In our Autumn 2020 issue, we got the chance to take a closer look at Dr. Hauschka’s new hair range: 100% natural, organic and sulphate-free. Read on to learn more!
By Elva Carri
Philippe Morgese became well known to his Facebook friends for the creative and wonderful designs he’s was doing his daughter’s hair. I’m not sure if you’ve ever had long hair or tried to do ‘creative’ things with it for friends or family, but it’s harder than you might think, yet Philippe had mastered the art with flair!
His mastery then went on to win him a competition and making a TV appearance. Rather than just reveling in the glory, he saw this as an opportunity to do something bigger and lovelier than that french braid, he’d share the skills, and the bonding opportunities, with other people and created a ‘Dads and Daughters’ hair class in his local community.
“We had a prison guard, mechanic, general contractor, ATT tech, Apple tech, healthcare recruiter and a carpenter,” Philippe said. “Definitely out of their element but they were all excited to learn. It was beautiful.”
Not only is he finding a wonderful way to help his daughter, spend time with her and bond with her, he’s helping other dads do the same, making it cool for guys to be great at hair, and breaking the mould of what it is society used to expect a dad to be. Now where do the boys with long hair sign up to be part of it too?
Green with Envy
Nutritional beauty from the inside out.
By Mary Berkery
Cosmetics work optimally when your inner care is in place too. The word cosmetic comes form the Greek word “Kosmeo” which means to harmonise and balance. Part of getting that balance and harmony right is making sure you’re putting the right nutrients into your body. It’s so important to look at what you’re consuming to fully understand it and to see how it can enhance a glowing complexion and a healthy and flexible body.
Green Suits Everyone
I cannot emphasize enough the importance of including greens in your daily food intake. Genetically we are very similar to the chimpanzee and they eat 70% greens in their diet! Greens are highly alkalinizing and can be taken in the form of green juices, smoothies and salads. Have that morning shot of wheat grass and make a mid-morning green smoothie or juice your new habit. Your body and skin will love you for it and thank you by looking radiant and glowing. The nutrients will also satisfy food cravings so you won’t need to look for quick energy boosts from processed foods and drinks that cause acid build up.
I’d also encourage you to include green food with each meal. Green foods don’t have to be limited to lettuce leaves and kale, and without going into too their amazing phytonutrient properties some great examples to keep your greens varied include: cucumbers, celery, parsley, courgettes, Chinese greens, baby bok choy, chards, broccoli, brussels pprouts, green tomatoes, okra, green beans, green snap peas, fennel, leeks, peas, edamame (also high in protein), sunflower sprouts and sprouts of all varieties, rocket and all mixed salad greens. When it comes to herbs, incorporate more basil, mint, bay leaf, sage, thyme, rosemary and coriander. And of the fruits; kiwis, watermelon, honeydew melons, green grapes, green apples and avocados. For an extra boost, super food greens to add to your smoothies or juices include wheat Grass, barley Grass, chlorella and spirrulina.
Alkalinize Your Body
Alkalinizing is the secret to looking youthful. It’s important to understanding that our bodies are finely tuned chemical and electrical organisms and takes consistent work to keep this fine balance at its optimum level, for instance keeping the blood in an alkaline state of 7.4. ‘The pH Miracle: Balance Your Diet’ by Shelley Redford Young and Robert Young is an excellent read if you want to do a bit more research in this area.
Some Alkalinizing influences:
- Eating a much as possible a raw plant based diet
- Green juices and smoothies
- Grains such as quinoa, millet
- Proper hydration
- Simple food combinations
- Relaxation and sleep
- Emotional release and forgiveness
- Laughter, happiness and positivity
Benefits of alkalinity
- Improved energy levels
- Clear calm and focused mind
- Improved immune and elimination function
- Youthful glow and radiant skin
- Proper weight distribution
Winter morning green juice recipe
I have two green drinks before any solid food each day. First thing in the morning I have a wheat grass shot and then for my breakfast a green juice which I vary according to the season. This is one of my favourite green juices for winter and is both refreshing and calming.
- Half cucumber
- 2 celery sticks
- 2-3 kale leaves
- One apple
- 1 cm of fresh root ginger for winter warmth
Lastly, drink a litre of water daily. It might not be new advice but it’s good to be reminded!
maryberkery.com
How to have a great hair day! Mary Berkery
A sneak peek from Mary Berkery’s good hair day article for our Summer 2013 issue. Get your copy here or view the full article online later in the summer.
When I was young, my mother used to bring me to the barbers to have my hair cut. I remember sitting on the barbers high stool and feeling the cold clippers up the back of my neck. I would tell my mother I felt like a sheered sheep. She said that it was the only way she could control my hair – by getting such tight cuts.
Then, when I was 13, I decided to let my hair grow long. Again, it was the bane of my mother’s life, and I have memories of having it tied back so tight with the ponytail clipped under “to look tidy at school,” she would say. In school, I was ridiculed and nicknamed Bugs Bunny because of the funny bun on my head. I eventually cut it short again and felt a cool young adult with my “afro” look.
It wasn’t until I studied macrobiotic philosophy in Switzerland that I decided to let it grow. This came as a result of a consultation with a macrobiotic practitioner, Jon Sandifer. He said I needed to let my hair grow, as short hair was too “yang” for me! Since then, I have had it long and allowed its unruly and abundant mass in ways which I was not comfortable with in my 20’s. Its fullness is an expression now of who I am, and I love it!
Intelligent Nutrients
The best hair care range that I use is Intelligent Nutrients.* The Company says: “Every day is a bad hair day when you use petroleum-based products to wash and style it.” Their organic shampoos, conditioners and treatments help tame your tresses without harming a hair on your head – or the environment. Sulphates, silicones and other synthetic chemicals have nothing on Mother Nature’s botanical ingredients when it comes to naturally beautiful hair care.
Hair is dependent upon good nutrition. Have you seen a wild cheetah – that lives on nature’s food – without a shiny coat? The same principle applies to humans.
Hair needs a balance of B vitamins, folic acid, sulphur, magnesium, iron and zinc for good growth, health and the ability to keep its natural colour. So, what type of raw foods and nutrient rich foods should you be incorporating for healthier hair?
Dark Green Leafy Vegetables
Kale, spinach, Swiss chard, broccoli and dandelion greens are great sources of Vitamin A and Vitamin C. Our bodies use these vitamins to create sebum. Sebum is the oily substance in our hair follicles that is our hair’s natural conditioner. The darker green vegetables also are a good source of calcium and iron.
Flax Seeds
Flax seed contains the Omega 3 fatty acids your body requires. Flax seed is also a good source of complete protein. It has been shown that Omega 3 fatty acids are essential to support scalp health. A deficiency will usually show up as dry scalp or dull looking hair. The best way to consume flax seed is to soak it overnight and then grind the seed in a blender and add to smoothies.
Nuts
Brazil nuts, walnuts, cashews and almonds will help promote thick and shiny hair. This is due to the selenium within nuts that is an essential mineral for good scalp health. They are also a great source of zinc. Hair loss through hair shedding is a sign of inadequate zinc in your body.
Sulphur Rich Foods
Sulphur has been proven to be beneficial for healthy, younger looking hair as it maintains the hair’s structure. Some of the raw foods that contain sulphur are asparagus, brussel sprouts, alfalfa sprouts, wheat grass, radishes and celery. You can also purchase MSM, which is a sulphur food that comes from the ocean.
Raw, unprocessed foods eaten in their natural state contain the vital nutrients we need for healthy bodies, vital minds and beautiful, shiny hair.
mary@livingbeauty.ie
* www.IntelligentNutrients.com