Pumpkin Face Mask

Halloween may be over but don't throw out that pumpkin! Bake, scoop, mash and voila, the primary ingredient in your new  face mask.  Loaded with antioxidants like beta carotene, vitamin C and zinc, you'll be glowing in no time!

Ingredients:

2 teaspoons cooked or canned pumpkin, pureed/mashed (antioxidant, skin healing)

One-half teaspoon honey (retains skin moisture, regenerative)

One-quarter teaspoon milk/ soy milk (source of alpha hydroxy acid, works by exfoliating the skin)

Combine all your  ingredients and relax for 15 minutes.

Snack on some roasted pumpkin seeds while you wait for your mask to work its magic. 

Did you know 1/2 cup of pumpkin seeds contains 92% of your daily value of magnesium, a mineral in which most Americans are deficient.

Why Should I Buy Organic?

A definition of "organic"
An organic product is one which is raised, grown, stored, and/or processed without the use of synthetically produced chemicals or fertilizers, herbicides, insecticides, fungicides, or any other pesticides, growth hormones or growth regulators. Only farmers, who produce food according to a set of standards, undergo evaluation by other certified growers, and pass a yearly inspection by a trained independent inspector can label their products certified organic.
Why is "Certified Organic" Important?
By choosing to purchase from independent organic growers, the soil is grateful, the farmer is happy and the children are safe. Everybody wins.
Get better flavor
There is a good reason why many chefs use organic food in their recipes – IT TASTES BETTER! Organic farming starts with the nourishment of the soil, which leads to the nourishment of the plant and, ultimately, our palates.
Protect your children
The average child is exposed to four times as many cancer-causing pesticides in their daily lives compared to an adult. Organic food contains no carcinogenic pesticides.
Prevent Soil Erosion
The Soil Conservation Society estimates that more than 3 billion tons of topsoil is eroded from United States farmlands each year, and soil is eroding seven times faster than it is being built up naturally. In organic farming, soil is the foundation of the food chain as opposed to conventional farming where soil is merely used as a porous medium periodically saturated with unnatural chemical fertilizers and controlled with even deadlier pesticides, herbicides and fungicides.
Save Energy
Conventional farming methods have changed drastically in this century from small family farms to large-scale factory style farms, dependent upon fossil fuels. Typical modern farming uses more petroleum than any other single industry.
Keep chemicals off your plate
The FDA approved many pesticides before research linked them to chemicals that cause cancer and other diseases. Now the EPA considers 60% of all herbicides, 90% of all fungicides, and 30% of all insecticides to be carcinogenic. The bottom line is that pesticides are poisons made to kill living creatures, and can also be harmful to humans.
Protect farm workers’ health
A National Cancer Institute study showed that farmers exposed to chemical herbicides had a six times greater risk of contracting cancer than farmers who are not. The health of farm workers in developing countries is a serious issue, as pesticide use is poorly regulated.
Help small farmers
Most organic farms are independently owned and operated family farms.
Support a true economy
Superficially, organic foods might seem more expensive than conventional foods. Conventional food prices do not reflect hidden costs borne by the taxpayer in the form of subsidies. Other hidden costs include pesticide regulation and testing, hazardous waste disposal, and environmental damage.
Promote bio-diversity
"Mono-cropping" is the practice of planting large plots of land with the same crop year after year. Conventional farming uses this method exclusively. The lack of natural diversity of plant life has left the soil lacking in natural nutrients and minerals. To replace these lost nutrients which are necessary to farm, chemical fertilizers are often used. Single crops are also much more susceptible to pests, making farmers even more reliant on pesticides.

Organic farming encourages food production that nurtures our soil through the absence of pesticides and the presence of rich compost. The inherent commitment of organic farming to crop rotation, living soil, companion planting, rural enterprise, pure water and sustainable agriculture is, in itself, a critical step toward protecting our environment and our individual health. By buying organic, you provide a marketplace for growers who have made the future of our planet a top priority.

12 Foods That Should be Bought Organic:

Apples, Bell peppers, Carrots, Celery, Cherries, Grapes, Kale, Lettuce, Nectarines, Peaches, Pears, Strawberries.

15 Foods That Don’t Have to be Organic:

Asparagus, Avocado, Broccoli, Cabbage, Eggplant, Kiwi, Mango, Onion, Papaya, Pineapple, Sweet corn, Sweet peas, Sweet potatoes, Watermelon, Tomato.

The Benefits of Berries

The beauty of berries is that they taste good, are nutritional storehouses, plus they're low in calories. Here's a quick glance at their specific health-promoting properties:


Bilberry
Protects the heart, eyes and skin and also promotes healthy blood sugar levels. A concoction of the fruit is useful for treating diarrhea in children. Plus, bilberries' high anthocyanin content makes them a potentially valuable treatment for varicose veins, hemorrhoids and capillary fragility.


Blackberry
Protects the heart, helps tighten tissue, useful for mild infections. Blackberries are high in potassium, vitamin C and anthocyanins. A gargle made with blackberries may soothe a sore throat or mouth irritation. 


Blueberry
Packed with antioxidant phytonutrients called anthocyanidins, blueberries neutralize free radical damage to the collagen matrix of cells and tissues that can lead to cataracts, glaucoma, varicose veins, hemorrhoids, peptic ulcers, heart disease and cancer.  Animal studies  have found that blueberries help protect the brain from oxidative stress and may reduce the effects of age-related conditions such as Alzheimer's disease or dementia. Researchers found that diets rich in blueberries significantly improved both the learning capacity and motor skills of aging animals, making them mentally equivalent to much younger ones. They are loaded with potassium, fiber and vitamin C.


Cranberry
Contains bacteria-blocking compounds called tannins that are believed to promote urinary tract health. They may also be helpful in blocking the bacteria responsible for ulcers and gum disease. Studies show the active component pterostilbene in cranberries can help lower triglycerides and raise HDL cholesterol levels.


Elderberry
Helps rheumatism, diarrhea and erysipelas (a skin infection). Elderberries, which have high amounts of vitamin C, are nutritious and may be used as a mild laxative.


Raspberry
Research is suggesting that raspberries may have cancer protective properties. Animal research has suggested that raspberries have the potential to inhibit cancer cell proliferation and tumor formation in various parts of the body, including the colon. The leaves have been used to ease labor and relieve conjunctivitis. The fruit is loaded with potassium, ellagic acid, vitamin C and fiber.


Strawberry
Famous for being a rich source of phenols  (especially anthocyanin 2 and ellagitannins), The anthocyanins  serve as potent antioxidants shown to help protect cell structures in the body and prevent oxygen damage in the body's organ systems. Strawberries' unique phenol content offers protection against macular degeneration, heart disease, rheumatoid arthritis and cancer. 

Berries tend to be sprayed heavily with pesticides, so try to buy organic. Look for a four digit code on the sticker on the container -- codes starting with "9" indicate that the the berry is organic while codes starting with "4" are conventionally grown, while those starting with a 3 may be irradiated.


You can always buy supplements containing berry extracts. My favorite berry products are : Reds Hx, and BlueGranate Tx, which can be found at InVite Health.

The health benefits of chocolate

Hola from Playa del Carmen Mexico!  Recent research confirms what the Mayans already knew -- chocolate has some amazing health benefits.

• Contains essential vitamins and minerals

Chocolate contains essential trace elements and nutrients such as iron, calcium, phosphorus, potassium, and the vitamins A. B1, C, D, and E. Cocoa is the highest natural source of Magnesium. A diet high in this mineral protects against the symptoms of hypertension, diabetes, heart disease, joint problems and pre-menstrual tension. The drop in progesterone levels is mainly responsible for the mood swings associated with PMS. This drop in progesterone is significantly lessened by boosting magnesium in one's diet.

• High in antioxidants

Chocolate contains flavonoids. Flavonoids are part of a group of antioxidants known as polyphenols and are found naturally in foods such as tea, red wine, fruits and vegetables. Antioxidants are believed to neutralize or delay the processes that age to the body's cells and tissues. They attack the free radicals in our bloodstream, chemicals that cause damage to our cells, especially through oxidization. It should be noted that milk binds to antioxidants, inhibiting their absorption. Therefore, milk chocolate is not an antioxidant source (it is also higher in fat and calories). Also, avoid drinking milk with dark chocolate to get the full benefits of antioxidants.

• Good for cholesterol

Chocolate may also have a beneficial effect on cholesterol levels. It consists mainly of stearic acid, a neutral saturated fat that doesn't raise your bad cholesterol (LDL). The cocoa butter contains oleic, a mono-unsaturated fat like the kind found in olive oil, which may even raise good cholesterol (HDL) levels.

• Good for Cardiac Health

Recent research shows that the flavonoids in chocolate and cocoa actually encourage vascular wall improvement and the function of blood vessels. A Mayo Clinic report suggests that moderate amounts of dark chocolate may be used to reduce the risk of blood clots and platelet formation in the arteries that can lead to stroke - similar to low-dose aspirin.

• Chocolate as a mood enhancer

Contrary to myth, chocolate is not an aphrodisiac, but does contain small amounts of a chemical called phenylethylamine (PEA) that is a mild mood elevator. This is the happy chemical our brain naturally produces in response to elevated emotions like feelings of joy and love. Chocolate has also been shown to boost the neurotransmitter serotonin - our brains own antidepressant - as well as endorphin levels in the brain. Endorphins are what flood the brain during times of peak physical exertion, creating a sensation of permeating bliss, sometimes called "runners high".

My favorite sources of chocolate

• Dagoba chocolate bars -- pick the one that is 87% pure, 100% pure (if you like very bitter) or Xocolatl (74% with chiles added!)
• Cocoa Hx Powder -- from InVite Health
• Raw Cocoa beans -- from Whole Foods or Natural Frontier
• Roasted Cocoa beans -- from Ah Cacao, Playa del Carmen

What to avoid

• Milk chocolate -- milk binds to antioxidants, inhibiting their absorption
• Any chocolate with more than 15g of sugar per 2oz bar

Natural Frontier comes to Long Island City!

I have shopped at Natural Frontier for years while working in the city and am super excited to FINALLY have a good place to go and buy my groceries in LIC! A friend of mine once told me I get more excited about health food stores than I do about high - end couture stores! At Natural Frontier you can find anything from organic fruits and veggies, gluten free fare, natural shampoos, organic coffee, raw nuts, vitamins AND a fresh juice bar! They are also offering a 10% discount off your entire purchase until June 30!

 Items found in my cart at the grand opening of Natural Frontier include:

• Ezekiel sprouted grain english muffins
• Brad's organic peanut butter
• Brad's organic almond butter -- although Trader Joe's has an amazing raw almond butter 
• Organic raw cocoa beans
• Blue Diamond unsweetened vanilla almond milk
• Mary Gone Crackers (wheat/gluten free)
• Dagoba 87% dark chocolate & 74% xocolatl (chile and nibs)
• Organic gala apples

 My Dagoba dark chocolate is sounding really good right now.....Happy healthy shopping! 

What your face reveals

You wake up in the morning and look in the mirror and think “Where the heck did that pimple come from?" or "Why are my eyes so puffy?” You probably never thought that what you put in your body could end up on your face – well it can!  In fact, your face provides some of the best indicators of what’s happening with your health. Your face can be divided into three sections, each correlating to a different system in your body. 

Upper Region
Your forehead and eyebrow region correlates to your nervous system. Eating foods like candy, sugar, tropical fruits and alcohol can show up as redness, pimples and a rash in this area. If you see heavy vertical wrinkles above your nose and between your eyes this could indicate a problem with your liver.  Watch your salt, animal fat and alcohol intake. While heavy horizontal wrinkles on your forehead could indicate a problem with circulation. You should watch your consumption of excess liquids, especially drinks with chemicals or alcohol. Eating more whole grains, green/root vegetables, drinking enough water, avoiding processed foods and decreasing caffeine are recommended.

Lower Region

Your mouth and chin region correlates to the digestive system.  The chin is related to the functioning of the kidneys, gall bladder and reproductive organs. If there are pimples or blemishes in the chin region, this indicates an accumulation of fat and hormonal imbalance in the reproductive organs. Eating foods that contain excessive salt, animal fats, beef and processed lunch meats can contribute to pimples in this area.

Middle Region

Your cheeks and jowls correlate to your circulatory system. The organs that dominate this region are the heart and the lungs. Kidneys, stomach and liver reflect in areas around the eyes.

If the lungs are healthy, this reflects in healthy, clear, rosy cheeks. Shallow skin in this area indicates lung’s congestion or poor oxygen levels.   In order to improve the skin in this area, according to face reading experts, you can:  Stop smoking, reduce or eliminate greasy and fatty foods, and eliminate trans fats or hydrogenated oils.  Eating more green leafy vegetables, especially cruciferous veggies such as broccoli and cauliflower can help.  Try to exercise or walk daily to eliminate toxins from your body.

The eye bags are related to the kidneys. Swelling or deep circles occur when the kidneys are weak or overtaxed.  Smokers, heavy dairy eaters, people going through hormonal changes are prone to breakouts or puffiness in this region. To improve the kidney function, it is recommended to reduce or eliminate alcohol, coffee and sodas, and drink more water.

The nose is associated with the heart. If the bulb of the nose is red and swollen, this indicates the heart is overworked and there may be a genetic predisposition to a heart condition. To have a healthy heart, eat less saturated fats found in dairy and meats, eliminate trans fats (often found in fast food and processed foods) and eat more vegetables and whole grains. Exercise daily and reduce stress. 

Whenever I get a pimple on a certain part of my face, it always relates to the “right” wrong food.  Too many glasses of wine and you’ll see the puffy eyes for sure – top it off with a piece of cheese and yup that’s a pimple on my cheek!  Now you too can try and figure out what your face is trying to tell you. And don’t get too obsessed with puffiness here and there – it doesn’t necessarily mean you have a heart condition, but simply that a particular organ may not be as strong or that you have a genetic predisposition to a sensitivity in that organ.

Why do we need vitamins and supplements?

Friends and family always looked surprised when they open my cupboards to see shelves of different vitamins or super foods and ask why I take all these different pills? Food supplements are a necessary part of any serious health building program, for the following reasons:

• To compensate for an inborn error of metabolism that makes humans incapable of manufacturing their own Vitamin C internally
• To compensate for nutrient losses in our foods due to mineral depletion of the soil
• To compensate for the uneven distribution of nutrients in our natural food supply
• To replace nutrients lost during food transportation, storage, processing, preserving and cooking
• To respond to the extra nutritional demands created by junk foods, refined sugar, alcohol, caffeine and drugs
• To help support the body against stress, pollution, and demanding lifestyles
• To compensate for inadequate physical activity
• To compensate for digestive weakness and/or unusually high needs for specific nutrients required by 'biochemical individuality'
• To help counteract the nutrient depleting activity of prescription and over-the-counter drugs
• To achieve superior nutritional health and not merely the absence of disease

Welcome to my blog!

Hi everyone - welcome to my blog! First, let me tell you a bit about myself. I have been a nutritional consultant for more than ten years and am passionate about helping my clients reach their health goals. I take a personalized holistic approach to working with my clients, including both diet and exercise. I like to incorporate my own life experiences into the advice I share, including cuisine I have experienced while traveling to Japan, Thailand, Mexico and Europe. My goal is to make healthy eating fun and exciting.  I am a Registered Holistic Nutritionist and graduated from the Canadian School of Natural Nutrition and University of Toronto. I have been featured in articles, appeared on television, published several articles on nutrition and am a consultant to SoulFit.com


On my blog, you can read firsthand about several health topics including: tips for improving your health and staying motivated, recipes, restaurant reviews and information about vitamins and supplements. 


Check back weekly to see what's up in the world of health and nutrition! And check out my website at www.SimoneGloger.com.


- Simone