New Naturalista

VIDEO: It’s Ok To Be Picky!

admin — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 07:13:34 +0000

By: NewNaturalista

Take a tour with fruit and veggie expert Bruce as he shows NewNaturalista the secret to picking best of the best in season!

westseattleproduce.com

Gorgeous Supplements

admin — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 05:49:41 +0000

Weekly tips from the book “Eat, Drink And Be Gorgeous.”

Eating healthy foods without taking supplements is like wearing a ball gown without the right accessories; without the right look of one, the other is a disaster.

Not all are vitamins are created equal however. Food based supplements are great because they contain the whole-food complex and can be absorbed better. They also contain enzymes, coenzymes, antioxidants and trace elements that improve absorption.

Below is a list of nutritional suggestions to treat a variety of ailments. This advice should not negate that of a doctor. Unless otherwise noted, all supplements should be taken with food.

ALLERGIES

Borage oil (GLA) 250 mg twice a day
Omega 3’s 1,000 mg twice a day
Quercetin 500 mg twice a day
Astragalus root 200 mg twice a day, in either liquid tincture or tablet form
Echinacea root 100 mg twice a day, in either liquid tincture or tablet form
Supplements for dietary allergies
L-glutamine 5,000 mg per day in powdered form, mixed with water
Probiotics 8-16 billion organisms a day

NOTE: It’s a good idea to eliminate wheat, cheese, and milk which are three of the most common allergen in our diet today and can axacerbate both food and seasonal allergies.

BRITTLE NAILS

MSM 1,000 mg three times per day
Calcium 1,000 mg per day
Magnesium 400-800 mg per day
Horsetail 1 teaspoon of liquid extract (2.5 g from Equisturn arvense herb) diluted in water or juice

NOTE: Nails are composed of protein, so make sure you eat enough protein each day, as well as essential fatty acids and calcium-rich foods. To pamper your nails, try rubbing olive or coconut oil into the cuticle or nail bed each night. If you have verticle ridges or dark lines down the nails, get your thyroid checked. For toenail fungus, try putting tea tree oil directly on top of the nails and under the nail bed.

COLD and FLU

Vitamin C Acute: 250 mg every hour Maintenance: 500 mg twice a day
Echinacea: Acute: 1 teaspoon from root 2.5 mg three times a day Maintenance: 1 teaspoon 1 or two times a day
Olive leaf extract: Two 500 mg capsules three times a day
Maitake D: Two capsules twice a day (two capsules should contain 300 mg maitake mushroom powder and 20 mg maitake standardized extract)
Micellized Vitamin: A For upper respiratory tract infections take 1 dropperful, mixed into a shot of juice per day for 1 week. For long term prevention take 1 dropperful once per week.

DRY SKIN

Evening primose oil: 3,000 mg per day
Omega 3’s: 2,000 mg per day

NOTE: Add flaxseed oil liberally to salads to act as an internal moisturizer. Make sure you bathe in warm, not hot water so you don’t over dry your skin. Keep coconut or olive oil in a spray bottle and apply it to damp skin after a shower.

MENSTRUAL CRAMPS

Cramp bark: 1 teaspoon liquid tincture diluted in juice (from Viburnum opulus bark 2.5 g) Begin taking it a week before your period, and continue during your period as needed.
Magnesium: 400 mg twice per day
Calcium lactate: 250 mg every 3 hours while cramps are active
Evening primose oil: 3,000 mg per day

NOTE: Eat three to four ounces of protein at each meal, especially the week before your period. Protein supports liver function and will help your body metabolize your hormones. Steer clear of any and all hydrongenated oils which can generate severe inflammation. Look out for too much booze, which can temporarily alleviate cramps but will worsen them when the alcohol has worn off.

SUGAR CRAVINGS

Lipoic acid: 300 mg per day
Calcium: 500 mg twice a day
Magnesium 400 mg twice a day
Zinc 25 mg per day
Aqueous selenium 200 mcg per day
Tyrosin 500 mg twice a day on an empty stomach; you can take up to 2,000 mg per day if needed
5-HTP 300 mg per day
L-glutamine 5,000 mg per day in powdered form, mixed into water

NOTE: It can take your body up to seven days to eliminate sugar from your system so try to go without it cold turkey. (Once you’re over the hump, it does get easier.)
It’s very important to eat small, frequent meals throughout the day to stabilize your blood sugar. Snack on raw nuts and seeds which are rich in trace minerals that will help curb cravings. Also avoid diet sodas and artificial sweeteners and allow some time for your taste buds to learn a new way of living; you’re better off using agave syrup or stevia powder, or even a little maple syrup or honey.

THINNING HAIR

Zinc 25 mg per day
Magnesium 400 mg per day
Hyaluronic Acid 150 mg per day
N-acetyl cysteine 1,000 mg per day
Omega-3s 2,000 mg per day
Evening Primose oil 1,000 mg per day

NOTE: Chicken stock made from bones is naturally rich in hyaluronic acid, and root vegetables like sweet potatoes are naturally rich in magnesium, so feel free to incorporate both into your diet. Your local health food store is a valuable resource for premade organic chicken stock, and I like to cook brown rice in the stock for a yummy risotto. Medically, make sure you get your thyroid checked, an under or overactive thyroid can be the cause of thinning hair. Stress can also cause hair loss, so take a minute to reflect on what’s been happening in your life in the past six months or so.

WATER RETENTION

Vitamin B6 50 mg twice per day
Taurine 1,000 mg twice per day
Horsetail 1 teaspoon of liquid extract (2.5 g from Equisetum arvense herb) diluted in water or juice

NOTE: Drink dandelion tea throughout the day for gentle diuretic benefits. Unsweetened cranberry juice diluted in water also provides diuretic benefits as does eating asparagus, watermelon, and freshly steamed or sauteed dandelion greens.
Next Week: Gorgeous in Blue

Pretty Things: Swarthy Daisy

admin — Sat, 24 Jul 2010 18:57:48 +0000

By: NewNaturalista

Cute and whimsical designs by Swarthy Daisy

Ribbed Black Tank $20

Swarthy Daisy Tote $10

White Tee $25

Sustainable Style

admin — Sat, 24 Jul 2010 14:38:36 +0000

By: NewNaturalista

I met the lovely Alexa Baehr at this weekend’s Pioneer Square open market in Seattle and instantly fell in love with her creations. Baehr makes chic purses and handbags from reclaimed coffee sacks brought in by Seattle coffee importers. Everything about these bags are green, even the coffee they once carried is handpicked and naturally processed.

Guateala Laptop Messenger Bag $80

The “jute” sack is a rough fiber made from the stems of a tropical Old World plant, used for making twine and rope or woven into sacking or matting. Similar to burlap; a canvas woven from jute, hemp, or a similar fiber – the offset the interior fleece lining.

Miramontes Laptop $85

Messenger $85

Side View

Baehr also sells notebooks, jewelry (see the divine piece below) and other goodies. Click here to see her full collection.

Latte Choker $38

McDonald’s Localwashing?

admin — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 05:41:53 +0000

By: NewNaturalista

Another McDonald’s ad – “yawn” but this one caught my eye. “Served in West Seattle, Made in East Wenatchee.”

Tonight I logged on and conducted a Google search of the ad campaign. Looks like it’s part of a larger one here in Western Washington called “Grown here. Picked here. From here.” McDonald’s says it’s a new way of providing transparency on the sources of its food.

Seattle blogger Gilman Park wrote about it here and also snapped some photos of a billboard in the Ballard neighborhood. What are your thoughts about this new “local” campaign? Basically…does it work on/for you?

Source: Gilman Park

Honey Berry Smoothie

admin — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 05:11:39 +0000

By: NewNaturalista

I love, love, LOVE the folks from Sweet As Can Bee honey farm here in Washington State! I first met them in January (click here for original story) and the first thing I recognized about them was the passion they have for what they do.

Here’s a delicious recipe from Chef Isaac, a professional beekeeper and culinary instructor for Sweet As Can Bee. This tasty recipe incorporates the berries of the season with ice and raw honey. It’s refreshing and packed full of flavor! Chef Isaac says you can use whatever berries you like and whatever kind of honey you’d like. (Cinnamon creamed honey and wild flower are his favorites)

Ingredients

2 pints of berries (can be strawberries, blackberries, blueberries or a combination of whatever you would like. I love 1 pint strawberries, 1/2 pint blackberries and 1/2 pint blueberries)
1/2 to 3/4 cup raw local honey (cinnamon creamed is great. So is wild flower. The amount of honey you will need will depend on the sweetness of the berries and how sweet you like the smoothie to be)
1/2 teaspoon citrus juice (lemon, lime, orange)
1 cup ice
1/4 tsp vanilla extract (optional)
1 tablespoon Bee Pollen (optional)
small pinch of black pepper (brings out the fruity taste of the berries)
1/4 cup yogurt of your choice (I love Greek yogurt)
1/2 cup milk (I prefer non fat)

Preparation

1. Clean the berries well and trim if needed.

2. Place berries, honey, citrus juice, vanilla extract, bee pollen, black pepper, yogurt and milk in a blender and blend well.

3. Add crushed ice and blend well. I will usually hold back a little on the crushed ice and use all of it only if I need it.

4. Taste and adjust sweetness and consistency if needed.

Enjoy!

Chef’s Note: You can really add any other fruit too. I love bananas in the winter time when I can’t get anything locally. I enjoy the taste of pluots too.

VIDEO: The Biz With Afrobella

admin — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 05:41:54 +0000

By: NewNaturalista

NewNaturalista talks with talented fashion and beauty blogger Afrobella about her hugely successful site, the journey that got her here – and her newest project Afrobella Radio!

Afrobella’s take on NewNaturalista’s 5 F’s

Fashion – Forward
Family – First
Fitness – My eternal struggle
Food – Delicious
Focus – uh…what’s that? LOL

Afrobella’s Top List For Summer

“Right now for my nails I am LOVING Milani’s metal collection – less than $5 a bottle at the drugstore and the colors rival anything you’d see by a pricey department store brand. I also love China Glaze, and whenever I go to Sally Beauty it’s hard to drag me away from their display!

“For fashion items on sale I’ve become something of an eBay junkie, I have a lengthy watch list. I don’t always buy, but knowing I can do a search for butterscotch colored Bakelite earrings and find more than three pages of them to search through…that’s my kinda shopping!” – Afrobella

Check out Afrobella’s new radio show here!

Sartorial Science: Beach Totes

admin — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 17:20:17 +0000

By: The Buyologist

It’s hot! I don’t know about you, but I’m yearning for the cool relief of water and sand…but what’s a trip to the beach without a fabulous beach bag?

There are classic beach totes to fit every budget from high end designers like Balenciaga to more affordable options like Old Navy. There are also fun and adventurous styles that can increase the “off-shore” frequency that you use your beach bag! The usefulness of a beach tote doesn’t have to be strictly for the beach; you can get just as much wear out of a beach tote during leisurely summer strolls in the city, during a day of farmer’s market shopping or even on a fun night out.

Scroll or click image for details:

The Buyologist Sarah Davis is a fashion designer living in NYC

And The Winner Is…

admin — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 14:34:25 +0000

And the winner of the Summer Hairstyle Giveaway is….NATERRA! (See orginial story here.)

Naterra’s name was randomly picked to win The Herbalist’s Fabulous Hair Oil, A mix of rosemary, french lavender, tea tree, bay and sage. It’s a wonderful natural hair staple. Congrats Naterra!

See Naterra’s cute summer hairdo below – and thanks to all who entered.

Naterra

Gorgeous In Bed

admin — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 22:35:55 +0000

Weekly tips from the book “Eat, Drink and Be Gorgeous.”

Did you know the right combinations of food and nutrients can make your sex life better? It’s true. By eating healthy, taking the right supplements, and taking care of your digestion…you can increase your endurance, satisfaction and most importantly you can perform at your best!

Most of us don’t realize that what we take in affects how we put out. Here are some tips on what to eat before the big night and what’s best to eat for general sexual well being.

Protein Power

Of all of the food groups, protein does the best job of keeping your blood sugar leveled. It gives you staying power and will keep you cooking all night long. A big bowl of pasta however could put you right to sleep, while a salad may not be enough to fill you up. So while out on that hot date, it’s best to order something that has the right combination of protein, fat and complex carbs to stabilize your blood sugar for hours to come.

Digestive Do’s

Poor digestion can seriously detract from the quality of your love life. A healthy digestive tract is the foundation for good health. It has a domino effect on your organs and systems. The best way to keep your system running is with a high fiber diet. This keeps you from getting backed up and becoming a gassy lassie. Because let’s face it: nobody wants to let one rip while in the midst of an intimate moment. Stomach churning bloating, gas and diarrhea – not a turn on!

Take this test: Eat a cup of cooked beets. Keep an eye on your bowel movements until you find the one that is dark pink (from the beets) from there you’ll be able to determine how long it took to get from point A to point B. Ideally this amount of time will be no more than twenty four hours. If you find that it takes more than 24 hours, get more fiber in your diet pronto.

Good sources of fiber:

Freshly ground flaxseeds (3 tablespoons provide 8 grams of fiber)
Dark green leafy vegetables
Fresh fruits
Beans and lentils
Steel cut oats
Buckwheat and barley

Supplements

These natural solutions can boost a low sex drive, produce essential hormones, direct blood to your sex organs, soften your skin and bolster your immune system to help discourage STD’s (NOTE:Not a replacement for condoms and other contraceptives.)

B Vitamins: Critical to the development of brain messengers, monitors your body’s balance between estrogen and progesterone and reduces excess estrogen. One hundred milligrams of B6 per day will support hormonal balance and curtail those nasty mood swings.

Bioflavonoids: These play an important role in keeping blood vessels fexible and the uterus healthy, which is significant for women who have abnormal uterine bleeding. They also improve circulation to enhance intimate potential. These vitamin like substances are found in a wide variety of plants, especially grapes and pine tree bark.

Essential Fatty Acids: These are the building blocks for the production of female sex hormones. They also help your body store more of the fat-soluble vitamins like A, E, D and K that keep you sexually active. Borage, primose, flaxseed and fish oils are available primarily in capsule form. Fresh flaxseeds and wild Alaskan salmon are also excellent sources of EFAs.

Vitamin E: This vitamin plays an important role in reproductive health. Found in foods such as olive oil, seeds and nuts and organic butter, vitamin E can alleviate sexual problems like impotence and low sex drive. This powerful antioxidant protects your sex glands from the stress generated by free radicals. Free radicals are like loose cannons that can damage proteins, DNA and the lipids inside of the cells.

Zinc: The human sense of smell, which depends on the mineral zinc, is an often overlooked element of primal passion. Pheromones in this case, the individual biological scent your body produces can drive your lover wild! They’re detected subconsciously but are a key element in sexual excitment. To tune in to your lover’s pheromones, it’s critical to make sure you’re getting enough zinc-rich foods in your diet. Sources include oysters and other shellfish, turkey, mushrooms, and seeds like sesame, sunflower, poppy and pumpkin. Also try sprouts such as sunflower and alfalfa.

There you have it, the best supplements for your sexual health! Also remember, a balanced diet and regular exercise are always winners.

NEXT WEEK: GORGEOUS SUPPLEMENTS