Overeating sugar causes wrinkles through the process called glycation, in which the sugar in your bloodstream attaches to proteins to form harmful new molecules called advanced glycation end products (or, appropriately, AGEs for short).



Castor Oil ~ Strong hair is hair that will never abandon ship. In other words, a well-nourished gorgeous scalp will keep hair thriving and happy. Castor oil is the best oil I have found for incredibly strong, thick and voluminous hair. Mix a teaspoon of Castor oil into your shampoo directly into the palm of your hand, and follow with a half-teaspoon into your conditioner (both shampoo and conditioner should preferably be herbal, minus all the harmful irritants for the best results).

With my wallet (and my head) hurting from a night before, I headed to China(town) in search of an affordable lunch. What I found was quite possibly the best meal I've ever had for under $5. Tucked below the Manhattan bridge, Xi'An Famous Foods is a tiny noodle counter serving up HUGE flavor. Unlike other restaurants in the area, Xi'An specializes in Western Chinese cuisine, which means you won't find a grain of rice here. The cuisine of Xi'An is marked by a heavy Middle Eastern influence and lots of spice. My recommendation: the lamb cumin noodles. These made to order noodles are as fresh as they come and a must for anyone who loves spicy food... as is the iced black tea to wash away the heat.

Now keep in mind, coconut milk is not just the water that is inside the coconut when you open it, what that is, is coconut water, and it is completely different from the milk. You get the milk from juicing the fruit that is inside. The fruit needs to be finely grated, soaked in hot water and then squeezed through mesh or cheese cloth. You can repeat the process to make it thinner and get it the thickness that you like.

Avocados and guacamole - You get mono and polyunsaturated fats with avocados, as well as saturated. Avocados are a natural nutrient rich source of fiber and have the added benefit of adding good flavor to your food. Guacamole is a popular use of avocados as well as just slicing them and adding them to your favorite sandwich.

The verdict: I love that I can recognize all the ingredients on the label: coconut milk benefits hair, organic agave syrup, organic cherries, organic vanilla extract, organic almond extract. Cool. (They're also gluten-free, which is great for those with allergies.) Also, the texture was quite creamy, though it does freeze pretty hard. The label says to let it sit at room temperature for five to ten minutes before serving. I'm too impatient and would just microwave it for a few seconds to soften it up. And, most importantly, it was yummy. I think my husband polished off the entire pint in about four days.

Probiotics are bacteria and yeast which help your body to digest foods, produce vitamins, and keep out the bad microbes. You eat food and it travels into your mouth, down your digestive system, and into the stomach and intestines. All along the way, beneficial bacteria like those found in kefir should be there assisting the process. A system low in beneficial bacteria and yeast can result in gas, bloating, and difficulty with digestion. Sound familiar?

Seeds- Seeds are another healthy, natural source of fats that aren't processed. Flax seeds have a high omega-3 content. It is healthiest to grind flax seed yourself and it is not considered safe to cook with.

By Sunday night, my stomach was starting to fold under all the heavy noodles and fried rice... something light was in order. While walking off the weekend's indulgence along Front Street and I literally stumbled into SUteiSHI. The floor-to-ceiling doors of this seaport sushi joint open right onto the sidewalk, making for a very cool, relaxed dining experience... as do the unobstructed views of the Brooklyn Bridge. While the young, overly-friendly staff does a good job of pushing alcohol, edamame, and standard Japanese fare, don't let that deter you. The chef's execution is spot on and the use of quality ingredients - like the fatty salmon roll (where meat from the fish's belly is used to impart a smoother, richer texture) - elevate SUteiSHI beyond any other sushi bar in the area.

Unless you roll around in muck, the only party of your hair that gets dirty enough to warrant a scrubbing with chemicals is what's on your scalp. The best way to handle that situation is a simple vinegar rinse. If you must shampoo then switch to an all natural organic, SLS free shampoo bar and then only wash your scalp.