The Raw Divas' Sisterhood Membership is
now available for a test drive!

Tracy's Beauty Tips for Young, Healthy Looking Skin
by Tracy Neely

Bulgarian Rose Essential Oil and Avocado Treatment

Avocados are rich in potassium, and vitamin A.  Potassium is an essential mineral needed to regulate water balance.  And Vitamin A gradually exfoliates the skin and helps to build collagen.  Avocados contain proteins and essential fatty acids that are easily digested in the body when eaten.

About Bulgarian Rose Essential Oil

The Bulgarian Rose Essential Oil is one of the safest oil's suitable for all skin types. It creates a feeling of calm and well-being, never mind how absolutely yummy it is to smell! Many people have had great results using Bulgarian Rose oil to relieve headaches, uplift the spirit and improve concentration.

It also has reported anti-inflammatory effects on irritated or sensitive skin.
 
Tip #1: If avocado is unripe when purchased, allow to ripen for 3 to 5 days.  To speed up the ripening process, place avocados in a brown paper bag with banana or apple .

Tip #2: Since avocados are perishable, please use entire treatment on the face and neck

Recipe:

Ingredients:
1 ripe avocado
Splash of lemon juice
a few drops of Bulgarian rose essential oil

Directions:
Peel the skin of a 1 ripe avocado,  mash and add squirt of lemon to retain bright green color  and pulse in blender for smooth consistency, remove and add 3 drops of Bulgarian rose essential oil, mix well and spread evenly onto cleansed  face and neck (ladies let’s keep our necks looking smooth and beautiful).  Allow to sit on skin for 15 minutes.  Remove with cool water and apply moisturizer.
 
Tracy Talks About Acne Scars

Here's one of the questions that came in this week or Tracy:

"Welcome Tracy!  I have a questions about my skin - I am 35 but get acne regularly now on my face (up until now, I had porcelain skin) and now my skin is scarring a lot.  Tests have revealed that my hormones are at acceptable levels.  Do you have recommendations for preventing acne and for treating scars?  Thanks a lot!  Congrats on being a part of the Raw Diva Team - they are special!
 
-Mean :-)"


Here's What Tracy Says

Welcome Mean!

Thank you for welcoming me to the Raw Diva Team. I think it is wonderful that you have had your hormone levels tested because adult acne is on the rise and for a lot of people, hormones play a major role in why they break out.

In terms of preventing acne, there is something underlying why you are getting break outs and I think that first has to be addressed and then at that point prevention would be key.  I would start to look at your diet,  the amount of stress in your life, allergies, environment pollutants, hereditary concerns (is there anyone else in the family that has adult acne) and look at how you feel over all, maybe something is also happening with your immune system. Sometimes acne can signal that there is some toxic situation going on in the body.

Please be gentle with yourself as you work to find solutions to help diminish the scarring.  Please be sure to wear an oil-free  sun block  that is at minimum spf 15, so that the scars you have are not getting darker, secondly treating the scars with different products depends on how deep in the dermis layer they are. Hyperpigmentation (scaring) is pretty common with acne, and  treatments can range from over the counter products to exfoliate the skin which helps to remove, over the time the top layers of skin. Exfoliating the skin also helps to control breakouts. You can spot treat the blemish with tea tree essential oil.  I would apply the essential oil at night before you go to bed.  The use of a mask once a week will control the amount of oil your skin is secreting as well as help to to keep your pores un-clogged.  A clay mask is very beneficial in reducing the amount of oil in our skin. And lastly use a light oil-free moisturizer to keep your skin hydrated, because you don't want the skin to become too dry.

Thank you for your question and always remember  "good skin care starts from the inside out".

Send us your questions for Tracy our esthetican we'll do our best to answer them in our upcoming issues of Health in High Heels.
 

The Queen Is Back!

And she cordially invites you to attend...

Start Date: February 18th, 2008

Ask Our Nutritionist!

If you're looking for the low down, cold-hard facts on nutrition, then you're going to love the fact that Monique Bastien, Raw Diva and in-house nutritionist is on board, ready and willing to answer your burning questions!

Everyone has heard about B12 and protein and calcium, but we recently have encountered some information about sulfur and wanted to ask Monique for a bit more information about it.

Here's what she had to say:

What is sulphur?

Sulphur is a nonmetallic element that occurs widely in nature, being present in every cell of animals and plants. All living matter contains some sulphur; this element is therefore essential for life.
 
In the human body, the greater part of sulphur is present in the two sulphur-containing amino acids:  L-methionine and L-cysteine, or in the double form of the latter L-cysteine. It is also part of the chemical structure of taurine L-lysine and glutathione.
   
Sulphur makes up 0.25% of the human body weight. Sulphur is stored in every cell of the body. The highest concentrations are found in the joints, hair, skin, and nails.  It is found in insulin, the hormone that regulates carbohydrate metabolism.  It also occurs in carbohydrates such as heparin, an anticoagulant found in the liver and other tissues.
 
Why is sulphur important?
 
The main purpose of sulphur is to dissolve waste materials.  It helps to eject some of the waste and poisons from the system.  Therefore its major functions include the following: 

    •          Aids digestion
    •          Conteracts acidosis
    •          Assists in the maintenance of healthy hair, nails, and skin
    •          Purifies the blood
    •          May stop fermentation

Sulphur contributes toward healthy intestines, therefore beneficial in the treatment for worms.

Sulphur is important in the treatment of arthritis.  The level of cysteine (a sulphur-containing amino acid), in arthritic patients is usually much lower than normal.  It is also valuable in rheumatic conditions.
     
Since sulphur is prevalent in keratin, a tough protein substance necessary for health and maintenance of the skin, nails and hair, it may be beneficial in the treatment of dermatitis, eczema and psoriasis.  It is found in hemoglobin and all body tissues and is needed for the synthesis of collagen, which prevents dryness and maintains elastin in the skin.  In fact, it is called nature's "beauty mineral," because it keeps the hair glossy and smooth and keeps the complexion clear and youthful.
   
In addition, sulphur plays a part in tissue respiration, the process whereby oxygen and other substances are used to build cells and release energy. It works with the liver to secrete bile. Sulphur also helps to maintain overall body balance. (ph).
   
Sulphur disinfects the blood, resists bacteria and protects the protoplasm of cells. It aids in oxidation reactions, stimulates bile secretions in the liver, and protects against toxic substances.
   
It also has the ability to protect against the harmful effects of radiation and pollution, and slows down the aging process, extending the life span.
 
How can we include sulphur in our diet?
 
The soil in many areas is deficient in sulphur; therefore plant foods vary in content.  So eat plants grown in organic soil; with kelp used as a fertilizer.   A diet adequate in protein commonly contains enough sulphur.
   
The main sulphur-containing foods are:

    •        brussels sprouts                                                  
    •        leaf lettuce (all types)
    •        cabbage                                                              
    •        onions (leeks-onion family)
    •        carrots                                                                 
    •        parsley
    •        celery                                                                 
    •        radishes
    •        dandelion                                                             
    •        snap beans
    •        garlic                                                                   
    •        string beans
    •        horsetail (herb)                                                              
    •        wheatgrass
    •        watercress
    •        horsetail (herb)
    •        nuts (almonds, filberts, walnuts)
    •        kale
    •        kelp
    •        alfalfa sprouts
    •        turnips
    •       raspberries

Sulphur works with thiamine, pantothenic acid, biotin and lipoic acid, which are needed for metabolism and strong nerve health.  Sulphur is absorbed best when consumed with foods that contain:

    •    B-Complex
    •    Biotin
    •    Pantothenic Acid
    •    Potassium

Deficiency of sulphur may cause eczema and imperfect development of hair and nails.  Excess sulphur is excreted in the urine and the feces.
 
* A word to the wise:
 
The inorganic sulphur used on some dried fruits is not a healthy source of sulphur and is to be avoided.  Also, moisture and heat may destroy or change the action of sulphur in the body.
 
Take Care!
Lots of Love,
Monique

Send Monique your questions and watch for the response in an upcoming issue of Health In High Heels!
 

Clean Body, Clean Closets! 
ONLY 60 new participants accepted for an all new, Spring Cleaning version of the
 Body Enlightenment System!

Still a few places left!! HURRY!
Official Start Date, March 22, 2008!

Coming Next Week:

Feature Article: What's More Important Then The Food You Eat? The Water You DRINK! 

... and More Beauty Tips, Nutritional Questions, Recipes and other surprises!

Catch you there!