Wednesday, July 20th, 2011
I had some friends to dinner last night and, of course, served an all raw meal except for some salmon on the grill. The menu was appetizers of Basil Pumpkin Seed Pesto on Pepper slices, raw Corn Chips with Guacomole, and Cauliflower Popcorn, with a main course of salmon, Cucumber, Jicama and Corn Salad, an Asian Noodle Salad, and a Green Salad with Portobello Mushrooms. For dessert I made a raw Lemon Cheesecake, Peach Raspberry Cobbler and Chocolate of the Gods on Peppermint Patties. Everyone loved it! The conversation, as always, got around to “Why Raw?” Most people today have heard that raw food is very healthy, but few people know why. In a nutshell I always explain that the body uses enzymes to do almost everything from having a thought or moving a finger to keeping our bodies young and healthy, and enzymes are destroyed when heated above 118 degrees Fahrenheit.
Every food created by Nature comes with all the enzymes necessary to digest that food. One characteristic of enzymes is their inability to withstand high temperatures such as those used in cooking. Consequently, the enzymes are completely destroyed in all foods that are canned, pasteurized, baked, roasted, stewed or fried. Processing, refining, cooking and microwaving all render our food enzyme-deficient which causes imbalances and stress on our organs and body tissue, thus decreasing the longevity of the body. You can live for many years on a cooked food diet but eventually this kind of diet will cause cellular enzyme exhaustion which lays the foundation for a weak immune system and disease.This becomes much more important as we age because, as we age, the body loses its ability to manufacture enzymes.Young people have 30 times the enzymes of older people and when food is cooked, all the enzymes are destroyed so our bodies have to use the enzymes it would be using to heal us and keep us young to digest all the dead food we eat.
My dinner guests begged for my recipes, which I gladly shared, and asked how is it possible to make the change to a raw diet. I explained that what really works for me is a yearly 7 day juice fast. Fasting is an ancient ritual that has been practiced for thousands of years and I feel it is even more important today when the Standard American Diet (SAD - consisting of meat, bread, dairy products, processed and cooked foods, caffeine and alcohol) creates an acidic state in the body which contributes to a variety of health problems. One of the things a 7 day juice fast does is to break our addictions to such things as coffee, chocolate, sugar, and fried and processed foods. After a fast my body craves the clean nutrition of raw food and the energy I have, as well as clarity of thought, bright eyes and glowing skin are wonderful.
While it is not necessary to do a fast to start on a raw diet, it sure does make it easy. After failing to find an affordable place set up for fasting in the USA I discovered The Spa Resort in Koh Samui, Thailand, eleven years ago where they have a wonderful fasting program that you can start any day of the year. They offer daily meditation and yoga as well as massage to make your fasting experience something you will want to do over and over. In fact many, if not most, of the people I meet there return year after year from all around the world. The Spa Resort recently opened their newest property in a beautiful area just outside Chiang Mai in the North of Thailand where the cost is a mere fraction of comparable luxury resorts in the West. (www.thesparesorts.net)
For thousands of years men have praised the practice of fasting, often because of its spiritual aspect and more recently for its health benefits. In this modern world where we all seem to be consumed with a desire for eternal youth, the truth is that age is not so much a matter of chronology, but rather a matter of the integrity of our body tissues. Therefore a diet of life-giving raw food and occasional fasting is surely the secret to a long and healthy life.
Friday, April 22nd, 2011
Yellow and orange foods, like apricots, cantaloupe, grapefruit, mango, papaya, peaches, oranges, pineapple, lemons, tangerines, yellow peppers, pumpkin, butternut squash, and carrots, get their color from carotenoids, which strengthen your immune system, help you maintain sharp vision, and lower your risk of heart disease and cancer.
Blueberries and raspberries rate very high in antioxidant capacity compared to other fruits and vegetables. They are also lower in fructose than many other fruits.
Sweet potatoes are a terrific source of beta-carotene (their bright orange color is a dead giveaway). Your body converts beta-carotene to vitamin A, a nutrient that helps to continually generate new, healthy skin cells.
Kale is packed with nutrients. It is an excellent source of fiber, protein, thiamin, riboflavin, folate, iron, magnesium and phosphorus, vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin K, vitamin B6, potassium, copper and manganese.
Cashews contain zinc a nutrient active in helping the immune system function properly, it plays an important role in the formation of your connective tissues.
Zinc is a component of hundreds of enzymes in the body, some of which regulate the body’s ability to make new proteins that will become building blocks of healthy hair and nails.
Almond butter has 26% more Vitamin E, 3 % more iron and 7% more calcium than peanut butter. It is also higher in magnesium, phosphorus, potassium and antioxidants.
HIPPOCRATES, the Greek Physician considered the father of modern medicine, said 2000 years ago: “Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food”.
Thursday, March 31st, 2011
I have just completed a 7 day juice fast during which I had only 3 eight ounce glasses of fresh organic juice (usually an orange juice, a watermelon juice and a young coconut water) and one cup of clear vegetable broth a day. I feel absolutely fabulous, full of energy, a lot lighter (I lost 8 pounds) and my skin is glowing and I am totally refreshed and ready to deal with whatever comes up. For thousands of years men have praised the practice of fasting, often because of its spiritual aspect and more recently for it health benefits. I recently ran across a study done by the National Institute of Health that I find very interesting:
Animal studies have shown that when creatures (from worms to apes) are given 60% of calories they normally eat, they live 50% longer …. and a lot healthier – with less cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer and ailments that affect the brain as it ages.The assumption has always been that you have to cut back on calories, but there appears to be another way: INTERMITTENT FASTING.
Tests have been done on 3 groups:
1st group ate all they wanted.
2nd group ate 60% of normal intake.
3rd group alternated days, fasting 1day and having unrestricted eating the next day.
Group 3 ended up in better shape!
The conclusion is that intermittent fasting triggers the production of proteins that help existing brain cells survive damage from oxidation so there is lower risk of developing Alzheimer’s. (I am always in favor of that as my father had Alzeimer’s) Occasional fasting is like exercise.
It sharpens the body’s ability to respond to stress.
It is even more effective than exercise in lowering heart rate and blood pressure.
This makes perfect sense when we consider our origins.
Through out history, until the last 100 years, man always lived through periods of feast and famine.
It is only in very recent history that food has always been available so our bodies were designed to deal very well with famine or fasting.
Wednesday, March 16th, 2011
One plus One equals more than Two ..... Who knew?
Astara has a new kit called “Mini Microderm at Home” and I just tried it. It is FABULOUS. I cannot believe how soft and silky my skin feels. Even my husband can feel the difference and I didn’t think my skin was all that rough before. It is very simply the combination of two of our most popular products - Violet Flame Enzyme Mask and Daily Refining Scrub. Now, I use these products all the time but I had never before used the Scrub to remove the Mask. All you do is apply the mask, let it dry, and then use the Scrub to remove it. It is really a mini-microdermabrasion which I would put up against any you would get at an expensive salon. It works. And your skin feels and looks fabulous after.
One of the wonderful things about Astara products is that there are so many ways you can mix and match them. We have been talking about mixing a pump of Aroma Nutrient Face and Body Oil in the palm of your hand with a pump of Antioxidant Body Lotion for a while now. The result is this divine cream that your body will soak up and love you for it. It is absolutely the best thing I have ever used on newly shaved legs and my entire body loves it.
Sandra, who makes the Astara office run so smoothly, came up with a wonderful combination a few weeks ago that I am now addicted to. She combined a pump of Botanical Eye Treatment with a pump of Age Defying Complex. This one you simply have to try to believe. The cream is so silky and perfect for the delicate skin around the eyes that I can’t believe I haven’t been doing that forever.
For years Astara trainers have been training estheticians on how to mix the Astara masks together before applying them for various results, like if you want the results of more than one mask (such as Purification and Exfoliation) but don’t have enough time in the treatment for two mask applications, simply mix them together before applying. You can do this very same thing at home. All Astara products blend beautifully together so try it yourself and, if one combination particularly suits your fancy, please let me know. Happy mixing.
Tuesday, January 25th, 2011
My Daily Detox
Everyone talks about detox these days and I think that is something I need on a daily basis. I am at a wonderful spa where people come from all around the world to detox (The Spa Resort, Chiang Mai) and it has made me think that detox is not something I want to do only once a year. Modern life is filled with stress, which is what I believe helps to build toxins in my body, so I try to deal with it every day by ending the day with a nice warm bath filled with wonderful detoxifying products. I put an ounce of Astara Spirulina and Sea Mineral Soak into the tub with a squirt of Aromatic Seaweed Body Wash under the running water and sink into heavenly relaxation. I stay there a while because soaking for 15 minutes gives my body enough time to allow for penetration of these minerals, many of which help the body to eliminate toxins. Then I scrub all over with Citrus Lavender Sea Salt Scrub because I like the smell almost as much as the silky way it makes my skin feel. Then I just lie there as the cares of the day drift away in the warm water. After I get out of the tub and dry off just a bit, I mix a squirt of Aroma Nutrient Body Oil in my palm with Antioxidant Body Lotion and rub it all over my entire body and when I get into bed I drift away with the cares of the day long gone. Try it. It works.
Friday, December 31st, 2010
Christmas in Thailand
Thailand really agrees with me. My skin loves the humidity, especially after so many years of living in the extremely dry air of high altitude. Here I need only Astara Age Defying Complex and Radiance Renewal Moisturizer every morning and night without the extra layer of Infusion or Nourishing Vitamin Mask. My legs still suck up Aroma Nutrient Oil mixed with Astara Body Lotion after shaving, but here I don’t have to put it all over my entire body every day. Where you live makes such a big difference in what your skin needs for nourishment and so does your diet. Getting out of the land of processed foods and into a world of nothing but fresh fruits and vegetables does wonders for my overall health and well being. Even though I eat mostly raw food in the USA, it sometimes takes weeks to get to us, while it is picked minutes before we eat it from organic gardens all around The Spa where we stay here in Thailand. It is a little hard to do that in the high mountains of Colorado in the winter. I wish everyone could come visit here at The Spa Resort Chiang Mai and I wish the world a very Happy and Healthy 2011.
Monday, October 25th, 2010
I am a great believer in Superfoods and I love dark chocolate so when I came across this article on the internet I felt I had to share it:
Cacao – There’s always some sort of research being conducted on chocolate and every time the findings are always positive. This goes to show that chocolate is indeed good for us, but if you’ve noticed, the findings are always in favor of dark chocolate, a chocolate with very little sugar content. If you travel a little backwards and see, the origin of chocolate, that is, the cacao beans are actually much more than a source of chocolate. These are superfoods in themselves and have some amazing health benefits.
Cacao has a fascinating history with plenty of legends surrounding it, but what can be deduced is that until sugar was added, the drink made from cacao was considered highly potent. Today, there’s plenty of research available to suggest that cacao is indeed really good for us. Here are the ways in which cacao can help us as far as health is concerned. Now don’t run out and gorge on chocolate, cacao is a stimulant so moderation is key! Here are some amazing benefits of using cacao:
Increases blood flow to the brain and enhances brain function
Has a high concentration of anti oxidants such as polyphenols, catechins and epicatechins. Anti oxidants as we all know are the holy grail of youth and a disease free life.
The magnesium in cacao is good for the heart, helps prevent constipation and even eases menstrual cramps.
Cacao also has iron, which makes it a great weapon to fight against anemia.
Cacao contains chromium, a trace mineral which works wonders to maintain the balance of blood sugar.
Manganese, another trace mineral that can be found in cacao is great when it comes to building up of hemoglobin.
Zinc, another mineral that cacao contains is known for its essential role in enhancing our immune system.
Raw cacao contains vitamin C as well which has its own gamut of uses.
Raw cacao contains essential omega 6 fatty acids. An important thing to note is that cooked and processed chocolate contains rancid omega 6 fatty acids or trans fats which are not healthy for you.
Cacao beans contain certain compounds that can trigger weight loss, make you feel good and improve your mood considerably.
The fiber in cacao beans works wonderfully to cleanse the digestive system.
Cacao can be found as cacao beans with or without the skin, cacao nibs, cacao butter, powder or paste and ideally it should all be organic. A great idea would be to buy raw cacao products and include them in your usual drinks such as tea or coffee or even coconut water. You can also use cacao nibs in desserts but ideally if you love dark chocolate, you should be able to adjust to the bitter taste of raw cacao which can do so many wonders for your body. Science yet has to understand the many layers and benefits of chocolate, but these are indeed pretty much there for everyone to see.
Wednesday, October 20th, 2010
You can’t buy the October issue of Powder Magazine in Telluride. It’s all sold out. I guess the shops had to put their order in before they knew the magazine was going to name Telluride as one of the best places in the world to live and all the locals would rush to buy it so they could read what we already know. Nowhere else did Nature do as good a job as Telluride. The hiking, biking, skiing or simply riding around is as breathtakingly beautiful here as anywhere on earth, and I have hiked on 6 continents, and I seriously doubt the South Pole, the only continent I haven’t been to, can compare to Telluride in year round magnificence. Yes, the high altitude and outdoor life we live for here is tough on your skin, but that’s why we created Astara Skin Care. Come see for yourself and while you’re here stop in at Apotheca, the wonderful Integrative Pharmacy on Main St. which is Astara’s flagship store in Telluride. They will cheerfully fill your prescriptions 7 days a week and they offer the very best in health and beauty aids, often made right here in Colorado. The owner, Michelle Common, has been a pharmacist for 33 years, cares deeply about health, and understands the importance of organic foods and the ingredients in the products we put on our skin. That is why Astara is so thrilled to be featured prominently in her beautiful store. Stop in and say “Sunny said to say hello” when you are in town.
Wednesday, October 6th, 2010
Get Fit to Save Face
I looked out my bedroom window this morning and this is what I saw (see photo). Yup, thar’s snow on them thar peaks .... winter’s a-comin”. The weather outside may be getting rough, but your skin doesn't have to. The low humidity common in many parts of the United States during winter, and especially here in the mountains, can cause dry, irritated skin. As the temperature drops, so does humidity, so winter air literally sucks moisture from your skin.
We often hear we should “dress in layers” as the weather gets cold. Well, the same applies to your moisturizer. Several light layers of different moisturizers work wonderfully to keep your skin looking summery soft all winter long. I always start with a few drops of Astara Age Defying Complex all over my face, followed with Activated Antioxidant Infusion. Let that soak in for a minute or so and then add a dash of Antioxidant Light Moisturizer or Radiance Renewal Intense Moisturizer if you have extremely dry skin like I do. This not only deeply moisturizes, but it gives you a triple layer of incredible active antioxidants to protect your skin from environmental hazards, including the sun.
At night I vary my routine just a little by thoroughly cleansing, applying Age Defying Complex and then slathering on a thick layer of Nourishing Vitamin Mask. I let it soak in while I brush my teeth, and then I seal it with Radiance Renewal and leave it on all night. My 70 year old skin, at 9000 feet altitude, is soft as a baby’s butt when I awaken. Who’s afraid of a little snow!
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
"Sunny at 69"
Get Fit to Save Face
We don’t tend to think about exercise when we think of skin care, but it is a great way to keep your face toned as well as your body. I just read the following in an article written by a doctor on skin care: "Exercising regularly will retain your skin's elasticity and prevent wrinkles, "Plus it'll keep off unwanted pounds!" I don’t recommend something unless I have experienced it myself and this is one thing I have proven works. I spent 6 months in a body brace with a broken back and neck, at 68 years old, and when that brace came off it was not a pretty sight. As well as terribly rounded shoulders from the way the brace had held me, the skin under my neck was badly sagging. I underwent several fairly intense months of physical therapy, built back strength in my upper body, corrected my posture and much to my surprise, saw the sagging under my skin diminish amazingly - enough to make me stop fantasizing about plastic surgery. Another surgery after having 2 titanium rods and 5 screws put into my spine was not something I wanted to do. I am not talking about specific facial exercises, although I know people who swear by them, but simply saying that a fitness program that is good for your body is good for your face as well. That, together with good cleansing, toning, moisturizing, and excellent nutrition can keep us looking young and beautiful far longer than anyone imagined.
Friday, September 24, 2010
"It is 45 degrees and raining today in Telluride and snow is sprinkling on the mountain tops. We have a fire in the fireplace and are watching the yellow leaves drop from the trees. Changing seasons affect our skin and so, of course, does what we eat. Astara Skin Care and Nature are here to help by treating our skin from both the inside and out.
Pumpkins are an important autumn comfort food because they are loaded with antioxidants, beta-carotene, Vitamin C and Folate. Even the seeds are packed with nutrition and are a rich source of Zinc and Omega 3 fatty acids. The dry air inside and outside can affect your skin and make it look dull and chapped so make pumpkin a part of your diet to help keep your skin moisturized, supple and free from infections, and layer Astara Skin Care products to protect your skin from the outside in. I apply 2 drops of Age Defying Complex all over my face, then a thin layer of Activated Antioxidant Infusion, and seal it all in with Radiance Renewal Intense Moisturizer. At a party last night someone asked if I was 50 yet (I turn 70 in November) so I guess it’s working."
Sunny Griffin
Monday, November 24, 2008
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