Every woman over 25  (and some men) are constantly reading about collagen pertaining to beauty products and anti-aging. But what does it all really mean in your personal everyday quest in finding the fountain of youth?

What is Collagen?

First, let’s examine what collagen is. Collagen is a protein produced in the human body. It is in the bones, tendons, muscles, and skin. It is also found in the cornea of the eyes, blood vessels, gut lining, teeth, and nails. The word collagen is derived from the Greek word “kolla” meaning glue. So basically collagen is the “glue” that holds the entire body together.

The body produces collagen naturally and it is in abundance when young, but unfortunately production starts to decline at about age 25, and continues. It decreases even more in women after menopause. Collagen also decreases with other factors such as smoking, sugar, and ultraviolet rays. This decrease leads to wrinkles and sagging skin. There is no way to prevent collagen decreases in the body.

Don’t panic, you are NOT doomed! While there is no way to completely stop aging, there are ways to do so more gracefully.

Help Your Body Build and Maintain Collagen

Collagen Skin Care Product Promises Are Misleading

You can help your body maintain and build collagen, once you have some basic information. There is a great deal of misleading and debatable information when it comes to collagen. One fact that most seem to agree on is that collagen skin care products do NOT add collagen to the skin. They are basically “hope in a jar”. Collagen molecules are simply too large to penetrate the skin. They can help moisturize your skin but they will not help build or replace collagen. The active ingredients will just sit on top of your skin.

Support Collagen Production Through Diet

If the active ingredient is collagen, it is always from an animal source. Most of the creams and dietary supplements on the market come from either cowhide or chicken bones. Since collagen is a form of protein, It also cannot be digested whole. It has to be broken down by the stomach just like every other protein we eat. It is important to consume adequate amounts of protein so your body has the amino acids it needs to produce collagen. It’s also important to consume a diet rich in antioxidants (vitamins E, C, and beta-carotene), B vitamins, and minerals such as  magnesium and zinc. Foods like blueberries, dark leafy greens, mango, eggs, are great collagen boosters.

You should also consider switching your current oil to avocado oil. A 2006 study published in the Journal of Rheumatology found that avocado oil “significantly increased type II collagen”.

The Basics of Collagen Supplements

If you cannot always eat a collagen-producing diet, supplements are another alternative. The best ones would be a plant-based supplement that helps the body in the production of collagen. It will contains the vitamins and minerals the body needs to help restore and build collagen. Take this with a good protein source and your hair, skin, and nails will love you!

 

Bananas: More Than Just a Flavorful Fruit

Bananas are a fun food. Most of us were introduced to bananas as babies.

This yummy potassium- and magnesium-rich food also contains 33 percent of your daily intake of vitamin C. It’s inexpensive, and easy to pack in your purse or gym bag, and snack on when needed.

Bananas are also great for DIY organic beauty treatments this time of year as the seasons change.

Potassium, the main nutrient in bananas, hydrates cells and helps moisturize hair and skin.

I encourage you to take a personal day off for beauty, and just go bananas.

DIY Body Care Products Made With Bananas

Here are a few fun, simple DIY recipes that you can try for hair, face and body.

Moisturizing Banana Hair Mask

This hair mask is perfect for dry and/or curly hair.

Ingredients

• ½  banana
• ½ cup coconut milk
• 2 teaspoon of avocado

Directions

1. Place all ingredients in a blender until creamy.
2. Rub into hair, and leave on for 15 to 30 minutes, even up to an hour.

Note: For a more intense moisturizing experience, place a shower cap over your hair.

Moisturizing and Exfoliating Banana Body Scrub

This banana exfoliator will slough off dead skin. The result will be soft, glowing skin that’s smooth to the touch.

Ingredients

• 2 brown bananas
• 1 cup brown sugar
• olive oil (as needed)

Directions

1. Mash 2 brown bananas with 1 cup of brown sugar, add olive oil as need to help in blending.
2. Use this body scrub in the shower.

Note: Need extra exfoliation? I suggest using dry-brushing beforehand.

Moisturizing Face Mask

I also like to use this as a foot mask sometimes.

Ingredients

• ½ banana
• 1 tablespoon of honey
• 1 tablespoon of coconut oil

Directions

1. Mash all ingredients and leave on skin for 5-15 min.
2. Rub this on your feet and cover with plastic bags for 5 minutes, after your body scrub.

Cupping is a traditional ancient Chinese medicine that involves placing bamboo, plastic, or glass jars on the skin, creating a vacuum by suctioning out the air. It is believed that, as the underlying tissue is sucked and raised into the cup, it enhances circulation, relieves pain, and pulls out toxins. The practice receives a lot of attention when athletes post images on their social media pages with rings on their backs that resemble bruising.

I spoke with Dr. Anne Mok, who practices Traditional Eastern Medicine at Cornerstone Healing in Brooklyn. Dr. Mok treats sports injuries, including carpal tunnel syndrome, herniated disks, various sprains and strains, and tendonitis.

Karim Orange: How do you use cupping in your current practice?

Dr. Anne Mok: During the consultation, depending on what they are coming for and what their constitution is, that is when we will decide whether cupping is appropriate. If their constitution is more of a weaker nature, then we will not do cupping. Cupping is considered a more aggressive form of treatment.
 
KO: How many types of cupping are there, and what are the differences?

AM: There are several for different reasons.

Stationary cups - cups are just placed on the body without movement.

Sliding cups - after applying a liniment, then the cups are slid over the body parts. This can be more intense than stationary cups.

Bleeding cups - using a lancet to prick a certain area and then quickly place the cup over it.

Flash cupping - cupping that is quickly placed on the skin but not retained but is repeated several times in that area or down a limb. Commonly used in stroke patients.

Depending on what people are coming in for, that is when we will decide which type of cupping to use. More commonly we would do sliding cupping first and then leave the cups stationary afterwards. Bleeding cups are more specific and are used more in cases of swelling, like on the knees.
 
KO: What are some of the ailments you like to use cupping for?

AM: I like to use cupping for pain, swelling, colds, and congestion.

KO: It was very popular during the Olympics. Why do you think this was?

AM: It was popular in the Olympics because these athletes train their muscles to the max, therefore causing stagnation. Also, it can heal injuries faster by decreasing inflammation. It can also help loosen up the muscles.

KO: Can cupping be used for stress?

AM: Stress can appear in many ways. If someone is holding a lot of tension in their muscles or they are constipated, then, yes, cupping can help. Cupping releases heat and stagnation from the body and sometimes this stagnation can manifest in insomnia, anxiety, constipation, and a whole array of emotions.

KO: How many sessions do you usually recommend, and can it be done solo or only in conjunction with acupuncture?

AM: Cupping can be done alone or in conjunction with acupuncture or massage. In our practice, we recommend both together. I wouldn’t do cupping at each treatment, especially if the marks are very dark. I would wait for the marks to subside, then do it again. If the marks are less dark then there is less stagnation or inflammation. It’s also used as an assessment tool.

KO: Is there anything else someone should know before they think about trying cupping?

AM: Cupping has been around for thousands of years and used in many different cultures. You can use glass, plastic, or bamboo to do cupping. Gua sha, or commonly known as scraping, is like cupping but used in areas like the neck or top of the shoulders. Some areas that are not flat are better to use Gua sha on. I have used Gua sha for a stiff neck and it’s very effective.

Now that you know more about this traditional way of healing the body, is this something you would try?

I haven’t written for my own blog in almost a year, although I’ve thought about it daily. It just was never the right time (tick-tock). Blogging just became one of the many tasks that got pushed by the wayside while I crammed all of “the important stuff” in my day. The meetings, phone calls, family, short-term goals, long-term goals.  Sometimes there are not enough hours in the day to get it all done. Everyone knows what I’m talking about: The everyday life drama — all the things that we must handle that create the constant ticking clock that says, “there is never enough time,” or “where did the time go?”

With that constant ticking, I began to feel like I was running on a tread mill to nowhere. It felt empty, since I thought my life would have a different purpose and more important direction. At times I felt no spiritual connection to my life. Yes, I have many awards and titles (Emmy-nominated makeup artist, mother, friend, and wife are a few), but the spirit doesn’t recognize titles.

How was I feeding my spirit? In what direction was my compass guiding me? What direction was my life taking me?  I couldn’t tell if I was spending my life moving in the right direction, or if my actions were just time fillers dictated by the ticking of the clock. Call it luck or divine intervention, but I stumbled upon a book called First Things First by Stephen R. Covey where Covey discusses this very issue. I began to recognize that paying attention to my direction is more important than how fast I’m moving (the compass vs the clock).

Sometimes we fear the clock so much that we ignore the compass. I recently lost a huge business client that, when I am honest with myself, had taken a lot of my time and came close to compromising my values. The one and only upside to this particular relationship was the money. I bargained with my compass to surrender to the clock. I told myself that this situation provided the immediate money solutions that allowed my life to function smoothly. This was on my mind, of course, due to the very loud and annoying ticking of the clock. This situation did not allow me time to move in the real direction of where I wanted my life to be (my compass). My bills were paid, but I broke a lot of promises to my own spiritual life for this convenience.

I stayed in this situation because of fear, or having to do without. Fear should not be present while you create the reality you deserve.

We have to courageously build the reality we want, and have faith that the abundance will come (and I don’t just mean money).

Looking back, and forward at the same time, the compass of my life would still be stuck in the same place had this situation remained in my life. Truth be told there will always be a clock ticking, reminding me of the constant things that I have to do and sometimes never get done. But upon examining the direction of my life, and making daily steps to travel in the right direction, the ticking becomes much softer.

As the philosopher Plato says, “The unexamined life is not worth living.” In wholehearted agreement, I now give action and thought to my compass daily so it will begin to lead me in the right direction, regardless of speed. My direction includes the following life additions: understanding I have a voice that I wish to share with others (through time spent writing); understanding that I inspire beauty in others that I need to inspire in myself (through prayer, long walks in parks and beaches); maintaining my own sound health (by paying attention to diet and exercise); understanding idle time management (using an hour or two to volunteer for those less fortunate rather than watching TV); remembering to inspire laughter and love (through dancing, spending quality time with family and friends); never failing to learn (by taking that class that I’ve been putting off). And most of all understanding that when the spirit is pleased there is more than enough time for everything else.

Barley is a widely grown cereal grain. Barley water has been used for many centuries in places like Greece, Britain, and East and Southeast Asia. The Greeks make a drink using mint and barley called kykeon. During the yearly tennis tournament at Wimbledon, athletes are served fruit-flavored barley water for hydration.

Barley is a great source of fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Research shows this grain helps fight diabetes by slowing glucose absorption and also reduces the risk of heart disease due to its ability to lower both cholesterol and blood pressure.

Barley water has a mild taste that can be enhanced with different spices and fruits to create a nutritious and delicious drink. It is very economical, as organic barley usually costs about $5 for 20 ounces.

When shopping for barley, you will see names like pearled barley and hulled barley. Hulled barley is the whole-grain form of barley, and with only the outermost hull removed, it’s the healthiest. Pearled barley cooks more quickly, but it contains fewer nutrients because the bran layers and outer husks have been removed.

You should consider this ancient superfood as a staple in your home. Barley water can be served hot or cold and is easy to prepare.

With summer finally here, for many of us it means taking a vacation. If you’re like most Americans, you have traveled at some time in your life. Whether you live out of a suitcase for work purposes or you take a personal trip once a year, staying balanced while traveling makes the journey smooth.

While we can’t do anything about a delayed flight or other things beyond our control, these tips will help you to stay balanced while traveling.

I recently took a trip for work, with a colleague that smoked. Since it was her car, I became almost a prisoner to the situation. I also had to share a room with this same colleague and she liked to sleep with the TV on. The hotel room was nice but had a somewhat moldy smell. The company also required us to attend daily lunches and dinners serving food I would not normally eat. As you can probably guess, I really did not enjoy this particular trip and felt very ‘unbalanced’ the entire time. I also became very sick as soon as I got back home.

After this experience, and knowing that I would have several more upcoming trips, I decided to learn how to maintain physical, mental balance while traveling (since I could not afford to get sick each time upon my return).

I had the chance to speak with (and get tips) from a professional traveler and naturopath John Ayo. He is also the author of the book Travel Balance. I asked him the following questions, which helped me to create a holistic travel kit tailored to my needs.

Karim Orange: What are the three products no traveler should leave home without? 

John Ayo: 

Water: A water container of some type is essential! Since filtered water is best, try and refill it as much as possible throughout your journey. A good place to find filtered water is the workout room in your hotel. It usually has a large water dispenser that you can use to refill your water bottle. 

Immune Support/ Supplements: Stay healthy by avoiding excess sugar, salt, dairy, and wheat (as it applies to you). Pack immune support specific supplements such as a food sourced multivitamin. Vitamin B is great for calming, vitamin C, and E are both high in antioxidants and boost immune support, and probiotics help with food digestion and support your natural immune system. 

Noise Canceling Head Phones: This allows you to put your brain in a happy place listening to whatever you like. It can help you deal with anxiety and stress, and other emotional issues.

K.O: What’s the best way to balance dealing with jet lag?

J.A: Jet lag is never fun. One of the first steps to combat it is to drink lots of water. You should focus on setting your body clock to the destination time zone as soon as you get to the gate. Never look back thinking about “what time is it at home.” Follow this rule when you’re traveling and changing time zones (even short ones). You need to reset your body and brain as quickly as possible. One thing you can do (if possible) is to walk barefoot on some grass. This will help you synch to the Earth’s rhythm’s more quickly. This practice is called “earthing”. Another trick is to stay awake until at least 9:00 pm on the first two nights of your arrival.

K.O: How do you turn your hotel room into a home away from home?

J.A: I have an entire chapter about that in my book, but here are some basic rules: Check for bed bugs (you can apply Thieves Oil ) on sheets for some protection. Wipe off common items that people touch (again Thieves Oil is good for this). Items include the TV remote, telephone receiver, light switch, and door knobs. Travel with an essential oil diffuser and add a scent that you like. Make sure to also source your drinking water for your stay.

KO: How do incorporate healthy eating habits while traveling? 

J.A: When possible, eat things that grow! Take your vitamins (ones the body recognizes as food) daily. Take a specific supplement to protect you from contaminated water. Also, try drinking a large glass of purified water before you go to dinner, and limit your alcohol intake. Eat your biggest meal at breakfast, and smallest at dinner. Lastly, try going for a walk after dinner to aid digestion.

Needless to say, I’m going to take all of these great tips with me the next time I travel. For more information on John and his book Travel Balance please visit: www.johnayo.com

Safe travels!

I had the pleasure of spending time with the author of Eat with Intention: Recipes and Meditations for a Life that Lights You Up. Her name is Cassandra Bodzak, and she is awesome! She is a healthy cooking expert, wellness coach, meditation teacher, and TV personality and blogger. She helps people create a life that lights them up from the inside out. Here are some words of wisdom from Cassandra:

Before you head to the diet section of Barnes & Noble and pick up a book on the hottest new fad diet, how about trying something different this spring?

What if I told that you have had the secrets all along, you just have forgotten how to ask for the answer. In my book, Eat with Intention: Recipe and Meditations for a Life that Lights You Up, I teach people how to reclaim their relationship with their body so they can access their inner wisdom for living their healthiest, most vibrant and happy life!

The first big step to this is starting to have a conversation with your body. You can’t find out the answers if you don’t start with asking the questions. So I wanted to provide you with five juicy questions to get you started on your body-love conversation and help you get into this loving ritual for spring and beyond.

First off, I highly recommend creating a sacred space to begin this conversation. Find a cozy nook, light a candle, make a cup of tea, and get a beautiful journal to jot down some notes. Once you are comfortable, begin with a meditation.

My clients love to listen to my guided meditation for loving and accepting your body (you can listen to that here), but you can do whatever feels best to you to unwind and center into your inner world.

When you are ready, place one hand on your heart and one hand on your navel and ask yourself the following questions. Allow whatever comes up to come up without judging it or trying to manipulate it, just let it be and feel free to journal what first comes to mind, allowing the responses to flow organically without second guessing what is coming forward.

1. How have I been treating you?
2. How can I take better care of you?
3.  Am I doing anything right now that’s hurting you?
4. What foods would be most nourishing for you right now?
5. Is there something you have been trying to tell me?

Truth is, you can go on forever with questions, and I encourage you to keep asking as they naturally pop up for you. It takes practice. It’s like any relationship in life, you need to build up your connection one day at a time. Keep showing up, keep asking and most importantly, keep listening to what your body is telling you.

Life can drag you in a million different directions each day, but you can stop the treadmill of insanity whenever you take a moment, connect to your breath, and choose to do what you love—what your soul wants and what ultimately is for your highest good. Our life expands when we start choosing to do things we love with the time and energy we have.

Here is a bonus for you! A meditation from my book.

Meditation for the Positive Mind

• Sit in easy pose. Curl your ring finger and little finger into each palm with your thumbs holding them down, with your two standing fingers held together instead of spread apart as in a peace sign.
• Bring in your arms so that your elbows are by your sides and your hands are by your shoulders with the two standing fingers of each hand pointing straight up. Your forearms and hands should tilt forward slightly to an angle of 30 degrees from the vertical. Press your shoulders and elbows back firmly but comfortably and keep your palms facing forward.
• Close your eyes and focus them on your third-eye point (the space between your eyebrows). Take slow deep breaths and mentally chant “sa ta na ma” from the third-eye point outward. This is a common Kundalini mantra that describes the cycle of life: “sa” means infinity, “ta” is life, “na” is death, and “ma” is rebirth.
• Start by practicing for 11 minutes, gradually building up to 31 minutes. Take a deep breath in, hold it, and then exhale and relax.