Monday, April 26, 2010

An Apple A Day...



Or more like a shot glass of Apple Cider Vinegar a day helps keep the doctor away.

Today we are discussing Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) and it's myriad of uses. I have been hearing about ACV for years now as my mother feels its natures cure all. Not only is it good for you on the inside, its good for you on the outside and can also be used as an effective household cleaning solution. One day I will have to try the cleaning part out.
A Little History...
Apple Cider Vinegar is made from fresh, organic crushed apples which are then allowed to mature naturally in wooden barrels. ACV has a long history as a medicinal, internal cleanser, antiseptic, food flavoring, stain remover and hygienic. ACV was used by Hippocrates the founder of Western medicine, the ancient Egyptians, Babylonians, Greeks, Romans, Japanese Samurai warriors and even Christopher Columbus to counteract scurvy on his ocean voyages.

Today many are put off by its brownish, unfiltered, cloudy look and have turned to the clear distilled product we find today in our local supermarket aisle.  In distilling, the vinegar is turned to steam by heating, thus destroying the powerful enzymes and evaporating the life-giving minerals making the clear distilled vinegar you are using void of any nutritional value. Its real use is only for cleaning purposes by then. The benefits of ACV are:
  
Internal Benefits:
  • Rich in enzymes and potassium
  • Support a healthy immune system
  • Helps control weight
  • Promotes digestion & pH balance
  • Helps soothe dry throats
  • Helps remove body sludge toxins
External Benefits:
  • Helps maintain healthy skin and hair
  • Helps promote youthful, healthy bodies
  • Soothes irritated skin
  • Relieves muscle pain from exercise
My Experience With Apple Cider Vinegar
My first encounter with ACV came when I started suffering from chronic heartburn at night. My mother advised me to use ACV instead of Nexium (the little purple pill). ACV sounded like I would be putting out fire with gasoline however as usual my mom was right as my heartburn soon disappeared without prescription medication. After that I learned that an ACV shot (as in shot glass not needle) a day helps keep the doctor away. I use ACV for good skin, acne, maintaining my ideal weight and for removing the shampoo residue off my hair. For that I mix equal parts of ACV with distilled water, then I shampoo with my normal product, rinse, then pour the ACV solution on my hair, wait a minute then rinse with cold water, no need for conditioner after. My hair is so shiny and soft afterward; I get compliments from strangers on the street. 

So if your supermarket doesn't carry organic Apple Cider Vinegar any health food store should. I myself prefer Bragg Apple Cider Vinegar and they have a great website that lets you know all you need to know about Apple Cider Vinegar and all its benefits.



Thanks!

Monday, April 19, 2010

Welcome to "The Wisdom of Beauty" Weekly Blog!

-Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don't mind, it doesn't matter. ~Mark Twain

Although I am used to being a contributing editor for The Power Puffington Post and reporting the views of the world through my Maltese dog, Powder Puff, I decided to start a blog on beauty. To be more specific the wisdom of beauty as the aging process is really what gives us wisdom in our lives.

Having just turned 43 this year but still feeling like a seventeen year old girl inside, I want to reflect good health and youthfulness. I feel I am achieving this with the help and inspiration of friends, family and strangers I meet from all over the world as I am lucky enough to live in New York City so I get to hear many different viewpoints on beauty, aging and keeping a youthful appearance. I love when someone shares their beauty/health tips with me so now I have a vehicle to spread what I have learned.

This blog will for now be a weekly blog on aging secrets and how both women and men can help themselves achieve a youthful appearance by learning from those who have been able to age with grace and good health.

The Wisdom of Beauty blog has nothing against plastic surgery as we may be tempted to try some procedures in the future especially since the field is headed in the direction of less invasive procedures. However I encounter so many women and men on a daily basis who have avoided plastic surgery and look much better than Hollywood celebrities who have money and talented doctors at their disposal. This is done with proper nutrition, exercise and occasionally reinventing their style to remain relevant. This isn't your grandmother's beauty blog.

This blog will attempt to illustrate to the reader how to embrace their age and be proud of it instead of lying about how old they are. To have someone hear, "You look amazing for your age", I think is far better than for people to correctly guess your age or think you look older. How else are we going to change the stigma against aging if we participate in lying and hiding our true age?

I want this blog to not only inspire those of us who are starting to blow out very dangerous, highly inflammable birthday cakes but also teach the younger generations how to take care of their health and beauty from a young age from those of us who have been there. Also we all seem to have a beauty secret or two passed onto us from our friends and loved ones. I seem to have a talent to pry this information out from those that inspire me to share these gems for the rest of the world to learn from. My mother for one is one of those lucky women who have aged with beauty, grace and more important vitality. I am fortunate to always get her advice as she approaches her life in a holistic manner however she is open to new treatments, diet, exercise and fashion. She has been a role model for aging and the main inspiration for this blog.

Any beauty products that I know of that have made a significant difference in my appearance or the appearance of someone I know will be featured on this blog (however don't expect me to spread information on products I find harm the environment or nature, i.e., placentas, shark fin soup, etc.). I will do occasion profiles of people who astound me with their good health, looks and attitude on life. I will give them the opportunity to share with the world, "What is the wisdom of their beauty?"

With all that science and nutrition have recently discovered about beauty and aging there is no reason why we can't be our best possible self. And why wouldn't you want to be your best possible self? It is a sign of self-love which really is the love that helps nurture the universe as we really can't love anyone truly until we learn to love ourselves. Loving and caring for ourselves is the best message we can send the people we care about so they can learn to embrace their health, their looks but most importantly their true selves.

Emu Oil

With that said I am going to disperse my first gem of information and this one of course comes from my mother, Sylvia Prior. My mother recommended last year that I start using Emu oil as a moisturiser.
Emu oil is a proven anti-inflammatory, with effects comparable to that of ibuprofen;a bacteriostatic, meaning that it does not promote the growth of bacteria; a Hypoallergenic, which means it is not known to cause skin irritation or have any side effects; a highly penetrating oil that absorbs without leaving a greasy feel; and a non-comedogenic, meaning that it does not clog pores. Emu oil naturally contains Vitamin E, which is a major antioxidant and healing agent; Vitamin A, a known skin repairer and antioxidant; Linoleic acid, which helps to ease muscle aches and joint pain; Oleic acid, which is a proven skin cell regenerator and anti-wrinkle agent; Sapogens, proven skin softeners; and Terpines, known antiseptics.


Best of all, emu oil skin care products contain powerful antioxidants, as well as a known skin cell regenerator and anti-wrinkle agent, helping to improve the condition of aging skin. Offering both skin-thickening and moisturizing properties, emu oil skin care products help counter the wrinkles and dry, scaly, thinning skin that commonly occur with aging by moisturizing, lubricating and replenishing dry or irritated skin on the face, hands and body: and by preventing additional moisture loss by forming a protective barrier.


Finally, the natural bacteriostatic, anti-inflammatory and cell regeneration properties of emu oil help repair minor wounds quickly and with less scarring. These same qualities have also been shown to help reverse the effects of hair loss as well as certain chronic skin disorders.


I have to add that since I have started using Emu oil that not only has my skin felt softer and firmer, I have also been able to control my breakouts and if I have any they heal much faster with much less scarring after I apply Emu oil to my skin. That was a nice added bonus I did not expect.


Emu oil is found in health food stores however I have found that ordering online has been the easiest way instead of hitting several health food stores who constantly have it on back order. Just Google, "Emu oil" or try www.emustore.com and you will have easy access to Emu oil.


So that is my first bit of "the wisdom of beauty". I hope to make a regular reader of you and I would appreciate any contributions as I am open to all and any suggestions of what you feel really works for you. I have found the generosity of giving of ourselves and our wisdom is a way to add abundance to the universe and when we give to the universe it always rewards us back.


Thank you.