Detox and Enjoy a Fresh Iced Tea This Summer

My new favorite homemade drinks are herbal iced teas.

Drinking plain water can be boring sometimes, so why not add some freshly infused herbs while you hydrate? Instead of using sweeteners or sugar, just add honey to the tea while it's still warm, before chilling in the fridge.

Today's pick is thyme and mint iced tea.

Choosing fresh organic ingredients is better, but dry leaves will still keep their aromatherapy properties. Beside its fresh olfactive power, mint has many health benefits: it aids digestion, strengthens the immune system, and maintains oral health (that's why most of dental products are mint flavored!).

Here's a link for original tea recipes:
http://www.yogaholidays.net/magazine/teas.htm#Thyme

Read more about infused mint and its properties:
http://www.buzzle.com/articles/herbal-mint-tea.html

Answers to Celia about allergies to sunscreens

It seems like the sun-defense topic made a hit and as I receive very interesting questions! In that regard, here is another question that deserves its own answer and that everyone can benefit from:

celia said...

Thanks for the tips...
I will try to use them this year. After many years without using any protection, I have now sun allergy...Which is not really funny when you love the sun as I do... I think Catherine is right, using protection is a must. By the way catherine, do you have any sunscreen suggestion compatible with sun allergy?
April 27, 2010 4:58 AM 

Celia, it is never too late and developing allergies to sunscreens is actually very common as the allergic reactions are often due to parabens, fragrances and synthetic active ingredients. 

Try sunscreens high on Zinc dioxide (5% to 6% are considered as high) such as Avene or DDF sunscreens. They are designed for reactive and sensitive skins. 

Where to find DDF sunscreens:

http://www.dermstore.com/product_Organic+Sunblock+SPF+30_2994.htm

About Avene:

http://www.aveneusa.com/sun-care/

To read more about sunscreens allergies: 

http://allergies.about.com/u/ua/contactdermatitis/sunscreenallergyua.htm

Hope this help!

Carole's Question regarding organic sunscreens

Following to a very interesting question by one of the readers, i decided to reply to it in a dedicated post!

CAROLE said...

Hi Catherine,
Thank you for your input on the sunscreen...I just got rid of the old ones I had in cupboard and will go buy new ones today!
Do you have a Bio sunscreen to recommend?

Carole, I am glad to hear you followed my recommendations and said goodbye to your old sunscreens! To answer your question, there are many natural and eco-friendly sunscreen on the market. You can mostly find them at Wholefoods or specialty stores.
Also online is a great source: http://www.pristineplanet.com/biodegradable-organic-sunblock-natural-non-toxic-eco-friendly/sunscreen/1314_a_0.html

I usually prefer eco-friendly and natural products over synthetic ones although, be careful, a lot of brands claim the organic patent but still use some synthetic filters as the new european regulations make the formula  impossibly stable without a synthetic filter.... When it comes to the finest organic products and philosophy, I trust Dr Hauska as their research and manufacturing are one-of-a-kind process true to the environment, animal and human beings.
http://www.drhauschka.com/natural-skin-care-products/sun-care/

Also, although I usually prefer organic products, be aware they present a few inconveniences:
- because they are natural products, the SPF is usually low from 10 to 30. So if you decide to use an organic sunscreen, just make sure you re-apply more frequently than you would with a synthetic one.
- also, due to the natural preservatives, their formulas are instable quicker so you may have to replace them more often.
- their scent are frequently "earthy" so not the most attractive scent but the smell disappears quickly after applying.

Sun Protection - Best of 2010

Do's and don'ts this summer start with:


- using sun protection is A MUST 


- Absolutely DO NOT use an old sunscreen opened from last year... I actually caught myself doing that a few weeks ago... After only 2 hours of sun exposure with last year's SPF 60 sunblock on, and absolutely convinced that I was well protected, I ended up with a sun rash followed by skin peeling like a snake - for a week.

Common misunderstandings about sunscreen:

- it clogs the pores: actually, not more than make up does, so just wash your sunscreen off as you would for your make up

- the higher the spf is the less I tan: the higher the SPF is, the longer you can stay in the sun without getting a sunburn while protecting your skin cells from degenerating. You will get a tan without going through the painful lobster look within 24 to 48 hours. This is the time it takes for the melanin to be produced and migrate to surface. It may take you longer to get to the butter roasted look but you will look younger and healthier longer.

- if I exfoliate, I'll loose my tan:  not more than you normally would. Sun exposure accelerates cells production as a defensive reaction. The skin thickens but it won't squame faster than normal unless you got sunburnt. For a long lasting and glowing tan, I recommend a day before sun exposure a nice body exfoliation that will remove all dead cells, and once again a week later to freshen up the radiance. Keep moisturizing daily. 

Tips:


- did you know every foundation is also a sunscreen SPF 8 to 10 depending on the blend of pigments, so if you are using a foundation everyday, you are already protected while running errands (like running in and out of your car, shopping, etc., but if you decide to strike the beach or a coffee terrace, or going on your daily outdoor run, a stronger SPF is required)


- your hair is also Keratin. At the beach or poolside, your hair can be protected by simply using your sunscreen if you did not bring your hair oil/sunspray... it will protect them the same way

My best picks are:

Body: La Roche Posay, Anthelios SPF 60

Face: SkinCeuticals Sheer Physical SPF 50. It is absolutely matte finish, light weight and effective.












My local finder: Brownes & Co Apothecary,  87 NE 40th street, Miami Fl - www.brownesbeauty.com  

Dehydration - it is worse than what you think...

If you would ask me what would be the biggest misconception about skincare, I would say dehydration. Dehydration is very often over-looked as most people fear oily and shinny face. But consequences of dehydration are very damaging and can cause premature aging , loss of elasticity, dull complexion, and also ironically stressed oily skin.

The human body is a complex system that also is very well thought to function on its own and defend itself. The skin, one of its organ, and not the least, indeed has the same attributes and most reactions are defense against external attacks.

By sometimes using harsh products, and hoping that their use will help with oil secretions, the skin in a defensive reaction to their contact will produce even more oils to protect itself from dehydration (evaporation of water from subcutaneous layers)

Water is 70% of the composition of the skin, it helps giving it its plumped, glowing and tight look.

So before worrying about Collagen, Elastin and all the other fibers goodies, the easiest and cheapest way to keep a young look is drink water and keep the water in!

http://www.beauty-advices.com/how-to-prevent-skin-dehydration/