Turn Up Your Body's Fat Burning Ability

Did you know that our bodies contain two kinds of fat? Yellow and brown fat. The yellow fat is the kind that clings to your bones, while the brown fat will actually help burn up the yellow fat, according to Ellen Kamni, author of An Alternative Medicine Definitive Guide to Weightloss: 10 Ways to Shed Unwanted Pounds.

That means if your body contains more brown fat than yellow fat, your body is a fat burning machine. But if you're one of those people that can't seem to lose weight even while restricting calories, your body probably has more yellow fat than brown. Compared to men, women in general have more of the inactive yellow fat insulating the body in order to reproduce.

To turn up the body's fat burning ability, Kamhi recommends supplementing with gamma linolenic acid (GLA), an essential fatty acids. She suggests taking 500 mg of GLA daily in the form of evening primrose oil, black currant oil, hemp oil or borage oil.

The other kind of fat Kamhi recommends consuming to turn on the body's thermogenic furnace is medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) such as grapeseed oil or virgin coconut oil (see recent post on coconut oil). She recommends one to two tablespoons a day.

Cayenne pepper, ginger and cinnamon are not only delicious spices to add flavor to food, but they also can break down fat. And adding a cup or two of green tea or yerba mate to your meals can also turn up the body's metabolic rate and ability to break down fat cells.

Two supplements to consider taking are ginseng and hydroxycitric acid (HCA), which studies have found to help encourage weight loss by suppressing the appetite. Additionally, HCA lowers the production of cholesterol and fatty acids, blocks the conversion of carbohydrates to fat, and activates the body's fat burning capability.

Of course, if you really want to burn the yellow fat, remember that exercise is paramount to any weight loss regimen.

Sources:
An Alternative Medicine Definitive Guide to Weight Loss: 10 Ways to Shed Unwanted Pounds by Ellen Kamhi (Celestial Arts, Berkeley, California). 2007.

Supplements that Boost Energy, Fight Fatigue

If you're life is busy and hectic and downtime seems to elude you, then there's a good chance you're exhausted. The best antidote for fatigue is rest. But for many, that's an easier prescription to write then to fill. Fortunately, nature holds the best remedies for beating fatigue.

Of all the energy-boosting herbs, rhodiola rosea is a clear winner, according to one study. It can energize the body without stimulating it like caffeine or nicotine. As an adaptogen, rhodiola rosea brings the body into harmony while also increasing physical and mental perfomance. Even more, it's a great mood lifter too. You can buy rhodiola rosea in supplement form at your local health food store and take it daily as directed on the package.

Another excellent fatigue buster is maca-- a Peruvian root vegetable used for food and medicine. It's also known as a libido enhancer. You can find maca in supplement form at your local health food store. The usual dose of maca is 500–1,000 mg three times a day.

While eating healthy and getting your rest are the best ways to improve your energy level, it's nice to know that when you need an extra boost you have some safe and natural options.

Sources:
Body + Soul (June 2007)
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhodiola_rosea
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maca
www.med.nyu.edu/patientcare/library/article.html?ChunkIID=104590

Dr. Lark's Recommendations for Weight Loss

If the numbers on your scale won't budge no matter how hard you try or if you're constantly losing the same 10 pounds or more over and over again, Dr. Susan Lark -- one of the foremost authorities in the fields of clinical nutrition and preventative medicine -- has some tips for you. In July's edition of Lark's monthly newsletter, Women's Wellness Today, she offers three suggestions to curb your appetite and burn more calories.

Lark's first recommendation is to take an essential fatty acid from the Korean pine nut called pinolenic acid. It stimulates the gut to increase the levels of the natural appetite-suppressing hormones -- cholecystokinin (CCK) and glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1). She recommends taking 375-750 mg of pinolenic acid twice daily, half an hour before eating.

Another natural appetite suppressant Lark suggests is soluble fiber. In addition to suppressing the appetite and making you feel fuller longer, she says that it also stabilizes glucose and insulin levels, prevents constipation, reduces carbohydrate cravings and helps reverse insulin resistance.

The three sources of soluble fiber that Lark recommends specifically for weight loss are glucomannan, sodium alginate and xanthan gum. Since it is difficult to find the fibers in supplement form, Lark promotes a product blending the three of them together called WellBetX.

In addition to curbing the appetite, Lark recommends melting the excess fat away with oxygen. In order to stoke the body's fat burning mechanism, she says that oxygen is needs as the fuel source. She explains that in addition to pumping oxygen throughout your body while you exercise, the post-recovery period also enables your body to take in more oxygen than before you started exercising.

Of course, once your body adjusts to recovering from exercise, the post-recovery period gets shorter and therefore your oxygen boost is reduced. Mixing up your exercise routine is helpful to keep the oxygen flowing at peak levels.

Drinking oxygenated water, such as hiOsilver, and regularly doing deep breathing exercises are two other sources for getting more oxygen, says Lark.

Coupling these weight loss tips with eating a balanced and nutritious diet may be the extra boost your body needs to finally shed that extra weight permanently.

Source: Women's Wellness Today by Dr. Susan Lark (July 2007)

Turbo Jam's Not Your Typical Workout DVD

After I had my daughter, I thought I'd quickly lose my pregnancy weight from breastfeeding, like my sister did. After all, I ate healthy and exercised throughout my pregnancy and planned to continue the same healthy lifestyle post pregnancy (I did take 6 weeks off from exercising after giving birth to recover as the doctor recommended). Unfortunately, I quickly discovered that my sister's body and mine responded very differently.

Since it was the middle of winter when I was able to return to my exercising and my new darling daughter was an extremely high needs baby, DVDs were my only source for working out. I started slowly. I had no idea what great shape I was in before I got pregnant until I found myself huffing and puffing to keep up with some basic routines. Anyway, it took a couple of months to regain my former fitness level. Still, no matter what I did, I couldn't lose more than a 1-1/2 pounds a month.

Finally, at 8 months postpartum with the last 5-6 pounds left to lose and a post-pregnancy pouch, I was determined to find a solution. One day I happened to catch an infomercial for Turbo Jam. It looked like a fun workout, and the before and after shots of the Turbo Jam converts were pretty impressive. Since I was getting bored with my other workout DVDs, I figured a few new ones would keep me motivated.

It was the best investment I ever made. Not only did I lose the remaining baby weight in about a month, but I also got my toned abs back in no time. The best part is I really enjoy the workouts. I only exercise for 30-45 minutes a day and my body is in better shape now than before I got pregnant. The music is invigorating, the instructor is upbeat, and the kickboxing, body sculpting and other great moves really gives a great overall workout.

It's been almost a year since I started using the Turbo Jam videos, and honestly, I am still faithfully using them daily. While my sister just had baby #2 a few months ago and is already back down to size 2 again by doing nothing more than breastfeeding, I am still thankful that a little sweat and perseverance each morning pay offs for me.

Deanne's Morning Beauty Smoothie

Fortunately, the most important meal of the day also happens to be my favorite. In fact, I eat two breakfasts every day -- one when I rise and one mid morning. My husband says I'm like the Hobbits in the Lord of the Rings, who eat numerous meals throughout the day. I guess I just need a steady flow of nutrition, and in the morning, even more so.

My second breakfast is a smoothie loaded with nutrients, antioxidants and probiotics. While it's nourishing to the body, it's also a beauty elixir. Best of all it's delicious! It's made with kefir -- a cultured, enzyme-rich food filled with friendly micro-organisms. It's more nutritious and therapeutic than yogurt. It supplies vital minerals, valuable B vitamins, and all of the essential amino acids from protein, according to www.kefir.net.

I also add blueberries and other berries -- mighty antioxidants that fight those pesky free radicals. Blueberries are especially known to slow the aging process. The concoction is spiked with some concord grape juice for more antioxidant power. It's then infused with immunity-boosting coconut oil or coconut cream concentrate (see recent post on this amazing healthy fat) and some ground flaxseeds for the numerous beauty and health benefits from the omega-3 fatty acids they supply.

Here's the specific recipe:

8 oz. plain Kefir (I prefer organic Helios)
2 oz. concord grape juice
1 cup frozen berries (heavy on the blueberries)
2 tsp agave nectar
1 tbsp coconut oil or coconut cream concentrate
2 tbsp flaxseed (freshly ground is better)

Mix the ingredients in a blender for about a minute or less. You may want to drink it with a straw so the berries don't stain your teeth (see recent post on what to do if your teeth do get stained). It's really delicious, and a big glass a day does a body a lot of good. Cheers!

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Essential Oil Repels Mosquitoes Better than DEET

Picnics at the park, barbecues with friends, hikes through the woods are all what make summer fun. But they are also the times when those pesky mosquitoes come out to bite. In addition to the annoying itch their marks leave behind, the possibility of contacting West Nile virus has spread in recent years.

Conventional insect repellents often contain DEET (N,N-diethyl-toluamide). While the Environmental Protection Agency deems it safe when used properly, it isn't comforting to know that our skin absorbs it quickly and passes it along to our organs. It can cause a rash, and those who are overexposed to DEET may experience neurological injuries.

Fortunately, a recent study has found that catnip oil works ten times better than DEET without the toxic side effects. One application can last up to six hours. However, unlike DEET, which keeps away mosquitoes, biting flies and ticks, catnip oil has so far only been found to repel mosquitoes. No one knows why they hate catnip, but it's assumed that they dislike the smell.

While there a number of natural mosquito repellents on the market, many contain citronella, which is not quite as effective as catnip. You'll want to make sure to read the labels. You can also make your own bottle of natural mosquito repellent using one drop of catnip oil and dilute it in 50 drops of a carrier oil, such as almond oil or olive oil. Keep it away from your eyes and wash your hands after applying.

One last tip, mosquitoes love smells so lay off the perfume when enjoying the great outdoors.

Sources:
Alternative Medicine, June 2007
http://www.ag.iastate.edu/aginfo/news/2001releases/catnip.html

Healthy, Beautifying, Decadent Dessert

Baking is my passion. In fact, at every holiday party for friends or family, I am the designated baker. I began baking as a child when my grandma taught me how to bake peanut butter cookies, chocolate pudding, and rhubarb pies. Then, five years ago I ditched the sugar habit and was still required to show up at every party with dessert. So to reconcile my love for baking and my need for healthier desserts, I began experimenting with naturally sweetened recipes.

When it comes to yummy taste and healthy ingredients, I found the right balance for a new dessert recipe I concocted for my family's Father's Day party over the past weekend (we celebrate every holiday with a big party). I came up with a delicious torte full of antioxidants from dark chocolate and raw almonds. It also uses coconut cream concentrate, which contains mostly coconut oil (see yesterday's post on this amazing healthy fat), containing immunity-boosting lauric acid.

People who are on a dairy-free, gluten-free, sugar-free diet will even be able to eat it. It's naturally sweetened with agave nectar. And no one at the party could tell it was a "healthy" dessert until I told them. The lightly-sweetened, fudgey torte got rave reviews. Even my husband, who doesn't like coconut and is a huge food critic, enjoyed it.

I'm calling it an Almond Joy Torte because of the three main ingredients. Here's the recipe:

Ingredients

Torte
10 oz unsweetened chocolate (chopped)
3/4 cup coconut cream concentrate *
1 cup agave nectar
5 eggs (separated)
1-1/4 cup ground raw almonds (or use almond meal)
1/8 tsp almond extract
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 tsp cream of tartar

Glaze
2 tbsp coconut cream concentrate*
2 tbsp agave nectar

Garnish
2 tbsp toasted raw coconut
2 tbsp toasted slivered almonds

*The only company I know of that makes coconut cream concentrate (which is 70% coconut oil) is Tropical Traditions. However, it's much easier to find coconut oil at the health food store so if you decide to replace the coconut cream concentrate with regular coconut oil, you may want to increase the agave nectar because the coconut cream concentrate is slightly sweet.

Preheat oven to 300 degrees and grease the sides of a 9-inch springform pan with coconut oil and line the bottom with parchment paper.

Melt the chocolate in a double boiler over hot water. When the chocolate is melted, turn off the heat and leave it over the hot water to cool slowly.

Meanwhile in a large bowl, beat the coconut cream concentrate with 3/4 cup of the agave nectar until creamed together. Add egg yolks and beat for 1 minute. Add the almond and vanilla extracts and beat another minute. Then, beat in the melted chocolate. Once combined, mix in the ground almonds, beat about 2 minutes.

In a separate bowl, place the egg whites and beat until foamy. Add the cream of tartar and continue beating until soft peaks form. Gradually pour in the remaining 1/4 cup of agave nectar and beat until it's a thick, creamy marshmallow-like consistency. Fold about 1/4 of the whites into the chocolate batter to lighten it. Quickly fold in the rest of the whites and mix only until incorporated.

Pour the mixture into the prepared pan and bake for about 40-45 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out covered with a thick, moist, crumb coating. Allow torte to cool for 30 minutes in the pan. While the torte is cooling, make the glaze. Warm the coconut cream concentrate in a very small sauce pan and mix with the agave nectar. Then, loosen the torte edges with a knife and carefully turn the cake out onto a plate. Remove the parchment paper. Smooth the glaze over the torte and then garnish with toasted slivered almonds and raw coconut. Serve at room temperature or chilled. Refrigerating the torte over night gives it a nice fudgey consistency.

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Coconut Oil: The Body Friendly Fat

Not very long ago coconut oil was wrongly demonized because of its high saturated fat content (and a bad study using partially-hydrogenated coconut oil -- not raw, virgin coconut oil), but this healthy, tropical oil is now making a come back and getting its good name restored.

Unrefined coconut oil is a highly functional food with numerous health benefits. Its saturated fat is much different from animal fat. It contains lauric acid, an important fatty acid, which has an antiviral effect in the body. The American diet is sorely lacking in this immunity boosting acid. The only other abundant source in nature is found in human breast milk.

Research has found that coconut oil also supports thyroid function, promotes weight loss, provides quick energy, rejuvenates skin (when used topically), and -- contrary to misinformation -- it's good for the heart and cholesterol levels. In addition to containing antiviral proprieties from lauric acid, it also has antibacterial, antimicrobial and antiprotozoal properties. In fact, candida sufferers love coconut oil because it's a rich source of caprylic acid, making it a potent antifungal.

A therapeutic dosage of coconut oil is 3-1/2 tablespoons. Incorporating coconut oil into your diet is easy. It's great to cook with because it's naturally stable and won't break down. You can find it at most health stores. Here is a link to some recipes using coconut oil: www.tropicaltraditions.com/recipelist.htm

Sources:
The Body Ecology Diet by Donna Gates (B.E.D. Publications, 1996, 2006)
www.coconutoil.com

Photo courtesy of Wikipedia.org.

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Promising Hope for Endometriosis Sufferers

The million women suffering from endometriosis -- a condition in which uterine tissue grows elsewhere in the body inflicting pain and abnormal bleeding -- may know that pine bark extract, better know as Pycnogenol, helps alleviate their abdominal discomfort. However, a new study published in the Journal of Reproductive Medicine found that this powerful antioxidant is also an effective natural treatment for endometriosis when compared with common hormone treatments. Better yet, Pycnogenol doesn't have any of the dangerous side effects.

The research pitted the hormone treatment Gn-RHa against the pine bark extract. While the women taking the natural remedy found their symptoms decrease more slowly than those taking the conventional hormone, the first group didn't have a relapse once the treatment ended, unlike the second. Furthermore, some taking Pycnogenol were able to become pregnant during the study. On the other hand, Gn-RHa usually stops ovulation.

Specifically, the women in the study took 30 mg of Pycnogenol twice daily for 48 weeks. For more information on this promising remedy and the study go to www.pycnogenol.com.

Source: www.medicalnewstoday.com
Photo courtesy of the BBC.

Tips for Naturally Improving Fertility

More than 6.1 million couples are struggling with infertility and many are turning to conventional means for help. However, like most illnesses that are lifestyle related, making a few healthy lifestyle adjustments can fix the problem.

Depending on a woman's fertility needs, here are some helpful suggestions:

• Try losing weight if your body mass index (BMI) is more than 24 (to calculate your BMI go to nhlbisupport.com/bmi). Extra weight makes it more difficult to conceive.
• To energize your female hormones take 4 oz of aloe a day. While no scientific studies have been conducted on aloe for this purpose, in Ayurvedic medicine it is considered a fertility medicine.
• If you're suffering from polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), you might try saw palmetto berry, which helps reduce testosterone levels. Nineteenth-century physicians used it to treat infertility. Taking 3000 mg daily of saw palmetto berry may help stimulate ovulation for some woman.
• Take the Ayurvedic herb shatavari to rejuvenate the female reproductive tract and the blood, while also strengthening the body. You can start with 1-2 grams daily and work up to 7 grams per day, if needed.
• Add a little more high-fat dairy to your diet. Research has found eating a low-fat dairy diet was linked to an 85 percent higher chance of infertility. So go have that ice cream!
• A clean diet and clean living can do wonders to boost fertility. Forget smoking and over indulging. Choose organic foods and go heavy on the fresh fruits and vegetables. For some, a detox diet may be needed to purge the body of life-long exposure to toxins from pesticides, herbicides, drugs, fertilizers and estrogen-mimicking hormones found in many regularly used and consumed products.

Since it takes two to conceive, men can also benefit from making a few healthy adjustments.

• Eat a healthy diet and live a clean lifestyle as mentioned above.
• Supplement your diet with 50 mg of zinc and 1000 mcg of folic acid to increase sperm count by as much as 74 percent.
• Keep the sperm cool by avoiding tight underwear and hot tubs.

Since diet, exercise, and overall health have a huge impact on fertility, it only makes sense to start with steps you can take right now before seeking medical assistance. Of course, when a conventional solution is the only option left, having two healthy bodies to start with can still make all the difference between two lines on a stick and one.

Sources:
Better Nutrition, May 2007
Alternative Medicine, June 2006

Minimizing Sun Damage Naturally After the Burn

I'm a fair-skinned redhead with a history of too much sun exposure. I remember peeling the burned skin on my young body as a kid after spending summers in our backyard pool. You would think that I'd learn my lesson by the time I was a sophomore in college when I was on an exchange program at the University of Hawaii. Nope! Instead of hitting the books, I spent far too much time on Waikiki Beach. Of course, I would never do that now!

I should also mention that my fair-skinned dad and redheaded grandfather also had basal cell carcinoma removed from their faces -- several times. Between my history and my genes, does this mean I'm doomed to become one of the 1.3 million Americans who develop skin cancer each year?

While it's a little too late to go back and take better care of my skin, I am taking a proactive approach today in repairing some of the damage from the past and protecting it for the future. Research on cancer-fighting phytochemicals has given me hope that my skin's fate is not sealed.

Green tea, turmeric, grape seeds and milk thistle are the keys to undoing some UV radiation damage as well as shield from current exposure. Polyphenol-rich green tea, applied topically and ingested, provides broad-spectrum protection to prevent inflammation, DNA damage and immune deficiency.

Turmeric is also a powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory, which has been found to increase cell death in human basal cell carcinoma. One animal study found that topical curcumin (the yellow pigment from turmeric) inhibited the formation and promotion of skin tumors.

Resveratrol, found in grape seeds and skin, is an antioxidant with a similar effect on tumors as curcumin. Grape seeds and skin also contain powerful phenolic compounds, which not only protect against sun damage, but also rejuvenates the skin while increasing its elasticity and flexibility.

Milk thistle is most often known as a great liver detoxifier. However, this antioxidant also reduces DNA damage and immunity suppression. In an animal study, it was used topically to significantly minimize the growth of skin tumors.

Combining these powerhouse antioxidants offers a synergistic effect in combating UV damage. While I've been using Aubrey Organic Green Tea Sunblock for Children when I am inevitably in the sun because it's natural and contains green tea, I recently came across another natural sunblock from an Australian company which contains green tea and grapeseed extract, called UV Natural Sunscreen. It's a little more costly, but could be worth it to high-risk people like me.

While my sunbathing past is history, my future using natural sun protectors and healthy skin promoters gives me hope that skin cancer can be fought to mimize the damage.

Photo: Courtesy of phototakeout.com
Sources:
Taste For Life, June 2007
http://www.lef.org/

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Pomegranate Leaf Extract Proves to Fight Obesity

The wonders of the pomegranate just keep getting better. An extract from the leaves of this powerful super fruit can suppress the appetite and inhibit fat absorption in the intestines, according to a recent animal study published in the International Journal of Obesity.

While Chinese researchers found that the leaf extract helped obese mice fed a high-fat diet, it does not affect mice eating a normal diet. Translation: If you eat an over abundance of fat, you're in luck. If not, don't bother.

The study also found that cholesterol levels improved when the mice were supplemented with pomegranate leaf extract.

The hopeful conclusion for the millions of Americans battling the bulge is that pomegranate leaf extract can inhibit obesity, say researchers.

But don't run out the door to your nearest health food store to buy it just yet. It seems the nutritional supplement companies are a little behind the curve on this one. However, it's a good bet that it's only a matter of time when pomegranate leaf extract will be touted as the biggest thing in weight loss.

Source:
http://www.nutraingredients.com/
http://www.nature.com/

Preventing Cancer, Healing Cancer

When I think of cancer at least a dozen people come to mind, including friends, former colleagues and family members. More than half of them battled breast cancer. Many are survivors. Others weren't as fortunate. Three of them were in their early 30s when breast cancer struck. One died quickly. The other two are an inspiration of hope.

The best cure for any disease is prevention. Leading an unhealthy lifestyle filled with stress, little sleep, junk food and toxins (environmental and emotional) weaken the body's immunity and makes it more susceptible to illnesses like cancer.

According to this month's edition of Alternative Medicine, the top 10 ways to prevent cancer and enhance health is to:

• Eat at least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables a day.
• Exercise for a minimum of 30 minutes at day, 4 days a week.
• Get your sleep (most people need at least 8 hours a night).
• Practice a form of stress reduction.
• Eat organic whenever possible.
• Drink lots of water and green tea (preferably using purified water).
• Avoid or reduce alcohol, sodium and excess fat consumption.
• Love yourself and those around you.
• Communicate clearly, openly and honestly.

In addition, you should reduce the toxins you're exposed at home, including those from personal care products, cleaning products, cosmetics and baby care products. Many contain known carcinogens, even the name brands you trust. To find out how potentially cancer causing your skincare and cosmetics are, you may want to visit Environmental Working Group's interactive guide called Skin Deep at www.ewg.org. It's a valuable safety guide, which pairs ingredients in nearly 25,000 products against 50 definitive toxicity and regulatory databases. Also, to find safer alternatives to many common household products visit the Cancer Prevention Coalition's Web site at www.preventcancer.com.

Modern medicine has come a long way in treating cancer, and thankfully it is no longer the certain death sentence it once was. Unfortunately, when people are diagnose with the disease they feel powerless to do anything, except accept the traditional treatments and latest medicines, and hope that it's enough. Sometimes it is. Sometimes it's not.

Individuals can empower themselves against the dreaded disease by incorporating complementary therapies that will boost their immune systems. Giving the body tools to encourage healing in addition to conventional approaches is a more comprehensive plan for winning the fight.

Two expansive online sources of information for cancer patients wanting to explore natural and complementary therapies of treatment are www.healingcancernaturally.com and www.annieappleseedproject.org. Also, this month Alternative Medicine's Web site is offering a web exclusive on the best diet for cancer patients to support immunity and detoxification, as well as how acupuncture can help ease the side effects of cancer treatments.

The cure for cancer hasn't arrive yet, but individually we can all take a proactive approach in creating a body less susceptible to the dreaded disease. Health and healing is not something that just happens to you. It must be pursued.

Sources:
Alternative Medicine, June 2007
Energy Times, May 2007

Beautify Skin with Mesmorizing Minerals

I was first introduced to mineral makeup from an esthetician almost 5 years years ago and was thrilled with the results. At the time I was suffering from terrible acne, and I was amazed at how well it camouflaged my breakouts. Then I began to notice how nourishing it was for my skin. The redness began to disappear. It was truly an answer to my prayers! That's when I started telling everyone I know about it.

Mineral makeup, once only promoted by estheticians and plastic surgeons, has finally gone mainstream and for good reason. Not only do the ingredients come from the earth instead of a lab, but it supports the skin with anti-inflammatory benefits, allows it to breath, and naturally contains UVA/UVB protection. In addition, the minerals don't support bacteria, and therefore don't require any irritating preservatives. Best of all, it makes skin appear shear, flawless and glowing throughout the day without needing a touch up.

While conventional makeup contains coal-tar colors, petrochemicals and perfumes, mineral makeup uses earth mined ingredients such as titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, mica and ultramarine pigments. Some of the mineral makeup formulas incorporate antioxidants and other nutrients to enhance cellular immunity.

My long-time favorite brand is Jane Iredale, which sells foundation containing antioxidants from pine bark extract and pomegranate extract. It's also the favorite among dermatologist and plastic surgeons. It costs a little more than other brands. However, I will let you in a little secret of where to find it for the best price. A friend of mine introduced me to http://www.skinwest.com/ several years ago and it's now my regular supplier. Skin West's Web site doesn't show their lower prices on Jane Iredale's products until you check out. Once you get on their mailing list they'll send you an email about every month with a discount code for another 20% off. Until June 18 they are having a sale, so if you want to take advantage of the great discount here is the current coupon code: UCGPC2DM.

Fortunately, mineral makeup's rising popularity has allowed it to branch out into liquid form in addition to powder. It is now available in base, eye shadow, blush, lipstick, mascara and concealer. And if you think of all the colors on the earth, there are that many colors available to enhance your facial features.

Here is a list of the many companies offering mineral makeup:

Afterglow Cosmetics - http://www.afterglowcosmetics.com/
Bare Escentuals - http://www.bareescentuals.com/
Colorescience - http://www.colorescience.com/
Dr. Hauschka - http://www.drhauschka.com/
Ecco Bella - http://www.eccobella.com/
GloMinerals - www.glominerals.com
Dechant - http://www.dechantsheerminerals.com/
Jane Iredale - www.janeiredale.com
Larénim - www.larenim.com
Zia Natural -www.zianatural.com

Polish Nails Without Dangerous Chemicals

I love to have my toe nails polished bright red during the summer when I can wear sandals and go bare foot. Since I'm showing off my tootsies, I want them to look pretty.

When I was pregnant I became concerned about the chemicals in nail polish and decided I should look for a non-toxic version. So I pulled out my trusty resource guide from Kat Jame's The Truth About Beauty (see yesterday's post) and found a couple of great alternatives. Her top pick is a professional-quality nail polish without the top three dangerous nail-polish chemicals: formaldehyde, toluene and dibutyl phthalate. These chemicals are known to cause cancer or reproductive toxicity. Firoze's polish contains organic cotton, silk, herbs and vitamins. A bottle costs $14 from http://www.firoze.com/.

My favorite is No Miss Nail Polish, which I can easily buy at the nearby Whole Foods Market for about $6.50. It is also free of the top three usual chemicals in addition to D&C dyes and camphor. It uses minerals and other earth material for coloring and for UVA protection. It holds up pretty well and has a great shine. I also like Almost Natural Polish Remover from the same company, which is free of acetone and ethyl acetate, and it's made with organic ingredients.

Other healthier alternative nail polishes on the market are by Sante Nails, Acquarella, and Honeybee Gardens. Fortunately, many manufacturers of conventional nail polish are beginning to remove some of the most toxic chemicals from their products. However, some are removing one or two, but not all three of the top offenders.

It's wonderful to pamper yourself, but who wants to purposely paint a known carcinogen onto their body in the name of beauty. Fortunately, the public is wising up and companies are beginning to slowly take notice.

The Truth About Beauty

When holistic beauty and health expert Kat James was on her book tour several years ago promoting The Truth About Beauty,I had the chance to meet her and have my copy signed. I was really impressed with her knowledge and sincerity to help others reclaim their health. James, who once suffered from an eating disorder and a life-threatening liver disorder, is a walking testimony to how people can transform themselves from the inside out with the right tools and without going to extreme measures. She is a convincing advocate for pursuing a healthy, pro-beauty lifestyle.

One reason I go back to her book again and again is for the invaluable resource guide in the back which is a gold mine for finding the best natural health and beauty products on the market. Now she has updated the resource guide with the latest foods, supplements, cosmetics and bodycare products that meet her high standards.

Anyone looking to transform their health and skin will want to read it. James' personal story is inspiring and her powerful solutions to a complete body makeover are priceless.

James also has a resourceful Web site worth exploring at www.informedbeauty.com.

New Beauty Gadget Stimulates Skin's Natural Anti-Aging Capabilities

For my recent birthday, I told my husband that the only gift I wanted was to enjoy my favorite spa treatment -- an ultrasound and vitamin C facial. It works wonders on my skin because the ultrasound therapy penetrates the antioxidant deeply into the skin to renew the cells and reverse environmental damage. It also kills the bacteria that causes acne.

But just before I made my facial appointment, I decided to buy my own ultrasonic massager. That way I can give myself a skin rejuvenating facial at home any time.

So I did a lot of research before purchasing my birthday gift. It seems these new beauty gadgets are the biggest craze in Asia right now. After using mine for a couple of months, I can see why. Even my husband has commented on how great my skin looks.

OK, maybe it's also because I started using MyChelle Dermaceuticals around that time too, but between my facial massager and MyChelle's products it really is looking smoother and clearer. Believe me ... it's been a long road to get here.

In the end I bought more than an ultrasonic facial massager. I went for all the bells and whistles. I purchased the FaceMate 330 Ultrasonic Face and Skin Massager, which has two ultrasonic vibrations settings of 1MHz and 3MHz. However, from my online research I found that using the 1 MHz on the face can penetrate too deeply and may effect the facial bones. Many of the older ultrasonic models seem to only have the 1 MHz setting so choose one carefully.

My new little beauty tool also has a negative ion function to soften skin and increase blood circulation. It also has a mixed wave microcurrent feature that helps to firm the skin and tone the muscle by increasing blood circulation, collagen production and elastin. While using the ultrasonic feature, I also turn on the high energetic light, which works synergistically with the ultrasound to accelerate collagen production and remove dead cells.

I try to use my FaceMate about 3 times a week while reading or watching TV before bed. I start by applying MyChelle's Perfect C Serum and then use the ultrasound feature on 3 MHz along with the high energetic light for about 10 minutes and follow it with 5 minutes of the negative ions. I finish up with the mixed wave microcurrent for 10 minutes. A conductor gel will increase penetration of the ultrasound and microcurrent, however, I do not use one and still have great results.

While many stores charge more than $200 for the FaceMate, the best deal I've found is at Amazon for $119.

My new FaceMate is one of the best birthday presents a woman could get. Good thing I picked it out.

The Wonders of Tea Tree Oil

Concerned about the possibility of drug-resistant superbugs from using antibacterial soap, I decided to search out other options. While rediscovering old fashioned soap and water is still effective in washing away germs, there are times when I want the reassurance of actually killing the germs.

I was pleasantly surprised to find that the tea tree oil that's become a staple in my medicine cabinet is also the perfect replacement for conventional antibacterial ingredients, particularly trichlosan, which is found in many soaps and personal toiletries.

Of all the essential oils, tea tree oil is a triple hitter. It fights bacteria, viruses and fungus - naturally and usually without side effects. It can be used to treat acne, athlete's foot, cold sores, dandruff, gum problems, flu symptoms, insect bites, lice, nail fungus, rashes and yeast infections.

Need more reasons to use tea tree oil? Not only does laboratory data show a link between exposure to triclosan and the emergence of antimicrobial drug resistance, but also according to one study, triclosan breaks down when exposed to sun light or chlorinated water to form dioxins.

In addition, soap containing tea tree oil is also superior to combating antibiotic resistant strains of staphylococcus aureus better than conventional antibacterial soap containing trichlosan.

Tea tree oil, native to Australia from the leaves of Melaleuca alternifolia, is for topical use only and should not be applied to the mucous membranes. Also, it is not recommended for pregnant and nursing woman. If you're interested in finding out how to use tea tree oil, check out holistichealth.com, or you may read about current studies and safety issues on tea tree oil at altmedicine.about.com.

I'm a sworn believe in the wonders of tea tree oil. Not only do I always have a bottle of tea tree oil on hand, but I've replaced all my conventional products containing antibacterial ingredients with natural ones containing tea tree oil, from toothpaste and mouthwash to shampoo and facial cleanser. Now I when I wash my hands I never give superbugs another thought.

Sources:
Patton, Mary Lee. Mary Lee's Natural Health & Beauty. New York, NY, Penguin Putnam Inc., 2001
pubs.acs.org/subscribe/journals/esthag-w/2005/apr/science/kb_chlorine.html
www.medicinenet.com/tea_tree_oil-topical/article.htm

Affiliate: Check out Rose Mountain Herbs for therapeutic quality essential oils.