Are you feeling the itch? Is the air that has now turned HUMID nudging you to rid the blanket of hair on your neck?
Here's a push to the season's top SHORT HAIR inspirations both in Hollywood and at Kasia Organic Salon.
Eat Pretty: YUM Spring Salad Dressings
Orange Sesame Miso Dressing
This savory-sweet dressing contains skin-friendly probiotics from fermented miso paste, and is packed with beautifying omega-3s thanks to crunchy hemp seeds.
Juice of a half an orange 1/4 cup toasted sesame oil 1 tsp miso paste 1/8 tsp ground cumin 2 tsp hemp seeds
Blend the first four ingredients in a food processor or blender. Transfer to a jar, add hemp seeds and shake to combine.
Creamy Tahini Sage Dressing
Fresh herbs are brimming with beauty benefits. Use anti-inflammatory sage in this dressing, or substitute basil or a small amount of thyme. The tahini and grapeseed oil in this recipe are two beauty-friendly fats.
1/2 cup Grapeseed Vegenaise or other dairy-free mayonnaise 1/4 cup fresh sage leaves 1 clove garlic 2 tbsp lemon juice 2 tbsp tahini
Blend all ingredients in a food processor or blender until creamy.
Vinaigrette with a Twist
The raw apple cider vinegar and lemon in this dressing give your digestion a boost (a plus for clear skin and a flat belly). Feel free to swap the oregano and dill for other favorite fresh or dried herbs.
1/4 cup plus 2 tbsp olive oil 2 tbsp raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar juice of half a lemon 1/4 tsp dried oregano 1/2 tsp dried dill sea salt black pepper
Combine all ingredients in a small jar and shake to emulsify.
ENJOY! With love......
Reference: beautyiswellness.com
Hormonal Balance for Gorgeous Skin: TC Natural Awakenings Magazine Feature
Hormonal Balance for Gorgeous Skin
Kassandra Kuehl
When hormones are balanced, the result is a clear, radiant complexion. Many of us, however, are plagued by dull, dry and sagging skin and conspicuous skin markings, or wonder why we suddenly have more acne than we did as teens. When this happens, there’s a good chance that we are grappling with some type of hormonal issue. To better understand what the skin says about hormonal health, read on.
Acne
Testosterone dominance is usually the culprit in those pesky blemishes that haunt us well into adulthood. The role of testosterone in acne is twofold: it increases sebum production and skin-cell turnover rate, making it easier for blockages to form around the follicle opening. To combat acne, choose a gentle cleanser that won’t strip the skin.
Dryness
Several hormonal factors can contribute to dry, flaky skin. One of the most common is a drop in thyroid hormone production, causing the epidermis to become thick and scaly. To keep skin moist, use pure, cold-pressed fatty acids and antioxidant-rich oils.
Sagging and Wrinkles
Several studies have highlighted estrogen’s anti-aging effect on the skin. Falling estrogen levels reduce the production of hyaluronic acid, which keeps skin supple and taut. Collagen synthesis also comes to a halt with reduced estrogen levels, further compounding the issue. To keep skin firm and wrinkle-free, use moisture-rich serums containing pure hyaluronic acid.
Melasma
Characterized by brown patches of skin on the face, melasma is common in women struggling with estrogen dominance. This is because an abundance of estrogen stimulates the production of melanin, the chemical that gives the skin its pigment. To combat melasma, it is important to wear a natural form of SPF every day and adopt a skin-care regimen designed to control hyperpigmentation.
Incorporating a skin-care routine that uses pure, gentle, natural ingredients is an essential element in combating hormonal skin issues. Yet, for a truly powerful approach, some skin-care specialists can combine proper skin care with functional lab tests to assess hormonal status and modify dietary and lifestyle choices accordingly.
Kassandra Kuehl is the founder of Kasia Organic Salon, located at 822 W. 50th St., Minneapolis. Kasia Organic Salon is a pioneer of healthy beauty and is an authority on 100-percent natural products and services. For more information, call 612-824-7611 or visit KasiaOrganicSalon.com.
This article appears in the May 2013 issue of Twin Cities Natural Awakenings
The MANY Benefits of Protein Pack Bee Pollen and Smoothie Recipe!
Smoothie Recipe Key Beauty Ingredient: Bee Pollen Benefits of Bee Pollen: With signs of spring buzzing all around, it seemed appropriate to introduce the natural beauty powers of bee pollen. Considered one of the richest and purest natural foods ever discovered, bee pollen has incredible nutritional and medicinal value.
The pollen is actually the food of the young bee and contains a whopping 40% protein. It also contains a complete spectrum of amino acids, vitamins, minerals and enzymes. A teaspoon a day will fill you with an extremely high amount of antioxidants which we love for beautiful and health skin, by preventing free radicals that are produced from stress, chemicals and toxins from our day to day lives. Local bee pollen is also known to prevent seasonal allergies—you can bet I’m taking my daily dose I picked up at the farmer’s market!
Buzzing Bee Pollen Smoothie Directions:
Fill blender with…
- 8 oz unsweetened almond milk
- 2-3 handfuls organic purple kale
- 1 tsp bee pollen
- ¾ c frozen organic blueberries
- ¼ avocado
- 1 tsp chia seeds
- 1 tsp ground flaxseed
- local raw honey to taste
Blend ingredients until smooth and enjoy your Buzzing Bee Pollen Smoothie.
Kasia's Seal of Approval: Premier Research Labs Classic Pollen
Ancient Super Nutrition for Super Health & Longevity
- Support for endurance, strength, stamina*
- Support for mental clarity*
- Immune competence support*
- Reproductive system support*
- Advanced anti-aging support*
- Pure Vegan
- 100% Raw
- Manufactured in a GMP Registered facility for superior quality assurance
The outstanding benefits of pollen have been documented through centuries of use: endurance, strength, stamina, mental clarity, immune competence, reproductive system support and advanced anti-aging*
Bee Pollen contains 18 vitamins, carotenes, 56 minerals, all 22 essential amino acids, over 5,000 enzymes, polysaccharides and simple sugars, nucleic acids and 15% lecithin (different from soy lecithin) that is especially good for brain development.
This is an alkaline food that is considered by many to be one of the most complete food sources found in nature. Bee Pollen is loaded with antioxidants, it is a hormonal booster and increases strength, endurance, energy and speed. It reduces the presence of histamine, thus ameliorating many allergies. It is the most powerful ojas building food as it is the concentrated semen of the plant world. For all these reason, this superfood was known to the ancient Greeks as "the food of the gods".
In our opinion, this wild pollen source is unquestionably, the freshest, cleanest, most alive source of bee pollen: it is a genuine Super Nutrition from the most remote northern Canadian territory (not the typical, rancid, pesticided, "off-tasting" pollen which can actually be a toxic stress).
YUMMY!
Contact Kasia Organic Salon for the BEST Source of Bee Pollen on the market. kassie@kasiaorganicsalon.com.
References: organicbeautytalk.com and Premier Research Labs
Ageless Tip: Keep Your Hair Looking Youthful
As women stock up on the latest BB Creams and peptide creams, we all know what happens to skin as it ages. But did you know that your hair has also been suffering. As a creator myself, I am aware of the fury of anti-aging haircare products have emerged to help keep your locks looking as fresh as your freshly washed complexion.
At birth, everyone has between 100,
000-150,000 hair follicles, and each of these follicles goes through a three-part life cycle.
The Life Cycle of Hair
- The first phase, the hair grows out and the bulb at the root is at its plumpest.
- Next, the bulb shrinks before falling out.
- Thirdly, the hair goes into dormancy.
- The card women play of "I am getting to be a certain age," really is true due to the fact that the the final phase lasts longer. At Kasia Organic Salon, the number one complaint as people get older is thinning hair. With our ammonia free hair color line and gentle products, we combat and restore hair that has a tendency to lose its softness, shine, and pigment over time.
Hidden Culprits
- Hormonal changes certainly accelerates hair loss.
- External factors such as stress
- Excessive styling can contribute to age-related hair thinning.
- Did tou know? You hair is part of your body’s metabolic system. Drink 1/2 your body weight in water per day to hydrate the bulbs of your hair.
- Dietary deficiencies such as low iron, EFA's, vitamin B12, or zinc levels can lead to hair loss.
Ways to Fight Back
At Kasia, our knowledgeable staff and our natural products are centered towards assisting the growing demands of our guests haircare in all stages of their life. For example, women over the age of 40 tend to wash their hair much less. They also color more often, which leaves the cuticle dry and brittle. We help our guests with their hair and skin needs in a personalized way with professional grade color and every day product maintenance.
Kassandra Kuehl is the founder of Kasia Organic Salon. Kasia Organic Salon is the pioneer of healthy beauty that delivers results to fit your lifestyle, because only Kasia is the authority in 100% natural products & services. Visit www.kasiaorganicsalon.com and become an “Informed Beauty.”
Expert Tips from Kasia: Men's Hair & Current Trends 101
Kasia's own Valerie is a lead gal on executing men’s hair at Kasia Organic Salon, so we thought we’d check in with her to talk about current trends, favorite product and what makes a man G-Q.
What do you love about cutting/grooming guys? I love being able to customize a style according to my male clients’ face shape, lifestyle and personality. Mens cutting and styling is all about shape and tailoring their hair to suit their individual features. For example, this may mean graduating a fade around the temples to expose the eyes more or creating volume on the top to detract from a thicker jaw line. Personalization is where transformation happens.
What are some current popular styles for guys?Everything from short crop modified "faux hawks,' side parts with a tapered longer side - to -disconnections with short tapered sides with longer tops worn wavy or sleek. Texture and volume is loved just as much by men, than their lovely ladies. Facial hair is also playing a big part in spring/summer trends.
How do you approach cuts for your male clients? From my training at Kasia Organic Salon, I utilize barbering along with free hand techniques so that none of my males haircuts look the same. My current haircutting techniques master a shape that suits the individual’s style.
Men that get services at Kasia comment on the longevity and ease of style!
Do you have a favorite product for guys? Our John Masters Vanilla Bourbon Texturizer can be used in a variety of ways. I use it for creating that soft textured look. I also recommend finishing with a bit of hairspray to set the style. No Grease - No Fuss - and No Build Up!
To reach Kasia Organic Salon for your updated and individualize haircut, call 612. 824. 7611 or email us at kassie@kasiaorganicsalon.com to request an appointment for you - OR YOUR G-Q HUNK!
Five Hidden Causes of Yeast Infections
This may not be an ordinary blog post by Kasia, but as you know - our passion is to INFORM bueaties! Yeast infections are insidious, and with my health coaching experience, a MASS majority of woman have existing yeast levels that go un-addressed and are fed daily through our nutritional choices.
From periods to pantyliners, we reveal the hidden causes of these itchy and annoying infections.
Yeast grows naturally all over your body, but it especially loves dark, damp nooks and crannies, so it’s often found in fat folds, armpits and, of course, vaginas. “Wherever there is sugar or carbohydrates (which the body has), the yeast will feed on that.
It’s actually a myth (or a pipe dream) that we can stamp out the yeast forever. “We don’t ever entirely rid our bodies of yeast,” explains Dr. Booth. “What we do is we keep it in check.”
That’s done with probacteria, especially acidophilus, which creates an acidic environment that yeast doesn’t like. When acidophilus is running low or sugars are running high, the yeast gets a leg up and starts to multiply.
Three out of four women get at least one yeast infection in their lives; nearly half have two or more; and about five percent of women get four or more in a single year. “When it keeps coming back, it’s almost always that something is wrong with the [body’s] defense,” says Booth. “There’s not enough acidophilus, too much sugar or a resistant variety of yeast infection.”
Most women can tick off the well-known causes of yeast infections: antibiotics, douches, weak immune systems or tight clothes made from barely breathable fabrics. But there are other, hidden causes that can also be common culprits:
1. Your estrogen is low. When you go through puberty, estrogen plumps up your vaginal tissues using a starch known as glycogen. Yeast loves glycogen, and without estrogen, they’d be all over it. But fortunately for us, estrogen feeds acidophilus, keeping the yeast at bay. Right before your period, though, your estrogen levels dip, and while they’re low, the yeast starts to grow. Symptoms tend to crop up right before your period shows up, but estrogen spikes again post-period to help even the score. “A lot of women will say that they get symptoms right around their period that later go away,” notes Booth.
If you tend to get hormonal yeast infections, then in the week before your period, Booth suggests doubling up on probiotic supplements, avoiding sugar or extra carbs and eating more yogurt or unsweetened kefir (a liquid European yogurt with plenty of acidophilus). “I think prevention is best, rather than treatment,” says Booth. “We need to think of keeping ourselves in balance so we’re not symptomatic.”
2. You eat too much sugar. Remember Booth’s mantra: “Wherever there’s sugar, there’s yeast.” Blood sugar spikes mean that a lot of glucose is running around in your system, which is like a dinner invitation to yeast. Sweets are one culprit, but plenty of healthy-seeming diets can be sugary traps. Eating a lot of fruit, juice or high-carb foods can cause blood sugar spikes, especially in the morning when your blood sugar is low. “The kind of morning diet that causes a jump in blood sugar can stimulate the yeast to take over,” says Booth.
Adding coffee to a sugary breakfast just makes matters worse. The caffeine causes blood sugar to surge even faster, which makes for some really happy yeast. “When you combine caffeine with sugar, the yeast basically has a party and takes over,” says Booth. Instead, she recommends starting your day with plain yogurt sprinkled with almonds, cinnamon and a dash of vanilla extract. “Anything to stabilize blood sugar so as not to feed the yeast,” she says.
3. You wear pantyliners. If you don pantyliners to keep your undies pristine, your efforts are probably backfiring. “Pantyliners cause a low-grade irritation that can decrease the skin’s immunity,” explains Booth. “When our defenses go down, we get more symptomatic.” Yeast also loves environments with little air, so the synthetic fibers in pantyliners that block airflow make yeast feel right at home. Cotton panties with no liners are a much better bet. By the same token, scented or synthetic tampons can also irritate some women’s ultra-delicate tissue, so try an unscented, cotton tampon if you tend to get frequent infections.
4. You have vaginal eczema. When we think of eczema’s scaly, itchy rashes, we usually think of it cropping up on our arms or legs, but it can show up on the vulva and vaginal tissues, too. “That causes chronic inflammation and irritation, so some people can develop yeast infections,” says Booth. If that’s the case, talk to your gynecologist about treating the vaginal eczema and the yeast issue should clear up.
5. You use spermicidal condoms. The active ingredient in most spermicides is nonoxynol-9, which is not the gentlest substance. “If the spermicide is irritating for the woman, then that will disturb her vaginal immunity and allow [yeast] to take advantage,” says Booth. That means spermicide creams, jellies, foams, gels, films and suppositories can all be problematic, along with diaphragms, which are usually paired with spermicidal creams, jelly or gels that can cause irritation. If you suspect that spermicide is behind your yeast infections, talk to your gynecologist about spermicide-free protection options.
Contact Kassandra for questions about how changes in diet and added supplements can help.
Reference: YouBeauty Read more: http://www.youbeauty.com/health/four-hidden-causes-of-yeast-infections#ixzz2Qdp9DaoH
Having an 'Old' Hair Day: The New Anti-aging Complex
As women, we are aware of the mighty combat of aging when it comes to our skin, but are we aware of those same effects in our hair? At Kasia Organic Salon, we offer custom products that include various anti-aging creams, serums, and treatments for your skin, but we are also well aware of the "hairy" needs of our Informed Beauties. Have you started to experience "aging hair" symptoms? Stick around and learn more about the importance of preventative care for healthy hair.
The Telling Signs and Symptoms
Going gray isn’t the only sign that women are wanting to address, there are many more such as addressing lack-luster hair, hair loss, and looking young and youthful. For a younger women's perspective, it is highly advised to start and maintain a routine that prevents premature hair aging by taking the necessary steps to protecting it in its youth.
The biggest complaints older women have about their hair is that it feels thinner. People with severe hair loss typically turn to dermatologists for medicinal treatments for hair regrowth.
"Do No Harm"
Unfortunatly your hair will age as you do. Working behind the salon chair has given me perspecitve to the many signs of aging hair. At Kasia, we find it incredibly important to use a "DO NO HARM" hair color that is rich with fatty acids, an even pH, and nourishing botanicals to keep the color from fading, keeping it on tone, and absolutely rich and shiny. We use a professional grade Ammonia FREE, PPD, Gluten Free, hair color to achieve this. BUYER BEWARE: Not all "ammonia free" hair colors are the same. Read the fine print for any sneaky ingredients to substitute what the company has removed.
Decreasing Follicle Diameter
Starting in a person's late-30s and early-40s, the strand diameter decreases creating a thinner overall appearance. (Dr. Thomas - P&G's)
There are steps you can take to protect your hair without products. Remove catalysts that cause repeated tension like wearing your ponytails super tight. We also suggest staying out of the sun and its damaging UV rays as well as nourishing yourself by eating a nutrient rich diet.
Age Defying Hair
Starting in a person's late-30s and early-40s, the strand diameter decreases creating a thinner overall appearance.
Layered on top of this, the hair becomes more brittle and fragile. Most women immedicately notice their hair getting thinner. The decrease in the number of active hair follicles and a narrowing of the diameter of each individual hair takes it's tole.
Aging Defying Tips
At Kasia, our knowledgeable staff and our natural products are centered towards assisting the growing demands of our guests haircare in all stages of their life. For example, women over the age of 40 tend to wash their hair much less. They also color more often, which leaves the cuticle dry and brittle. We help our guests with their hair and skin needs in a personalized way with professional grade color and every day product maintenance.
For more on aging hair in a recent Wall Street Journal in-depth article - link to the source link below.
Are You Having an Old Hair Day? [Wall Street Journal]