You Say Tomato

Tomatoes: Not Just for Bloody Marys!!

By Bee Lindquist

Tomatoes are they fruit or vegetable? This argument has been around for ages. The truth is they are a fruit. Mostly the tomato is a super-food. Not that it wears a cape and is able to leap buildings in a single bound, but in a “makes you healthy” way.

Photo courtesy of http://www.vegac.com/

One of the most well known tomato eating benefit is its Lycopene content. Lycopene is a vital anti-oxidant that has been known to fight cancerous cell formation.

Free radicals in the body can be flushed out with high levels of Lycopene, and the tomato is amply loaded with this vital anti-oxidant. The rich redness in color of the tomato actually comes from the nutrient.

Our bodies do not naturally produce Lycopene yet the human body requires this anti-oxidant. Lycopene While other fruits and vegetables do contain this necessary health ingredient, no other fruit or vegetable has the high concentration of Lycopene.

Tomatoes are chock full of anti-oxidants which combat the signs of aging. They help reduce the amount of free radicals in your body which helps maintain the support system necessary for your skin and hair. They also help your body retain moisture, especially during times of the year when artificial climate control like heaters and air conditioners are running.

These machines can dry out your body and skin, but eating a tomato daily can help you keep your water level stable. That doesn’t mean you should pass on the regular water, though; it’s still important to drink about 8 glasses a day.

You don’t have to eat a bowl full of tomatoes, one a day will do. You can also have a refreshing glass of tomato juice with a little sprinkle of cayenne to keep you refreshed.


Remember daily consumption of a tomato will give you a rosy complexion and help keep you healthy, so don’t pass them up!

A Spa Retreat At Home

How to Create Your Own Home Spa Retreat
by Patricia Eggers

Relaxation techniques are unique and specific for each person. Purchase items that will be used by you for your pampering needs only. Buy in limited amounts so that you can test what works into your needs. Many times, you can obtain from a skin care professional, facial masques and trial sizes for little or no cost and are available for you to try out before you buy in larger quantities.

Using your senses will help create your space so that you can relax and enjoy the time you have put aside. Aromatherapy, though, is not for everyone. Some people have allergies to the scent of certain aromas. This is your body’s way of telling you that a certain scent is not for you! Test each scent and you will find the one that achieves your goal. People with kidney issues, pregnant women, or any other major health issue should first consult their doctor and/or an Aromatherapist. Lavender is a great all around scent that is relaxing and is generally safe for all to use. This is very relaxing to use in the evening before bed. Chamomile is another scent that is great before bed. Enjoy a cup of Chamomile tea while relaxing in a lavender bath! Use Chamomile tea bags as a compress on your skin to calm irritated skin.

Picture courtesy of heavyonhealth.com

Light and sounds can add to your session and stimulate or calm you down. In the morning, make sure you have a lot of fresh air and natural lighting, listening to happy tunes. In the evening, use dim candlelight and soft lighting and listen to soft music or a cd specifically playing spa music. Music should be relaxing and in the background, not overly stimulating. Set the stage for your ultimate spa treatment.

Giving yourself a steam facial with essential oils is fantastic and takes about 5 minutes to prepare and 5 minutes to do, resulting in hours of enjoyment. Cleanse your face with a gentle cleanser while the water is safely heating up. Boil the water and pour into a large bowl. Add essential oils to the water. Some suggestions: for dry skin, try geranium, rose or sandalwood. For sensitive skin, try jasmine, lavender or roman chamomile. For the mature skin care, try sage, geranium or lavender. Fresh lemon and cinnamon is refreshing and can be used for both evening or morning. Squeeze the lemon and drop the entire fruit into the bowl and add ½ teaspoon of cinnamon into the bowl. Place the bowl of water with your choice of oil and place the heavy towel over your head and the bowl to make a nice tent. Take nice, deep breathes for 5-10 minutes. Complete your session with your moisturizer or try a small amount of olive or avocado oil and massage in.

Using ingredients you already have can be a low cost way of feeling like you stepped into a spa retreat. Listen to your body when it comes to the frequency of different techniques, like body scrubs for example, and how to incorporate them into your weekly routine.

An example of a ‘spa treatment’ that you can do on a weekly basis starts with a nice warm bath and relaxing music. Prepare the area by collecting all the things necessary for your session so that it will be uninterrupted bliss!

You will need:
Two wash cloths
A rolled towel for your neck
A large towel or robe to wrap yourself in when you are finished
Exfoliating Body Scrub (recipes below or a recommendation from your skin care professional)
Relax for 5-10 minutes in your tub. Start exfoliating by lifting each part of your body out of the water and gently using circular motions with the product of choice until your body, from the neck to your toes, has been exfoliated. Rinse well. Pat dry and apply a heavy moisturizer or oil over your entire body. Wrap yourself in a warm towel or a robe. This has such great health benefits for skin.
Some recipes to try!
Exfoliating Body Scrub
Mix 1 tablespoon of coarse salt
2 tablespoons of either oil (olive, walnut, avocado, vegetable) or yogurt
1 tablespoon of honey
A squeeze of lemon or 2-3 drops of sweet marjoram, rose, sweet fennel or juniper oils or chopped rose petals. Essential oils can be found at reputable health food stores.
Exfoliating Oatmeal SockFill a clean old sock/stocking with 1 cup oatmeal
Let it soak in the tub with you until it softens, then scrub your body with it
Gentle ExfoliateAdd ¼-½ cup of Apple Cider Vinegar to your bath
Pampering is meant to be a special, out of the ordinary way of rejuvenating your mind, body and inner self. Set aside a time each week. Trying different times of day can help you decide how to make the most of your pampering time! Your skin is the largest organ in your body and needs attention. Give your brain a rest and soothe your body regularly!
Enjoy!:

Spring into Summer!



Your beauty routine needs to refocus on one thing this spring: MOISTURE! After months of cold and windy weather, the time to switch gears is now.

First of all, skip the HOT shower in the morning or evening! You can cover your body in cream but if you have stripped your body of that protective barrier, it’s going to take a lot to get it back to that natural balance. Switch your soap to a creamier body wash that can add moisture while you cleanse. Dermalogica has a hydrating body wash and hydrating body lotion that are a great combination to hydrate while cleansing.



Nails can benefit from oils not lotions. Use this tip: rub some oil into your cuticles before pulling on your garden gloves. It works similar to wearing socks over your moisturizer at night to give your moisturizer time to heal.

Every line of hair products has developed a moisturizing and hydrating shampoo. Try one as your daily shampoo or as the alternate shampoo that you switch to when you feel sun and wind damage has changed the texture or look of your hair. Schwarzkopf makes a Sun Guardian Trio that has a shampoo, treatment and a spray leave in conditioner that has a sunscreen in it. This protects your hair from sun damage, color fading and if you apply this to your hair before going into chlorinated water, it will help prevent the ‘green’ tint that comes with swimming in chlorinated pools. Hydrating conditioners and treatments can be a great addition to your summer routine as well.

A second place that you may see dryness is in your lips. You may have heard that you can be addicted to lip balm. This really is not true, but if you feel that way, you may have an underlying issue. There is a barrier layer on your skin and when it’s very dry outside, that barrier gets disrupted, the layer gets tears and holes, so any moisture you put on your lips, seeps right back out. The solution is finding a hydrating balm with lipids that will give the barrier layer time to heal. Stay away from long-lasting lip color formulas and balms with menthol.

Products used under your makeup can help keep moisture in all day. Dermalogica’s Barrier Repair melts gently into your skin to help shield against environmental and internal triggers that cause skin stress. GloMinerals GloFace Primer creates the ideal canvas while filling in fine lines for a smooth base application. It contains antioxidants and extends the wearability of your foundation and ensures a flawless looking complexion. Dermalogica’s Boosters and Eminence Serums are meant to wear under your moisturizer to seal in moisture as well. They are in a liposome base to ensure the deepest possible penetration of concentrated ingredients to create beautiful glowing skin from within.

Sunscreen is a must at this time of year! Dermalogica’s Multivitamin BodyBlock has skin-smoothing Shea Butter but also has Oil of Evening Primrose. Without a greasy film, this spray can fight off environmental assaults that contribute to the visible signs of aging. Spf sprays, creams and lotions are needed EVERY day, not just when you are heading for the beach. Dermalogica’s entire Solar Defense system of products is hydrating while being protective!

Tips for Tweezing Eyebrows

Tips for Tweezing Eyebrows

Your eyebrows are one of the most important features of your face. They frame your face, show emotion and give your face and attitude expression. Take care to shape and maintain them by tweezing them carefully. The following are some tips to remember while tweezing because, unfortunately, it can be easy to overlook them or overdue them!!

1. Soften your face and eyebrows by tweezing after you get out of the shower. If you are in a rush and can’t do it directly after getting out, hold a warm washcloth to your face to have the same effect.

2. Tweeze BEFORE using any lotions or moisturizers so that the tweezers can get a hold of each hair and not slip.

3.Use a brow brush to lift the hairs and if the hair is above the thickest part of the brow, trim that off. Use the natural shape of your brows to get an organic look.

4. Use the brow brush again to comb out any loose hairs after tweezing or trimming.

5.The eyebrow should go a little past both corners of the eye.

6. Use the tweezers as close to the root as possible to pull in the direction of hair growth.

7. Tweeze ONE hair at a time. Try not to take any hair from above your eyebrow because it ruins the natural curve of your brow.

8. Take your time and check your progress as you go. It helps to outline your brow in white pencil to stay ‘within the lines’

9. As soon as you are done, use a cotton pad and astringent to dab around your eyebrows to tighten the pores back up. An ice cube also works if you still feel discomfort or redness appears.

10 Avoid tweezing close to important days like prom weekend or your wedding!

To start off a good shape with your brows, visit a skin care professional for an initial brow sculpting. We also have ‘lighted’ tweezers by TrendTweeze that help you get light right to the source!!

Put A Little Prep in Your Wardrobe

by Bee Lindquist

It seems every season there is a new fashion “craze” and as we enter into the new school year and fall season there is a new “old” look looming on the horizon. There are those however who never lost this look and are happy to have it back.

Picutre courtesy of beautyhill.com

Yes, we are bringing Preppy back. The
It is about mixing the clean-cut boyish cuts with some hot colors and fashion forward styles.
 Glamour magazineis don't be afraid to add prepster extras like a short strand of pearls or a gold charm bracelet. Their retro appeal adds a hint of polish to these clothes. Where Marc Jacobs has a retro plastic and acrylic watch he adds to his look bringing the Swatch Watch look back to life.
Another tip from
How to pull it off?
Brooks Brother’s, Tommy Hilfiger, Top Sider wearing Preppies are happy to see the fashion trend back in their favorite boutique’s and stores. There is a twist to the Preppy fashion craze this time around and it’s not all about horned rimmed glasses and Hush Puppy shoes. In Style magazine suggest mixing one non-preppy element—say, chunky platform sandals—with a little white tennis dress. Or choose classics with surprise details, such as striped espadrilles with neon laces.

- A boy-girl mix is one way to go. Try wearing an oxford shirt over a pair of shorts with wedge sandals, or boyish brogues with a girlie print miniskirt.
- Another option: Mix in one none-preppy element, she suggest a chunky platform sandals with a little white tennis dress.
- Embrace collegiate fabrics and colors, but experiment with fit a seersucker jacket that looks shrunken or extra-big chinos for chic solutions.
-Add a Plaid Jacket to a solid pair of pants or skirt
You don’t have to spend a lot of money to create this look, so be smart when picking the right pieces for you and make sure you don’t break the bank while following this trend. This trend is nothing new and it was been around for decades. So get on out there with a prep in your step

The Benefits of Yoga

<>by Bee Lindquist<><><>

<>

<><><><>

No one knows exactly when Yoga began but we do know that one of the earliest texts having to do with Yoga was a book called Yoga Sutras as early as the 1^st or 2^nd century B.C. by a Yogi names Pantanjali. The system that he wrote about is known as Astnaga Yoga or the eight limbs of Yoga. This is what is considered Classical Yoga and is the most practiced world wide.

picture courtesy of  http://www.astnaga.com/

Yoga arrived in the United States sometime in the late 1800’s and did not gain popularity until the 1960s as a part of the youth cultures fascination with all things eastern.

Over the past several years, yoga has experienced an upsurge in popularity in the western world among medical professionals and celebrities alike. Yoga is actually an ancient practice that connects the mind, body, and spirit through body poses, controlled breathing, and meditation. The practice of yoga has many health benefits associated with it. From lowering blood pressure to increasing pain tolerance, a multitude of health benefits can all be discovered within the body.

Recently the American College of Cardiology recommended Yoga as an important part of their treatment for atrial fibrillation. Prior research had shown other heart benefits of yoga, such as lower blood pressure and cholesterol and more elastic arteries, but this is the first study looking specifically at atrial fibrillation, said the authors, from Mid-America Cardiology at the University of Kansas Hospital.

These are exciting results," said Dr. Raul Mitrani, director of the cardiac rhythm device clinic at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. Although it didn't cure atrial fibrillation, he added, it did seem to cut the number of "a-fib" episodes.

According to the Arthritis Foundation those who participated in eight weeks of yoga classes had significantly fewer tender and swollen joints than they did before starting class. Those in the waitlist control group saw no significant changes in their tender and swollen joint counts.

Arthritis Foundation grant recipient Steffany Haaz, MFA, says, “We have previously reported that yoga helps people to feel better, and we wanted to make sure it wasn't harmful to arthritic joints. So, we were glad to find that there actually seems to be improvement in joint symptoms for RA patients. The next big question is figuring out how and why yoga might be having this effect, since it is such a multi-faceted activity.”
Yoga offers many other benefits as well. Yoga exercises level out this physiological instability by relaxing and gently stretching every muscle in the body, promoting better blood circulation and oxygenation to all cells and tissues. This helps optimize the function of the endocrine glands and the organs of the female reproductive tract. This can help lessen the symptoms of peri-menopause as well as menopause. Yoga exercises also improve the health and well-being of the digestive tract, nervous system, and all other organ systems.
As a form of exercise, yoga offers benefits that are sometimes not easily found among other exercise regimens. Check out these reasons to include yoga in your or health program.
The mental and physical benefits from Yoga are many and varied. Physicians, psychologists, health professionals and wellness coaches recommend Yoga. Yoga is not age sensitive. Many local senior centers incorporate “Senior Yoga” into their activities programs as well as many “Mommy and Me” programs like the one at Yoga for Life encourage mothers to involve their babies into their Yoga routines.