The Benefits of Sesame Oil (Part 3): From My Nose to Your Ears!

If I had to pick one body part to beat up West Side Story-style, it would be my nose. 

Let's see... where do I start? 

As a child, I would be sitting in class, minding my own business, when suddenly my history book would be covered in blood. Seriously, nose? A little warning, maybe? Sometimes, these incidences were so bad that I had to make an impromptu trip to the doctor to get my nose cauterized (if you don't know what that is, consider yourself lucky).

So that's how our relationship began.

Then, after a few years of peace and quiet, my nose decided to bust loose on me again, just actin' a fool - this time in the form of allergies. I was allergic to EVERYTHING - grass, pollen, dogs, cats, rabbits, mold, dust, boys (j/k... that was just the cooties) - you name it, it was on the list. As a result, my mother was forced to buy me hypoallergenic stuffed animals and keep me away from rabbit fur coats, which were all the rave in 3rd grade, by the way. 

Dear Nose,

I don't like you one bit. 

Love, Lauren.

Because constant barrage by my own body is really not my bag, I have been on a lifelong hunt to find a natural solution, and guess what? In keeping with the theme of sesame oil, I may have found just that!

Image via satmya.ie

Nasya, is an Ayurvedic remedy for nasal cleansing. The nose is the gateway to your head, so it's no surprise that systematic Nasya practice would have all sorts of benefits pertaining to your noggin'. You perform Nasya with plain, natural sesame oil (not the type you find in your average Asian grocery). If you have a local health food store, you may even be able to find a medicated oil infused with herbs. As far as the technique goes,  store the sesame oil in a glass jar with a dropper. When you're ready for treatment, warm up the oil in a hot water bath. When the oil is warm (not hot, that would hurt), tilt your head back, insert 2-3 drops per nostril and spend a few minutes inhaling deeply so that the oil can penetrate the sinus cavity. 

Image via yourdictionary.com

Seeing as how I'm usually pressed for time though, it's also effective (though slightly less so) to dip a Q-tip into the sesame oil and rub it on the inside of each nostril, inhaling as you go. It's as simple as that.

Ok, so now that we've covered the specifics, let's talk about why you would ever consider sniffing sesame oil. Nasya therapy is said to treat congestion, headaches, allergies, fatigue, insomnia, puffy eyes, dark circles, snoring, anxiety and other stress-related problems. Nasya also goes hand-in-hand with a regular yoga practice because it has a strong positive effect on concentration and meditation. But most importantly, proponents of Nasya therapy claim that it's an instant dose of 'happiness'.

Who doesn't want that?

So while I can't claim that one week's worth of Nasya therapy has changed my life, I can offer this information up to you, in hopes that we can change our lives (and sinuses) together. 

Honestly, I'd just be happy if my nose and I could call a truce.

C'mon, sesame oil! Work your magic.

Kiss and Makeup: My Take On Natural Cosmetics!

Image via luxuo.com

Being a girl is hard. Being a girl is impossible. There's just so much to do! Shave! Exfoliate! Moisturize! Wax! Conceal! Powder! Paint! Blowdry! Hairspray! I mean, I'm exhausted and that's not even the extent of it. On top of the time-consuming morning routine, we have more products to choose from than Marilyn Monroe had men (in case you weren't aware, that's a handsome array). Products that promise us 12-inch long lashes, skin as soft as a baby's bottom and fine lines that disappear overnight... what are we to believe? It's hard enough wading through the advertising circus without having to worry about products being safe and non-toxic.

That's where I come in. After researching for and writing February's post 'The Ugly Side of Beauty: What's Really In Your Makeup?' about the dangers of conventional cosmetics, I decided it was my duty to you (and to myself!) to explore some new makeup brands. And if you'll allow me, I'd like to give you my humble opinion on a few of the products. I am no expert, but hopefully my initial feedback can help point you in the right direction as you start your own quest for safe, effective beauty products.

DR. HAUSCHKA - Let me start by saying that I was really excited about this line. Many ladies on the Hollywood scene sing the praises for Dr. Hauschka products, including Julia Roberts and Madonna, and while I know that's not the best indication of a product's effectiveness, it DOES make one feel more glamorous and justified when paying $30 for pressed powder (in my defense, I had an Amazon.com giftcard). But being that I spent that much on powder, I had REALLY high expectations. The company uses only natural botanical preservatives (without chemical additives) and their ingredients are grown biodynamically, organically and ethically. To me, this little experiment stood to be a great leap for womankind (or for me, at least).

Sadly, I learned a hard lesson. While a product may be 'all natural', that doesn't necessarily guarantee that you won't have an allergic reaction to it's natural ingredients. Nature is full of allergens and unfortunately, my sensitive skin did not enjoy this experiment. It turned itchy, red and blotchy. Then to make matters worse, because I was using an array of new products, I wasn't able to pinpoint the culprit. I'm only blaming Dr. Hauschka because there seems to be a correlation between the powder and the condition of my skin... also, my massive Google search on allergic reactions to Dr. Hauschka products led me to this conclusion.

While the powder was certainly destructive, the concealer and mascara did the job, though without any fanfare. Don't expect there to be a wide array of color options. The lightest concealer option was still too dark for my snow white skin. I blame winter in New York.

FAERIE ORGANIC - My experience with Faerie Organic has been much more positive! First of all, the price point is completely reasonable ($18.50 for powder foundation) AND you can buy small sample kits for a fraction of the price before committing to the whole kitten caboodle (they so graciously sent me a free sample kit for the purpose of this experiment). This is clearly the way of the future...do you have any idea how much money I've wasted on the wrong shade? Surprisingly, I found most of their shades to be completely compatible with my skin tone and their mineral powder foundation did a great job of covering up the disaster area that Dr. Hauschka left behind (sorry, Dr. Hauschka). The  only caveat I can find is the trail of powder that inevitably gets left behind when you use powder foundation. But hey, while my bathroom counter suffered a bit, my skin seemed to like it! Oh... and how could I forget? Makeup artist Erin Mincks started the line to provide an alternative to the standard, toxic makeup on the market. Faerie Organic products are made from 100% pure mineral ingredients, as the company believes that a holistic approach to beauty is the only approach. When you're free of toxins on the inside, your natural radiance will shine through. Looks like there's hope for me yet!

EOS - I bought some EOS (Evolution of Smooth) lip balm on a whim while standing in a ridiculously long line at Whole Foods. Best decision ever. The lip balm is all natural and organic, and comes in so many good flavors that it's hard to choose - Strawberry Sorbet, Summer Fruit, Sweet Mint, Honeysuckle Honeydew, Medicated Tangerine and Lemon Drop. I went with the Sweet Mint and spent the next 24 hours applying it whenever I got the chance - not because it wore off quickly, but because the cute little pot made it so fun to apply.

Moral of the story? You should definitely use caution when using conventional cosmetics because of their toxicity dangers BUT you should also be careful when choosing a natural brand. Reading the ingredient list, and more importantly the reviews, can save you a lot of money and heartache... oh, and a day spent looking like a pre-pubescent boy.

...fun stuff when you're 29 years old.

Bonus trip - Organic beet root powder for your cheeks! It makes a great blush AND the bag's so huge you'll never run out! Order on Amazon.com or find at your local health food store.

Jammin' in the Kitchen: A Beet So Sweet!

Image courtesy of sunwarrior.com

Now don't think for a second that I didn't want to title this post 'Just Beet It' (I do love my Michael Jackson). But today's title was a bit more appropriate because beets are indeed sweet - satisfying any sweet tooth AND simultaneously providing you with amazing health benefits. They're quite the package deal! 

Beets originated along the Mediterranean and quickly spread throughout the world. This root vegetable, which comes in many lovely varieties (red, yellow, white... even red with white swirls), was used by the ancient Romans for its natural healing properties, in addition to its aphrodisiac properties. Like I said... quite the two-fer! 

In his book Food Rules, Michael Pollan says to 'Eat Your Colors'. What better way to do this than by adding the beautiful beet to your diet? Here's why you should just 'beet it'! (Ok, ok! I couldn't help myself!)...

Nature's Anti-Depressant - The tryptophan in beets helps to relax the mind and improve mental well-being. Plus beets are full of betaine, which is already used as a treatment for depression! I'll take my happy pill in the form of a beet, please!

Nature's Viagra - I'll cut right to the chase on this one. Beets have a high amount of boron, a trace mineral which aids in the production of human sex hormones. But that's not all, folks! The nitrate in beets helps to increase blood flow to the genital areas. Really, who wants to pay for Viagra (or therapy) when the answer can easily be found in the grocery aisle?!

Nature's Medicine - Beets are packed with vitamins and minerals - potassium, magnesium, fiber, phosphorus, iron, vitamin A, vitamin B, vitamin C, and beta-carotene, just to name a few. Plus the antioxidants in beets help fight chronic inflammation that could possibly lead to major health issues down the road, including cancer. Beets provide the perfect nutrient cocktail - one you don't have to feel guilty about throwing back with your friends!

Nature's 'Mama Bear' - As I've said before, natural folate is much preferable to taking a folic acid supplement, and beets are full of folate! Folate helps to protect the body's DNA, while also ensuring that your unborn baby arrives on the scene with no neural tube defects! That's a win-win, my friends!

Nature's Red Bull - Step away from the energy drinks! I have your answer right here! The nitrates in beets, which are converted to nitric oxide in the body, work to expand the walls of your blood vessels, allowing you more oxygen and more energy! Plus, beets are 'smart carbs', meaning that though they are high in sugar, they are low in calories. The sugar in a beet provides you with long-lasting energy without spiking your blood sugar levels, thanks to the fiber content that goes along with it. Eat a beet with your lunch and you'll be in business all afternoon (without even touching a Red Bull)!

So you see? Nature has a funny way of providing you with all the things you need to feel well! I like my beets in juice form or on a salad. Here's a simple recipe for a Massaged Kale and Beet Green Salad...

Grab your ingredients. One beet will be enough for a few servings, and the smaller the beet, the faster it cooks.

Trim the stem off 1 beet and rinse lightly under cool water to get any excess dirt off.

Place the beet in a saucepan of water and bring to a boil. Once the water is boiling, reduce the heat to medium and let
the water do its job.  A medium size beet will cook about 45 minutes.

Don't waste the beet greens! Wash and trim them while your beet cooks.

Then slice them into ribbons.

Now wash and pat the kale dry. Separate the leaves from the stems and chop into ribbons.

Check that hot beet out... it truly looks like Love Potion #9 in there!

In a large mixing bowl, combine the kale and beet greens. Drizzle lightly with extra virgin olive oil.

Now squeeze a lemon into the mix. Use just one half of it if you're making 2 servings. Use the whole lemon
if you're feeding a hungry family. At this point you can also sprinkle it with a little sea salt and pepper.

Now massage the mixture for 2-3 minutes until the leaves turn a darker shade of green. The salad will also
shrink a bit in size. Massaging the greens helps to activate more nutrients AND makes the raw greens a little
less bitter and tough.

Your beet is done when you can stick a fork in it easily. Remove it from the saucepan and transfer it to a bowl
of cold water. Gently rub the skin and it will come right off!

Now slice that beautiful beet...

...and add it to your salad. I also added toasted pumpkin seeds but any type of seed would compliment
this salad well (sunflower seeds, pecans, almonds, pine nuts)! Drizzle with your dressing of choice or whisk
the following together for a light yet tasty dressing: 1 shallot finely chopped, 1 1/2 Tbs. olive oil,
1 1/2 Tbs. balsamic vinegar, 1 Tbs. Dijon mustard, 1/2 tsp. garlic powder and sea salt
and black pepper to taste.

Label-Reading 101: Odwalla and Naked Brands

Image courtesy of thebrokins.com

A few years ago, I worked as a real estate agent on the Upper East Side. I started my day at 9 am and sometimes didn't leave work until 9 pm. Clients would meet me at my office, but by the end of our appointment, I'd find myself halfway across the city in Tribeca, Harlem or the Upper West Side. Having lunch at a specific time each day was just not an option, and I often found myself grabbing food on the fly because 1) I needed to close the deal quickly (NYC real estate is right up there with 'The Amazing Race') or because 2) I was experiencing a major blood sugar crash, leaving me with no energy to bust it to my next appointment and make that money, honey.

Most of my lunches on the fly were an Odwalla Brand protein smoothie or a Naked Brand juice (That's right, I didn't even have time to chew). Yes, they were expensive (as a drink alone), but if you considered them a meal, they were quite affordable. I justified it and chugged those drinks like it was my job, feeling especially proud of myself for choosing something so healthy when I could have easily opted for the fast food option.

I should have saved the self-praise for another day. Odwalla and Naked are not horrible for you in the grand scheme of things, but if you take time to look at the labels, you'll notice a few things...

1) The nutrition label can be deceptive. The label for Naked usually reflects 1 serving size, when there are often 2 servings in the bottle. In essence, you have to double everything listed. This is a Naked issue, more so than Odwalla. Take a look at Naked's Blue Machine label (taken from their website www.nakedjuice.com). If you are drinking this along with a meal (which I can only assume many people are), you're adding 340 calories to your meal (almost enough calories to equal a light meal).

Image courtesy of nakedjuice.com

2) Much of the fiber is lost when processed into the drink form. When you consider how many fruits and vegetables are included in one bottle, you'll be disheartened to see how low the fiber content is in comparison. Fiber plays a major role in making you feel full. So if you're using this as a meal replacement, then you'll probably find yourself hungry shortly thereafter, causing you to consume more calories by having another snack or an additional meal.

3) These drinks are PACKED with sugar. Yes, it is natural sugar derived directly from the fruit itself (vs. the big bad alternative, processed sugar), but that still doesn't make it healthy to consume that much sugar in one sitting. At 40 grams per 12 oz. bottle, Odwalla's C Monster Smoothie packs more sugar than a can of Coke (39 grams per 12 oz. bottle). Granted, it's not processed sugar, but your body won't notice the difference. You'll get the same sugar rush, followed by the same hard crash afterwards. 

Image courtesy of littlemagpie.org

4) If you're not a fan of big corporations, you'll be disappointed to hear that Naked is a subsidiary of Pepsi and Odwalla is a subsidiary of Coke. They put out products that are wrapped in 'good-for-you' labels, but at the same time have no problem producing drinks that are completely lacking in nutritional content and natural ingredients. Now, don't get me wrong, I love a good Diet Coke every once in awhile (I am from the company's hometown after all), but even I can recognize that Coke and other soda products are not that good for you - bottom line.

Image courtesy of kulturekritic.com

Before I come off as a raving lunatic, I'd like to point out that I WOULD recommend these drinks in a few specific situations...

1) If you hate vegetables and absolutely refuse to eat your fruit in its natural form, I'd suggest these drinks as a last resort to get the nutrients that your body needs. These drinks provide a decent variety of the vitamins that your system requires to function, and they are an easy, on-the-go option for those who need a fast, non-messy alternative to eating actual fruit and vegetables.

2) If you have a sugar craving after dinner but don't want to indulge in the usual cookies, ice cream or cake, I can support drinking a few sips of Naked or Odwalla. It will appease your sweet tooth in a healthier way, keeping you from the processed ingredients and empty calories of a traditional dessert. 

My point is this: Be aware of what you are consuming and consume with moderation. These drinks are not ALL bad, but they are definitely over-indulgent and should be 'rationed' accordingly.

I'll get off my soapbox now before Coke and Pepsi come looking for me.