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We’re Not Talking About Hershey Bars Here

Guest Post by Graydon Moffat from Graydon [Clinical Luxury]. 

Did you know that cocoa has abundant skin benefits? This post is about why we should eat it, slather it and feel no guilt indulging in this intoxicating superfood.
 

First, Some History!  

Cacao is known as the food (or drink) of the Gods! It has been traced back to the Mayan people who were thought to be the first to cultivate the cacao plant around 400 AD. The plant that is recognized today is actually a result of cross selection that started over 35,000 years ago and the scientific name is Theobroma Cacao.

Cacao powder is often labelled as a ‘superfood’ with good reason. The cacao bean has over 300 identifiable compounds including vitamins, minerals, amino acids and phytonutrients. High in magnesium, zinc, iron, calcium, beta-carotene and omega 6 fatty acids, cacao powder provides these and other nutrients so that your body performs at its peak levels.

Cacao trees are found in tropical regions all over the world, but predominantly two thirds of the world’s cacao supply comes from West Africa and Mexico. The cacao tree bears large melon sized fruits called cacao pods. When the pods are ripe they are cut from the tree, collected and split open to reveal rows of cacao beans covered in a white pulp. The pulp is removed, the beans are fermented, dried and cleaned before processing.

Once the cacao bean has been processed you end up with raw cacao powder, cacao nibs (the outer husk) and cacao butter (the oils of the beans).

Cocoa vs cacao powder

Cocoa is the term used for cacao that has been roasted at high temperature, which changes the chemical nature of the bean. This exposure to high temperature lowers the antioxidant capacity and reduces the nutrient density that is found in raw, cold pressed cacao. Otherwise, cocoa powder and cacao powder are interchangeable.

Cocoa butter vs cacao butter

Cacao butter is the pure, cold-pressed oil of the cacao bean. Raw cacao butter production doesn’t exceed 46 degrees celsius, whilst cocoa butter might undergo some heating during the pressing process. Raw cacao butter is more nutrient dense but otherwise they are totally interchangeable. Both are edible, stable vegetable fats that can be used in cooking and in preparations of beauty products. You might also come across refined and unrefined cocoa and coconut butter, where its colour and aroma are stripped. Unrefined is more supreme in our opinion, and is what we use in The Putty, Elements and Face Glow.

Health Benefits + Nutrients of Cacao

Be sure to note here – the benefits below are not about sugar and dairy laden milk chocolate!!!

  • One of the greatest health benefits of cacao comes from the flavonols (a class of flavonoids – antioxidants) that are found in cacao which can increase nitric oxide bioavailability, activate nitric oxide synthase and exert anti-inflammatory and anti-platelet activity – all of which may improve vascular function and reduce blood pressure.
  • It has also been shown that the consumption of dark chocolate may be a renal (kidney) protective agent.
  • It also acts as a stimulant and can improve mental alertness.
  • Cacao also contains anandamide, serotonin, phenylethylamine and dopamine which are natural euphoric compound. This means that cacao can act as a mood enhancer and unlike traditional drugs, it is without side effects.  Another compound found in cacao beans is tryptophan, a potent natural anti-depressant, meaning that cacao has two mood enhancing compounds to help support anxiety and mild depression.
  • Other benefits of cacao powder include its ability to help aid weight loss due to its chromium content; it helps regulate blood sugar levels; it has a high content of arginine which is known to have aphrodisiac properties (wowee – go cacao!) and it helps enhance circulation.
  • Cacao is a powerhouse antioxidant and rates in the top 20 on the Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity (ORAC) scale. The ORAC scale is used to rate the antioxidant capacity of foods.
  • Cacao also contains great levels of magnesium, which is an essential mineral during times of stress and helps you to feel more relaxed.  It also contains manganese, zinc, calcium and potassium.
  • Raw cacao even contains a decent level of vitamin C!

Best of all, cacao and cocoa butter have excellent skin benefits

  • Cocoa butter has been widely used to reduce or prevent stretch marks and provides deep hydration and antioxidants to fight free radicals to keep your skin supple and moist.
  • It has been noted to help with sensitive skin problems such as irritations, eczema and dermatitis.

P.S. Feeling peckish and looking for an excuse to get your daily dose? We have a knock-your-socks-off recipe on how to make a #noGuilt cake with it right here! 

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Making a Beeline to a Sun-drenched Hotspot this Month? Don’t Forget Your (Clean) Sunscreen

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ARE WE THERE YET? 

Craving a little sun?  We don't blame you.  But before you hit the tropics, don't forget to pack your sunscreen - particularly one that does not contain harmful chemicals. 

Understanding what’s toxic, what’s not in the cosmetic & personal care industry can be a complicated process and one that is often shrouded in mystery.  Finding safer, cleaner alternatives can be a seriously huge challenge.  Don’t worry; we’ve got your back.

To help ease you into your beach holiday tan here is a list of our favourite super-clean sunscreens.

A FEW FAVOURITES:  

FOR THE WEE ONES IN THE FAMILY: 

There's no time like the present to start integrating clean products into your travel adventures and soaking up the sun, safely.   And if you're curious to know what the toxicity levels are of your current products, download Think Dirty Shop Clean app on the iTunes app store.  You'll be surprised what you uncover.

Happy travels! 

xo your Brit Beet team 

PS : ** Our list is based on the ingredients and product ratings from both Think Dirty Shop Clean (one of the top beauty and personal care guides in the market) and the Environmental Working Groups Skin Deep cosmetic database.  

Lash Love and Mascara

I am always on the hunt for ‘clean’ cosmetics, so when my sister gave me the top selling ‘clean’ mascara in the UK for my birthday , I was pumped!  Don’t get me wrong, back in the bad old days before I knew any better, I used to adore my old mascara - DiorShow, by Dior. It made my lashes seem miles longer and fuller and all that fluttering had me suppressing the harsh reality that department store mascaras were probably NOT the best choice.  

But I knew the end of my love affair with DiorShow was close at hand when I began researching the commercial cosmetics industry and quickly uncovered the ugly truth.  It was and still is a very under-regulated industry and even the Food and Drug Administration does not have the legal authority to approve cosmetics before they go on the market.  In fact, cosmetic companies can use almost any ingredient they choose.  If you think that is bad enough, the FDA does not have the authority to recall possible unsafe products. Oh dear….    

According to the Skin Deep Cosmetic Database which is a fabulous resource compiled by Environmental Working Group (http://www.ewg.org/skindeep/ - check it out), there are many toxic chemicals that go into the melting pot when it comes to cosmetics.  Did you know you that cosmetics can contain formaldehyde, a known carcinogen  or diethanolamine (DEA) and triethanolamine (TEA), chemicals that combine to form nitrosamines - also carcinogens? In her book, “The Detox Solution”, Dr Patricia Fitzgerald cites that of the makeup products tested by the FDA, and by the way they do approve colour additives (not good), 37% contain these nitrosamines

Of course I wanted to check my old friend, DiorShow by Dior on the EWG’s make-up website and wouldn’t you know it, 5 of the following ingredients were on EWG’s High Concern list: So I did some more digging and found other popular mascaras that also are Maybe your mascara is listed below...? 

FRAGRANCE
Concerns:  Allergies, immune toxicity, irritation of the skin, eyes (funny!) or lungs, organ system toxicity. Mascara brands that contain fragrance:  Yves St Laurent, Dr Hauschka, L’Oreal

PROPYLPARABEN
Concerns: Development and reproductive toxicity (know anyone trying to have a baby), hormone level disruption (early menopause anyone), allergies. Mascara brands that contain Propylparaben:  Revlon, Covergirl, Physician’s Formula, Dr Hauschka, Elizabeth Arden, L’Oreal

ISOBUTYLPARABEN & BUTYLPARABEN
Concerns: Cellar level changes, developmental and reproductive toxicity, hormonal disruption , allergies and immune toxicity. Mascara brands that contain isobutylparaben & butylparaben: Neutrogena, Physician’s Formula, Maybelline, L’Oreal

GERANIOL
Concerns: Allergies, immune toxicity and system toxicity. Mascara brands that contain cinnamyl alcohol or geraniol: Maybelline, Anna Sui

OMG!

Well I know my baby-producing years have passed but I don't need my hormones to be messed around with and I certainly don't wish any allergies to kick in or my immune system to be knocked down. 

That DiorShow mascara hit the bin faster than a model hitting the runway.  I had to face it - not everything glamorous and glitzy was as fabulous as it would like to appear!

BUYING YOUR ‘CLEAN’ MASCARA

When you decided it's time to kick your toxic mascara to the curb, start by checking out EWG’s site: http://www.ewg.org/skindeep/ - you might want to look up your tossed mascara (just for old time sake) or take a look at the mascaras that are cited for low concern levels to find one you might like the look of.  Or shop online at sites such as http://www.thedetoxmarket.ca/  or http://www.pureanada.ca/ offering natural mascaras

TIME TO DO THE ROAD TEST 

If you don’t have the time or inclination to shop around, I've done that for you (my pleasure). I have tested a brand called, “Raw Mascara” by earthlab which is widely available and claims to be paraben free, botanical based and 100% natural formula. It also claims, “No clumping, flaking or smudging”. I didn’t find that to be true. 

I currently use (2nd tube) and LOVE the brand “100% Pure” and two of my favourite colours are Black Tea and Dark Chocolate. It definitely does not clump, flake or smudge and gives a pretty good dark lash look that last throughout the day; When I'm heading out for the evening I apply two coats to get a more dramatic effect (trying to recreate my old DiorShow days…). Amazingly, even Amazon carries it!  It claims to be 100% natural and vegetarian and is coloured with black tea and berry pigments that are antioxidants and nourish the lashes. Who knew! 

So, next time you shop for a mascara, give the 'clean' mascaras a second look - your eyes will definitely love you. 

Are You Dry Skin Brushing?

Following up on my blog, 'Winter Skin: How To Make Yours Fabulous', I want to share another AMAZING skin technique that you may become addicted to. It's called, 'Dry Skin Brushing'. I know it sounds a little 'out there' but stay with me... It's a traditional healing practice that has been used by skin and body lovers for decades because of its tremendous skin and whole body benefits.

Do you know that the skin is the largest organ of our body, playing a pivotal role in detoxification  and overall health? What if you discovered that 5 MINUTES A DAY of dry skin brushing could not only improve the look of your skin but the health of your WHOLE body! Here's why:

  • Beauty Promoting: Dry skin brushing exfoliates the skin, removing dead skin cells that clog up our pores, making our skin look and feel dry, dull and lifeless - not what we want! Daily dry skin brushing helps to restore our skin to a new level of beauty, making it softer, smoother and almost glowing.
  • Cellulite Removing: It can assist in breaking down and softening the hard fat deposits that accumulate beneath our skin - causing it to 'pucker' (I had you at cellulite, right!). 
  • Immune-boosting: It can improve our lymph circulation - our body's personal 'garbage truck' that circulates around, picking up all the toxic waste for excretion through the bloodstream. The brushing action helps to 'unclog' our lymph, stimulate and strengthen our immune system and helps to fight off inflammation, infection and disease - it's like a mini superhero!
  • Pimple Removing: Would you love to loose those unsightly spots or pimples that seem to mysteriously appear, making us want to hide our legs away even in the summer months? Dry skin brushing can be very effective in banishing those unwanted leg bumps so you will be flashing those fabulous gams at any opportunity.

Want to jump on these skin and body benefits right away? No need for an expensive visit to the spa, you can do it all in the comfort of your own bathroom! Read on: 

  • Buy: For under $20, buy yourself a high quality natural bristle (not synthetic) dry skin brush with firm bristles. My brush has a long handle so I can reach my back and other hard-to reach places. You can buy them at any good health food stores or online (Amazon has a large range). 
  • 5 Minutes: Find a time every day that works for you - I like to do it before I jump into the shower, then I can wash away the dead skin and impurities. 
  • Brushing technique: Use quick, short upward brush strokes, always moving towards the heart which is most beneficial for blood and lymph circulation.
  • Road Map: Start with the soles of your feet and work your way up the body; brush the front and back of your legs and buttocks then turn your hands over and brush your fingers, palms and then the back of each hand. Move up your arms, then over to your shoulders, neck, back (here's where the long handle helps) then to your chest (use soft pressure on your breasts). Finish with your stomach, using a clock-wise circular motion that gently stimulates your digestive tract. Avoid delicate areas (genitalia), the face or any areas which are irritated. 
  • Pressure: You should use a firm pressure but not so hard that you end up with red, irritated skin! Your skin should look 'blushed' and feel invigorated. 
  • BRUSH CARE: Like your tooth brush, don't share your dry skin brush. Wash it with warm water after use and hang it in an area where it can dry.

Let's not forget, our No.1 strategy for helping our bodies to detox is eating a healthy diet which centres around whole foods (preferably organic), supplying the vital nutrients our skin needs to flourish. Adding dry skin brushing on top... well, that just takes everything to a whole other level! So go on - take 5, and reap the amazing skin and body benefits. 

There's Nothing Better Than A Good Night's Sleep

Have you ever donned a sleep mask? I've been using an Air Canada sleep mask (sweet-talked a steward on my last flight home to London); it's not the most luxurious - but I put that mask on and I'm in my own cocoon, ready to fall off the ledge into deep sleep. The feeling is addictive. Because there's nothing better than a good night sleep! 

A sleep mask can help us all enjoy a better night's sleep by working with our body's natural circadian rhythms: Here's how:

  • Melatonin is a hormone made by the pineal gland in the brain which helps to control our sleep and wake cycles
  • Normally, melatonin levels begin to rise in the mid- to late evening, remain high for most of the night, and then drop in the early morning hours
  • However, light affects how much melatonin our body produces
  • So if we are exposed to artificial light such as street lights curling around the curtains, or blue and white lighting from electronic devices in the bedroom, our melatonin production is interfered with
  • A sleep masks helps block out all these sources of light, telling the photosensitive receptor cells in our eyes that sleep is upon us

So don't wait until your next flight .... invest in a sleep mask and give yourself the gift of a better night's sleep.  You've earned it. Night, night! 

    Fed up with New Year's Resolution Failures? Here's a Better Way!

    Come the end of December, the pressure to make a new year's resolutions is on! There's a lot of 'chatter' on how we should turn over a new leaf, make a change for the better and improve ourselves. It's curious, since according to the Statistics Brain Research Institute, only 8% of people are successful in achieving their new year's resolutions. So why set ourselves up for failure? Let's set ourselves up for YEAR-ROUND SUCCESS with these tried and tested tips:

    • K.I.S.S. - choose ONE goal at a time i.e. loosing 10 lbs.  Taking on several goals can be over-bearing and lessen your likelihood of success
    • BREAK the goal down into mini goals; i.e. loosing 1-2 lbs per week over 5 months
    • MAKE a game plan that maps out the road to your goal
    • REVIEW your goal daily in your ical or diary - this will help keep it at the forefront of your mind
    • CELEBRATE reaching each mini goal - this will help to keep you motivated
    • SHARE your goal with friends as once you've said it out loud, you'll probably want to avoid the embarrassment of not reaching your goal, which also increases your commitment
    • BUDDY-UP! Find a work colleague or friend who has the same goal - leaning on each other can really help you make it through any challenging times. PLUS sharing the success is more sweeter together
    • SEEK out a professional if you know you succeed better with guidance and support 
    • BE STRONG! If you falter, just get back on the horse right away and continue pushing forward to your next mini goal. It's just a set-back - it's NOT a failure it you keep going

    Remember - the way to success in reaching any goal is by taking small steps that are doable and not intimidating. This way they become part of your EVERY DAY routine without disrupting your life's rhythm.

    BTW, I would wish you good luck, but if you follow these tips, you're not going to need it! :)