Green tea --the beauty brew --that can help to keep you youngDo you look and feel fabulous? Well darlings, you should. Life is too short to go around feeling less than your best, less than other women, less than fabulous. And it isn’t necessary.

Even a gorgeous diamond ring starts to look tacky and dull if no one cleans it. And we all know what happens to a fine antique left uncared for – cracks develop. But, if you clean the ring and buff up the antique, voila - magic happens! Well darlings, we are much the same as those precious objects.
 
Looking and feeling fabulous begins with the right attitude, a good diet, and sound sleep. Exercise is vital too. Research has shown we can change our DNA and extend our lives with exercise. If, like me, you are not a jock or do not have hours to work out, do not despair. You can break up exercise into manageable blocks of 10 and 20 minutes, and it still counts. You can slip in a 10-minute DVD workout in the morning, a 20-minute walk at lunch, and another 10 to 15 minutes of yoga before bed. Before you know it, you’ll have 40 minutes of beauty-making exercise. Get to a class or two a week, and you will soon have a new body.  
 
Here are a few of the latest scientifically-proven ways to look fabulous fast and forever. Try one or two of them - or try them all.
 
Try Pilates to trim
Pilates has long been a favourite of dancers, models, and actresses because it can reshape and trim bodies without developing bulging muscles. Pilates devotees have strong and shapely bodies.
 
Now, June Kloubec, a professor at BastyrUniversity in the state of Washington, has published a study showing the clear benefits of Pilates. Kloubec is a core faculty member in the Department of Nutrition and Exercise Science, and her work appeared in The Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research.
 
25 subjects participated in the study, in a one-hour Pilates class twice a week for 12 weeks. When they began, the active middle-aged participants were able to do an average of 24 push-ups on their knees. By the end of the 12 weeks of Pilates, they were able to do an average of 35 push-ups. A similar 25-person control group in the study could do only an average of 20.5 push-ups at the start of the study. At the end of the study they were able to average only 21 push-ups each. The study also showed that the Pilates group had a significant improvement abdominal strength and lower-body flexibility. 
 
Pilates was once almost prohibitively-expensive. Now, many studios in most major cities offer classes in mat and small-group instruction on equipment at more affordable prices of about $25 per class.  In addition, there are scores of good DVDs. I recently began Pilates classes. I noticed a difference in both my strength and silhouette after only a few weeks. Proper form is vital to Pilates, so try to take least a few classes. 
 
Don’t underestimate any effort you make as long as you are committed. DVDs work, if you find the right “virtual teacher”. A friend of mine just clicked with a trainer on fit TV. She told me Gilad, the tough Israeli trainer, can get her to do those last few killer reps. I am currently hooked on Body by Bethenny. I’m also thinking abut a Pilates Stick by http://www.peakpilates.com/peak-pilates-shop/pilatesstick.asp.
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Eat breakfast
Experts agree that breakfast is important for both weight loss and energy. Numerous studies show that women who eat breakfast are thinner and have less trouble losing weight. Hate breakfast food? So do I, but there are many other good things to eat in the morning. Eat a piece of whole wheat toast and some fresh fruit with an egg or low-fat cottage cheese.
 
Breakfast is the time to eat a healthy carb that is filling, such as whole grain bread or oatmeal. Top oatmeal with sweet and healthful berries. Have a low-cal smoothie made with fresh or frozen berries, no fat yogurt or skim milk, and a sweetener of your choice. Try low or no-fat cottage cheese with fresh fruit or salsa. Hard-boiled eggs or egg white omelets are fast and easy. Try them with low-calorie tomatoes. Eat breakfast. Martha Stewart sometime eats like the Japanese and has a piece of salmon. I also like this treat from time to time.
 
Be fabulous and exotic at breakfast, but eat and exercise to start your day.
 
Blueberries are beauty berries
Blue berries are full of anti-oxidants that are so good for you that some doctors call them brain-berries. I call them beauty-berries. Anti-oxidants are important for longevity and aging well. Oxidative damage to our bodies is not unlike rust on a car; it wears down our vital organs. It occurs as we use oxygen and is made worse by stress, sun exposure, smoking, and other environmental factors. Anti-oxidants help defend the body, reverse the damage, and slow the aging process.
 
My favourite way to eat them is frozen, alone, or in plain yogurt. I think freezing them makes them taste sorbet-like. And it is easy to take a small bowl of pre-washed frozen berries from my freezer for snacks or to flavour plain yogurt. Never buy fruit yogurt. It has too much sugar/sweeteners, and too little fruit. Buy bags of frozen berries and add to your own low or no-fat yogurt.  
 
Get your Omega 3
Omega 3 oils help keep skin looking youthful and firm. Chances are your family doctor already told you how important Omega 3 oils are for your heart and brain. They help to keep you young and beautiful inside and out! Omega 3 oils can even help prevent serious sun damage such as precancerous skin lesions, according to a recent Australian study.
 
The results of that study have some doctors calling salmon a natural sunscreen because of its high Omega 3 oil content.
 
All types of salmon are excellent sources of Omega 3. You will want to watch the amount of tasty smoked salmon you consume because of its high salt content. Tinned salmon has undeserved bad reputation. It is very healthful and usually made from high-quality wild salmon, a good source of Omega 3 and calcium. It is delicious in salad with lemon and chopped fresh vegetables. If you like shellfish, it too is rich in the healthful Omega 3. And don’t worry if you have heard it is high in cholesterol; it is not a problem, unless your doctor has told you not to eat it. Experiment with small fish such as herring, trout, and black cod - they are good sources of Omega 3.  Walnuts, almonds, and flaxseed are also excellent sources of Omega, if you dislike fish. Experts recommend at least three servings of Omega-rich foods a week. Sushi and sashimi are good, but use low-sodium soy sauce or Ponzu in small amounts. Also eating too much of certain large fish, such as tuna can pose a risk of mercury poisoning, so enjoy but limit your consumption.
 
Brew a beauty booster
If you would like to lose weight, have beautiful skin, and stay young and healthy, drink green tea. It has so many beauty benefits; it should be called the beauty brew.
Green tea can help to boost your metabolism and give you a little lift. So try some hot or iced tea to conquer late afternoon munchies or fatigue.
 
Green tea contains catechins, a compound of potent anti-oxidant. According to the latest scientific studies, green tea may even be able rejuvenate dying skin cells! It can also help protect skin against UV damage from sun exposure.
 
Studies in The Journal of Nutrition show that green tea, when combined with exercise and diet can help to burn belly fat.
 
I drink at least a liter of green tea a day. Because it benefits skin when applied topically, I take a few seconds to place cooled used tea bags on my face before I toss them out.
 
Suck a lemon
Collagen is what holds you face up and help your joints work smoothly. After age 35, we start to lose collagen. After age 60, collagen levels plummet. Vitamin C is essential for good healing, but it is also is necessary for the natural production of collagen. Your body can’t store Vitamin C, so it is important to replenish your supply of it daily. If you drink, smoke, are under stress, or party too much, you will need even more Vitamin C to undo damage to your cells.
 
To keep your face firm and your body moving smoothly, think C! You can take a supplement, but experts say natural is best. My solution is to squeeze low-cal and delicious lemon on everything.
 
Topical Vitamin C creams are also very effective, but lemon juice is too harsh to apply directly to your face.
 
 
Sleep
 
Not sleeping enough can make you fat, old, tired, careless, and crabby. Darlings, get to bed and go to sleep! Enough excuses; do it. If you can’t sleep, see a doctor; they can help with new behavior modification techniques, natural sleep medication, and a host of effective solutions.

You may have noticed that I didn’t mention a single beauty product in this list of tips. I adore fabulous lotions and potions! We review the best every week. But so much of how you look and feel comes from how you feel about you.
 
Stress ages you. It steals your youth. Life can be trying, but often we stress about things we can’t control and don’t really matter in the long run.
 
Learn to shut off the noise. Turn-off emails, texts, and facebook after an hour. Get out and see people or a movie. Or, stay home and read a book. Relax! Get rid of the toxic people in your life. My favourite diet is the one when you lose a hundred pounds or more instantly by dropping a poison person from your life. Darlings, if someone makes you tense, angry or upset, ask yourself why this person is in your life? If they’re not your boss, parent, spouse or child – get away from them. You’ll look and feel better instantly. 
 
You deserve to look and feel fabulous, and you can! Your beauty is a precious gift –nurture it. Then my darlings, go out and enjoy it. 



Triple Mushroom Cream by Grassroots  is just luscious. It also has impressive ingredients. It’s not surprising as Grassroots is made by Estee Lauder for Kohl’s.

 
Grassroots Triple Mushroom intensive Anti-Wrinkle cream with wild ginseng also contains three different exotic mushrooms. The special fungi are known for their anti-oxidant properties. Both the mushrooms and ginseng are used in Chinese medicine for their anti-aging benefits. The cream also has botanicals and shea butter so skin stays soft and dewy-looking all day. It’s a steal at under $35. Canadian ladies, this cream is worth looking for on cross-border shopping trips, or buy online and send it to your hotel when you travel. 



Eating a balanced diet of colourful fruits and vegetables will help to keep you young and beautiful as well as healthy. Fresh is best, but some of us find it is difficult to eat “a rainbow” every day, and as a result, we may not be getting all the antioxidants we should.

 
Pure Inventions is a shot of anti-oxidant goodness created by nutritionists. It has no caffeine, sugar, gluten, chemicals, alcohol, or artificial ingredients. It’s just a pure extract that you drop into water.
 
Every day, free radicals or damaged cells are released into the body due to aging, pollution, and other external factors. Free radical damage is the primary cause of aging; some experts believe it is the cause of disease. The combination of hydration and anti-oxidants give your immune system a real pick-me-up.
 
There are a selection of flavoured Green Tea Extracts, flavoured cocoa extracts, and the Fit and Slender formula to help control cravings.
 
Now there is a new Wild Cherry Apple + Resveratrol extract with trans-resveratrol and cherry athocyanins. I cannot wait to try this. This anti-aging compound helps to combat gout, arthritis, and many other age-related issues. 
 



Natural skin care from Greece, it’s a favourite of Scarlett Johansson and Eva MendesHave you heard about Sponge Skincare, the gorgeous new beauty regime from Greece? It’s a favourite of Scarlett Johansson and Eva Mendes, both known for their glowing complexions. I confess that I too have become devotee of this lush organic hand-crafted line. Thirty years of research has gone into creating the Sponge Skincare’s line, which is best-known for products such as ladi avonkanto or green gold, which is an avocado anti-aging oil.

 
It’s made of antioxidant-rich avocado oil. Full of Vitamins E and D, it penetrates the skin and absorbs UV rays. The non-greasy oil helps regenerate the skin and inhibit bacteria. It also moisturizes and accelerates the healing processes. My skin responded almost immediately to its healing properties and was left soft, radiant, and porcelain-looking.
 
Before using ladi avonkanto, I spritzed on aromatotherapia giasemi, a refreshing mist for the mind and body. I am currently using the calming and uplifting jasmine mist. Jasmine prevents inflammation as well as being softening and moisturizing. It contains olive leaf, an ingredient I have recently become familiar with, that has been used holistically for thousands of years. It is naturally soothing and healing.
 
Krema Mattia, anti-aging eye cream is a light but effective formula of olive oil, olive leaf and vitamin seed grape seed liposome.
 
Gel Mattia, firming eye gel is designed to reduce dark circles and puffiness with chamomile, lime blossom and grape seed liposome. Chamomile has the ability to calm. Lime Blossom regenerates, softens, and hydrates.
 
In both eye formulas grapeseed acts as natural antioxidant and promotes circulation.
These natural products are part of a soft effective, chemical-free approach to anti-aging.
 
All the products in the line have natural formulas of botanical careful research for Maxine healing. Many of the products all have a base of olive oil and oil leaf which are naturally healing and nourishing. The herbs are all organic, and there are no chemicals, preservatives, or parabens. There are 11 items to beautify and pamper the face and body using timeless holistic principles.
 
Sponge Skincare is a soothing mind-body regimen for the woman who enjoys taking care of herself. The products are sensual and pleasurable to use. 
 

 




Tangy ruby salad of pomegrantes and walnutsPomegranates are ruby red and bursting with health-giving goodness - and that is not just purple prose. Pomegranate juice and oil are full of antioxidants, catechins, Vitamin C, and a host of things to keep you young and healthy. It also can help lower cholesterol and fight heart disease, breast cancer, and prostate cancer. It’s also been shown to help to inhibit dental plaque, lower blood pressure, and ward off viral infection. That is one impressive fruit.

 
Pomegranates are delicious. I have enjoyed them for years, long before the marketing mania of POM juice, but I thrilled to know they are so good for us. The seeds have a fresh citrusy flavour. You can buy them ready to eat by the bag or the tub-full at most markets this time of year.
 
This recipe for a tangy, healthful salad that is a snap to make — and almost too pretty to eat. It uses my favourite apple cider vinegar and walnuts. Walnuts have a great punch of Omega 3 nutrition. They’re also fabulous for your skin and hair - especially after the dry winter months. Think of this as the most elegant health food you can serve at a chic party or for dinner tonight.
 
For two large portions or four appetizer-sized portions:
 
Wash and dry a crisp head of lettuce such as romaine, cut or torn into bite-sized pieces. Wash and dry a half cup of radicchio, also cut into bite-sized pieces. Toss with vinaigrette. Add the seeds from one fresh pomegranate and 1 tsp. kosher salt, and toss well.
 
To remove the seeds, cut the pomegranate in quarters, twist, and pull out the membrane. Most seeds will fall away. You may need to pick out some of the tough membrane. It very bitter, so be careful to remove it. Twist the pom sections over a bowl of the lettuce, so the sweet juice falls into it. Or just open a fresh bag or tub of seeds and sprinkle them!
 
Toss everything together and arrange it on plates. Garnish with ¼ to 1/8 cup of walnuts per person.
 
Vinaigrette
Mix well:
1 small clove of crushed garlic
¼ cup of organic apple cider vinegar
1 tbsp. wild clover honey or any type of honey you like. If the honey is hard to dissolve, heat it briefly in the microwave or run a little hot water over the container.
1 tsp. salt
¼ tsp. cayenne
Add and shake or mix well:
½ cup of good olive oil
Remove the garlic before serving.



Keri Glassman MS, RD, CND

"Antioxidant" has become a trendy buzz word, but do you really know what it means? You should, because according to experts eating enough of them can help you lose weight, live longer, think better, and look younger. It’s true. Read our interview with Keri Glassman, the author of The O2 Diet, and find out the latest about the cutting-edge diet that will make you healthy, thin, and beautiful. 

 
DD: Can you explain what antioxidants are and how they work in our body. Why are they so are important?
KG: In simple terms, antioxidants protect us from damage by free radicals — the "bad guys" in our body that come from UV exposure, environmental pollution, stress, some foods, and simply the process of aging! Free radicals disrupt normal cell functions and have been linked to many health problems, including premature aging (aka wrinkles), heart disease, cancer, poor immune function, and Alzheimer’s.
 
Antioxidants work in our body in many different ways. They can:  “Quench” the single oxygen molecules by destroying them; Help the homeless oxygen molecules bind with other molecules in a less disruptive manner;Prevent the breakdown of the molecule in the first place, so that the free radical is never created; and encourage the body to crank out more of its own arsenal of antioxidants, such as lipoic acid.
 
Antioxidants are important! They help your body by: Preventing neuronal degeneration; Protecting you from developing cancer; Helping to prevent heart disease; Slowing the aging process (to make you more beautiful); Improving your overall health: May even increase your life span!
 
DD:  What is the ORAC scale?
KG: ORAC is a method of measuring a food’s potential to control those "bad guys" – the free radicals! The Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity scale offers a fairly precise measure of the ability to either destroy or neutralize the disease-causing free radicals. The test, which can be done on foods, tissue, or living plasma, takes two measurements into account: one of hydrophilic antioxidants which just means chemicals that bond with water); and one of lipophilic antioxidants, those that bond best with fats) – to come up with a single score. The ORAC scale was developed as a way to determine which foods were richest in antioxidants. Researchers suggest eating at least 3,000 to 5,000 ORAC “points” per day. In essence, ORAC measures a food’s antioxidant power.
 
DD: Do different antioxidants have different benefits? Can you give us some examples? 
KG: Each antioxidant-rich food provides its own benefits, so don’t just stick to one. In my new book, The 02 Diet, The Cutting-Edge Antioxidant-Based Program that Will Make You Healthy, Thin, and Beautiful, I suggest a variety of high antioxidant foods that are easy additions to your diet.  All antioxidant foods have more than just one benefit, but some specifically help everything from making your body slimmer, making your skin glow, sustaining an overall healthy body, allowing for a healthier heart, stimulating a focused mind, or a combination of all of these benefits!
 
Red grapefruit: This is more than a breakfast food – it’s a weight-loss jump-start! Packed with Vitamin C and fiber, this citrus fruit speeds weight loss. One study found that people who ate half a grapefruit with each meal lost 3.6 pounds, while those who drank a serving of grapefruit juice three times a day lost 3.3 pounds. (Many people in the study lost more than 10 pounds without making any other dietary changes.) While all grapefruit is great, the pink and red varieties contain lycopene and are extra good for your heart. Half a grapefruit has 1,900 ORAC points.
 
Prunes. Okay, so they’re not pretty. But these wrinkly little fruits are rich in Vitamin K and a top source of the mineral boron. We need both for strong bones. Researchers have found that prunes provide protection against postmenopausal bone loss. One three-prune serving gives you 1,900 ORAC points.
 
Cherries: University of Michigan researchers have found that anthocyanins in dark cherries, especially the tarter varieties, reduce inflammation and lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels. They pack 3,500 ORAC points per serving. Just don’t swallow the pits!
 
Cinnamon: There’s a reason most of us drool when we walk by a bakery, and cinnamon is a big part of it. Just the smell of this heavenly spice is enough to curb fatigue, ease frustration, and increase alertness. Researchers tested it on stressed-out commuters as they drove! I cook with cinnamon as often as I can. Sometimes, on days when both my kids are screaming, I boil a cinnamon stick in the hopes that those wonderful stress-busting aromas will keep me out of trouble! Besides managing stress, researchers believe cinnamon may inhibit certain types of Alzheimer’s cells. When eaten, one teaspoon adds 7,000 ORAC points to a recipe.
 
Artichokes: What’s more fun to eat than steamed artichokes? I love them because they’re one of the best calorie bargains going, at 60 calories each. Eat an artichoke as an appetizer and you may end up consuming fewer calories overall at the meal. Artichokes are also super high on the ORAC scale — 7,900 ORAC points — and they contain phytochemicals that may lower cholesterol levels and act as an anti-inflammatory in the skin, making them a beauty food as well.
 
Pistachios: I have memories of my dad eating the red dyed ones while watching football. For many people, they’re a great dietary tool, since the time it takes to pop the little green guys out of their shells makes you eat them more slowly. In many ways, they are nutritionally like other nuts, especially almonds. But pistachios are also packed with plant sterols, which researchers think lower the risk of heart disease. Eighteen pistachios have 1,000 ORAC points.
 
DD: What is a high ORAC diet, and what is so good for us?
KG: Researchers have just begun to scratch the surface of antioxidant research. There are now literally hundreds of studies linking antioxidant-rich foods to better health, including everything from reduced heart disease to a decreased likelihood of cancer. And while taking too many antioxidant supplements in pill form may be harmful, there’s absolutely no downside to consuming more nutrient-dense fruits and vegetables, as long as you control calories of course! Although the current recommendations are that we eat between 3,000 and 5,000 ORAC points a day for optimum health, why not get as many points as you want — from food! The O2 Diet is built around consuming 30,000 ORAC points a day.
 
Think that number sounds crazy? It’s not unrealistic at all. If you eat the high-ORAC fruits, vegetables, and other foods I recommend — all within a range of calories that will allow you to achieve your healthiest weight — it’s not tough to achieve the number.
 
Don’t forget you still need to eat a balanced diet. Sure, you could get to 30,000 easily on nothing but artichokes, blueberries, and hot cocoa, but that’s not a balanced diet. You’d be cheating yourself out of the wide variety of nutrients out there.
 
DD: What is your opinion of those juice drinks that claim to equal several servings of fruit and vegetables? Is freshness important if you are concerned with antioxidants?  
KG: Major brands have started to recognize the importance of high antioxidant foods, which is why we’ve been seeing a growing trend in marketing food and cosmetic products as ones that are good sources of antioxidants. Many of these juices are actually great sources of antioxidants. You just need to be careful not to over-consume calories and beverages that have added sugar. Stick to 100 percent juice and use portion control! 
 
DD:  What is the advantage of The O2 Diet for those who want to lose weight?           
KG: The O2 Diet is all about empowering yourself to put the best foods in your body. When you understand the science behind these powerful foods, you want to put these foods in your body, and you feel empowered doing so! When you eat these nutrient-dense foods you feel better, you look better, you sleep better, you have better energy, and better skin — and a byproduct of all of that is weight loss!  You don’t feel like you are on a diet; you want to continue. Also, the foods in The O2 Diet are satisfying, making it easy to stick to the plan. This diet does much more than provide the basic calories you need to make it until bedtime. It offers more genuine nutrition than you probably have eaten in your entire life. Consuming the O2 Diet’s 30,000 ORAC points each day will help you reach your target weight. But this diet also steers you toward the best foods for addressing your other health concerns. Some foods have been shown to be beneficial in easing the outward signs of aging, for example, while others are proven boosters for the immune system.
 
 
 

 

 




Kusmi Tea Sweet LoveThis Valentine’s Day you can delight your someone special with a cup of Sweet Love from Kusmi Tea. This special tea is a spicy and mysterious blend of black China tea, ginseng and liquorice roots, spices, guarana seed and pink pepper. In its pretty pink tin is a perfect for gift for any tea lovers you would like to spoil.

 
Or if you are a single lady start a new tradition and invite your unattached friends for festive Valentine’s tea party. 

 




Festive Christmas tea, a favouriteHave you ever wondered what makes fine tea different from what you find on supermarket shelves? Do you know how long to brew fine teas? Tea has become as important as coffee, perhaps more so. Many of us drink it for the health benefits. When my husband and I entertain, we often serve fine herbal teas after dinner; our guests request them. I also enjoy blended flavoured teas such as Kusmi’s Christmas Tea, for special occasions. I love the spicy, sweet aroma. It’s also a special treat I can enjoy all season without guilt, as it does not have a single calorie. I like to share it with my special friends too.
 
I interviewed tea expert Sylvain Orebi,the owner of Kusmi Fine Teas, to get the scoop on tea drinking. Don’t miss a word of our exclusive interview, and learn to be a tea maven too!
 
DD:  Why is green tea an antioxidant?
SO: As any vegetal element, tea leaves contain nutrients called flavonoids which are antioxidants. They are water soluble, which makes it great for tea drinkers.
 
DD: Do black teas also have health benefits?
SO: Black tea also contains a large amount of anti-oxidant but a bit less than green tea due to fermentation.
 
Sylvain OrebiDD:  What is red tea? Does it have health benefits?
SO: This plant actually belongs to the acacia family and is completely different from traditional “Camelia Sinensis” tea, except for the way it is prepared and consumed.
This little bush exclusively grows in South-Africa and is harvested during the summer; it is then, just like black tea, fermented – which gives a dark red colour – and then dried in the sun. The longer the infusion, the stronger the taste – although it does not become pungent because it does not contain any tannins. It is also totally caffeine-free, said to have anti-spasmodic and relaxing properties, and contains a fair amount of antioxidants.
 
DD:  Does decaffeinating tea affect the flavour?
SO: No, this process does not affect the taste.
 
DD:  You give different brewing times for different Kusmi teas. Why is this important?
SO: This is important because black leaves deliver their flavours after 3 to 4 minutes, and green tea after 2 to 3 minutes. If you brew green tea too much longer, it could become pungent, although Kusmi Teas are carefully selected to be quite smooth and light.
 
Temperature can also alter the taste and suppress some of the well-being factors of teas. For instance, green tea should brew at 75°C (or 165°F); in case of higher temperature, its flavour diminishes as well as its amount of natural anti-oxidants that are very sensitive to high temperatures.
 
DD: What are “wellness” teas?
SO: Wellness teas are a new line of blends that not only contain tea, but also plants known for their natural well-being properties. For instance, Detox is made of green tea, but also Maté - a tonic plant popular for its richness in vitamins, minerals, caffeine and anti-oxidants - and lemongrass, a plant well-known for its tonic and digestive effects.
 
DD: Kusmi makes beautiful seasonal and specialty teas such as Christmas tea and Imperial Label tea. Can you explain how a seasonal tea is created?
SO: Creating a seasonal tea or an exclusive blend is a very long process that is quite comparable to making perfume. It really starts with a concept; what does this tea mean to the people who are going to drink it, as well as a list of desired ingredients. Then it takes a few weeks or months to find the right blend of tea leaves, the right flavours and the perfect balance of all ingredients. To create Imperial Label, especially made for Kiehl’s, I spent weeks reinventing ancient Russian sbiten and matching the taste to Kiehl’s Imperial Body Balm.
 

 




Dr. Gerald Imber www.dolcedolce.com

“After performing thousands of facelifts I am convinced that surgery alone is not the answer to maintaining one’s youthful good looks”, says renowned plastic surgeon Gerald Imber. He has put his knowledge of skin care and plastic surgery in a new easy-to-read book, The New Youth Corridor. I enjoyed it because of its straight-forward and informative approach to skin care and anti-aging. Dr. Imber also clearly defines most common cosmetic procedures and plastic surgery fixes. He details the use of these procedures, their advantages, and their limitations. Reading this book is the next best thing to a private consultation with a top plastic surgeon. Dr. Imber also answers questions about anti-oxidants, skin care, and nutrition.

 
If you want to learn more about how to have beautiful skin — at any age — don’t miss a word our exclusive and informative interview with Dr. Imber.
 
New Youth Corridor www.dolcedolce.comDr. Imber is an international renowned plastic surgeon. He is on the staff of Weill-Cornell Medical Center and heads a private clinic in Manhattan.
 
DD:  How important are anti-oxidants to maintaining a youthful complexion?
Dr. I : The importance of antioxidants in maintaining a youthful complexion cannot be overstated. Antioxidants counteract free radicals in the tissues. These free radicals are responsible for collagen breakdown, sun damage, and wrinkling.

DD: Your Youth Corridor serum contains Vitamins C and E with the addition of melatonin. What is the significance of adding melatonin –why did you include it?
Dr. I: Vitamins C and E are well known antioxidants. Unfortunately, because of their chemical nature they do not readily penetrate the skin. Melatonin penetrates well and brings the combined C and E into the skin with it, making the combination far more effective than C and E alone. When C and E are applied before sun exposure some of the redness and damage is prevented. When melatonin is added there is a far more effective protection. The skin is protected from photo damage caused by free radicals set in motion by the sun.

DD: Do you recommend the use of glycolic, retin A, or retinol on daily basis?
Dr. I: Retinols and Retin A are required for specific problems and not as a long-term strategy. AHA should be used daily in low concentration for exfoliation.

DD: What steps can women take to slow the aging process?
Dr. I: Steps to control the aging process include sun protection, no smoking, sensible exercise, weight control, and proper skin care.

DD: At what age should women begin to use “anti-aging “products?
Dr. I: Anti-aging products like antioxidant Boost should be used by women in their early 20s to PREVENT damage. Young women will benefit the most by staying youthful. It is never too early for protecting your skin.

DD: Are supplements necessary or helpful to maintain a youthful complexion – or can a healthful diet work too? What vitamins or mineral should women be mindful of including in their diets?
Dr I: Supplements: Vitamin D is probably necessary for everyone. Vitamin C is questionable. Others seem to have no use at all other than heart specific supplements like Omega-3 fatty acids.

DD: What’s your opinion of facial exercises or exercisers?
Dr. I: Facial exercises cause wrinkles.

DD: What inspired you, a busy surgeon, to take the time to write The New Youth Corridor?
Dr. I: I wrote the New Youth Corridor to answer the questions always asked of me, and to give a larger population the benefit of my study and expertise.
For more information: www.youthcorridor.com. The New Youth Corridor is available at Costco or from www.amazon.com or www.amazon.ca.

 

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