Olive Oil and Flaxseed for Frizzy Hair!

Hello!

Happy Spring!

Its finally looking a little more green here in Maryland! It is spring when we should be considering new beginnings and being grateful for the return of the sun. The daffodils and hyacinths are blooming, birds are chirping, the air is much more moist, and well, here come the frizzies.

If you check out my pic on the sidebar, you'll see I have naturally curly hair. This hair type is prone to frizz due to the nature of its growth pattern, not to mention its tendency towards dryness and breakage.

So I had my first big frizz day after a jaunt in my garden, and stood in the mirror waiting for my beauty angels to come up with a solution. Those over-the-counter frizz remedies haven't worked for me, and the cleanest ones rely on dimethicone, while most have horrible petro fragrances and other unknown chemicals included.

I went back about my business when it hit me - olive oil! Thanks beauty angels! I have always used olive oil to combat the dry ends that long hair suffers from, so I figured it would be great idea to put some on my hair before showering to at least seal some moisture in it.

I took about 1/2 a teaspoon of cold pressed, extra virgin olive oil and worked it through my hair. Someone with shorter hair would use half as much. Then I put my hair up in a bun/twist and did a little more gardening. About an hour later, I was off to the shower to wash it out. When I took my hair down, I was so surprised! My hair laid across my shoulder perfectly, with little frizz! I didn't need to wash my hair to get it to settle down! I just used my styling gel (homemade, recipe follows) after the shower and had a great hair day!

The Process

Remember first that we're all individual in our physical make up, so results may vary. In other words, don't try this for the first time before an event or date, test it first when you have extra time and can experiment.

Begin with hair that has just started to frizz. If your hair is over the top frizzed, I would recommend washing and detangling first.

Use a quality brand of cold pressed, virgin or extra virgin olive oil. I like Bertoli.

The amount of oil depends on your hair's length and texture. Less is more. Like I said, I used only about 1/2 teaspoon and I have waist length coarse hair. I would say 1/4 teaspoon if you have shoulder length coarse curly hair, and still a bit less if your hair is average. If your hair is fine or straight, use very, very little, as what makes this work; I'm finding, is that the olive oil weighs the hair down a bit.

Olive oil does have an odor. I find it pleasant, but you can add a drop of essential oil to cover the scent. The heavier scents like patchouli, clove, and frankincense are a good complement, but do a little experimenting to see what works for you...just one drop though. Grapefruit essential oil is another frizz fighter, but more than a drop can irritate sensitive skin.

Note: The reason I recommend cold pressed virgin or extra virgin olive oil is that the other types have often been treated with chemicals. If it is super cheap, its not worth it. The virgin is much healthier for you outside, not to mention inside!

Rub the olive oil in your hands. If you are using a larger amount, you may have to do two applications to avoid dripping. Gently work the oil over your hair, payimg extra attention to the ends. Wrap your hair tightly around your head, and secure with pins or put the hair into a twist or bun. Leave the hair up for an hour or so.

Take your hair down and evaluate. Use some styling gel to smooth your tresses into place, and to seal any oil residue in. Check to make sure there is not excess oil residue on the hair that may affect clothes or upholstery.

You can use an even smaller amount of olive oil on wet hair before styling for the same result. I always recommend a hair gel to control frizzy hair and help it survive the humidity changes that cause frizz.

This is my new favorite way to enjoy olive oil! My hair loves it!

More on Olive Oil

Olive oil has phytocompounds in it called polyphenols which are getting a lot of buzz on the beauty scene these days. You'll notice it on many product labels. Polyphneols work similar to antioxidants to combat aging. Olive oil resists becoming rancid, and is better for you than other vegetable oils, in my opinion. Other oils become rancid rapidly on the shelf and in the body, creating free radicals that contribute to aging and disease. I love olive oil on baked potatoes, bread, mozzarella, and roasted veggies. A good way to get a internal beauty treatment. Due to my olive oil consumption, I rarely have to moisturize my body skin.

More Uses

You can do a deep conditioning treatment on the hair by really saturating the hair and scalp with olive oil, putting on a plastic cap and leaving it on for 1/2 hour to 45 minutes. You'll have to use more shampoo than usual to remove the excess from the hair.
This treatment has a reputation for stimulating hair growth, but I am unsure this is proven.

For long hair, you can work a small amount on dry or damaged ends before going to bed at night, fixes the stiff, dried out look.

Human skin responds very well to olive oil. No wonder the Greeks bathed with it. The key is using small amounts to avoid being greasy. It absorbs well, and takes away the flakiness that watery lotions often leave behind.

Olive oil can be used with a cotton puff/ball to remove makeup, even waterproof eye makeup.

Make Your Own Hair Gel

Here is my secret to controlled curly hair for the past 24 years. Straight hair can benefit as well.

While flax seeds are getting a lot of media attention because of their high omega three content, its the natural mucilage, or plant glue on the outside of the seeds that makes it so perfect for a hair gel. This is an affordable hair gel too, since a bag of flax seeds usually costs less than five bucks and is good for at least three batches of gel.

You'll need:

One cup of whole flaxseeds. Regular dark flaxseeds work better than the yellow golden.

About 3 tablespoons of vodka, though I have used rum with good results.

A few drops of essential oil. I use ylang ylang and clove.(will explain the magic of this scent in another post)

3-4 cups of water. Less for thicker gel.

Boil the water in a deep saucepan.

When the water comes to a boil, slowly add the seeds and reduce the heat to a simmer. You'll see the mixture begin to thicken. Watch it closely until used to the procedure to avoid burning at the bottom or over thickening. When the flax mix is just slightly thinner than the hair gel strength you like, take it off the heat, let it sit for a minute or so, and strain into a container that can withstand heat and refrigeration. Be very careful with the hot gel, as it really adheres and can cause a burn.

A metal mesh strainer with holes smaller than the flax seeds is best to strain the mixture with, so if you don't have one; purchase it after you get the seeds to be sure of the size. This is another inexpensive item and it will last for years. Do not buy the type that can double as a tea strainer, the holes are too small.

If you lack the strainer, or don't want to invest before you try, you can use a fork to punch holes all over a bottom corner of a heavy zip lock gallon size bag as a makeshift strainer. You will need a careful friend to hold it open so there is no danger of getting burned by the hot gel.

Once the flax gel is in its container, stir the vodka in a bit at a time until thoroughly mixed. The addition of the alcohol is optional, but it keeps the flax from flaking. Stir in a few drops (3-8) of essential oil, and its ready to go. This gel will keep well in the fridge for at least a week.

As you can see, this stuff is by no means pretty, but it works! Remember, due to the alcohol content of this mix, it is flammable until it dries.

Tip - If you have very unruly, curly, frizzy hair, work the gel into every part of your locks, not just the surface. Use a large tooth comb or a wide pick to separate the curls, combing straight downward. Squeeze, don't rub any excess moisture from the hair with a towel, and let the hair air dry until the gel feels a little "crispy"
before blow drying. Letting the hair air dry with a lot of flax like this takes a while, but you'll have super-firm, bouncy hold that lasts, even in summer.

Enjoy!

Acai for Health, Beauty, and the Rainforests

With all the press that Acai is getting these days, I'm surprised that so few know what it is. I'm hoping that I'll help spread the word, because the little purple berries are antioxidant powerhouses offering amazing benefits to human bodies.

An Amazing Health Food

Acai has far too many health benefits to be ignored. The purple pulp has and continues to be studied for its high levels of phytochemicals, flavonoids, and phytosterols. The phytosterols in acai are beneficial for lowering cholesterol. High levels of the antioxidant superoxide add to the benefits, not to mention the 19 amino acids it contains. The antioxidant levels of the nut like seed are being studied for use as a preservative to extend the shelf life of foods.

I know, enough of all these crazy words...what does this translate to? Basically, this is a food with higher antioxidant levels than pomegranate or blueberries that has high fiber, a low glycemic index (won't spike insulin levels), and fights cancer cells with a vengeance in the petri dish. All those plant chemicals mentioned above
help to strengthen the immune system, fight inflammation (which makes it excellent for a pain management program),and lower cholesterol levels. Acai is considered a beauty drink, and made it to number one of Dr. Nicholas Perricone's anti-aging food list. It is also reputed to enhance sexual performance :O

I tried acai before I even knew of the health benefits. I found it along with all the frozen smoothie packs in my local Whole Foods Market. It has a flavor that I have not experienced before, that I really adore, though I tend to have less of a sweet tooth than most folks.


OK, So How Does it Taste?

The taste is kind of a blend between chocolate and bland blueberries. It has some notes of sweeter blackberries, I guess since they contain many of the same phyto compounds. Acai doesn't have an over the top fruity taste, and is honestly kind of bland without any sweetener. It often comes with added cane sugar or agave, a natural sweetener with low glycmeic index. Some formulas include guarana for energy, which I think adds a slight bitter edge, but it is still in the pleasant range. Be aware that acai drinks often do not look remotely similar to anything you've seen before. The pure pulp is blackish purple, and the blends with sweeteners and guarana have a lighter, whiter purpleness with a haze of oil on top. Don't let my honest descriptions keep you from trying it, it is a refreshing change of taste.

If you decide you hate the taste, you can still experience the health benefits of acai by buying the dried, powdered version as a supplement pill, just make sure to seek out the freeze dried pulp, anything else has been dried with chemicals and heat that destroys the compounds you're taking the stuff for in the first place!

So there are several camps selling the acai in the states right now, and my kudos to all of them. You'll just have to go to a health food store or one of the Whole Foods chains to find it. Trader Joe's may be another option, and some companies sell directly over the net. A brand called Sambazon hails from California, and they make the cool smoothie packs. You can buy the pure pulp, or the blend. I'm sure the other companies have smoothie packs as well. The company from the Eastern U.S., Flavor Brazil, makes this amazing sorbet that can be used in smoothies or devoured right out of the tub. This product has excellent flavor for those used to more mainstream foods. You'll find these forms of acai in the frozen fruit section of the store. Zola Acai sells off the net and in stores, their product is unique in that it is flash pasteurizeed and needs no refrigeration. A friend of mine that does research assured me the flash pasteurization doesn't allow enough long term heat to affect the integrity of the acai. There is a brand that is a strained, clearer juice that tastes awful - not worth the money in my opinion, and you lose the benefits of the fiber. I'm sure there are a host of many other acai products, I mentioned those I have tried.

After trying many forms of the acai, I buy the pure acai pulp now; they run about $4.99 for 4 packs that can make up to 8 servings. I sweeten with agave nectar, it gives the pulp a pleasant taste. The pure pulp has just that - a lot of pulp, similar to drinking fresh squeezed orange juice...you can feel the fibers as you drink it. Agave nectar is processed in Mexico from the same yucca-like plant used to make tequila.
Agave has a lower glycemic index than most carbohydrates, and is a natural flavor enhancer. You can find the nectar in the sweetener aisle in the Whole Foods, or health foods stores.

The Berry at Home

Acai is the fruit of a species of palm tree called Euterpe Oleracea, or Acai Palm. These beautiful trees with their graceful, slender trunks are native to Brazil, Peru, and other areas of South America. This is the same type of palm harvested for the hearts of palm dish that is considered a delicacy, but certainly at the expense of the rain forest, since the small, bunch like trees are downed to reap their tender tips.

The acai berry looks similar to a very round blueberry, only slightly larger. There is very little fruit, as most of the berry (80%) consists of a large, nut like seed. It is the skin and thin layer of pulp that is edible, and it takes many bushels to make a small supply of acai. The berries spoil rapidly once picked, so they are processed close to their origin.

Adding acai to your wellness routine is not just good for you, it benefits the rain forest and its native peoples as well. The growing demand for acai means jobs and capitol for the people, and Acai palms destined for destruction by deforestation and heart of palm harvesting are now being preserved and appreciated. Acai is not one of the cheapest foods you will consume, but the benefits to your health, beauty, your fellow man and the planet far outweigh the costs. Enjoy!

Inexpensive Home Remedies for Tired Eyes, Dark Circles

Hello!

Welcome to Sundar!

For the first entry into the blog I wanted to address a concern everyone that burns the candle at both ends wants a fix for - tired eyes and dark circles. Whether you're out late dancing with friends, after hours at the office or burning the midnight oil to cram for a test, you know the drill; and you dread looking in the morning mirror. Its usually when we have to look good for a date or event that we fret over tired eyes most...yikes!

The tender under eye area has few oil glands and thinner, less pliable skin than the rest of the face, so its no wonder fatigue shows up on this spot first. There are quite a few pick me ups for this area, so I figured I'd share the ones I have found useful. You'll get the best results with a cleansed face. If you have sensitive skin or allergies, always test a small skin area first or ask your physician's advice.

The Tea Bag Fix
I had really severe dark circles when I was younger. Between allergies and insomnia I regularly looked a wreck when I was only eighteen. I used store brand black tea bags; first steeped in the hot water to release the volatile oils, (and to enjoy an antioxidant-rich cup of tea)then placed in the freezer until they were chilled. You just lie back in the chair for about 15 minutes with the cool tea bags placed under your eyes. It feels great, and you emerge refreshed with lesser "bags" on your face. Its worth the extra time in your routine, and you can take advantage of this time to meditate, repeat affirmations, or get an extra wink in...I've been known to have the tea bags in the fridge; (no need to freeze if in overnight)then pop up with the alarm, grab the bags, and reset the alarm for 15 more blissful minutes-yay! You can tuck the tea bags in a baggie and stow them in your purse for later if you need another "pick up". I like to freeze them first if I'm carrying them with me - just watch out for the condensation as they warm, you could end up with a wet purse!

The tea bag that really is over the top outstanding for this procedure is my beloved Papaya Mint tea bags! These guys are hard to find, but worth seeking out at a health food store or Internet herb source. They are pretty inexpensive, too. I notice less dark circles with these.

Grandma's Standby - The Cucumber
Oops, that doesn't sound so good...oh well. My grandma is one of the most resourceful women I know, and she is never short on a solution or two cents worth of advice. I'm fortunate to have living grandparents at age 40, and one of the reasons is surely that these two eat so many fruits and veggies. So grandma saves about 2 inches of every cucumber that enters her fridge for her beauty regimen (she has lovely skin at 83). She slices the peeled cucumber very thin, and makes use of any chunks that didn't slice well by rubbing them all over her face. Then she relaxes in her recliner with the thin slices of cucumber under her eyes from 15 minutes to half an hour. They can be placed over the entire eye area too. Sometimes the pieces will slide a bit, so you just readjust them, or lie down instead. I use this technique whenever my grandma sends a cucumber home with me (I know, stop laughing, she really loves cucumbers!)and it works. You can apply your moisturizer right over the juice when you're through, unless you have sensitive skin. Cucumber is an excellent skin toner for the entire face, and they are inexpensive. The juice is also a natural diuretic. I slice cucumber in water in the summer..it sounds odd, but it is extremely refreshing with no burps! Remember that products with cucumber extract are good, but can never live up to the fresh enzymes of the real thing...cucumbers are indeed a girl's best friend!

Rose Quartz
Believe it or not, this mineral really lends itself to beauty. A stone of love and compassion, Rose Quartz is inexpensive due to its abundant supply and is a great rock to keep around the house, in the car, in the purse, or on your person to keep the love flowing and negative energies at bay. I seek out thin, flat, polished pieces to use on my face, and make sure they are thoroughly clean. Make sure the stones are not excessively heavy, as this is not good for your skin. We use these in my massage office for the face when someone gets a hot stone massage. You can order special rose quartz face stones from online suppliers. The stone stays naturally cool, and you can leave them in the fridge for a bit to cool them even more. Lie down, and gently place the stones around any "puffy" zones. After about 15 minutes, remove the stones, and check out your smoothed face. Sometimes the skin will feel damp if there was some edema, and may show a bit of redness. Jade is another great stone to use. In Japan, women massage their faces with polished jade for beauty.

Potatoes
Yup, having a strong Irish heritage, I always did believe potatoes were good for everything! They are good for under eyes circles and puffys for sure.
Wash, peel, and then thinly, thinly slice about and inch or so off a raw potato...watch your fingers! Cutting the portion of the potato resting on the counter flat makes it easier to slice it. Secure a relaxing place to lie down, and take the potato and a napkin/little towel with you. The slices tend to get drippy after a bit. Place the slices under your eyes, and avoid getting the juice in your eyes, it may irritate. Relax for about 15 minutes, discard the potatoes (after offering gratitude, of course:)) and rinse your face well. This is another trick I always go back to.


Well this is getting kinda long so I guess I'll have to list more eye fixes on another post. Enjoy!

Namaste,
Kim