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18 January 2012
Tags: health and nutrition
7 comments

live better : winter survival tips

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It’s mid January, temperatures have dropped significantly, it’ cold and icy out there (I would know, I just slipped on some ice this morning and fell on my bum like a big clumsy kid! lol)

Winter is here and it’s not going anywhere anytime soon, at least for the folks north of the equator. But it’s not all bad, there’s lots of fun you can have ~ ice skating, skiing, tobogganing, and lots more activities among which a good snow-ball fight – a must every winter. The cold can be good, but not so good on what it does to your skin, overall complexion and health. Here’s a way to Live Better this winter with my winter survival health and beauty tips:

1. Increase your Vitamin D

Sunlight has its benefits. When you walk outside in the sunshine, vitamin D is produced within your body. Deficiency of Vitamin D is often a cause of depression. There are reports that women and men with vitamin D deficiency are 2 times and 1.6 times more likely to develop depression (source)
Vitamin D is an important nutrient that helps your body absorb calcium, keeps your bones strong and maintains overall health. Other than depression, deficiencies can lead to a number of health issues. Because the vitamin isn’t present in many foods, most people rely on the sun to induce synthesis of vitamin D. The important thing to remember is that it takes minimal exposure to do so. Less than a half hour twice a week is all it takes to ensure you’ve got enough vitamin D.
Foods that do contain Vitamin D are cod liver oil, salmon and other fatty fish. Here’s a good guide to see all other foods that contain VD. And this applies to kids as well, the best way to add Vitamin D for little kids is with D Drops ~ we like to add them to juice. Done.
I love the ‘healing’ feel the sunshine straight in my face gives to me. It makes me happy and I do like to stick out my head to the sun often, even take off my sunglasses and close my eyes ;)



2. Eat more orange foods to get rid of dullness in skin tone.

Do you find your skin looks more dull and looses its vibrancy in the winter months? That is a very common problem for many.
Well, did you know that you can add more vibrant colour to your skin, just by simply eating more orange coloured foods? By increasing carotenoids, an antioxidant responsible for the red colouring found in, for instance, tomatoes, peppers, plums and carrots, we can get rid of dullness in skin. That redness in these vegetables eventually imbues the human skin with yellowness, or rather a healthy-looking golden glow.
This plate of organic baby carrots is right in front of me. Goodbye dull winter skin ~ I’m armed with a bowl of carrots! Watch out!
Increasing carotenoids is easy peasy : snack on some carrots during the day, add more orange coloured vegetables to salads, soups and side dishes. Get juicing. Fresh juiced carrot juice is amazing with loads of healthy nutrients and vitamins that are beautifying and energizing.
I remember when I was little, my mom would always say ‘eat your carrots, you’ll have a nice orange face’ ~ I always hated that and though, who in their right mind would want an orange face! Well, the message was there, just a tad bit on the weird side for a little kid to understand. Thanks to mom, I’ve often did eat more carrots in the winter ;)

3. Your skin prefers oil-based ‘ointments’ vs. water based creams in the winter

Find an ”ointment” moisturizer that’s oil-based, rather than water-based, as the oil will create a protective layer on the skin that retains more moisture than a cream or lotion.

(Hint: Many lotions labeled as “night creams” are oil-based.)

Also, what does water do in the winter? It freezes. If you apply a water-based creme on your skin and go out into the cold, the delicate layer of your skin will get more damaged as it’s exposed to the harshness of the cold. A natural oil or oil-based cream will properly protect your skin and lips.

But choose your oils with care because not all oils are appropriate for the face. Instead, look for “nonclogging” oils, like avocado oil, mineral oil, primrose oil, or almond oil. Shea oil — or butter — is controversial, because it can clog facial pores. Olive oil is a little heavier on the skin, but it would still protect your skin and nurture it properly.

Coconut oil or butter is our favourite around here. It prevents dryness and is rich in antioxidants, and delays wrinkles, and sagging of skin which normally become prominent with age. And smells as though I just came back from the beach ;). But these remedies are not for everyone, try it on your skin once and see if it builds up too much moisture. Also, if your skin is too dry and you wash your face with strong soaps that remove your natural oils, you will find that you may get a bad reaction with a sudden change of routine. You could introduce just a small amount at first, and see how that works out for you.

Aside from natural oils, I do love the Suki line of face and body care lotions – I have my heart set on this Suki balancing day lotion with natural organic oils – I’ve tried it at my friend’s and it’s amazing!

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So my friends, remember to take care of yourself and your family this winter. Be good to your body and skin!

I already applied some coconut oil on my face this morning and have been in the sunshine outside today (although probably not long enough, so I should have some cod liver for dinner I suppose! (which I don’t mind actually ;) and now I’m off to have a glass of Arthur’s Carrot Juice (thanks sister for the few bottles you’ve given us – you were the first inspiration for this post ;) xoxo

Live Better, is my new segment I will try to post on Wednesdays (and I’ll try to sandwich it between a cute craft and another fun post so I don’t become over-health conscious over here ;). I personally love health and beauty tips that are fun to know and learn about. I will focus on adding 3 tips under a theme of the week that will help you to live better, or even some random nutritional or health related facts. If you have something that you think my readers would find interesting, please email me and I’ll give you a shout out. xo


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Comments

Maria on 18 January at 5:26 pm | Reply

I haven’t been outside for awhile because I have to take care of my little girl, who is recuperating from surgery…but then it hasn’t been as sunny as some winters :(

Your tips are wonderful. I think, I am going to change to coconut oil, because when I go out in the evening for a walk, my skin does feel a bit too dry.

m.

Ella on 19 January at 10:48 am | Reply

Oh my, best wishes for your little girl for a quick recovery ~ sending big hugs your way ;)

Maria, I hope that switch will work for you well ;) It’s nice that you’re finding time for walks in the evenings – I would like to do that too ;)
xo

Sunshine Mama on 18 January at 5:44 pm | Reply

Great tips! It’s been insanely cold here (and I mean insanely cold!!). I used to take vit D religiously but haven’t taken it in months… thanks for reminding me!

Ella on 19 January at 10:50 am | Reply

Good luck in that cold ~ just a few more months ;)
Yes, the Vitamin D is also a big reminder for me to take it! lol

ana on 19 January at 12:19 am | Reply

fun tips ella.

i love coconut oil. i find it works well with eczema and very dry skin. but i made the mistake of using it on my face, and it is high on the comedogenic scale and really clogs pores. but great on hands and i also use it on the tips of my hair to keep them from drying out.

off to follow your suki link! thanks for sharing.

barefootmama on 19 January at 2:38 am | Reply

LOVE, lOVE, lOVE….thanks!!!

AG Ambroult on 21 January at 4:47 pm | Reply

good tips!
I just recently read an article about how oil-based moisturizers are so much better for your skin.

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