Microbeads and The Environment

Have you heard about microbeads? If not, I'd like to educate you on these little plastic culprits, and make sure you stay away from face and body scrubs which list them as an active ingredient. 

1. What are plastic microbeads and why are they commonly found in skincare products?

Microbeads are tiny round plastic beads that are found in some exfoliating products, and they are causing quite a stir in the environmental world. The plastic waste caused by these microbeads, which are not filtered out during sewage treatment, is damaging water ecosystems and killing marine life. 

2. What are some negative effects of these plastic microbeads?

A 2013 research at the University of Wisconsin-Superior showed that there were 1,500 to 1.7 million plastic particles per square mile in the Great Lakes! Not only are the beads damaging to fish, they are also bad for your face - microbeads can cause eye irritation, and promote rosacea and couperose. It’s no wonder that Illinois was the first state to ban the use of microbeads in June of 2014, and I sincerely hope all other states will quickly follow.

3. What are some alternatives to these plastic microbeads and how are they better for the client and the environment?

Instead of using plastic beads, consider other natural options like scrubs with ground up seeds and stone pits from apricots/peaches, crushed walnut husks, oats, coffee grinds, salt, and sugar. I especially recommend sugar for clients dealing with eczema since it’s non irritating on broken skin, and sea salt for psoriasis sufferers, but not more than once a week. All other scrubs can be used 3 times a week, but not more - our skin needs adequate time to amass dry dead cells, and you definitely don’t want to over-exfoliate!

4. How can skincare companies make clients aware of the issue and the benefits of using products that contain safer plastic bead alternatives?

Companies can provide the full list of ingredients on their packaging, and encourage the use of natural, biodegradable ingredients with explanations in their ads. Educating the consumer is the best strategy for forming a long-term honest relationship!

Heavenly Vegan Bulgur With Sautéed Brussels Sprouts

My heavenly vegan bulgur with sautéed brussels sprouts, parsley, and carrots is a warm, soft and fluffy dinner you can make in 15 minutes! Brussels sprouts can be delicious, if cooked correctly, and I am here to teach you. This is one pilaf you will LOVE!

Ingredients:

1 cup bulgur 

1 1/2 cup organic brussels sprouts 

1 large organic carrot

1/2 medium sweet organic onion

1/2 chopped organic parsley

2 tablespoons organic cold-pressed coconut oil

pinch of salt

I love the 10 Minute Bulgur from Trader Joe's , and use it for all my bulgur recipes. The first thing I do when working with a grain-based salad or pilaf, is start boiling the grain, and while that is on the stove, I chop the veggies. Bulgur is just like rice - you will need 2 cups of water for 1 cup of bulgur. Bring it to a boil, cover, and let simmer for 10 minutes. Take off the heat, and let rest for 5 minutes with the lid on.

Thoroughly wash, and cut the brussels sprouts in half. Warm up a skillet on medium heat. Sweat the onions and thinly shaved carrots in the coconut oil until clear, and add the brussels sprouts. Sauté for 5 minutes, just until the brussels sprouts begin to look soft. Add this mixture to the bulgur, along with salt, and stir in the chopped parsley at the very end, so it stays fresh, and flavorful! Enjoy, and be well! 

UCLA Brain Tumor Conference

Still processing the UCLA brain tumor conference hosted by my mother's amazing doctor - Dr. Timothy Cloughesy, in my mind. Even though I received a mass of knowledge regarding pathology, neurosurgery (including a video of the amazing Dr. Linda Liau removing a glioma from a composer's brain while he creates a melody), radio-surgery, radiation equipment, tumor bank, 3D models, chemo etc., the most absurd reality is: 

1.) Not one of these world-renowned experts is sure what the cause of malignant brain tumors is. 

2.) The pathology of different types of gliomas is 100% clear and understandable to them, but they still don't know how to CURE the issue (because they haven't found the correct combination of drugs to cause complete tumor necrosis). 

With that said, I'd like to point out that even though prognosis and statistics for high-grade glioma patients are very poor, after attending an event like this, the real answer to the problem is connecting with the right people. Just like in any other life situation, a kind and understanding physician may not have all the answers in the world, but will put the patient's heart at ease, and increase his or her quality of life. Understanding, patience, and kindness.

I am not sure why I am writing all this... probably because I feel a very strong love for people, and keep seeing people create amazing things for saving other people's lives, such as all this medical equipment that seems like something out of a futuristic movie. The work that is done by these physicians is mind-blowing, but a heartfelt hug and a smile of reassurance is sometimes a more comforting part of the job.

See you at Orlando Skincare Show!

#Estheticians Join SAIAN Skincare at  Premiere Dayspa in Orlando for some amazing classes! Click for full program: http://goo.gl/bmLjTQ

I Love You

Show people how you want to be treated by treating yourself with respect, first and foremost. If this is difficult, ask yourself what is stopping you, and instead of berating yourself, just FIX it. Stop doing things that bring you down, and start thanking yourself for being wonderful. Learn to be calm and centered in all situations. Smile often, and don't take everything so seriously. If you are willing to accept advice, listen only to winners, because they have proven that the KNOW what they are talking about. Don't mind the commentary from people whose lives are a mess, and always be open to change. You are always YOU, yet you are always changing.

We often go through hardships, and find ourselves in the darkness and despair. We ask The Lord "why me?". We think we are broken, and hopeless, but that isn't true. We have come into the world to love ourselves, love each other and love God. Rest assured that The Lord will guide you and guard you, and the process of life is always on your side. No one said life was going to be easy, but you can do it anyway! Look how far you've come! If you haven't been told how wonderful you are, I am here to assure you that you're amazing, and I love you.

Vegan Quinoa Sushi with Kale, Avocado, Carrots, Purple Cabbage, and Cucumber.

Not sure what was more enjoyable - thinking this dish up, making it, or the cleanup afterwards! Haha, just kidding! But, seriously, quinoa sushi was the best idea ever! Quinoa sushi with kale, avocado, carrots, purple cabbage, and cucumber. This sushi is accompanied by Bragg's Aminos, instead of soy sauce, a shaved cucumber and cabbage salad, and kale! Yum!

Ingredients:

1/2 cup quinoa

1/2 avocado

2 carrots

4 leaves of kale

4 leaves of purple cabbage

2 cucumbers

1 package of sushi nori

Bragg's Aminos for dipping sauce

optional: sesame seeds or flax seeds for garnish

You will need to start by boiling the quinoa. Rinse the quinoa thoroughly, and put in a pot with 1.5 cups water. Quinoa is a bit different from rice, and it needs more water to plump up, but still remain flaky, not clumpy and lumpy. After the pot starts to boil, turn off the heat and cover with a lid for 10 minutes. I like to use white quinoa for sushi, because it's more sticky than the brown variety, and will keep its shape well! After the quinoa is done, place it on a large plate to cool, and start working on your veggies.

Wash the kale and cabbage leaves well, and remove the hard stems, so all you're left with are the soft leaves. Dry them thoroughly. Cut the avocado, 1 carrot and 1 cucumber into long strips, and leave the other carrot and cucumber for the garnish. Place your nori on the sushi mat, and fill it with rice, leaving one edge empty, so you can seal your sushi after you roll. Lay your  leaves on the quinoa, then lay the strips of veggies in the middle. You will only need 1 strip of each veggie for the roll. Roll the sushi, and slice in 1 inch pieces.

To make the garnish, simply take a vegetable peeler, and make ribbons out of the carrot and cucumber! Plate and serve with Bragg's Aminos or lemon juice. This is a nutritious and delicious meal that will leave you feeling nourished and light! Enjoy!

Going Forward

Whenever you are lost, and have a difficult decision to make, talk to an elder. Your grandparent, a neighbor... Yesterday was a challenging day for me...and even today, my face is still in pain from all the tears I shed. My grandmother is my strongest supporter, and the reason I strongly walk forward. Yesterday, she told me this:

 "TRUST and go forward, or remain stuck in the fear." She has been through her husband's early death, war, hunger, scarcity, Siberia... She is calm, she doesn't cry in front of me. She is always going forward, always strong, and always ready to face what may be. I hope this inspires you on YOUR journey, too. Thank you for your support - love you all.

Light and Airy Banana Buckwheat Muffins

My buckwheat muffins are made with gluten-free buckwheat flour - hence their rich, dark color! This recipe can be used for both banana bread, and muffins, so choose your favorite pan! These wonderful muffins have a delightful texture because they are made with soft bananas, and studded with milled flax seeds, dates and raisins, sprinkled with chia seeds! Simply heavenly! Can you believe the prep time is a mere 15 minutes? The recipe is extremely simple. You can use buckwheat flour and milled flax seeds, or simplify the process by buying The Pure Pantry Pancake Mix, Buckwheat Gluten Free, 1.4-Pound. This is what I used for this recipe, and it was purely heavenly!

Ingredients (I use all organic):
1/2 cup olive oil or butter at room temperature
2 eggs
3 ripe bananas, mashed
3/4 cup brown sugar
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 cup soy milk

2 cups The Pure Pantry Pancake Mix, Buckwheat Gluten Free, 1.4-Pound

1 tsp baking powder

1/2 cup dry pitted dates

1/2 cup raisins

1 tbsp chia seeds

Preheat your oven to 350°F and grease your muffin tin with olive oil.

In large bowl beat oil or butter with electric mixer. Add eggs and beat until well blended. Add mashed bananas and blend. Stir in brown sugar and vanilla, and beat until well combined. Add the dry baking mix, ½ a cup at a time, alternating with soy milk stirring slowly after each addition. Stir in baking powder, dates and raisins. Distribute onto the muffin pan using an ice-cream scoop, sprinkle with chia, and bake for 45 minutes or until toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

You can frost these, or eat them just plain! I love the inviting smell of vanilla in the house whenever I bake, and you will too!