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3.15.2013

The Power of Antioxidants and your skin!




     Your skin is the barrier between your body and the outside world, and every day it is exposed to pollution, sunlight, cigarette smoke and other factors that impact its health and appearance. All of these, as well as many of the body’s normal physiological processes, can culminate in the production of free radicals.
Free radicals are molecules that have become unstable because they’ve lost an electron. Whilst their creation is a natural (and healthy) part of our bodily functioning, they accumulate in greater quantities as we get older. Unfortunately, the body’s ability to handle them declines at the same time. This accumulating imbalance is believed to contribute to many of the effects of ageing, including those observed in the skin, such as fine lines and wrinkles sunlight and ultraviolet radiation are some of the most potent generators of free radical damage in the skin. Observing their effects is as simple as comparing the difference in texture of the skin on your outer forearm (which is often exposed to the sun) with the skin on your torso, which (unless you’re prone to sunbaking) is less likely to be sun damaged.
Depending on your age and the climate where you live, you’ll notice that the skin on your outer arm is likely to be thicker and coarser, and perhaps even more freckled or pigmented, dehydrated or prematurely aged.
These changes to the skin texture occur in part because free radical damage interferes with the integrity of elastin and collagen, depleting their ability to remain supple and elastic. With their ongoing decline in integrity, the skin loses its firmness and becomes wrinkled, and ageing becomes apparent.
To minimise the ageing effects of free radical damage on your skin (and elsewhere in your body), protect yourself from sunburn and UV-radiation, and don’t smoke or use recreational drugs. Avoid alcohol binges too.
 Antioxidants are compounds that donate an electron of their own to restabilise free radicals, and are the body’s way of minimising free radical damage.
Antioxidants occur in many forms. The body produces some, but many are consumed in the diet. When using a natural skincare range such as Kora Organics, you’re even applying antioxidants to your skin from the outside!
 For glowing, healthy skin, your diet should contain abundant quantities of antioxidant-rich fruit, vegetables, legumes, nuts and seeds. Some foods are renowned for their exceptionally high content of antioxidant nutrients and of these, our favourite is the açaí berry from Brazil.
The antioxidants in acai berries are a variety called anthocyanins and proanthocyanins. They have a deep purple colour and are also found in red wine, blueberries and similarly coloured foods, and they are believed to be responsible for these foods’ anti-ageing health benefits.
  The levels of anthocyanins and proanthocyanins in açaí berries are much greater than those in wine and berries. For example while a glass of red wine may contain 24-35 mg of anthocyanins per 100 millilitres, the same quantity of acai contains 320 mg.  Scientists are still evaluating all the health benefits of acai berries, but with an antioxidant content as powerful as that, there’s little doubt they’re invaluable when it comes to helping your body mop up free radicals!
To reap the free radical-fighting benefits of açaí berries for your skin, add some RioLife Organic Freeze Dried Acai powder to your morning smoothie or juice, stir it into your yoghurt or sprinkle it over your breakfast cereal.
Jayne Tancred
Natural Health Writer
Naturopath, Herbalist.

 Kora Organics


2.29.2012

John Mayer - Slow dancing in a burning room

I have seen him live about 4 times in total! His music is so powerful to me, his lyrics are really really amazing. This is one of my favorite songs!! Enjoy. X

2.28.2012

2012 campaign images of GAP Be Bright photographed by Chris Craymer.





I am really loving Gap spring summer 2012 collection! So many bright colors and well fitted shirts  . I love this clean simple look for spring!


2.27.2012

Healthy fats for beautiful skin!

Healthy fats for a stunning skin




     Have you ever noticed what stunning skin Mediterranean women have? If you weren’t lucky enough to be born with those genes yourself, their glowing complexions have probably left you green with envy more than once in your life.
While genetic factors undoubtedly play a part, it’s quite possible that the Mediterranean diet has something to do with it too.
Renowned for being one of the most nutritious ways of eating on earth, people who eat a traditional Mediterranean diet have been shown to enjoy a degree of protection against health problems (including heart disease) and have a greater likelihood than the rest of us of living a long life.
It’s also possible that the Mediterranean diet contributes to the beautiful complexions of many people from this region.
The diet contains plentiful amounts of healthy fats from olive oil, specifically omega-9 fats, which are also found in large quantities in the Brazilian superfood acai berries. These fats – along with an abundance of antioxidants – have benefits for the skin as well as the rest of the body.
Despite what you may believe, not all fats are bad for your skin.  Some fats certainly are – you’ll definitely want to avoid deep-fried food, saturated fats (found in animal products) and processed fats (especially trans fats, a particularly harmful type of fat found in some commercially processed foods) if you want to show your best face to the world.
On the other hand, your skin cells (along with all the other cells in your body) need some fats in order to function effectively.  Every one of your cell membranes is comprised of a mixture of fats and proteins, and the make-up of those membranes is determined in part by the fats in your diet.
Consuming plenty of omega-9 fats and other healthy oils helps keep your cell membranes fluid and enables them to retain water and nutrients and remain hydrated. But eat lots of saturated fats or trans fats, and the cell membranes may become more rigid and more prone to dehydration.
Making your skin look dreary and lifeless is only one possible consequence. More importantly, a diet containing disproportionate amounts of these ‘bad’ fats could interfere with communication between one cell and another, their sensitivity to hormones and other chemical messengers within the body, and may even pre-dispose you to certain health problems.
For beautiful skin, make sure your diet contains plenty healthy fats, including:
  • RioLife Freeze Dried Acai berries: This delicious 100% certified organic superfood contains a whopping 1.6 grams of omega-9 fats per 5 gram serve, along with large quantities of antioxidants
  • Extra virgin olive oil: another potent source of both omega-9 fats and antioxidants
  • Certified Organic Coconut Oil
  • Oily fish (like tuna, salmon and sardines), which are rich in anti-inflammatory omega-3 fats
  • Avocadoes, nuts and seeds
An you use healthy, organic skincare like KORA Organics products, they are rich in essential oils, vitamins and minerals and antioxidant rich.
But steer clear of unhealthy fats, including:
  • Bacon, processed meats (such as salami) and other fatty meats
  • Full fat dairy foods (including cheese, cream and ice cream)
  • Margarine (butter is a better option, in limited quantities)
  • Junk foods (such as potato chips)
  • Processed baked goods (such as sausage rolls and pastries)
  • Deep-fried foods (including fried fish, spring rolls and doughnuts)


Reference:
Murray M, et al. The encyclopedia of healing foods. New York: Atria Books, 2005.
Jayne Tancred
Natural Health Writer
Naturopath, Herbalist.
Kora Organics 





  

2.22.2012

Let your heart sing and your spirit shine!


Here are some questions you might like to ask yourself…if you choose
Look within yourself for only you hold the key and the answers you are seeking to all of the questions that you have.
1. What brings me joy?
2. What is my purpose?
3. What is my intent in my life?
4. Am I honoring myself by listening to my inner voice/inner knowing? It is always the truth and cannot lie.
5. Who do I surround myself with and Why?
6. What are my boundaries? Do I need to set new ones?
7. How do I show myself self-love? I can only receive pure love from others if I give it to myself first.
8. Am I living in a place of strength and abundance?
9. What am I scared or afraid of if I continue doing the same thing or if I change and follow my hearts calling.
10. What’s the worst that can happen if I let go of fear, guilt, limitations, and fully live in my own unique truth.
11. What’s the best that can happen to me and the ones I love if I choose to really follow my heart and live!?
12. What do I truly and deeply love doing???
13. How can I do something that helps others and still be passionate and enlivened by my choice fully.
14. Last but not least! What is it that I dare not speak aloud that I really really want to do with my life if I could do anything?
Be “The Wind Beneath Your Wings”.



Kora Organics
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2.20.2012

Lily Donaldson by James Franco

Scotch & Soda SS2012










Here are some of my favorite looks from the Maison Scotch Collection! It is a really great combination between a classic and comfortable look. I really really love their shirts and blazers... Their jeans and shorts and super comfortable and light weight for the warm weather!
x



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2.19.2012

Dr. Seuss




I was thinking about some of my favorite quotes and i thought of this one instantly! No matter how you are feeling i think a good quote always helps put things in perspective.. what do you think about it?



"You'll get mixed up, of course, as you already know. You'll get mixed up with many strange birds as you go. So be sure when you step. Step with care and great tact and remember that Life's a Great Balancing Act. Just never forget to be dexterous and deft. And never mix up your right foot with your left."
-Dr. Seuss


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2.15.2012

Mini Blueberry Muffins


One of the side effects of a diet high in starchy carbohydrates, sugary and processed foods is poor quality skin. We have all experienced it at some stage, after a seemingly innocent night of bread, white pasta, followed by a dessert bursting with refined sugar, we wake up the next morning feeling andlooking quite unfortunate. Common side effects are red puffy eyes, dry, dull, flaky skin, often accompanied by breakouts. Eeek! It was such a good idea at the time! Our skin reflects our diet almost immediately, revealing a lot about what is happening on the inside. These nasty side effects are our bodies way of telling us that the food we are eating is unwelcome.

What we eat directly affects the appearance of our complexion and determines how we age. Yet we can still enjoy sweet treats and maintain a healthy complexion by learning to bake the supercharged way, free from gluten, dairy and sugar. These common allergens are replaced by ingredients that will heal your body, and provide nutrients that will yield beautiful skin! These delectable mini blueberry muffins contain skin loving ingredients that will have you feeling and looking amazing. They are a great little addition to bring along to the weekend picnic, and will help you avoid those skin sabotaging desserts that seem to spring up in front of you at every work, friend and family gathering.

Wheat flour and wheat products can wreak havoc on your body’s largest organ by causing spikes in insulin, causing insulin induced skin inflammation within the follicles. The skin is also commonly affected by food allergies related to wheat and gluten, resulting in conditions such as eczema, hives and rashes.

These conditions can be avoided by replacing wheat flour for almond meal, buckwheat or coconut flour when baking your own healthy snacks. Almond meal is simply the flour that is produced after grinding almonds. When choosing almond meal, try to look for flour that has been made using the whole almond, skin included, rather than blanched almond meal. You can make your own fresh almond meal at home by grinding up raw organic almonds in a coffee grinder.

A study shown in the Journal of Nutrition revealed that almond skins contain twenty potent flavanoid antioxidants, and that eating almonds with the skins significantly increases flavanoids and vitamin E in the body. The two work together as an antioxidant team. The flavanoids found in almonds include catechin, kaempferol and epicatechin, and have fantastic anti ageing skin benefits due to their ability to prevent skin cells from oxidizing and dying. Significant amounts of vitamin E are found within almonds, approximately 45% of your daily value in a quarter of a cup! Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant and has been found to reduce the effects of sun exposure on the skin by modifying the photoaging process and protecting skin cell membranes. Almonds are also rich in short-chain Omega-3 fatty acids with powerful anti inflammatory effects, significantly improving skins moisture, texture, smoothness and suppleness.

Mini Blueberry Muffins

Makes 12 Muffins

2 cups almond meal
1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries
2 teaspoons baking powder
½ tsp baking soda
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
¼ cup grapeseed oil
3 eggs beaten
1/3 cup coconut milk
8 drops liquid stevia
Here’s How to Make Delicious Muffins:
Preheat oven to 175 degrees Celsius
Grease a 12 cup muffin tin
In a medium bowl combine dry ingredients
In a separate bowl mix eggs, grapeseed oil, coconut milk and stevia
Add wet ingredients to dry then carefully fold in blueberries
Spoon mixture into 12 cup muffin tin so that each cup is two thirds full
Place in oven and bake for about 15 minutes
-Kora Organics


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A little collection of photos i really loved looking at today!











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