Wellness / Beauty / Inspiration

In this issue:

• Ask the Abbey....
• Natural Beauty: Botox Alternative II
• Fountain of Youth Quick Tip: Longevity vitamins.
• Skin Care Cosmetics: Instant cheekbones!
• WELLNESS: Let's have another cup of coffee...
  
  

I am African-American with dark skin. My mother says I still need a sunscreen, Do I?

What do you think of permanent makeup?

Read on.....

When the social security system was established, many Americans did not live long enough to collect benefits slated to start at the age of sixty-five. We now take it for granted that not only will we reach sixty-five, but that we will be thriving and poised for many more years of productive living. The fact remains though that the risk of stroke, a major disabler, doubles after this age and the seeds of vascular dementia are busily taking root.

A six-year Dutch study found that people with diets highest in Vitamins C (at least 133 mg/day) and E (at least 15.5 mg/day) decreased their risk of stroke by 30% and 20% respectively. The risk of stroke in smokers with the highest Vitamin C decreased dramatically by more than 70%! Additionally, a University of Hawaii study found that persons taking Vitamins C and E at least once a week retained more mental ability and were 88% less likely to develop dementia after four years.

Experts think that the vitamins work best when taken together to neutralize stroke-inducing free radicals in the brain, including the mini-events that may be asymptomatic initially, but add up over time.

While vitamin supplements are one way of insuring adequate supplies, boost your levels the preferred natural way by increasing your intake of the following foods.

Vitamin C: Red bell pepper (71 mg/1/4 cup), whole kiwifruit (70 mg), whole orange (51 mg), brussels sprouts (48 mg/1/2 cup), strawberries (42 mg/1/2 cup)

Vitamin E: Wheat germ oil (20 mg/ Tbsp), almonds (7.4 mg/22 nuts), sunflower seeds (6 mg/oz), sunflower oil (5.6 mg/Tbsp), safflower oil (4.6 mg/Tbsp

Less is Younger ~~ Keep it Natural

Skin that is losing firmness needs less makeup, not more. Makeup tends to slide into and accentuate even tiny facial furrows. Mineral powders applied with a light hand reflect light and minimize wrinkles and sagging.

• New York makeup artist Shalina Vadhera says anyone can have soaring cheekbones. The key is to use two colors.
  1. Place two fingers at the side of your nose. Start at the ears and brush a taupe or beige based blush powder along the high part of your cheekbones. Stop dusting when your reach your fingers.
  2. Clean your brush or use a second brush to apply a light pink powder for a natural glow of color. Apply to the apples of your cheeks in an outward, circular motion, feathering and blending it into the initial cheekbone color.
  3. If you prefer a matte look, this is all you need for defined cheekbones! If you would like an enhanced dewy look, apply a bit of shimmer or a dab of lip gloss on the apples of your cheeks.
  4. Enjoy!

Coffee as Medicine

You know it had to happen. Many years ago, after reading about conflicting conclusions from various scientific studies, the realization dawned that the best way to navigate the maze of nutritional information was with the mantra “Everything in moderation.” Such it is with coffee. Coffee was out of favor for many years and considered an unhealthful drink. The wheel has turned and coffee drinkers can breath a sigh of relief knowing that their favorite beverage is not contributing to their early demise but is actually full of health benefits.