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Natural Hangover Cures

By: Saturday, December 31, 2011 Holistic Health , , , , Permalink 0

Natural Hangover Cures | The Organic Beauty BlogUnfortunately, one of the most common after effects of New Year’s eve (often times overshadowing that optimistic, post-resolution glow) is a hangover of epic proportions. No matter how religiously we adhere to the water to alcohol ratio at the start of the night, by drink 4, it’s all out the window, and we inevitably wake up on the 1st with a pounding headache and a craving for just about anything fried. But fear not, my beautiful revelers! There are several tried and true methods to avoid this wretched fate, and start the new year bright eyed and bushy tailed. Read on!

  • Kombucha: Drink a bottle before going to bed (and another if you’re still feeling a little queasy in the morning). Both the fermentation and all the amazing probiotics cure any stomach upset, and perhaps due to the minuscule amount of alcohol in kombucha, there is a also a great hair-of-the-dog effect!
  • Pickle juice: Chasing drinks with something pickled is an eastern European tradition that is not only yummy, but also super effective at preventing hangovers (just ask anyone in my Russian family!). The fermentation, high electrolyte content and salt act together to rehydrate you.  If you can, down a few big gulps of liquid from any good quality pickle after you’ve had your last drink.
  • Coconut water: This is a great trick for both the night of alcohol-drenched revelry and the morning after. The electrolytes and potassium in coconut water replenish what the alcohol leached from your system wayyyy better than plain water, and without the harmful additives and chemicals found in drinks like Gatorade.
  • Banana Hangover Smoothie: I know it’s tempting to coat your tender hangover tummy with cheesy bacon fries, but considering the beating your body went through from all that alcohol, going the traditional hangover food route is like adding insult to injury. Instead, make yourself a smoothie from a banana, a handful of blueberries, a few leaves of kale, about a cup of almond milk, and some agave to taste. This concoction replenishes lost electrolytes, potassium, vitamins, sugars, and digestive enzymes, and definitely does more for your body than a fried egg and cheese sandwich!
  • Omega-3’s: A super potent anti-inflammatory, omega-3’s combat some hangover symptoms that appear externally as well as internally.  Red, dry, blotchy skin, puffy eyes… all those “what did you do last night” signs that you’re better off avoiding.  Take some before bed as well as in the morning!
Lastly, water, water, water.  Drink it while you’re out, drink a ton when you get home, and drink a ton when you wake up.  It is the single best way to prevent and treat a hangover.  For an even more potent effect, drink water with lemon!  And honestly, all this aside, take it easy on the drinking, for pete’s sake!  Getting wasted is one of the worst things you can do for your immune system, digestive track, skin, and obviously your liver.  So drink in moderation, and have an amazing, beautiful New Year’s Eve!!

 

Tips For Maintaining Your Inner Holiday This Season

By: Friday, December 16, 2011 Exercise, Holistic Health, Lifestyle , , , , Permalink 0

By: Nkechi Njaka, Msc

Tips For Maintaining Your Inner Holiday This Season | The Organic Beauty BlogWe’re officially in mid-December, which means the holidays are basically here. Maybe you‘re traveling for the holidays to spend time with your family. Perhaps, you’re forgoing travel to your home and visiting the family of your significant other. Or, you‘re hosting family or friends this year and need to accommodate more people than you are accustomed to. Regardless of your specific plans, there are many schedules and people to coordinate, arrangements to be made, houses to decorate, meals to cook, not to mention–GIFTS TO BUY! We all want to find the best deals and give thoughtfully while not over-spending…or losing our minds. We want the holidays to be a time of harmony and joy but with so many things to organize, it becomes challenging. So, then, ‘tis the season to be a Deliriously Stressed Mess?!
Something about that just doesn’t sound very appealing, and yet research shows that more Americans report feeling depressed and stressed around the holidays than any other time of year. So let me ask you this:
What does the word ‘holiday’ mean to you?
Pay attention to your body when you ask yourself this. Notice if you have stopped breathing or tensed any of your muscles as you finalize your thoughts. Done? If the word ‘holiday’ left you feeling tense or stressed, then perhaps it’s time to stop and find your inner holiday.
Clearly, we all have different feelings associated with the word ‘holiday,’ but I think that it’s important to consider what the word really means. Quite literally, the word ‘holiday’ means ‘holy day.’ Be it as it may, the word ‘holy’ is rooted in the word ‘whole’, as is the word ‘holistic’. Perhaps, now is as good a time as any to start seeing our holidays as holistic days…or days of wholeness.
If we were to think of what makes us stressed out during the holidays, it would probably boil down to how much we are doing and being able to get everything done. It might be helpful to think about things differently this year. Remember that the holidays are about giving and receiving, rather than accomplishments or perfectionism.
To speak to the above sentiments, think about how giving and receiving contributes to wholeness. Traditionally, we see this in gifts—we give presents (by giving presence) and we receive presents (by receiving the presence of others). By doing this, we find ourselves coming together in the company of others. Being mindful of this rather than how much we have or have not accomplished will be the first step in making this holiday season about wholeness.
So, if this is theory, what is practice? How can we be whole and present in the chaos of the season? The answer is balance. And I have 7 ways to inspire balance during the holiday season:
  1. Breath: When you find that you are feeling anxious, always go back and find your breath. If it’s a challenge to even focus on one breath, count to 5 on both inhales and exhales.
  2. Sleep: Going to bed early may feel unrealistic with so much going on but it will do wonders. Honestly, leave the dishes in the sink until the morning—your energy will be elevated, and your mind and body will thank you.
  3. Simplify. Whether it’s shopping online, delegating to-do lists or simply not sending out holiday cards, prioritize what really is important to you and try to do those things efficiently.
  4. Exercise. This one seems obvious, but often the gym falls low on the priority list when there is disruption to your regular routine. On the contrary, that is the most important time to free yourself from the craziness, release stress and tension while staying active.
  5. Pamper. Go get a massage, a mani-pedi or just have a good laugh watching your favorite DVD.
  6. Mindful Eating. Make your consumption of holiday treats be about savoring, rather than eating for the sake of eating. If you are going to indulge in seasonal desserts or candies—part of the festivities– then you really deserve to enjoy it sans guilt.
  7. Have FUN. It’s the season to be jolly, after all! Laugh, sing, catch up and spend quality time with loved ones. Being grateful for all those who have touched your life is an integral part of being healthy, happy and whole.
And here is a tip to help you find your calm in those seemingly unmanageable moments. If you find yourself feeling anxious, overwhelmed, low on energy or irritable, find a place that is comfortable and practice the following seasonally appropriate posture:
There are several simple and effective yogic postures that you can do, but I like this one because you can do it while standing (or even sitting). Begin by inhaling in through your nose and out through your mouth. Make sure to pause in between your inhalations and exhalations and repeat 3-5 times, or whatever feels comfortable. Stand (or sit) with your feet parallel about 3 inches apart with your arms hanging loosely at your sides. While inhaling, sweep your arms sideways and up overhead until your arms are parallel again over your head, palms facing each other. When you exhale, reverse the movement, sweeping your arms sideways and back down, allowing your arms to dangle loosely by your sides in the original position. Think snow angel (see? seasonally appropriate!). Repeat this 3-5 times, or whatever feels comfortable to you. This great posture helps relieve compression in the lower back whilst releasing the ribcage, which ultimately promotes freer breath. It also increases mobility in the shoulders as well as stimulating circulation and reducing stress.
 Breathing in, breathing out, giving, receiving and being present; may your holidays be days of wholeness!
{Photo: Pinterest}

5 Ways to Sneak in Exercise over Thanksgiving!

By: Wednesday, November 23, 2011 Exercise, Holistic Health , , , , Permalink 0
By: Natasha Uspensky, CHHC 
5 Ways to Sneak in Exercise over Thanksgiving! | The Organic Beauty Blog
If you’re anything like me, going home for the holidays can mean a complete derailing of all health-related activities.. Wouldn’t it be great to find ways to sneak in some exercise over Thanksgiving with the whole family by doing everyday activities that burn off those holiday calories, get your heart pumping, and get everyone moving!

1. Rake the leaves!

This fall chore is actually a great workout! Get the family outside and start raking… You’ll work up a sweat, get some cardio, and have a great time!  Try to lunge forward with every pull of the rake, and make sure to alternate your dominant hand.  This will work your arms, abs, and legs and will burn about 250 calories in an hour!

2. Shovel some snow!

If you’re in the midwest, chances are there is more snow to deal with than leaves…  Shoveling snow is an amazing resistance workout, and can turn into a really fun family activity!  The motions of pushing, pulling and lifting the shovel work the back, abs, arms, and legs!

3. Clean house!

Transforming into Cinderella before and after the big Thanksgiving get together can feel like a tedious chore, but if you think about it in terms of exercise, mopping, sweeping, dusting, and vacuuming can burn some major calories!  Throw in some lunges while you mop the floor, calf raises while you clean the counter, and squats as you move furniture or pick things up and you’re burning over 200 calories an hour.

4. Play some football!

This venerable American turkey day tradition is probably one of the best things you can do for your body before or after the big meal.  Get outside, run around, break a sweat and offset those Thanksgiving calories.  Not a football family?  A game of tag, capture the flag, or even just catch will do the trick!

5. Go for a walk (and bring your pooch)!

After dinner, grab the whole fam and the dog and go for a walk.  Walking after a big meal is a great way to stimulate digestion and get things moving.  If you keep a brisk, steady pace, you’ll burn up to 250 calories in an hour!  And the fresh air is a welcome break after having been inside for a few hours.  Mom (or whoever cooked) will appreciate the change of scenery!

Less Stress & More Energy Through Breath!

By: Monday, August 15, 2011 Exercise, Holistic Health, Lifestyle, Wellness , , , , Permalink 0
Less Stress & More Energy Through Breath! 2 | The Organic Beauty BlogDoesn’t it seem like navigating through the world of healthcare and self-care always seems to come at a cost?  Supplements, nourishing organic produce, fitness classes, self-care appointments, it seems like very little of the great things you can do for your body and your health are free.  But there is something that is always there for you and doesn’t cost a penny… your breath!  We all know how important it is to breath right while exercising, but we often times lose sight of the fact that the way we breathe the rest of the time is just as important.  Here are some simple tips and exercises for maximizing your breath to manage stress, calm nerves, energize your body, and experience amazing health benefits!
  • Breath through your nose as much as possible.  Breathing through the nose is much more energizing and oxygenating than breathing through the mouth.  When you’re walking around, doing your thing, make an effort to breathe through your nose as much as possible, focusing on taking long, slow breaths.   Inhaling and exhaling nasally takes much longer tan orally, which gives the oxygen more time to get into the bloodstream.  This slower, deeper breath also has a remarkable effect on brain waves, which reduces stress and anxiety, lowers blood pressure, and can even help with hunger and food cravings!  
  • For relaxation, try the 4-7-8 breathing exercise.  This exercise is an amazing tranquilizer for the nervous system, and is a great tool for lowering stress levels, blood pressure, as well as improving sleep!
    • First, place the tip of the tongue on the ridge just behind your your front teeth.  
    • Secondly, exhale completely through your mouth, totally emptying your lungs of air.   Then, close your mouth and inhale through your nose for a count of 4.  
    • Keeping your mouth closed, hold the air in your lungs for a count of 7. 
    • Next, exhale slowly, for a count of 8, making a whooshing sound (as though you’re saying “shh”).  Make sure you exhale out completely, so your lungs are completely empty of air, and your abdominal muscles are engaged.  This is one cycle of 4-7-8 breath.  Repeat this cycle 3 times for a total of 4 breaths, and you’re done!  Try to complete this exercise twice a day for maximum results.  Use it whenever you feel stressed, overworked, nervous, or when you’re dealing with insomnia.
  • For an energizing boost, try Bellows Breath.  This yogic breathing exercise is wonderful for when you’re tired, low on energy, feel your alertness slipping, or when you just need a late afternoon pick-me-up.  It can be just as effective as a cup of coffee!
    • Inhale and exhale very rapidly through your nose, with each breath being as quick as possible…like a bellows!  
    • Aim for about 3 in and out breath cycles per second, with inhalations and exhalations being equal in length.
    • For the first few tries, complete the exercise for no more than 15 seconds.  But feel free to increase the duration every time you do it, up to a minute in length maximum.
  • Lastly, forget huffing and puffing while exercising.. Instead, try ujjayi breath!  Heavy breathing during exercise puts the body into a highly stressed state of emergency, which is actually counter-productive to the benefits of physical activity.  Maintaining a steady, deep breath takes the strain off the body, allowing us to do more without as much strain.  Ujjayi breath is an ancient yogic breathing technique that was created to cleanse the mind and body, focus thinking, and cause a deep sense of calm and relaxation.
    • Less Stress & More Energy Through Breath! | The Organic Beauty BlogTo learn ujjayi breath, inhale deeply through the mouth.  On the exhale, start to close the back of your throat to slightly constrict the passage of air, as if you are fogging up a pair of glasses.  This should sound like an ocean wave.  
    • Once you are comfortable with this exhale, work on employing that same throat constriction on your inhalation.  Focus on an even, slow inhalation and exhalation in this manner… kind of like Darth Vader.  
    • When you’re ready, close your month, and continue this style of breath exclusively through the nose..  That’s it!  You are employing ujjayi breath.  Try breathing this way when you are stretching, doing yoga, or other forms of light exercise.  Eventually, try to breathe this while doing all forms of exercise.  It definitely takes some getting used to, but focusing on this deep, slow, nasal breathe while the body is being physically stressed makes for a more effective workout that has much less negative impact on the body.  For more information on the benefits of this style of breathe and its benefit for physical activity, check out John Douillard’s amazing book, Body, Mind, and Sport.
Breath is the most vital sources of our life, energy, and health, but, as it is an automatic function, it’s very easy to neglect in terms of conscious use.  When we bring our attention to our breath, we gain access to an incredibly powerful and effective wellness tool that can aid us in so many different aspects of our health.  Best of all, it’s a tool that is free, easy to use, and that we have access to 24 hours a day, regardless of where we are!  Try some of the above techniques consistently for a few weeks, and you will notice dramatic results.. without spending a penny!

Nip Seasonal Allergies in the Bud

By: Friday, June 3, 2011 Diet and Foods, Healthy Home, Holistic Health, Lifestyle, Wellness , , , , Permalink 0

Seasonal Allergies | The Organic Beauty Blog

After a blissfully allergy-free spring, I walked out of the house yesterday morning and instantly started sneezing and sniffling.  I check the allergy report for Brooklyn and saw that the pollen level was labeled as high.. which definitely explained why so many other people on the train and in my office seemed to be suffering from similar symptoms.

Seasonal allergies affect nearly 40 million Americans, which becomes really apparent this time of year. There are over-the-counter medications, of course, but many people experience side effects (dry mouth and throat, fatigue, headaches, hoarseness, feeling jittery or spacey) that can be as bad as the allergies themselves.  And long term use of prescription allergy medication is responsible for a whole host of unpleasant effects like high blood pressure, glaucoma, osteoporosis, and stunted or delayed growth in children.  Luckily, there are steps we can take to treat the symptoms naturally, or prevent seasonal allergies altogether!

Neti pots are by far the most effective weapon against seasonal allergies, and can be used as both a preventative measure and as treatment.  Basically, netis are traditional ayurvedic tools that look like little tea pots (traditionally ceramic, though commercial, store-bought netis are plastic) with a special spout small enough to fit in your nostril.  When filled with lukewarm water and a powdered saline solution, the liquid irrigates and cleanses the nasal passages, and also thins the mucus built up in there, flushing it out of your nose.  If you are prone to seasonal allergies, start using a neti pot daily a little before your symptoms would typically start.  Regular use will strengthen your nasal cilia, improving their ability to remove allergens, bacteria, and other irritants from your nose before they start causing problems.  If you’re already experiencing symptoms, you can start using your neti morning and night to flush out allergens and ease congestion.

Apple Cider Vinegar is a magic cure-all that I’ve written about before (see: The Magic of Apple Cider Vinegar), and healing the symptoms of seasonal allergies is just one of its many benefits.  When I got to work, sniffling and sneezing yesterday, I instantly poured myself a glass of water with a tablespoon of organic, raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar, and I kid you not, an hour later, I was totally fine.  And the effects lasted for the entire day!  I started my day off today with the same formula before I even left the house, and had absolutely no sign of allergies.. even though the pollen count was even higher today!

If you’re lucky enough to have access to local honey (like, seriously, from-within-a few-miles local is best), that can be a huge boost to your allergy fighting powers.  Regularly consuming local honey (and chewing on the honey combs too) helps to desensitize your immune system to the pollen in your area, effectively rendering it harmless to your body!  Eat 2 tablespoons of local honey (raw and organic, whenever possible) every day starting two months before allergy season, and you’ll notice a big difference!

Lastly, the right supplements can help your system fight off seasonal allergies.  Studies have found that high levels of vitamin C (around 2000 mg a day) significantly helps those prone to allergies avoid symptoms, due to its anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant qualities.  Omega 3 fatty acids (which are another general cure-all) have also been found to decrease inflammation and symptoms of seasonal allergies.  Eating lots of foods like salmon (wild-caught) and walnuts, and/or supplementing with a high quality fish oil (around 2g a day) will help with allergies as well as a host of other health benefits.

So next time you start sneezing and sniffling, don’t reach straight for the OTC medications or sprays.. Try some natural solutions first that will boost your overall immunity and health, without any long or short term side effects!

Better Sleep for A Better You

By: Sunday, March 20, 2011 Holistic Health, Wellness , , , , Permalink 0
 “We have in our society this idea that you can just get by without sleep or manipulate when you sleep without any consequences,” said Lawrence Epstein, president of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. “What we’re finding is that’s just not true.”
Better Sleep for a Better You | The Organic Beauty Blog
Somehow, in the last 20 or so years, the notion of working hard and playing hard, at the expense of our own health has become the supposed tagline of successful, motivated people.
We proudly declare how little sleep we got the night before, as if it’s a badge of how hardcore and dedicated we are.  Truth is, by robbing ourselves of sleep, we are in actuality robbing ourselves of health and longevity, which is quite a sacrifice to make in the name of dedication to our work.
Good quality sleep is a major foundation of health, equally important as nutrition.  You can eat all the organic fruits and vegetables in the world, exercise like clock work, and drink ounce upon ounce of water, but if you’re not getting enough sleep, all of that is for naught.  Weight gain, skin problems, inability to manage stress and emotions, high blood pressure, and increased risk of developing cancer, heart disease, and other life-threatening illnesses are just some of the negative effects that too little or poor quality sleep can have on your body.
All this in addition to the simple fact that insufficient sleep makes it impossible for you to perform at your best.. at work, on stage, in bed, or simply as a human being.   The old adage, “I’ll sleep when I’m dead” takes on a creepy ring of truth when you consider that  neglecting your sleep will bring on that rather final state sooner than you think.

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Smell like a rose.. with no lasting side effects!

By: Friday, February 4, 2011 Healthy Beauty, Holistic Health, Organic Beauty , , , , Permalink 0


As promised, today I want to write about natural deodorant and give some recommendations about how to stay healthy and organic, without venturing into the stinky BO world of compromised personal hygiene. Most conventional deodorants, and nearly all antiperspirants contain pretty much a laundry list of everything you should let anywhere near your skin, especially not so close to your glands and the tender tissue of the underarms.

The primary ingredient in a lot of deodorants, and all antiperspirants is aluminum. Aluminum is what blocks the sweat glands from allowing sweat to come to the surface of the skin.  Unfortunately, aluminum has also been found to have a direct correlation to breast cancer (in fact, high levels of aluminum have been found in many malignant breast tumors).  Additionally, aluminum can interfere with calcium absorption, stunt growth, weaken bones, AND cause all kinds of liver and kidney toxicity.  A 2003 study published in the European Journal of Cancer Prevention found that women who applied deodorant at least twice a week and shaved their armpits at least three times a week developed breast cancer almost 15 years younger than women who did neither. Need I say more??

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The Super-Duper Superfood You’re Probably Not Eating!

By: Saturday, January 29, 2011 Diet and Foods, Healthy Eating, Holistic Health, Nutrition , , , , Permalink 0

You probably remember chlorophyll from your 8th grade biology class… it absorbs energy from the sun to stimulate photosynthesis; it makes plants green; it helps plants grow and breathe; it’s like the blood that runs through the veins of plant matter… yada, yada, yada.  But what you may not know are the remarkable effects chlorophyll has on the human body.  Chlorophyll is actually really similar in composition to human blood, except it has magnesium as its central atom, as opposed to iron in human blood.  This unique similarity causes mineral-rich chlorophyll to have a whole slew of amazing benefits for the human body, including:

  • anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, and wound healing properties
  • helps to grow and repair tissue
  • purifies the blood
  • neutralizes free radicals and prevents cell damage
  • stimulates red blood cells to improve oxygen supply
  • anti-carcinogenic properties that prevent carciogens from binding with DNA in organs
  • helps to assimilate magnesium and calcium in the body
  • helps to neutralize air pollution that we breathe in
  • fights bad breath, body odor, and odors in body waste

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The Pill: Liberation or Damnation?

By: Thursday, January 13, 2011 Healthy Baby, Holistic Health, Lifestyle, Wellness , , , Permalink 0

New York Magazine recently featured a really interesting cover article entitled  Waking Up From the Pill… although it wasn’t the balls out expose on the very serious risks involved in the choice to take oral contraceptives, it did bring another issue to light, one that is even less prevalent in the public consciousness.

Many women in America have similar experiences with birth control.  You hit a certain age, 17 or 18 in many cases, you want to start being sexually active, you talk to your mom (if you have that kind of relationship), or doctor, or secretly go to Planned Parenthood with your best friend… one way or another, you get yourself on birth control.  And odds are, you stay on it for a good 5, 7, 10 years.  You go about your life and don’t really need to even think about pesky issues like pregnancy or fertility until that fateful day when all your ducks are in a row and you’re ready to start a family.

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6 New Year’s Goals You Can Actually Stick To!

By: Tuesday, January 4, 2011 Diet and Foods, Exercise, Holistic Health, Lifestyle, Wellness , , , Permalink 0

We just got back into town last night from a whirlwind few weeks of holiday insanity that definitely threw me off the Organic Beauty track.  The result??  I have a cold, look all puffy, and feel about 10 lbs. heavier…  ugh.

In this less than ideal state, it’s really tempting to make all kinds of ambitious New Year’s resolutions to never be in this state again.. We all resolve to eat healthier, lose weight, exercise more… we might get all gung-ho with a new workout regime or diet for a few weeks, even a month, confident that THIS year, we’ll be able to stick with it. But then February rolls around, and we’re back to take-out pad thai and maybe some yoga once a week.  The truth is, biting off more than we can chew with our resolutions is a guarantee for failure. We can’t accomplish all our goals at once. So rather than taking on massive, life-altering changes, there are a bunch of small, but super high impact changes we can make to our diets and lifestyles that are easier to stick with and yield long-term, lasting results. Try one or two of these resolutions, or all of them! Either way, you’ll be taking invaluable steps toward a healthier you.

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