Green Options » Aloe

Eight Foods for Healthy Skin

Lucille Chi — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 20:33:55 +0000

As winter approaches, it’s a great time to explore ways to keep our skin hydrated and healthy during the harsh weather ahead. Here are some wonderful skin foods that will keep your face looking fresh and youthful this season:

Lemon is purifying to the body and gives a lovely glow to the skin when consumed regularly with water (it may also help the body stay regular) or tea.
Apples: Did you know that organic red delicious and granny smith apples are excellent for the skin? Scientific studies have shown them to fortify both collagen and elastin production.
Aloe is known to draw oxygen to the skin and lock it in. Aloe also has fantastic anti-inflammatory properties and it heals burns and wounds when applied topically. Aloe makes a wonderful refreshing juice that cleanses and purifies our inner systems. Regularly drinking aloe helps to keep the body hydrated, so if you drink coffee, which is known to dehydrate the skin, try drinking aloe juice to balance your system.
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Get out and YOLO - Paddle Boards Take to the Waves

Courtney Carlisle — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 04:20:24 +0000

Because “You Only Live Once,” which is the motto that YOLO founders, Jeff Archer and Tom Losee live by, get out and play on one of their paddle boards before summer is over. Paddle boards are re-emerging as one of the hottest sports and past times from Florida (where the duo is based) to the shores of California and beyond to Hawaii.

This stylish way to stay fit and explore your local eco system, the company offers ‘Yolo Paddle Fit,’ a series of workouts to help you increase stamina and strength.

Just remember, look into Bethesda Skincare SPF or another chemical free sunscreen - 4-6,000 lbs of SPF a year gets dumped into the ocean, which is responsible for bleaching coral reefs.

Kiss My Face also has a paraben-free After-sun Aloe ($6) in case you are having too much fun to go in early.

Ayurveda: Ancient Wisdom for Modern Living

Lucille Chi — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 05:46:51 +0000

We often explore ways to boost health and find wellness practices to integrate into our daily routines. One such healing philosophy is Ayurvedic medicine, used by millions in India and around the world. The term “Ayurveda” is a blend of words which mean “knowledge of a long life” or “the Science of Life“, and experts teach healthy living along with therapeutic measures that relate to physical, mental, social and spiritual harmony. Reenita Malhotra Hora is a master of the subject and is also a wonderful author here on Feelgood Style! Ayurveda is increasingly gaining popularity in the west, with ayurvedic based spa treatments, especially with the healing arts and roots lovingly intertwined with yoga exercise. Actually, very recently I was reading that “Ayurvedic Yoga” is applying Ayurveda to the practice of Yoga which emphasizes the healing aspects of Yoga. Curious about the subject? Well I am, so here is a little interview we recently did on the topic of healing with Ayurveda:

1. What are the basics of Ayurvedics diagnosis? (i.e. based upon the doshas /mind-body types)

A consultation with an Ayurvedic doctor enables him/her to determine your basic mind/body constitution or ‘dosha.’ There are three basic doshas:

Vata (comprised of air/space) - highly energetic, quick thinking, creative individuals who are physically lighter and fleet of foot.
Pitta (comprised of fire/water) - intense, passionate and highly intelligent individuals of a medium structure and athletic build.
Kapha (comprised of water/earth) - calm, grounded, ‘long term oriented’ individuals with a dense bone structure and more solid physique.

2. For this season what are a few simple Ayurvedic treatments for heat stoke or sunburn this summer?

Glowing Naturally in the Summer Sun, Part I

Lucille Chi — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 16:59:20 +0000

The sun can boost brain levels of serotonin which is the neurotransmitter directly associated with good mood. Sun induced smiles are so wonderful. The best part is this happens simply when you see sunlght. So while taking a stroll outdoors for an hour is ideal, just ten minutes of fresh sunlight and a little glimmer in your eyes will help more than you know.Today, I’d love to share some glorious, all natural, summer skin savers, many of which you may have in your cupboard. These ingredients are all from nature and may help keep you healthy in the sunshine. Treats like apricots and pomegranate with refreshing tea and aloe coolers create healing elixers that will give you that summer glow naturally.

Green Tea contains Camellia Sinesis (its plant of origin) which is rich in polyphenols. Polyphenols are compounds that demonstrate protection from uv sun damage and prevention of oxidative stress. In fact it had been proven that applying green tea to the skin reduced the number of sunburn cells! I suggest making a toner from your extra tea bags because this summer we need all the skin saving shortcuts we can find.

Arcona Skincare

Lucille Chi — Wed, 21 May 2008 14:57:03 +0000

Arcona is a genius natural skin healing line created by a chemist and pioneer in holistic skin care “long before it became trendy, she developed skin care products and treatments that would provide Hollywood celebrities—and women and men everywhere—with an alternative to cosmetic surgery and other harsh treatments to forestall the effects of aging.”

Their products may be found online and at select spas offering facials. None contain petrochemicals, binders or fillers, chemical stabilizers, parabens, sodium lauryl sulphates, perfumes, dyes, or any caustic, toxic ingredients.All Arcona ingredients are enzymatic-based which means they include high concentrations of antioxidants, plant lipids and extracts, sea vegetables, essential oils, vitamins and minerals. Think of live food for your skin in a sense. Since everything we put on our skin is absorbed by our bodies, the richer the nutrients the healthier our skin becomes.

ARCONA has a philosophy of beauty springing from within and truly believe everyone’s skin can and should look beautiful at any age whatever their history.