Lemon, Ginger and Turmeric Detox Tea

Toxins are all around us, effecting the way we feel, look and function on a daily basis. Fortunately, ridding your body of these aggressors doesn’t have to mean committing to a week-long juice cleanse or a dangerously restrictive diet. Incorporating simple, healthy choices is usually enough to give your bodys clean-up crew the nudge that it needs.

One of our favorite go-to detox remedies is sipping on a Lemon, Ginger and Turmeric Detox Tea before bedtime, when our bodies are most efficient with cell turnover. Here are the purifting benefits from this powerful trifecta:

Lemon:

to heal and flush kidneys. Because it contains high levels of Vitamin C, it can also protect against environmental aggressors and free radicals.

Ginger:

to serve as a natural anti-inflammatory and improve digestive health.

Turmeric:

for its antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties.

tea

RECIPE

Makes one cup of detox tea
Ingredients

1-2 lemon slices
1 tsp ginger root, freshly grated
1 tsp turmeric root, freshly grated

Directions

Combine lemon slices, ginger root, and turmeric root in a saucepan with 1.5-2 cups of water
Heat on high heat for 5-10 minutes without letting mixture come to a boil
Strain the liquid, removing lemon, ginger, and turmeric from pan
Pour liquid into a mug and top with fresh lemon slice for added flavor.

Article by Howard Murad, M.D., FAAD, a world renowned skincare expert and founder of the Inclusive Health movement. Read more about Dr. Murad.

Pumpkin Pie Chia Pudding by Dr. Murad

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I do promote a bit of indulgence over the holiday season in order to live a balanced life, but many us of don’t even realize the number of calories hidden in some of the dishes. If you are looking for a lighter dessert that captures all that holiday flavors, I would recommend this Pumpkin Pie Chia Pudding.

Below I have listed the health benefits of 3 of my favorite ingredients:

Chia seeds:

Often named a miracle seed, the vitamins, minerals and nutrients found in chia seeds are excellent for skin regeneration. With a little help from its omega-3 and omega-6 oils, this superfood works to build and repair tissue for more radiant skin. They are also considered a complete protein and wonderful for your digestive system

Pumpkin:

I always talk about Eating Your Water and pumpkin is no exception. Being composed of roughly 90% water, the seasonal favorite is a fantastic source of hydration for your body. Pumpkins are packed with vitamins and minerals (including vitamin C), helping to brighten the skin and boost collagen production.

Pomegranate:

With a high water concentration and an impressive combination of Vitamin C and powerful actives, pomegranates help to protect the body against free radical damage while boosting skin elasticity and hydrating at the cellular level. Pomegranate seeds are also an excellent digestive aid and full of anti-aging benefits for the skin.

Pumpkin Pie Chia Pudding Recipe

Makes 4 small servings

Ingredients

6 teaspoons of chia seeds
1 cup of fresh pumpkin puree (simply peel, chop, roast and blend to make the freshest pumpkin I always make lots and use the rest for soup or this baked oatmeal recipe)
1 1/2 cups unsweetened almond milk
2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 to 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
6 tablespoons of pomegranate seeds
Zest of one orange, freshly grated

Directions

Combine the pumpkin, milk, syrup, vanilla, 2 teaspoons of chia seeds (this helps to set the mixture) and pumpkin spice in a blender until evenly mixed.
Using 4 small glasses, place one tablespoon of pomegranate seeds and 1 teaspoon of chia seeds at the bottom of each glass. Top with the pumpkin mix.
Set in the fridge for at least 2 hours, preferably overnight.
Top with grated orange and the remainder of the pomegranate seeds,.

Top Tip: Try adding 2 tablespoons of peanut butter to the mix for a creamy consistency and a wonderful nutty flavor.

Stress, the Silent Killer

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Historically, mammals have used stress to get out of potentially dangerous situations. When you face off with a predator in the middle of the jungle, that fight or flight instinct characterized by blood rushing to your muscles, hyper-awareness and an extreme adrenaline rush, was a method of ensuring the safety of our ancestors, which many animals in the wild still use for survival today. In our modern-day concrete jungle, however, it is not as necessary to utilize these momentary survival techniques. How is it, then, that we are so stressed out on a daily basis? Most of our lives revolve around the constant bombardment of stressors. This encompasses many situations we may experience daily: the rush hour traffic after a long day, or the incessant beeping of your cellphone. To understand how we can manage stress better, let’s differentiate the different types of stress.

In his book, “Conquering Cultural Stress: The Ultimate Guide to Anti-Aging and Happiness” Dr. Murad breaks down stress into three categories: acute stress, episodic acute stress and chronic stress.

Acute Stress:
This stress is the short-term, most common type of stress. It is experienced by most people several times a year. It can come from narrowly escaping a car crash, or preparing for an important interview. This stress is a direct link to the stress of survival we have faced as a species, which can help us survive today. However, when this stress is applied to our bodies on a regular basis, it can wear down our potential response to danger, rendering it ineffectual.

Episodic Acute Stress:
This stress happens to people who live in a chaotic environment. Have you ever had so much to do that you jump from task to task, but have nothing to show for it at the end of the day? This stress accompanies that type of lifestyle and is entirely self-afflicted, as we do not take enough time to focus on one thing at a time, leading to an extreme decrease in production.

Chronic Stress:
This stress is characterized by long-term problems, such as a dead-end job, a slowly sinking relationship or even our relationship with the scale! Sometimes we feel this stress keenly, but on other days it is at the back of our minds; still there, persisting on putting a damper on our happiest days, so that we cannot see the light at the end of the proverbial tunnel. People who suffer from this stress are almost always irritable, grumpy and generally have a very pessimistic outlook on life.

3 toddler-inspired techniques to combat stress:

Breathe

: All situations are temporary. Don’t over-stress yourself by worrying about the little things. Take the time you need to fix what you can, but then let go when it is out of your hands. Take deep breaths before you speak to avoid saying something you’ll regret!

Eat:

Enjoy healthy, home-cooked meals on a regular basis. Try new, delicious recipes with friends and family, and don’t forget to treat yourself with dessert! Eat 3-5 meals during the day to keep up your energy, and stay away from sodium-rich, empty snacks.

Sleep:

Turn off all electronics, block out any noise with earplugs, and truly relax. Your body needs the time during the night to restore its levels back to full capacity. Take at least 30 minutes before bedtime to unwind with a warm, scented bath or cuddle up with your cat for some therapeutic purring.

Blog post by Beauty Advisor – Dania

Easy to make Creamy Butternut Squash Soup.

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Soup is a great choice for the colder winter months of the year. It’s easy to prepare and can be a perfectly hearty and warming dish on a chilly day. We want to share this easy recipe by Kim Ruzycki from Foodmatters.com

This is a classic, cozy, plant-based soup made with warm, grounding ingredients. Soup is a food that is meant to be eaten slowly and savored. The white vegetables and spices contain cleansing antioxidants, and the butternut squash in this soup contains an abundance of vitamins A and C – amazing antioxidants for your skin and immune system. Enjoy!

INGREDIENTS
2 tbsp olive oil
2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
1/2 tsp grated fresh ginger, or ginger powder
1/2 medium white onion, chopped
1 large butternut squash, peeled and diced
4 cups vegetable broth (1 box container)
1/2 tsp turmeric
1/2 tsp paprika
1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
1/2 cup pumpkin seeds (garnish)
Fresh ground sea salt and pepper

METHOD

In a large soup pot, sauté the onion in the olive oil over medium-low heat for five minutes.
Add garlic, ginger, spices, sea salt and pepper and cook for another 5 minutes.
Add the squash and cook for an additional 10 minutes.
Stir in the vegetable broth, bring the soup to a boil and then simmer for about 15 minutes or until the squash is tender and can be pierced easily with a fork.
Turn the heat off the soup and purée with an immersion blender. If you do not have an immersion blender you can let the soup cool a bit and blend it in small batches in a blender, then return it to the stove to heat.
Serve garnished with the pumpkin seeds.

Recipe by Kim Ruzycki from Foodmatters.com
Kim Ruzycki is a Integrative Health Coach creating healthy, plant based recipes and sharing her knowledge in an effort to help people eat mindfully and live vibrantly.

The Happiness Test

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Which of the following would make you happier?

Making more Money
Finding a soulmate
Losing ten pounds
Moving into a new house
Success
Better genes

Hard to answer? New science proves that happiness is a process, not a goal. And it’s not necessarily about having “fun”, either. Happiness is about 50 percent genetic, 40 percent intentional and 10 percent circumstantial. That 40 percent category- the intentional one- is the most important.

Circumstances can change or you can become accustomed to them (a new car, a bigger house, or a promotion, for example) such that they no longer make you “happy”. On the other hand, when you are engaged in a life’s purpose that has meaning to you, which can be anything from rearing children to doctoring the elderly in undeserved areas, happiness finds you in the way you live and look at the world.

In other words, happiness is more a choice than an outcome or a destination.
It’s an action, not a result.

Article by Howard Murad, M.D., FAAD, a world renowned skincare expert and founder of the Inclusive Health movement. Read more about Dr. Murad.

Healing power of cucumber

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Studies indicate that cucumbers have numerous benefits internally, externally and even emotionally. Doctor Murad recently wrote a paper to share the findings on this incredible fruit (Cucumbers are not vegetables) and has given us a few takeaways for skin health and emotional care.

As a food, cucumbers offer superior hydration, as they are about 95% water. Cucumbers have long been associated with the spa world and topical skin treatments. When you think of cucumber slices placed gently over the eyes, they are doing far more than just having a cooling effect on the skin. Cucumber slices offer many benefits to both the eyes and surrounding tissues through their hydrating properties, which work to reduce dehydration by their high levels of vitamin K that help to reduce dark circles, and the lignans they contain reduce inflammation. Additionally, cucumbers have been uses to treat wrinkles, sunburns and have been used as a moisturizer and skin brightener. The benefits of cucumbers are not just relegated to topical treatment. In fact, abundant research has shown what can happen when the fruit is consumed.

Cucumbers are related to melons and are a relatively low-calorie food at just 15 calories per cup. They contain high levels of powerful antioxidants, vitamins and minerals. With such a high level of water content and the added bonus of naturally occurring nutrients and trace minerals, cucumbers could be great supplements to drinking water or even serve as an alternative to consumer sports drinks. As I always say, the best way to replenish the body and quench thirst is to by consuming water through foods. Choosing foods with a high water content and offers the cells in our bodies, the much-needed hydration they require for basic everyday functioning as well as the vital nutrients to repair and strengthen the cell walls. Studies now suggest that cucumbers don’t solely hydrate, they provide added elements that your body needs to fortify and regenerate itself. Researchers also identified that cucumbers could act as free radical scavengers (which help against skin damage) and could also potentially act as a SPF (value of 0.2). Studies show that cucumber extract may decrease melanin and sebum, resulting in skin whitening and anti-acne effects. How exactly the cucumber does this, is not clearly understood, as yet but, the cucumber holds an exciting future in skincare.

Cucumbers also have benefits when it comes to emotional care. Stress is a threat that is commonly recognized to have devastating effects on our health and wellbeing. Chronic stress resulting from environmental sources or Cultural Stress (link to cultural stress articles) can lead to cell damage, one such example is inflammation. When you have damaged cells, you also have more dehydrated cells (which can result in significant aging and illness). Addressing water loss and inflammation with cucumber consumption could be an effective way to lower stress and fight against the aging process.

So next time you reach for that fridge snack or are writing your shopping list, make sure that cucumbers take top place.

It would also be impossible not to call out a few of Doctor Murad’s skincare products which contain cucumber:

Hydrating Toner

Refreshing Cleanser

Clarifying Wipes

Sensitive Skin Soothing Serum

Invisiblur Perfecting Shield

Extracts were taken from “Evaluating the potential benefits of cucumbers for improved health and skin care” – H. Murad, M.A nyc

6 Tips to Save More on Murad Shipments

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Save on your Skincare

Whether you live according to your financial budget or only take a quick look at you statement at the end of the month, making sure you are getting the best possible deals is always important. We created this list of tips to help you save on your Murad products, because let’s face it: we all love an opportunity to save some money! Skincare is a regular expense so here are 6 ways you can save on EVERY Murad shipment.

1. Auto-Delivery

This program was designed to make sure you never run out of products and helps you save along the way! By adding your favourite Murad products to your Auto-Delivery program you can unlock member prices and select or edit the shipment frequency at any time online or by contacting Customer Service.

To sign up, click on the Auto-Delivery option when purchasing a product or contact Customer Service.

2. Become a Member! Join the Murad Healthy Skin Club

Similar to the Auto-Delivery program, receive your favorite Murad product(s) on a regular basis and you’ll have access to member prices on all products. Convenience and flexible, becoming a member is incredibly rewarding. Read more about the benefits from becoming a member: here

3. Sign up for promotional emails

Every week a different offer awaits you. Discounts of up to $30 off your total purchase, free shipping and multiple gifts with purchase! Never miss an offer: sign up for our promotional emails and get an offer right away in your inbox. You can sign up right on our homepage at www.MuradCanada.com

4. Shop our Bestseller Value Sets

For every skin concern, there is a set that works perfectly for your budget and you skin. Discounted at up to 40% off, purchase your favorite products in a kit for the best value possible. Many of these are exclusively sold at Murad Canada and cannot be found elsewhere: we keep the best for our customers. Shop all value sets here.

5. Receive your 5^th product for free! (selected products)

Choose from a list of products and after receiving a product or kit 4 times, the 5^th one is one us! Yes, absolutely free! Some of our customer favorites are available on 5^th refill for free, a great discount if you cannot live without these products.

6. Get free samples

The best way to spend your money wisely is knowing that the product you are purchasing will give you the greatest results! For every order you place on www.MuradCanada.com or with our Customer Service Team, you are able to choose 3 free samples. It’s the perfect way to try new products, and who knows, you might fall in love!

Gratitude is an attitude. Gratitude is a choice.

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The dictionary defines Thanksgiving as “the expression of gratitude.” Every year, millions of Canadian families come together for Thanksgiving to give thanks and to celebrate family, friends and connection. Most of us don’t need any encouragement to gather and celebrate, but here’s one more reason to honor the Thanksgiving tradition—being grateful is actually good for you.

Gratitude is an immensely powerful force that we can use to expand our happiness, create loving relationships, and even improve our health. It begins within the mind, but as it takes hold of our daily life, it will expand to fill each crevice of our soul, leaving us fuller and happier than before. As we know, a happy mind is key to a happy body. By counting our blessings, taking pleasure from the simpler things and acknowledging everything that we receive, we will be able to broaden our horizons to more positivity than before, a contributing factor in the pursuit of happiness.

“Happiness means finding beauty every day.” ~ Dr. Howard Murad

3 Easy Ways to Practice Gratitude:

Gratitude Journal.
Before getting out of bed in the morning, be thankful for the comfort of your bed, the roof over your head, a good night’s sleep, and the day ahead of you. Another great way to practice gratitude is to keep a Gratitude Journal. Write about the people in your daily life or about a joyful experience. Write these down at around the same time every day so it becomes habit for you.
By practicing gratitude, you become more open to receive all the good that life has to offer. Abundance will flow into your life, presenting you with opportunities you had never even imagined.

Practice self-love:

We rarely give ourselves the credit we deserve. And, often we spend exponentially more time focused on helping or pleasing others, while ignoring our own needs. We practice self-love so we can push through our limiting beliefs and live a life that truly shines. Making yourself a priority is important – and many people find it challenging.

Say thank you often.

Whether it be the person who holds the door open for you, or even a driver that lets you merge ahead of them, thanking people is not only about making them feel good. By appreciating other people, you are truly appreciating the goodness in the world.

“Be thankful for what you have – you’ll be more open to receive all the good that life has to offer.” ~ Dr. Howard Murad

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Caffeine good or bad? #NationalCoffeeDay

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Whether it’s a morning jolt of coffee or an afternoon tea, recent estimates suggest that over 80% of U.S. adults enjoy caffeinated beverages as part of their daily routine. In addition to providing a boost in wakefulness, coffee, tea, cola, chocolate and other naturally derived caffeinated beverages are frequently touted for their health benefits. For many people, these beverages are the single most important source of free-radical scavenging antioxidants in their diet. Studies also indicated that small amounts of caffeine may protect our cells from damage and make it less likely that certain kinds of skin and other types of cancers will develop.

While naturally caffeinated drinks, when consumed in large quantities or late in the day, can disrupt our sleep and make some of us feel anxious, one would need to consume massive quantities of these beverages in order to ingest a dangerous dose of caffeine. Unfortunately, when foods or beverages contain added caffeine or when people take supplemental caffeine, overdose is a real possibility. The FDA recently issued a safety alert regarding the use of powered caffeine, which has been linked to severely negative health outcomes-even death.

These developments call us to look not merely at what level of regulation is appropriate for supplemental caffeine, but what aspects of our modern lives have led us to become dependent on larger and more frequent doses of caffeine. I believe that the culprit is Cultural Stress® the stress of living a 24/7-connected, hyper-competitive life in which it seems that downtime is no longer an option. In a vicious cycle, caffeine has become the drug of choice that enables people to keep up with the relentless pace of living that could not be sustained without caffeine. All that caffeine means less sleep and more poor-quality ‘shallow’ sleep that doesn’t leave us rested and repaired-the twin goals of sleep. And it’s no surprise that our chronic sleep deprivation has us reaching for even more caffeine.

Since very few of us have the freedom to completely insulate ourselves entirely from the impacts of Cultural Stress and the fast pace of modern life, I’m not advocating that we make any truly radical changes in our daily routine. But I am advocating a fresh look at our relationship with caffeine. By tapering our use of caffeine down to a reasonable level and by looking to guidance from Inclusive Health® for ways to regain our energy by recharging our physical and emotional health, I believe that we can thrive in a modern world without allowing ourselves to be consumed by it.

Article by Howard Murad, M.D., FAAD, a world renowned skincare expert and founder of the Inclusive Health movement. Read more about Dr. Murad.

Super-foods with Super-Benefits

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“Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy Superfoods and Healthy Skinfood.”

(Hippocrates, the father of modern medicine.)

Two thousand years later, modern medicine changes the perspective to “a pill for every ill”. Where’s food in this equation? Nutritionists try to bring it back as the fundamental of health and insist that most of our health problems can be prevented and why not, alleviated or cured with proper nutrition. This doesn’t equal a load of vitamins in a colorful jar, as nutrients are not only vitamins and minerals, but also include the antioxidants, dietary fiber and enzymes from raw food, which are crucial to the well-being of our body. Nutritionists advise: a 51% raw daily diet would be most appropriate for our bodies.

As far as beauty is concerned, an inclusive approach to skincare teaches us that good health is also reflected on the outside: “looking” healthy is a kind of beauty that no skincare or makeup product can replicate. But in today’s world where stressors and processed foods threaten our health and produce more damage than our body can take, this inclusive approach to skincare seems to be a difficult task.

Super-foods to the rescue! A minimum daily intake can provide our body with a significant amount of necessary nutrients that would make up for the chronic lack from other sources. The “super-food” term has become quite popular in the past few years and has made a huge impact on the diet considerations. Defined as “foods with high phytonutrient content that may confer health benefits”, super-foods are a daily must-have in your meals. We could very well add “beauty benefits” to the health ones.

Which are the best super-foods?

Berries – most of these berries pack more antioxidants, vitamin C and fiber than any other fruit: goji berries, blueberries, raspberries.

Broccoli – always available and one of the best everyday choices. High in vitamin A, C, calcium and fiber. It is of great help in reducing the risk of cancer and heart disease.

Garlic – known to fight cholesterol, it is also our immune-system’s ally because of its antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral properties. Egyptians trusted garlic to give them strength and heal a lot of ailments.

Nuts – nuts and seeds make an excellent source of protein, heart-healthy vitamins and fats. Have a handful with your meals every day: almonds, peanuts, flax seed or pumpkin seed are popular choices.

Spice – cinnamon & turmeric stand out on the spice shelf nowadays and have been proven to help with diverse ailments ever since the ancient times.

Oats – always great for your body because of their high fiber and protein content.

Salmon – rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, this fish leads the battle against heart disease and guarantees our body -and our skin’s!- well-being. Rainbow trout is a great (and tasty) alternative.

Spinach – praised for its high contents of vitamin C. calcium and Iron, spinach is essential for a healthy body.

Mushrooms – often omitted in favor of vegetables and fruit, but they should definitely make the super-food list. The common button mushrooms and any other edible types are great immunity boosters and fight cancer. A significant source of selenium, B-vitamins, magnesium and potassium.

Tomatoes – they are high in lycopene (the bright red pigment called carotene) and are known to fight cancer.

Article by Howard Murad, M.D., FAAD, a world renowned skincare expert and founder of the Inclusive Health movement. Read more about Dr. Murad.