3 ways to hold onto your summer bliss

By Well+Good NYC

Jill Satterfield, founder of Vajra Yoga, the brand-new School for Compassionate Action, and a fixture at the Tibet House, gives Well+Good three tips for holding onto what summer sanity and sense of relaxation we’ve acquired. So come fall craziness, we’ll all have a few of the tricks that accomplished yogis and meditators and the Dalai Lama have at the ready. Be them, now.

1. Savor, don’t gulp, a piece of summer fruit.

Take a bite of summer fruit, like a peach or a melon, and chew it slowly, allowing it to almost dissolve in your mouth. Normally, we eat so quickly. But if we take our time, we can really be transported into an awareness of taste, the sense of taste. Plus it’s way of pausing to enjoy last bits of what summer’s given us.

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New research shows the cumulative benefits of routine massages

By Katie Drummond for Prevention.com

We’re going to guess you don’t need another excuse to get a massage. But if you can’t afford a weekly spa trip (and frankly, who can?), you’re going to have to get really good at sweet-talking your husband into helping you out now and then. Not easy, we know. But we have some new ammo—and we have a new study from Emory University to back us up.

Over a period of five weeks, study participants received a Swedish massage—characterized by long, flowing strokes—once or twice a week. Compared to those who didn’t get the lucky task of getting massaged in the name of science, those who received massage therapy had lower levels of stress hormones, including cortisol. They also experienced big changes in immunity, including increased counts of white blood cells, which play a key role in fending off illness and infection.

And it gets better: The benefits of massage lasted for several days, and each subsequent massage offered a cumulative benefit. In other words, a routine massage ritual is superior to an occasional rub.

“The act of massage itself has amazing biological effects,” says lead study author Mark Hyman Rapaport, MD, chairman of the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Emory University School of Medicine. “Of course, a single session will do great things for the body, but regular sessions seem to be even more profound.”

Anyone who enjoys massage should consider indulging regularly, says Dr. Rapaport, who adds that self-massage (for those of you with a reticent beau) has the potential to be a beneficial—and cost-effective—option.

Keep reading for three self-massage tips…

Olive oil helps build strong bones

By Well+Good NYC

Got olive oil? A study published online this month in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism found that people who ate a Mediterranean diet enhanced with lots of extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) may be protected against bone loss.

The study: Studies have shown that the the incidence of osteoporosis in Europe is lower in regions where individuals follow a traditional Mediterranean diet, which is rich in fruits and vegetables and includes a high intake of olives and olive oil. So, researchers in Spain set out to determine if olive oil consumption, in conjunction with eating a Mediterranean diet, prevented bone loss.

They selected 127 men, aged 55–80 and at risk for heart disease, who were already part of a larger, longitudinal study. Participants were randomly assigned to three groups. One group ate a Mediterranean diet supplemented with olive oil, another ate a Mediterranean diet supplement with mixed nuts, and the third ate a low fat diet. The participants followed the dietary plans for two years.

The results:

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Can a mattress do more than deliver a good night’s sleep?

By Well+Good NYC

We spend about a third of our life in bed—most of it sleeping, or tossing and turning, as the case may be. So it’s hardly surprising that furniture-makers keep trying to improve the experience with new materials meant to get us better shut-eye. One way to build a better bed is to make it healthier. “Mattresses are no longer just about comfort, they are about choosing materials that are good for both the environment and your body,” says Andrea Mugnai, the GM at Magniflex’s new Manhattan showroom located in the Casa Poggesi shop in Soho. He’s referring mostly to the flame-retardant chemicals here, which holistic manufacturers tend to swap for incorporating non-flammable wool into the mattress design. (Mattresses must be fire-resistant by law.)

With Americans willing to do just about anything for a good night’s sleep, lavender-infused mattress covers and organic lambswool stuffing are a fast-growing market. Often the health claims of these mattresses sound as ridiculous as the price tags, which can run as high as $10,000, and often more, if you go the Hasten’s route. So Well+Good went shopping for the most intriguing new holistic mattresses to see what a good night’s sleep is worth. Here’s what we found:

•    Magniflex’s mattresses use a memory foam core sans toxic chemical flame-retardants. They’re covered with renewable fiber fabrics, like soy, corn, and bamboo. The newest Lavender Comfort mattress ($2,299 for a Queen ) comes with aromatherapy built right in. “The concentrated lavender oil in the cover activates the relaxation response, helping you to achieve a deeper, more well-rested nights sleep,” explains Mugnai. We buy that. Though a vial of Essence of Vali Sleep remedy would also do the trick.

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Tammy Fender’s skin-care line contains an ingredient so secret it’s not even on the label

By Well+Good NYC

Lots of beauty products tout a secret ingredient. (Whether the Nightingale droppings of the ’90s or the apple stem cells of the moment.) And in that respect facialist Tammy Fender’s range is no different.

What’s the magic in her holistic skin-care line? Divine consciousness.

The West Palm Beach practitioner’s line is finally making its New York City debut at ABC Home’s Apothecary. Fender’s might be the first range of botanical cleansers, toners, treatment serums, peels, and body oils aimed squarely at improving your soul. The jury’s still out on whether cynical New Yorkers will embrace her ray of bioenergetic sunshine.

Call it the power of positive intention (or a bottled version of The Secret), Fender infuses her products with her sweet, personable spirit (I mean, look at the photo of this woman—you’d never know she tended Donald Trump’s skin) and adds “life force” of plants. No hair of newt needed.

For Fender, an ingredient purist and polymath of botany, aromatherapy, and chemistry, the concept of “pure living energy” comes from working with whole organic plants, pure herbal infusions, and therapeutic grade essential oils instead of chemicals.

It’s these “active, highly vibrational ingredients” that she says can be “immediately absorbed and permeate on a cellular level to enhance the way the skin functions, resulting in vibrant healthy skin.” It’s a philosophy the facialist shares in part with biodynamic skin-care brands, like Dr. Hauschka and Jurlique.

But while these brands focus on the farming practices, the emphasis for Fender’s small-batch line is the healing intention of the formulator. (Her mantra: don’t think about war or the economy when mixing ingredients.)

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Honey Health: How The Sweet Stuff Keeps You Well

By HuffingtonPost.com

We know that, despite its high sugar content, honey has many healthful properties.

And now, according to the latest research, the sweet stuff has been found to treat mild nighttime coughs caused by upper respiratory infections among children between ages one and five. In a new study published in Pediatrics, researchers discovered that honey worked better than a placebo made from date syrup to maintain sleep and suppress coughs.

The researchers, led by Dr. Herman Avner Cohen of Tel Aviv University, found that among 300 children whose parents reported trouble sleeping do to infection-related nighttime coughs, those given honey improved their sleep and reduced their coughing by twice as much as those who took the placebo, according to reports submitted by their parents.

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5 ways to feng shui your life

By Mandy Oaklander for Prevention.com

If you’re an office minimalist—sporting the standard-issue desk, computer, and chair—your 9-5 home can look pretty depressing.

Mine certainly did. That’s why I asked feng shui consultant Ann Bingley Gallops, the founder of Open Spaces Feng Shui in Brooklyn, for help.

Feng shui is more than the world’s most mispronounced tradition. (For the record, it’s “fung shway,” which means wind and water: Two energies you need for life and good health, Gallops explains.) The practice originated with Chinese farmers, who used it to find the most prosperous place to put their crops. At its most basic, feng shui consists of arranging objects and furniture in such a way that makes energy flow with you and generates positive chi, or life force.

Gallops turned to feng shui after a divorce and her career as a marketing executive left her feeling dissatisfied. She says it’s no coincidence that once she began practicing, she found a great new apartment with a garden, new opportunities in work, and the man of her dreams.

Who wouldn’t want some of that? (I definitely did—check out the feng shui magic she worked on my office!) Here, Gallops shares her four best feng shui basics for your home or office:

1. No, really. Clear your clutter. You didn’t think you could feng shui without throwing things away, did you? “There’s no hiding from feng shui eyes,” Gallops says. Clearing clutter is the first step to creating better energy. “You get such a sense of freedom, and you create space so that new opportunities can come into your life,” she says.

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Exploring Manuka Honey Benefits

By VIBRANT BEAUTY

Honey, that wondrous miracle product of nature and nature’s little helper, the bees. Its numerous uses and benefits are well-known throughout the decades. An ancient Greek physician dubbed honey as “good for all rotten and hollow ulcers.” Today we still use it for its healing properties. So what makes the recently popular Manuka honey special when there are numerous benefits already that can be obtained from any ordinary honey? What sets Manuka honey apart?

Taking a quick look at the background of Manuka honey will probably already set it apart from the rest. It is not just any ordinary honey, but a special honey that is made from the nectars obtained from Manuka bushes in New Zealand. Manuka bushes are uncultured and are known to have antibacterial effects.All honeys have antibacterial effects because they discharge hydrogen peroxide that can eliminate bacteria. But the manuka honey aside from releasing hydrogen peroxide also releases more antibacterial compounds that are non-peroxide.

Manuka honey, because of its antimicrobial properties can help treat a wide array of diseases. It is well-known for curing stomach ulcers. This is done by inhibiting the growth of helicobacter pylori or H. pylori, the bacteria that causes ulcers and dyspepsia. Other ordinary honeys do not exhibit the same result in fighting against H. pylori.Taking a teaspoon one hour before meals and one at bedtime will provide beneficial results. Another bacteria that can be eliminated using Manuka honey is the bacteria that causes sore throat. It shows that propolis or the antibiotic substance in honey is the substance that is most effective against bacteria. .

There are several Manuka honey benefits for various skin disorders like ulcers, boils, cracked skin and wounds. Its antimicrobial properties can diffuse into the skin which in effect kills even germs buried deep within.  It is effective in cleaning wounds which makes healing faster. It also lessens scarring because it aids in the cell formation that will ultimately avoids scar to appear. It also has anti-inflammatory qualities that will prevent swelling.

There are however various grades of Manuka honey to test its effectiveness against ailments. TradeNZ and Honey Research Unit established a classification of antibacterial qualities of honey. UMF or Unique Manuka Factor is created to rate the antibacterial activity. UMF registered trademarks are the ones considered to have therapeutic benefits. UMF strength of 10 or more is the grade ideal for healing.

What Are Apple Cider Vinegar Benefits?

By VIBRANT BEAUTY

Strange as it may be I’ve only used apple cider as a weight loss tool, I’ve never used it in a recipe before. I get the sense that other people also regard apple cider vinegar as an method to decrease your appetite and help burn off that extra fat you have. So just what are the real apple cider vinegar benefits?  Does it really work, and why?

I write about this as part of my own personal closure with this weight loss tactic. I too once heard about the miracle weight loss results that apple cider had. Testimonies of people who had nothing to sell other than good news seemed convincing. I drank it accordingly, and begrudgingly, holding my nose and diluting it heavily in water. I did lose my normally hearty appetite, and got a little extra ‘zesty’ boost of energy immediately afterwards, but I didn’t notice any particular benefit other than not wanting to eat or drink anything else. I did this for about two weeks and ultimately went on to discovering the wonders and goodness of a high raw food diet- which ultimately worked and to date is the one food lifestyle I will recommend to anyone willing to listen to me.

But back to apple cider benefits- what are they? After researching a bit more, I found what first intrigued me. Here’s the dish:

There is no documented research or ‘proof’ that apple cider vinegar works as a weight loss tool, however there are many theories and even professional recommendations. Dr D.C. Jarvis, MD reportedly recommended people to take 1-2  teaspoons of the vinegar mixed with a cup of water before every meal. Honey can be added to help it go down.

Through regular use, a person is expected to continually lose weight slowly when taking this mixture. Again there is no proof on how this works, but the going guess is that it does affect most people as an appetite suppressant, while increasing your metabolism and reducing water retention. These are three key factors when it comes to weight loss.

Allegedly, apple cider vinegar dates back to Hippocrates who used a mixture of it as an energy booster and “healing” drink, the latter being interpretive surely.

Within the fermentation process, the benefits of apples are partially maintained and enzymes abound which are good for one’s digestion.

Many people are quick to point out that not all apple cider can be expected to have great benefits. The apple cider vinegar which has been pasteurized (heated) does not maintain the same qualities (so maybe that was my problem- not getting the best kind) but nonetheless has reportedly helped people.

Apple cider vinegar benefits the hair too. People have used the vinegar as a rinse mixed with water that reportedly improves hair quality and shine after just a few applications.

Seemingly, there are no shortages of apple cider benefits. What I like best about it is that it is a very affordable tip to try without any side effects if you use it reasonably. Who knows, it just may work for you- and if it does, I’d like to know about it!

Moroccan Oil Beauty Craze

By VIBRANT BEAUTY

There are a lot of people raving about it, and it is considered a breakthrough in the beauty and cosmetic industry. Moroccan oil, also known as argan oil, is one of the most hyped ingredients in the beauty industry, and is even called the ‘miracle oil’. Extracted from the kernels of the fruit of the argan tree, the oil is considered to be rich in essential fatty acids and vitamins, especially vitamin E. The argan tree is mostly found in the Marrakesh and Essaouira region of southwestern Morocco, from which the name of the oil is derived. Used by the natives for centuries as a food supplement for its great nutritional value, its medicinal and health benefits are known to lower cholesterol levels, enhance circulation and strengthening the immune system of the body. Moroccan oil also has a soothing effect on the skin and hence acts as a moisturizer for the hair as well as the skin. Extracting the oil takes a long time: one liter of the oil may take almost a day to be extracted. The tedious process of extraction and rare nature of the oil has made it one of the costliest and most sought after beauty oils.

In the present day, Moroccan oil is primarily considered a wonder oil for beauty treatment. One of its most important benefits is its protective nature due to its multiple benefits as a sun-blocker, anti-oxidant and hair straightener and softener. As a hair product, Moroccan oil provides nourishment and care to the hair and makes them healthy and strong. It can revive dry and matted hair that has been damaged due to exposure to harmful chemicals from hair dyeing and styling. The oil provides moisture to the hair making it silky and smooth and giving it a natural sheen. It is also known to prevent dandruff and hair loss, and is considered an effective treatment for dry and brittle hair.

Moroccan oil is also beneficial to the skin. It has got immense anti-wrinkle and anti-aging properties due to which it is used in beauty products. The rich fatty acid content of the oil helps in skin regeneration and removal of blemishes, scars and stretch marks. It is also used in the treatment of skin diseases like rosacea and psoriasis, as well as eczema and weak, brittle nails. Though there are no major side effects of the oil, it may not be compatible with all skin types. Besides, being rich in fatty acids including oleic acid, it may not suit acne prone skin, and a consultation with a dermatologist would always be beneficial.

To meet the global demand for Moroccan oil, the local women’s cooperative of the region that produces the oil has developed a reforestation campaign to sustain the supply of the oil apart from the support that it is providing to those women. The money from the sale of the oil is used in healthcare and education of the local women, as well as to support the community.