Our Metamorphosis

Khadro's Seminar

2011-10-24T14:01:00.000-07:00

The following are the notes I took at Khadro’s Chi Nei Tsang Seminar at Pure + simple King Street West on September 13^th

Chi is information that is transformed by communications. Information /Chi is useless without transformation.

Symptoms are information and have meaning

A common symptom like bloating is communicating an important message from your body to with you.

What would it look like if you did not look at it through the lens of conventional medicine? If you change your perspective you will change the paradigm.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the pancreas, spleen and stomach, organs of the Earth element, are an important part of digestion. The 5 elements; Earth, Water, Fire, Metal and Wood; are the essential energies of the universe. These 5 elements are the essence of our own make up as the microcosm of our body reflects the macrocosm of the universe.

Earth governs self-confidence and security therefore the pancreas, spleen and stomach along with other body tissue like muscles determine our sense of ourselves.

How does the earth element within us become unbalanced?

As children we believed we were entitled. School, culture, society puts limits on us and we become fragmented causing us to become conflicted about who we are.

Therefore digestion is greatly influenced by our sense of self and of course visa versa. When we don't feel good about ourselves we can affect negatively our digestive organs resulting in poor digestion, bloating, gas, acid reflux and constipation/diarrhea.

Good digestion supplies nourishment for good vibrant health. The stomach metabolizes the food we consume with digestive juices to produce chime, a watery nourishing substance. Chime is further metabolized pancreatic enzymes and bile to prepare it to be absorbed in the small intestines. We assimilate what nourishes us and eliminate what we do not need or what is not good for us in the intestines.

When we do not digest our food and our ideas we have a tendency to either store or eliminate everything indiscriminately. Constipation occurs when we store what we cannot digest. How we digest life determines how well our earth organs function.

When we are constipated it affects the lungs. The lungs are connected to the large intestines and both are part of the metal element. If we breathe properly through our diaphragm we can relieve constipation. The Metal element gives us the courage to get rid of things.

No matter what the quality the food we eat, if we are toxic emotionally we cannot assimilate the food effectively.

Focusing on the symptoms of bloating, constipation or indigestion with natural or pharmaceutical solutions, just masks these symptoms. This delays or cheats us the fundamental healing of the mind body and emotions.

Symptoms are information being communicated to us. Masking the symptoms desensitizes us and therefore ill health remains within us. The result is symptoms intensifying or changing making us feel frustrated with the stubborn and or multiple symptoms. While the symptoms appear to be unrelated, they are really caused by the same root cause.

A person suffering migraines, high cholesterol, arthritis and weakening eye sight; will visit different medical specialists which results in that person taking multiple medication to be free of these ‘diseases’. Without understanding the root cause of these diseases, one will not know that these symptoms are common to a toxic liver. And therefore unaware that the cure to all those symptoms is to detoxify their struggling liver and therefore live medication free. For more information on why organ detoxification go to my past blogs on each organ.

The liver filters out what is not good for us along with producing bile for fat digestion and also stores excess sugar.

Liver imbalance can lead to increased anger and visa versa. Anger can be caused by subconscious patterns. There is nothing wrong with your anger. There is a reason you get angry. To find out why we cannot control our anger by uncovering the subconscious.

An anger pattern can have developed during a moment of emotional crisis. The anger may have allowed one to survive the emotional pain. But now we no longer associate the emotional with the initial pain because we have numbed out to survive the emotional pain/memory. When one senses the feeling one gets angry.

We can reset the reactions of our nervous system once we know the cause of the unwanted reaction.

This is an opportunity to become more conscious of your mental and emotional situation. Wood affects the nervous system. The Liver along with the gallbladder and the nerves are organs of the wood element which influence rational thought. Thinking clearly encourages growth in things. Meditation can greatly improve the liver’s function. Meditation will quiet the mind and aid one to become in touch with the self.

Being in touch means you are taking NOTICE. Consciousness is the beginning of understanding how these symptoms originate in your SUBCONCIOUSNESS . THEREFORE BRIDGING THE CONSCIOUS WITH THE SUBCONSCIOUS.

Butterflies - anxiety - heart rate up, shallow breath, sweating and shaking are all symptoms that occur when blood goes to part where it is needed (state of emergency). And they are informing you, you are in state of emergency.

Get Grounded with Kidney Strengthening

2011-08-29T13:50:00.000-07:00

Fall has been with us for 2 weeks now. We have just experienced from a distance the turbulence of Hurricane Irene. These 2 things increase the instability and lightness within us.

For those of us who have Vata Prakriti (genetic characteristic to be light, flexible and spiritual) or Vata Vikrati (an imbalance that could manifest as indecision, turbo-speed, and nervous disorders), this can cause extreme imbalance in our behavior and health.

To counteract this very light, fast, dry energy, I recommend including Kidney Chi Kung in your morning practice. It will strengthen the and detoxify the Kidneys a weakness with Vatas and it will help ground you for the day.

It was taught to me by my Chi Nei Tsang Master Gilles Marin along with other useful Chi Kungs like Sleeping Chi Kung, Sunning Meditation and Bone Breathing Chi Kung

The Above Photos will help demonstrate the following instructions. # 1 corresponds with the first photo and so on.

1. With your back facing the Sun - Breathe in and stretch arms up. opening the front of your body
2. Breathe out while simultaneously pulling Chi into your body
3. Continue to breath out as you bend over with length of torso on your thighs
4. Then push your tail bone up as far as you can without releasing your torso from your thighs. Feel the Chi of your Kidneys in this position
5. release and start to open front of body as you breath in and stretch arms upwards. Go to #1 and start again

It is important to have your back face the sun so that the sun's infared rays can nourish your kidney area.

You can add another step to intensify the cleansing of your kidney. Half way in #5 stop and tap your kidney area gently. You are still feeling the rays of the sun on the Kidney area. sometimes you feel the rays more intensely in this position.

The healing infared rays of the sun are known for healing. It is being used in Japan to cure cancer. Infared saunas are used for detoxification.

You can purchase infared devises to heal all sorts of diseases. I recommend this Chi Kung and infared equipment and devises to help balance Vata and Kapha Prakritis and Vikritis.

Getting the Chi Nei Tsang Experience

2011-07-18T12:14:00.000-07:00

Are you a bit frustrated with a chronic affliction despite your healthy lifestyle and choices? Me too.

From Naturopaths and Traditional Chinese Doctors to educating myself in Ayurveda, I have seen my health improve from severe allergies, extreme brain fog and low energy to my current “almost normal” health. I could carry on with the small inconveniences.

But my inability to digest legumes, grains and dairy make it impossible for me to attain my goal of becoming vegetarian. While I love the taste of meat, I am not so comfortable with the consumption of fellow beings as well as the inefficient cost of it on our already stressed environment.

So on my journey to better digestion I encounter Gilles Marin, Chi Nei Tsang and now to Kadro, a teacher and Chi Nei Tsang practitioner in Toronto..

Kadro, like Gilles is a student of Master Mantak Chia. For more information about Khadro and her classes and treatments go to Khadro's Facebook page

Chi Nei Tsang is not like most healing modalities where the practitioner takes charge of your healing. Khadro encourages my participation during your treatment and between treatments I have my homework.

I welcome this as I want to be in charge of my health and to not depend on the skills or goodness of others. But the real reward is self discovery on all levels of mind body spirit. At least that is my experience with Kadro.

Kadro started with exploration my abdomen and quickly discovered congestion in my stomach/ pancreas area meaning an imbalance in my Earth energy. She further explored and revealed her suspicion that the congestion is very old maybe even from my past life.

My digestive problems have been with me since I remember. And I discovered Chi Nei Tsang when I wanted to touch my pancreas and see if I could influence its function manually. I blogged about this at Chi Nei Tsang

She found that there was blockage in my sigmoid colon. That is the right side descending colon where I have complaining to medical doctors who have prescribed numerous colonoscopies. Their prognosis? Nothing -- I was normal. Since I was not feeling normal I came to the conclusion conventional medicine with all its expensive hi tech equipment, was inadequate in keep us really healthy.

Kadro believed that the imbalance in my earth organs resulted in improperly digested food. And this further resulted in my chronic constipation.

We cannot not eliminate that what we have not digested whether it is food, ideas and emotions. This can result in us hoarding things; mind body spirit. Hoarding is one of the hallmarks of Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), which I have been diagnosed with. Hope Chi Nei Tsang will keep me off the reality shows J

Dorothy said that I may tremble if the session assists me in releasing. During the second half of the treatment, I felt I uncomfortable and wanted to conclude the session. But instead I remain still. After that feeling left and I felt a clarity in my body and mind, I realized that I had experience the trembling she warned about.

Kadro said it was a behavioral pattern that was probably created by early undigested traumatic experiences where I used numbness as a solution to avoid emotional pain.

So I left understanding myself more and the feeling that my mind could take my physical health to better digestion.

My homework was to start digesting events in my life and start to make decisions where I sort things etc into things that are beneficial to me that I want to keep, things that are neutral and finally discard things I don’t need. She also advised me to treasure the things I keep.

So what am I doing to improve my digestion?

Daily, I am strengthening my Earth Energy with the help of Earth Chi Kung that is taught on Gilles Marin’s CD. Find it at Harmonizing Our Inner Earth

I am taking the time to consciously eat without distraction and chewing my meals more thoroughly.

I am trying to unclutter my life by making decisions what I want to keep in my life.

Each of us will have a difference relationship with Kadro or any of our healers because we all come from different experiences and have different needs.

Along with working at your health beyond the physical, a Chi Nei Tsang practitioner may make us uncomfortable by revealing what our bodies saying. To put up defenses and ignoring the advice is neither better nor worse than taking the advice and running with it. Chi Nei Tsang teaches us that we can only deal effectively with the information when we are ready.

For the experiences of other CNT clients go to Experiences

Why Clean Your Colon First

2011-06-25T09:22:00.000-07:00

Keeping your colon clean should be your priority for optimal physical health. The proper functioning of your other organs depends greatly on their ability to dump their waste into the colon.

While daily bowel movements should do the job; for most of us stress, sleep deprivation, unconscious eating and our toxic food and environment overloads our colon.

Therefore we need to detoxify on a regular basis and colon cleansing is the first step in any detoxification program.

How often should we detoxify and cleanse our colon? A toxic colon can be seen in the blemishes below the cheekbones and above the jaw line. Acne is more serious when a toxic colon affects liver function. Other symptoms of deeper organ toxicity are chronic skin redness and puffiness. The areas that are affected tell you which organ is being stressed out.

Other organs are affected when we observe deeper symptoms of impure blood like chronic muscle pain, brain fog and blurry vision.

Our colon needs to be clean to effectively absorb nutrition from the food we consume.

A constipated colon will not only affect blood purity but will cause internal dehydration seen in dull finely lined skin.

You have many ways to detox the colon. Choose one that is most agreeable to you.

The most popular way to keep your colon clean and functioning well is adding fibre like psyllium or chicory to your diet.

The next step is to reintroduce good bacteria back into your colon by taking Acidophilus. You have the choice of different types of pro-biotic and the choice of the source from dairy to vegetable. Choose one that will increase your health without allergy.

While laxatives are not recommended, herbs like Senna and Triphala can help with emptying the bowels effectively. Senna is quite aggressive while Triphala is gentle and it has the added benefit of increasing the overall health of the colon. My favourite source for Triphala is Banyan Botanicals. Pure + simple used to carry the high quality organic Ayurvedic herbs for our clients but due to new rules from Health Canada we are not able to do this anymore. So order yours at http://www.banyanbotanicals.com/prodinfo.asp?number=1051

Another way to detox your colon is to visit a colon therapist for a colonic. This deeper version of an enema will super cleanse your colon. It is also a great way to start and finish a detoxification or fasting program.

Fasting for a day or two will also give your colon a rest and allow it to clean out. Clients and staff of Pure + simple have reap great health benefits from short fasts that include the Master Cleanse and Juice Fasting. Fasting needs to be accompanied with lots of liquids to be successful and to be healthy for you.

I have tried all of the above and will continue to use them. But now I have discovered a great accompaniment, Chi Nei Tsang. This is more than stomach massage. It is a means to getting to know yourself better, inside out. Finally you know where your colon is and how to stimulate it to evacuate. You start to understand the effects of stress on your organ’s function. You also become aware of how relaxation can reduce any negative symptoms of the overloaded poorly functioning organ. And if you choose, you can begin a journey of emotional healing as your emotions affect your organs and the state of your organs affect your emotions.

In the words of Mantak Chia, founder of the Universal Tao “Chi Nei Tsang can help the skin, lymphatic system and organs handle the overload. You will be doing their work with your fingers. Massaging these systems. “jump-starts” them and gets them moving.”

How to Detoxify with Tummy Massage

2011-06-15T10:33:00.001-07:00

Healthy Modern living requires Detoxification. The core of our wellbeing is reliant on the healthy functioning of our internal organs.

Whether your symptoms are irrational behavior, excess moodiness, acne or muscle soreness; the source of your condition is toxic organ(s).

Organs can become overloaded or fatigued from physical, mental and emotional stresses. And visa versa. Physical conditions like blurry vision; mental disorders like attention deficit; negative emotions like excess anger or lack of self confidence can be the result of poor functioning organs.

In my pursuit of "fixing" my allergy to healthy foods with high sugar content and high blood sugar, I stumbled onto an ancient healing modality called Chi Nei Tsang.

Literally translated "Chi" means your internal life force. And "Nei Tsang" means internal organ massage. For my earlier blog entries of about Chi Nei Tsang go to http://our-metamorphosis.blogspot.com/2011/01/chi-nei-tsang-what-is.h

Gilles Marin defines Chi Nei Tsang more elegantly in his book "Healing from within with Chi Nei Tsang ". http://www.chineitsang.com/cnti/Healing_From_Within.html.

He writes, "Chi Nei Tsang translates into working the entry and programming of the internal organs" or "transformation of the visceral attitude". A wholistic approach to massage therapy within a Traditional Chinese Medicine paradigm, it integrates a person's physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual energy.". To learn more about Gilles and his courses go to http://our-metamorphosis.blogspot.com/2011/01/gilles-marin.html

Gilles' Master, Mantak Chia's description may shed more light for those of us, who are less knowledgeable of Taoism and Traditional Chinese Medicine. He reveals that, "The Taoists discovered that most maladies could be healed once the underlying toxins and negative forces were released from the body. They developed the art of Chi Nei Tsang to recycle and transform negative energies that obstruct the internal organs and cause knots in the abdomen. Chi Nei Tsang clears out the toxins, bad emotions and excessive heat or heat deficiencies that cause the organs to malfunction."

Therefore a happy healthy harmonious life is greatly affected by the health and purity of your internal organs. And that Chi Nei Tsang is a holistic way for you to maintain them.

Learning to be a Chi Nei Tsang instructor means learning about the affects of the body on the mind and the emotions and visa versa. Advance training includes learning how the energy of each emotion can affect another emotion. Yes Einstein would have loved it because it makes the concept that "we are energy" more approachable to those of us with less scientific or mathematical minds.

I have been practicing on staff and clients and no stomach massage happens without discussions of how we can revive the balance of our internal organs mentally and emotionally along with diet and exercise. Somehow the tummy massage makes us more susceptible to healthy advice.

On the CD " Harmonizing Our Inner Earth", found at http://www.chineitsang.com/cnti/Inner_Earth.html , Gilles shares how you can strengthen the pancreas to better digest food and metabolize sugar. He also teaches how we can customize our diet and do meditations that help you ground so that you can increase your feeling of security and self esteem while decreasing the need for approval.

At http://our-metamorphosis.blogspot.com/2011/01/normal-0-false-false-false.html, I share Gilles' advice on how to not to fear or hide from the sun and become more healthy. The sun's energy is so vital to us that the skin colour we consider characteristics of of ethnicity is really just our bodies response to sunlight and the geography of our ancestors.

I will share more about my experience with Chi Nei Tsang and go through the ways you can detoxify each individual organs slong with their affects on your physical, mental and emotional health in subsequent blogs.

I also finally got an appointment with Dorothy Ramien, of the Khadro School of Chi Nei Tsang http://www.khadrochineitsang.com/content/who-khadro. It was quite a feat as she is busy with international teaching. I have had treatments from Gilles and Cynthia in San Francisco but Dorothy is the only certified practitioner in The Greater Toronto Area so I would like to share that experience with you in July after my treatment.

I would love to say I can share an experience at Master Chia's Tao Garden resort in Thailand. But no such luck. But if you are looking for a very reasonable, exotic and healthy vacation explore http://www.tao-garden.com/. If you are so fortunate to visit, please share your experience with us

Wrinkles : Not the Only Sign of Aging

2011-05-22T07:45:00.000-07:00

Wrinkles can really motive us to do some very silly and some very risky things. It has been reported that many young twenty something’s are acting "proactively" by getting botox now.

If you too are contemplating Botox, facial fillers or surgery to minimize wrinkles to look younger, you are just taking care of one sign of aging skin and you can be causing yourself other health and anti-aging problems long term. To solve a problem, one needs to look at the facts.

Firstly, consider the other visible signs of aging on your face like loss of tone, chronic redness, dullness and pigmentation.

Secondly, the root cause of all of these major signs along with wrinkles is poor performing organs that in turn impair the circulatory and lymphatic system. When your circulatory system is impaired, you will suffer dehydration. This occurs because skin cells are deprived of fresh nourishing blood. The redness we see in our skin is the result of inelastic capillaries that do not return to origin after dilation. So the impaired blood flow feeds itself. A sluggish lymph system is easily seen in dull congested skin. When redness is chronic and long term, pigmentation occurs.

How fast this occurs and how fast a treatment can reduce it depends on genetics and the person's overall health.

Therefore while you may worry about how young your skin makes you look, it also is a very good indication and an early warning of issues happening internally.

So while I do not advocate obsessing about your looks or encourage a fear of aging, I do encourage good skincare and understanding your skin so you can better maintain good overall health.

You skin can give you information of how your organs and others are doing. It takes 10 years for a overly toxic organ to manifest disease like cancer. so your skin can guide you in appropriate changes in lifestyle and keep your wellbeing balanced and consistent.

So if you are suffering from skin problems, detoxification can help. There are many ways you can choose from fasting, purging herbs, massage or all three together.

There are many books on fasts from juicing to mono food fasts. Local herbalists or a naturopath can customize your detox herbs to your concerns.

Diet and exercise that is health promoting for you will help maintain the benefits. A holistic nutritionist or get a good book on Ayurveda will help you customize your meals.

You can get a stomach massage treatment known as Chi Nei Tsang. For a description of Chi Nei Tsang go to http://our-metamorphosis.blogspot.com/2011/01/chi-nei-tsang-what-is.html. I will write more about this very holistic health massage soon. I personally have been trying to connect with Dorothy Ramien, the lone Chi Nei Tsang practitioner and teacher in Toronto, to get an appointment.

So why not look young because you are truly young inside out. Use your skin symptoms like redness to guide you in your daily diet and activities. Use it also as a guide to rebalance your habits.

Wrinkles: What is Your Body Saying

2011-05-18T06:47:00.001-07:00

Wrinkles are more than a sign of aging. They tell you a lot about your state of health. Ignore its messages by trying to eradicate them at your peril. After all your mission is a futile march against time. It is also precious time and resources wasted on expensive, symptom-focused treatments and creams.

A more effective long term way to have a good relationship with your face is to learn what your body is saying with those undesirable lines.

But first let’s explore the easy and the obvious ways to have a line free face.

We all agree that wrinkles are caused by skin dryness and dehydration. So lets explore the possible cause that is easiest to remedy. Surface temporary dryness can be caused by the incompatibility of your skin regime to that of your environment. To remedy this you need to understand the characteristics of your skin in relations to the weather conditions. Then use the proper skincare to supplement the deficiencies of your skin and climatic conditions. For information on skincare and the environment go to http://our-metamorphosis.blogspot.com/2009/05/enjoying-weather.html Presto Chango beautiful skin! If this is not the case then read on further to look at diet.

The second easiest to fix cause is diet. Make sure your diet includes enough moist foods for your body type. For example ; If you are very Vata with a busy mind and schedule along with a natural slimness then a treat of popcorn needs to be accompanied with a glass of milk or an herbal tea. See more about diet and Doshas at http://our-metamorphosis.blogspot.com/2009/04/ayurvedic-doshas.html Foods recommendations for Vata are at http://our- metamorphosis.blogspot.com/2009/07/foods-for-vata.html Foods recommendations for Pitta are at http://our-metamorphosis.blogspot.com/2009/06/foods-for-pitta.html Foods recommendations for Kapha are at http://our-metamorphosis.blogspot.com/2009/06/food-for-kaphas.html

If you are doing proper skin care and drinking lots and your skin is still dry then you need to go deeper. If you notice wrinkles, dark circles, and puffiness around the eye area, it can indicate your problem is a struggling kidney. Dehydration can signal an overloaded or a weak functioning kidney. Many clients find drinking water just means more visits to the toilet. If the kidneys are working optimally, it will recirculate water throughout out the body. Only acidic water will be excreted.

"The kidneys are sometimes called the roots of life. They are very important in determining a person's level of vitality and length of life. All sexual energy comes from the kidney, any sexual or reproductive dysfunction can be traced to them", Mantak Chia.

Gentle ways to detox the kidneys are an herbal formula with ursa ulva (visit Roger @ Thuna's or your herbalist) and Chi Nei Tsang (massage the area below the left ribs. For more information go to http://our-metamorphosis.blogspot.com/2011/01/chi-nei-tsang-what-is.html).

If you suffer from chronic redness, then this can be an indication that the cause of dehydration is either poor or slow blood circulation. The area is red due to inelastic capillary walls that remain dilated or is overwhelmed with toxins in the blood. Usually the blood stream is higher in toxins when the organs are too toxic to function properly and therefore are off loading onto it. It carries the excess toxins to the skin and muscles where symptoms try to communicate the situation.

If you have vertical lines between the brows (third eye area) along with a golden hue to your complexion and/or chronic acne then your problem could be a stressed out liver. It may be congested and cannot filter out impurities and toxins properly. Doing a spring liver detox with herbs is an easy way to help your liver work better. Massaging the area at the bottom of your left ribs can help to gently stimulate the liver to purify.

If skin is dull with large areas of fine lines and with a tendency to break out in the forehead and along the jaw line can be a symptom indicating poor colon function. Dehydration of the skin can be caused by constipation. To stimulate peristalsis and move bowels with healthy regularity add fibre to diet, walk after meals and relax your colon with daily stomach massage. A gentle and effective way to add fibre to daily diet is Genestra Herbal Bulk. Made with the hulls of the psyllium. Massage of your tummy is easy when you know where to massage and if you have the tummy tool.

A horizontal line at the bridge of nose and vertical lines at the corners of the month can indicate a tendency for a poor functioning Pancreas. The pancreas does not just metabolize sugar with insulin production but produces digestive enzymes. Best way to remedy this is to decrease sugar in your diet and massage the middle at the bottom ribs on left side.

So dry skin is not an isolated outcome of aging so much as holistic outcome of a poor or unaware lifestyle and stress. So be wrinkle free long term by exploring the symptoms as per above as cries for detoxification and change from your organs.

Why Are You Getting So Red in the Face?

2011-05-18T06:46:00.001-07:00

When you were young, a flushing of the skin was considered attractive. The pink disappeared as fast as it came.

As a young adult, the redness can still not be tempoary. It can now appear when you are being emotional, using irritating skincare products, eating spicy foods or drinking alcohol.

As you age, the causes of the redness grow to heat, extraneous exercise and consuming hot foods and drinks, cigarette smoke and other chemical inhalants. You may even suffer redness when stress or lack of sleep. The medications prescribed to you can be another trigger.

Also as our age advances, the redness becomes more chronic and at times seems to make our faces puffy looking.

Redness is more widespread in the summer due to the higher heat and humidity exacerbating the other triggers for redness. Summer heat and sun exposure can easily increase the area of redness and the length of time of the redness.

Puffy red cheeks may be unattractive and take attention away from the beauty of your eyes. But the real reason to act is because you want to correct the situation the redness is warning you about.

Why do we get red?

How prone we are to redness is genetic. Those of us who are predominately Pitta or have a Pitta imbalance will get red from a trigger more easily than those of us who are predominately other doshas.

The skin appears red but the redness is really in the dilated capillaries that have not return back to stasis due to inelasticity or weakness.

How do we prevent or reduce redness?

We should reframe from doing the things that cause our capillaries to dilate. Most of them are within our control. We can start by reducing our consumption of spicy and hot foods, and of stimulating foods like caffeine and alcohol. Dilated capillaries cause dehydration of the body due to poor circulation.

Avoid white sugar, cigarette smoking and stress as they can over stimulate the adrenals and cause dilation of the capillaries.

In addition to dilation of blood vessels, Cigarette smoking adds toxins into the blood stream and depletes the body of vitamin C, which helps keep skin and capillary wall elastic.

Detoxification can reduce redness as it removes toxins from the organs so that excess toxins in the bloodstream can be filtered. There are many ways to detox - from fasting (http://www.webmd.com/diet/fasting), to herbs/teas ( go to Thunas for a customized blend http://www.astoriamills.ca/thunaherbals), to manual detoxification with Chi Nei Tsang (http://www.chineitsang.com/cnti/About.html ). Also when organs are too toxic to function properly, toxins can be offloaded into bloodstream. An overloaded blood vessel can remain dilated leaving skin chronically redness and hyper sensitive to heat.

Don't use aggressive skincare. Find skincare for rosacea and sensitive skin at (http://bit.ly/ijPIwu) Too much chemical peeling and continual use of irritating ingredients like retinal or AHA in skincare products can result in chronic redness. Don’t trading acne or wrinkles for red ness.

Avoid other ingredients that cause skin irritation and allergies like petroleum derivatives like propylene glycol, sulfates like sodium laurel sulfate and Vaseline (Petrolatum) and mineral oil (Paraffidium) in cleansers and creams lotions.

Extra help for summer heat can come from your diet. Eat sweet juicy fruits like melons, papaya, and grapes. Eat salads and raw vegetables with lemon juice based dressing instead of vinegar. Eat cooled or cold foods and drinks. And enjoy sushi.

Carry an Organic Lavender Hydrosol with you to keep skin cool and inflammation away. Get a pocket size at http://bit.ly/j1h4ia. Keep a bottle of Organic Witch Hazel Hydrosol http://bit.ly/jxu2O5 in your refrigerator to give you a quick pick me up.

Exercise indoors or in shade. Cool skin down immediately with the chilled hydrosol to reduce redness.

Now you can enjoy the warm weather!

When Skincare become Anti-Aging

2011-05-18T06:41:00.001-07:00

Looking good for your age is more than how you care for your skin. To appear youthful, one's anti-aging plans need to be holistic. While diet and lifestyle affects our skin from inside out, skincare balances out the effects of the environment on our skin.

One of the most important tips for successful anti-aging skincare is to maintain the health of the skin cells. No matter what the season, the goal is to keep skin cells moist by slowing down trans-dermal (through the skin) water loss.

Weather conditions that are challenging for skin health are; low humidity, low ambient temperature, wind, sun exposure. It's no coincidence that Vata becomes a strong energy when we are in middle age. But we can also experience dehydration of the body and skin from environmental dampness as this Kapha energy slows down metabolism and circulation.

Effective anti-aging skincare starts with protection. Excess sun exposure will cause skin dehydration and damage leading to premature aging skin and skin cancer. Safe sun exposure depends on skin cell health (moisture level), the amount of sebum naturally occurring, melanin activity, and other genetics characteristics. The fairer and the drier the skin the more sun protection is needed.

Some sun protection options are

SPF
Large Brimmed Hat
Shade
Time limit.

Daily maintenance is paramount to maintaining a youthful appearance. To design an optimum routine you need to know your skin’s characteristics, i.e., hydration and oil levels. The next step is to understand how the key characteristic of your ambient environment are affecting the appearance of your skin. Then you can supplement your skin with products that balance the effectof the elements and maintain a healthy moisture level.

Cleansing appropriately is important. If cleansing is aggressive you will need to work more at bringing skin back to balance. The best gentle cleansing products are milks. But there are some gels that are gentle enough for sensitive mature skin. Bar soap is too alkaline and therefore too drying to skin.

Hydration is having a certain level of moisture in your skin cells. If you skin cells are less than optimally hydrated then they will be shrunken, giving your skin a dry dull appearance. This can be temporary and hydration can be revived when skin is sprayed with an organic hydrosol. So when you are active in the sun bring one to keep skin cells plump and to avoid looking leathery and sun worn.

For more long wearing hydration use a nourishing serum. Ones with expensive goodies like collagen and hylauronic acid are good performers in keeping skin looking good long term. Pure + simple’s Collagen + Elastin Plus http://bit.ly/jYMMka is our most popular product due to it’s performance and its uniqueness.

To slow the trans-dermal water loss, a good moisturizer can make the difference in skin that looks fresh after lunch and one that is lined and tired. Tinted moisturizers can be a convenient 2 for 1 way to put moisturizer and foundation like Pure + simple Flawless http://bit.ly/l6DMgJ

Moisturize with a rich cream to slow down moisture loss and to give skin a soft smooth texture. Pure + simple has 2 creams for those who do not like richness but want anti aging nourishment. Pure + simple Organic Sunflower cream, http://bit.ly/lpH8m6 is the base for the Flawless foundation mentioned above. It is rich but absorbs quickly. Cellular Renewal Cream, http://bit.ly/j3yOBn ,is light but is loaded with anti Aging goodies like green tea and pomegranate.

While summer in Toronto is humid, there are days you feel dry and experience dry mouth. These are the days to load up with moisture. To supplement moisture, use a face oil, like Rejuvenating Face Oil, http://bit.ly/iI6Uh2 , with organic geranium and evening primrose oil, when the weather is arid and windy. Apply after your serum and before your regular moisturizer .

Then carry your hydrosol in a convenient small bottle and spray when you feel tight. Feeling tight or that your skin is unclean means your skin cells are thirsty. This is also a good time to make sure you are drinking enough. Allowing your skin to go dry will not just make you look less attractive but will also slow down circulation impeding moisturization to skin cells and you may experience more cold at the extremities.

Special Facial treatments, like Sea Salt MicroDermabrasion, http://bit.ly/lLvByF , that can increase circulation to skin cells and increase hydrating level of the skin cells. They also give skin a deeper youthful appearance.

Lets use for example a person with Vata skin with a Fitzpatrick 2 skin tone. This is a thin delicate skin that is very light in colour. This person is in need of high oil supplementation either in a face oil or in a rich cream. From her late twenties or thirties she may use Sea Salt MicroDermabrasion to minimize lines and dryness in her skin. From her forties onward a combination of Sea Salt MicroDermabrasion and IPL (Intense Pulse Light), http://bit.ly/kK4mB2 will help to keep her skin looking as young as she feels.

To get he most out of your investment in beautiful skin, it is advisable to exfoliate the skin with Sea Salt MicroDermabrasion. It prepares the skin to respond more effectively to anti-aging treatments like IPL (Intense Pulse Light), http://bit.ly/kK4mB2 , and Microcurrent Face Lifts, http://bit.ly/jDQlVf .

Beautiful Skin in the Summer

2011-05-18T06:40:00.002-07:00

Summer is fast approaching with its changes in weather conditions. To achieve true proactive anti aging skincare, you need to keep your skin healthy and moist. So to do this naturally and well you should change your skincare routine in response to the higher temperatures and humidity of summer. This summer it is forecasted to be more hot and humid than normal.

The net benefactor of the summer weather are those who are Vata http://our-metamorphosis.blogspot.com/2009/04/ayurvedic-doshas.html dominant. Summer's humidity and heat are perfect for a Vata who's main characteristics are cold and dry. so Vata skin types need to do very little to balance skin in relations to the weather. Vatas can choose to lower heaviness of their cold weather moisturizer. Since Vata skin is thin and dry, sun protection is a must to prevent further long term damage and dehydration to their skin. Choose between a natural sunscreen with minerals with a sun protection factor of 30 or a hat with a wide brim.

Vatas need to watch out for dry windy days. On those days it is advisable to pump up the moisture of skin by adding a face oil after the serum and before the moisturizer and for extra dry skin take time out for a relaxing mask. Carry a hydrosol http://www.pureandsimple.ca/index.php?option=com_virtuemart&page=shop.browse&category_id=551&Itemid=27 to use when your skin is dehydrated throughout the day. Drink more and warmer liquids along with avoiding dry foods will keep skin more moist looking. This will keep Vatas thinking and behaving more grounded as well.

The warming weather is also great for Kaphas http://our-metamorphosis.blogspot.com/2009/04/ayurvedic-doshas.htmlwho have thicker, oilier skin. The warmer weather stimulates a quicker metabolism and circulation which improves moisture and hydration of the skin of extremities like hands, feet and face. Kaphas tend to be believe they do not need to do much with their skin due to its oiliness. And while Kaphas do tend to have the potential to age more slowly, if Kaphas that do not care properly for their skin, they will find their skin will look the most unattractive with orange peel textures to deep wrinkles and leathery reptilian looking skin.

Rainy days can be cooler causing Kapha skin to become acneic or suffer surface dehydration. On those days make sure you use a good hydrating lotion. Kaphas should drink pau d’arco tea to counteract the tendency for increase in candida http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Candidiasis

Summer is an unsettling time for Pittas skin and personality as the hot humid climate unbalances their elemental energies of fire and water. Pitta skin care needs to promote cool and calm.

Make sure skin is hydrated and moisture loss is minimize to lessen redness, acne and other unhealthy skin conditions. The goal is to keep skin calm and less red. This will in turn prevent broken capillaries and acne.

Cleanse with a gentle gel cleanser. Make sure you have your organic chamomile hydrosol http://bit.ly/kmjh4X to cool skin throughout the day. Use a serum to ensure healthy hydration levels http://bit.ly/kPGGdV and a light moisturizer http://bit.ly/aFfyEJ to slow down moisture loss.

So the goal of your summer skin depends on the type of skin you have. Balance your skin to the weather conditions to ensure continually moist smooth skin. Skin that is moist will suffer less damage from the environment.

Is your Pancreas Worrying You?

2011-05-18T06:39:00.001-07:00

Conventional wisdom says, “You are what you eat.”

But more accurately, my Ayurvedic Teacher Dr. Shanbhag says it is, “You are what you digest.”

But if you really want to get to the root of your digestive problems you need to heed, Chi Nei Tsang Master, Gilles Marin, who takes us deeper into the significance of our organs of digestion. The stomach and pancreas are organs of Earth Energy. Earth energy within in us creates a sense of stability and when in balance can strengthen the function of our other organs and when in imbalance can amplify their dysfunction.

According to Master Marin in his book, “Healing from Within with Chi Nei Tsang” he tell us that, “Symptoms are usually an attempt from disregarded parts of ourselves to be heard: alarm signals telling us to pay attention to very personal needs.” Pg 53 “Chronic symptoms are generally a sign a part of ourselves has been repeatedly shut out, isolated and /or mistreated to the point of dissociation, breakdown and revolt.” Pg 55 “Symptoms that appear unrelated very often are different expressions of the same meaning. pg 56

When things are not well with these Earth organs, more than poor nutrition occurs. Symptoms start in the skin first. Congested skin can be the first signs of poor digestion.

As symptoms intensify; acne, rashes, and wrinkles can appear around the mouth. Evidence that I have pancreatic issues is seen on the corners of my mouth. At times it is a inflamed eczema and at other time a dark almost black pigmentation.

You can also experience nausea, hiccups, acid reflux, bloating and tightness in the abdomen. Many of us have large bellies due to gas and bloating and not over eating. Your appetites can also become dominated with cravings.

With poor digestion, you can also experience mental muddiness, blurry eye sight, gum disorders and negative emotions like anxiety, insecurity, worry and a sense of disconnection.

So while detoxification by other means like fasting and herbs can be helpful, Chi Nei Tsang can also help you begin to listen to your body.

When Earth energy is balanced you feel secure and become more in touch with yourself. This leads to spontaneous, sharing behavior, fair mindedness and the ability to be in harmony with others.

And you will notice your Earth energy in flux when you start to become obstinate, possessive, disconnected and envious. You will find your other negative traits like worry or insecurity more pronounced.

Clammy hands are a symptom of unbalanced Earth energy becoming stuck in the body’s extremities.

Problems with the stomach and pancreas can be varied and complex. I recommend you find a good naturopath or TCM to start you on your way to recovery. I found that it starts with eating a diet that is best for you. This would be a diet that includes foods that increase your energy and immunity and avoiding foods that you are allergic to and foods that inflame your organs.

We are fortunate, at least in the major cities, as people no longer react negatively to people who do not eat what is considered a “normal” diet.

Supplement stores have much that can help improve the functioning of our digestive organs. But without understanding the root cause of our uncomfortable symptoms we can purchase digestive enzymes, probiotics and other expensive supplements with little real results.

After over 40 years of poor digestion, I have found good results with changes in diet and in some physical therapies like massage and exercises like yoga and meditation. But since my symptoms of bloating, indigestion, acidic stomach persisted, I discovered the ancient and little known healing of Chi Nei Tsang.

While Chi Nei Tsang is an overall healing for the whole person using mainly Abdominal Organ Massage, it an ideal healing method for those of us with digestive problems.

The abdomen’s organs do more than digest food- they also digest emotions and thoughts and I am amazed at how much my organs can teach me about myself.

My first appointment I learned that my inability digesting thoughts and emotions were being reflected in my congested pancreatic/stomach area and my indecision in choosing what was beneficial for me caused the constipation in the left descending colon.

Because Khadro, had to go to Australia to teach Chi Nei Tsang for a couple of weeks, I have enough time to practice sorting out things in my life and in the basement of my house. Yes, I practiced making choices.

My second appointment taught me more. My poor digestion is due to the congestion in the triangle area where my ribs meet but also the area where the ducts of the liver and pancreas deliver digestive enzymes and bile to the stomach and small intestines to digest food.

While my digestion has improved I have much to improve in making clear judgements in my daily life. To supplement my mental and emotional growth, I am using my Tummy tool to massage the diaphragm area concentrating in the triangular area to help keep the ducts of the pancreas and liver clear so that the digestive enzymes and juices are able to get to my stomach.

So I am finally touching my pancreas which was the inital goal that instigated this journey with Chi Nei Tsang.

Fearing Your Kidneys?

2011-05-18T06:37:00.001-07:00

Kidneys should be cleanse and toned daily. In Traditional Chinese, this very vital organ is believed to determine your energy level, your sexual stamina and your lifespan.

Its daily functions include filtering your bodily fluids of waste created from your body’s many processes, regulating your mineral levels and maintaining body PH levels.

Symptoms that may be a result of poor functioning kidneys includes;

Low energy, easily fatigued
Edema and high blood pressure from excess water in the blood
Kidney stones and sore, burning feet caused by high acid levels and from dehydration
Lower back pain
Chills
Balding
Ear problems
Indecisiveness and unclear, scattered thinking
Excess fear

Daily care of Kidneys

Winter and Fall are challenging times for the kidney. To keep them functioning well, eat Kidney friendly foods like cooked root vegetables and grains. Drink herbal teas with herbs like ursa uva.

Kidney friendly habits include;

Keeping the body, especially the lower parts, warm.
Making sure you get enough rest regularly.
Minimizing the consumption of red meat, excess salt and refined carbohydrates like white sugar, flour and potatoes.

To detoxify and tonify your kidneys that are under stress;

Get a customized kidney formula from your Traditional Chinese Medicine Doctor, Ayurvedic doctor, Naturopath or herbalist. See the pure + simple website for some practitioners, we have had good experiences with.
Get a prepared formula from your supplements store like Kidney formula or on line from Banyan and Kidney Fornula
Manually detox your kidneys by massaging them with Chi Nei Tsang. You can learn how to do it with lessons from Dorothy Ramien……… Or get a series of Chi Nei Tsang from her.
Rest!!!!!
Keep warm!

Is Your Liver Making You Angry?

2011-05-18T06:36:00.002-07:00

Most of us know that the liver is one of our body’s main filters. But it is much more than that.

Mantak Chi in “Chi Nei Tsang, Ci Massage for Vital Organs” better explains what the liver does for us.

“The liver store large quantities of blood, minerals and vitamins. It prepares carbohydrates by breaking them down into more simple sugars. It is incharge of protein and amino acid production… It also produces bile salts, which are distributed by the gallbladderinto the small intestines to aborb fats from food consumed. It produces wood chi as well”

He also helps us become aware of how the affects our appearance and behavior in the following from the same book,

“If liver chi and blood are health, balanced and abundant, then the nails will be health, vision clear and nerves calm, and sinews and tendons will have sufficient energy.

The positive quality of the emotion in wood is kindness tempered with intelligence. A person with this quality tends to be coolheaded, discreet, relaxed, clearheaded, creative, progressive, constructive, conciliatory and willing to work with others.

The negative qualities of wood phase’s emotions are anger, violence and making big plans without knowing what you e doing. A person with these qualities tends to be opportunistic, short tempered, ar hotheaded, loud, tight, pressured, rough, obsessed, stubborn, pedantic, formalistic, competitive, and antagonistic.”

A weak or over loaded liver can affect the function of the reproductive organs and cause infertitlity and impotence.

An over stressed liver affects Kidney function as anger can cause fear

A struggling liver can be detected when there is yellow in the whites of the eyes. Dark circles around the eyes. Vision can become blurry.

Another symptom of a toxic liver is a pronounced vertical wrinkle on the right side of the area between your eye brows.

Skin tone can be yellowy, orange.

Sore stiff tendons with chronic pain in the neck shoulder area can be another clue to the state of your liver. Massaging the nape can relieve headache pain.

Daily care of the liver includes eating green and bitter foods like bitter melon, dark greens, and dandelion greens and roots.

The gallbladder likes regular meals at consistent times to prevent clogging of the liver ducts with gall stones, which are hardened bile.

You assist the function of your liver by massaging the area below your right rib cage. Soreness or hardness in this area will indicate the need to do Chi Nei Tsang here daily.

You can supplement the daily care of your liver with herbs like Banyan Liver Formula. Find it at http://www.banyanbotanicals.com/prodinfo.asp?number=1181

If you have neglected you liver longterm and you have many of the above symptoms try the Liver Gallbladder Flush by Hulde Clark. Find it at http://www.drclark.net/en/cleanses_clean-ups/liver_cleanses/advanced_livere_cleanse.php

Detoxify Yourself

2011-05-18T06:28:00.000-07:00

Detoxification is spring cleaning for our body. It focuses on cleansing our organs.

Many feel there is no need to do it. That may be true for those of us who eat impeccably well and according to our body type as well as get enough rest, our bodies will detoxify nightly as we sleep.

But for the rest of us, detoxification is important to help us maintain optimal performance of our bodies and decreases the abilities of antigens to start disease.

How do we know we need to detox?

When organs are too toxic to operate properly they will offload the toxins into the bloodstream. Impure blood will cause skin to manifest undesirable and sometimes irritating conditions like acne and rashes. When the toxin laden blood nourishes our muscles it causes the muscles to ache.

Detoxification is recommended when you suffer from the following symptoms; acne, rashes, chronic muscle soreness, muscle weakness, congestion, mind fog, irritation, lack of concentration, headaches, decreased sex drive, menstrual problems, infertility and dehydration.

How do we start ?

The first thing you need to do is to take inventory of your lifestyle habits and the symptoms you are experiencing. These symptoms are clues to the condition of your organs and why you need to detoxify.

If we are well rested regular detoxification happens nightly while we sleep. Detoxification requires much energy so before you start a detox program, rate your energy level. If you are tired or sleep deprived then you need to rest up first. Otherwise you will not have a successful detox.

No – Just because you bought the program and complete it, it does not automatically mean your organs are cleared. And don’t blame the detox program if you do not feel the detox was successful. So, no short cuts. REST.

Take inventory of what symptoms you have and where they are. Chronic shore shoulders and neck indicate the Liver sluggishness. Lower back pain and weak limbs may be cause by an overworked Kidney. Acne along the jaw line can suggest a congested colon. Rashes, acne or redness in the cheeks can imply respiratory weakness.

You can also enlist the help of a alternative health therapist like a naturopath..

Start with a colon cleanse. There are many ways to clean your colon. Natural remedies like Genestra Herbal bulk with Genestra Replete are favorites of mine. You can also go for a series of colonics. Regular colonics may be the solution to chronic constipation. Massage your stomach so that your bowels will evacuate more easily.

Then it’s time to cleanse the kidneys. There are many great herbal preparations like Banyan's Kidney Formula. If you want a customized formula go to an herbalist. My favourite herbalist is Roger at Thunas , Find out more at Thuna’s and roger at http://bit.ly/l3bKWv

You can give your kidneys a rest by not eating red meat and other fatty foods for a period of time as you consume cleansing juices like watermelon juice.

You can also use Chi Nei Tsang, a stomach massage that works directly on your organs. You can massage yourself daily. It will not only detox organs but if you do it at night you will sleep better. If you do it in the morning it will facilitate a complete bowel movement. Learn more by going to http://www.chineitsang.com/cnti/Treatments.html

Then it is the liver's turn. Again Banyan is a good source. The Liver Formula is based on traditional Ayurvedic formulas and a these formulas are followed by the best herbal remedy companies in the world. You can try the Liver Gallbladder Flush by Hulda Clark. For her cleanse go to http://www.drclark.net/en/cleanses_clean-ups/liver_cleanses/liver_cleanse.php

Again Chi Nei Tsang is a good option for detoxification and is a great complement with another method of detoxification. Daily treatments will not only keep your organs healthy but also encourage better sleep patterns.

I am currently teaching some clients and staff on how to massage their stomachs with the Tummy Tool. . Staff will be trained to show the tummy massage when we introduce Chi Nei Tsang in a facial this September.

To make the tummy massage easy and fun I have bought the handcrafted Tummy Tool from one of Master Gilles Marin’s students and Chi Nei Tsang Practitioner. I will tell you more about Andrew later too. Right now there is barely enough for the clients and staff that really need them.

Don’t wait for the Tummy Tool to detoxify and stay well!

Are you still a “sweet sweet good good girl”

2011-02-13T06:33:00.000-08:00

In What the Body Remembers http://www.shaunasinghbaldwin.com/ReviewsWTBR.html by Indo-Canadian author, Shauna Singh Baldwin http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shauna_Singh_Baldwin, a “sweet sweet good good girl” is what young girls are taught to strive for so they can become brides.

Are you guilty of perpetuating the “sweet sweet good good girl” persona in the women you care about?

This delightful book objectively delves into the complexities of Indian society in the 1930’s and 40’s.

This book is an engaging way to learn about a critical time in the formation of India and Pakistan, the fluctuating relationship of India’s 3 main religions from a woman’s perspective when women were still second class.

The body does not just remember the violence and humiliation of race and religion but also precarious fortune of females, who were mere possessions, valued for their agreeableness, usefulness and beauty.

But this is not a heroine’s story with men as the villains. Sardarji, a forty year old man, who marries a sixteen year old, Roop while still married to his first wife, Satya, is not simply caricatured as an insensitive brute. Heis a sophisticated kind man trying to fulfill his basic human desires as well as being the hope of a better world to come. Roop and/or Satya, women of different temperaments and backgrounds, are clearly neither victims or heroines.

The book also shows us how little things have really changed as politics and religions still divide us; even though the differences among us are really from a common source.

And while there is much change in the political and public perception of women, we still strive for standardized beauty but now with the help of science as in plastic surgery, injections and laser technology.

So instead of increase our wisdom and creating an authentic personalized beauty through achievement and awareness, we use our time, money and energy and even risk our health to satisfy the age old female desire to be “beautiful” in the male perspective.

And if we do not choose to be a standardized beauty, many of us still feel we need to be a male idealized partner that is useful with a pleasant personality, be a “sweet sweet good good girl”. As we become mothers many of us find our daughters have easily embrace this too. Much of which is not our doing.

While this urge to prepare ourselves to remain in a past role when most of us have never experienced being second class citizens, is disconcerting – as a Fifty almost Sixty year old - I find this karmic memory proof of reincarnation and therefore all the self improvement we strive for is beneficial in all of our lifetimes :)

Professional Hairstyling for the Natural Woman

2011-02-07T06:20:00.000-08:00

Are you like me and want natural and organic hair care?

Right now with the cold weather, my hair is really not helping me look like a "proper" mature woman. Since I prefer comfort before glamour - I am suffering from "Hat Head" .

Add dull graying hair and you have someone in dire need of haircare products.

But it's not so easy for those of us who want NATURAL haircare products beyond shampoo and conditioner.. There are few good styling products that give us a professional polished look as the chemical laden ones do.

To keep my dead straight hair under control, I was a dedicated user of John Masters Sweet Orange + Silk Protein Styling Gel http://www.pureandsimple.ca/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=shop.flypage&product_id=1065&category_id=385&manufacturer_id=0&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=27

But his reformulated "new improved" version was unsuitable for my determined strong willed hair.

I found with my extensive search that NATURAL, I mean truly natural, and PROFESSIONAL are an oxymoron when it comes to hair styling products so I was back with John Masters.

But my coarse hair needed so much of the Bourbon Vanilla + Tangerine Texturizer http://www.pureandsimple.ca/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=shop.flypage&product_id=219&category_id=385&manufacturer_id=0&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=27 that it was sticky to touch.

My last resort in the line was the Hair Pomade http://www.pureandsimple.ca/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=shop.flypage&product_id=533&category_id=385&manufacturer_id=0&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=27.
Again my hair needed so much product to be managed that even if I was okay with the slick look, my fringe ("bangs" to Gen X and Y) still fell over my eyes. Cool for the twenty somethings-- annoying to us fifty somethings.

I know that my staff who are uncompromisingly discriminating about their skincare are secretly using haircare products that have unwanted chemicals like phthalates to keep their hair looking sleek. And if I could tolerate the scent of these convenient products, I may have given up and joined their ranks.

So what can we LOHAS'ers do to maintain our health and the health of the planet?

I decided mix up my own "custom" product. I softened the effect of the John Masters Sweet Orange + Silk Protein Styling Gel http://www.pureandsimple.ca/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=shop.flypage&product_id=1065&category_id=385&manufacturer_id=0&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=27 with his Bourbon Vanilla + Tangerine Texturizer http://www.pureandsimple.ca/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=shop.flypage&product_id=219&category_id=385&manufacturer_id=0&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=27 .

Eureka! I now have a styling product that gives me a neat professional look without the an unattractive feel.

So I encourage you to not compromise and be creative too.

Gilles Marin :

2011-01-31T07:14:00.000-08:00

A great teacher is a treasure. And Master Gilles is a great and humble teacher.

In my evangelistic manner I tried to share my new experience with Chi Nei Tsang and the Way of the Tao to my 27 year old daughter. I felt her "Too Alternative " shield go up.

How do you communicate information that can transform a life for the better when you just barely comprehend the principle of chi as energy encapsulated with information? and have an innately rambling communications style?

My chance encounter with Gilles began with very practical goal of increasing the effectiveness of stomach massage we were giving clients in the Lymphomania Facial. Yes, stomach massage in a facial, but I am rambling.

I got that and I got much more. I learned about the real source of health. Gilles teaches us to not “fix” clients. Real healing comes from awareness and a change in attitude. So with each illness there is the opportunity of life improvement.

At first, the words “Way of the Tao” sounded both quaint and cliché so I had some resistent to his teaching . But Gilles patiently explained the energy information connection with the physical world we live in and finally the connection of mind body spirit became more than a great concept.

Gilles magically helped us who are not scientifically or mathematically inclined understand the intersection of Einstein’s law of relativity and the Way of the Tao.

Learning is not all mental. Classes are dominated with practice of Chi Kung, meditations that helped us increase our health and to increase our hands abilities to heal and with practice of Chi NeiTsang the touched and massaged of abdominal organs for health and detoxification.

Working too much in the mental realm can take us from the present moment so during class Gilles reminds us to feel the earth and ground before each Chi Kung practice.

The 6 days of classes were as much about our own healing as it was about us learning to heal. as he taught us how to sleep better, increase our Chi, energize our Chakras and of course Chi Nei Tsang theory and practice.

Since my time in San Francisco was limited, I supplemented my studies with treatments from both Gilles and Cynthia to better understand both sides of the treatments.

I come home a much better person/therapist/teacher. This is because ;

I spend time to do my practice.
I have improved digestion.
I am more loving towards those I love and myself.

If you cannot visit him – I recommend you buy his books or CD’s at http://www.chineitsang.com/cnti/Books_and_Media.html

I have his CD’s to help me continue with my Chi Kung practices.

You can also get the following books based on his lessons from Amazon.ca

Healing from Within with Chi Nei Tsang http://www.amazon.com/Healing-Within-Chi-Nei-Tsang/dp/1556433093/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1295796347&sr=1-1
Five Elements six Conditions : A Taoist Approach to emotional, Psychological and Internal Alchemy http://www.amazon.com/Five-Elements-Six-Conditions-Psychology/dp/1556435932/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1295796347&sr=1-3

The Sun is the best medicine

2011-01-25T03:48:00.000-08:00

Forget about Prozac and get your serotonin straight from the sun.

There are Chi Kung Practices that can improve your improve your moods and your sleep experience.

Sunning Chi Kung is basically going outside and facing up directly towards the sun and allow your eyes to feel its warmth and light.. All you need is 3 minutes and 3 times a day. I get my 2 for 1 by doing Bone Breathing.

Oops – I know we are all suppose to be hiding from the sun with hats, sunglasses and SPF due to fear of sun damage leading to skin cancer.

Both beliefs can be true. Remember that “it depends”.

Master Gilles Marin explains that we sunburn when we have an acidic body ph. We all know Acid PH is not good for our health. I for one have been drinking gallons of water with chlorophyll and have the greenish tinged teeth to prove it. I alos have been avoiding acidic foods. But all to no avail. My PH tests with PH paper always have me in the acid range and my skin usually burn before those many shade lighter (with less melanin for sun protection).

He also discourages the use of sunglasses which fools our body into believing it is dark out and therefore does not prepare to protect skin with increased melanin production to prevent burning. According to him sunglasses are a potential skin cancer trigger.

Most people who are acidic in nature or have sensitive skin and have light sensitive eyes. My sunning practice has reduced my eyes’ light sensitivity so I no longer need to wear sunglasses.

The sun increases our ability to produce serotonin which makes our moods more positive and lessens depression. It also reduces Body Acidic PH. It also gives us better sleep as the serotonin turns to Melatonin at night.

For those who do not easily fall asleep; no computer work or TV watching 1 hour before bedtime.

To practice this Chi Kung with the teachings and guidance of Master Gilles Marin; get the Sunning Chi Kung CD at http://www.chineitsang.com/cnti/Sunning.html

Chi Nei Tsang - What is?

2011-01-24T05:36:00.000-08:00

Chi Nei Tsang is holistic healing by self awareness and change. It focuses physical work on the abdomen is the emotional second brain. All undigested/unprocessed emotions accumulate here. The treatments awaken us to them when we are ready to process them.

The treatments are the physical massage of the organs in the abdomen. The therapist is the facilitator as the client leads the process with the help of the sensations felt.

Chi Nei Tsang is obviously helpful for improving digestion but I have less back and neck/shoulder pain. And there are personal accounts even more remote body parts from the abdomen than mine. It also helps us mentally and emotionally. Gilles Marin, our instructor, emphasizes we cannot "fix" anyone or "heal " anything but we can stimulate the awareness that will help one to learn how to change one's attitude so that one can heal whatever it is one wants in his/her life.

I discovered Chi Nei Tsang by chance when I got tired of going to TCM’s and Naturopaths to find a solution to my poor digestion and increasing food allergies. During my biofeedback allergy treatments with Dana Zangari, a Registered Holistic Allergist and Nutritionist, http://www.pandechiropractic.ca/Dana-Zangari/dana-zangari.html. It became clear my allergies were about sweet (sugar conversion) as sweeteners, grains, legumes and vegetables and fruits with moderate to sugar content.

I was diagnosed conventionally to have high blood sugar. TCM’s have always talked about my spleen pancreas deficiency but all (and there were many ) seemed unable to improve it as my internal heat counteracted their potions.

So I rolled up my sleeves and prepared to touch and hopefully detox and strengthen my spleen/pancreas directly. Since I had only a vague idea where the spleen and pancreas was, I looked for a organ healing book to help me and fortunately found Gilles Marins book “Healing from Within with Chi Nei Tsang” which did much more. Find it at http://www.amazon.com/Healing-Within-Chi-Nei-Tsang/dp/1556433093/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1295796347&sr=1-1

From that chance find, my life changed, my health improved and more importantly less emotional obstruction in my relationships and communion with others.

We use a short version to help detox the abdominal organs in Pure + simple's Lymphomaniac Facial Treatment http://www.pureandsimple.ca/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=101&Itemid=42#LymphomaniacFacial and I become a student of Master Gilles Marin http://www.chineitsang.com/cnti/Gilles_Marin.html .

I believe the biggest impact to how I behave and think came when I was finally was able to strengthen my Base Chakra and create a feeling of stability and security that therapists, life partners and possessions could not do. It was so simple, yet so unattainable until now. The feeling of stability and security brought me increased self-esteem and self love during the second Microcosmic Orbit Chi Kung exercise with Master Gilles Marin.

Yes, my desire to use organ massage for healing came with the side effect of a deep sense of safety. But this is only the beginning.

May your life journey be so fruitful.

For the best definition of Chi Nei Tsang go to Master Mantak Chia’s site at http://www.chi-nei-tsang-official-site.com/introduction.html

Kapha Time : Balancing health and beauty to Winter's energy

2011-01-23T14:37:00.000-08:00

When is Kapha Time?

There is a Kapha time of day which is 6:00am to 10am and again in the evening at 6:00pm to 10pm.

There is the Kapha time of our lives which is from birth to about 20 years old – for some it is 18 for others 25. As in everything Ayurveda or Asian; – it depends.

The weather can be Kapha anytime of the year but the season that is considered Kapha is winter to the beginning of spring. Now again this depends --- on geography.

In Toronto, Kapha Season is usually around end of December to about May. That is winter to early spring.

In San Francisco, due to the difference of temperature of the breezes of the ocean being forced together with the air of the land, Kapha season can seem continuous.

What is Kapha Time?

Kapha Time occurs when the energy of Kapha is dominant in the environment. In Toronto it is commonly cold and high humidity weather. Secondary characteristics are heavy, slow and unchanging.

In Toronto Kapha energy’s dominance is felt in winter when it is cold and with wet heavy snow.

In other locals like water front cities like, San Francisco and London, the fog is a very visible and constant Kapha feature.

How does Kapha Times affect us?

Well it depends. We all have dominant Doshas; Vata, Pitta, Kapha. For Dosha characteristics go to http://our-metamorphosis.blogspot.com/2009/04/ayurvedic-doshas.html

We can all have Dosha imbalances. This means that when a Dosha whether it is our dominant one or not can dominate causing symptoms reflecting the negative characteristics of the Dosha.

Then --- we have all different degrees of all the Doshas so while we have dominant Doshas and we can have imbalances, at anytime another Doshas can influence our behavior , attitude and health.

So to use the following effectively you need to know yourself and understand the relativity of the influence Kapha will have on you at any given situation and time in this season.

Generally it is the following.

Vata:

The high humidity environment will allow Vata’s to indulge in those dry foods which those of us who easily dehydrate avoid. These foods will have less impact.

The external moisture will give Vata skin a break. While circulation can be slowed by the cold, skin is less dry than in the previous months.

Kapha energy can slow Vata’s down and Vata may sleep more. All good things for this very frenetic and busy person.

Pitta:

The cold temperature can allow Pittas to indulge in the spicy foods that tend to give them heat, redness, inflammation and irritability.

The cold may reduce inflammation of the skin. But for Pitta Kaphas or Kpaha Pittas this may be a time that is ripe for blemishes and flare ups from accumulation.

Kapha’s patient energy can lower Pitta’s stress level by lessening competitiveness and the desire to overachieve.

Kapha;

Kaphas need to balance the environmental influences with diet and activity.

Kaphas need to eat stimulating foods so adding spices like ginger, cinnamon and peppers is helpful. They need to avoid heavy, sweet and fatty foods like dairy, grains, nuts and red meat.

To keep their complexions beautiful they need to stimulate blood flow with exfoliants and light serums and moisturizers.

To prevent depression, lethargy, over dependency, over possessiveness and feeling stuff with energetic exercise like aerobics, martial arts and running.

Balancing Vata in Autumn

2010-09-06T11:04:00.000-07:00

Dry Skin and Absent Mindedness are part of middle age because they both are the result of the same energy.

The days are getting shorter. The weather is telling us to sleep longer. While you are beginning to become more absentminded or feeling spacey your Vata is becoming unbalanced and sleep is an excellent way to regain groundedness.

It is harvest time for hearty ground vegetables like potatoes, carrots yams and for nourishing gourds like squash and pumpkin. These are excellent food to nourish and moisten our insides.

While you may be oblivious to your internal dehydration and the lapses of mental acuity may be overlooked or forgotten, excess Vata in the windy turbulent autumn environment gets you right in your face. There in your mirror is dry dull skin that looks years older than just a week ago.

My secret to the fountain of youth is to wear a hydrating gel mask to sleep. Night time is rejuvenation and repair time. While skin is in protection mode in the day time it is hard at work repairing damaged skin cells and producing new ones through the night.

Make sure you wash your skin of pollutants and dirt first. A real convenience is Pure + simple Skin Smoothing Collagen Mask. No need to fuss with toners and serums before apply it. Just apply it straight after you cleanse and you wake up looking fresh and your skin looks plump.

During the day, apply a high quality serum like Collagen Elastin Plus before a richer moisturizer like Martina Gebhardt’s Evening Primrose Face Cream. This cream is natural, rich and great for those of us loosing our Estrogen,

For a skincare routine that is customized to your skin’s needs and to your personal preferences, visit one of Pure + simple’s 4 locations and enlist the help of a natural skincare specialist to create your own special routine to beautiful skin even in fall and winter.

Whether you follow my routine or develop one more suitable to you, commit to keeping it until next March. If you don’t waste energy second guessing your decision you will have one less thing cluttering up your active mind.

Now that you feel better about yourself, you can look at ways to balance the excess Vata in the environment and in you. No matter what Dosha is your main Dosha, you are in the Vata stage of your life (forty plus years old). This strong creative energy can lead you to increased spiritualism but also contributes to your forgetfulness, indecisiveness and dryness.

Increase your time for healing metabolism and energizing with more sleep as days grow shorter. After September 21 days are proportionally shorter with intensity of sunlight

Create more routine in your life. Vatas need to discipline themselves in conserving energy with less change and impulse with regular routines.

I have taken more time away from work. I found that somehow there is no great urgency over this. Hmmm, so I am not so indispensable.

You will find that planning is easier once you edit the list of activities on your to do list. Trying to plan them all in is so Vata.

Rest and eat a hearty meal before you make your choices as excess Vata will increase your indecisiveness.

Then after you have completed your plan, warm and hydrate yourself by treating yourself to a steamy hot sauna.

The Autumns of Our Lives

2010-08-27T18:38:00.000-07:00

It is still August but the weather has turned cool and dry. This Vata energy affects how we feel and look. Vata time is about change and transformation.

Those of us who are naturally dehydrated know how to cope with the dry skin. But those of us entering this time of our life may resist the change from youthful adulthood to midlife maturity can learn from Plato who advises,
“He who is of calm and happy nature will hardly feel the pressure of age, but to him who is of an opposite disposition youth and age are equally a burden.”

While those of us, who are naturally more Vata, welcome change, the cooler, lighter fall energy can create unbalancing affects our physical body, our thinking and feelings. Fall can cause Vata skin to look more dehydrated, thin and dull.

For the younger oilier Kapha skin types, this cooler weather can cause more congested and blemished skin.

And for the sensitive Pitta skin types the internal dehydration can trigger outbreaks of Rosacea and eczema.

Get immediate relief with a change in your skin care. Increase skin cell hydration with the regular use of serums and slow down the moisture loss by increasing the richness of your moisturizer

Then change your diet. The physical nourishment of richer foods and skincare can help balance that spacey feeling and hydrate our bodies. Eat warm moist foods to lubricate from inside out. In this transitional time eat warm salads and grains. Choose nourishing stews with root vegetables.

To further rejuvenate take strengthening herbs like Ashwaganda and Ginseng. You can get individualized formulas from your Ayurvedic or Traditional Chinese Doctor. You can take Ashwaganda in tablets alone or in formulas like Healthy Vata

If you prefer Ginseng, you need to both understand your own body constitution and the different types of ginseng. The safest one to take without advice is Canadian Ginseng. The smaller sweeter roots are best for Pitta types. The larger, older roots are best for Vatas types. The best way to get them is to go to a Chinese herbal store and select your roots and have them cut into slices. Then you can make tea by dropping 4-6 slices into a cup of boiling water and let it steep for 20 minutes.

If aging or Vata imbalance is a concern then Autumn is also a good time to detox your kidneys. In Ayurveda kidneys are considered a Vata organ and can influence our emotions negatively with worry and fear. According to Caroline Marie Dupont in her book, Enlightened Eating, we can support our kidney function by developing our ability to process fear, letting it flow through us while retaining the lessons.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine the kidneys determine how well you age. My Traditional Chinese Doctor recommends caring for the Kidneys start in your Thirties to ensure healthy aging.

Kidney detoxifiers are available at most health food stores. My favourite is Kidney Support from Alpha Science Laboratories . It is very effective and easy to do. Just take 2 tablespoons until the bottle is done.

Caroline Marie Dupont advises on maintaining kidney health with a diet high in vegetables and low in fat, salt and animal protein. Drink an average of 8 glasses of water - pure spring water, or purified water from distillation or reverse osmosis.

Time for Self Transformation

2010-08-22T10:18:00.000-07:00

September is approaching. While it is not the beginning of the New Year, it is a popular time for self transformation.

After a couple of months of detoxification, I have experienced emotional transformation. Along with the surfacing of repressed emotions, I have been also wizened up to new habits and behaviors that are more suitable to my new awareness.

My annual visit to Steven Dao has confirmed that becoming more succinct in my communications is my home work for the next year. I go to Steven not so much for future predictions but his uncanny ability to tell me what I am ready to hear.

Steven foretells of increase of negations and warns against my regular verbosity. (This is the only time I am quiet so how did he know! ;) My “long form” of communicating has endured through a cousin in law telling me that “while I don’t consider you a big mouth, you sure talk a lot” and to the constant dismay of my more reserved daughter.

So I preparing for September with a new look to solidify the revamped internal me. I will cover my grey hairs with a natural but convenient hair colour, a more conservative -- so longer hairdo from Sharon at John Steinberg (because she can give me a hairdo that is pretty but not boring) and I will save my usual yoga chic dressing for the weekend. ( a lovely site with menopausal tummy)

I have committed to a look that takes more maintenance and is more appropriate to my half century age. I still wanted natural and easy to care for but now it will take more time and money.

While I believe that many of my habits, like over activity, lack of routine and lack of sleep, have sped up my aging , my ability to reflect on my past behaviors and to embarking on new ones have rejuvenated me.

So what are you plans for yourself the next year?

If you are looking to do some self renovation here are some great ideas.

Rejuvenate your appearance with better care for your skin. Fall is a great time for sun sensitizing treatments like Microdermabrasion and Intense Pulse Light. Intense Pulse Light is an excellent way to erase lines and plump up your skin tone. But don’t neglect your daily care routine to help you maintain your youthful appearance. See a video of our Microdermabrasion Treatment. While you are there look over at the sidebar for our other facial treatment on video.

If you are over 35 years old – invest in a good serum. I may be bias but I totally recommend our most popular product, Collagen Elastin Plus for the job. It's like my child as I dictated the ingredients in this seaweed based serum. It will give your face an improved day to day appearance while helping you lessen long term expenditures on skin rejuvenation.

To help you update your fashion statement with accessories consider the advice of Jezebel.com. an e-news for alternative minded women’s http://jezebel.com/5616391/dress-code-accessories-101?skyline=true&s=i.

If your health seems sluggish, you may need to detox. After reading Gilles Marin’s book Healing from Within with Chi Nei Tsang, I would advise against any detox products that contain alcohol. Alcohol, according to Gilles, intoxicates our organs thereby needing to be detoxed. You can visit my past blogs for some ideas. Just avoid the liver detox if you want to avoid alcohol.

If you need some help in deciding your future, you can call Steven Dao at 416-846-0588 and get a objective reading. See my past blog for more on Steven.

An now for a deserved feel good break -- go to Jezebel.com to see the controversy over untouched photos of Jennifer Aniston. While she looks older I believe she looks more beautiful without the touch ups.

Skin -- More than a Thing of Beauty

2010-08-16T08:11:00.000-07:00

Taking care of your skin may first be a thing of beauty. But you intuitively understand your skin is connected to the rest of you from the flash of red in your cheeks from feeling embarrassed or eating spicy food.

Your skin encases and protects the body physically. When you sweat it is maintaining your internal temperature.

It holds and influences efficiency of your blood and lymph systems by distributing moisture and nutrient to the rest of your body.

It comes to the rescue of overworked lungs and kidneys in eliminating excess waste and toxins.

According to Gilles Marin Healing From Within with Chi Nei Tsang “Skin is the main storage space of the body, not only of storing excess and waste but also nutrients, vitamins, minerals and chemicals needed to restore metabolic balance.“

Listening to our skin can guide us get more beautiful and healthier skin but it can also help us know our selves better.

An example is a case of Acne, (you can substitute rosacea and aged-looking skin)

You can merely try to erase the acne with harsh ingredients like retinol cream, harsh cleansers and high tech treatments like Microdermabrasion and Intense Pulse Light.

I am not against ridding the skin of acne quickly but I strongly advise that you deal with the underlying causes of problem skin. It can take courage as it leads to increased awareness of who you are physically, emotionally and mentally. Then and only then can you benefit for the long term from the quick results.

We always start at the physical level by determining what the base skin type is. This information is nonnegotiable. Successful long term results can only be achieved if the solution is individualized to your true physical nature.

Then it is the determination of the external physical cause that has unbalanced the skin. Finding the solution of how to help the skin live harmoniously with climatic conditions is easy but not always successful.

For a person suffering from acne due to oil production stimulated by a lack of skin hydration can be as simple as a few treatments of Sea Salt Microdermabrasion and a regular home routine of hydrating serum and protective moisturizer.

But lets say the problem has improved but not to your expectation, i.e. flawless skin —then we need to look at some internal causes like the digestive system.

If the blemishes are accompanied with dehydration and redness in the cheeks – the problem can be poor digestion or an over acidic stomach – so adding a digestive aid like Pitta Digest could help with digestion and acidic stomach. Or you can visit an alternative healer for solutions to boost digestion.

If acne is mainly along the jaw line – your real problem could be constipation or a toxic colon. You can try a gentle detox program as mentioned in Getting Ready for Detox or get the guidance of an alternative healer . Go to alternative healer to see who we have found to be successful in helping us, the staff at Pure + simple get healthier.

Long term health and healthy beautiful skin reflects a good digestive system. Good digestion relies on healthy clear organs. And healthy clear organs need regular internal cleansing.

So if you are feeling that you need more than digestive enzymes, you are now ready to go deeper.

What is preventing you from attaining good digestion regularly?

Now what was mere acne has started to open doors to self understanding. This non-threatening but annoying physical problem has become your “gateway to your feeling”. (paraphrased Gilles Marin Healing From Within with Chi Nei Tsang)

More information on how emotions can affect your organs go to Detoxing Your Way to Sanity

Detoxing Your Way to Sanity

2010-08-08T10:25:00.000-07:00

Why refrain from eating your favourite foods or forgoing any food for any frame of time?

Or, why have reflexology and shiatsu massage to improve organ function?

Annual and semi-annual bowel, liver and other internal organ house cleaning is widely accepted as beneficial for physical health. But according to Asian health followers it is also good for our psychological and emotional health.

Mantak Chi (it’s hard to define him so follow the link) advocates that psychological treatment with Chi Nei Tsang (Chi Internal Organ Massage) will give clients better results described in his book and that of his disciple, Gilles Marin .

Conventional medicine supports this theory in the New York Times best seller, The Second Brain by Neurobiologist, Michael Gershon

I have personally experienced this while doing Julia Chang’s Liver Gallbladder Cleanse. Even though I have been doing internal cleansing since I was in my twenties, I still experienced facial breakouts and increased anger and irritability in my day to day encounters as my repressed anger is being cleared as well. It is common knowledge in Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine that the condition of the liver and gallbladder can affect the emotions with increased anger, bitterness, irritability and frustration. And excess anger and bitterness can affect the functions of the liver.

“"Sickness of the liver," the Nei Jing tells us, "causes...people... to have fits of anger." Anger causes Qi-and tempers-to rise. Maciocia reminds us that anger can be considered to include irritability, frustration, rage, indignation, animosity or bitterness. Anger, when expressed appropriately, may not cause harm; when chronic or suppressed, it may become pathogenic. (quote from Qi: Journal of Traditional Eastern Health and Fitness”

Other emotional / organ partners are fear / kidneys, grief and sorrow / lungs; worry / stomach; joy / heart. (for more information see the Qi: Journal of Traditional Eastern Health and Fitness)

If you do not like to do internal cleansing with diet, you can do it with massage and exercise. Yoga postures are an excellent way to stimulate and detox the organs. While all Yoga exercise stimulate your organs to detox, I find the meditative, restorative yoga of Iyengar as taught at the Yoga Centre of Toronto may be more fitting for this purpose than the more aerobic or energetic schools..

While Yoga postures can be customized to your body and flexibility, some people who are not very flexible (many males), who are elderly may prefer to practice Tai chi at the Taoist Centres in Toronto. http://toronto.taoist-tai-chi.org/content/standard_ca_to.asp . Here you will be encouraged and guided patiently through the Tai Chi sequence of over 100 movements. If done correctly these movements are designed to strengthen your core as well as detox the organs. This may explain the popularity of this organization with those who are elderly or recuperating from major diseases.

Those who want to combine organ health with martial arts can learn the original Tai Chi practiced by the Shao Lin warriors. This is being taught worldwide by Master Wong Kiew Kit. He travels over the world and come to Toronto regularly but you can learn from his Canadian group of teachers by going to his site.

If you prefer to detox when completely relaxed then order a Lymphomaniac Facial at any Pure and simple and receive a stomach reflexology massage with your facial treatment. If you ask (nicely ;) the esthetician will help you design a stomach massage routine you can do daily each morning to give yourself a great start daily.

If you are too sensitive for direct stomach massage or would like the added benefit of better foot and leg health, get foot reflexology massage. You can even receive this treatment in the comfort of your home or office with Jean Louie (http://jeanlouiereflexology.com/ . Her rates are competitive with in clinics treatments.

Foot reflexology is an excellent ‘ two for one ‘, for seniors and those suffering from foot problems. I highly recommend foot reflexology for people with high blood sugar and diabetes. It will help to alleviate symptoms and problems from poor circulation like edema, numbness while stimulating the chi to your internal organs.

Getting ready for Detox

2010-08-02T09:05:00.000-07:00

August is here and I am preparing for my fall detox.

For the novice a great way to start is to get professional assistance from a Naturopath, an Ayurveda doctor or a Traditional Chinese Doctor. Click here for a listing of health professionals my staff and I have found to be helpful.

If you are planning to start your own detox, you will find the following pointers helpful.
1. Eat only vegetable for a period of time from 1 day to a week is a gentle way to start. Strict fasting (liquids only) is not recommended for Vatas
2. Clean your bowels and kidneys first
3. Then your liver

Some people who cleanse regularly advise having a colonic at the beginning to clear the large intestine so that toxins from the small intestine and other organs can be released.

I find the people at Supplements plus a great help in recommending a great colon cleanser program.

Renew Life has two good colon cleanse programs. One regular colon cleanse and one for those with Candida

My personal favourite, for those of us who are not fibre friendly, is Alpha Science Laboratories “Ultimate Fibre Plus”. It supports psyllium with slippery elm, apple pectin and a good combination of acidophilus to give a gentle and balanced colon cleanse. Click here for more info.

Due to my satisfaction with “Ultimate Fibre Plus”, I am planning to use Alpha Science Laboratories “Kidney Cleanse”. I like the ingredients list and that no sugar has been added. I have high blood sugar.

I have been cleansing my liver every long weekend for a couple of years. Yes, when you have had 55 years to pollute your internal organs with city air and some very indulgent food choices, don’t expect to clear all toxins out in one shot.

My favourite is the Liver/Gallbladder Flush from Prime Health Products. You need to prepare 6 weeks in advance before you actually do the flush. It is gentle and not disruptive to your daily life. There are no diet restrictions except for the 2 days before the flush when you consume only apple cider and water. Click here for the link.

An excellent support to an internal detox program is body work like massage and body scrubs. Pick up a bath mitt like the ones the Korean Body Scrubbers use (soon you can get it at www.pureandsimple.ca) and use it in your daily shower.

Pure + simple has put the Lymphomaniac Facia l on sale for $85.00, so you can get a great facial and have your stomach massaged like never before. This massage, if you allow us, will give your internal organs a direct rub down that will make Reflexology will seem so remote. We are happy to show you how to do for your self daily. This is an excellent daily routine for those of us who suffer less than optimum digestion or elimination.

The Lymphomaniac Facial targets your major lymph nodes so those tender areas surrounding your breasts will also get a boost to increase circulation and cleansing.

Here’s to that wonderful feeling that we get with Beauty through Health!

Get Happy Feet

2010-07-27T16:00:00.000-07:00

It is almost August and you have been exposing your feet in strappy sandals for over a month. The pedicures are not lasting as long. The polish is okay but your feet and especially your heels are dry.

Exposing feet tends to allow the skin to dry.

Dry skin gets callused easily.

Dry skin also slows down circulation which results in drier skin still.

Dry skin also lets in bacteria and fungus to possibly cause future problems of athlete’s foot, foot fungus, and nail fungus.

Many people use nail polish to hide nail problems but the chemicals in the polish just increase your problems especially with yellow nails and nail fungus.

Diabetics are more prone to suffer from foot infections, ulcers and fungus even athlete’s foot. And we all are more prone to these foot diseases as we age.

What do these too groups have in common? – Poor circulation. Blood that is not re-circulated often enough can be toxic. The lack of circulation is also the cause of dry skin, edema and cold feet.

To help increase circulation if you are diabetic or a Kapha you can do aerobic exercise, follow a Kapha diet and keep skin on the feet moist with a body lotion.

For conventional medical advice similar to the Kapha diet to prevent the above diseases go to http://www.reversegangrene.com/foot_gangrene_diet.htm

For Vatas-- keep feet warm and moist to maintain good circulation and prevent future problems.

For more information on foot and nail fungus go to http://seniorhealth.about.com/cs/footconditions/a/toenail_fungus.htm

When we are not afflicted with defined diseases, we can be neglectful of our feet.

But prevention is the best way to avoid foot problems and to maintain beautiful legs and feet.

Some easy rules are;

1. Keep skin on feet moist. Vatas can use a rich cream like Martina Gebhardt Chamomile Cream.

Pittas are recommended to use a medium rich body lotion in the summer like Pure + simple’s Intensive Body Lotion

While Kaphas can use a light hydrating lotion like Jurlique Citrus Hand + Body Lotion

2. Use a nail brush and a gentle cleanser like Pure + simple Shower Gel to clean feet and toe nails daily.

3. Maintain the circulation with exercise and reflexology massage. Jean Louie will bring her healing hands to you. Learn more about jean at http://jeanlouiereflexology.com/

4. In the winter protect circulation of the feet and legs by keeping feet warm.

Digestion: Your Path to Beauty

2010-07-19T06:33:00.000-07:00

Beauty can be your path to good digestion too

Everyone one of us is beautiful and our beauty is most evident in the glow of our healthy minds and bodies. The foundation of this health is our digestive system.

Negative changes in our skin and our eyes are indications of the first signs of trouble in our circulatory system which is caused by trouble in our digestive system.

I have been trying to remedy food allergies and intolerances for 40 years. I started out very conventionally with allergy shots. My major allergies then sugar, grains, legumes and dairy and they remain my allergies now.

But while the 40 years of Naturopaths, Ayurvedic and Traditional Chinese Doctors have not given me a cure their advice and care have lessened the symptoms. The improved digestion has given the benefits of better mental and physical health along with smoother skin and a fitter body.

No – my happiness in my physical appearance is not the attainment of the model’s figure I wanted in my youth but in the beauty of the fleshiness of a fit compact stocky one.

I had found contentment with the improved but not resolved situation until I began to get gas from eating the above 4 food groups. The digestive upsets prevented me from staying healthy on a vegetarian diet which was important to me.

So I began a new search for better digestion with Dana Zangari, a Registered Holistic Allergist and Nutritionist, http://www.pandechiropractic.ca/Dana-Zangari/dana-zangari.html .

She uses Biofeedback to treat me for allergies to legumes which included some of my favourite flavours like chocolate and coffee and some fruits, vegetables and grains.

I found that though she had reduced my allergy symptoms when I ate the allergic foods, they still gave me gas.

At my third session I was pleased with the improved overall feeling but the gas was still a problem for me. So she advised me to take digestive enzymes but I was hesitant as I found that these enzyme caused me to feel acidic. Dana tested the enzymes and found I was allergic to some of them and clear them for me.

Digestive problems can cause our internal organs and our circulatory system to become too toxic which leads to illness and skin problems.

Skin problems like Rosacea, sensitive skin (redness in the cheeks) and acne are symptoms of impure blood in the capillaries.

Chronic dry skin or dull skin usually indicated a slow moving constipated bowel system.

While vanity is no a virtue, it can be an aid in keeping our bodies healthy. An excellent way to prevent illness s to listen to your skin when it tells you your bloodstream is too full of toxic materials.

And be even more proactive - by listening to your stomach (gas, abdominal pain, bloating) to prevent having to be told by your skin you need to get help to change your ways.

How to be Radiant without Redness

2010-07-11T06:41:00.000-07:00

How to Survive Summer Heat when you have Sensitive to Rosacea Skin.

While summer is a welcomed reprieve from the long still cold of winter, it is not so true for those who suffer from the heat.

For those of us with Pitta imbalances, the heat makes us tired, irritable and it can be seen in our red and puffy faces. And to really make summer life more frustrating the redness can be the accompanied with acne.

What causes this Pitta Imbalance?

In Ayurveda, Pitta is heat. We all have this in our individual make up. Those of us who genetically have it in abundance can claim to be a Pitta - secondarily or primarily.

It is only an imbalance when we suffer from unhealthy or unwanted symptoms of this heat energy. Any one can suffer from a Pitta Imbalance. And a primary Pitta does not necessarily suffer from a Pitta Imbalance

Over abundance of Internal heat that imbalances Pitta can be caused by a stress out or aggressive lifestyle, an unbalanced diet of too many heating foods, medication, alcohol, caffeine, smoking, menopause, extreme exercise, a high level of toxins and aggressive skincare and over sun exposure.

Air conditioning can give us some reprieve as it cools down our bodies but the dehydration just worsens the appearance of our skin.

So how can we improve our plight in such an otherwise delightful time of the year?

From the list of causes, it is wise to start with diet. Any book on Ayurveda will list the foods for Pitta. They are cooling and alkaline foods which are great for any summer meal. Star foods are cucumbers and melons. Substitute coconut oil for your salad oil. You can cook with it but eat as much raw food as you can. Favour lean light proteins like white fish. If you want your omegas then eat either low salt smoked salmon or go for sushi. Avoid high oil foods including meats, salt and acid foods like vinegar. Replace it in salads with lemon or lime juice.

Raw foods can be a challenge as Pitta imbalance can come with digestive problems. Usually if you suffer from rosacea or redness in the cheek area your body is telling you,”you do”. Pittas are also more sensitive than other Dosha dominant types so are more prone to allergies. Make cucumbers more agreeable by removing the seed section.

The best solution would be to get advice from a naturopath or an alternative allergist. I am currently experiencing great reduction in my food allergies and great improvement in my digestion with Dana Zangari, a Registered Holistic Allergist and Nutritionist. You can find her at http://www.pandechiropractic.ca/Dana-Zangari/dana-zangari.html

To decrease stress and other extreme behaviors, find relaxing exercise like Yoga or Tai Chi and find time to do daily meditation.

Try to avoid excess sun and heat exposure by choosing shadier and greener paths to your destination.

Once you have lessened the macro causes of your internal health, you can start to repair the visual damage this energy has caused by reducing the redness and puffiness in your skin.

Redness in the skin is an indication that your capillaries are dilated and your circulatory system is not working properly. This is due to the capillary walls being dry and inelastic.

This compromised circulatory situation results in less moisture and nourishment being delivered to the skin cells in the area- in turn this causes more inelastic capillaries and more redness.

The puffiness and acne is caused by the inactive circulatory and lymph system. The result is excess toxins and fluids left in the area which causes localized edema and breakout when stress or body heat -as in PMS- is increased.

The ideal solution is a facial treatment that will turn around the situation. The best facial to quickly reverse the dehydration redness spiral is our Deluxe Lumi-Lift Facial. It will stimulate circulation and drainage with micronized current while improving skin hydrating with galvanic current improving the effectiveness of our own collagen gel mask . While you may breakout after the first facial due to the increased circulation and hydration - the end result is both less redness/puffiness and less breakouts. Another bonus of this facial is better facial tone and less wrinkles. It is not a one off deal though if you want long term effects. Depending on your skin condition and the results you want you will need to have a series of the facials weekly. It can vary from 3-10 per week. http://www.pureandsimple.ca/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=103&Itemid=42

For those who are more timid to try new things you can choose any facial treatment that will clean your pores, hydrate up your skin and include a good face massage like our Super Hydrating Facial. The hydration effect of this facial is pumped up with a collagen sheet mask and oxygen treatment. Again if you are doing these facials with results in mind you will probably need to do a few of thsi facials weekly for 3 weeks or more. http://www.pureandsimple.ca/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogsection&id=5&Itemid=42#SuperHydratingFacial

Then get advice from a knowledgeable skincare expert on creating a daily care routine. Beautiful healthy skin comes with a seasonally adjusted daily regiment that includes gentle cleansing, hydration and protection. A must-have item for all that want hydrated skin throughout the year, is our facial serum Collagen Elastin Plus. It is not only our best selling item but it has the most loyal client following.

This serum with a suitable moisturizer for your skin type will keep your skin hydrated without a lot of fuss throughout your day. http://www.pureandsimple.ca/index.php?option=com_virtuemart&page=shop.browse&category_id=553&Itemid=27

For more detailed advice on the above please feel free to contact me or any of our professional staff.

A Face of a Thousand Stories

2010-06-28T07:33:00.001-07:00

Yes You have a Face of a Thousand Stories

Along with the influence of your character, behavior and beliefs - your diet and your environment can determine your physical appearance. This is not contradictory to Ayurveda. With the help of Ayurveda I rebalanced my body to benefit from the fluctuations of the weather.

Spencer Wells, author of The Human Journey: A Genetic Odyssey and an anthropologist and geneticist, explains with scientific data how your features reflect the journey taken by your ancestors.

You will discover that a stocky build or a short neck is not an unfortunate distribution of attractive features. And that having “excessive” body hair give question to your femininity. Along with other “unique” features, they are nature’s way in helping your ancestors thrive in their environment.

But contrary to common thought, our genetics is not linear or clear cut as in the differences between siblings. I personally have suffered the feeling of injustice as my sister who inherited the features of the accepted beauty with chiseled features, slim build and large feminine eyes and well endowed figure.

While I, somehow I seemed to have gotten all the less feminine, chunkier features from larger frame, short stocky legs and chubby face but with a flat chest.

I did not feel less attractive on my own. Most people and society supported this truth in words and action.

But as I learned Ayurveda and began to understand the message in my physical attributes I started to love each feature as I loved the character that help form it . And I of course shared this with my staff and clients. But even with the knowledge of Ayurveda and evolutionary science - it’s a hard sell to some – so if you are not convinced you are not alone.

When I started to read about the evolution of human kind, I started to see the beauty in how my stockier frame and shorter legs contributed to the survival of my ancient ancestor in the ice age.

While I may have envied my sister in the past, I am now at peace with physical appearance. My personal experience has given me an empathy with those clients that are coming into their middle years and have not yet accepted their physical appearance. They punished themselves by trying to imitate the beauty of others, sometimes with drastic measures.

I believe that but using both Ayurveda and the history of our human journey I along with my clients come to love our selves and others in a genuine way.

We can invest more into our appearance without trying to imitate but to protect and highlight our uniqueness.

“Unique Beauty”, eh…, hmmm?

2010-06-20T08:40:00.000-07:00

“Unique Beauty”, Part 1

What is does unique beauty really mean? - to you.

When I was young and felt short changed on the distribution of beautiful features - I interpreted "You have an unique beauty” to mean "I am diplomatically saying you are not beautiful”.

But now wiser, I define “unique beauty” as the infinite faces of diversity. This change of perspective cannot be attributed to increased self confidence. Actually the real changer is also the cause of this increased self love. It is came from an interesting merger of Ayurveda and a growing understanding of my place in the external world.

We all can easily appreciate the diverse beauty of Nichole Kidman’s fragile Vata beauty along side the strong Kapha beauty of Beyonce Knowles. But we do we feel “unique beautiful” when comparing our physical features to that of camera friendly faces of celebrities.

According to Ayurveda, our “unique beauty” refers to the physical manifestations of our mental and emotional energies. But I found that the uniqueness of our features from colour to shape to size also tell a story of our human journey.

When we understand the importance of our character and our thoughts in shaping our external beauty and the foundation our genetic history in our overall health and beauty, we are less prone to embrace a self defeating definitions of beauty. And we are also less likely to believe or feel that as we grow older we grow less attractive,

A Vata Beauty is fine and delicate. He or she is small boned with small, chiseled features. Due to Vata’s spiritual strength, the physical features tends to be weaker with light pale definition. Vata’s slenderness can be attributed to speed – fast metabolism, fast thinking, quick change and fleeting emotions. Her delicate ethereal beauty evolved from light, cold and dry energy.

Pitta Beauty is in the sharpness of his/her focus. Piercing eyes are hallmark on this logical competitive person’s features. The strength in the mental realm with strong charisma are the characteristics of born leaders. The passion for order and perfection can create imbalance leading to skin sensitivities, rosacea and acne. Her intelligence leads her to strive to become President (of a business, government or organization) and that would trump any desire to be a Miss Universe.

Kapha Beauty is sensuous and voluptuous. Because Kapha’s strength is in the physical; they are strong, beautiful and large. They have large curvaceous features from large eyes fringed with abundant lashes to full lips and thick hair. They have large bone structure and usually have a stocky appearance. She/he is not your average “super model”, but his/her longevity and sensuousness will keep her alluring into old age.

When Kapha understands his/her uniqueness, she/he stops feeling “fat” and start feeling voluptuous and strong.

And Pitta feels beautiful and fulfilled when he/she pursues life work without needing to be a “beauty queen” as well.

Vatas are fortunate to be born with the socially defined characteristics of slim poetic beauty but are even luckier if they start early to develop spiritual or creative talents.

From the foundation of self appreciation and understanding we can see the beauty radiating from our own spirit and to that of others as well.

Next week –how to love our “unique beauty” by discovering our ancestral journey

Sun Drenched Beauty

2010-06-14T08:44:00.000-07:00

Summer can be a boost to our feeling of attractiveness.

When I was a teenage, a suntan covered up blemishes and as I grew older and less plagued with acne, the tan evened out my skin’s blotchiness.

Now I am noticing women my aging using a tan to camouflage signs of skin aging from brown spots, redness and even wrinkles. Yes, this is just one of the examples of how irrational our pursuit of beauty can become.

So what are better ways of looking our best with positive long term results? Most anti aging technologies like Intense Pulsed Light and exfoliation like Microdermabrasion and Chemical Skin Peels make our skin more photo sensitive so are not advisable for most of us in the summer. Only the most meticulous of us will avoid more sun damage with proper sunscreen application.

While the consequences like sun burn, hyper pigmentation or dehydration are not irreversible when tended to right away, it is still wiser to accommodate our behaviors along with our aspirations.

If there is a need for improving your skin’s appearance from a special occasion to lifting self esteem, there is a safe and effect anti-aging treatment. Micronized Current can take years off your face by reducing the appearance of brown spots, chronic redness and wrinkles. It does it by stimulating the production of collagen and elastin while toning up facial muscles.

Our experience with Micronized Current for anti aging has not been all up hill. Our first machine required operator skill along with operator knowledge of the clients muscle placement to attain good results.

Our new machine has eliminated the disappointment of both the esthetician and the client by allowing the current to be dispersed over a larger area. It has the added benefits of red LED to support better collagen production and another current type to help dehydrated skin cells to absorb moisture. We have developed a special lifting gel that doubles as a mask to plump skin cells with skin protein, seaweed and aloe vera .

If some one my age has a special wedding coming up – our children’s or our own – to get our faces camera ready in a pinch – we need only to do three of these treatments a week before the date.

For those of us looking for long term rejuvenation, weekly treatment for two to three months (really depends on your expectations and the condition of your skin) with monthly treatments after can do the trick.

There are smaller ways to look more youthful in these summer months. A gentle exfoliation with jojoba beads at night can give you a fresher look without making skin more vulnerable to sun damage.

Of course using sunscreen, a natural one, with a suitable moisturizer daily will do much to help you avoid the “crêpey” look now and slow down the visible signs of aging long term..

When I wake up disappointed with what I see in the mirror I usually pile on the collagen serum to quickly plump up skin cells and rejuvenate my face. This also helps get circulation in my face going so puffiness in the face or eyes are gone before I walk out the door.

If you have stayed in the sun too long and are worried about the long term consequences, apply a collagen gel mask to hydrate up and repair on skin cells immediately then book a hydrating facial for major repair.

My person favourite is to constantly have your face photographed so that you grow to love the changing beauty that wisdom and life experiences have shaped. I believe some of us want to look eighteen because our emotional needs have not matured. After all we only need to look eighteen if we want to attract an eighteen year old J

When aging is just out of control

2010-06-06T15:05:00.000-07:00

When aging is just out of control -- your control

As boomers, we have a choice of chasing youth by merely looking younger with magical serums and plastic surgery or by staying healthy and relevant by understanding the importance of the relationship between ourselves, mind and body, with our environment.

Recently I have begun a series of Micronized Current (Micro Current) facial treatments. I had been too busy through the winter to do my annual Intense Pulse Light (IPL) treatments to buy myself enough time to accept the “old lady” in the photographs.

While Micro Current is less invasive than the medical procedures, I recognize that it still is merely a means to looking younger.

As I age and learn to respect the limits of my body, I am more observant of the physical changes created by the external environment, the nourishment I devour and the fluctuations of my relationships and interactions with others.

I started my Micro Current treatments in March. The treatments’ success in lifting my sagging skin is evident in the disappearance of the deep wrinkle in my nasal labia fold (those aging brackets on each side of our mouth) and the wider look of my eyes. Compare my photo of a year ago with the one here.

While I have more dramatic “before” photos due to weight loss and the addition of one more year, the change is still noticeable. More anti-aging advice—don’t lose weigh after forty as skin is not so resilient. But no worries – you just need to work harder.

This weekend, I have suffered dehydration due to hotel living and a lack of sleep due to the strange bed. I have also been eating all my meals in restaurants or the Whole Foods buffet table. Therefore I ended up with edema which was my already weak kidneys’ way of saying the food was way too salty and fatty.

When the edema was gone I was left with a tired look, making me feel depressed and that my efforts to find time to get in for my Micro Current Facials and my extra moisturizing skincare were futile.

On Sunday morning I am awaken by a fluttering of the drapery in my hotel room. It was the turbulence caused by the tail end of a tornado in the American Midwest.

Did I tell you that I was also in the middle of a stressful personal life as I had grown impatient with a life partner that doesn’t know the existence of planning and “ was in the middle of helping” him see the light?

And I was commuting to one of our locations due to unexpected staff absentism to cover client appointments. I who always lived near work because I find commuting stressful.

While all this was happening, a client’s photographer husband asks to photograph me as he thought I would make an interesting subject. He proudly shows the photographs he coached me to pose in. But alas!--I only saw a middle-aged woman.

The Micro Current has helped me looked better, and yes even younger. And that definitely made me feel better to know that I could have some control over the speed of aging in my appearance. But the photograph told me that it was not the whole answer!

Therefore the anti aging choices we make ---whether they are safe and natural like Micro Current or more invasive like injecting Bovine toxins into our foreheads or a snipping skin around our eyes or faces – need to expand to include our lifestyle and environment.

To successfully perform and look younger, we need to balance the drying effects of a windy or cold environment, a stressful event and hard to digest dehydrating foods. If we have weak organs like kidneys or flawed circulatory system we need to follow habits that strengthen them.

But again no short cut to a fix -- medication by the way like recreational drugs, alcohol, cigarettes and coffee will negatively affect your day to day appearance along with your long-term health.

So start you anti aging by designing some healthy routine for yourself with the help of the appropriate health professionals.

No moisturizer, please, it’s summer

2010-05-31T13:46:00.000-07:00

No moisturizer, please, it’s summer

As the heat wave arrives, I find it uncomfortable to moisturize in such humidity. But I know that proper care of my skin from now and throughout the summer will determine my satisfaction with my skin at the beginning of September.

Those of us who live in climates that have changing seasons will find challenges in our health and beauty at different times of the year. We in Canada are pretty good at caring for our skin in winter. We hydrate to prevent dehydration of our skins and protect our skins with a rich moisturizer.

But many of us just bare it all when the warm weather comes. Now the weather is unseasonably warm and wet, it is causing us to feel discomfort even when applying natural sunscreens.

But the warmer more humid weather has brought other changes. The increases of insects and molds have resulted in higher incidents of disease in plants and animals. Compared to the Ontario Government warning to gardeners of the rise in lyme disease due to the increase of ticks, our skin problems seem trivial.

The changing climatic conditions have created acne even in those of us who have never experienced it in our adolescence. Skin sensitivity leading to rosacea, which was mainly the concern of fair skinned people is now pervasive for our multicultural population.

The advice of the government to prevent lyme disease is to cover up when gardening. That too will help with the above skin problems.

Moist skin is healthy skin. Moist skin meaning plump skin cells fill with water and protein that are gently cushioned by a light oily fluid with the skin’s surface protected by a waxy oily film to slow down moisture loss (trans-dermal water loss). To keep skin cells healthy and hydrated it is important we protect them from over exposure to the sun as well.

Your skin feels moist so why moisturize?
Your moisturizer and your sunscreen feels uncomfortable so why moisturize?

The answer to both is to maintain optimum moisture in your skin cells. When you are perspiring profusely, the skin cells deep in you skin are probably not as plump as they should be. Therefore it is important that you supplement your skin cells with a hydrating serum. On dry days an application of a light oil further reduce the “crêpey” appearance of dehydration. Then apply a light (less oily) moisturizer to have longer term moisture protection and a flawless looking skin all day.

A sunscreen will not just prevent sunburn and lessen the chances of skin cancer but extend your youthful appearance. When you injure your skin cells as evident in sunburns and tans, you lessen the plumpness of the cells. This not only gives you a poorer looking complexion leading to acne or sensitivity but also exposes your dermis, the second main layer of your skin, to damage. A compromised dermis produces dehydrated skin cells with poor quality and lower levels of collagen and elastin which leads to premature aging of the skin. The sun damage to the dermis doesn’t just make us look old but creates a blotchy and red complexion with enlarged pores giving our skin, an orange peel texture.

Moisturizing and protecting your skin in the summer also lessens the disappointment in your skin when the weather becomes cooler and dryer in the fall. At this time skin conditions like dryness, sensitivity (rosacea) and acne increase. While the weather can be blamed, the real cause is the chronic dehydration in the deeper layers of the skin happening all summer.

Not convinced? Then look for proof in nature. The closer our ancestors lived to the equator, the oilier our skins genetically. The abundance of oil like a moisturizer prevents moisture loss through heat and also gives natural sun protection. Therefore darker oilier skin types are more resistant to photo aging.

In Canada, the weather pretty well gives all of us a time of year when our skins are thriving happily. But at 50-75% of the time, our skin’s are out of their element. At these times we need to compensate with our skincare. In the winter people with darker skin types need to take more care in hydrating their skin before moisturizing to compensate for the cold dry weather, while in summer those of us with fairer skin tones need to add more oils and sun protection to our daily skincare routines to compensate for the warmer weather. But even those of us with darker skin tones need to keep our skins moist in summer to balance our skin conditions with the ever-changing humidity and temperature levels of the season. Another occasion we all need to give our skins more moisture in the summer is when we have been out in the sun or wind too long.

So I would like to leave you with good advise I have paraphrased from my dental hygienist, “You don’t need to moisturize all of your skin. Just the parts You would like to keep looking good”.

How Florida Caused Me to Breakout

2010-05-24T17:22:00.001-07:00

I wake up Friday with a huge zit on my chin. I am a paragon of good natural skincare, not. Yes even when wrinkles and dryness is a constant problem, I still breakout. Most people would blame their moisturizer or their make up for clogging their skin. But this is the least likely reason and if acted upon could cause an escalation of the situation. The reduction of moisture can cause skin dehydration which in turns causes over stimulated oil glands clogging more pores.

The best way to be rid of periodic acne is to recognize the importance of balancing our energy. The side effect of this strategy is a better understanding of myself.

In Ayurveda, blemishes mean excess “Pitta” energy. So while my desire to rid my nose of a pus-y bump has me putting a dab of green clay on it, I look for the cause of the extra heat in my life.

I quickly blame my unexpected trip here in Miami. It was obvious it is the hot humid weather and the intense sun that has caused me to breakout. Since menopause has become a part of my life, hot environments are no longer desirable. I decide that Florida is out as a future retirement home, whenever that will be.

I blame the heat for my inability to concentrate during important business communications and staying focused on my driving in a strange city.

I worry the excessive dampness has caused my bowels and my metabolism to be slow and sluggish. "Dang!", Florida should be an ideal environment for an aging Vata, like me with its Pitta and Kapha energy. The internal dampness or slowed metabolism caused by the heavy Kapha air is evident to passing onlookers as sandal-ed feet display toenails afflicted with fungus. My life partner, a Kapha would find it difficult to feel energetic and to balanced his diabetes in this environment. More confirmation this is not my future home.

So the general prescription of going south for those of us aging is not complete without understanding what environmental factors will be balancing for our health. Also, as in my case, learning a way of life that balances my health in a certain environment is more helpful than merely relying on a perfect locale.

Saturday morning at the airport, my late period appears. I was almost a month late. Menses can create energy imbalances and if I did not jump to conclusions I would have surmised that the blemish on my chin was pointing at hormonal imbalance.

Those of us who suffer from dehydration during our menses have excess Vata energy. Small blemishes from temporary dehydration will distinguish Vata imbalance from the cystic blemish caused from Pitta or Kapha excess. To remedy it, we need to increase moisture externally and internally with water and oil.

And those of us who get depressed and experience from edema and bloating at menses are suffering from excess Kapha. Lowering fatty sugary foods will help greatly. In winter go for a hot sauna and a body scrub to increase circulation. In the summer get a cool reflexology treatment and a gentle face massage.

And if your breakout is deeper and cystic as mine was and/or are easily angered, you are suffering from excess Pitta. While the main reason for my blemishes was my period, the hot climate intensified my symptoms. To cool my body I reduced the richness of my body moisturizer and I ate raw vegetables and sweet fruits.

Most us will experience one or like me suffer all three imbalances before and during our menses. Your body will tell you how to balance so be a good listener to create more harmony in your skincare and well-being.

This is a good example of how using Ayurveda for health and beauty can make your role much like that of an orchestra conductor. To create balance you need to include many factors from climate, changes in daily weather, your daily activities, your diet and your body’s internal rhythms. Different Doshas are more likely to go off balance in certain seasons. If certain food is not available you can use exercise. The more intense the situation, success can be more viable if more variables are used.

Since the climate and menopause are not in usually your control, use activities, diet and skincare to create balance in your life and health. If you need more help in this matter you can refer to Kristen’s book on Ayurveda and natural Skincare, at http://www.pureandsimple.ca/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=shop.flypage&product_id=1641&category_id=257&manufacturer_id=0&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=27&vmcchk=1&Itemid=27

Or Deepak Chopra’s book, Perfect health http://books.google.ca/books?id=mU_sM3eG4l0C&printsec=frontcover&dq=perfect+health+deepak+chopra&source=bl&ots=VL5vZv-i92&sig=P3iNZUcHGjeIJz9Me4rpyajd2PY&hl=en&ei=WA_7S9qBCcOblgeN4aDTDw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=5&ved=0CDoQ6AEwBA#v=onepage&q&f=false

Or make a complimentary consultation at any Pure + simple location. Find the contact number of your closest store at http://www.pureandsimple.ca/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=75&Itemid=53

Mother’s Day has come and gone.

2010-05-14T07:16:00.000-07:00

Mother’s Day has come and gone.

“They say” that one out of two hundred people on Earth today is a descendant of Genghis Khan. Proving his disappointment of not conquering the world before dying was premature. Therefore it was fortunate he just couldn’t heed advice to prolong his life with abstinence. His descendants have became rulers and prominent citizens in Europe, Middle East, Asia even in America.

But this was accomplished through social selection and not genetics. So kudos are due to the mothers contributing to his enduring conquest. But who are these nameless faceless women who have raised such a successful group of descendants? Few of us even know the name of his wife, Börte, who was an instrumental in his historic success.

Women have contributed much to history as support players but now we have the options without guilt, fear or regret to be active participants.

Since we no longer borrow our positions in society and history from a male relative, husband or son, our destinies are no longer the victims of our ability to attract an eligible male.

We no longer need to abuse or disfigure our bodies to conform to societal ideals. We can now shape our unique beauty based on health and personal growth. To be loved for who we really are and not what we would like to be is healthy and encourages growing self knowledge.

Most of us Boomers have offset such fortune with our acceptance of the traditional convention. Many of us have in the past participated in the public scorn of so-called "women's Libbers" implying their motives were due to misguided beliefs or their lack of attractiveness.

But we Boomers can redeem ourselves - I - a Mid-Boomer- am "only" 55 years old – so, yeah – NO! to ageism, too. It is never too late to realize a true calling in life and unconditional self love.

Beauty based on health is a strategic choice. Strategic because our daily actions to increase or maintain our attractiveness are part of a bigger plan of a healthy life and personal success.

Beauty dependent on whim, fashion or poor self image can lead to disappointing long term results and for some ---a futile preoccupation. I.e. Botox - exactly how does investing large sums of money to inject a toxin into your body contributing to a long term youthfulness and healthy organic lifestyle?

When we are open to beauty’s diversity, we start to see health and spirit as the foundations of beauty. As we connect to our personal health and learn to know ourselves more, we create goals that lead to personal and community happiness.

We customize our lifestyle - diet, exercise, work – with simple holistic guides like Ayurveda. Spiritual Practice, which helps us connect and balance, is an integral part of our life as we exercise with mind body exercises like Yoga, Chi Kung, Tai Chi. Our diet reflects not only with our concerns for personal pleasure and health but for our planet's sustainability. All this personal commitment can only lead our ability to wisely influence the governance of our communities and world.

Successful skincare is also based on the principles of holistic, natural and sustainability. Like diet, exercise and work choices – the care our bodies based on our life principles can be a win for lasting beauty, for personal health and for a better world.

The great part of being a mother is not Mother’s Day but our power to pass our wisdom and love to all who follow us.

Too Brainy to be a Beauty?

2010-05-07T06:40:00.000-07:00

So has science unknowing provided an argument for the cliché of separating beauty and brains?

Richard Wrangham, a biological anthropologist at Harvard University, proposes that we have evolved to be the dominant specie by virtue of our bigger brain. His book, Catching Fire, http://www.powells.com/biblio/9780465013623 claims that this was the direct result of lessening the energy needs of our digestive system.

So we grew to be skillful masters of our destiny and our culture has evolved from the dominance of “might” to that of “bright”. (some corny humour before we talk about aging). This change has brought women growing equality and the right to work ourselves to poor health. (some self deprecating humour)

As a happy workaholic, I find the demands of beauty a nuisance. I am not talking about the superficial preoccupation with make up, hair (styling/colouring) and nails (manicures/pedicures). But the dominance of my brain along with a great relationship with my cute Sony Viao has curbed my time and efforts at the foundations of beauty like proper diet (no- not everyone thrives on broccoli and salmon and some people can be healthy with coffee and dairy), relaxation (even your brain needs a break), adequate sleep and exercise, spiritual practice (I am referring to feeling connected not joining a cult) and facial treatments ( yes - to have beautiful skin you need to take care of it regularly).

My workaholism, mainly driven by my desire to find skin solutions that are successful for both her staff and clients, is a prime example of knowledge not being enough. Have our brains become too powerful?

As a human that needs more evolving, my improved lifestyle is spurred by my fear of aging too quickly. And my ability to accept my aging body is slower than the signs of aging cropping up. So my short sighted vision now requires I cheat Mother Nature with help from some of the safe and proven technologies in skin rejuvenation.

The principle goal of rejuvenating skin is to stimulate or increase collagen production in the Dermis layer of your skin. This will increase your skin cells’ ability to retain moisture. The difference in the appearance between the skin of a 16 year old and that of a 60 year old is the amount of moisture in her skin cells not the number of skin cells. Fine wrinkles and dryness appear when skin cells shrink due to the low moisture content of the new skin cell and the slower turnover rate of the cell’s life-cycle. The cycle of a 20 year old skin is 28 days while that of a 45 year old depending on her lifestyle can be 40 days or more.

The second goal is to rejuvenating elastin in the Dermis. As elastin degenerates skin loses tone and deep wrinkles form. Young skin has more and healthier elastin fibres than aged skin. Premature aging can occur with over exposure to the elements (pollution, sun, wind) and poor protection from them (inadequate moisturizer and sun screen).

Therefore the successful skin rejuvenation technologies target the dermis to rejuvenate collagen and elastin fibres.

While results are the goal, for long term skin beauty, safety is the first consideration. Those of us in the market for this technology have experienced the folly of exclusive short term gain. After those two considerations, our personal preferences, budgets and time constraint can have a strong say in the matter.

4 safe technologies that I have found to give you good long term results are
• Light Emitting Diode (LED)
• Micro Current Facial (MCF)
• MicroDermabrasion
• Intense Pulse Light (IPL)

All 4 will cost you the same in the long run but the gentler treatments will take more of your time and spread your payments over a longer period of time . For example; while IPL treatments are the most expense, you will need only 3 to 6 treatments a year to get good results while for the same results with MCF requires 2 treatments a week for 6-10 weeks then monthly treatments to maintain results. Both will end up costing about $2000. - $3,000.00 depending on your needs.

Personal preference can determine choice as LED treatments can be therapeutic for the mind as well as rejuvenating for the skin. The healing red light is an enjoyable experience for clients while MicroDermabrasion can be jarring to their skin and psyche.

If you are in the market for safe preventative treatments you have the luxury of choice but if you have been abusive (over sun exposure) or negligent (I just don’t have time to moisturize) you may need to do a combination of the 4 technologies to get the results you want.

So what are these 4 treatment technologies?

LED treatments comprise of putting the skin under the healing coloured lights that are chosen to penetrate skin to the dermis layer to bolster healthy collagen production. While clients see improvement in their skin after one treatment it is far from dramatic or satisfying enough. This gentle therapy needs repetition to successfully give skin a long-term rejuvenated appearance. Therefore it is recommended that candidates do an initial course of treatments weekly for 7-10 weeks. For better results 2 treatments a week are recommended. After the initial treatment course, monthly treatments along with facials are needed to maintain results.

This treatment is beneficial and safe for all skin types. This technology was first used by NASA for healing then the technology was transfer to the market to treat skin cancer. As a spa treatment, LED light can rejuvenate skin cells using the red spectrum. To treat mature skin that is sensitive, a green light can be used as well. The blue spectrum is used to reduce skin’s tendency to blemish.

The second choice, MCF improves muscle tone and decreases wrinkles. Electrical current stimulates collagen production and improves skin tone to improve its appearance. Our MCF includes a second phase of applying HF current to stimulate muscles fibres and increase skin healing abilities.

The initial course of treatment is similar to LED. While once a week for 10 weeks is adequate; the best results for those of us over 50 can be attain with twice a week treatments for 10 weeks. Maintenance protocol is monthly treatments but celebrities, who are the shining examples for this technology have weekly treatments for maintenance. Those of us who are very meticulous about their appearance will want treatments at least twice a month.

It is not recommended for those who have very sensitive skin or Rosacea.

MicroDermabrasion rejuvenates aged skin by stimulating cell turnover, collagen production and minimizing facial lines. The treatment removes the top layers of the Epidermis causing the dermis to speed up cell turnover. We use the safer medium of sea salt instead of corundum -- which is a more attractive name than aluminum. While sea salt is safer, it gives better results too. I know what you are thinking – I am with you on this one. So why is anyone bothering with using aluminum as an anti-aging treatment?

Sea salt is purifying to the skin and increases its ability to retain moisture. It is less expensive for the client as it requires fewer treatments to attain the same results. Great results can be achieved with as little as 3 treatments; 2 weeks apart. Older skin should expect to do the initial course in 6 – 10 treatments. Monthly treatments are recommended. MicroDermabrasion is safe and beneficial for all skin types.

IPL is the strongest technology giving the quickest results so best for those of us who want the biggest changes yesterday. Youthful appearance can be maintained Anti-aging results with as little as 3 treatments annually. Those us, who have let our skins age more before starting, will need more treatments to jump-start our dermis in giving us younger looking skin.

IPL treatments rejuvenate our skin by emitting a high intense light into the dermis to stimulates and improve collagen production. This produces smoother, tighter skin with a decrease in visible pore size. IPL is an evolution of laser therapy to offer clients less painful and shorter treatments.

Treatment time, quality and comfort vary with the different makes of IPL machines. The spa’s investment in research and in finance does pay off for the client as end results will vary as well.

IPL dramatically improves photo-aged skin (prematurely aged appearance from sun exposure and poor lifestyle) while naturally aged skin will receive more subtle results. IPL skin rejuvenation is best for lighter skin tones. This treatment is not recommended for higher than Fitzpatrick type 4 (the scale is from 1-6) with most IPL machines.

Explore your options with your trusted esthetician. At Pure + simple, you can make a complimentary appointment with any esthetician (I work Sundays in Toronto and Saturday in Oakville) or me. We all start with your vision of how you want you skin to look and then take in consideration your time commitment and budget. Then we design a suitable plan of treatments and lifestyle to get you there. We monitor progress and alter treatment and advice as your skin dictates.

Yes, if you are serious about maintaining a youthful appearance you need to contribute with the more difficult undertaking of lifestyle as a healthy foundation to the above treatments. You will find them is my past blogs and they are individualized with your esthetician during your consultation as we help you focus on the one are most important in rejuvenating your skin and your health.

Please let me know if you have any questions. If you cannot leave your comments here email me at jean@pureandsimple.ca

Looking Like Spring

2010-05-01T09:27:00.000-07:00

The weather is warm and our spirits are focused on renewal. For our kids it’s mainly about baring more. But for those of us who in our more mature years-- the more we reveal the more we fret about revealing the signs of aging from the loose skin on our limbs to that of our faces.

Since I have changed to a more vegetarian diet – I have lost weight adding more stress to my attempts to look fresh and youthful.

The sign of skin sagging on the nasal labial fold (the vertical wrinkle on the sides of the mouth) had increased as my face slimmed and my skin did not. My upper eye lids had started to creep lower from a decade of long hours at a computer screen. Gravity's victory over my cheeks is visible in the elongating shape of once round pores. My skin is growing more pigmented as my skin cells forget the original programming of its melanin. Bumps and dints signal tired skin cells in my facial architecture. My fair skinned partner's skin grows increasingly red as his capillary wall weaken.

What can a surgery-phobe do to get back her skin's smoothness and tone?

Well this week I have changed my moisturizer, the shape of my eyebrows and promised to be more regular with my micro-current treatments.

The easiest step to take is to make sure skin cells are plump with a serum like Pure + simple’s Collagen Elastin Plus http://www.pureandsimple.ca/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=shop.flypage&product_id=303&category_id=680&manufacturer_id=0&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=27 that supports collagen (smooth and moist skin) and Elastin (skin elasticity) under a protective but cooling moisturizer like Just Pure’s Honey Neroli Facial Cream Light http://www.pureandsimple.ca/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=shop.flypage&product_id=1356&category_id=409&manufacturer_id=0&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=27.
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Reshaping your eyebrows is another unobtrusive and easy step to take to a younger look. To avoid looking dated it is important to change the shape of the brows according to the changes of the times and your face.

I am a prime example of living in a time warp. I have prided myself in the classic arch of my right brow. I have struggled many a morning to get my left one to look like it. This have been my look for the last 40 years. But I found out this week that the softer arch of my left brow was more flattering for my now more angular features. The wider curve gave me a softer, more youthful appearance.

Eyebrows left au natural may look charming on a smooth young face but on a face with growing "character", eyebrows with a clean shape can give a flattering frame to the eyes.

Take years off your face by tweezing the hairs on the bottom side of the eyebrows. It can visually reverse the drooping of aging eye lids.

To further lift those eyebrows and eyes try micro-current (it used to call non-surgical face lift). I have been very lackadaisical about my micro-current treatments. But as spring arrives and my face looks less vitalized than my spirits, I decide to give my treatments more priority to renew my skin's health and appearance.

Micro-current is probably the least aggressive of the safe anti-aging technologies like Intense Pulse Light (IPL) and Microdermabrasion. But it is also one that demands the most time of the client. It works on stimulating the facial muscles and the circulatory system that supports healthy skin cells.

The time commitment is not for everyone. For a successful result you need to have the treatments twice a week for the first month to month and a half. Then to maintain this more youthful look, you need to have monthly treatments. Personally I believe the celebrities who use this method are doing it more often so it is not a great endeavor if you have overwhelming time commitments at home and at work.

I am experimenting with supplementing the professional treatments with a home model like NuFace http://www.nuface.plazadiscounts.com/index.html But I will not have any news for a while.

For more anti-aging options that are safe and natural – return here next week.

Good Digestion = Good Life

2010-04-16T09:14:00.000-07:00

Our digestive systems’ ability to give our body the nutrients it needs to be strong and healthy depends in turn on our body’s energy level.

Digestive problems arise when the body’s energy levels are low or diverted to another bodily function like the nervous system.

Our physical energy levels are affected by our genetics, our activity level, our emotional state and our mental tendencies. Therefore some solutions are more suitable for different people (Dosha types in Ayurveda) and situations.

Kaphas experiencing digestive irregularities will find that the most likely underlying problem is a slow digestive system, in other words slow metabolism. Kaphas do things slowly. They will feel more energetic when they experience change in routine or in increasing activity levels.

Therefore the goal is to increase metabolism. Early morning aerobic exercise is a great way to jumpstart the body’s energy and metabolism. During morning exercise you can aid digestive fire by including abdominal exercises.

Before meals, take deep abdominal breaths. If digestion still needs help, a spice /herb combination call Trikatu is recommended in Ayurveda. I use Trikatu when the weather is very cold and damp (Kapha weather)or when I am eating a high carbohydrate or fat meal (Kapha foods). Banyan Botanicals, an organic line of Ayurvedic herbs makes Trikatu ( http://www.pureandsimple.ca/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=shop.flypage&product_id=1256&category_id=233&manufacturer_id=0&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=27 ).

Vatas have lower digestive energy. Therefore in Ayurveda, it is recommended that they eat mainly cooked foods. Eating foods warm especially in cold weather or times of stress is highly recommended. Since they tend to be slim with a high metabolism, Vatas need to eat more or eat richer to maintain their physical energy. To support adequate digestive energy, Vatas need to create calm before eating. This can be as simple as deep breaths before eating.

To increase the body’s energy to support better digestion it is recommended that Vatas do Pranayama, Chi Kung or Meditation regularly to calm their mind. More energy can be saved if their minds can be disciplined to not waste energy with needless worry and nervous activity.

To support their digestive fire Vatas can take Hingvastek, a combination of organic spices especially formulated for them from Banyan Botanicals (http://www.pureandsimple.ca/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=shop.flypage&product_id=571&category_id=233&manufacturer_id=0&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=27 before meals. I use Hingvastek before meals often as I am predominately a Vata types ( see past blogs for more information on the 3 Doshas) but especially when the weather is cold and dry or when I am mentally or emotionally exhausted.

Pittas are born with good metabolism. Their high fire element give them the advantage of good digestion. But when they over do their strengths in leadership, competition and organization their digestive systems fight back with excess acid and lower digestive fire.

While cooked food is easier to digest Pittas can oily suffer from the inflammation cooked foods can cause. Cooked food can result in excess mucous that can further negatively affect the digestive system so when digestion is compromised or when you are tired lightly cook food. Do not eat oily or rich foods like red meat and oils.

Two books I recommend to help you incorporate good digestion with a better way of life are “The Slow Down Diet” by Marc David (http://www.amazon.com/Slow-Down-Diet-Eating-Pleasure/dp/1594770603 ) and “unwinding the Belly” by Allison Post and Stephen Cavaliere (V http://www.amazon.com/Unwinding-Belly-Healing-Gentle-Touch/dp/1556434782/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1271433971&sr=1-1 )

Poor Digestion? You have an Energy Crisis

2010-04-12T06:41:00.000-07:00

Digestion requires energy. How many of us can willing sit quietly to eat? How many of us believe eating is a time to multi-task?

As urbane ambitious people we spend very little energy to digest our food. Our greedy ambitious brains grab at least 20% of our body’s energy output and we willing give it more as we read or work as we eat.

Then many of us are concerned about our weight or body measurements so we choose to lower our caloric food intake resulting in lower energy intake. To further lower our calorie (energy) utilization, we are choosing harder to digest raw or almost raw foods. A high percentage of the raw food we eat is not digested.

But diets of raw, low fat, low carbohydrate foods have become popular as we have come to believe those foods to be best for our health.

A good example of how diet demagoguery can use science to promote it. The Paleo Diet ( http://paleodiet.com/). Proponents of the diet eat the foods of our hunter gatherer ancestor. A diet that our ancestors ate sounds like an good diet for us longing for the simple life. This combination of the raw food diet with Atkins sounds inviting to those who are nostalgic about the past. With visions of wholesome unfettered food and the simple life, we start to stock our freezers with meat (guess the hunter ancestors we are envisioning were living in the ice age) and our refrigerators with vegetables ( with gathering is so much easier with a supermarket near by).

Those of us who have tried low carbohydrate or Atkins diets have found that we can become very dehydrated and those less fortunate found our kidneys really hate protein overload.

But who hasn’t wanted to eat our food in its most natural form, raw, only to find that our stomachs were not so nostalgic.

Raw food and high protein diets take more energy to digest and many of us are just not ready to change our lifestyles enough to accommodate it.

So what diet is best for us. First there is no one size fits all so seeking out professional help is advisable. Call a school of holistic nutrition i.e. http://instituteofholisticnutrition.com/ihn.asp or a directory http://www.enviromedicine.com/index1.htm

To improve our digestion, we need to get more energy to our bellies but where is that energy going to be coming from?

If you are an extreme athlete, are you willing to reduce your practice to give your digestion the extra energy it needs?

If you are on an ambitious run in your career, are you willing to slow down to improve digestion?

Or if you are a consummate thinker or worrier do you have a strategy to lower your brains demands on your body’s energy supply so you can improve your overall health?

If the answer to any or all of the above questions is yes, then you are all set to better digestion. And don’t need to read further.

But if the answer is no or if you chronically experiencing low energy, then instead of redistributing energy we need to increase the amount of energy.

We can add energy directly to the digestive system with digestive enzymes, spices and herbs and by cooking our food. Taking a full spectrum digestive enzyme (my best performing one is Genestra’s Digest Plus) with your meals will give your stomach support in metabolizing the foods you eat.

You can help digestion by starting the metabolic process outside of your stomach by cooking or marinating (vinegar, lemon as in a salad dressing) or salting it.

Yes, cooking reduces the nutritional value of your food but it will add digestive energy to the food. Cooked food is more easily digested and allows our body to utilize more of its nutritional value.

We can also increase our energy supply to our bodies which can increase our digestive energy. They include increasing the time or quality of our sleep, practicing Chi Kung (Chi Kung is the only exercise that nets you more energy), meditation and Pranayama (yogic breathing exercises) and increasing the amount of calories in our food intake.

Each one of us will benefit from some of the above suggestions more than others. i.e. cooking our food is great for those of us who are mind active while exercising the belly is better for those of us with slow digestive metabolism..

Some of the suggestions are not suitable for some of us. i.e increasing food intake is not recommended for those with slow metabolism or cooked food is not so beneficial for those of us who suffer from inflammation.

The more aware you are of the characteristics your body and mind, the more effective your choices will be. In the next installment I will try to help you choose some of the suggestions with the help of Ayurveda.

Stick Your Belly out if you want Good Digestion

2010-04-05T07:18:00.000-07:00

There is probably no bodily function we have some influence over that is more critical to our personal success than digestion. We all agree that digestion is the foundation of good health which we are now beginning to link to beauty and ability to succeed.

In Skincare, poor digestion is usually one of the main causes of acne, inflammation and dull wrinkled skin. For more information on causes of skin problems refer past blogs.

During my visit to New York City, I had the serendipitous opportunity to attend the seminars at the New Life Expo (http://www.newlifemag.com/ ).

“Yoga for Healthy Digestion” with Dedee Benrey ( http://www.dedeebenrey.com/ ) was of great interest to me both personally and professionally. I am a longtime sufferer of poor digestion with food allergies and food intolerance and the bad skin that is the result of it.

I had attended a “Yoga for Digestion” workshop at the Yoga Studio at Yonge and Eglinton (http://www.yogastudio.net/home.html ) a couple of years ago with a very supportive Yoga Teacher, named Cat. It was a great 2 hour class that took us through yoga poses that improved different digestive issues. But except for the “Reclined Cobblers Pose” ( a reclining pose I take when my digestive system disagrees with what I had chosen to eat) I have not practiced the many poses Cat showed us. Like many people, I wanted better digestion, I just did not invest the time to achieve it.

So why do we have to bring more energy to our belly’s so we can be relieved of digestive problems? Because we gave the bulk of our body’s energy to our passions and achievements.

Dedee’s seminar demonstrated some convenient poses (Dedee is in the photo above doing the Pigeon pose that extends out our abdomen) that we can do at work or infront of a computer like Spinal Twists done on a chair. – to get more energy to our stomachs to help with digestion.

The big take away here is to do twists and to do poses like “The Bridge” to open up the area of our abdomen so that there is more blood flow to our stomachs.

So if Yoga is not your thing think of other exercises you can incorporate movements that focus on the belly. Concentrate on the belly movements from your favourite activities like dance or floor exercises. Why not take up belly dancing. Most of us type A’s want more from our exercise than physical movement. The great thing about Yoga, Tai Chi and Primal Dance is you can derive spiritual, emotional and mental growth along with physical health.

Physically giving our bellys more bloodflow and energy is just part of the story. Where are taking that energy from? We will discuss this next week.

Primal Dance Therapy

2010-03-29T18:17:00.001-07:00

I apologize that many of you have been unsuccessful in giving me feedback. I unknowingly had the wrong setting on my blog. Soon as I was told of this I got help to change the settings as I would really appreciate your feedback to help this blog become an interactive experience.

Please let me know if you ould like to hear more about certain subject matters or if you have something to share. The comments are not going to be edited except for “unrelated comments”.

I had a chance to attend the Sustainable Cosmetic Conference in New York City last week and took the opportunity to stay for the New Life Expo , http://www.newlifeexpo.com/newhome.php , on the following weekend. I am a big fan of the Whole Life Expo, http://www.wholelifecanada.com/ , here in Toronto and love walking through to discover useful healthy food and time proven alternative therapies. But most so called "Health & Wellness" Shows are too “fringe” for me with the usual psychics and esoteric healers selling "miraculous" supplements and unattractive wire pyramids and other questionable devices.

My perusal of the program ahead of attending the show made the New Life Expo seemed heavy on the subject of “energy” with seminars like “I put a Spell on You and Now You are Mine: I put a Spell on You and It is Strong” and “Lemurian Seed Crystals, Sacred Tools for Personal Transformation“. When I entered the Expo, I felt visually crowded by the small, unattractive booths of mostly “snake oil” type products.

But I am glad I visited the Expo, as my picks for seminars helped to increase my personal awareness. My first class was “Primal Dance.” This dance therapy was taught by Heidi McClure of Spirit Freedom, http://spiritfreedom.net/about.html . She is the dancer in the photo above.

Based on the belief that our bodies hold emotional memories from our experiences starting from the womb until the present, Heidi lead us through dances where we released our physical body parts. These exercises helped us become aware of which areas were negatively affected by past emotions. We became aware of how the effects of past experiences affected our postures and our movements. In that short hour, I understood how the emotional affects on the body lead to a legacy of illness. I love the idea of how fun exercise like dance could also improve my knowledge of my emotional life. I didn’t even mind dancing to Madonna’s “Like a Pray”. As one who loves a good "2 for 1", I plan to use my next vacation learning from her in NYC.

In my next blogs I will intend to share with you other interesting seminars like "Yoga and Digestion" with Dee Dee Benray, the Yoga Master in the book, Aveda Rituals , http://www.amazon.ca/Aveda-Rituals-Natural-Health-Beauty/dp/0805058001 , and how a lower body temperature can cause you illnesses like Cancer, Diabetes, and Thyroid Disease with Dr Tasumura Hillyer, http://www.cancercontrolsociety.com/bio2008/hillyer.htm . If you like, I can also report on how you can use semi-precious and prescious gems for self transformation and to protect you from negative energy. Let me know your interests.

Aging Gracefully but Really Slowly

2010-03-23T06:49:00.001-07:00

I am on my way to New York City to attend the Sustainable Cosmetic conference but what I am really looking forward to is my Korean Body Scrub booked at Yi Pak.

I have been suffering from extreme peri-menopause. My PMS has escalated with an increase in the duration and number of hellish symptoms and along with the increased incidences of brain fog and intolerance from internal heat.
I look like I am tired even when I am not.

I know from experience and research that this is caused by the dance of poor circulation and dehydration. So the thought of a wet hot sauna and then a vigorous body scrub spelled relief.

Constance Gaud, author of “The Energy Prescription” – (http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dus-stripbooks-tree&field-keywords=The+energy+prescription&x=10&y=21) a shaman and pharmacist wrote that. “…what is dry is dead”.

This seems to be the story of my physical body. As I age, I struggle more to keep my body from drying out. My skin needs more attention to stay healthy and hydrated warning of internal dehydration. My mucous membranes are more irritated by the lack of moisture in my body. Even my eyesight is affected by my hydration levels.

What causes this increasing drying of our bodies. I found that my hot flashes or the less dramatic but constant higher heat in my body causes increased dryness. The lower circulation brings less moisture and nutrients to our skin cells, especially the ones at our extremities like our head, hands and feet.

So what can we do about this?

We can take more care in making sure we eat more moist foods like vegetables and fruit. Fruit is especially good if you are in a hot spell as sweet tastes cools down the body. Reaching for a chocolate bar or a piece of cake - even a slice of Dufflets - is temporary with side effects.

Body treatments like massage can help our body’s circulation and relax us (less heat).

Making sure your skin is moist and warm will help maintain or increase circulation to those areas.

I have been receiving Intense Pulse Light Treatments and Sea Salt Microdermabrasion to help me look more youthful. Both of these treatments increase collagen production and the Sea Salt Microdermabrasion was a great treatment to increase the skins ability to appear more hydrated.

But Georgeta one of our senior estheticians has a following of clients that received only micro current facials and the occasional Sea Salt Microdermabrasion to look their youthful best.

A month ago, my long time client Alice showed me her NuFace hand held microcurent machine for home use. She claims it help her facial skin to tone up. While the results were minimal, she was satisfied.

In the fall, I had been crazy busy with moving a spa and then I was off for PanchaKarma. When I got back I had to start preparing franchise plans for an interested party from China. So I was way past the ideal time to do my annual course of Sea Salt Microdermabrasion and Intense Pulse Light Treatments.

So I gave the less used micro current a try. A great decision because I found that the treatment increased circulation so that my sinuses were released and my eyes were less puffy while my skin looked more toned, radiant and dewy. While we have offered this treatment to clients for years, as a Vata, the results were not fast or dramatic enough. Also the more frequent treatments required to keep results were not attractive to my more change-oriented nature.

I am not alone. When we help our clients choose and plan their skincare maintenance, the possibility of multiple monthly treatments were not a time or budgetary commitment they were ready to make.

I am in the third week of my treatments and to keep up the improvements I need to have a micro current facial here in NYC. I want to find a good one so I can bring back something new for our staff.

But my seven weekly treatments end soon so when I get back I will be exploring the market of hand held micro current machines. I have a call into NuFace but it is not in my nature to take the first option. I am looking for the best one.

This will give an viable alternative for those of us who want to age gracefully but slowly to be able to benefit from Micro current treatments by extend our professional treatments to monthly. Sure the results may be less and of course it’s not as enjoyable but we lean to trade off in our time insufficient world. Wish me luck as I am finding lots of crazy concepts for thses hand held units.

Eating for Your Health + Beauty

2010-03-04T17:39:00.000-08:00

Becoming Vegetarian has revolutionized my life. It was not my first time at eliminating flesh from my diet, but this time it felt less about following a diet. While my vegetarian fast had proven the benefits of better physical energy and mental clarity, I was wise enough to customize it to my allergies to common vegetarian sources of protein like legumes and dairy and intolerances to some grains.

My commitment to change my diet was greatly influenced by my two week visit to the Ayurvedic Institute in New Mexico for PanchaKarma. Unlike my other entries into vegetarianism, fear was not my companion. Instead I planned the changes in my life to maintain this diet that was giving me better life energy and a better opportunity to contribute positively to my community.

The biggest change was cooking for myself. Focusing on developing my business left me eating out and trusting strangers to nourish me. Cooking for myself was not just healthier but I finally was giving myself time to nurture myself. My trip and my new diet strengthen my emotional detachment. It was changing how I perceive my relationships and interactions with others without losing my passion in life. Instead my love for others increased and deepened.

My life right now is in chaos as I am still experimenting with different foods and recipes as I try to create routines. When I indulge in my old ways, I treat myself to a couple of meals at Kale Eatery at 2366 Yonge Street north of Eglinton. The food is vegetarian and delicious. All of the dishes are labeled with ingredients for us who need to avoid allergic ingredients. I have eaten vegetarian in old favourite places but the experiences just increases my tendency to choose to eat at Kale.

And for a healthier alternative to Starbucks, I meet friends for “coffee” at the Organic Oven at http://www.organicoven.com/. Gluttonfree bake goods with organic beverages make this freindly time healthy as well. And while I still cannot eat as much bread as I would like to, the goods from the Organic Oven help me keep my home meals interesting and satisfying without causing me any adverse reactions.

After decades of herbal remedies from Naturopaths, Traditional Chinese and Ayurvedic Doctors; numerous detoxification fasts, my body has become intelligent enough to decide what was the best nutrition for it.

In this second half of my life I have finally embraced "food is the best medicine". Eating well is about prevention but best of all it means optimum health daily. An ancient Chinese sage once declared that the best doctors are ones that can keep us healthy with just food and lifestyle.

You can do this for yourself by using Ayurveda to help you monitor your health and your external environment and help you balance your mood, health and productivity with food.

But I am not a Vegetarian Evangelist. Eating for your health does not mean a philosophy of eating by principles as in vegetarian, low carbohydrate or raw food diets. It is about eating to contribute to your overall health. No one diet is perfect for everyone.

How can you discover your perfect diet?

It is a combination of self discovery and experimentation. Ayurveda's individualized diet recommendations for different body types is a great aid for those who do not know where to start. For thin Vata Types eating rich foods like meat, oils, dairy and nuts are excellent. Avoiding dry crunch foods is advisable. I avoid uncooked foods and gassy foods like cabbage and broccoli as a Vata and especially in Winter. Grazing is an excellent way to get all your nutrition without over working the stomach.

Pittas can indulge in bitter foods like greens and sweet foods like dairy. They should avoid fatty foods like meat and oils and acidic foods like citrus and vinegars. Hot temperature as well as hot spicy foods. In summer a raw food diet would be an excellent chose for fiery ambitious Pittas.
Kapha types can eat warm light crunchy spicy foods. These foods help to keep Kaphas alert and energetic. Heavy sweet foods like dairy and sweets and fatty foods like meat and nuts can slow down Kapha metabolism and energy.

For more information on the Doshas, you can read my earlier blogs or get a book on Ayurveda. For those who want more indepth information on Ayurveda and diet I would recommend Jennifer Workman’s “Stop Your Cravings” (http://www.amazon.ca/Stop-Your-Cravings-Satsify-Sacrificing/dp/0743217063/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1268522035&sr=1-2 ) this book offers advice on common food issues of cravings, food sensitivities, weight management and protein versus carbohydrate

But that is just a start. As you gain more awareness of your relationship with food you may want to explore other ways foods affect you. “The Body Ecology Diet” by Donna Gates (http://www.amazon.ca/Body-Ecology-Diet-Recovering-Rebuilding/dp/0963845837/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1268522230&sr=1-1 ) Here you will learn how to care for your digestive system along with the healing treatments and foods for the areas of concern.

Robert Thayer’s “Calm Energy” helps you find foods to include in your diet that can help you find harmony in our stressful overly ambitious society.

While I use Ayurveda as the basic structure of how I stay healthy and happy, I am open to any positive influences. I take what I find suitable for me and I may also pass on any information I feel may help another.

One such source is Dr Peter D’adamo’ “Eat Right for your Blood Type” Find it at http://www.amazon.ca/Right-Your-Type-Peter-Dadamo/dp/039914255X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1268522456&sr=1-1

What ever your goals are food can have a great influence in your success. To help our clients achieve the beautiful skin they covet, our estheticians find that diet advice increases their success.

My Vegetarianism is reinforced by my desire to grow more connected to my world. This time with the role model of Dr Lad from the Ayurvedic Institute along with David Frawley's book "Yoga and Ayurveda" (http://www.amazon.ca/Yoga-Ayurveda-Self-Healing-Self-Realization-Frawley/dp/0914955810/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1268523649&sr=1-1) I found my path to self discovery is aided to by a vegetarian diet and mindful exercise like Yoga and Chi Kung.

If you are interested in Vegetarianism go visit the the Toronto Vegetarian Association site at http://www.veg.ca/. It is great for encouragement, recipes and important health news not reported in the mainstream media

Self Discovery, Self Worth and the Pursuit of Beauty

2010-02-28T09:50:00.000-08:00

Attraction to beauty is based on our primal instinct for survival as species.

The above scientific claim may surprise you. As a bookworm, I found the statement delightfully enlightening but unjustly vindicating the males species whom I had long scorned for being the more shallow sex for choosing beauty over brains. Years ago a TV program (CBC) proclaimed that men were programmed by nature to select the most beautiful as their mates to ensure the propagation of the human race.

Then to make me really feel I was raised on another planet --- it claimed that females naturally are atracted to mates that can support the family. This was one moment of enlightenment for me! I no longer was so sure of my embrace of idealistic principles or my perception of being human.

No, I did not become an advocate of plastic surgery to successfully use modern science to mimic male fantasy. After all we women no longer yearn to be chosen for our abilities to mate. Not consciously anyway. - So why then work at being deemed beautiful?

If we remove the time sensitive values out of the scientists' argument, we can learn that our primal instinct for "beauty" is basically a preference for wellbeing.

So redefining beauty as the unveiling of our awareness and our uniqueness can reconnect us with our true nature. Therefore, contrary to our conditioning, it is ideal to look into a mirror and use the information found in your eyes, tongue and skin to tell you about your day to day health.

If your skin is dehydrated - you can maintain a youthful appearance by moisturizing your skin more more to keep up good circulation. But since dehydrated skin is signally the beginning of internal dehydration -- ensure internal health by increasing the consumption of hydrating foods like herbal teas, vegetables, and soups on such days.

If you still have a white coating on your tongue after the morning is long gone; it is telling you that your body is sluggish and need help with digestion and elimination. Spice up your next meal and forgo the sugary snacks along with other "Kapha Carbs". Pump up your exercise from a relaxing Yoga class to a high impact aerobics one. If the condition is chronic then your skin will scream at you by being dull and congested. While you can improve your appearance temporarily with good skincare, you really need to change diet and lifestyle to increase your internal fire or "Chi"

So as you see, a moderate regard for your external appearance is healthy and very advisable. Taking time daily to keep skin in good condition will not only help to keep skin attractive but also promote good circulation and body temperature control.

Where it can be a bit over the top when we become self critical and adopt a belief that our beauty is based on some one else's definition of beauty.

And extreme solutions are very poor substitutes for daily maintenance. They cheat us of our self discovery. Self love leads to true beauty which spirals back to feed our self confidence and so on and so forth - So goes the circle of growth and wellbeing.

Belated Valentine : Being Loving to Ourselves

2010-02-28T05:38:00.000-08:00

Gotcha!

It's now three weeks since my last entry. This delayed blog entry is an indication of a blip in my time management resolution. This transition period where I have been mildly successful in not over working to complete what is on my to do list (Pitta) I have not been able make that list short enough to allow time for them or to say no to last minute diversions. (Vata).

When I am working with my clients I noticed most of my female clients instinctively help me even when they need to strain their muscles to do it. I use that moment as an opportunity to help them realize how they are always cognizant of the needs of others and their inability to just receive.

My male clients seem to have no problem just receiving even though they have heavier bodies and therefore there are times I strain myself to give them the same bodywork as my female clients.

So while the resolution to manage time in a more balanced manner and one to lose weight may seem unrelated, it may share a common desire to finally focus on us and our needs.

This Saturday Kristen and I along with a staff member, who is also a Holistic Nutritionist worked a conference for Holistic Nutritionists. Both Kristen + I probably were the best qualified to present the Holistic Health approach to beauty, but we were both there mainly because we both considered the needs of our staff before ourselves.

I observed that all the attendees were women. They all had the passionate to increase their knowledge to better help their clients but they share a struggle to create a career as they cared so much for their clients they were not fairly compensated for their valuable advice. Tahlia our staff member who also is a Holistic Nutritionist is able to practice her second profession with the help of another career in Esthetics. The other nutritionists were able to practice with the help of a supporting life partner.

These very dedicated women know their work is valuable as good nutrition is the best way to leading a disease free, healthy life. While client should appreciate the worth of their counsel, the Nutritionists need find a means to create this recognition and be fairly rewarded for the value of their guidance.

Can we all see how we can use this in our own life. A good start will be to sell ourselves first!

New Years Resolutions

2010-02-07T13:01:00.001-08:00

Happy New Year!

I started the New Year with a resolution of organization and consistency. Since I have not written here since the end of last year, it looks like I have already broken this one quicker than any past New Year’s resolutions.

But don't be quick to judge. This resolution has a better chance of sticking and it has already changed my life in a profound way.

This is not my the first time "getting more organized" was my resolution. I have even bought books on how to organize my work to my home. Even a book enticingly named , "The Organized Executive" by Stephanie Winston.

From my experience at try to create more order in my life, I realize my problem was not that I was not an organized person or that I needed to learn more about how to organize myself. The problem was my desire to do too much resulting in over scheduling and being receptive to last minute changes and additions to that list.

Therefore to keep promises of positive change – whether it is about how we look or how we behave --can only occur with a clear understanding of ourselves and the real cause of the unwanted situation.

My workaholic lifestyle with its vicissitudes was creating excess Vata (for information on Yata and other Dosha types at http://our-metamorphosis.blogspot.com/2009/04/ayurvedic-doshas.html) and all my knowledge of anti-aging skincare was not hiding the extreme dehydration and fatigue that unbalanced my body’s systems and will lead to disease. Negative Vata tendencies in my thoughts and emotions were negatively affecting my cognitive abilities and my relationships.

So last fall when the Vata energies were in full force, I arranged to began the New Year at Dr Lad’s Ayurvedic Institute in New Mexico. I was looking forward to have the two week cleanse and rest help me create the needed balance in my daily life and to clear away the unwanted symptoms of my obsessive habits and indulgences. But it was up to me to rein in Vata's love of change and freedom with a more organized and predictable life.

Dr Lad and my personal Ayurvedic Counselor Suzana prescribed herbs and treatments that would balance my Doshas which in turn gave me the ability to realistically create a more structured life that was based on my individual needs and wellbeing.

I had planned to write my blog and to do some administrative planning during my two weeks of Panchkarma. Instead I let go of my over active mind and the counter-productive plan and spent the time contemplating with the guidance of Dr Lad and Suzana where I wanted to go in personal growth. I was given herbs to help reduce my Vata tendencies to be active and impulsive and to build back my energy and reduce symptoms of imbalance.

I finally develop a clear plan I knew I could follow. I did not just organize my work but included my daily routine for diet and exercise along with time out for a real personal life. My personal life had deteriorated to just dinners with my daughter and my partner. I was so addicted to my work, I could not easily plan extended time with them.

I have been back two weeks now. There has been no blog entry but not due to not staying on my plan. I had to postpone writing my blog to assume unexpected duties of bookkeeping. ----If there ever was a activity that could be considered the antithesis of Vata, it would be bookeeping.---

Since the resolution' main goal was to create organization and balance in my life, I had the difficult task of priortizing my work duties and not give up personal time to unexpected work demands. Good sign number 1 - I took up the duties of mundane but critical duties of bookkeeping -- Good sign number 2

So if you have a poor record of keeping New year's resolutions or any promises other time os the year, perhaps the problem is not your character but your understanding of yourself and the unique aspect of the unwanted predicament.

I find the popular resolutions to lose weight or joining a gym are also the most likely to be broken --- as early as February. Perhaps one needs to understand what activities one enjoys before palnning and committing. If you need help in keeping the promise of increasing physical activity, I recommend using Ayurveda to guide you in finding a health promoting activity that is more suited to your individual make up.

When it comes to weight loss, I recommend also recommend the help of Ayurveda to know yourself better before choosing one of the multiple ways to weight loss. The "one diet for everyone" do not take in account the underlying cause of the unwanted weight. I have known people who gain weight due to food allergies and others due to insulin resistance. Some people like Kaphas (for information on Kapha and other Dosha types at http://our-metamorphosis.blogspot.com/2009/04/ayurvedic-doshas.html) and diabetics have a slower metabolism. Depression and some prescription medicine can affect weight gain. I also do not recommend weight loss programs that ask us to buy precooked packaged food. Not only is this food the least nutritious but according to Ayurveda, Kaphas should not eat leftovers as they slowdown metabolism further.

We should not be discouraged when we encounter difficulty or fail to follow our new plan to the letter. Focus on the big picture - the overall plan - and the overall outcome not on the dailyups and downs.

Celebrating without a Wrinkle

2009-12-21T05:15:00.000-08:00

Christmas is a joyous time when we celebrate the best in us as we become more focused on the needs of others.

And for mid life baby boomers this festive time can momentarily depress us with the sudden appearance of sagging skin at our cheeks or additional lines around our eyes and mouth- known or not known to us to be suggesting the negative occurrences in our bodies.

We put our personal needs aside to indulge our love ones. We exhaust ourselves shopping for just the right gifts and preparing to host and attending celebrations.

Then there are the late nights with too much food and drink - hopefully just - while partying.

Add in the cold dry weather and the decreasing sunshine to further challenge our bodies’ endurance.

So what can you do to minimize the affects of holiday celebrations on your looks and your health.

Here are 5 easy suggestions that will give you big results for your efforts.

Get enough sleep by napping before a late night. This “beauty sleep” will give you the energy to keep your metabolism optimal
Keep your skin moist to ensure capillary health and good circulation. A quick and simple way to do this is to wear a serum under a rich moisturizer.
Keep warm so circulation is optimal so cells are nourished. Easily done by wearing a hat and gloves anytime you are outdoors. A hat helps with hair health too.
Exfoliate and moisturize your body to keep it youthful. It also improves circulation and you will find you feel warmer than usual this time of the year. And if you make it a habit your skin will be irresistibly soft by Valentine’s Day.
Drink warm liquids. Calming herbal teas, nourishing soups and comforting hot chocolates can help keep you warm and moist inside out.

“What Should I do when I get home late and don’t have enough resolve to cleanse off make up?” is a common question from client. Cleansing facial skin nightly of make up, dirt and pollution debris is important. But if you can only manage to drop into bed, then I would highly advise applying a rich mask, heavy moisturizer or facial oil over your unwashed skin before sleeping.

This will help you reduce the negative effects of self indulgence as moist skin is healthy skin and is therefore more resistant to old make up and pollution debris. This simple act will keep skin cells moist so that your morning after skin will be more normal and less dehydrated, dull or sensitive.

Beauty + the Global Warming Beast

2009-12-13T06:20:00.000-08:00

How Global Warming affects Your Health and Appearance and How Small Daily Acts can create a Beautiful World

Are you are paralyzed to the point of neutrality by the news on Global Warming? Are our government leaders and our world leaders frustrating you as they declare 10% reduction of CO2’s by 2050 as you learn that the Arctic is becoming downright balmy and the melting glaciers are causing island nations to become history like Atlantis?

Do you feel like the only person who understands that Nature is not being heard at the negotiations in Copenhagen, yet Her timeline and Her ratios are the only ones that really matter? Well you are not alone!

Global warming is not just being felt in the weather. This year many of our clients have noticed unusual problems with their skin. Acne and skin sensitivity has become a problem for those with a lifetime of clear even complexions. It has also become a problem for those who take good care of their health and skin.

The unexpected and unseasonable changes in our weather are affecting our skin and health. On the macro level we need to push our leaders to be wise and to be visionary in balancing our priorities of economy and environment. On the micro level we can contribute positively to the preservation of our planet with small everyday act of conservation and consideration.

It’s Win-Win as the things we can do will also make us more beautiful both physically, mentally and emotionally.

We can mitigate the effects of the weather on our health and the appearance of our skin with the help of Ayurveda. Becoming more aware of the day to day characteristics of the weather, we can balance its affects on our physical and mental health with diet, activity and herbal supplements. With a basic understanding of skin health, we can rebalance our skin daily with 3 simple vital skincare products. You neutralize the effects of the fluctuations in humidity and the temperature with the appropriate serum, face oil and a good moisturizer. Sunscreen in a foundation will make you a sure victor.

Your call for lower CO2 emission will result in better air quality, which will reward you with the lessening of the effects of pollution in prematurely aging our skin. Thereby saving us the mental anguish of “anti-aging” or doing something irrational like injecting our faces with toxins we wisely try to avoid in our foods and our cosmetics.

Repairing our ozone reduces the harsh affects of the sun’s rays on our skin. Skin cancer is not the only negative effect of over exposure to sun. Premature skin aging is a more eminent result and even the young suffer the aftermath of a sunburn with blotchy or overly sensitive skin.

Walking or cycling, even taking public transit can lessen the sedentary aspect of our lives along with lowering our personal CO2 emissions. You can save money spent at the gym and create more meaning and interest in your exercise.

Eating locally can greatly reduce your carbon foot print but it will make eating to balance your day to day health easier. George Ohsawa, the founder of the Macrobiotic diet, advocated the importance eating of naturally and locally grown foods to promote personal health and even happiness. For more on this and on George Ohsawa go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Macrobiotic_diet .

Finally – stop cluttering your life with the spoils of so called successful bargain hunting trip and contribute to good Fengshui. Fengshui is the art of placement or decorating your home to improve your prosperity and health in life. For more on Fengshui go to http://www.malcanarrol.com/.

Clutter is one of the biggest sins of Fengshui and a real pain if you clean your own home.

Simple rules for to incorporate low carbon footprint habits in your life are;
Feel connected to your environment
Use natural products
Buy Locally produced and grown products
Choose Re-Use before Re-Cycle
Be a Minimalist and be proud of your frugality

Sleeping for Beauty

2009-11-21T07:35:00.000-08:00

Sleeping for Beauty

Most of us “alternative healthees” accept the importance of healthy diet, exercise and natural skincare as precursors to good health and personal beauty.

For my seasoned clients, holistic skincare also includes rest and relaxation.

On entering the age of wisdom or Vata (spirit), did you expect to be free of the need to look "good"?

Actually taking care of our looks can be beneficial to our overall health.

Personally without the growing signs of aging on my face, I would probably inadvertently overwork my body to poor health. i.e. I am writing this at midnight; fueled by an organic green coffee happily consumed too late in the afternoon.

I follow healthy diet, exercise and grooming regimes but my lifestyle is negatively impacted by my workaholic tendencies. So my understanding of "Face Mapping" from Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine helps me to listen to my dehydration wrinkles, my overly sensitive skin and my puffy eyes, so that I begrudgingly schedule in rest and relaxation.

While my diet and skincare helps me cover up short term abuses – my haggard face screams at me, when I over do it; so my long term health is not irreparably affected.

When my feet are swollen, it’s "just" edema but when my eyes are puffy, I listen and curtail my nights at the computer so that my Kidney energy can regenerate. While I need to address the immediate needs of my eyes' dry delicate skin with a good eye cream;-- only adequate sleep will revive my kidney function and relieve my edema (get rid of my puffy eyes) before it becomes a diagnosable disease.

When I was diagnosed with digestive problems, I merely avoided the foods I was allergic to. I experienced some relief but nothing close to good digestion. But when I learned that the stubborn red, puffy cheeks and adult acne could be caused by a weakened spleen and low kidney energy; I finally found dramatic improvement to my poor digestion and my skin’s appearance.

One more example. I have had dry hands and feet since I was young. It was so unimportant to me that I did not even regularly apply cream to moisten them. But the dry skin on my face finally had me pursuing relief. Again it was my poor tired kidneys. So I finally listened to my dehydrated skin, ---relaxed and rested my mind body spirit more often.

But workaholics and high stressed people can experience poor sleep. And for those of us going through peri-menopause, decreasing Estrogen can intensify poor sleep and dehydrated skin.

So how can we end the cycle and increase our ability to get a good night’s sleep?

Lets start with what we suspect could be affecting our sleep.

If you have a tendency to overdo it with work; your over worked adrenals can disturb a good night’s sleep. The adrenals can also be the problem if you consume too much coffee or white sugar. So using coffee or sugary snacks to force your body to work longer will make your adrenals weaker in the long run.

If you are awakened by being too warm or in a sweat and you are in your forties of fifties; then suspect peri-menopausal symptoms. There are studies that indicate that in many cultures that eat a vegetarian based diet experience fewer or no peri-menopausal symptoms. I found that a vegetarian diet reduced my hot flashes and my resumption of meat comes with corresponding degrees of hot flashes. My TCM advised me that my hot flashes affected my kidney energy, so more incentive to change my diet.

Other problems that could disrupt our sleep are stress related. Chronic dehydrated skin; waking to urinate or waking with a thirst ; --can indicate low kidney function. The kidneys determine the body's hydration levels. Overwork and aging can weaken Kidney function. I recommend getting the help of a naturopathic doctor or TCM to boost Kidney function. But in the mean time make sure you consume enough healthy clean fluids like water fresh juices, soups and herbal teas to keep the kidneys in good working order.

Those of us who abuse our bodies with over work and then in our fatigue give into cravings for refined and fatty foods that challenge our liver can also experience disrupted sleep. Again I recommend getting the help of a naturopathic doctor or TCM to help us detox our livers and other elimination organs. But in the meantime eat a liver friendly diet of low fat and no refined foods.

While you explore how you can improve your sleep, you can give you body some rest and relaxation with exercises like yoga, tai chi and a meditative walk.

So – you see-- “Nothing moisturizes our skin like a great night's sleep”.

Bruising can lead to Better Health

2009-11-16T12:29:00.000-08:00

During a training session, a staff member had brought up a client's concern about bruising more than usual.

She wondered if it warranted a visit to her Doctor, Naturopathic Doctor or Traditional Chinese Doctor.

She asked us the question even though we were clearly estheticians and not doctors because of our holistic approach to beauty. Our response while specific to the client can help you understand the inter-connectivity of your body's systems and how your body communicates with you.

Bruising is caused by the damaging of the capillary walls - i.e. impact. The ease or frequency of bruising will give a clue to the condition of the capillary walls. The condition of our capillary walls will affect our blood and lymph circulation which in turn will affect our overall health. Our immunity and vitality are affected by our blood and its circulation. A lymphatic system in good working order ensures we are disease free.

The condition of the blood and lymphatic system also affects the rate we age and is easily seen in the skin. Bruising is a sign of trouble that can be accompanied by any of -- red sensitive skin, acne, dry dehydrated skin; telling us that two of the most important systems of our body is in trouble.

The client was in her 50’s, the Vata time of her life, and was slim with dry skin, a dominant Vita nature. It is currently autumn; which is Vata time of the year. Therefore her capillary walls are probably more easily bruised due to the dominant condition of Vata in her life. Since one of the main characteristics of Vata is dryness, it is safe to guess she is bruising more now due to her age, the season and the inability for her dry skin to protect her capillary walls. Therefore she is bruising due to her blood vessels being more dry and brittle than usual.

It is common to dismiss her concern as part of aging, but it is more helpful to her if she understands that the bruising is occurring because her capillary walls are growing more delicate. And like dry brittle skin, we can slow down the process with a change in our daily habits.

How can she improve the condition of her capillary walls? First she needs to maintain moist skin so it can better protect the blood vessels from external damage from the weather, sun and impact. This is where I repeat myself about the importance of moist skin-- so to prevent me from boring every one – please go to http://our-metamorphosis.blogspot.com/2009/07/i-am-too-young-to-be-aging.html to explore ways to keep your skin dewy and moist. Doing this will not only reduce bruising and improve circulation but you will look way more youthful.

A holistic program to maintain better circulation would include regular exercise, healthy diet and daily dosha balancing. You can learn about your doshas at http://our-metamorphosis.blogspot.com/2009/04/ayurvedic-doshas.html and how to balance them at http://our-metamorphosis.blogspot.com/2009/05/enjoying-weather.html

Or get it all in one book “Beauty 2.0” at Pure + simple http://www.pureandsimple.ca/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=shop.flypage&product_id=1605&category_id=257&manufacturer_id=0&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=27#Excerpt

or at Amazon.com http://www.amazon.com/Beauty-2-0-Holistic-Natural-Modern/dp/0981262406/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1258332847&sr=1-1

Now if you are bruising more frequently but you do not believe it is due to weaker capillary walls, then I recommend looking at the changes in your daily activity that causes the frequency and the impact of what is causing the bruises ;)

A bit of Cancer with that younger looking skin?

2009-11-02T15:16:00.000-08:00

How much risk are we willing to accept for the pursuit of an misguided perception of or a narrow definition of beauty?

What are you willing to risk to get rid of that annoying wrinkle between your brows?

Are you willing to inject something called bovine toxin into the coveted area of your third eye to try and get rid of it?
If the FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) warned you that it can cause muscle weakness, blurred vision , droopy eye lids and more, would the short term result be worth the long term risks?

Would you still do it if statistics showed that only about 40% of people who try botox continue to use it? Are you so driven about the short term gain that you would not even care? The low rate of repeat injections is due to first time recipients are not screened properly as botox is successful only in removing the wrinkle caused by repetitive motion or due to negative side effects experienced.

Are you objective when choosing methods to remove that darker spot on your cheek?

Does the inexpensive route of bleaching creams feel both budget friendly and convenient.
Did you know that when you choose this method of skin lightening that you have inadvertently chosen to risk getting skin cancer.
Did you know that the spot only disappears for as long as you continue to use the cream?
And would you trade hyperpigmentation for hypopigmentation? Vitilago can be triggered by the continual stress of lightening agents on skin cells.

Many of us are unhappy with the blotchy or wrinkly skin that seems to creep up on us as we age. Hyperpigmentation is caused by chronic skin inflammation caused by sun exposure, irritation and hormonal fluctuations. Due to over sun exposure in our childhood and harsh skin treatments in our teens; some of us are seeing hyperpigmentation as early as in our twenties.

Wrinkled skin comes with the dehydration and poorer circulation of aging. Poor skincare and lifestyle along with careless sun exposure are the main causes. Poor lifestyle choices can be neutralized with nutrition and skincare.

There are many choices to reduce hyperpigmentation and they will also reduce other signs of aging. They range from Intense Pulse Light, Microdermabrasion, Acid Peels to the inexpensive lightening cream. These options offer different degrees of relief from hyperpigmentation depending on the brand of equipment used and the skin characteristics of the client.

The humble lightening moisturizer looks like the one with the least risk, but this is not the case. The most common active ingredient in lightening creams is hydroquinone. The use of hydroquinone is banned or restricted in many countries but allowed in Canada and in the USA. Hydroquinone is the most effect skin lightening agents for non- hormonal hyperpigmentation. But used in effective doses, it has also been known to be a cytotoxic agent that is mutagenic and cancer causing. But the foolishness of its use is more apparent as users risk hypopigmentation (vitilago) and Onchronosis,hyperpigmentation accompanied with skin lesions.

While hydoquinone substitutes like Kojic Acid have not been proven to be health risks, there is controversy. So as the ingredients on the label changes, commonsense still cautions that using anything daily that can change the colour of our skin (by disrupting basic cellular processes like melanin production) will probably not be a good solution longterm.

So better solutions for lightening skin would be skin peeling and light therapy which work more on the physical removal of the guilty mutated skin cell. All methods mentioned will also reduce those wrinkles. Choosing the right method for you requires consideration of your skin-tone and ethnic background.

The most cost effective in the short run is chemical peeling. You can do skin exfoliation daily at home with an alphahydroxy peel (best for light hyperpigmentation). go to http://www.pureandsimple.ca/index.php?option=com_virtuemart&page=shop.browse&category_id=552&Itemid=27 to find some excellent natural skin peels like Pure + simple Lactic Acid in a base of kelp. Or visit a professional clinic or spa which can use higher percentages for darker, deeper hyperpigmentation.

For medium skin tones like Asians, the use of microdermabrasion causes less risk increased hyperpigmentation or of possibility hypopigmentation with the added benefit of skin rejuvenation. I recommend sea salt over aluminum crystals as the medium used in your microdermabrasion treatment. It is definitely safe and the sea salt helps skin hydration.

Intense Pulse Light is successful for the darker more stubborn pigmented areas for all skin tones and you get wrinkle removal as a side benefit. I discovered that there is a noticeable difference in safety, number of treatments and in the final results with the different brands of machines when we did our research to purchase our Intense Pulse Light Machines.

I prefer preventative measures which include using sun screens and non -irritating skincare so anti-aging the smart way starts in our younger years.

Be wise about sun exposure by balancing the benefits of vitamin D with the risk of skin aging and skin cancer. The magic formula is dependent on skin tone. Light skin tones need more Vitamin D and are more quickly damaged by sun exposure. Taking Vitamin D as a supplement is also recommended for everyone in Canada to ensure healthy bones and skin. See http://our-metamorphosis.blogspot.com/2009/07/anti-aging-stage-3-4-sagging-skin.html for more info on vitamin D for skin anti-aging.

So when looking to improve your appearance understand the emotional element before you do your research. No amount of make over will replace real self esteem. And if our self confidence relies too much on our appearance, we may make irrational and risky decisions that have long term impact on our future well-being.

Aging with Sagacity with Simone + Nuala

2009-10-20T17:29:00.000-07:00

So now that you are holistic about your physical aging, who can guide us through emotional aging. How do we leave behind the being the model adult we spent all our lives striving to achieve. And embark onto another learning journey to our later years with sagacity and avoid the foolishness of “not acting our age”?

Ayurveda calls our years after forty, the Vata stage of our life. In popular culture, we call this period our twilight years. Whatever is our Dosha; Vata, Pitta, Kapha; we all become more Vata as we enter this time of our life. That means as we age, we become more in touch with our creativity and spirituality and we also get the dry skin, the creaky bones and forgetfulness.

In my twenties, I had the fortune have fallen in love with the works of Simone DeBeauvoir so that I came into contact witrh a positive and realistic preview of my coming middle age years. One of those books was DeBeauvoir's third volume (later years) of her autobiography which was poetically titled, “When Things of the Spirit come First”. I have benefited from her example of holistic beauty emulating from her acquired wisdom and strength of character.

But in our Youth Loving culture, there are few positive, realistic models of middle age for us to learn from. So again, I am fortunate. I discovered Nuala O’Faolain (

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuala_O'Faolain ) while listening to CBC Radio driving from one Pure + simple location to another. I ordered my first Nuala O’Faolain book, "My Dream of You" at http://www.amazon.ca/My-Dream-You-Nuala-Ofaolain/dp/1573229083/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1256084225&sr=1-3 .

The book inspired me to live and love my middle age mind, spirit, face and body for its strengths and its follies. It also showed me that I do not need to learn to go into my later years quietly. I went on line and ordered her other books but it was a sad consolation to learn that she had passed away last year.

Nuala; her writing enables you to feel familiar enough to be on a first name basis; became a published author after her mid fifties. So go for your dreams, late bloomers.

She writes with the honest, raw emotions of transiting from adult woman to wise woman. Her clear language transcends culture. Her ability to observe her emotions in complicated relationships of step families will stir up your own emotions. Her candidness of her dysfunctions may help you to come out from behind yours. Denial or repression are impediments to your personal journey to wisdom and wholeness.

Having difficulty with this new reality of your “later years”? Read Nuala. Celebrate romance at sixty. Identify with the complexity of stepfamilies with its conflicting feelings of love and jealousy for the offspring of new lovers/spouses. And be okay with not acting mature or wise all the time. Enjoy the freedom of real choice from the fruits of your life experience.

L'Chaim .... To Life!