Overcoming Dry Winter Skin

Have you noticed your skin go through any changed in the last few months?  Often times, our skin becomes severely dehydrated,dry and itchy during the winter months.  About a month ago while I was visiting my wonderful Esthetician, Samantha, at Blue Tangerine Spa in East Sacramento I was having a heart to heart with her about my skin issues.  My upper back had been broken out and my face needed some help as well.  I have been trying to find affordable ways to care for my skin and I am always for natural and organic!  Samantha instantly told me that my skin was probably just extremely dry and needed to be hydrated.  Which, to me, seemed contradictory to how my upper back was feeling with the breakouts.  It seemed like I should get it dried out! 

However, Samantha suggested going to the Natural Foods Co-op and filling a container with grape seed oil then adding my own essential oils (I added rose) to give it a fragrance of my choice.  She said to rub the oil over my entire body each time after I get out of the shower.

After doing a little research I learned about the benefits of grape seed oil.  It is great for your skin, full of antioxidants and even contains anti-aging qualities.  You can also apply the grape seed oil to your face before bed for extra hydration!

 

The next thing Samantha suggested was doing a bentonite clay mask one a week (pictured above).  The clay is also sold at the co-op and it can be mixed with water and an essential oil to add a little fragrance (I chose peppermint).  Bentonite clay is used as a detoxification of the skin, one of your largest organs,  creating an "electrical charge" when combined with water which removed toxins, chemicals and other impurities.

 

As you can see, the mask does leave redness after it is removed (you can especially see it on my neck), but the redness doesn't take too long to subside.  I try to apply the mask at a time when I can moisturize my face afterwards and leave my skin otherwise clean and free of anything else (like make up).  The bentonite clay can also be used in a bath and I have even done the mask on my back!  I feel so fortunate to have a trusted expert to talk to that offers such great advice. I have noticed a big improvement since starting this regiment! Thank you Samantha!

 

Juice!

Juicing (no, not that kind of "juicing") is something that I tried last December. Since then, I bought my own juicer and have been making my own juice blends.  The juice is definitely an acquired taste. I still remember the first sip of green juice starting a 3 day cleanse.  I almost gagged.  But now, I crave it!

For this juice recipe I used:

6 leaves romaine lettuce
3 sprigs of mint
1/2 large golden beet
4 carrots
1 apple 

 

Between the carrots, beets and apple there is lots of natural sugar to energize you!

Recipe: Pozole Soup

It's finally gotten to the point where my hands and toes are cold most of the time and I am taking 2 showers a day to warm my body up! Typical pre-menopausal female, I know.  In that spirit and in an effort to prepare my meals in advance for the week so I can make healthy choices I decided to make Pozole, or at least my Americanized, meat-free, use the extra veggies in my fridge version!  It turned out great! Here's a rough idea of my recipe since I notoriously make things and measure nothing!

Pozole

2 Cartons Vegetable Broth
4 Carrots
1 Zucchini
1 Yellow Onion
1 Can 16oz Hominy
1 Red Bell Pepper
1 Can Black Beans
1 Bay Leaf
1 tsp Oregano
1tsp Paprika
1tsp Cumin
1tsp Cayenne Pepper
Jack Cheese
Avocado
Lime


Pour both containers of vegetable broth into a large pot.  Chop carrots, zucchini, onion and bell pepper and add them to the broth mixture.  Open and drain the hominy and black beans (rinse too) and add to the soup.  Add in the spices to taste.  I estimated how much I used so if you don't like things too spicy ease off the cayenne and paprika.  Bring the soup to a boil then let it simmer on the stove until the veggies are cooked.  Serve the soup with shredded jack cheese, sliced avocado and lime on top!

The Pre/Post Holiday Detox

Have you been feeling a little stressed that the holidays are upon us? Sluggish? Full up to your eyeballs in turkey and experiencing a triptophane coma? Craving those holiday cookies and adult beverages?  Well, I was on overload.  After a summer and fall chalked full of weddings, bachelorette parties,  then more recently 2 thanksgiving and a full Moroccan dinner on top of a 10 day course of antibiotics and steroids  (by the way, those make me crazy) because of my sinuses, I was feeling the need to press the reset button.  I've never tried a fast or cleanse. In fact I hate to even skip meals, but recently I have been researching juicing.  I even watched a documentary called Fat Sick and Nearly Dead where a man nearly 100 lbs overweight decides to naturally heal his body through a 60 day juice cleanse.  It was quite inspiring! Our bodies get loaded with pesticides, antibiotics, alcohol, processed foods so I thought why not "live off the fat of the land" and go for it!  So, I am on day 2 of a 3 day juice cleanse from Ritual Cleanse.  I thought it would be terribly torturous drinking only juice, but it really has not been that bad and it is only for three days. In fact, I am feeling great!  I even went to bikram yoga today (thanks Anita for teaching another great class) and used the Shred component of pre and post workout juices to get me through class.  The most difficult part has been smelling food.  Supposedly, I will feel even better after the cleanse so I'll let you know how it goes.  Have you ever tried a cleanse or juicing?  I'm interested in getting some juicing "cookbooks" so I can do this myself if you have any recommendations!

Tennis Love

Source: iamdaveallen.com via Monica on Pinterest

I recently came across a series of photos by Dave Allen of some women in tennis! I love the vivid color composition in the photographs.  He did an amazing job capturing the power, strength and beauty these women possess.

Source: iamdaveallen.com via Monica on Pinterest

Source: iamdaveallen.com via Monica on Pinterest

Source: iamdaveallen.com via Monica on Pinterest

Bikram Yoga

Some items on my Bikram Yoga wish list! Hot shorts, colorful top, a sweater to cover up with before & after class, yoga bag & mat and Yoga Fuel!

Bikram Yoga by Monica

I look forward to it, once I'm there I wonder why I wanted to go in the first place, and after I am elated I survived.  It's a 90 minute open-eye meditation.  Somehow,  one must lose himself and let go, succumb to the heat and humidity and find that happy mindset of live in the moment while letting go of everything else.    It is the definition of mental toughness.  Admittedly, the class I go to is generally full of women (even though it is for everyone).   There is a vast array of shapes, sizes, abilities and ages.  The practice is about focusing on yourself and each session presents a different personal challenge.  
Some things I have noticed with myself:
~My body immediately responds after practicing 
~My metabolism seems to accelerate because I notice I get extremely hungry 
~I crave healthy, clean foods
~My "skinny jeans" fit
~I feel more emotionally balanced and better equipped to handle life
~Body tone improvement
~I am drinking lots of water and cleansing my system

Image

I encourage everyone and anyone to try Bikram Yoga.  Go in with a positive attitude and you will  get positive results!


Sweater - Anthropologie $69.95
Shorts - Chaturanga Yoga Short $34.00
Tattoo Cami Tunic - Athleta $85.00
Tote- Athleta $89.00
Yoga Fuel