Revealing my beauty and health secrets from mother nature to your skin, hair, nails and body.

"Remember your skin is the biggest organ you have, treat it with respect".

As most of us know we have toxins everywhere, the environment is full of pollution and our body too has "internal pollution". You can help to control this internal pollution by avoiding certain items; eating excess fat, refined sugar, sodas, fake fats, artificial sweeteners, commercial meat treated with toxic preservatives, tobacco smoke, birth control  pills - all  of  these contribute to your internal pollution. Eat moderate portions of protein- a good guideline is that it should be 15%- 20% of your food calories, fat should be about 20%, and most people should increase the level of complex carbohydrates, around 60% of your calories. Drink plenty of purified water. Keep yourself clean and eat good quality food - fresh, wholesome food, raw food, grains and beans, I like to say greens and beans for health.  If you do eat animal products reduce the amount and frequency of consumption and choose just organic and aim for traditionally raised.  By traditionally raised I mean grass fed in a pasture or free range for poultry.  It has only been in the last 50-75 years that food has turned into a factory which unfortunately reduces the nutritional value and causes massive outbreaks of disease.  Think how animals were raised before factory farms that is what you want.  

Another important aspect in having a healthy natural look is to understand the role that fatty acids play.  There are two essentials fatty acids linoleic acid and alpha-linolenic acid. We need provide our body a good source of these fatty acids and make sure there is a proper balance between them. 

Why am I talking about fatty acids? Because the right Fatty acids in proper balance promote healthy, young skin and hair, promote healthy blood, nerves and arteries and much more... these are just a few benefits that you will find by consuming good quality, fresh, whole, unprocessed  fatty acids.    

Fatty acid source:

 Nuts and seeds are full of fatty acids,  including almond, hazelnut, pecan, pine nut, walnuts, flax seeds, pumpkin seed, sesame seed, sunflower.  Remember to take care with nuts and seeds, they can cause an allergic reaction in some people.

 

Grain legume and fruit sources:

Avocado is a great source and one of my favorite, you can prepare many different ways and use in breakfast, lunch and dinner.  I love oats for breakfast, which have a lower amount than other foods, but oats are a complete food with an excellent balance of nutrients.  Buckwheat soba is another thing I like, it's a type of  noodles so delicious, chickpeas in hummus or salads, millet as side or in a loaf with vegetables, miso for soups and dressings, olive my favorite oil, the mother of the grain my beautiful Quinoa, brown rice is delicious in Pabellon, a traditional dish from my beautiful country Venezuela, mochi or as a side in your dish. 

Some of the beans that beautifies the skin are aduki for stews or dips, lima bean , soybean very good in salads,  mung bean is my favorite for soups.

Eat sea vegetable they are  good source of mineral, vitamin A, C, B12,D  and K.  Extremely low in calories, rich in calcium, iodine, iron and phosphorous.  Sea vegetables are unique among food sources receiving their nourishment from sea water not from the soil.  This provides an excellent source of nutrients not found in land based foods.  And the best thing is that sea vegetables contain an amazing substance called alginic acid that binds with toxins in the body.  This allows the body to more easily flush out these unwanted toxins.  Kombu, Nori, Agar-agar, Wakame, Hijiki Arame, Dulse are organic minerals with the most fundamental nutrients.  An interesting fact is that the makeup of our blood and seawater are almost the same, leading many to believe it is crucial for humans to have exposure to elements from the sea.

If you don't believe in the sea vegetable look at the healthy and lustrous hair of Asian women.

2 powerful "C" Chlorophyll and Coconut.

Chlorophyll is the substances that makes plants green. The greater amount of chlorophyll we consume the greater benefits we will obtain for our body. Chlorophyll is a wonderful substance that helps to purify and rejuvenate the body as well as act as a natural anti-inflammatory.  It helps to promote healthy skin and helps to control bad breath and body odors.  It can help healthy intestinal flora and activates enzymes that help produce vitamins in the body.   The color green is associated with the spring renewal, freshness, purity

I recommend consume more green rich food, in plant or fruit form. Also you can use this in liquid available in any natural or health store. 

Micro Algae-  Raw chlorophyll with additional properties, Spirulina, chorella, wild blue-green  contain more chlorophyll than other any other food, ample protein, beta-carotene, omega 3 and/or GLA fatty acids and   very large of nucleic acids RNA and DNA it's knows to provide benefit cellular renewal and to reverse aging.

Coconut, is part of those foods that derive their caloric energy from their fatty acids content.  Good for dry skin, constipation, also for anxious and nervous type of people, tonifies our heart. Good source of saturated fat, people that have an excess consumption of concentrated in heavy meat, eggs and dairy should be aware because it can become an excess of saturated fat and cholesterol in the diet. It's excellent for people that do not consume too many animal products.

Great  combinations for juices, pancakes, rice, quinoa, dressing and Asian and Thai food.  It will digest better when accompanied by leafy greens.

I use coconut in my whole wheat or sprout pancakes as a oil or as a flakes combine with carob chips and goji berries. Also  I use young coconut meat when I make my rejuvenating power  juice with banana, pineapple and spirulina.

In stir fry soba noodles I recommend the use of coconut oil, it is delicious and it give a particular taste like Thai flavor.

Also I drink coconut water with my whisky, huh?? yes, coconut water with a good quality whisky is so refreshing, something funny about me is that when I go to my country Venezuela I submerged myself into the paradise beaches with a cold glass of this drink with the hot weather and on vacation is nothing better than this drink lol! I don't say you should drink alcohol as a healthy  person but I won't tell anyone to get rid  of the fun this of this life,  and if you are on vacation and kind of person that likes a drink once in a while it is good to have. Everything in moderation is always good.

Taking care of your skin from outside

Let's talk about beauty from inside out. My friends, people that I don't' know even my hairdressers always comment on my beautiful shiny hair and healthy skin and nails. Well here are all my secrets I never I thought I would tell to the word for free lol! sounds weird but I have been spending a lot of money just looking the best products and the best way to look young, fresh and healthy. Let's list of all my secrets and recommendation...

·         Avoid commercial soaps, shampoos, body lotions, and various  kinds of makeup, made with chemical solvents and synthetic additives these are directly absorbed into the body through the skin and interfere with immunity.

·         Use  whole, unrefined oils alternatives. I used to spend hundreds in expensive lotions and anti aging cream until I discovered those amazing oils.  I highly recommend Bio oil it's amazing purcellin oil made with lavender oil, rosemary oil, chamomile oil.  This oil is great for scars, stretch marks, anti aging, dehydrated and dry skin I have been using this every day  before good to bed for  the past 5  years, also I use pure almond oil from brazil it has a delicious aroma and makes your skin so lustrous and soft, I used the pure oil one time a day and I put it in the sensitive part of my body like knees, hands, feet, elbow.  I will mix with baby lotions and I carry with me in my purse for my hands. Another big skin  secret, just a few of my close friends knows and  of course my husband know all about  this Lol! is 100% organic raw Shea  butter I put it in my entire body after shower, Shea butter is made from the nut of African Shea tree. It contains a rich amount of irremovable fatty acid which renders it far superior to Cocoa Butter  and other natural vegetable butters. This fatty acid is crucial to rejuvenating and moisturizing the skin.   Hemp seed oil is really good  containing  vitamin E, omega 3 and 6, also is anti-flammatory and  it's a natural antioxidant. . And because hemp seed oil closely matches our own skin lipids,  it is able to penetrate our cells and lubricate the surfaces between them.  I use this one time a day more in my face, hand and chest. Also I have hemp seed oil in my purse and I like very much  the aroma perfect for this dry weather.

·         Rose Water,  has a beautiful scent and natural healing properties. It's rich in vitamin C,A and antioxidants that help to get rid of tired skin and give you a glowing complexion. Rose is a natural astringent with anti-inflammatory qualities, as well as being excellent for hydrating and rejuvenating the skin. Thanks to my father who introduce me rose water, when I used to life with my parents  I used to see him using this product after shave and  for hydrating his skin and  I  used to  laugh of him because for me was weird see him using this product that sound  more  a girl product until one day I start reading about the benefit of  it. Now I use this every day when i come back to my house  to clean my skin of the pollution from being out side.  And before applying my makeup I apply it to my face with a organic cotton ball,  it feels very refreshing. Also i apply after take away my make up because it is a natural toner and tight pores will prevent wrinkles and  helps to balance the Ph of the skin.

·         For strong  nails and  moisturizer cuticle I recommend Bio oil, hemp seed oil and a really great product the name Healthy Hoof it's a protein treatment  with lavender, rosemary  and castor oil.  I  learned about it when I was in a modeling casting for hands and one of the model told me about  it. 

·         Use a good sun block, usually  I apply a sunscreen it is on top of a cream or even make-up so that it doesn’t absorb into the skin as much. For years I have been using  Avene’s SPF 50 sunscreen/cream for the face and body. As a native from a beach town where I was expose to high tempeture under the sun this product worked amazing on my skin. Thanks to my friend Edelmira that introduced me this wonderful product.

·         Laugh a lot. Laughing keeping you young? it's true, thinking positive, living an energetic or active   life keeps you young. This a personal story in my family everyone is funny they laugh a lot once of those example is  my grandmother Africa is always with a party inside her, she laughs a lot and loves to dance and I think that is her key to keep her well. Other true story inspiration to me is the my husband's grandmother Francis, when we go to visit her she always  embraces me with an smile and nice attitude, it makes look her very nice and healthy at her age of 95. So keep smiling and laugh it is healthy and keep you young.

Recipes:

Rejuvenating Power  Juice:

1 banana

1/2 cup of the meat of young coconut

2 slices of pineapple 

1 tablespoon of powder Spirulina

1 Teaspoon of raw honey (optional)

Mix everything in a blender and enjoy!

Coconut Dressing :

4 Tablespoon of organic  coconut milk

2 Tablesppon of olive oil

1/2 lemon juice

1 dry chile de arbol or red flake peppers

1 teaspoon of garlic

1/4 t ground ginger

1/4 t curry powder

1/4 t ground coriander seeds

1/2 t salt

Fresh parsley ( optional)

Mix everything in a blender . Served it on the top of a wild  salmon or in a veggie patty also as a sauce for falafel match very well.

Mung bean soup:

1 cup of mung bean soak  overnight,  washed, and drained.

1/2 medium diced onion

2 minced clove garlic

1 celery stalk

3 cup of stock

1/2 cup of spaghetti squash

2 Tablespoon chopped parsley

 1 Tablespoon olive oil.

1 tablespoon of white miso

1 piece of kombu

salt  to taste.

Place beans in a medium pot and add 3 cups of stock or  water; add the kombu and  bring to a boil. Cook for about 40 min.

Preheat the oven 350 F. Toss a piece of spaghetti squash with salt, black pepper and a little bit of olive oil. Place parchment paper on a sheet tray   add the piece of spaghetti squash  cook in the oven for 30min or until soft.  When it is done let it cool and with a spoon scoop out the squash and place in a bowl to the side. 

Meanwhile in a skillet pan add olive oil and sauté   onion for 2-3 minute add garlic and celery  2 minute more  stir to avoid burn  and set to the side.

When the mung beans are  soft  remove kombu  and add the mix of onion, garlic, and  celery.  Add the spaghetti squash  stir everything well, simmer for 5 min. Season with salt if desire garnish with chopped parsley.

Vegetables  and Buckwheat noodles with a coconut mushroom broth .

8 oz  Soba Buckwheat Noodles

2 clove of garlic minced

1/2 medium onion in sliced

2 T fresh ginger juice

2 T olive oil

1/2 medium carrot matchstick

1 zucchini sliced and cut into 1/2 Julianne style

8 -10 small broccoli florets.

2 cups mushroom broth.

2 T mirin sauce

1 cup of  beans sprout

8 Brussels sprout  cutting in 4 pieces.

20 green bean

 2 T eel sauce

6-8 cup water

Roasted shredded seaweed (Kizami  Nori ) for garnish.

Mushroom broth:

Crimini mushroom

1  big portobello mushroom

2 green onions

1/4 minced onion

1 kombu

2  minced clove of garlic

1 t salt

2 cup of water

1 t white  miso

In a big skillet pan heat the oil add the onions sauté for 5 min add garlic, carrots and cook for 3 min , add brussels sprouts cook for 5 min, add zucchini and beans sprout, and broccoli,  add mirin sauce, ginger, stir.

Meanwhile in a small pot sauté the mushrooms with  the  onions and garlic,  stirring constantly. Cook the mushrooms for about  10 min add   2 cup of water and kombu.  Simmer for about 15-20 min add miso and the green onion stir well cook for 3 min. Strain broth through a strainer.

In a pot heat the water to cook the noodles bring it to a boil and add the noodles cook for 3 min then strain.

Combine the vegetables with noodles, in a bowl serve the broth and the noodles with the vegetables on top. 

Garnish with roasted shredded seaweed (Kizami  Nori ).