But in the eyes of mompreneur, Corene Hejl-Edgeworth, Andrews is the perfect place to find the uncommon life she’s pursuing. Somewhere between dance lessons, art projects and homemade stuffed cabbage she found ... Read More »]]> Drive down main street and you quickly get the feeling that this town might very well be the one that time forgot. The decaying storefronts are mostly boarded up, the outlying factories have long since closed their doors. ‘Welcome to Andrews… home of Chubby Checker’ the rusted green sign welcomes the few that drive through… yes it’s the most unlikely place to find the next luxury skin care company.

But in the eyes of mompreneur, Corene Hejl-Edgeworth, Andrews is the perfect place to find the uncommon life she’s pursuing. Somewhere between dance lessons, art projects and homemade stuffed cabbage she found the time, energy and inspiration to fight for her dream of changing the world of cosmetics for good by creating a cooler kind of skin care. What resulted was a skin care line that features FROZEN, single serving products that are made fresh daily by happy people using time-tested, all-natural ingredients. Frozen products allow the use of fresh ingredients without all the preservatives and single serving, well, that’s just pure genius.

From her humble beginnings in a South Carolina kitchen to product debuts at Henri Bendel’s legendary 5^th Avenue boutique and Celebrity Stylist, Patricia Field’s flagship NYC store, feedmyskin is taking the world of beauty by storm. You gotta give it to the gal that single handedly made industry giants like Procter & Gamble, Bath & Body Works and Victoria’s Secret stop and take notice – Corene was invited to meet with all three! The product line has even caught the attention of renowned beauty guru Ceslie Armstrong and has peaked the interest of billion dollar distributor, Daymon Worldwide. Not bad for a Mom from Andrews, eh?

Wanna try out a Strawberry Scrub in a Tub (body polish chilled to perfection) or an Aloe Push Up (think old school ice-cream truck meets frozen, frosty sunburn relief)? Of course you do! www.FeedMySkin.com

We’re talking ingredients that can help repair damage from nasty UV rays, give your skin a healthy glow, and reduce inflammation and puffiness (too many margaritas last night, perhaps?).

Put your best face forward with these powerhouse ingredients and smoothie recipes.

Chia Seeds for Younger Looking Skin

This smoothie delivers ... Read More »]]> Getting a gorgeous, glowing complexion doesn’t only mean slathering on sunblock or the latest antioxidant serum (though that helps, too). It also means paying attention to your diet. By tossing nutrient-rich fruits, vegetables and other goodies into your blender, you can nab more beautifying foods that will nourish your skin from the inside, out.

We’re talking ingredients that can help repair damage from nasty UV rays, give your skin a healthy glow, and reduce inflammation and puffiness (too many margaritas last night, perhaps?).

Put your best face forward with these powerhouse ingredients and smoothie recipes.

Chia Seeds for Younger Looking Skin

This smoothie delivers a bonanza of vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients,” says YouBeauty Culinary Expert and chef Jim Perko, C.E.C. It contains chia seeds, as well as yogurt and tofu, which provide calcium, iron and protein to protect and maintain cell membranes, reduce inflammation and possibly protect against sun damage.

Recipe: Beauty Bonanza Smoothie
 by Jim Perko, C.E.C.

¼ cup fresh or frozen strawberries

½ cup fresh or frozen blueberries

1 orange, peeled and pits removed

1 ripe banana

½ cup fat-free plain yogurt

½ cup extra firm Silken tofu

2 tablespoons chia seeds

1 teaspoon agave nectar

Directions: Put all ingredients into blender and whip until smooth. Sip and think youthful thoughts.

Kale For a Healthy Skin Tone

This smoothie has more ‘gorgeous goods’ than any other smoothie I know,” says YouBeauty Nutrition Advisor, Kristin Kirkpatrick, R.D. That’s because it’s chock-full of carotenoids thanks to an abundance of kale. A recent study in the journal PLos ONE found that ingesting carotenoids (like the ones found in kale) was associated with healthy looking skin color that study participants deemed attractive to the opposite sex.

Recipe: Green and Glowing Smoothie by Jim Perko, C.E.C.

1 cup cleaned spinach leaves, firm packed

1 cup cleaned kale, rough chop, firm packed

1 cup green seedless grapes

1 Bartlett pear, core, stem and seeds removed

1 orange, peeled and quartered
1 banana, peeled

1 teaspoon chia seeds

½  cup water

2 cups ice

Directions:
Place all ingredients in blender and process on a low speed for 15 seconds, increase to medium, then high until well blended. Going green never tasted so good.

Coconut for Repairing Damaged Skin

“Healthy fats such as coconut oil are crucial for healthy skin,” says Frank Lipman, M.D., founder of Eleven Eleven Wellness Center. That’s because coconut oil contains lauric acid, which has antimicrobial properties. Coconut also contains vitamin E, which is essential for healthy skin growth and repair.

Recipe: Coconut Bliss Smoothie
 by Frank Lipman, M.D.

1 Sustain packet

4 ounces water

4 ounces unsweetened almond milk

½  frozen banana cut into chunks

1 tablespoon coconut oil

1 tablespoon shredded unsweetened coconut

4 ice cubes

Directions: Add all ingredients into blender and blend until smooth and creamy. Ahh!

Avocado for Reducing Inflammation

An avocado is capable of a lot more than delicious guacamole. This creamy green fruit is loaded with vitamins C, E and K, which are essential for healthy skin. It may also help reduce dryness and irritation. “I love the avocado in this recipe because it’s loaded with antioxidant power, giving skin a beauty boost by helping your body cut down on inflammation and making your skin glow,” explains Keri Glassman, R.D., author of “Slim, Calm, Sexy Diet: 365 Proven Food Strategies for Mind/Body Bliss.”

Recipe: Paradise Smoothie by Keri Glassman, R.D.

1 medium ripe peach, sliced

2 tablespoons chopped Hass avocado

1/3 cup unsweetened frozen strawberries

¾ cup fat-free plain yogurt

3 tablespoons 100% pomegranate juice

1 teaspoon grapeseed oil

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Directions: Place all ingredients in a blender. Puree about 15 seconds or until smooth. Pour into a tall glass and serve with a tall straw.

Berries for Smoother Skin

They may be little, but berries bring on big beautifying benefits for your skin. “Berries are full of antioxidant compounds that neutralize damaging free radicals that lead to skin cell damage and premature skin aging,” explains Tricia Williams, chef and owner of Food Matters, a food delivery service in New York City.

Recipe: Berry Beauty Blast
 by Tricia Williams

¼ cup frozen or fresh blueberries

¼ cup frozen or fresh raspberries

¼ cup frozen or fresh strawberries

¼ cup kale

1 cup water

Directions:
 Place all ingredients in a high power blender. Whirl until completely smooth. Serve immediately and sip your way to berry-induced bliss.

Which is your path to beautiful skin? 

YouBeauty culinary expert and chef Jim Perko started his career and love of cooking as a child cooking and gardening with his parents. His professional career started 36 years ago when as a student at the Culinary Institute of America when Jim was chosen to be one of four apprentices to the 1976 US Culinary Olympic Team. After graduation, marriage, and becoming a chef, in 1988 Jim founded the National award winning “Food is Knowledge” program that is now a signature part of the Cleveland Clinic’s community outreach wellness. In 1990 Jim competed and earned a place on the 1992 US Culinary Olympic Team where he won five medals. He now serves as the Executive Chef for the Cleveland Clinic Wellness Institute. Jim is an ACF certified Judge and the innovative creator of hundreds of deliciously healthy recipes, many of which can be found in the Dr.Oz’s and Dr. Roizen’s  “You” book series. 

Jim has presented nationally to a variety of venues from cirque du soleil troupe at the Bellagio hotel in Las Vegas, the California Walnut Board, The Ohio Dietetic Association, American Culinary Federation, to numerous wellness related events. 

In Jim’s “The Beauty of Cooking” column, you’ll be thrilled to learn how eating and cooking healthy is as much about the process as it is about the final product – Beautiful Mealtime!

Photo Credit: Shutterstock courtesy of YouBeauty

CalorieCount.com’s Director of Nutrition Rachel Berman provides easy and effective tips for becoming a new you, healthier you. It’s not about crash dieting or expensive detox treatments, two options that can be harmful to your body and mind. It’s about making healthy changes ... Read More »]]> Spring is upon us, bringing with it beautiful weather, fresh vegetation, and a perfect opportunity for cleaning the house. But spring is also the perfect time to cleanse your body, ridding it of the toxins you’ve built up this winter and preparing yourself for a gorgeous summer. Looking and feeling great in a bathing suit doesn’t hurt either!

CalorieCount.com’s Director of Nutrition Rachel Berman provides easy and effective tips for becoming a new you, healthier you. It’s not about crash dieting or expensive detox treatments, two options that can be harmful to your body and mind. It’s about making healthy changes to your diet and allowing your body to naturally detox. Rachel’s tips will help you get rid of those tired, sluggish feelings and replace them with an energetic, rejuvenated you!

Foods to add to your diet:

Leafy greens such as broccoli, Brussels sprouts, and kale contain cancer-fighting compounds called glucosinolates. They are also a great source of calcium which is important for muscle contraction and therefore, can improve the “spring in your step.” Frozen veggies often can be even more nutritious than fresh since they are frozen at the peak of ripeness.

Citrus fruits are loaded with soluble fiber. This type of fiber increases the amount of healthy bacteria in your colon to help flush out toxins from your system. They are also loaded with immune boosting nutrients and antioxidants such as vitamin C, which can improve the health of your skin. Choose the whole fruits, not juices, to get the maximum fiber benefit and improve satiation.

Garlic not only tastes and smells good, but it also has powerful antibiotic, antiviral, and antiseptic properties. It can protect our bodies against cell damage that comes from air pollution, cigarette smoke, radiation, and UV light that contributes to aging, cancer, and heart disease.

Green tea has high amounts of antioxidants called catechins that have been researched for their disease fighting capabilities including protecting the health of our liver. One of the liver’s main functions is to process and remove toxins from our body so its health is important for any detox process.

Food strategy:

-Make time for a lighter breakfast including fresh fruits and low-fat yogurts.

-When dining out, start your meal with a salad or light veggie soup/gazpacho to help fill you up on fewer calories.

-Drink plenty of non-caloric fluids, such as water, throughout the day to stay hydrated and energized.

-No need to do away with the “bad” foods you love. You can still enjoy a small soft-serve ice cream cone as a snack, splitting a small bag of popcorn or potato chips with a friend (or saving the section portion for another day), or eating a small portion of candy or a muffin.

Rachel Berman, RD, CSR, CD/N is the director of nutrition for Calorie Count, a free health and wellness Web site with about 4 million members and growing. Ms.Berman provides users with practical science-based information related to nutrition, weight loss and health.

Who’s your spring self?

Photo credit © Luba V Nel | Dreamstime.com