The Way to a Woman's Heart is through Her Feet

My fondest memory about my Grandparents’ loving and enduring relationship is how every evening my Grandfather would devotedly rub a rich lotion on my Grandmother’s feet….
The human foot is at once the most functional and the most tortured part of the anatomy…and the hardest to draw! One of my art teachers used a human foot as a final exam once… The complex skeletal structure of the foot can be compared to the inner workings of a Swiss watch; capable of propelling the body in any direction at high speed while sustaining huge amounts of force. As such, the foot is exposed to constant physical stresses, some of which are exacerbated by footwear and weather. My Grandmother’s poor toes came to a central point due to decades of patent leather pumps!
Including the bones of the ankle, the foot holds 26 separate bones, many of which are relatively small and delicately fashioned. Over 100 muscles, tendons, and ligaments combine with the skeletal bones to create 33 separate joints. A complex series of blood vessels and nerve pathways run within individual networks to support the cardiovascular and neurological demands of movement. The sophistication of the skeletal structure of the foot is underscored by the fact that the bones of the two human feet constitute almost 25% of all bones in the human body.
Not only is the foot a complex if underappreciated machine, but Scientists at the Canada Research Council discovered that by rubbing a substance on your feet the body quickly absorbs and utilizes it. Try rubbing raw garlic on the bottom of your foot; you’ll taste it in 20 minutes! This is why I hate crocs; they are polyurethane foam that’s off-gassing into your feet! What comes in also goes out; this is the theory behind foot Detox patches: based on Reflexology Points, the tourmaline and herbs in the patch stimulate circulation in the blood vessels of the foot, and encourage the natural detoxifying processes of your organs.
But as a culture, we primarily ignore our poor footsies, taking their magnificence for granted. You can start being a foot worshipper by using a pumice stone in the shower to exfoliate dead skin and prevent callus build up. Follow with a nice rich lotion or foot cream, I really like Collective Well Being’s Cardamom Foot Butter, it’s rich, moisturizing and smells delicious. If, like so many people, you work on your feet all day, try EO’s Revitalizing Lotion for Legs and Feet; fragrant essential oils of French Lavender, Peppermint and Citrus are combined with stimulating menthol to increase circulation and provide soothing relief. There are also a wide variety of massage tools available for soothing sore, achy feet.
We also happen to have the best treatment for Athlete’s Foot I have ever seen; Fungal Rx by Grateful Body. With am and pm formulas and an ingenious applicator, I have witnesses it bring many folk much needed relief over the years.
Create loving traditions in your family, and rub someone the right way.

Clear Complexion

I’ll admit it; I first got into skin care because I had awful Cystic Acne from being a poorly educated vegetarian in my youth. I was shocked when I was hired by an upscale skin care company in San Francisco to work in their store, but they taught me proper skin care and ever since then my passion has been helping others solve their frustrating skin dilemmas.

Acne is usually caused by dirt and dead skin cell debris clogging pores, and is more common in oilier skin types, but there are also some more severe forms of acne that are caused by bacteria. Indicated by very severe wide spread lumps and lesions. Acne is also highly dependent on hormonal balance, which is why it begins in the teens when humans are “Chaos Soup” hormonally. Most products marketed to teens with acne can be very harsh, and often contain a high content of alcohol that only aggravates angry skin and makes it oilier. I remember one product I was using as a teen dripped onto my shirt and bleached a spot white!

And I hate to say it girls, but daily use of a powder or liquid foundation will also wreak havoc on your pores. Most make up uses minerals to make colors and those are heavy molecules weighing down on your skin and suffocating pores as well as exacerbating oil production (which only makes you want to apply more) as your skin tries to survive the strangulation!

A regular facial care routine consisting of cleansing, toning and moisturizing is the key to clearing up your appearance. Look for a gel cleanser like Mychelle’s White Cranberry Cleanser, or Zia Fresh Cleansing Gel to remove dirt and dead skin cells. Follow with a toner (this is VERY important for acne prone skin) because a toner will remove any excess soap residue, neutralize bacteria, deliver nutrients deep into your skin and further clean out pores. Try Zia’s Rose and Aloe Toner, or Grateful Body’s Toner for oily skin. And always moisturize! I know it seems like a zany idea to put oils on your already oily skin, but your skin gets that way because it thinks it’s actually dry skin and overcompensates by pumping out oil. But if it freaks you out too much there are Oil Free moisturizers out there by Mychelle and Zia.

I noticed a remarkable difference when I started doing facial steams at home on a regular basis. The steam opens pores, which allows you sweat out toxins and dirt while simultaneously absorbing mini molecules of nutrients from the herbs deep into your skin. Always follow a facial steam with a clay mask to further absorb gunk and oils and reduce the appearance of pores. Frequent exfoliation with a scrub like Suki’s Lemongrass Cleanser or Mychelle’s Fruit Enzyme Scrub is also helpful to unclog pores and encourage healthy cellular regeneration.

There is a great new kit available to get you started by Mychelle that uses Willow Bark Extract and Neem to clear skin and balance oil production-their Clarifying Pads are amazing! Check it out!

Healthy skin comes from within, so remember to eat a balanced diet of organic vegetables, fruits, whole grains and protein. You’ll be surprised what a difference it makes.

Shiny Horse

Sea Buckthorn’s legend begins in Ancient Greece. After a successful military campaign, Greek soldiers discovered their enemy’s deserted and wounded horses emerging from the jungle, which was full of Sea Buckthorn, (a salt loving shrub with big, orange berries) in amazing health, with particularly shiny and radiant hair. This is why the Latin name for Sea Buckthorn is Hippophae which literally translates into “shiny horse”.

Revered for its anti-aging properties, Sea Buckthorn oil derived from the orange berries and seeds has been used for centuries to promote skin and digestive health. And now New Chapter has brought the regenerative and moisturizing powers of Sea Buckthorn to you in Supercritical Omega 7.

The key source of Supercritical Omega 7’s lauded skin support properties comes from a specific fatty acid: Palmitoleic acid. A naturally occurring component of healthy skin and a highly effective antioxidant providing strong anti aging support by reining in free radicals. This key constituent of Supercritical Omega 7 is also a strong emollient which soothes and moisturizes the skin from inside out. Topically, I love Weleda’s Sea Buckthorn Oil, it has a light citrus fragrance and soo

The Greeks weren’t the only people to harness the power of Sea Buckthorn; it has a history of use in Tibetan and Mongolian herb lore for soothing the sensitive membranes of the stomach, GI tract, upper respiratory tract and vagina. The GI tract is a fascinating piece of machinery; it twists and turns, it holds in the powerful acids we secrete to digest food, and yet it can be very fragile and rupture, sending incomplete protein chains and acids into the bloodstream. This is what causes disorders like Leaky Gut, which can ultimately lead to Fibromyalgia, a very painful, chronic disorder..

And now Scientists agree that our most delicate body tissues, like the skin and the mucus membranes that line the digestive and urogenital tracts, have the greatest affinity for Omega 7 fatty acids. Environmental stressors (such as sunlight and pollution), improper foods, and even normal aging can challenge those sensitive membranes, and Omega 7 fatty acids are now being hailed as nourishment that may protect, replenish, moisturize, and restore. Constituents also known to add to Sea Buckthorn's “rescue role” are a naturally occurring rich array of carotenoids, tocopherols, tocotrienols and sterols, as well as a the more famous Omegas 3, 6,and 9. To complete the protective benefits of Supercritical Omega 7™, New Chapter adds supercritical extracts of Calendula and Rosemary, which both have profound inflammation modulating and antioxidant properties.

Topically, I love Weleda’s Sea Buckthorn Oil; it has a light citrus fragrance and softens skin effortlessly. Aubrey also has a line of facial care products that use Sea Buckthorn oil for their base.

Queen of Pain

I am the Queen of Pain. I did my own stunts during my many adventures and have come away somewhat mangled. As with everything, I manage my pain naturally.

NSAIDS (non steroidal anti inflammatory drugs) like aspirin and ibuprofen have been proven to cause severe liver and stomach damage after long term use (many people use these drugs daily), and besides, they cover the problem, they don’t treat it. Pain is the alarm system your body has to tell you something is wrong, listen and learn.

Here’s what goes on inside your body when you go bump in the night: your veins constrict and then expand to allow the cavalry of immune cells to the area to repair and protect the injury. Fibrin is released to create a “wall” around the injury and keep you in one piece while your body tries to heal. This is inflammation and swelling in action.

Most people can’t take the time to properly rest and heal when they’ve hurt themselves, so they soldier on and pop painkillers to keep on keeping on. Then things become chronic, and that knee you sprained a long time ago becomes your bad knee that acts up when the storm is coming-but don’t ask me to explain that phenomena!

Chronic pain and inflammation can be managed by addressing the source of the inflammation. Zyflamend by New Chapter leads the category by addressing inflammation at the cellular level. Supercritical extractions of herbs like Turmeric, Holy Basil and Rosemary regulate inflammation and increase circulation. But, Zylfamend is not for those with sensitive digestion, as it is VERY potent. If that’s the case, I’d suggest Inflammarest by Source Naturals, which is a similar formula, but not too strong.

Turmeric itself is very anti inflammatory, and can be used to control pain and inflammation. TurmericForce by New Chapter is my favorite, especially when taken in conjunction with Mycomend, also by New Chapter. The Turmeric reduces inflammation while the mushrooms in Mycomend provide the injury with vegetarian building blocks to repair itself.

There is a balance to healing, as with everything, sometimes the fibrin scar your body made to hold you together isn't breaking down properly and hinders recovery. This is where enzymes come in handy. Bromelain, is derived from pineapple stem and "eats" scar tissue (and fibrin build up caused by inflammation in general, but we'll talk more about that when we get to Cardiovascular Health) making room for your body to do it's thing and get better. Enzymedica makes Repair, which has bromelain, papain and other enzymes to break down scar tissue.

I also really like ArthX Relief by Rainbow Light, it has Glucosamine, Chondroitin (derived from shellfish, so those with allergies stay clear), minerals and MSM to rebuild, and Ginger and Turmeric to relieve pain and reduce inflammation. Rainbow Light also makes a couple of great natural, safe painkillers for those moments when you just have to cope, one is called Pain Eze and the other is Multilieve, which is fast acting. Both are great for cramps and headaches too. Other pain relievers include Devil’s Claw, Willow Bark, Kava Kava, Omega 3 fatty acids, reishi and ginger.

Topically, my new favorite is Elixer Rub by Frush Botanicals. Utilizing a supercritical extract of Arnica, relief is instant and long lasting.

I’ve also found acupuncture and chiropractic treatments to be incredibly helpful. Also, daily low impact exercise like yoga, swimming, spinning and rowing keeps your circulation moving and keeps you living your life to the fullest.

Lifetime Glow

I just celebrated a birthday, and having reached this...ahem... particular phase in life, I find myself paying more attention to the way people show their age. Especially in their faces; one’s face is often the first impression they give about themselves, and that first impression can say a lot. As a culture, we equate youth with “beauty”, and unfortunately many people choose go to great lengths and costs to retain an illusion of youthfulness and often end up distorting their faces into something much worse than the natural “merit badges” we grow from a life fully lived. Just look at Joan Rivers-ewww.

So, where does your face show age? Most of us experience a drop in our cheeks, as elastin in our faces loses tensile strength, the infamous crow’s feet around the eyes and lips, from years of laughter, kissing and smiling, and liver spots or hyper pigmentation accumulated from a lifetime exposed to the sun. Of course, everything starts with lifestyle, and diet is a huge part of lifestyle. A balanced diet rich in organic vegetables, whole grains, and meats provide you with antioxidants, essential fats, collagen and minerals to retain a lifelong healthy glow. Exercise is also very important, mainly to reduce stress (which will age you an alarming rate in many ways) but when you sweat it moves toxins out of your skin.
A proper daily facial care ritual will go a long way: frequent exfoliation, daily cleansing, toning and moisture are the building blocks of aging gracefully. Moisture is critical for skin of any age and lately I’ve come to believe that most of one’s dietary fats should really be applied topically. I’m talking about olive oil, nut oils like almond oil and coconut oil, as rubbing fish oil all over oneself just plain sounds gross. Those oils are also mildly sun protectant, as most have a natural SPF of about 4. Proper Suncare is also a big part of aging gracefully, and through trial and error I have come to the conclusion that sunscreen of any SPF needs to be reapplied every couple of hours (at least) during prime sun exposure. I really like Hara Sport, and Mychelle sunscreens for their sun protection and moisturizing efficiency. Mychelle also came out with an entire Apple Facial Care Line specifically formulated for overexposed skin.

To firm up areas that may start to drift earthward, seaweed is definitely the best. Zia has Seaweed Lift Serum, an intensive blend of organic apple juice, sea algae extracts and CoQ10 that softens, hydrates and detoxifies skin while improving elasticity. One of my favorite lines, Grateful Body, recently reformulated and came out with two new zingers; Sea Cell Serum feeds, purifies and firms your skin with a blend of sea vegetables, rosehip seed oil, Yerba Mansa and much more. And Supernatural Antioxidant, rich in Pine bark antioxidants, a South American herb called Picao Preto, to reduce cellular inflammation and a blend of medicinal mushrooms to nourish the skin. Zia and Mychelle and Avalon all have fabulous Vitamin C serums, which promote elastin and collagen production, and provide protective antioxidants. I suggest applying a seaweed serum to suspect sag spots like the cheeks and outer eye area under a moisturizer during the day, and a Vitamin C or antioxidant serum all over the face (again under moisturizer) at night.
I also recently became a MAJOR fan of Mychelle’s Notox Serum, one of my friends was really into it, I got a sample and right before my eyes my “lip wrinkle” disappeared!

Some girls spend their money on shoes, I collect serums. Hey kids, I believe every dollar you spend is an investment, and I plan to invest in my face-which will outlast any hot jeans, or designer shoes!

The Brazilian Wonder Berry

The latest nutritional panacea on the market is Acai, it's absolutely everywhere! So why is this little berry being added to everything from drinks to shampoo? Because it's a tiny nutritional powerhouse.

A lot like a purple, tropical Spirulina, Acai has protein, essential fats, complex carbs, fiber, and all kinds of antioxidants in the forms of vitamins, bioflavanoids and anthcyanins.
(Antioxidants are nutrients that can lend an electron to cells damaged by free radicals without suffering themselves)

So how does it help you lose weight? The antioxidants present (this is why Green Tea is being marketed for weight loss too)provide the oxidized fat that your body stores with the missing electron they need to be utilized as energy. Not only that, but the fiber content improves digestion of foods and feeds the probiotic bacteria of your colon, improving ones health in general. Acai also contains essential fats which nourish cell membranes, reduce inflammation and actually improve your mood (I find Balanced Health in general will go a long way to improving one's moods).

Acai is available in a mind boggling variety of forms, but I recommend the new super cool freeze dried powders from Eclectic Institute. They have Acai Powder by itself or they have my personal favorite Nutrigenomic Berry Powder which also has black raspberry, cranberry, aronia and strawberry. Beware the drinks and frozen puree, they often contain guarana which is loaded with caffeine. Acai will give you plenty of energy all by itself!

Focus on the Future

Like Whitney Houston, I believe the children are the future, and the future is now. As Back to School time approaches, parents are looking to do every thing they can to make sure their children get the most out of their education.

Here are a few easy tips:
• Make sure children have a balanced breakfast with protein and carbs every day. As a person who has been Hypoglycemic all her life, I cringe every time I see ads for sugary breakfast cereals which will only rev up their little engines and then send them crashing and burning.

• Have at least one meal where all family members are present every day. Ideally the entire family should be involved in the meal preparation. Studies have shown that regular meals with family increase health, focus and self esteem in children. Not to mention that cooking is a required life skill, and a joyous one at that!

• A good multi and Essential Fatty Acid supplement in addition to a healthy diet will go a long way for a lifetime of health. But, supplements are exactly that, supplements; they are designed to compliment food, not replace it. I am seeing a recent trend to “over supplement” kids these days, what with studies coming out left and right. But remember, balance is the key folks.

And now our past is catching up with our future at an alarming rate. There are many theories as to the cause or causes of disorders like Autism, Asperger’s, and their less sever cousins ADD, ADHD in society today. People want to lay blame on vaccines, genetics or heavy metals, but what if it’s all of the above? What if, as civilization has progressed our unwitting exposure to heavy metals in the home and workplace, our widespread use of potentially dangerous chemicals, the industrialization of our food production has been accumulating damage in generation after generation and our species is not evolving fast enough to cope.

The first time I ever heard this theory was at Bauman College, when a man named Michael Lang came to do a lecture on Autism. Here was a father of two children who were on the Autistic Spectrum before doctors even had a name for it. Out of love and necessity he created Brainchild Nutritionals for them and other families in the same situation. Brainchild Nutritionals expertly addresses the symptoms of inherent environmental sensitivities in recent generations (adults take Brainchild too!) and gives families a flexible dosage system in easy to digest and tasty liquids. They make Vitamin and Mineral Formulas, as well as Intestimend for digestive support, a liquid Glutathione (the most prevalent antioxidant in the human body) and much, much more. I really like the Reishi Carob Syrup as a superbly nutritional treat!

Sadly, Michael is no longer with us, but from his inspiration grew much more than just a supplement company, Brainchild is a community of people dedicated to improving the quality of life of families of all shapes and sizes. Most of the folks at Brainchild are parents of autistic children, who have, through experience, created not only a line of supplements but a nutritional guideline for families like their own. Check out their website at www.brainchildnutritionals.com.

Fields of Greens

If you, like so many people, cannot seem to get 5 handfuls of variously colored fruits and vegetables into your daily routine, you may benefit from a “Green Drink”. Great, that being said, and row upon row of products to choose from, how do you know which one is right for you? Here’s a little break down of some of my favorites to help you decide:

New Chapter’s Berry Greens: Many green drinks have grasses as their first ingredient, not so with Berry Greens. Berry Greens gets its goods from dark leafy greens like spinach and kale, cruciferous vegetables like red cabbage, and broccoli, and deep, dark antioxidant rich berries like blueberry, cranberry and pomegranate. Add a little vitamin C from rosehips, fiber from brown rice and a touch of cinnamon for blood sugar balance. Berry Greens is detoxifying, tonic and loaded with minerals and antioxidants.

Healthforce Nutritionals Vitamineral Greens: If tablet form multivitamins are too much for you, you have got to check this formula out. Utilizing herbs like burdock, horsetail and nettle, grasses and fresh vegetable juices from parsley, and dandelion plus seaweeds, carob and nopal cactus, spirulina chlorella and enzymes, this is a great daily tonic formula.

Vibrant Health’s Green Vibrance: Great for vegetarians, the first ingredient is spirulina, followed by a host of grasses, beet juice powder, royal jelly, green bean powder, milled flax seeds (de-oiled), green tea, acerola, whole apple powder, eleuthro ginseng and shisandra for adrenal health, plus probiotics and enzymes. This is another great daily formula.


Add any of these formulas to about a half a cup of Apple Cider and 1 ½ cups water for a tasty, health boost!