SPRING FORWARD: Two Quick Liver Cleansing Yum-a-licious Smoothie Recipes!

It's that time of year - to SPRING FORWARD!

Spring is a time of change, a time to detox, and a time for......GREEN!

Liver Season

Bitter greens are a foundation food to bring into the spring diet.  Bitters contain compounds that help the liver with its multitude of functions.

About the liver:  It is the second largest organ in the human body and performs over 500 different jobs!  We breathe, ingest, and absorb toxic compounds daily. In addition, our bodies produce poisonous compounds during normal biochemical reactions. It is the liver who is responsible for filtering the blood to remove these toxins and excess hormones. The liver is responsible for changing the chemical structure of those toxins to make them water soluble so that they can be excreted in the urine.  LOVE your liver, please!

Hidden in your fat?

Many of the most threatening and dangerous toxins are fat soluble.   Unless these compounds are detoxified they are more likely to lodge in your cells and remain there causing damage. This is why a diet high in potential pesticides and toxins dramatically increases your intake of toxic compounds. (Organic and sustainably raised animal products have less toxic compounds and should be taken seriously). By supporting your liver with certain foods, you can detoxify and dramatically increase your energy and quality of life, energy, and beauty!

Now, what foods support the liver? We are looking for foods that contain nutrients to produce and activate enzymes involved in the various phases of detoxification.

So what are they?

• Sulfur-containing foods such as onions, garlic, and legumes are a good start.

• Cabbage family vegetables such as broccoli, Brussels sprouts, kale, and cabbage are very important.

• Foods high in water-soluble fiber such as pears, apples, and oatmeal are fairly easy to consume on a regular basis.

• Certain spices even help such as turmeric, cinnamon, and licorice root. Hmmm, you see why we eat a lot of curry!

• And lastly, greens, glorious greens! All green foods are particularly important in liver health.

  

Let's look at a few greens......

Dandelion greens, sorrel, baby kale, collard greens, and wild mustard. Others may include arugula, spinach, mizuna, tat soi, and sunflower spouts.

All of these wonderful fresh, raw greens can be blended into a delicious-tasting smoothie! This is also an easy way for you and your children to get a healthy dose of green foods into your daily diet.

 Below is the recipe that can be changed everyday   depending on what is available. Soon the local fruits from the season will be available and you can change up our the recipe.

The key is - SPRING is a time for CLEANING OUT THE LIVER AND GALLBLADDER.  The intake of greens, bitters, and alkalizing agents will be beneficial as your body, mind, and soul transition seasons.   

 Two Yum-a-licious Spring Green Smoothie Recipes

I use a Vita-Mix for this, but if you have a smaller blender then cut this recipe in half. 

Spring Cleanse Smoothie with Cucumber, Pear and Kale

1/2 cucumber, sliced1 pear, sliced

1 cup kale

1/2 cup water

Sprig of mint to garnish (optional)

Spring Cleanse Smoothie with Apple, Ginger, Pear and Kiwi

2 ripe pears, cored

2 apples, cored

2 kiwis

1 very large chunk of fresh ginger

2 lemons, juiced

water

Blend the fruit mixture until smooth and creamy.

5 Ways to Beat Breast Cancer

#1: Reduce inflammation

• Researchers found a 21% decrease in breast cancer risk in women who took 2 of the anti-inflammatory medications aspirin or ibuprofen a week

– Inflammation causes damage to breast cells, making cancer development more likely

• A better way to reduce inflammation? Curcumin!

• Not only does cur cumin reduce inflammation without adverse effects (such as stomach ulcers associated with aspirin/ibuprofen), it has been shown to prevent cancer development, progression and spread

Curcumin After Radiation

• 95% of breast cancer patients experience dermatitis (skin inflammation and redness) caused by radiation treatments
• Researchers believe that curcumin may be able to prevent skin damage associated with radiation therapy
• 30 patients with non-inflammatory breast cancer took 6 g of curcumin (orally) or a placebo daily during their radiation treatment

  – Radiation dermatitis severity (RDA) scores were taken weekly - on a scale of 0-4 the mean score was

  • Curcumin users: 2.6 • Placebo users: 3.4

  – Curcumin also appeared to reduce the risk of skin peeling which affected

  • Curcumin users: 28.6% • Placebo users: 87.5%

#2: Iodine

• Iodine has been shown to alter breast cancer associated gene expressions

  – Turns off cancer promoting genes & turns on genes that promote cancer cell apoptosis (cellular destruction)

• Iodine makes breast cells less sensitive to estrogen
• Iodine detoxifies the toxic halogens (bromide, fluoride,

  chloride)

• Iodized salt is not sufficient for supplementing iodine
• Iodine experts recommend 6.25 - 12.5 mg of iodine or more daily

  – 100 times greater than our RDA

  – This is the estimated individual intake among Japan’s population

  • Japan has the lowest rates of thyroid, prostate, & breast cancer

#3: Daily Multiple plus Vitamin D

• Taking a basic multivitamin lowers breast cancer risk by 30%; adding 2,000 IU of vitamin D every day cuts breast cancer risk 50%

  – Vitamins C and E, and Zinc, stimulate the immune system to destroy cancer cells

  – Vitamin D helps cells develop normally and prevents the formation and spread of cancer cells

• Did you know? Women with the lowest vitamin D levels have breast cancer rates 5 times higher than those getting ample vitamin D. The lower the vitamin D levels, the faster breast cancer spreads.

#4: Olive oil

• Extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) contains compounds that kill off a certain type of breast cancer cell (HER2-positive)
• When EVOO was given to animals with breast cancer, their tumors became less malignant
• Remember: diets high in trans-fats INCREASE the risk of breast cancer, while healthy oils (including EVOO) and saturated fats DECREASE the risk of breast cancer
• EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL is what is needed. It is processed without heat, preserving the cancer-killing compounds that are destroyed in processed, low quality olive oil
• The equivalent to the dosage used in clinical studies is about 2 tablespoons daily

#5 Pomegranate

• Reduces oxidative damage which leads to cancer cell formation
• In cell and animal model studies, pomegranate reduced growth of breast cancer cells by 87%
• Pomegranate seed oil which contains the omega-5 fatty acid, punicic acid, is particularly effective against breast cancer
  • –  In one study, pomegranate seed oil reduced the activity of aromatase, an enzyme which aids in estrogen formation, by 60-80%
  • –  Pomegranate seed oil showed a 90% inhibition of estrogen-sensitive breast cancer cells and a 70% inhibition of breast cancer cell spread, in a recent (in-vitro) test
• Additionally, pomegranate
  • –  Increases rate of cancer cell self-destruction and reduces spread of

    cancer cells

  • –  Inhibits angiogenesis (growing new blood vessels to feed cancer cells)

Pomegranate and Tamoxifen

• Tamoxifen is a drug used for breast cancer treatment
• Estrogen receptor agonist – blocks the effect of estrogen from acting on breast cancer cells

  – Remember – some kinds of cancer grow and spread faster in the presence of the hormone, estrogen

• In a recent study, scientists treated breast cancer cells resistant to tamoxifen with a combination of tamoxifen and pomegranate extract
  • –  the combination of the two nullified the cancer-causing activity of estrogen, even in cells that were previously found resistant to the effects of tamoxifen alone
  • –  In other words, pomegranate caused the tamoxifen to be more effective at blocking the effects of estrogen in breast cancer cells
  • –  Some researchers feel that pomegranate may be equivalent to tamoxifen in preventing breast cancer recurrence!

Summary

• Minimize exposure to environmental and dietary xenoestrogens

• Clean diet with healthy fats, including olive oil

  • Supplemental

  • –  A good daily multivitamin/mineral

  • –  2500 to 5000 IU Vitamin D

  • –  Curcumin – 750 mg of bioavilable curcumin providing 500 mg curcuminoids

  • –  Iodine – 6.25 – 12.5 mg daily (may want to take higher amounts as a loading dose)

  • –  Pomegranate – 600 mg of pomegranate seed oil and pomegranate seed extract

Guest Post:  http://www.terrytalksnutrition.com

Gluten-Free Beauty: You may have these symptoms! ( full ingredient guide inside)

Celiac Disease (CD)/Gluten Intolerance (GI) affects 1 out of 133 Americans, or about 3 million people. This autoimmune disorder is genetic and leaves one unable to digest gluten properly. The result of this autoimmune disorder is damage and flattening to the villi that are responsible for absorption of nutrients.  Those with CD have more advanced damage to their intestine as compared to those with GI, however, both are unable to tolerate gluten and have resulting health conditions. Amongst this community (and others without these conditions) there are some that also have what is called an IgE antibody response to gluten.

This reaction is an allergy that causes the skin to flare in ways such as redness, swelling, acne or rashes. The amount of those with both intolerances to gluten in the gut and on the skin is unknown but it appears more are popping up daily. Gluten is a protein found in barley, rye, oats, wheat and spelt. Oats are gluten free but research has shown that there is so much cross contamination with processing in the same places that wheat is processed that they test high for gluten.

However, now gluten free oats are available that are grown and processed apart from wheat. Exposure to gluten for someone with CD/GI can cause a myriad of health conditions such as lymphomas, osteoporosis anemia and migraines. Along with these health conditions some, but not all, experience digestive problems; like gas, bloating, constipation or diarrhea.

The most common symptoms of gluten sensitivity include:

 

• Fatigue
• Gastrointestinal distress (gas, bloating, diarrhea, constipation, vomiting, reflux)
• Headaches (including migraines)
• Infertility
• Mouth sores
• Weight loss/gain
• Inability to concentrate
• Moodiness/depression
• Amenorrhea/delayed menarche (menstrual cycles)
• Bone/joint/muscle pain
• Dental enamel hypoplasia
• Short stature
• Seizures
• Tingling numbness in the legs

 

Symptoms also include:

• Abnormal liver test
• Addison's disease
• Alopecia
• Anemia
• Ataxia
• Autoimmune hepatitis
• Chronic abdominal pain
• Chronic fatigue
• Crohn's disease
• Dermatitis herpetiformis
• Down syndrome
• Epilepsy
• Family history of celiac disease
• Gall bladder disease
• Hyperthyroidism/hypothyroidism
• Total IgA deficiency
• Insulin-dependent diabetes (type 1)
• Infertility/spontaneous abortions/low birth-weight babies
• Iron deficiency
• IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome)
• Malnutrition
• Multiple sclerosis
• Non Hodgkin's lymphoma
• Osteoporosis, osteopenia, osteomalacia
• Pancreatic disorders
• Pathologic fractures
• Peripheral neuropathy
• Primary biliary cirrhosis
• Psoriasis
• Recurrent stomatisits
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Scherosing cholangitis
• Sjogren syndrome
• Systemic lupus
• Turner syndrome
• Ulcerative colitis
• Vitiligo

 At this time, the only treatment for CD/GI is to avoid gluten completely.

Safe List - Foods & Ingredients Safe for a Gluten-Free Diet

Acacia Gum

Acorn Quercus

Adipic Acid

Adzuki Bean

Acacia Gum

Agar

Alcohol (Spirits - Specific Types)

Alfalfa

Algae

Algin

Alginate

Allicin

Almond Nut

Aluminum

Amaranth

Annatto

Annatto Color

Apple Cider Vinegar

Arabic Gum

Arrowroot

Artichokes

Aspartame (can cause IBS symptoms)

Aspic

Ascorbic Acid

Astragalus Gummifer

Baking Soda & Powder (check)

Balsamic Vinegar

Beans

Bean, Adzuki

Bean, Hyacinth

Bean, Lentil

Bean, Mung

Bean Romano (Chickpea)

Bean Tepary

Benzoic acid

Besan

Betaine

BHA

BHT

Beta Carotene

Biotin

Buckwheat

Butter (check additives)

Butylated Hydroxyanisole

Butyl Compounds

Calcium Carbonate

Calcium Caseinate (Contains MSG)

Calcium Chloride

Calcium Disodium

Calcium Phosphate

Calcium Silicate

Calcium Stearate

Calcium Sulfate

Camphor

Canola Oil

Caprylic Acid

Carageenan Chondrus Crispus

Carboxymethylcellulose

Carnauba Wax

Carob Bean

Carob Bean Gum

Carob Flour

Carrageenan

Casein

Cassava Manihot Esculenta

Castor Oil

Cellulose

Cellulose Gum

Cetyl Alcohol

Cheeses

- (check ingredients)

Chestnuts

Chickpea

Chlorella

Chymosin

Citric Acid

Collagen

Corn

Corn Meal

Corn Flour

Cornstarch

Corn Syrup

Corn Syrup Solids

Corn Swetener

Cortisone

Cotton Seed Oil

Cowitch

Cowpea

Cream of Tartar

Cysteine, L

Demineralized Whey

Desamidocollagen

Dextrose

Dioctyl Sodium

Distilled Vinegar

Eggs

Elastin

Ester Gum

Fish (fresh)

Flaked Rice

Flax

Folic Acid-Folacin

Formaldehyde

Fructose

Fruit (including dried)

Fumaric Acid

Gelatin

Glutamate (free)

Glutamic Acid

Glutamine (amino acid)

Glycerides

Glycerol Monooleate

Glycol Monosterate

Glycol

Glycolic acid

Gram flour (chick peas)

Grits, Corn

Guar Gum

Hemp

Herbs

Honey

Hyacinth Bean

Hydrogen Peroxide

Hydrolyzed soy protein

Iodine

Inulin

Invert Sugar

Job's Tears

Kasha (roasted buckwheat)

Keratin

Kudzu Root Starch

Lactic Acid

Lactose

Lanolin

Lecithin

Lentil

Lipase

Locust Bean Gum

Magnesium Carbonate

Magnesium Hydroxide

Maize Maize Waxy

Malic Acid

Maltitol

Manioc

Masa

Masa Flour

Masa Harina

Meat (fresh)

Methyl Cellulose

Microcrystallin Cellulose

Milk

Millet

Milo

Mineral Oil

Mineral Salts

Monosodium Glutamate MSG (made in USA)

Monopotassium Phosphate

Mung Bean

Musk

Niacin-Niacinamide

Nuts (except wheat, rye & barley)

Nut, Acron

Nut, Almond

Oats

Oils and Fats

Oleyl Alcohol/Oil

Paraffin

Peas

Pea - Chick

Pea - Cow

Pea Flour

Pepsin

Peru Balsam

Petrolatum

Phenylalanine

Pigeon Peas

Polenta

Polyethylene Glycol

Polyglycerol

Polysorbates

Potassium Citrate

Potassium Iodide

Potassium Sorbate

Potatoes

Potato Flour

Prinus

Pristane

Propolis

Propylene Glycol

Propylene Glycol Monosterate

Propyl Gallate

Psyllium

Pyridoxine Hydrochloride

Quinoa

Ragi

Rape

Rennet

Reticulin

Rice

Rice Flour

Rice Vinegar

Romano Bean (chickpea)

Rosin

Royal Jelly

Sago Palm

Sago Flour

Saifun (bean threads)

Scotch Whisky

Seaweed

Seeds (except wheat, rye & barley)

Seed - Sesame

Seed - Sunflower

Sphingolipids

Soba (be sure it's 100% buckwheat)

Sodium Acid Pyrophosphate

Sodium Alginate

Sodium Ascorbate

Sodium Benzoate

Sodium Caseinate

Sodium Citrate

Sodium Erythrobate

Sodium Hexametaphosphate

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate

Sodium Nitrate

Sodium Phosphate

Sodium Silacoaluminate

Sodium Stannate

Sorbic Acid

Sorbitol-Mannitol (can cause IBS symptoms)

Sorghum

Sorghum Flour

Soy

Soybean

Soy Lecithin

Spices (pure)

Spirits (Specific Types)

Stearates

Stearamide

Stearamine

Stearic Acid

Subflower Seed

Succotash (corn and beans)

Sucrose

Sulfosuccinate

Sulfites

Sulfur Dioxide

Sweet Chestnut Flour

Tallow

Tapioca

Tapioca Flour

Tarrow Root

Tartaric Acid

TBHQ is Tetra or Tributylhydroquinone

Tea

Tea-Tree Oil

Teff

Teff Flour

Tepary Bean

Thiamine Hydrochoride

Tofu-Soya Curd

Tolu Balsam

Tragacanth

Tragacanth Gum

Tri-Calcium Phosphate

Turmeric (Kurkuma)

Tyrosine

Urad/Urid Beans

Urad/Urid Dal (peas) Vegetables

Urad/Urid flour

Vanillin

Vinegars (Specific Types)

Vitamin A (retinol)

Waxy Maize

Whey

White Vinegar

Wines

Wine Vinegars (& Balsamic)

Wild Rice

Xanthan Gum

Yam Flour

Yogurt (plain, unflavored)

Forbidden List - Foods and Ingredients Not Safe for a Gluten-Free Diet

(List found onwww.celiac.com)

Abyssinian Hard (Wheat triticum durum)

Abyssinian Hard (Wheat triticum durum)

Alcohol (Spirits - Specific Types)

Amp-Isostearoyl Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein

Barley Grass (can contain seeds)

Barley Hordeum vulgare

Barley Malt

Beer

Bleached Flour

Blue Cheese (made with bread)

Bran

Bread Flour

Brewer's Yeast

Brown Flour

Bulgur (Bulgar Wheat/Nuts)

Bulgur Wheat

Cereal Binding

Chilton

Club Wheat (Triticum aestivum subspecies compactum)

Common Wheat (Triticum aestivum)

Couscous

Dextrimaltose

Disodium Wheatgermamido Peg-2 Sulfosuccinate

Durum wheat (Triticum durum)

Edible Starch

Einkorn (Triticum monococcum)

Emmer (Triticum dicoccon)

Farina Graham

Filler

Fu (dried wheat gluten)

Germ

Graham Flour

Granary Flour

Groats (barley, wheat)

Hard Wheat

Hydrolyzed Wheat Gluten

Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein

Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein Pg-Propyl Silanetriol

Hydrolyzed Wheat Starch

Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein

Kamut (Pasta wheat)

Malt

Malt Extract

Malt Syrup

Malt Flavoring

Malt Vinegar

Macha Wheat (Triticum aestivum)

Matzo Semolina

Oriental Wheat (Triticum turanicum)

Pasta

Pearl Barley

Persian Wheat (Triticum carthlicum) Poulard Wheat (Triticum turgidum)

Polish Wheat (Triticum polonicum)

Rice Malt (if barley or Koji are used)

Rye

Seitan

Semolina

Semolina Triticum

Shot Wheat (Triticum aestivum)

Shoyu (soy sauce)Small Spelt

Soba Noodles

Soy Sauce

Spirits (Specific Types)

Spelt (Triticum spelta)

Sprouted Wheat or Barley

Stearyldimoniumhydroxypropyl Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein

Strong Flour

Suet in Packets

Tabbouleh

Teriyaki Sauce

Textured Vegetable Protein - TVP

Timopheevi Wheat (Triticum timopheevii)

Triticale X triticosecale

Triticum Vulgare (Wheat) Flour Lipids

Triticum Vulgare (Wheat) Germ Extract

Triticum Vulgare (Wheat) Germ Oil

Udon (wheat noodles)

Vavilovi Wheat (Triticum aestivum)

Vegetable Starch

Certain Vitamins/supplements

Wheat, Abyssinian Hard triticum durum

Wheat Amino Acids

Wheat Bran Extract

Wheat, Bulgur

Wheat Durum Triticum

Wheat Germ Extract

Wheat Germ Glycerides

Wheat Germ Oil

Wheat Germamidopropyldimonium Hydroxypropyl Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein

Wheat Grass (can contain seeds)

Wheat Nuts

Wheat Protein

Wheat Triticum aestivum

Wheat Triticum Monococcum

Wheat (Triticum Vulgare) Bran Extract

Whole-Meal Flour

Wild Einkorn (Triticum boeotictim)

Wild Emmer (Triticum dicoccoides)

Additional Information to know about a Gluten-Free Diet

• Read all rice and soy beverages to be sure no barley enzymes were used.
• Sprouted wheat and spelt are not gluten-free
• Read all lotions, shampoos, conditioners, creams, soaps, toothpastes and cosmetics to be sure they are gluten-free
• Do not directly lick stamps, envelopes or other gummed labels. Use a sponge or a damp cloth when possible
• Many prescription and over the counter medicines contain gluten. Check out these websites to be sure your prescription medication is gluten-free:http://homepage.mac.com/sholland/celiac/GFmedlist.pdf,https://www.pfizerpro.com/product_info/chantix_pi_ingredients.jsp
• Be sure all spices are gluten free

 Guest Post:  The Gluten Free Girl; Safe Ingredients

The Issue of Hair Color (tips to color as safely inside)

Everybody is greatly relieved when their hair grows back after chemotherapy. But its color and texture may be different than what you remember. Soft curls may require new products to manage them. Women who dyed their hair for years are often surprised by the amount of gray. It’s usually because the hair is just growing back in its natural, undyed state — which they may not have seen in a very long time!

About 75% of women in the United States use hair color. The practice goes at least as far back as ancient Egypt, when women used henna to change the color of their hair. It really moved into the mainstream culture in the 1920s and ’30s with the introduction of salon and home hair dye kits.

While you may not be quite certain what color your hair will be when you’re done, using a home kit is fairly easy. Or you can get it done at a salon, of course. Permanent hair dyes use a mix of prepackaged dye (usually your color plus ammonia) plus a “developer” (often hydrogen peroxide). When you massage the mixture into your hair, the developer reacts with the dye to open the hair cuticle (the protective outer covering of the hair shaft) and deposit color inside the hair. Other options include semi-permanent and temporary hair dyes, which stain hair without chemically changing the hair shaft, so they eventually wash out.

Concerns about chemicals

Each time you color your hair, you only absorb a small amount of dye into your system. But since hair coloring is a commitment that often involves repeated exposure over many years, you may be concerned about the potential long-term risk.

Questions about the safety of the chemicals used in hair dyes have been around almost as long as the hair dye kits themselves. It’s hard to accurately measure the risk. The coloring process uses a range of chemicals and each one could affect the body in a different way. There are differences in the quality and ingredients between brands and types of dyes. So it’s hard to test and compare them and come up with any meaningful results.

It’s also tough to make solid safety statements. In the 1970s, research linked chemicals in hair dyes to cancer when the dyes were tested on animals. So companies eliminated certain risky chemicals from the dye kits.

Concerns have persisted about the possible role of hair dye in cancer. But no clear link has ever been found between the personal use of hair dye and cancer in humans.

Most of today’s commercial hair dyes still contain some chemicals that may be considered risky. So far, research has revealed this much about how hair dyes affect our bodies:

• It’s important to be careful when applying the dye. Hair dyes can irritate skin and hurt eyes (if the product comes into direct contact with the eyes). The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requires that chemical hair dyes carry a warning about this skin irritation and the potential risk of blindness if used for dyeing the eyelashes or eyebrows.

• Many hair dyes contain coal tar, a mixture of chemicals derived from petroleum. Some people have been concerned that coal tar dyes increase the risk of cancer based on studies in small animals that were fed extremely high doses of coal tar. When coal tar dyes are applied to the skin — the more typical exposure we see in the hair dying process — there doesn’t appear to be a risk. Furthermore, studies of personal, at-home hair dye use in humans haven’t found any link to breast cancer.

• Some studies have found a slight increase in the risk for bladder cancer among salon workers exposed to hair dyes on a regular basis. No increased risk for bladder cancer has been found among people who have their hair dyed.

• Some studies have linked the personal use of hair dye with a very small increase in the risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma and leukemia (cancers of the blood and bone marrow). The link was only in women who started dying their hair before 1980. Other studies have not found any link between hair dye use and these cancers.

• Lead acetate is found in “progressive” dyes, such as Grecian Formula, which change the color of hair gradually from light or gray to black. Although most of these products are marketed to men, everyone should avoid any hair products with lead acetate. The European Union has classified it as a known human reproductive toxicant, which means it interferes with fertility and may alter normal development and functioning of the reproductive system. The Environmental Protection Agency has classified it as a known human respiratory toxicant, which mean it can irritate the lungs. Studies also suggest that it may cause cancer in the kidneys, stomach, and lungs.

Tips to color as safely as possible

Based on what we know so far — and based on the potential risks — you may want to change the way you color your hair to minimize your risk of breast and other cancers. Here are a few ideas to minimize risk:

• Always follow the safety directions exactly. Do a patch test for allergic reactions every time before you color. Never dye your eyebrows or eyelashes, since getting dye in your eyes can irritate your eyes and possibly damage your vision.

• Limit your exposure as much as possible. Wear gloves when you apply the dye. Don’t leave it on your head any longer than the directions say. When the coloring time is up, rinse your scalp and hair thoroughly with water. Then shampoo out any residue.

• P-phenylenediamine (PPD) is one particular coal tar dye used in many hair dyes, and darker hair dyes tend to contain more of it than lighter ones. PPD is banned from hair dyes in several European countries because of its potential to cause severe skin irritation. If you wish to avoid it, check the ingredients list.

• Beware that brands marketed as “natural,” “organic,” or “non-toxic” may actually contain high-risk ingredients, although in smaller amounts. The same may be true for “no ammonia” or “no peroxide” products.

• Whether or not it’s safe to color your hair during pregnancy is a question lots of women ask. Your body probably absorbs only a very small amount of hair dye when it’s applied, so it’s likely that very little chemicals, if any, would be able to get to your baby. But to be absolutely safe and avoid the worry, some women forgo coloring their hair during pregnancy. Talk with your doctor if you have questions or concerns.

• If you dye your hair at home, choose a product with a low hazard rating in the EWG Database.

• If you get your hair colored at a salon, know that most salon-only products are not listed in the EWG Database. Since the FDA doesn’t require an ingredients list on products intended for salon-use only, there’s rarely any published information on what’s in them. One option to ask your hair colorist about is the  Mastey Color  hair dye, which has plant-based dyes that are FREE of PPD, petroleum-based ingredients, peroxide, ammonia, parabens, and phthalates.

Guest Post By Dr. Marisa Weiss

Beauty Benefits of a Super-Citrus Blood Orange Smoothie! (recipe inside)

Orangerie Benefits!

If you've been to the market lately, you've seen plenty of sweet oranges, grapefruits, tangerines and blood oranges…citrus galore!  Change it up and trade out the standard orange with a red flesh of blood orange!   This swap is especially satisfying when we learn of the beauty benefits that come along with this Mediterranean variant.

Superfruit power of vitamin C  stimulates collagen production and anthocyanins, the potent antioxidants found in berries. Both prevent free radicals that cause premature aging and ward off disease-causing inflammation. Paired with cucumber and greens, this smoothie is bursting with nutrients.

Blood Orange Smoothie Directions: Fill blender with…

• 10 oz coconut water

  

• 1 blood orange peeled and seeds removed

• ½ cucumber peeled

• ½ frozen banana

• 2 tsp chia seeds

• handful spinach

• juice from ¼ lemon

Blend ingredients until smooth and enjoy your organic Blood Orange Smoothie.

 Cheers!

Guest Recipe: BY LAURISA TRUEMPER

Top 2 Spring Hair Trends from Oscar Night

Based on the runway, it looks like we’re going to see a lot of short hair over the coming months. If you you are not ready to actually pull the trigger, it's time to start inching towards a new style for Spring and Summer!  Take a look at photos of Jennifer Lawrence, Portia de Rossi, Charlize Theron, Anne Hathaway, and Lupita Nyong’o, all of whom sported stunning, cropped looks.

Accessorize!  Headbands are going to be big, big, big. Lupita’s version was sparkling (likely with real gems)…but headbands are an easy way to add interest to the hair…particularly a short ‘do that has limited options for styling.

Check out our Pinterest page for the updated looks, trends and inspiration!  

So Beaute' -  Did you watch the Oscars? Did you learn anything new? Any inspirations from the runway?  Do share! 

Winter Rehab: *NEW* Organic Oxygen Rescue Mask (70% Organic + Blueberry + Cranberry Fresh)

 Enjoy our NEW Organic Oxygen Rescue Mask in a Organic Facial, or for your own use at home.  Winter rehab to the rescue!

You may already know that berries are good for you. They’re considered one of the fruits that are particularly high in antioxidants, which can be key in protecting the body.

This antioxidant capability also makes cranberries and blueberries useful in skin care, as they can protect the skin from damaging free radicals that accelerate the appearance of aging. What’s really exciting about fruit seed oil, however, is that it is the only oils we know of so far that has a perfect ratio of omega-3 to omega-6 fatty acids, which means that it absorbs super well into the skin, giving you great hydration. It also means your skin is more likely to absorb the potent antioxidants, Vitamin E, and other nutrients in the oil.

In light of the long and harsh winter we had in Minnesota, we saw the missing link to our Kasia Natural Skin Line and our guests needs for extra MOISTURE!  So - you spoke, we listened ...and we delivered!  

Au-Natural and 70% Organic Get great looking skin in minutes with this fruit-filled mask!

Blueberries and cranberries hyper-oxygenate the skin with antioxidants, active bioflavonoids and vitamins to even texture and add youthful vibrancy.

A fresh fruit pulp and Glycolic and Alpha Lipoic acids slough away dead cells and boost collagen production, leaving skin revived and refreshed.

if you’re seeing dull, dry, sagging, skin, this unique oil is the perfect remedy.

Directions: Apply generously to face and neck. Leave on for 15-30 minutes. Remove with a damp cloth or warm water.

Contact our team today to purchase or book a custom organic facial today!   Schedule@kasiaorganicsalon.com 612.814.7611

Awesome Last Minute Spring Break Specials! (details inside)

It's been a long winter in MN.... and we celebrate that so many of our guests are booking a plane ticket and going on SPRING BREAK!

Pack your tank top and swim suite - but don't worry beaute' - - we've got your covered  -- Or UN-covered!  

Check out our awesome last minute waxing specials to prepare you for your Spring Break  getaway (or just to get away from the kiddos)!  There's no need to show up to the beach looking like a German native who hasn't shaved her legs or arm-pits for the year. Nasty.....

Enjoy our Spring Inspired Specials - and don't forget to add a Keratin Express Hair Treatment  or Oxygen Facial when you bless us with your presence!

All discounts are valid through March. Availability for skin services: Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday

EMAIL US TODAY:  schedule@kasiaorganicsalon.com TEXT US:  612.824.7611 CALL US: 612.824.7611