Category Archives: NUTRITION + WELLNESS

The Effects of Stress On The Body From An Integrative Medicine Doctor

January 6, 2021

Consider the facts: most of the world’s population is under some form of stress right now. Standing between a collective standstill and a cultural revolution, no one person can predict whether we’ll ever go back to how things were, or if we even want to. It’s under these unprecedented times that our bodies are undergoing unprecedented stress.

Stress can look like different reactions. And during a pandemic, our bodies’ normal responses to stress might look a bit different. From a doctor’s perspective, stress can cause the body to constantly live in fight-or-flight mode, meaning the sympathetic nervous system goes into overdrive. This response essentially short-circuits the brain, rendering the body tense, uncomfortable, and unable to perform daily vital functions with ease. And at times when the sympathetic nervous system has finally exhausted itself, we fall into a deep period of depression and fatigue. It’s a vicious cycle that many can relate to yet few have been able to fix.

What does stress look like from the outside? For one, it can lead to weight gain thanks to the dysregulation of your adrenal glands. Another physical manifestation of stress is premature aging through a variety of different hormonal imbalances. Calling stress “the silent killer” isn’t an exaggeration. Not only can it contribute to an increased risk of heart attack (which is one of the leading causes of death in both men and women in America), but it depletes your immune system, rendering it unable to adequately protect you from outside attacks from viruses and bacteria, leaving you susceptible to a host of even more problems.

Stress can come in many forms, and one form can always lead into the next, be it physical, or environmental. By identifying what stress looks like in your own body, then you can take the first steps to thwart its negative effects and being prepared for any type of stressful situation.

Simple tools to both identify and fight stress:

When things get out of hand, try to bring your focus to your breath, even just for a few minutes. An easy way to do this by simply counting your breath for 1 minute. Then move to 5 minutes, then 10. Slowly, you can build up your practice and discover other forms of breathwork that are more advanced. This is often the saving grace for people under any sort of strain, especially in moments of high-stress.

Animal therapy is a powerful tool, and one that I am a strong proponent of. I believe that humans need more animal interaction, always. If adopting a dog or cat isn’t in your abilities, then find some friends with pets and ask to spend more time with them, or reach out to your local shelter and see if you can help walk the dogs. This is a great way to both volunteer your time and alleviate pressure—a win-win scenario!

● More time spent outdoors . Take a picnic, walk in the park, go hiking with a friend. Do anything that gets your body moving outside. It provides much-needed perspective and natural wonder. Trust me.

This is one not too many people know about: make sure you get enough B  vitamins. Checking levels of all the B vitamins is important to assess deficiencies and see where you should be focused on supplementing. By ensuring you are getting the right amount of vitamin B, you’re facilitating overall brain health which is vital to stress reduction. Do more research on the importance of B vitamins and check with your doctor to check your levels.

● Let it go. Sure, easier said than done, but once you learn to not sweat the small stuff, or even let go of a longtime grudge or issue, you’ll unlock the priceless key to living an anxiety-free life. A calm brain is a calm life.. The next time you find yourself dwelling or fuming over a situation out of your control, try repeating this matra: the things that are in the past should remain in the past. Then count your breath, and see if that doesn’t help your mood.

● Listen to more Mozart. Studies show that Mozart can help heal and sharpen the brain. The different range of frequencies helps mobilize the brain into focus and reason. Music heals, after all. I like to listen to Mozart at least once a week, even if I don’t consider myself stressed. It’s part of my mental health regimen. Find your checklist, commit to it daily or weekly, and I promise you’ll find some of the secrets to living a stress-free and happier lifestyle.

Instagram: @DoctorRahiMD
Facebook: www.facebook.com/doctorrahi
www.doctorrahi.com

Dr. Rahi has a clinic in Beverly Hills that has changed life physically and emotionally. She is a known name in the field of aesthetics, integrative and anti-aging medicine in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles. Her experience and the number of successful cases precedes her image. She has the reputation of an innovator whose mission is to build perfect solutions that carry both cosmetic rejuvenation and inner health.

For her patients, she has given them hope and confidence through modern services. Her patients come from all over the world to get treatments including:

  • Anti-Aging and Regenerative Medicine
  • Fillers, Botox, PDO Threads
  • Innovative Radio Frequency Treatments
  • Vaginal Rejuvenation
  • Integrative Functional Medicine
  • Supplements, IV Drips, Blood Testing
  • Hormone Therapy

Naked Nutrition – Nutrition With Nothing To Hide

Naked Nutrition – I love this brand of clean protein powders, supplements and so much more. I also love that they come in simple, clean, non-flavor flavors – so you can get creative and make your own without piggybacking on a chocolate or vanilla, for example, that you’re not in love with. That being said, I love both of those from Naked Nutrition.

For example – check out what’s in my fave WHEY powder:

Naked Whey is sourced from small California dairy farms. Our cows are grass-fed year-round, and raised without growth hormones like rBGH or rBST. Each serving includes 25 grams of protein and 5.9 grams of branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs). Naked Whey is completely free of additives and artificial sweeteners. .

Same for the collagen – CLEAN CLEAN CLEAN:

Naked Collagen has only one ingredient: Bovine hide collagen peptides sourced from pasture-raised cows in Europe. It is odorless, tasteless, and easy to mix in with your favorite drinks. Each serving includes 9 grams of protein and only 35 calories. Naked collagen is free of additives and artificial sweeteners. We are committed to shortening the steps between our farms and you. Don’t let the supplement industry fool you; additives are for their bottom line, not your health.

And if KETO is your thing – check out this Keto Fat Bomb – avail in “plain”, vanilla and chocolate.

Naked Keto is a premium keto fat bomb designed for a ketogenic or low carb diet. We’ve combined high oleic powdered sunflower oil and powdered MCT oil for two specific reasons. High oleic sunflower oil powder supports muscle growth, preserving lean muscle mass, and reducing body fat. MCT oil powder promotes better metabolism to aid weight loss. No additives or artificial sweeteners. Don’t let the supplement industry fool you; additives are for their bottom line, not your health.

SEND SOLACE IS THE GIFT BOX YOU’VE BEEN SEARCHING FOR

December 14, 2020

Send Solace is the gift box dreams are made of. I am in LOVE with this company, its mission, style, curation, presentation. If you are in need of that special thing for that special someone (friend, co-worker, neighbor, boss – ANYONE) – I promise you can’t go wrong with any of these!

I sampled this one:

Uplifting collection contents:

  • midnight blue cashmere blanket scarf
  • solace experiential journal coloring book
  • set of colored pencils
  • glass tea infuser travel bottle
  • refreshing tea blend made with elderflower, orange peel, zesty ginger, peppermint, eucalyptus, sage and sweet apple.
  • engraved white jade serenity stone
  • eucalyptus-mint gold-tinned candle
  • private label body toner made with aloe, witch hazel, lactic acid and white grapefruit oil

For those suffering from depression, loneliness, or for anyone you just wish you could hug in person. (YES MEEEE!)

Photos of some of the other stunning curations.     Solace gifts are perfect for anyone going through hard times or grief, and they are especially poignant this year as so many loved ones can’t be together for the holidays.

“Solace gifts are designed to bring light into a dark time,” says Megan Beck. “The holidays can be very difficult for a lot of people, even though there’s also a lot of joy surrounding them. Not everybody has family around, especially this year. This is a way to really be there for each other when we can’t be present in person.”

Help a loved one feel loved and supported with gifts like:

The Uplifting Collection

  • Midnight blue cashmere blanket scarf

  • Solace experiential journal coloring book

  • Set of colored pencils

  • Glass tea infuser travel bottle

  • Refreshing tea blend made with elderflower, orange peel, zesty ginger, peppermint, eucalyptus, sage, and sweet apple

  • Engraved white jade serenity stone

  • Eucalyptus-mint gold-tinned candle

  • Private label body toner made with aloe, witch hazel, lactic acid, and white grapefruit oil

 

The Brightening Set

  • Refreshing tea blend made with elderflower, orange peel, zesty ginger, peppermint, eucalyptus, sage, and sweet apple

  • Private label body toner made with aloe, witch hazel, lactic acid, and white grapefruit oil

  • Engraved white jade serenity stone

 

The Soothing Set

  • Aromatherapy dough infused with lavender and cedarwood

  • Wooden hand-held massager

  • Peppermint oil roll-on to help with aches and nausea

 

The Relaxing Set

  • Relaxing tea blend made with peppermint, chamomile, valerian root, lemongrass, and hibiscus

  • Cucumber-infused hydrating lotion

  • Deep blue weighted silk sleep mask

 

View the full selection of Solace gifts here.

“We’re a company of empathy,” says Naomi Beck. “As people are looking around while holiday shopping, it can sometimes feel like, ‘Oh, everything is so holly jolly, and no one really understands what I’m going through right now.’ We’re the company out there that resonates with what you’re feeling when things are more difficult.”

Also, this is a female-founded small biz!

About Megan: Megan Beck is the co-founder of Solace — a gift company designed to connect with the heart of those experiencing pain and provide them with practical, mental, emotional, and physical help through their storm. She has found that some of life’s most fulfilling and deeply joyful experiences are in bringing light into another’s dark time. She believes the shared humanity and vulnerability of feeling another’s hurt and doing something to help has healing power that goes both directions. Heavy tragedies and personal struggles are hard to bear alone, so Megan’s desire is to give more people the ability to do something undaunting and uncomplicated to act upon care. It can change everything. It reminds us of what we share in common, and that there is always reason for hope. Visit www.sendsolace.com.

About Naomi: Naomi Beck (say nay-OH-me) is the co-founder of Solace — a gift company designed to connect with the heart of those experiencing pain and provide them with practical, mental, emotional, and physical help through their storm. During her own personal journey through life’s trials and tribulations, love is the “true north” she comes back to as the antidote for suffering. Her greatest hope is that, by providing a simple way to show others we care, we can help lighten each other’s load as we all try to find our way in this heartbreaking, crazy, beautiful world. Visit www.sendsolace.com.

The Ultimate Self-Care Ritual

October 1, 2020

Higher Dose

Give yourself permission to practice self-care rituals that prioritize your own standards of happiness. In today’s busy, over-stimulated world, taking the time to slow down can often feel overly indulgent and unproductive, but it’s actually the opposite. Allowing yourself the time and space to rest and revive is one of the best ways to stimulate clarity and increase an overall sense of happiness.

Take moments to take care of yourself, physically, emotionally and spiritually. To make the most of your me-time, create a ritual of consistent practices—routine habits that are nourishing and motivating and can be realistically sustained.

To get you started, we’ve curated the ultimate self-care ritual, specially designed to soothe and improve. Plus, a few of our favorite products

Skin Brushing. A morning moment, dry brushing offers energizing qualities while improving the look and feel of your skin. Just 3-5 minutes will buzz your body’s connections. Skin is the human body’s largest organ, and skin brushing helps us keep it detoxified with a tantalizing and awakening effect. A healthy, invigorating way to turn sluggish and dull into bright, smooth and glowing. For traveling, we love the Dry Body Brush by EcoTools. (EcoTools produces 100% cruelty-free and vegan synthetic makeup brushes, sponges, applicators and bath accessories that are both stylish and eco-friendly.)

Oil Massage. Follow skin brushing with nutrient-rich, organic body oil for a calming, soothing effect that replenishes dry skin—locks in moisture and ensures glowing softness, firmness and radiance. We opt for pure jojoba oil, as it’s the closest molecule to our natural skin.

HD Infrared Sauna Blanket. Perfect at-home or on-the-go, our sauna blankets provide a slimming, detoxifying and mood-heightening experience—using radiant infrared heat to relax and revive the body. Reduce stress and anxiety, purify your system and trigger a feel-good dose of your brain’s happiness chemicals: dopamine, oxytocin, serotonin, and endorphins.

Face Mask + Hair Mask. A nice, gentle way to enhance quiet, calm reflections. Face and hair masks put you into total spa mode and boost confidence in appearance. To save on time, let your hair and face masks set while soaking in your sauna blanket. Infrared heat raises your core body temperature, opening your pores to better absorb face masks. Also, the heat from your scalp will help activate and enhance nourishing hair masks. For the face, we love Clear Improvement Charcoal Honey Mask to Purify & Nourish by Origins—formulated with bamboo charcoal, this purifying mask deep cleans and draws out deep-dwelling pore-clogs, impurities and debris, while golden wildflower and fermented honey nourish the skin. For hair, we look for castor oil, which stimulates natural hair growth while restoring and moisturizing damaged strands and nurturing the scalp.

Breathwork + Meditation. Where consciousness and subconscious meet. Focus on slow, intentioned, mindful breathing to encourage deep emotional, psychological and physical cleansing. We can participate in our breath and immediately feel the effects.   Enter into meditative states, letting go of unhealthy thoughts, embracing clarity, establishing positive control of energies…effective and endlessly beneficial, regardless of busy schedules and limited spaces. Tip: if you’re new or prefer to practice with guidance, we recommend zoning out with headphones and the 1 Giant Mind app—a great support for learning, growing and developing your self-practice. 

“This article is originally posted on HigherDOSE.com

Fun Fall Goodies To Cheer Us Up

September 20, 2020

Lashed By Sandi

Magnetic lashes just as gorg as extensions?! Sign me up! These are stunning and they come in all fun lengths, styles and vibes. I also love that the magnetic black eye liner happens to be a GREAT LINER.  It will take a few tries to master it. The price is so good, you’ll want to snatch up a bunch.

EASIER THAN MASCARA: Lightweight, hypoallergenic magnetic eyelashes give you thicker, longer eyelashes in SECONDS with less damage than heavy glue eyelashes.

NO SHOW BAND: Natural magnetic eyelashes have a no-show band and blend in perfectly into your natural eyelashes. Magnetic particles in the liquid eyeliner create a tight seal for firmly and easily attached lashes.

BARBIE GONE BAD: These Lashed by Sandi magnetic eye lashes with eye liner are designed to bring some drama to your lashes. These lashes are thicker to bring that bold look to your eyes and work best for a cat shaped eye. These lashes are accent lash meaning that they are not full-length lashes but are specific for placing where you want to extend the natural look of your lashes for that dramatic pop of the eye. These Barbie Gone Bad lashes are 22mm long and have 4 magnets that lock into the line

HANDMADE: Reusable magnetic eyelashes are handmade thin & lightweight lashes designed by a celebrity lash artist. These high-quality magnetic eye lashes are made of hypoallergenic synthetic thin fibers which are available in different shapes & sizes including 16mm. These reusable magnetic lashes if cared for properly can easily last 5 to 10 uses! Lashed by Sandi are designed to bring you a natural eyelash extension that accentuates your natural beauty!

Terra & Co Brilliant Black Oil Pulling

I love oil pulling! Activated charcoal whitens naturally, helps to trap bacteria and removes stains, cleansing and whitening teeth naturally for a glowing smile, even if there is zero to smile about right now. Sorry, I’m dark AF. Terra & Co, is a super cool company – love the back story!!

Brilliant Black Oil Pulling is powerful Ayurvedic coconut oil with activated charcoal teeth whitening blend packed with super-ingredients of activated charcoal and vitamin E. The gentle peppermint taste freshens, invigorates and helps to cleanse your teeth, mouth, and gums. Our amazing organic oil pulling teeth whitening product is vegan and fluoride-free!

Great for Oral Health and Hygiene – This divine atural oil pulling combats bad breath. It also keeps the gums moisturized by promoting a healthy amount of saliva secretion to fight dry mouth. Oil pulling also promotes saliva production and works to moisturize gums to keep them healthy.

Enriched with Vitamin E – This oil pulling blend is rich in Vitamin E which provides effective relief to inflammation or irritation in the gums. It is gentle and suits even the most sensitive teeth and gums.

The ancient Ayurvedic tradition recommends the practice of oil pulling with coconut oil—swishing oil around the mouth—as part of your daily self-care routine since it helps to strengthen teeth and gums and maintain overall oral health.

The blend of coconut oil and activated charcoal works to naturally reduce inflammation, build-up, and bacteria that cause bad breath and dry mouth. Coconut oils natural microbial properties work to reduce pathogens in the mouth and further help to freshen breath, and the healthy fat in coconut oil strengthens tooth enamel.

Also !!!

The Future is Female. Terra & Co. is a certified Women’s Business Enterprise (WBENC). We not only support other women entrepreneurs, but also help out low-income and homeless women. As Bosnian refugees, we know firsthand about receiving aid—which is why every purchase goes back to organizations like the Los Angeles Downtown Women’s Center.  

Every time you restock your oral care products, you’re helping Terra & Co help women in our local community and around the globe. Who could have thought that simply brushing our teeth could contribute to a more sustainable and equitable future?

StemCell Revive Kit

I love everything about this kit – so fun – my skin looked AMAZING after!

 

The Kit contains everything you need for a complete StemCell Revive treatment. It is easy and takes only minutes to apply. No needles, painless and no downtime.

The Kit includes:  Intensive Allograft Skin Serum with growth factors and polypeptides (in disposable mixing syringes), our reusable StemCell Revive Pen (with two disposable nano mesh application cartridges) and thirty (30) 1-ml Hyaluronic Essence ampoules for daily moisturizing aftercare. I am using these daily now.

Once available only in medical spas and clinics, founder Majara Belisle(herself founder and owner of a medical spa) has devised a way to bring this technology into the home.

The StemCell Revive kit comes with Intensive Allograft and Polypeptide serums, preloaded in 2 connected syringes for easy at-home mixing.  It also includes an electric application device called the StemCell Revive Pen, which is tipped in nano-mesh and creates micro-channels for delivering the serums deep into the skin. The pain-free treatment delivers stunning, noticeable results within 72 hours of use.

CaPao 

I am throwing these at my kids while home learning right now – and I mean THROWING. Every time I hear “Mom, I’m hungry!!!” I legit, just toss a few single wrapped balls in and everyone is happy. They are divine. We carried them in bags to the beach all summer, in bike baskets, in purses. They are the perfect snack and even though it seems they are for smoothies – they have been gobbled up WAY BEFORE making their way into any blender around here.

Dried Apricots, Concentrated Cacao Pulp Extract, Cashews, Pea Protein, Dried Golden Berries, Cocoa Butter.

GOLDEN BERRIES, APRICOT & CHIA SEEDS

CaPao-Shop-orange-c.jpg

Dried Apricots, Cashews, Concentrated Cacao Pulp Extract, Dried Golden Berries, Chia Seeds, Chicory Root Fiber, Cocoa Butter.

MANGO, CASHEW & COCONUT

CaPao-Shop-green-b.jpg

Dried Mango, Concentrated Cacao Pulp Extract, Cashews, Desiccated Coconut, Chicory Root Fiber, Dried Apples, Cocoa Butter.

APRICOT, PLANT PROTEIN & GOLDEN BERRIES

CaPao-Shop-purple-b.jpg

Dried Apricots, Concentrated Cacao Pulp Extract, Cashews, Pea Protein, Dried Golden Berries, Cocoa Butter.

JOYA ADAPTOGENS

Drinking an iced-turmeric GLOW latter as we speak. This line of superfoods and functional foods “make the good feels extend past your taste buds and into your mind, body & soul.”

A day doesn’t go by that I don’t inhahle a powder, blend, elixir or chocoate.

The pure adaptogens used in JOYÀ’s functional elixirs increase vitality and will supercharge your immunity, bringing you back to balance. Adaptogens are super-herbs that help our bodies adapt to everyday stressors. And we all need a bit of help these days! JOYA’s superfoods are perfect in coffee, smoothies for baking and more!

JOYA prioritizes sustainability and just announced its partnership with rePurpose Global where the purchase of every product eliminates 1lb of plastic waste bound for nature.

Bliss - Cacao Elixir BlendBliss - Cacao Elixir Blend
Focus - Matcha Elixir BlendFocus - Matcha Elixir Blend


THE FOCUS MATCHA ELIXIR
This zen inducing elixir made with ceremonial grade matcha paired with Lion’s Mane, Ashwagandha, Pine Pollen and Moringa Leaf is the perfect brain boosting, antioxidant rich, stress supporting beverage that delivers mindful alertness

Glow - Turmeric Elixir BlendGlow - Turmeric Elixir Blend

Elevate Loose Leaf Herbal TeaElevate Loose Leaf Herbal Tea


ELEVATE
: Your morning ritual is about to get elevated (and energized!). An aromatic blend of Maca, Rhodiola, Chicory Root, Dandelion Root and Ginger for a perfectly uplifting tea experience. Expect to feel invigorated with enhanced mental stamina and joyously alert. The perfect morning or mid-day pick-me-up, minus the caffeine jitters. Certified Organic

ZING: A zesty tea made with Ginger, Licorice Root, Astragalus Root, Lemongrass and Rooibos. The robust blend with a kick promotes digestive function, relieves bloating and soothes cramps. Ideal for getting the juices flowing, kickstarting the immune system and bringing the mind and body into balance.  Certified Organic, unsweetened and naturally caffeine free. 3.5oz tin-$38 

PHILIP B CBD SCALP + BODY OIL

Philip B CBD Oil

I am super into drenching my now VERY BLEACHED hair in this luxurious oil. I have always been a massive fan of anything Philip B debut. I use several of his products in my daily routine – but this is giving me life right now. It was only a matter of time before the line found a way to incorporate the powerful combination of CBD and CBG, derived from hemp (Cannabis Sativa) into a product.

The addition of Terpenes accelerates the soothing and calming benefits for stressed-out scalps and skin.

This fast-absorbing and deeply moisturizing oil immediately reduces the appearance of redness and irritation from environmental stressors.

  • Features 100mg of CBD, which can help potentially relieve a variety of ailments such as pain and inflammation.
  • The “mother” of cannabinoids, CBG (25 mg), is the precursor from which all other cannabinoids are synthesized. This unique property infuses CBG with enormous therapeutic promise.
  • Terpenes (Humulene, Nerolidol, Ocimene) are a major component of the essential oils from plants. Aromatherapy uses the medicinal properties of these Terpenes to regulate mood, sleep problems, acuity and overall health. Terpenes have direct interactions with the human body. For instance, when CBD and Beta-Caryophyllene are consumed together, they display synergistic properties.
  • Formulated with Jojoba Seed Oil, Olive Oil, Sweet Almond Oil, Sesame Oil, and Walnut Oil to help nourish and moisturize.
  • This soothing and calming oil is suitable for all skin types.

I drop it into my part, my scalp, mush it around then brush it through. Then I take my hands and rub into skin.  THE BEST!