Prep your body for spring

As the harshness of winter gives way to spring, daffodils appear along the sidewalk, cherry blossoms open, and the start of a new season reveals itself. While sunshine and warmer weather uplifts the spirit, these transitional periods can also be disruptive and can require us to devote additional care to our bodies. Incorporating more anti-inflammatory foods into your diet is the first step in facilitating healing and strengthening your body’s defenses from the inside out. Below are a few of our nutritional favorites for reducing inflammation this Spring:

• Flax seed oil is high in omega 3 fatty acids, which are incredible for reducing inflammation. This oil is six times richer in omega 3 fatty acids than most fish oils. Try drizzling some over your next salad, adding a spoonful to a smoothie, or sprinkling flax seeds in soup, oatmeal, or yogurt.
• Walnuts are chock-full of healthy fats—65 percent by weight, in fact—which makes them an energy-dense food that will satisfy you for longer periods than other snacks. A high source of polyunsaturated fats, walnuts are the only nuts that contain a significant amount of omega 3 ALA.
• Spinach is a great source of vitamins A, C, K, manganese, zinc, and selenium. It contains flavonoids, powerful antioxidants that protect against disease and fight free radical damage, making it one of the best foods for strengthening the immune system.
• Turmeric is the current darling and with good reason. It's a great source of the chemical curcumin, which has been shown to decrease swelling and inflammation. It's great for gut inflammation, joint issues, and skin redness. Use fresh root or powered turmeric in stirfries, add to a latte, or make golden milk: heat up coconut or almond milk on the stove and add grated turmeric and ginger, a cinnamon stick, ground black pepper, and a sweetener of choice. Simmer for 10 minutes and enjoy this healing beverage.

(photo: recipes.sparkpeople.com)

Spring forward with a healthy glow: The art of exfoliation & hydration

As we spring forward, it’s helpful to remember to change more than our clocks. The change in seasons means we need to change our skincare approach as well. Treating dehydration, patchiness, and roughness with gentle exfoliation will not only smooth any unevenness in skin texture, but it will make your serums and creams work more effectively. The result is a dewy, healthy complexion we all crave.

• Biologique Recherche Lotion P50V is ideal for gentle, daily exfoliation. Formulated to be extra nourishing for dehydrated skin, P50V will keep skin clear without compromising your skin’s protective barrier.
• Biologique Recherche Lotion MC 110 No1 and Lotion Alpha Kérato-Régulatrice are both exfoliating and plumping boosters that will smooth fine lines and tone skin. Applied 2–3 times per week, we recommend Lotion MC 110 No1 for thinner, more sensitive skin and Lotion Alpha Kerato-Regulatrice for thicker, duller skin.
• Biologique Recherche Patchs Defatigants are soothing biocellulose eye masks that will reduce puffiness and smooth fine lines, and are one of the newest additions to BR!

 To increase efficacy, very gently pat 1 drop of either your P50 or Lotion MC 110 No1 around the under eye and brow bone, taking care not to apply too closely to the eye itself. Apply the Patchs Defatigants for 15 minutes. Remove the mask and massage in a circular motion around the eye until the serum is absorbed. Each box comes with 3 sets, enough for a 3-week program, applied once per week.




As always, we’re more than happy to help if you have any questions or would like further information! Call us at 206-283-9295 or email us at [email protected].

(photo: currentbeautyblog.mynuface.com)