Foods for Perfect skin!

If you’re a regular on my blog, you’ll know that despite my being very vain (lol) I also suffer from acne( all of my adult years since I turned 21). Even though I try to follow a products regime for my skin to be clear, what I eat also helps as some foods can aggravate your acne, whilst some enhance your skin. Here's a list of foods that can lead to clear skin -

RED BELL PEPPERS –

 

one red bell pepper actually contains more than 100% of our daily vitamin C requirement. It also contains dietary fiber and vitamin B6. Carotenoids in it helps prevents wrinkles and aids blood circulation, ensuring our skin looks like youthful. It’s also about 30 calories which is low.

DARK CHOCOLATE 

 

 I love chocolate but they are fattening so go easy on this! Dark chocolate is rich in antioxidants, fatty acids and flavonoids that promote glowing skin. The antioxidants in it reduces roughness of the skin and protects it against sun damages. Cocoa also relaxes arteries thereby increasing blood circulation, which of course leads to healthier skin

 

 

SALMON

 

I love me some sea food! Salmon is an excellent food that produces our daily vitamin D needs. Vitamin D is responsible for keeping our heart, bones, colon and brain healthy. It also prevents colon cancer, anxiety, stress, depression, heart and bone diseases. So how’s it good for the skin? Well, it contains Omega- 3 fatty acids which are excellent for fighting inflammation, wrinkle and acne. It also hydrates your skin. If you however can’t lay your hands on salmon due to cost factor or even scarcity, try good old mackerel!

 

COCONUT OIL

 

Aside from using this on my hair, coconut oil is one of the richest sources of saturated fat. It contains lauric acid which is a powerful antibacterial and antiviral agent protecting us from viruses, infections, inflammation and acne! It’s also rich in essential fatty acids and vitamin C and therefore perfect for keeping skin moist, soft and wrinkle free.

GREEN TEA 

 

I know it’s a beverage but it’s a great source of antioxidants and contain L – theanine which helps relax us and lowers stress. When brewed hot, it releases catechins which is a antioxidants which has anti-cancer and anti- inflammatory properties. Drink for 3 cups a day to see results.

 

SPINACH

Yea! Spinach always reminds me of Popeye the sailor, who gulps large cans of spinach for energy...its however one of my nastiest veggies as I do not like the smell or its taste. But for the sake of my skin, I do eat spinach once in a while. Its nutritionally rich and contains iron, folate, chlorophyll, vitamin E, magnesium, vitamin A, fiber, plant protein and vitamin C.

 

PAW PAW(papaya) 

 

 asides from being low in calories( 39 calories per 100g) it has no cholesterol. Aside from weight matters, it’s a beauty food low in fructose and is excellent for digestion. The antioxidant nutrients in it like vitamin C, vita. E, beta carotenes are great at reducing inflammation and acne.

 

 

CARROTS

 

 

Yummy, delicious carrots are great for the eyes. They are also good for the skin. They help clear breakout. Vitamin A in it helps prevents the overproduction of cells in the outer layer of the skin which is where excess sebum combines with dead cells and cloys pores. Vitamin A also reduces the development of skin cancer cells. Whilst eating these foods. Remember to avoid junk foods too much sugar, trans fats and refined carbs for the beast skin possible.

 

 

 

 

 

 

OVARIAN CANCER- Vital facts!

 

·         Its not a SILENT KILLER.

Years ago, ovarian cancer was regarded as a silent killer, it was rare and its symptoms were relatively vague. You should see a doctor to rule it out if you suffer from – persistent tummy pain, feeling unreasonably full after eating, bloating, bladder and bowel symptoms such as IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) and recurrent cystitis/

·         It’s a sign of the Times

Ovarian cancer would have been rare in primitive times where most women were almost continually pregnant and hardly menstruated. With shorter lifespans, they would have not outlived their reproductive years. These days women can live up to half of their lives post menopausally with the risk of the disease increasing at this time.

·         Hormones Trigger Symptoms

An enlarged lower abdomen or pressing sensations in the bladder and bowel do not mean you have a huge tumor….

·         There are blood tests you can take for early detection

You can take a blood test to detect if the Protein CA 125, which women have naturally is raised as this can suggest ovarian cancer. It’s however only an indicator, as pregnancy and conditions such as endometriosis, fibroids and benign cyts can also increase the levels CA125.

·         It is regarded as an Older woman’s cancer

Although it can occur from 20 upwards, most cases are in women aged 40 plus, with the majority in over 70’s.

·         It is regarded as Nuns Caner

Nuns typically went through life without pregnancies and so may have had around 500 ovulations in their reproductive life – the number of ovulations you have the greater the impact on your risk of the disease.

·         The Pill can cut your risk

Taking the pill can help prevent ovarian cancer as it halts ovulation and reduces the risk. Sterilisation also reduces the risk.

·         Infertility increases the risk

·         Unlike other cancers where smoking and drinking alcohol play a clear role, the main lifestyle factor in ovarian cancer is weight; women with a BMI of 30 or more are at a greater risk than women with a healthy bmi.

 

I'M IN LOVE WITH HENNA!

My newest hair fad is henna for dying my hair. The last time I visited Savy chic hub, Dabs of naijahaircangrow was raving about the many benefits of using henna on her hair. I made a mental note to try henna soonest on my hair so upon returning from my trip, I got some henna in the form of Nupur which is a blend of 100% natural henna and 9 natural herbs – Brahmi, shikakai, aloe vera, methi, bhringraj, amla, neem, hibiscus and jatamansi (truthfully I have never heard of some of these herbs).

Naturally being my hair ocd self, I can never use anything on my hair without some research and I read some rave reviews of henna. The most important being –

·         You need to know what you want from your treatment….are you seeking to just strengthen your hair without color. Use cassia obovata which is popularly referred to as ‘neutral henna’…seeking to lighten your strands and have a red tone? Use red henna, which is the original henna…..trying to darken your hair color cos you are in love with black hair? Advisable to use ‘indigo henna’.

·         Henna is not a permament hair dye….yea the color will last but it needs regular coloring as shampooing, swimming, blow drying all cause degradation of your color, though it will never turn brassy or bronze like your ammonia filled hair dyes.

·         Henna strengthens your hair strands, almost like a protein treatment and this can lead to dry and brittle strands, so always follow up each treatment with a moisturizing deep conditioning treatment.

·         Ensure you use 100% henna of body art quality. A lot of brands claim to be natural henna and will usually claim you can lighten to ‘light blonde’, ash brown’ ‘chestnut brown’ etc….these are not natural henna as the only color you will get from henna is red. These brands usually contain metallic compounds and / or salts which can damage your hair, so be cautious!

Now, what are the benefits of using a henna treatment?

·         It helps thicken your hair as it provides a double coating to your strands and aids in preventing thinning and hair loss.

·         It is a healthy way to color your hair without the damage that comes along with using hair dyes that typically contain ammonia and hydrogen peroxides

·         You can use henna as a great conditioner that helps maintain the quality of your hair

·         It helps strengthen your hair thereby making it resilient to damage and breakage.

·         It is antifungal so can help prevent dandruff

How do I use my henna?

Well, I followed my package instructions which was to mix my henna with water and/or oil and soak for about 4-6 hours ( I used Olive oil). I used a whisk to mix it properly.

I prepooed with a mix of crème of nature argan oil intensive therapy conditioner and amla oil and detangled after an hour under my shower cap. Then washed my hair as I normally do with Aubrey organics honeysuckle moisturizing shampoo. I put in the treatment first using a brush but decided I preferred my fingers ( I should state here that it’s advisable to use the henna when naked in your bathroom as its very messy and henna can stain your clothes). I wrapped it with my cling film and tied a scarf tightly to secure it in place. I had a bath afterwards and then went to bed.

Next morning I rinsed it out with water pouring loads of water to rinse and then I used my   vo5 moisture deep conditioner to cowash my hair to wash out the henna completely. I then deep conditioned with my baby sitrinillah. I don’t think I can explain with words how moisturized and yet strong my hair felt. I had my fingers in my hair all day long, lovingly playing with my new growth as I’m 9 weeks post relaxer. I intend to use henna on my hair monthly henceforth