5 Simple Hacks to Prevent and Stop Acne Breakouts from Dasha Saian

New video up on Dasha's youtube channel on how to prevent breakouts! She teaches you 5 simple hacks that will stop the spread of acne. Enjoy!

Sending Love From the Heart

From an early age, I learned by the actions of my mother, to send thank you notes and letters, instead of calls or emails. I love to write, and have a special box with stationary, greeting cards, and thank you notes on hand, so I can concentrate on writing a special message, not on running and picking a card ASAP. My other favorite activity is cooking, and I have several notebooks with clipped recipes I have been collecting since the age of 16. Some recipes are typed and added by me or grandma, and some are trimmed out of food magazines. Life is beautiful when you can put down your words on paper. Whether you keep the notebooks you write in, or send letters to loved ones, you can heal your life, and the life of others with words from the heart. 

About Hearts

Our hearts are constantly working - pumping vigorously, 24 hours a day, to supply our bodies with blood. When you think of it, doesn't it seem that love is also a muscle? The more you use it, the stronger it becomes, and gives you power to live! Are you using yours enough?

Beauty = Health + Happiness Shining Through Your Eyes

Stop projecting negative situations, and anticipating outcomes that don't work in your favor. Live in the present moment, and enjoy the NOW while you're here. You only get this one chance to do so, because time flies so fast! I love you, please take care of your health, and everything else will be okay!

Vitamin L

Are you getting enough Vitamin L? There have been reports of people struggling with Vitamin L deficiency lately, and it's extremely dangerous! Vitamin L (LOVE) should be present in your body at all times of the day. You can get 20% from sunshine and fresh outdoor air, 20% from pets, and family members, but most importantly, you are responsible for finding this vitamin within yourself and bringing it to the surface. Some people don't realize the importance of self-LOVE, and ignore the symptoms, such as jealousy towards others, low self-esteem, negative body image, and bad habits. Start practicing the Vitamin L game daily - just ask yourself, if self-love and love for others were a vitamin, would I get my dose today?

Peptide Combinations in Skin Care

—Which formulations/combinations is your company currently exploring and why (how they work, skincare benefits, etc)?

We love peptides, and the best combination that we have found to work well against wrinkles has been Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 (Argireline®) with Matrixyl ™3000. Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 (Argireline®) improves wrinkle depth, wrinkle volume and roughness. Matrixyl ™3000 minimizes crow’s feet and laugh lines, and prevents from further damage and wrinkle formation.

—Are delivery systems (into the skin) an issue? How is that addressed in your formulas?
Usually, peptides are best absorbable when used in a water-based serum, with the addition of low-molecular weight Hyaluronic Acid. This is the formulation behind SAIAN Active Renewal Serum.

—This topic can easily get confusing for even the most well-versed esthetician: what advice can you give for ways to sort through all their peptide product options, and to interpret labels?
As we all know, ingredients are listed on the label starting with the most prevalent to the least prevalent. It’s important to choose a product which is water-based, and has peptides in the beginning of the ingredient list – this way you can be assured of the amount of peptides in the formula. You may also consult the manufacturer, and ask what percentage of a given peptide is used. Usually, 10% of each peptide is sufficient to give great results, if there is a blend of 3 or 4 peptides in a formula. Our serums have 6 peptides!

—Which peptide/peptide or peptide/other ingredient combos do you think should be avoided and why?
Avoid peptide combinations that are mixed with hydroquinone, parabens, and other toxins that can irritate the skin.

—What do you envision for the future of peptides in skin care?
The future of peptides most likely lies in skin-repairing copper-peptide complex, and in all natural paraben-free combinations.

New YouTube tutorial about SAIAN Neck-Lift product.

New YouTube tutorial about SAIAN Neck-Lift product. 

The original and only SAIAN® Bio-Firming Neck Lift Kit™ is specifically formulated to firm and tone sagging skin, and reduce wrinkles in the neck and chin area. Tightens, stimulates cell circulation, removes toxins, melts away fat and inhibits the formation of fat deposits! The kit includes an extra potent Bio-Firming Neck Crème™, and a unique washable and reusable stretch neck band,which counteract the signs of aging in the neck, chin and décolleté. Natural, vegan, and paraben-free – it’s the perfect addition to anti-aging treatments. Apply Bio Firming Neck Crème to clean skin of the neck and chin 2-3 times daily, using upward motions. Wear the neck band as long as desired after crème application. Can be slept in. Wash the band with shampoo to restore adhering property.Paraben-free, fragrance-free. Neck band is latex-free.

Casa Hogar Sion Holiday Trip

Hello beautiful friends! I hope you enjoyed my previous post about my last month's Casa Hogar Sion volunteer visit to Tijuana, Mexico. Here are some photos from yesterday's trip to Casa Hogar Sion. 

This orphanage houses from 80-100 children at a given time, and it receives ZERO funding from the government, just like all Tijuana orphanages. All the money raised by volunteers and donors goes DIRECTLY for essential supplies for the kids - toothpaste, toothbrushes, toilet paper, shampoo, conditioner, hair gel, school uniforms and other essentials. You can help by monetary donations, or by purchasing the supplies, and bringing them with you on the trip.

These kids are beautiful, fun, grateful and full of promise! As you remember, this volunteer trip is made possible by Corazon De Vida which is a non-profit.  The last time I came, I had the privilige of helping out in the kitchen, so I signed up for that task again. It was easy, and a wonderful way to help out.  I hope the photos encourage you to join me on the next trip, or to help me raise some much-needed funds. Remember, the money doesn't go to buy toys or fancy clothing - it's directly feeding the children, and making sure they have enough supplies for daily sustenance.

 

https://www.crowdrise.com/DashasCasaSionFundraiser/fundraiser/dashasaian

Here is the link to help me raise funds for the children. Thank you!

Warm Garlic Quinoa You Will Fall in Love With

Let's talk about quinoa! How many ways can you prepare yours? Ask my friends at www.buyconscious.com , and they will tell you - I just may be the Queen of Quinoa! The Queenoa! :) The Holidays are here, and we sometimes forget to eat healthy. It's so easy to get good quality vegan protein into your diet - just take a look at this easy as pie recipe for warm vegan garlic quinoa! You will want seconds, I guarantee it!

Ingredients: (I only use organic)

Quinoa 1 cup dry

Coconut Oil 2 teasp

Mushrooms 1/2 cup

Raw Cashews 1/4 cup

Garlic 3 small cloves or 2 large

Onion 1/4 cup diced

Cherry Tomatoes 1/2 cup

Yellow Bell Pepper 1/2

Spinach 2 cups diced

Rinse the quinoa thoroughly, and put in a pot with 2.5 cups water and a pinch of salt. Quinoa is a bit different from rice, and it needs more water to plump up, but still remain flaky, not clumpy and lumpy.

At the same time that the water with quinoa is taking to boil, heat up a skillet on low heat, and put in the coconut oil, with onions and garlic. Sweat the onions and garlic a bit, and then add the cashews to soften them up, and then the mushrooms. Once that mix has become caramelized, add the tomatoes and the bell peppers. Keep mixing with a wooden spatula until all ingredients are thoroughly blended. Once you see that the tomatoes have become soft, add the spinach, and take off the heat. The warmth of the quinoa will soften the spinach.

Once the water with quinoa boils, take off the burner and cover with a lid for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes have passed, you will see that the water has evaporated, and now you are left with just the ready boiled grain! Transfer to a bowl, mix in the rest of the ingredients from the skillet, and let cool. The finishing touch was a sprinkling of raw flax seeds, you can also top this beauty with shaved parmesan cheese - it is divine!

My Favorite Banana Cake Recipe

I'm sure, just like me,  you all have been disappointed at the sight of overripe bananas in your fruit bowl! Ahh, too ripe! Well, when life gives you lemons, you make lemonade, and when life gives you ripe bananas, you make banana cake! I'm sure you are wondering what the difference between banana bread and banana cake is. Well... I make my banana bread in a bundt pan, and fill it with a rich cranberry compote, so it looks just like a cake, and is festive to boot! You can make this recipe using a regular loaf pan, and it will be just as delicious.

Ingredients (I only use organic):

DRY
1 1/3 cups of unbleached flour
1tsp baking soda
pinch of salt
1 tsp of cinnamon
1 cup toasted walnuts
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup raisins

WET
1/2 cup olive oil
2 large eggs
1/4 cup plain non-fat greek yogurt
4 ripe bananas

COMPOTE
1 tablespoon honey
2 cups of fresh cranberries

You will need to pre-heat the oven to 350 degrees before you start to work on this cake. I usually have a few big bowls in place for the cake. Combine all the dry ingredients in one bowl, and mash your bananas in the other bowl using a potato masher. In your third bowl, you're going to whisk the eggs, oil, and yogurt together to a consistent mixture. Combine this mixture with the mashed bananas, and mix well. Lastly, add the wet mix to the dry mix, and fold together. 

Pour your batter into a pre-greased bundt pan and put it into the oven for about an hour on the center rack. Cool for 10 minutes and remove from the pan. Place on the plate, and now you can make the compote.

Simply add the honey to the cranberries, and stir until soft and caramelized. Pour this mixture into the center of the cake, and voila! Enjoy! I recommend letting it sit a half-hour before tasting, so the compote has some time to absorb into the cake.