Image via puresaffronslim.net

While at work the other day, I had a lady come in and purchase 20 grams of saffron threads. This may not sound like a lot but, to put it in perspective, this much saffron could last in an average household for a year if not two. I asked her if she was a huge fan of paella perhaps and was surprised by her response: “Oh, it’s not to eat. I had a friend come back from Morocco and she told me that they use it as a beauty product over there and that it inhibits wrinkles!” I had never before heard of these benefits related to saffron, assuming it was just a luxurious addition to recipes. It turns out, after a bit of research and fact checking, that saffron really is a wonder stem of the world.

Once used as merely a coloring for exotic rice dishes, saffron is now earning its rightful place in the health world. Studies covering a vast range of ailments and how saffron aids in their cure are being documented allowing for a truly surprising revelation that could make saffron a staple in western diets.

Benefits:

• A powerful anti-oxidant due to its non-volatile active components including α-crocin, zea-xanthin, lycopene and α- and β-carotenes. I.e. They fight cancers and infections.
• A good source of vital vitamins and minerals including copper, potassium, calcium, vitamin A, folic acid, vitamin-C, iron, zinc and manganese.
• Aids digestions by promoting blood flow to the organs involved in your digestive system. It can also calm down gas and bloating issues.
• Help prevent UTI’s. Due to its ability to stimulate the function of the kidney, saffron works similar to cranberry juice in helping get rid of a UTI or preventing one in the first place.
• Research has been conducted that supports the idea that saffron may help aid people who suffer from depression due to its effects on neurotransmitters.
• Promotes good memory due to containing crocin, a compound that has been found to stimulate the brain and allow for better learning and recall.
• Saffron can help people with irregular or uneasy sleep patterns due to its sedative effect on the body.
• Reduces and prevents wrinkles. By adding a slight amount of saffron to your face cream, it is said that the properties of saffron promote rejuvenation in skin cells making for a better appearance for your overall complexion and may also prevent fine lines.

Phew! There’s much more to mention but we’ll start with these benefits for now.

How to introduce it to your current diet:

Saffron is expensive in Australia but this is due to the manual labour involved in picking the stamen from the flowers and also the limitation of where saffron can grow. Be wary, however, that you don’t need a lot to acquire some of the health benefits of it. A tiny pinch of saffron is enough for a whole rice dish or a tea.

To add saffron to your diet, simply add a pinch here and there to Middle Eastern and Spanish dishes, make a tea from it by adding a pinch to a cup of 90* water then sweeten it with your favorite natural sweetener or add to a glass of cold milk before bedtime.

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There you have it – Everything I didn’t (and maybe you didn’t) know about saffron. Hopefully this information is revealing to you to and is making you want to run out to your nearest eastern spice supplier or at least eat a little more paella rice.

Please note – Saffron should be avoided if you are pregnant or if you have allergies to certain flora. We are not medical professionals so please consult with your health care specialist to see if saffron is safe to introduce to your diet.

As a continuation of last weeks blog on the chia seed, today we bring you some information about its wonderful liquid bi-product – Chia Seed Oil.

What is it?

Chia seed oil is extracted from the chia seed which contains about 25-30% extractable oil. It can be sold as an oil or in capsule from.

Why is it so great?

Along with all the other benefits that the chia seed offers including being the highest source of Omega-3s, a great protein source and an overall superfood warrior, chia seed oil is also great to apply topically to cure ailments of the skin:

Anti-inflammatory. A great benefit for those with acne-prone skin, chia seed oil works well at diminishing the appearance of breakouts.

Stabilises oily and breakout skin. The zinc and B vitamins available in chia seed oil makes it perfect to level out the oils in the skin, fight infections, prevent scarring and reduce redness.

Heals dry and cracked skin. Chia seed oil is great for people who experience dry, cracked skin as it creates a barrier allowing for less water evaporation through the skin. It heals and improves the quality of the epidermis layer. It also removes any itchiness that comes along with having dry skin.

Anti-oxidant. In this world of damaging free radicals alongside the copious amounts of chemical absorption through the skin due to beauty products and the wear and tear that comes along with the air quality of a developed nation, anti-oxidants allow for our cells to repair themselves quicker and set up a barrier to these harmful outside influences. In a more realistic way, this means it’s good for preventing signs of aging and healing the overall health of your skin cells.

As a general statement, the oil is perfect for all skin types as it will bring your skin back to normal and even healthier than normal. You will start emitting a glow and not experience as many breakouts (especially during shifts in hormones) that you would otherwise.

To experience the same benefits of the chia seed, chia seed oil can also be added to smoothies, salad dressings and almost any other meal as it is odorless and virtually tasteless. It can also be taken in vitamin form.

Try it out for yourself, we’d love to hear your results with it!

Until next weekend, everyone!

Image via islandteashop.com

With green tea having taking the top place for health tea of the decade, white tea has been pushed into the background somewhat. Despite the lack of buzz around it, though, white tea remains perhaps your best choice of tea for your  overall health and well-being.

What is it?

“White Tea (Chinese: báichá) is a slightly oxidized tea derived from the buds and leaves of “Camillia sinensis”, a plant mainly cultivated in China. It contains large amounts of polyphenols, a natural antioxidant that seems to protect against cancer by neutralizing free radicals and boosting the immune system. It also appears to improve cardiovascular function by reducing bad cholesterol as well as fighting bacterial infections, fungus growth and dental plaque.” Excerpt from White Tea Benefits.

Why is it so great?

Everything great about white tea stems from the amazing antioxidants that it contains. Check out what it can do for you…

It helps you lose weight – Green tea is famous for revving up your metabolism. Well, white tea does it too! Aim for 5 cups per day to maximize the effect it can have.

It could prevent cancer- Despite this research still being a bit iffy, the antioxidants in white tea have been shown to inhibit cancer cell growth

It’ll stop you getting sick – The antioxidants boost your immune system, prevent colds or allowing them to dissipate quicker as well as fighting other bacteria and viruses.

It’ll make you look younger – White tea has been touted a youth tea for its ability to expel free radicals from the skin and promote a youthful glow in any age of skin

It will help your pimples – Along with getting rid of free radicals, white tea will also fight bacteria that causes acne and pimples

It will help you to balance - White tea contains low caffeine, which will give your adrenals a bit of a break. You may start to notice your anxiety and stress levels lowering.

Try some for yourself. YES, it is pricier than it’s green competitor but we say it’s worth the extra change if it means better overall health in the long run. Aim for 3-5 cups per day combined with healthy diet, exercise and relaxation/meditation and you will never look back!

I made this the title of the post as I knew it would draw you all in. Now that you’re here, however, I must tell you that within this post you will not find an instant cure to making you look like a twenty year old again. Rather, you will find out how to look the best YOU that you can be, and trust me when I say that that YOU will be more beautiful than any plastic surgeon can create.

Image via Ultimatecleanse.ws

Here are your guidelines:

Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. Make sure to drink at least 1 to 2 litres per day of distilled or mineral water. This will keep the skin looking young and supple as well as the myriad of other benefits that water provides.

Wear sunscreen. We all know the song but it does serve some truth. Wear that sunscreen everyday, even in winter. This will slow down signs of aging, protect from dangerous skin damage that can cause melanoma and will also keep the skin moisturized.

Go organic, don’t panic. What women tend to skip over is the fact that their skin is not a barrier but, rather, an organ that absorbs whatever is put on it. Instead, opt for natural and organic products that aid your body rather than pumping unnecessary toxins into your bloodstream that will only fatigue your body. Many non-organic products on the market are also proving to cause far more serious issues than the companies would have you believe.

Eat happy and healthily. Opt for organic vegetables, colorful fruits and fresh, free range meats. The shorter the shelf life, usually, the better it is for you. So, avoid those middle supermarket aisles as much as possible and stick to the fresh areas. Changing your diet from mostly processed foods to mostly fresh foods will dramatically change your overall appearance; Your skin will be more radiant, your eyes more white and bright and your hair and nails, stronger.

Exercise. I know, I know, you’re all saying ‘well, duh’ but really. Make a habit of getting out with the dog, the kids or the hubby and going out for an evening stroll, having a game of tennis, going bowling, ice skating, WHATEVER. Just make sure to move at least 30 minutes everyday outside of your usual activities. This, like your diet, will start to show on the outside as well as help elevate your overall mood.

Breathe. We do it unconsciously day in, day out but many of us forget to notice how important it is. So, when you have 5 minutes spare just sit or lie down. Relax and spend time focusing on the natural rise and fall of your breath. Don’t force it, just let life breathe you as it does throughout the day but give it the attention it deserves for just this moment each day. Any thoughts that cross your mind, let them fly by and bring attention back to the breath. In perfoming this daily, you will start to notice drastic changes in your mood and other areas of your life. Lengthen the duration as you feel necessary.

And that’s it. That’s the magic formula. There’s no special cream, injection, expensive spa treatment or any other fad product that can get you the results that the above things can. Treat your body right and it will treat you the same in return. Don’t resort to the ‘quick fix’ because it will only cause further problems in the future.

Make a list and do all of the above suggestions every day for just 2 weeks and you WILL notice a drastic positive difference in your life.

Have a happy and healthy day.

Lara

Hello again everyone!

Well, we’re deep into the heat of summer now and I hope that you are all managing to stay cool and making sure to wear your sunscreen and hats!

To follow up on our previous coconut oil post, today’s blog is going to talk about an oil some of you may not of heard of called Tamanu oil.

Image via 911balsam.com

The oil is made from the nut of the Tamanu tree and mostly grows in the South Pacific, especially Vanuatu. Women of Vanuatu have been known to use this in their hair to protect it and prevent sun damage. Like coconut oil, it is also a great moisturizing agent. Make sure to cleanse the skin first then apply only a few drops for beautiful, glowing skin.

But the true magic of this oil comes from its healing properties and ability to promote new tissue growth. It is also an anti-inflammatory and antibiotic. This is why the Tamanu oil is perfect for problems such as acne scars, cold sores, bug bits, burns, skin abrasions, wounds and sunburn. It can even be used for odour control on your feet and underarms.

And when winter comes around, keep Tamanu oil on hand to relieve your sore throat (by swallowing a few drops) or for sinus relief by inhaling.

It really is a magical product that no woman should be without.

* Please note, as the oil is derived from a nut, if you have any nut allergies, please avoid using or consult your doctor first.

Let us know your experience with it in a comment!

Until next week,

Lara