Current Obsession: Now Solutions Coconut Oil

I feel like coconut oil has become the IT cosmetic ingredient as of late (thanks for the tip Miranda Kerr).  I picked up a jar recently at the local organic grocery store to use as a hair treatment for my newly ombre-d hair (bleach can be super drying and I want to avoid/repair any damage to my ends).  Now's version is amazing.  It has no scent, which I appreciate.  It seems I'm one of the only people in the world who isn't a fan of the way coconut smells.  I used this as an overnight hair mask for it's moisturizing properties, and as a moisturizer on my arms and legs before bed. A significant amount of cellular repair and regeneration takes place as we sleep, so that's when I tend to use heavier moisturizers and treatments.   It is oil, and does take a bit of time to absorb, so take that into consideration when deciding which sheets you want on your bed when you're going to use it. 

Look for Now Solutions Coconut Oil at Fairway or Whole Foods.

Review: The Water Secret by Dr. Howard Murad

To say The Water Secret changed the way I look at food would be a ridiculous understatement.  Dr. Murad (who you may recognize from his line of amazing skin care products) does an amazingly compelling job of explaining the effect of cellular dehydration is having on our bodies.  His thesis, in a highly unscientific nutshell:  we treat our cells like crap.  They're spending so much time breaking down all the strange chemicals we put in our bodies via overly processed foods, etc that their little walls have all these holes and no matter how much water we drink, our cells aren't truly hydrated because our cells aren't retaining the water they need.  By eating our water (i.e. eating foods with a high water content) and taking certain supplements we can repair our cell walls, and by building healthier more hydrated cells, our cells can spend their time doing the jobs they were intended to do, like build collagen and burn fat.  Result:  your skin looks better, your sleep improves and you lose weight.  He doesn't push his products or promise unrealistic results; Dr. Murad truly aims only to shift your mindset on what healthy eating looks and feels like.  His advice isn't anything groundbreaking or new, but the way he explains WHY this works is so different than anything I've encountered before.


Right after I read this book last summer, I became a Water Secret convert and 15 lbs just fell off. I absolutely recommend reading the entire book, but here are the some of the most basic tenants:


1) EAT YOUR WATER:  Foods like fruits and vegetables obviously have the highest water content.  They should make up the bulk of your diet.  Dr. Murad also includes a huge list of water-rich foods, which has taken up permanent residence in my phone for when I grocery shop.


2) SUPPLEMENTS:  Especially when you're working to adjust your diet, it's important to take supplements to provide your body with all the nutrients essential for cellular repair.  His suggestions are:

• a multivitamin
• Fatty acid supplement with at least 500mg of omega 3
• Lecithin supplement 2,000 mg
• Glucosamine sulfate 1,200mg
• high-potency B complex
• calcium with vitamin D
• an antioxidant

3) EXERCISE:  Dr. Murad doesn't advocate selling your soul to the gym, but he does emphasize the importance of staying active.


4) SLEEP: It's important.  Make sure you're getting enough!


5) SKIN CARE: Have a regular skin care routine.  Cleanse, tone, moisturize, use an eye cream.  He recommends which ingredients should be in the products you choose, but his book is absolutely not an ad for his skin care line, which I appreciate.  


He also talks a lot about managing stress, finding your passion, giving back and the importance of celebration.  He's about moderation and taking small steps toward realizing your health goals.  Though marketed as a book about skin care, it really is about whole body health.  A must read for the summer, and a book I come back to all the time!


***This goes without saying, but I'm going to say it anyway:  I'm not a doctor.  Read the book and consult with your physician etc before making a dramatic shift to your diet or before starting to take any new supplements. 

June Favorites

A round-up of my favorite products in June:


1. Andalou Naturals Brightening Pumpkin Honey Glycolic Mask
2.  Josie Maran's 100% Argan Oil (I received a tiny bottle as a free sample at Sephora ages ago and have just started using it with conditioner a few times a week.  LOVE.  Will definitely be searching out a far more economical alternative when it runs out)
3. Sally Hansen Dries Instantly Top Coat
4.  Becca Cosmetics Eye Tint in Baroque
5.  OPI Nail Lacquer in Barefoot in Barcelona (Picked this up today for R's wedding this weekend.  A gorgeous neutral muted pinky-brown).

Food Porn Friday: Strawberry Banana Hemp Protein Smoothie

I am all about healthy eating, especially in the summer, when eating rich, fried, heavy foods just feels gross. I don't eat a ton of meat, so I'm also constantly thinking about getting enough protein in my diet.  Recently, I've  been reading a lot of good things about hemp protein (n.b. NOT the THC-tastic maryjane kind of hemp!!!) and have started incorporating it into my daily smoothie.  Hemp protein tends to have a fairly nutty taste, which takes a bit of getting used to, so I've been experimenting with different combinations of fruit and mixers to find the right blend.  After much experimentation, may I present: The Strawberry Banana Hemp Protein Smoothie

Ingredients:

1.  1 1/2 cups of strawberries (I use frozen organic strawberries)

2.  1/2 a large banana

3.  1 heaping tablespoon of hemp protein (I use Living Harvest Hemp Protein)

4.  1 1/2 cups of vanilla soy milk  (I like Organic EdenSoy Vanilla Soy Milk)

5. 1 tablespoon of agave  (I'm a fan of Wholesome Sweeteners' Organic Raw Blue Agave)

Combine ingredients in a blender and blend until...well, blended.  The smoothie is going to come out a muddy mauve color, but don't let the color fool you; it's yummy!!!  One serving of hemp protein is actually 4 tablespoons, but I'm working up to it.  It's an acquired taste ;)  But, when you can add a full serving to your daily diet, you're getting:

• all ten essential amino acids
• 9 grams of dietary fiber
• omega-3 & 6 essential fatty acids
• 13 grams of protein
• and it's a great source of iron and magnesium

Do you have a favorite hemp protein smoothie recipe?  Feel free to share in the comments!

Review: Andalou Naturals Brightening Pumpkin Honey Glycolic Mask

I try to keep my beauty (as well as my food!) purchases as green and natural as possible, and I am in LOVE with my most recent purchase:  Andalou Naturals Brightening Pumpkin Honey Glycolic Mask.

(image via: bodyandsoul.com.au)

I've been using this mask a couple times a week for the past three weeks and I have a bit of a crush on it!  It smells just like pumpkin pie and leaves my skin feeling fresh and clean and looking bright. 

Some major pros:  

• good for combination skin (like mine!)
• you only leave it on for 10 minutes
• easy to remove with cool water
• yummy smell! 
• organic pumpkin is rich in vitamin A
• no weird tightening feeling/stinging/etc that sometimes happens with other masks

One tiny con:

• my skin is a touch red for a few minutes after removal, but that would be the glycolic AHA working.  So I wouldn't recommend using this mask right before dashing out the door.

Andalou has it for $14.95 on their website, but I've seen it for as low as $10 on different websites.  Regardless, comparatively speaking, it's super inexpensive and super effective.  

Ruling: incorporating it into the routine & love. will absolutely repurchase