitive and more reactive.

For example, stress its linked to psoriasis or rosacea, your digestive system results in acne lesions that are more inflamed and more persistent, brittle nails and ridging of the nails, hair loss, hives, and excessive perspiration.

Stress also is a known trigger or can be a worsening factor for fever blisters, psoriasis, seborrheic dermatitis and has even been shown to impair skin barrier function and dehydrate the skin — allowing more irritants, allergens, and infectious agents to penetrate the skin and cause problems.

Beyond the direct physiological effects of stress, people under stress also tend to neglect or abuse their skin. For example, they often lack the energy and motivation to adhere to their skin care regimens, and there also might be signs of stress-related habits — such as scratching, pulling or rubbing — that can exacerbate issues, like going to bed with face fully made up.

Hung over girl

On a microscopic level, stress reduction can decrease the release of pro-inflammatory stress hormones and chemicals. For example, a release of neuropeptides (or stress chemicals released from the nerve endings) can be reduced with stress management techniques. Like exercising, breathing techniques Yoga,Qi Gong walking, meditating, laughing, Yes, that is right,  laughing opens up the heart and resets the way you are breathing, dancing at home on your own, and so many other ways. The intention is to rest the mind until you feel joy. This often results in skin that looks and functions better.

Stress does a lot more than make us feel awful — it can wreak havoc on your skin. We’re getting some expert insight into just what it does to your complexion and how to reverse the effects.The first step is to understand what stress is.  This is  a great definition from sharecare.com When the demands placed on us exceed our ability to cope, we experience Stress and also is defined as the thoughts, feelings, behaviors and physiological changes that happened as a result of our response to those demands and perceptions. A whopping 82 % of women say they have had at least one physical stress symptom in the last month like a relentless headache, an upset stomach, or tightness in the chest.

 

 

The Effect of Cortisol Control and Collagen on our Skin and Health

 

 

Why is it important to control and understand cortisol? Well, very simple, cortisol is the primary hormone that our bodies secrete when we are under stress. This means that whenever we’re under stress, we’re exposed to cortisol. Cortisol isn’t bad in and of itself. It’s a normal part of our physiological makeup of our bodies. The problem occurs when we’re exposed to too much of it on a chronic basis-a scenario that is all too common in today’s fast-paced, overbooked way of living, and the I don’t have time personalities.Everything in moderation works and that includes Cortisol.

Because of cortisol‘s wide-ranging influence on other important aspects of metabolism especially those metabolic pathways associated most closely with “aging”, Cortisol it is often called the “death hormone.” This is a fairly accurate nickname: Cortisol is a hormone that tends to increase with age, and our increased exposure to cortisol, as we age, has been linked to breakdown and dysfunction in every tissue in the body, very powerful hormone!. So whether we’re talking about skin or heart muscle or brain neurons, it makes sense to address cortisol as sort of a master switch in the metabolism of aging.

Since cortisol is basically the controller of the four metabolic pathways in the FACE program, we need to control it in order to slow down the skin’s aging process, treat and prevent problem skin, and promote radiant, healthy skin. When we do this, we get unexpected perks: Controlling cortisol also produces beneficial results in terms of weight loss, improved mood, and enhanced libido! we accomplish true restful sleep and we manage to have a healthy heart and prevent arteries deterioration among many other benefits.This is not to say that cortisol is the only metabolic pathway that needs to be addressed in order to promote healthy skin, but considering its profound effect on the body’s functioning, cortisol control is the most logical place to start.

One major way that cortisol earns its tag as the death hormone is through its destructive effect on collagen, the most abundant protein in the human body (about a third of all the proteins ) and the chief structural component of skin tissues (about 90 percent). Collagen serves as the primary framework on which all the major structures in our body, including our skin, are built like bones hair, ligaments, nerves collagen is a major ingredient in our body. It’s what wards off lines and wrinkles, and it is the closest thing we have to a fountain of youth.

The health of our skin and bones is affected by how well we metabolize collagen that is, how well our systems make collagen available to our bodies for productive use. Collagen metabolism can be influenced by our eating habits, exercise patterns, and lifestyles. When we are under Stress of any kind, our cortisol levels increase, contributing to a faster breakdown of tissues that contain collagen, such as bone and skin,wow major damage, not worth it don’t you think?. We like to mention that collagen absorption is a major deal a stress digestive system doesn’t have the ability or the enzymes to absorb or break down proteins like collagen, the HCL ( Hydrochloric Acid) production is affected by stress consequently the body can really absorb or assimilate collagen from food sources, like meats, seaweed, gelatin etc.

From Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cortisol

Cortisol is a steroid hormone, in the glucocorticoid class of hormones, and is produced in humans by the zona fasciculata of the adrenal cortex within the adrenal gland (kidney). It is released in response to stress and low blood-glucose concentration.

It functions to increase blood sugar through gluconeogenesis, to suppress the immune system, and to aid in the metabolism of fat, protein, and carbohydrates. It also decreases bone formation.

Hydrocortisone (INN, USAN, BAN) is a name for cortisol when it is used as a medication. Hydrocortisone is used to treat people who lack adequate naturally generated cortisol. It is on the World Health Organization’s List of Essential Medicines, the most important medications needed in a basic health system if you are inclined to medications

 

Wound healing

Cortisol and the stress response have known deleterious effects on the immune system. High levels of perceived stress and increases in cortisol have been found to lengthen wound healing time in healthy, male adults. Those who had the lowest levels of cortisol the day following a 4 mm punch biopsy had the fastest healing time. In dental students, wounds from punch biopsies took an average of 40% longer to heal when performed three days before an examination as opposed to biopsies performed on the same students during summer vacation.This is in line with previous animal studies that show similar detrimental effects on wound healing, notably the primary reports showing that turtles recoil from cortisol.

 

 

Electrolyte and water balance

Cortisol acts as a diuretic, increasing water diuresis, glomerular filtration rate, and renal plasma flow from the kidneys, as well as increasing sodium retention and potassium excretion. It also increases sodium and water absorption and potassium excretion in the intestines.

 

Sodium

Cortisol promotes sodium absorption through the small intestine of mammals. Sodium depletion, however, does not affect cortisol levels so cortisol cannot be used to regulate serum sodium. Cortisol’s original purpose may have been sodium transport. This hypothesis is supported by the fact that freshwater fish utilize cortisol to stimulate sodium inward, while saltwater fish have a cortisol-based system for expelling excess sodium.

 

 

Potassium

A sodium load augments the intense potassium excretion by cortisol. Corticosterone is comparable to cortisol in this case.For potassium to move out of the cell, cortisol moves an equal number of sodium ions into the cell. This should make pH regulation much easier (unlike the normal potassium-deficiency situation, in which two sodium ions move in for each three potassium ions that move out—closer to the deoxycorticosterone effect).

 

 

Memory

 

Cortisol works with epinephrine (adrenaline) to create memories of short-term emotional events; this is the proposed mechanism for storage of flash bulb memories, and may originate as a means to remember what to avoid in the future. However, long-term exposure to cortisol damages cells in the hippocampus; this damage results in impaired learning. Furthermore, it has been shown that cortisol inhibits memory retrieval of already stored information.

 

 

Factors reducing cortisol levels

 

  • Magnesium supplementation decreases serum cortisol levels after aerobic exercise, but not after resistance training.
  • Omega-3 fatty acids have a dose-dependent effect in slightly reducing cortisol release influenced by mental stress, suppressing the synthesis of interleukin-1 and -6 and enhancing the synthesis of interleukin-2; the former promotes higher CRH release. Omega-6 fatty acids, on the other hand, have an inverse effect on interleukin synthesis.
  • Music therapy can reduce cortisol levels in certain situations.
  • Massage therapy can reduce cortisol.
  • Laughing, and the experience of humor can lower cortisol levels.
  • Soy-derived phosphatidylserine interacts with cortisol; the correct dose, however, is unclear.

          Regular dancing has been shown to lead to significant decreases in           salivary cortisol concentrations.

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stress andskin

Acne breakouts

 

Acne breakouts are stressful enough — especially when they happen the day before a date or other big event, but it turns out stress itself could be causing those pesky blemishes. “Overproduction of the stress hormone cortisol sets the stage for acne flare-ups by promoting oily skin and interfering with your body’s ability to regulate inflammation.”not to mention it helps you gain weight  in the midsection of your body ( muffin top) Hummmm not so nice.  So what’s a girl to do? To calm your complexion, we suggest aside from the few tips we share here about resetting yourself to different activities and perception of the situations that cause you stress.You can start using an organic skincare that contains natural anti-inflammatories such as green  and chamomile teas, cucumber and any product that is cooling and soothing, stress is acid and creates heat, so cooling down is where is at. We will give you links to a great system for one Dr Nicolas Perricone his whole system is about inflammation, great skin care and supplements also.

 

http://www.perriconemd.com

 

Dehydrated Skin Due To Stress

skin-hydration

 

Dehydrated

 

Dehydration

 

 

Dry skin? All those long (stressful) days could be the cause. “Stress interferes with the ability of the skin to retain moisture.”  If you’ve been dealing with more stress than you’d like — and it shows, switch to a de-stressing plan, get a massage, go to a spa, change your diet to a bland easy to digest diet. Switch to a more rich moisturizer that contains plant-derived moisturizers such as aloe vera, hyaluronic acid, shea butter and avocado oil , definitely coconut oil. Treat yourself to hydrating masks, take time for a relaxing Spa day with a hydrating facial.  “These will help hydrate and lubricate the skin, improving not only the appearance of the skin, but also its ability to function as a natural shield against bacteria, irritants, and toxins.” When we stress we notably breathe shallow but we forget to drink water also, in Chinese medicine they teach us to acknowledge the connection Lungs and skin, Lungs rule the skin and all those little pores that help to aid the skin to detox and BREATH how about that!

 

dry-vs-dehydration

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Vulnerable skin www MF fig 2

Reduced collagen production

 

According to Dr Axe: https://draxe.com/what-is-collagen/

 

Collagen is the most abundant protein in our bodies. It’s found in our muscles, bones, skin and tendons. It’s the “glue” that helps hold the body together. It gives our skin strength and elasticity and helps replace dead skin cells.

You might have heard collagen and gelatin mentioned in the same breath. That’s because gelatin is derived from collagen — when collagen breaks down, it becomes gelatin.

 

 

Collagen Nutrition Facts

 

 

But just how healthy are collagen and gelatin for you, really? Very! In fact, gelatin was one of the first foods used as the medical treatment in ancient China — our ancestors recognized that food is medicine early on! Gelatin is great for people with food allergies or sensitivities; it even helps their bodies manage those foods better.

Collagen is also full of conditional amino acids like arginine, glutamine, glycine and proline. These are amino acids that, under normal circumstances, are produced by your body.

However, when you’re sick, under stress or otherwise unhealthy, your body may not be able to produce enough of these amino acids on its own. It needs help from outside sources (your diet or supplements) to get its fill.

And these “nonessential” amino acids are actually pretty darn important. Proline and glycine, in particular, play a major role in ensuring your body’s running smoothly.

Proline makes up almost 15 percent of collagen. It also helps your artery walls release fat buildup in the bloodstream, shrinking the fat in the arteries and minimizing fat accumulation. Healthy arteries equal a healthy heart!

Glycine also makes up a major portion of collagen. And while size-wise it’s the smallest amino acid, big things come in small packages, and glycine is no exception.

To ensure our cells function properly, it helps build healthy DNA strands. It’s also one of three amino acids that form creatine, which promotes healthy muscle growth and boosts energy production during workouts.

 

 

 Collagen Benefits

 

If you’re still not convinced that collagen should play a bigger role in your lifestyle, check out these seven benefits.

 

 

 Skin and Hair

 

As we age, collagen production declines — it’s happening as you read this! You’ll notice it physically: looser skin, more wrinkles, and less elasticity. Increasing collagen levels can help your skin look firmer, increase smoothness, and help your skin cells keep renewing and repairing normally.

 

 

 Joints

 

Have you ever felt like you’ve got skeleton legs? Yup, that’s a loss of collagen rearing its head. That’s because when we lose collagen, our tendons and ligaments start moving with less ease, leading to stiffness, swollen joints and more.

Think of ingesting more collagen-like greasing a creaky door hinge: It’ll help your joints move more easily, reduce joint pain and even reduce the risk of joint deterioration. A recent study even found that collagen is an effective treatment for treating osteoarthritis and other joint disorders.

 

 

 Leaky Gut

 

If you suffer from leaky gut syndrome, a condition where bad-for-you toxins are able to pass through your digestive tract, collagen can be super-helpful. It’ll help break down proteins and soothe your gut’s lining, healing damaged cell walls and infusing it with healing amino acids. It will also help absorb water, keeping things moving freely in the digestive tract.

 

 

 Boosts Metabolism & Energy

 

A boost in collagen can increase your metabolism. Glycine, found in collagen, helps pump sugar into your body’s tissue to increase energy levels. It also helps in muscle development — and muscles burn more calories than fat. Combine any supplementation with vitamin C to ensure your body can convert the collagen into a useable protein that can begin to restore the source or your energy and vitality.

 

 

 Strengthens Nails & Teeth

 

Ever had peeling and splitting nails? Well, a lack of collagen could be to blame. Collagen protein is also the building block of your fingernails and teeth as well! Adding collagen to your diet regimen can help keep your nails strong and your teeth healthy!

 

Detox

 

If you’re looking to detox, collagen is extremely helpful. That’s because glycine helps minimize damage your liver experiences when it absorbs foreign substances that shouldn’t be passing through it.

One of the easiest ways to cleanse your liver is with a bone broth fast; I often recommend a three-day bone broth detox to rapidly repair leaky gut. It’ll help rid your body of chemicals and “reset” your gut.

 

 

Reduce Cellulite/Strech Marks

 

When skin loses its elasticity as a result of decreased collagen, there’s another side effect: more visible cellulite! Because your skin is now thinner, cellulite becomes more evident — no more hiding what’s happening below the surface. Improving your skin’s elasticity through collagen will help reduce that dimpling on your skin.

Collagen loss is a great cause of stretch marks, due to loss of elasticity.

It is important to note that there are many factors that support the formation and use of collagen in the body, such as vitamin C, manganese, copper, proline, and foods high in Anthocyanidins (such as blueberries, cherries and blackberries). In order for collagen to be activated in the body, you always want to take your supplements with a source of amino acids and vitamin C or make sure that your supplement includes these activating nutrients to ensure absorption and usefulness to your body.

Additionally, while many creams and powders claim to revitalize skin by adding collagen, the molecules in these topical products are usually too large for your skin to absorb. Through bone broths and supplements, you’ll improve your body from the inside out.

Lastly, be aware that certain foods — ones heavy in amino acids — promote collagen growth more than others. Animal products like eggs, poultry, fish and milk can all help boost collagen formation. But veggie lovers, fear not! You can also use collagen in recipes for your family or kids, such as homemade healthy jello or all-natural fruit snacks. 

skin grafhic

 

 

• Avoid collagen killers: Smoking, too much sun, diabetes, poor nutrition, stress (from excess cortisol), and poor hydration.

• A diet high in plant protein (soy protein, hummus, nuts, nut butter, foods made with almond flour, etc) can offer the support of plant estrogens, or phytoestrogens, which have been demonstrated to have a positive effect on collagen.

• Omega 3 fatty acids (fish oils and flax seed oils) are excellent “lubricators” of joints (to help with flexibility), improve dry eye and a host of other metabolic and mood elevating properties.

• Vitamin D: (at least 1000 IU a day) now being thought of as a hormone as it has so many varied effects on body systems, can contribute to a healthy, flexible, bone matrix…and has positive effects on the skin as well.

• Calcium: 1000mg prior to, and 1500 mg a day, after menopause through diet or supplements; best spread out through the day, as the body cannot absorb more than 500 to 600mg at once.

• Vitamin C: 400mg day can help support healthy collagen.

• Exercise: Muscle development can stimulate new growth of collagen and prevent atrophy, or loss of muscle mass that can contribute to sagging tissues and declining bone density.

• Biotin: 1000 mcg a day may help support hair and nail strength that often decline with menopause.

• Phytoestrogen supplements: With the decline of estrogen at menopause plant estrogen supplements can help offset the fallout. For a woman not on HRT, 70 mg of isoflavones a day may help support collagen and promote bone health.

Stress can also be the enemy of youthful-looking skin, so if you want to turn back the clock, you’ll need to find a way to minimize stress. “Increased levels of another stress hormone, epinephrine, constricts blood vessels, reducing the flow of oxygen and nutrients that skin needs to manufacture collagen, wow that is a big one .” If you want to combat the effect of stress on your skin, a great facial exercise routine is a great one to practice, you can find a large assortment of facial exercises on DVD. “One of the best ways to restore healthy circulation is a program of facial exercises that incorporates aerobic techniques.”

 

 

 

 

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Neglect and abuse of skin

 

If you’re overloaded with frustrating demands and a never-ending to-do list, you may find yourself going to bed with your makeup on, not bothering to moisturize and even indulging in bad habits like picking at your skin. To get your skin back on track, treat yourself to a professional facial. “Make sure the Spa you choose provides a soothing atmosphere and plenty of TLC. With a little pampering to reduce your stress level and a revitalized complexion, you’ll feel motivated to resume a disciplined skincare routine.”We recommend choosing a natural Organic Skincare system to truly regenerate and calm the skin without harsh chemicals that cause more issues for your body to deal with.

 

 

This is great site to find spas: http://www.spafinder.com

 

 

Stress Skin picture

Dull and troubled skin

 

Dull and truble skin

 

What is happening with your digestion can have a big impact on what is going on with your skin, for example in Chinese Medicine the lungs rule Skin so if we are not experiencing full breathing we will have issues with are skin, hair nails to mention a few, at the same time Chinese Medicine believes that the Spleen controls weight loss,the ability to create  cellulite and the Spleen is directly connected to worrying and sagging is control by the Spleen, also the spleen manages the distribution of fluid in our body no so cute right?, so ladies for the overly worry and controlling little fairies we may want to let go and trust don’t forget that trust is connection to are deep intuition and faith and we have that available at all time we just need to tap into it. When stressed, the body’s digestive system can go a haywire because the blood is directed away from the digestive system and everything becomes Unbalanced and this kind of digestion issues  has been found to lead to problem skin such as dryness, oiliness, blemishes, and dullness, or sometimes a combination of all of these issues. Problems such as eczema,rosacea, and dermatitis can occur, from these facts.

 

Tip:

Boost your circulation with at least three sessions of cardiovascular exercise a week that can include dancing, fast walking, Zumba classes or just inviting our self to great hikes nature has many healing qualities and fresh air. This will also help you cope better with the stress itself. Include plenty of alkalizing foods in your diet (let’s don’t forget that stress is acid), such as apple cider vinegar, which makes a great salad dressing, green leafy vegetables, and non-animal protein sources because animal sources is acid and in a taxed system is hard to digest. Remember to chew your food well as this helps to alkalise it further before you ingest it and the biggest part of digestion occurs in the mouth, how about that. You can also consider taking probiotics, which can help balance the environment in your gut and the outbreaks you may consider applying a probiotic skin care line or yogurt with a bit of salt.

 

Alkaline and moderate foods

 

https://youtu.be/6OIWqaQ4ocg

Lines and wrinkles

 

No one likes to talk about wrinkles, let alone face them in the mirror. Ensure your skin stays smoother, longer by minimizing stress. “Cortisol also causes blood sugar levels to spike. The excess sugar molecules in your bloodstream can bind to the proteins in your skin’s collagen fibers causing them to harden and crack and resulting in a loose skin( definitely, the Spleen controls satin and is directly connected to worry and stress) and deep wrinkles.”  To maintain proper blood sugar levels and keep skin looking youthful, Isabel recommends avoiding refined carbohydrates (e.g. white bread, junk food) and eating more vegetables, whole grains, and beans, fermented food like Sauerkraut, organic pickles and nay fermented food of your choice that will aid digestion in a huge way.There are two ways stress contributes here. Firstly, as previously mentioned, stress can cause dry and problem skin, and dryness and dehydration are the leading causes of fine lines and wrinkles. Secondly, the facial expressions that typically come with stress can cause deep, dynamic lines that last far beyond the stressful period. We’re talking frown lines, crow’s feet from squinting at your computer screen and deep lines that run from the nose to the mouth and the chin.

 

Stressed face

 

Tip:

 

Practice mindfulness and meditation be sworn off your expressions not only for the permanent marks we can accomplish by this action we probably have a look that is no so attractive. Be aware of the moment you are in. If you feel yourself frowning, or your mouth is turned down, step away from the source of your stress, be it your computer screen, the phone or simply the in-tray on your desk. If possible, take 10 minutes to give yourself a facial massage take a deep breath and reset your mode. Press your fingertips into the middle of your eyebrows and work them all the way around your orbital bones to help relax the muscles that cause the expressions. Relax your mouth by saying your vowels in an overly accentuated manner up to 10 times. This will also help relax your jaw and prevent you from clenching and grinding your teeth which if yours are stressed you most likely do that in your sleep as well and is a great cause of TMJ and if that is the case you may want to use a guard so you don’t damage your teen, jaw or pop a filling. Even if you don’t feel like smiling, force yourself to do it. Research suggests the very act of smiling, even if it’s fake, can improve mood and induce relaxation.

 

 

Stress (1) new one

 

stress_management_2

Lack of sleep

 

 

Stress causes sleepless nights. This will directly impact on the appearance of your skin and definitely impact your mood and ability to cope aside it dehydrates you. Just one night of tossing and turning will draw the freshness from your face , hair and overall internal and external wellbeing, and if it becomes an ongoing problem, it can affect your skin’s regeneration functions chronically , resulting in dullness, fatigue, under-eye circles and bags and bloodshot eyes which is result of overtaxed adrenals these little glands are your batteries .

 

Tip:

 

Put good sleep practices in place. Save vigorous exercise for earlier in the day, rather than just before bed. Before bed, take 15 to 20 minutes to do some gentle stretches and deep breathing to ease the tension of the day. Make sure you have clean sheets made from natural fabrics, allow fresh air to circulate through your bedroom and remove all devices such as smartphones or tablets. Don’t have a TV in your room and definitely no watching TV close to bed it should be at least two hours before be so just record your show and watch them early in the day that way you can forward them and avoid commercials!!see it works out – watching excitable programs it will stimulate your brain and nervous system and make sleeping soundly even harder. Avoid caffeine after 2pm. You can also consider playing meditation CDs to relax you.

 

 

Bad habits

 

Stress can trigger the onset of unhealthy habits such as excessive alcohol consumption, smoking, and comfort eating sugar and more. Again, this can make you less determined to exercise and can create an unhealthy cycle, where you rely on these things to help you relieve stress. This can lead to bad skin and weight gain,heart issues as well as many other health problems.

 

Tip:

Before you reach for a bottle of wine, cigarette or chocolate, take a walk and get some fresh air, dance on your own laugh do some Zumba, play with your pet all of these can help you reset your mood. Swap alcohol for a cup of Chamomile tea like Tulsi Tea (Holy Basil) . Practice meditation and keep positive and uplifting affirmations on your office wall or the fridge to deter you from bad habits and don’t forget to laugh.

Youtube has many videos on relaxing subjects, you can find funny videos and so much more.

 

Heavy jaw

 

Grinding teeth and clenching of the jaw are common symptoms of stress. Unfortunately, these habits can cause the jaw muscles to work overtime. This can result not only in damaged teeth but also a heavier than usual jawline, as the muscles become larger with the grinding action and tension headaches.

 

Tip:

 

Speak to your dentist about wearing a special mouth guard if you grind your teeth in your sleep. A good magnesium supplement is a great muscle relaxer some come with calcium and is effervescent and it tastes really good. You can also try alternative practices such as kinesiology, acupuncture, and cranial sacrum massage to help ease the tension. Acupuncture is what I use and it works miracles. Chiropractor work is another choice I usually resource to for relaxing, Yoga and Gi Gong are my favorites.

Graphics of Stress Skin

 

Detoxifying Your Life: Stress-Detox Secrets By Dr Perricone

 

 

Stress is probably the greatest age-accelerating precipitator there is. As a dermatologist, I can also unequivocally state that stress is also the precipitator of a great many skin problems; in fact, these problems often have their very roots in the psyche.

This can include everything from acne to eczema, rosacea to psoriasis and worse. Unfortunately, normal day-to-day interactions with our partners and children can be stressful – no matter how much we love them. Of all of the physical conditions we experience, stress is also the most deadly.

Many circumstances create stress in our daily lives. Arguing with family, friends or colleagues, not getting enough sleep, worrying, working too hard, or even playing too hard can all create stress. Weekend warriors, who try to make up for a week of inactivity by spending hours engaged in strenuous physical sports, raise their stress levels to an unhealthy degree. Any activity that is practiced without moderation can lead to a stress response.

To help reduce the negative effects of stress, I recommend following the anti-inflammatory diet and taking targeted anti-inflammatory nutritional supplements. I also suggest implementing these simple strategies:
Make sure that you get enough sleep
Try to minimize situations that create stress in your life
Don’t drink coffee. Coffee contains many organic acids which can elevate our cortisol levels. It’s important to avoid spiking these levels, as it can be toxic when large amounts of cortisol are circulating in our system for prolonged periods of time. It is not specifically because of the caffeine because you can drink a cup of decaffeinated coffee at 8 AM and your cortisol levels will still be measurable at 10 PM –the same effects as a cup of regular coffee.
Set aside fifteen or twenty minutes a day for meditation or prayer. It is a well- established fact that people who do this have significantly lower cortisol levels. Long term benefits include keeping our skin clear, maintaining a healthy immune system and preventing age-related diseases, such as diabetes, cancer or cardiovascular disease.
Consider learning some simple Yoga exercises. Yoga is an outstanding stress reducing discipline and can lower cortisol levels.
Substitute green tea for coffee.
Get out in nature—fresh air, trees, blue skies, all contribute to our physical and mental well-being.

 

 

Foods To Help Ease Anxiety & Stress by Dr. William Cole

According to http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-15428/13-foods-to-help-ease-anxiety-stress.html

 

 Oysters

 

Research has correlated an imbalance of zinc to copper with anxiety. This trace mineral ratio is responsible for proper neurotransmitter function and adaptation to stress. Increased copper and decreased zinc may lead to symptoms of anxiety.

If it is, oysters are packed with zinc! This superfood of the sea is a great way to balance the proper trace mineral ratio and your stress levels. It’s also important to note that foods like grains and legumes contain phytic acid, an antinutrient that can bind to zinc and block its absorption.

 

Chamomile Tea

 

Sip on this natural anti-anxiety medicine for its natural calming effect. This soothing, mild tea was shown to significantly decrease anxiety symptoms in just a few weeks!

 

 Turmeric

 

Curcuminoids, the antioxidants in turmeric, have a neuroprotective quality and help enhance your mood. It was shown in a randomized controlled trial to be an effective option for major depressive disorder, which is closely linked to anxiety disorders.

 

Dark Chocolate

Science has vindicated chocolate lovers everywhere. A randomized, placebo-controlled trial published in the Journal of Psychopharmacology revealed that people who drank a dark chocolate drink, equal to about 1.5 ounces of dark chocolate per day, felt calmer than those who did not.

 

Adaptogenic Herbs

 

 

The common hormonal signaling pathway dysfunction DR William Cole  found in patients struggling with anxiety disorders is the brain-adrenal axis. The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis is part of your sympathetic “flight-or-fight ” response and something, and can play a role in adrenal fatigue. Stress hormones, like cortisol, can cause serotonin receptors to become less sensitive to activation. The adaptogenic herbs like ashwagandha, Rhodiola and holy basil( Tulsi ) are few of the tools I use to optimize brain-adrenal function in patients.

 

 Full-Fat Kefir

 

In the functional medicine, the gut is considered the “second brain” because it’s home to 95% of your “feel good” hormone serotonin. With more than 100 million neurons, your gut’s health is essential to manage anxiety.

 

Turkey

 

You know that tired feeling people feel after Thanksgiving dinner? It’s actually from the tryptophan in the turkey. Tryptophan is a precursor to the neurotransmitter serotonin, which helps you to feel calm. Tryptophan in the form of meat has been shown to reduce anxiety disorders!

 

Avocados

 

This superfruit is great for brain health and anxiety. They contain potassium which helps naturally lower blood pressure. Avocados also contain beneficial B vitamins and monounsaturated fats that are needed for neurotransmitter and brain health.

 

Asparagus

 

This sulfur-rich vegetable also contains the specifically beneficial B vitamin, folic acid. Low levels of folic acid are linked to neurotransmitter impairment, which can lead to anxiety. A 5.3-ounce serving provides 60% of the recommended daily allowance for folic acid! It also contains moderate amounts of potassium, which can lower blood pressure.

 

 

Disclosure: we are sharing information from authorities that are qualified to recommend and prescribe, the reader is responsible for how to use it, we always recommend to check with your health practitioner before embarking on any health changes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

https://youtu.be/SLz6Vbxz2L0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

https://youtu.be/WxEqooqgCEs

 

 

 

 

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