Thursday, April 26, 2012

Reverse the Aging Process with Growth Factors

Your skin is a remarkable organ in that it can heal, regenerate, and grow cells. Adjunct treatment to aid in this process would be a great quality growth factor for the skin.
Growth factors play a special role in your skin's ability to rejuvenate damage caused to the skin from regular aging to photo/sun damage. What person over 40 doesn't want to reverse the aging process?

Growth factors are special proteins that help regulate growth and increase activity of skin cells. When reputable companies that have done their medical and scientific research produce growth factor serums you will be able to see the data and compare what qualities you are looking for in a product.
These growth factors act to stabilize and maintain healthy skin structure. Important when you consider that at age 30-35 collagen production begins to decrease. This is when women and men start to see fine lines and wrinkles of the face, neck, chest, hands. More susceptible areas of the skin where they are the thinnest and sun exposed to boot!

Skin Medica's TNS Recovery Complex is one of thee best proven serum growth factors. It has a balanced formula of over 100 growth factors and antioxidants. It is oil free, alcohol free, & has penetration enhancers. It is a potent formula that stimulates collagen formation. The result?
How about less fine lines and wrinkles, brightening of the skin, firming the texture and tone of the skin on the face and neck?

Benev, Neo Cutis are two other companies with well known growth factor products that produce results.
Finally, remember that no product will help your skin unless you limit your sun exposure, use a daily sunscreen of spf 50 or greater, and eliminate tanning beds from your routine. And for next time think about your age and if you have ever considered a full skin exam!
Enjoy the sun responsibly! It's how the new 40 looks like 30......

Mint Julep is not just for drinking!

So on the Sweet side, we are featuring a Kentucky Derby Cookie. The Mint Julep will be available during the month of May at MiaDolezza.com! It's a butter cookie that has Maker's Mark Bourbon marinated pecans... The crushed pecans are soaked in the bourbon and incorporated into the special bourbon butter cookie dough. After the cookie is baked, while still warm, it is coated in a real vanilla bean and mint glaze. So far, nothing but good reviews.

Wednesday, April 11, 2012

To bruise or not to bruise?

Purpura, the Latin word meaning purple. It relates to small hemorrhages underneath the skin due to an injury. So are you wondering how to prevent such things as a bruise? Say from a small procedure such as fillers or Botox? Or how to get rid of a bruise 24 hours after you find that one developed?

Arnica Montana is a homeopathic remedy used for 3-4 days prior to small procedures done on the face. It is safe and has been used since the 1500's. You can use this topically in a cream, tiny pills by mouth, and even in a salve. Arnica is also used to soothe muscle aches, to reduce inflammation, and applied to more superficial wounds to hasten healing.

Of course you should check with your doctor first prior to taking this homeopathic preparation.

Boiron is a very good brand if you are looking into trying this remedy for small procedures like Botox. If you are preparing yourself for plastic surgery of any kind on the face or body-try a brand called SINECCHi  purchase 2 packages and start them at least one week ahead of time. It is made by Alpine Pharmaceuticals.

Another way to rid yourself of a "fresh bruise", one received within 24 hours, is to use a Pulsed Dye Laser to the site. One treatment and you will see the area begins to heal within 2-4 hours and continue to improve over the next few days. You can have this done at select laser centers where you live.

Lastly, you can eat fresh pineapple 1-2 days prior to procedures. And the day of the procedure. (1 whole pineapple in 3 days). Pineapple contains a natural anti-inflammatory called bromelain. Bromelain should not be used if undergoing surgery; it could actually increase your risk of bleeding. And you shouldn't take it along with anticoagulant medicines or antibiotics.
An ounce of prevention....

Saturday, April 7, 2012

Antioxidants aren't just for breakfast anymore!

When you think of antioxidants, what is the first thing that comes to your mind? If you said vitamin C you are on the right path. Think of antioxidants as a nutrient you need inside and out.

Let's start with the inside. Blueberries, oranges, pomegranate, strawberries....You get the point.
By ingesting any of these in a smoothie, juicing, in steel cut oatmeal, ...your body can increase its defense against disease, infection, stress, outside environmental stressors(pollution..). But, the easiest way is to take 500-1000mg a day of vitamin C. The studies are all positive when it comes to taking
vitamin C.
Now if you want to talk about the outside, I am speaking of your skin. Your face, neck, and
decolletage. Great antioxidants of medical grade can actually start to increase the amount of moisture in your skin. They can decrease fine lines and wrinkles. They could also decrease the amount of pigment that is produced in cases like melasma.(hyperpigmentation due to hormones, pregnancy, photo damage).
My Top 2:
1. Prevage MD-This product has Idebenone. Thee strongest antioxidant on the market. This product will leave your skin glowing. The MD brand can only be bought in a doctor's office. If you purchase this at the Elizabeth Arden counter it will cost you more and the percentage of Idebenone decreases by half. You would apply this every am before your sunscreen/moisturizer and every night at bedtime before your retinol/moisturizer. Some people are sensitive to this product. Ask for a sample to try before purchasing and apply a little dab along the lower jawline over night to see how your skin reacts to this product.
2. Skin Medica Vitamin C & E is also a great product. It feels silky going on and your skin feels smooth and looks fantastic after application every am. Easily tolerated by all skin types. This product is one that will be loved by all.
Antioxidants will put moisture back into the skin. Encourage collagen stimulation. Decrease fine lines and wrinkles, & decrease the amount of melanin/pigment made by the skin. This is a win/win product. Women as well as men will benefit from this topical. Just remember to follow through with a good sunscreen daily to compliment your regimen in keeping your skin glowing and beautiful!

Tuesday, April 3, 2012

Squash Spring Sweet Potato Yumminess

Thought I'd take a break from the baking to give a fun cooking recipe that my family and friends really enjoyed eating.....

Butternut squash/Sweet potato casserole

Ingredients: 10oz cut up butternut squash, 4 sweet potatoes peeled, cut into same size as squash. 6-8oz shredded fontina cheese, 8oz Greek yogurt plain, olive oil 2-3tbsp, butter, Romano cheese4-6oz, heavy cream 1/2c, garlic, Mural of Spices(Penzey's), Greek seasoning(Penzey's).
Butter a glass 9x11 baking dish, place squash and sweet potatoes in pan. Put heavy cream, Romano cheese, yogurt, spices in blender pulse a few times, salt to taste.  Pour over the top. Then add fontina cheese over the top. Add more spices if desired. Bake at 350 degrees. Cover with foil for the for the first half(20-20min), then remove foil. Cook addl. 20-25 min until vegetables are tender and casserole is browned. Goes great with Grilled pork chops, steak, chicken...
Let me know if you try it and if you like it. Bon appetit!

Ahhhhh Super Sonic Soft Skin

Clarisonic -This is something that I think everyone should own. All you grown as people-I'm talking to you! The Clarisonic Skin Cleansing System uses a sonic frequency to soften and smooth the skin.
This incredible little device has about 300 movements/second and takes only 60 seconds to clean your entire face. The claim is that it removes 6x more makeup and removes 2x more oil and dirt than traditional cleansing or the new makeup remover cloths. Any topical Cosmeceutical will be better absorbed by exfoliating skin with this technology. A great product would be one that contains a growth factor to stimulate collagen. Skin Medica TNS, Benev Growth Factor to name 2!
For anyone who is interested in taking a little more interest in their skin care, this is for you. I found that it made my skin softer and smoother in just a few uses. With using a Vitamin C topical in the morning and a retinol cream in the evening at bedtime, I have noticed my skin has really brightened up after 2 weeks of use. The skin around my eyes has a definite improvement, and my pores appear smaller, (Nothing will shrink pores except a laser resurfacing treatment).
Now let's talk about the body brush! Holy schamolians! It's awesome. What woman doesn't want softer arms, the ability to improve texture on the neck, and to be delicate enough to use on the decolletage? Then after showering just rinse off the brush heads and put the Clarisonic in the charger. And now you are ready to apply a cream to your body like Nivea Firming, Jergens Firming...Ahhh soft and pretty. I think even the guys will like this!
All fun things to love the skin your in! That's skintastic!!!! Have a great night.

Monday, April 2, 2012

Butter or margerine?

Butta of course!
Anyone who bakes knows that butter makes it all better(in everything!). Today was an all day event. 20 dozen cookies baked and ready to be drizzled, dipped, frosted, decorated for orders.

A new cookie recipe I played with today was a sugar cookie. Big deal you say? Hmmmm, maybe when they are done I will take a picture and post it for you to see how pretty they are and how yummy they look. The difference with this cookie was that I filled them with marshmallow lemon buttercream. Then dusted them with a little powder sugar. Nice light type of cookie for the warmer seasons. We shall see what the masses(family/friends) have to say after they sample one or two.

Another experiment was the dark chocolate espresso orange cookie, white chocolate drizzle with a dusting of dutch cocoa.  Next on my list will be a lime margarita cookie with a sour apple glaze!

Sweet dreams everyone!