| Health |
Make Up Your Own Mind |
| I am getting fed up with the well-intentioned harm many medical
studies cause - especially with the news media's “Chicken Little-the-sky-is-falling”
mentality and reporting style. Two examples caught my attention recently
and while both sounded mighty impressive, I am not so sure. |
A group for scientists published a study last week in The
New England Journal of Medicine, stating that obesity
is contagious - or so said the headline. The study was based on an
analysis of 12,000 patients over 32 years.
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| Make up your own mind |
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| Then, I heard the harmless pleasures of diet soda roundly condemned
by most major news media. It was amazing to me that anchors as well
as medical experts weighed in with their opinions, spurred on by a
study in Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association.
The fever with which they took to fear-mongering the finding that
even one diet soda a day could increase a person’s risk for
developing “metabolic syndrome” was astonishing. Metabolic
syndrome is characterized by obesity, hypertension and a risk of diabetes.
It’s serious. |
| What I did not hear mentioned was that a number of well-known nutrition
experts quickly pointed out that there was nothing conclusive in this
study to point to diet soda as the cause of these health problems.
There was speculation that perhaps those who drink a lot of soda generally
make poor nutrition and lifestyle choices. |
| There were many reasons that the findings are interesting. But it
is not conclusive that diet soda causes any of these health problems. |
| While nowhere near as serious, it reminded me of the frenzy in 2002
caused by the hysterical reporting of the dangers of Hormone Replacement
Therapy. Based on a deeply flawed study and the news that the study
had been stopped, thousands of women threw out their medicine without
speaking to their doctors. It took several years for the facts of
the study and the need an individual approach to menopause to sink
back into the public consciousness. Such is the power of fear, the
media, and “good intentions”. |
| Obesity is a serious problem. I have written extensively about it.
The projections for North America are staggering. And lest any nation
feel smug, let me tell you - sadly -the truth - that even French women,
in spite of the popular the myth and book of the same name, are getting
fat just like everyone else. It has been reported by the World Health
Organization and French medical associations. |
| According to the new obesity study, people with an obese friend
were 57 percent more likely to become obese themselves. The risk is
40 percent for adult siblings, but higher between sisters than brothers.
The study also says say that even a long-distance friend can make
you fatter. |
| Of course, friends affect you more than almost anything. Just ask
your mom. It’s why she forbade you from being friends with people
who drank, smoked, and ran wild. But darling, at some point you are
a grown-up, and if everyone jumps off a bridge, you don’t leap
after them. |
| When I lost weight, many of my friends with little extra avoirdupois
lost a bit, too. Weight Watchers and other successful programs are
predicated on this reinforcement, so it swings both ways. And this
recent study on obesity pointed out that’s what we should emphasize.
They are not encouraging friends to give up or avoid their overweight
friends, but rather to get together to lose weight. |
| Studies are useful. Researchers are well-intentioned and often brilliant.
But the fear-mongering and righteousness than runs though much news
reporting these days scares me. I am fed up with the “coffee
is good or bad” debate. It seems individual reporters - with
biases against certain habits, conditions, or even beverages - imbue
their reports with fear. Why is every report or study - however preliminary
- treated with the same fanfare and gravitas? Why didn't we hear more
about how friends could help you lose weight? Where was the positive
spin? The good news? The useful stuff? |
| Darlings, in the interest of disclosure, I adore diet soda and will
continue to drink it. |
That is not a recommendation. What I do recommend is the next time
you hear some study or medical news on TV or radio that interests
you, read the reports yourself, or you may miss the real news. Always
talk your doctor before you take any drastic action.
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| Friends make you feel fabulous! |
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| After all darlings, I hope we can agree when you have good friends,
feeling fabulous is definitely contagious. But don’t take my
word for it. Make up your own mind. |
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Pat Grant - Williams
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| Beauty |
There is No Such Thing As Good or
Bad Hair |
| Healthy hair expert Pat Grant-William,
Technical and Artistic Director of Colomer USA,
the makers of Creme of Nature hair care
products, gives DolceDolce advice on how women of
colour can have beautiful hair. She also debunks common hair myths.
Pat is also part of the Buick/Heart & Soul Health
and Wellness Tour. Her credits include the
“Hair Show” movie starring comedian
and actress Monique and the book Good
Hair Bad Hair. |
| DD: What are the most common problems that women
of color experience with their hair? |
| Pat: Common problems that women of color experience
are: breakage, moisture loss, dryness/brittle hair, thin hair, and
over-processed hair. |
| DD: Is it possible to stop hair from breaking with
the use of the right products? |
| Pat: Yes, it is possible to stop hair from breaking
with the use of the right products. Hair is 85 percent protein (keratin).
When there is protein loss, breakage usually occurs. Protein loss
occurs when hair is over-processed, damaged by heat, sun, or loss
of elasticity. Moisturizers in shampoos and conditioners will aid
in stopping the breakage. Protein in conditioners such as the Creme
of Nature Chamomile & Comfrey Conditioner will aid
in providing protein to the hair. |
| DD: Can you color and relax your hair and still
have it be healthy? How so? |
| Pat: Yes. Relaxing the hair and using a permanent
color are two chemical processes. Timing the use of the two products
is very important so that you do not damage the hair. This means that
if you relax every six weeks, you should color at eight weeks, allowing
two weeks in between these two processes. During the two weeks after
the relaxer, but before the permanent color, shampoo the hair at least
twice to stabilize the hair. |
| Our prescription for healthy hair? Shampoo at least once a week
and condition just as often. Follow relaxer and permanent hair color
manufacturer’s directions carefully so that you do not create
healthy and hydrate often! |
| DD: Why can some women grow their hair so easily
and others can't seem to, even if they baby their hair? |
| Pat: Hair grows one-half inch per month, on average.
Split ends, which most women have, is usually the culprit for slow
growth. The hair grows, but as fast as it is growing from the root
it is breaking off at the ends, therefore, it does not appear to be
growing. |
| DD: What are some of the most common and harmful
myths about hair care? |
| Pat: |
| · A few myths are: |
| · Hair should be shampooed once or twice a month. Most hair
should be shampooed at least once a week. |
| · Conditioners will repair split ends. |
| · Once you color with black permanent color you can remove
it with another color. |
| · There is no such a thing as "good" hair and "bad"
hair - hair can only be curly, wavy or straight. |
| · Blondes have more fun |
| DD: Is there any real advantage to using natural
and organic hair care products? |
| Pat: Natural and organic hair care products are
a consumer preference just like natural foods. We manufacture products
with organic and other more traditional hair care products; therefore,
we have products for either choice. Creme of Nature recently refreshed
its line with formulas containing certified organic ingredients for
its shampoos, conditioners, relaxers, and permanent hair color. The
line includes nourishing and moisturizing certified organic ingredients,
such as Chamomile, Kiwi, Red Clover, Sunflower Oil, Aloe and more.
|
| DD: What are the worst things you can do your hair? |
| Pat: The worst things you can do are: |
| · Color (with permanent color) and relax on the same day.
|
| · Remove bonded hair extensions incorrectly. |
| · Brushing relaxed hair while wet. |
| · Shampooing hair with shampoo not made for your hair type
(most women of color need moisturizing shampoo). |
| · Shampooing hair with extensions and not drying it properly,
which could result in hair fungus. |
| DD: What is the best way to maintain your hair
when you have in a weave? Does hair need special care? |
| Pat: The best way to maintain your hair when wearing
a weave is to treat it as you would your natural hair. Shampoo regularly,
condition as needed, comb gently to avoid tangles. Use as little heat
as possible when styling. |
| DD: Can you discuss different hair dilemmas and
solutions? |
| Pat: Problems include: Coloring hair too dark with
a permanent color. Solution: Add a few highlights to soften the dark
color. You relaxed your hair at home and it is over-processed. Solution:
Shampoo with a neutralizing moisturizing shampoo, gently apply a leave-in
conditioner and set or wrap hair and do not blow dry. |
| Another problem is extreme hair loss due to hair extensions or braiding.
Solution: After removing hair extensions or braids, condition hair
weekly for six weeks. Leave it alone without any extensions or braids.
When hair loss improves you can then consider braiding or extensions
again at this time. |
| Remember extensions and braiding should not be too tight, or they
can cause breakage and balding. |
| DD: Hair relaxers and solutions used to perm hair
and other harsh chemical processes are similar in their damaging effects
on hair. Are there products and treatments that might benefit all
women with severely damaged hair? |
| Pat: Hair relaxers damage the hair only when used
incorrectly. Today's relaxer technology includes Conditioning
Relaxers with hydrolyzed collagen, wheat protein, and
other moisturizing ingredients that protect the hair during the chemical
processes. Creme of Nature’s new Nourishing
No Lye Relaxer System with certified organic ingredients
offers protection with certified organic oils that are controlled
from the soil to the bottle. The consumer mixes organic sunflower
and coconut oils into the relaxer creme right before she begins the
relaxing process. These oils deposit into the hair shaft during the
relaxing process for increased moisture and shine. |
| product shot.jpg |
Women with severely damaged hair should seek treatments that contain
protein, vitamins, oils, and moisturizers to strengthen damaged hair.
When hair is severely damaged you should seek a professional stylist
for a customized treatment.
|
Beauty
|
| DolceDolce Tips |
| · Many of the tips above will work for any type over-processed
hair. So, if you have permed and coloured hair and now have damage,
heed Pat’s advice. The same goes for hair extensions which are
just another way to say weave. |
| · While colour can actually improve the texture of hair always
be kind to wet hair. Never brush it. Use a wide-toothed comb. |
| · Consider a leave-in conditioner for your hair type; they
are wonderful. |
| · Don’t torture you hair into something it’s
not, if you can’t handle the upkeep. Find a stylist who can
get the most out your hair with a good cut and simple daily styling.
You’ll be glad you did! |
For information about the Buick Heart and Soul Wellness
Tour go to www.cremeofnature.com
and see Consumer Offers.
|
Beauty |
| Attention Ojon Fans: Ojon special event at Nordstrom’s
in Atlanta, August 7-21. Check with your store for times
and details. |
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| Not registered yet to receive DolceDolce’s free weekly email
newsletter? Help us grow; sign-up
today, and forward
to your friends. Because life should be sweet. |
|
| Fashion |
Fall Essentials |
| While it may not be possible to replace your entire wardrobe each
season - sigh! - |
there is no better way to define and update a wardrobe than with
accessories. Choose a few quality items that reflect your signature
style and the rest will fall into place. These quilted shades from
Chanel are classic.
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Fall/Winter 2007
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Stop Handbag Abuse! |
Are you sick of sitting with your bag in your lap? Do you wince
when you set your designer investment on the nasty floor? I know I
do. Were you raised that a handbag bigger than a minaudière
on a restaurant table is déclassé? Hurray. Well, don’t
despair; there is a solution and I tested it! www.luxelink.com
makes a snappy little holder for your bag that even holds my fully-loaded
day bag. You can order a basic version or a fancy crystal number.
They come in tiny pouches and start at $35USD. Protect those pricey
bags.
|
| Food |
| Here is a cold refreshing cocktail from The Martini
Club. |
| The Limelight |
| Over ice in a tall glass add: 1oz. Smirnoff Lime Vodka, 3oz. Ocean
Spray cranberry-pomegranate juice, and 2 oz. lemon-lime soda. Garnish
with a lime wheel. |
|
| DolceDolce Tip: Flavoured vodka is a nice
bar extra. It’s not too pricey. It can be poured over berries,
used in a quick fish marinade, or even popped into cold iced tea or
lemonade with lots of fresh mint for a quick pitcher, for a crowd
on a hot day. Raspberry-flavoured vodka is delicious, too, and will
work in any of these ways! |
| Over ice in a tall glass add: 1oz. Smirnoff Lime Vodka, 3oz. Ocean
Spray cranberry-pomegranate juice, and 2 oz. lemon-lime soda. Garnish
with a lime wheel. |
| August, already. It’s my favourite month of summer. I think
it’s the sweetest because it’s the last before Labour
Day as everyone hurries into fall. There is a rush as September starts
even for those of us who have long left school days behind, so savor
every August day. As for the rest, eat, drink, and be merry in moderation.
Let your doctor - not the news - be your guide. So darlings, here’s
to the last few Dog Days of summer. Glory in them. Until next week,
please, sign-up
if you haven’t already, and forward
t us onto your friends. |
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| Gracey Hitchcock |
| Editor |
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