Green Options

Aging is a controversial topic.  On the one hand, we hate the thought of wrinkles and age spots, not to mention disease and decline.  But, let’s face it, we all want to get older because the alternative stinks.

Since hitting 40 I have tried to embrace aging.  In general, I have always been of the “You are as old as you think you are” adage, but have noticed a few, albeit subtle, changes.  My once normal skin is getting drier (as is my hair) and there is a little more sagging and a few extra fine lines. 

But really, do we want to look 25 (or 30) when we are 40 and up, or do we want to look healthy for our own age?

For centuries, pomegranates have been used to promote fertility, increase vitality and to lengthen and improve human life. Foods that resembled seeds or eggs were historically thought to be aphrodisiacs. It turns out, those ancient sexual beings were on to something. The pomegranate, with its abundance of seeds, is said to be a symbol of fertility. The seeds of the fruit were often compared to the seeds of life. Nutritionally speaking, the pomegranate offers your body an array of nutrients that will not only increase your overall health, but may just boost your libido and sexual vigor as well.

Pomegranates contain almost half your daily quota of Vitamin C, an antioxidant that is required for at least 300 different metabolic functions in the body. Vitamin C is also a protector from free radical damage and a facilitator of good circulation, which is vital for sexual health and pleasure. They also contain vitamin B5, the anti-stress vitamin needed for proper adrenal function, and vitamins A and E, which help to reduce the risk of heart disease.

Pomegranate oil is now being used in many menopause products to help reduce symptoms, as well as in vaginal creams to help eliminate dryness, which can make sex painful. Pomegranate juice is easily found at your local grocery store, often mixed with other super-fruits, offering you an antioxidant cocktail that is easily assimilated by the body. The seeds are great in cold salads, on (soy) yogurt with some nuts or paired with greens for a sweet and tart delight. Do something good for your body today and try the greens recipes below to increase your overall health and feed your libido at the same time. It doesn’t get much better then that.

These days there are all kinds of new products on the market claiming to be the new natural cure for all of your beauty issues. Before you spend your hard earned dollar on another new product promising to get rid of wrinkles or magically make the cellulite disappear from your backside, here’s the scoop on some natural ingredients that have been scientifically proven to work. Real Simple Magazine put together a list of some of the most useful and natural ingredients to look for in products in order to brighten up your skin and make your hair silky and shiny. Here are a few of them to be on the look out for.

Going Meatless on Mondays doesn’t have to mean deprivation of all your favorite foods. By making some simple changes to recipes, you can easily swap out the animal products for vegan options. Here is a simple veganized muffin recipe, so you can start your Meatless Monday off with delicious, healthy, energizing and decadent baked good.

Tibetan Goji Berries are regarded in Tibet as the “Fruit of Longevity and Well Being”. Goji berries have been traditionally regarded as a food that offers your body longevity, strength-building, and sexual potency. Goji’s are a complete protein source and a low calorie snack that strengthens your immune system, increases energy and helps to curb cravings. It has one of the highest antioxidant contents in all food, which helps to fight free radicals, keeping you young and vibrant. Goji’s contain 18 amino acids, vitamin C, beta-carotene, 20 rare trace minerals, vitamin B1, B2 and B6 and vitamin E.

In honor of this Meatless Monday, let’s boost our energy, keep ourselves looking and feeling young and chow down on some delicious vegan, anti-aging muffins.

Not long ago, I wrote a post on argan oil and its many beauty benefits.  From anti-aging and antioxidant properties to hair and nail treatments, this oil is a wonder ingredient.  Safe and natural, light and hydrating, argan oil has many uses in the beauty world.  But the argan tree and its fruits have a long history with Moroccan women that goes beyond beauty.

Water is essential. Your body is made up of over 70% water; making water the single most important nutrient, apart from oxygen. Water not only re-hydrates your body, but it moves vital nutrients though out your body, removes waste from your system, aids in digestion and can even help you to lose weight.

It’s ideal to drink at least 8 glasses of water though out the day to ensure you are getting all of the amazing benefits water has to offer. Don’t wait until your body tells you are thirsty, by that point you are already dehydrated and may be feeling false hunger pangs. Our brains can’t decipher the difference between being thirsty and being hungry. The stomach growl you experience at 3PM may actually be your body telling you that you have not had enough water today.

Headaches, poor concentration, fatigue, constipation and dry skin are signals that you are not drinking enough water. Your body may also retain water, holding on to the small supply it is getting, if you do not give it enough water. When you begin to drink more water daily, these symptoms should begin to alleviate.

We are bombarded everyday with images of what we are supposed to think is beautiful. A young, super skinny, airbrushed model is what many of us compare ourselves to on a regular basis. In a world where youth is idolized and aging is seen as something, well, less favorable, we are all searching for that magical fountain of youth. How about writing off the plastic surgeon for a while and starting from the inside out. According to the Real Age website, maintaining your weight and body mass index at a desirable level can make your Real Age as much as 6 years younger. What you put in your body can not only help to maintain a healthy weight, but can slow down the aging process and even reverse the damage that has already been done. Based on that, I’d say Nutrition is the real fountain of youth.

Terri Bly, president of The Nature of Beauty (www.natureofbeauty.com), announces the arrival of Intelligent Nutrients’ new USDA certified organic anti-aging skin care line, as well as Natureofbeauty.com’s special offer of $30 off the entire line when pre-ordered by April 5.

Most of us know that we are supposed to eat our greens in order to stay healthy. However, eating fruits and vegetables in every color of the rainbow is the real key to making sure you are getting all the nutrients your body needs. By eating a colorful palette of produce every day, you’ll be giving your body phytonutrients. Phytonutrients are a plant-based substance that is shown to help prevent disease, cancer and the effects of aging. The brighter and more intense the color, the stronger the phytonutrients are. Each color group provides us with different important nutrients. How many colors did you eat today?

As if Lavere anti-aging skin care line were not already terrific enough, they went and added more products to their anti-aging skin care line-up.  Created by Lavera, the BDIH certified natural cosmetics maker with a large celebrity following, Lavere is their answer to department store quality anti-aging skin care.

With several different products to choose from, including those for body and Classic Lavere, you are sure to find the perfect items to satisfy your particular skin care needs.  All Lavere anti-aging products are designed to soothe and strengthen the skin and contain cell stimulating and collagen production increasing ingredients, like chicory root extract, algae, and biodynes.

The products I tried are from the Intensive skin care line for dry and sensitive skin types.  I will say that Lavere products have always been a favorite and these are no exception.

If you, like many, are beginning to see the signs of aging on your skin but still want products gentle enough for sensitive skin, Organic Apoteke may be just what you have been looking for.

Organic Apoteke Rejuvenating line is specifically designed for sensitive and mature skin.  Made with Organic Rose oil, antioxidants and vitamins, these products combine the perfect ingredients for tending to delicate skin while helping to diminish signs of aging.  The brand also touts a blush-inducing nutrient complex said to leave your skin aglow.  Of course, I had to try it.

 The cleanser was mild and gentle and left my skin feeling, well… cleansed, and the toner was light and not at all harsh.  But I must admit I was skeptical of the moisturizer.  It was a different consistency than most moisturizers for sensitive skin and didn’t seem like it could possibly be very hydrating.  Well, my doubt was (thankfully) proved wrong when my skin was left soft and supple, yet definitely not greasy, and remained so all night.  The best part of all; my skin had a nice glow to it, which is not unusual after cleansing and moisturizing, but what is unusual — the glow was still there in the morning!   Something we all want, especially this time of year.