Can Salmon Save Your Skin???

Hi Everyone!

Ok... A girlfriend of mine was reading Dr. Perricone's book on healthy aging and she was excitedly telling me that I should be eating salmon. Ok.... As I listened with interest, I couldn't exactly match her enthusiasm because I didn't know if I could believe a man who says his $200 per ounce serum is the best because Oprah uses it. Hmmmm..... Oprah has a gazillion dollars to test any product she chooses and this man has about a gazillion dollars from selling $200 serum! Do I jump up and down? Not yet.

So as I always do, I did a little research... Seems as though, some of the good doctor's information is supported by American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. In the Journal's April 2009 issue, researchers followed the eating habits of more than 1,100 Australian adults for approximately five years and found that those who ate a little more than 5 ounces of omega-3-rich fish—such as salmon and tuna—each week decreased the development of precancerous skin lesions by almost 30 percent. These lesions called actinic keratoses and are a common sign of chronic sun damage which could lead to skin cancer if left untreated.

Now... Is the post about Dr. Perricone? Not at all... I have no check coming in the mail for saying this, but he has been quite vocal regarding the amazing skin protecting properties of salmon. Now as far as the expensive serum? Ask Oprah.

Anyway... So the next time you plan that relaxing day in the sun, don't forget to pack your sunscreen and it couldn't hurt to finish the day with a great salmon dinner!

Can't eat salmon? Tuna works well; and if all else fails, you can buy omega 3 oils in pill form... Protect your body... Protect your skin!

Until Next Time,
Shermaine

Honey -- Not just for your tea!

Hey Everyone,

Honey has long been considered as the premier natural sweetener.  I love it and it's pretty much all I use for my loose leaf tea.  But recently honey has popped up in different skin care products...  Wonder why?  I will tell you.

Honey is amazing for the skin!  Not only does it contain the usual suspects like glucose and sucrose (which is why it's sweet), it also contains Vitamin B5 (Provitamin B5 is a premier ingredient in many of those expensive skin serums on the market).

The properties of honey when applied to skin through products, allows the skin to retain moisture and honey actually nourishes the skin!   I'm actually in the process of formulating a body scrub using honey (keep a look out for it! -- Hey... A girl's got a company to run!)

Be on the lookout for products using honey, but be CAREFUL.  Watch for those parabens!  Doesn't make sense to pay the extra money for the natural goodness of honey in your products and have it contain those dangerous parabens!

Until next time,
Shermaine

Lovely Lavender

Hey Everyone!

I know a lot of us use Lavender for its scent -- either in our baths or in clothes or as a great air freshener.  Matter of fact, my company Desert Sierra Naturals uses lavender in my Sleepy Nite Nite Sea Kelp Bath Salts for its relaxing properties.

But did you know that it's actually great for your skin?  Let me explain...

Lavender is an antiseptic and has amazing anti-inflammatory properties.  It was used in hospitals during World War I to heal cuts and burns.  It's great in baths as a means of helping reduce and eliminate skin boils (the irritating kind that shows up on your bottom) -- sorry for being graphic.

Lavender is also great -- when properly diluted (I'll tell you how to in a minute) as a great facial oil for those with problem skin (I use it on my son's skin - 17 years old, with acne -- you know..)

Please be careful when it comes to using Lavender essential oils however.  I've seen on some websites where they say it's ok to use it directly on your skin.  It's NOT!  You NEED to dilute the oil in a carrier oil.  I prefer Jojoba Oil because of how great it is for my eczema.  However, Sweet Almond Oil works well too.  You can even place a couple of drops in your favorite natural lotion.

There are many different types of Lavender and the cost of the essential oil can vary from inexpensive to very expensive.  However, the healing properties of Lavender grown in the US are the same as French Lavender and is much less expensive! 

So head out to your local natural foods market or your favorite natural ingredients website and give it a try.

Til Next Time,
Shermaine