Archive For January, 2012
Even though we don’t really follow football, it’s hard not to get caught up in Superbowl festivities. And we certainly don’t need an excuse to spend an evening eating and drinking with friends! In preparation for this weekend’s game, we’ve selected a few of our favorite (and relatively healthy) Super Bowl recipes, courtesy of some of our favorite sites. Let us know if you try any of these out!
Herb Marinated Chicken Skewers with Harissa
Potato Salad with Hummus Yogurt Dressing
We get quite a few questions about anti aging (understandably!), so we thought it would be a good time to go into detail about the anti aging properties in our ingredients. We always choose the purest and most premium ingredients available in order to create the most effective products for your skin. Here’s a quick guide to a few of our anti aging stars:
Rosehip Seed Oil
Known for: The only plant that contains a natural source of retinoic acid, the ingredient you find in Retin A!
- Helps diminish fine lines and scars (natural source of retinoic acid)
- Improves elasticity and suppleness (essential fatty acids)
Find it in our Anti Aging Boost in both Face Nourish and Eye Balm
Pumpkin Seed Oil
Known for: A natural source of salicylic acid, which helps exfoliate skin
- Improves texture and refines skin (natural source of salicylic acid)
- Improves elasticity and suppleness (essential fatty acids)
Find it in our Anti Aging Boost in Eye Balm and our Texture Refining Boost in Face Nourish
Pomegranate Seed Oil
Known for: Punicic acid and antioxidants
- Protects skin from environmental damage (antioxidants)
- Helps with collagen repair (punicic acid)
Find it in our Anti Aging Boost in Face Nourish and our Regenerate Base in Eye Balm
Red Raspberry Seed Oil
Known for: Super antioxidants
- Protects skin from environmental damage (antioxidants)
- Nourishing (Vitamin E)
Find it in our Dry and Mature Base in Face Nourish and our Protect Base in Eye Balm
We sometimes hear that creating a skincare blend on our site is similar to creating your very own fresh smoothie blend. We love the comparison because we also happen to be smoothie obsessed. Here are a few of our favorite smoothie recipes for winter, when berries are harder to come by and you’re craving something fresh and creamy.
Spiced Pumpkin Smoothie
1 cup ice
1/2 cup whole milk
1/3 cup pure pumpkin puree
1 tablespoon honey
Pinch of ground nutmeg
Banana Walnut Smoothie
1 frozen banana
1 cup dannon all natural vanilla yogurt
¼ cup chopped walnuts
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon honey
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Now that winter is officially here and the temperatures in New York have dipped, we thought it would be a fitting time to share some of our favorite tips for keeping your skin healthy through the rest of the season.
Drink Lots of Water
We know you’ve all heard this, but it’s easy to forget. Keeping hydrated is important for your skin – and your health – because water helps transport oxygen and nutrients to cells and detoxifies the body. We keep our office fridge stocked with sparkling and still from FreshDirect.
We happen to love fun winter cocktails and coffee drinks. But all those hot lattes and spiked rums can take a toll on your skin since alcohol and caffeine tend to dehydrate your body. So just remember that moderation is key! If you’re deciding what to choose the next time you’re at dinner, we recommend a glass of red wine because it contains antioxidants that are good for the skin, like resveratrol. Try to avoid sugary cocktails, as they tend contribute to the micro-inflammation of your skin.
Dry air from heaters can create havoc for your skin. Try keeping the window open a bit at night to let in moisture while using extra blankets to stay warm. Also consider using a humidifier in your home to add moisture in the air. Indoor plants can actually help a bit with humidity and they are a great natural way to purify air and add extra oxygen.
Your skin repairs itself during sleep so it is important to get the rest your body needs. And did you know that chronic sleep deprivation leads to higher levels of stress hormones that accelerate the aging process of the skin? Yikes. Also, try sleeping on your back instead of side. Repeated pressures on your face can contribute to wrinkles.
A great new year’s resolution: setting aside more personal time for rest and relaxation. Going to an actual spa is rare splurge, but there’s no reason you can’t indulge in simple at-home treatments that will help renew your body and mind. Here are a few of our favorite tips for recreating spa-like luxury at home.
Create a Relaxing Environment
We know this is a tough one, especially when you’re short on space, but there are a few simple things you can do that can go a long way. Fill your bathroom or bedroom with non-toxic soy or beeswax candles, invest in fluffy white towels and a plush resort robe like this one from Pottery Barn (you can even get it monogrammed!), and set the mood with relaxing music.
Hydrate
It’s so important to keep yourself hydrated, especially during winter, when your skin is being dried out by the weather and indoor heat. Do what the spas do – keep a pitcher of water in your fridge with a few slices of lemon and cucumber. Super simple and very refreshing.
Bath
If you have a bathtub, taking the time for a bath can be an incredibly relaxing experience. Turn your bath into a luxurious experience by adding bath salts or Truth Art Beauty Bath Tea. You can even add a bit of our Body Salve or your favorite body oil into your bath in order to create a soothing bath oil that will moisturize your skin.
Facial
If you find it hard to take the time to exfoliate during your regular routine, try setting aside time once a week for an at-home facial. We like doing this on Sunday evenings before the week begins. Start with a facial steam by filling a bowl or your sink with hot water and placing your face about 10 inches away for a few minutes. Follow the steam with a gentle exfoliator that has small grains. You can also use an electronic exfoliating brush as long as you don’t over do it. After exfoliation, apply a natural clay mask. Finally, moisturize with a natural oil like our Face Nourish.
Hand / Foot Treatment
Before you go to bed, gently exfoliate with a body scrub. We like using our Apricot Body Buff with our Energize blend of essential oils. Follow it with a generous application of our Body Salve or your favorite body oil and put on a pair of old cotton mittens. Your hands will be amazingly soft in the morning. You can also do the same with your feet.
Hair
For a super conditioning treatment, apply a natural oil to your hair after washing, when it’s still damp. Cover with a towel and let it set for 30 minutes to an hour, then rinse. We like using raw organic coconut oil, which you can find at your local health food store.
We’re kicking off our city guide series with Napa, where you can find the best food and wine in the country. So whether you’re on a girl’s weekend or a romantic getaway, here are some of our favorite spots in wine country. Read more »
