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fresh Publisher Trent Nellis thepub@freshvancouver.com editor-in-Chief Shelly Lynn Nellis shelly@freshvancouver.com editor Liberty Craig editor@freshvancouver.com CoPy editor Dan Tidsbury copyeditor@freshvancouver.com Art direCtor Cindy Hughes design@freshvancouver.com nAtionAl ACCount MAnAgers Noelle Maluorono 778 839-6639 noelle@freshvancouver.com Leona Popoff leona@freshvancouver.com Phone: 778-231-4777 Contributors Amanda Beisel, Amy Chalmers, Dr. Andrew B. Denton, Dai Manuel, Donnie Ungaro, Dorothy Lyons, Julie Brown, Dr. Kelvin Mah, Dr. Kimit Rai, Liberty Craig, Dr. Marcia Fleming, Michelle Ambrosone, Dr. Nick Carr, Dr. Sachit Shah, Shelly Lynn Nellis, Sherina Jamal, Tracy Holly, Dr. Trina Read Cover Photo Amanda Skuse

Fresh Vancouver publishes bi-monthly issues and is distributed through spas, beauty salons and destination resorts of Metro Vancouver. Send all questions, comments, and inquiries to:

Fresh Vancouver 13256 55A Avenue Surrey, BC CANADA V3X 3B3 Tel 1-866-612-4140 Fax (604) 591-1989 e-mail info@freshvancouver.com www.freshvancouver.com

Fresh Vancouver assumes no responsibility for unsolicited material. Opinions expressed herein are those of the authors and advertisers and do not necessarily reflect those of the Fresh Vancouver publisher, editors or staff.

Readers are encouraged to consult with their health professional before embarking upon any exercise, medical or nutritional changes. Contents of Fresh Vancouver are copyright 2010, all rights reserved. Fresh Vancouver may not be reproduced in whole or in part by any means without written permission of the publisher.

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Strength is beautiful...

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n this issue of Fresh Vancouver, we continue to feature strong, accomplished women who have overcome great odds to achieve remarkable feats. Shannon Keenan joins us for a well deserved makeover after spending the past few years battling breast cancer while raising two young children, one of whom has special needs. Who among us wouldn’t lose a bit of ourselves – and a lot of our youth – struggling with these burdens; who wouldn’t benefit from an anti-aging makeover that has allowed Shannon to literally shed the effects those tough ten years had on her lovely face, and feel like her vibrant self again?

And then we have Leila Getz, who grew up in South Africa under the shadow of apartheid, and whose gumption and verve led her to found the Vancouver Recital Society 31 years ago – while everyone told her she would fail in that decisive first year. Now, with an Order of Canada and an honorary doctorate from SFU under her belt, Leila can laugh off the scepticism of those early years while celebrating her great accomplishments. And all the while she is fighting age with humour and ice cream.

Strong women are an inspiration to all of us, perhaps even more so as we head into the hectic holiday season, when home and family take center stage. Let’s celebrate the women who inevitably pull Christmas, Chanukah, Kwanzaa, and other holiday events together each year, cooking the meals, purchasing the gifts, gathering the family. Yes, the men help too, but let’s face it: short of putting the tree up, the lion’s share of the preparations still typically goes to the ladies!

It may be a lot of work, but more than anything the holiday season is a magical time for all of us.

Here’s wishing a warm and happy holiday season to you and your family. For more anti-aging, beauty and health related articles, check out our website at www.freshvancouver.com.

fresh vancouver Issue 4

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Include your address and we’ll ship you our next issue.

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QR Code to FreshVancouver.com! Wondering what a QR code is? A QR Code is a black and white square pattern readable by most phones or smart phones with a camera and reader. The information in the QR code can be text, a website, or other information. iPhone, Blackberry, and Android all have versions of a QR or barcode scanner that can be downloaded for free.

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Shelly Lynn Nellis Editor-In-Chief

ISSUE 4 | NOV / DEC 2010

contents 8

The Five Basic Rules of Skincare

By Dr. Marcia Fleming Your five-step anti-aging arsenal.

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Tone and Tighten Your Jaw, Chin and Neck

By Dr. Andrew B. Denton 70 may be the new 50... but does our skin agree?

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Leila Getz: An Overture of Agelessness

By Liberty Craig Vancouver’s classical music aficionado defies age through laughter and nonchalance.

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Ask the Expert Our experts answer your burning questions.

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Why Natural and Organic?

By Peter Lamas, Founder, Peter Lamas Products Health and beauty combine in cuttingedge products.

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Revitalize with Wheatgrass

By Lisa Carlini An anti-aging, ultra-healthy superfood.

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Return of the Chemical Peel

By Amanda Beisel, RAc What have chemical peels revealed over the centuries?

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A New Lease On Life: Shannon Keenan’s Makeover Story

By Liberty Craig A difficult ten years are literally removed from a deserving woman’s lovely face.

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Revisiting Dentistry

By Dr. Kelvin Mah Today’s dentistry is light years beyond the tooth cleaning of old.

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Holiday Makeup: The Modern Smoky Eye

By Julie Brown Create stand-out eyes for your holiday parties.

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Signature Treatments Learn about fabulous treatments available near you.

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Ready, Get Set, Get Wet: The Effects of Dehydration

By Sherina Jamal Effective skin hydration for younger looking skin!

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New Holiday Recipes with Califnornia Walnuts Get creative with this healthy nut.

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The Changing Face of Skincare: Cosmeceuticals

By Amy Chalmers How to find the right cosmeceuticals for your skin.

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Rest and Sleep: Restore the Power of Your Body!

By Tracy Holly How sleep affects your brain power, hormones, weight, and more.

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eading into the holiday season, I am filled every year with nostalgia, warmth, and… panic. We have a lot to be concerned about during the holidays, whether it be chaotic schedules, hyper-commercialism, balancing our cheque books, sibling squabbles – the list goes on.

But when all the gifts are bought, the turkeys are dressed, and the trees are trimmed, only one thing truly stands out, and that is family.

The utter joy of taking the time to simply appreciate one another’s company in a dedicated way is heightened by the effort and pleasure of having selected gifts and prepared meals for one another, by the memories of Christmases past and perhaps by the bittersweet differences of Christmas present, as shifting family dynamics are made all the more poignant by the heightened emotions of the holidays.

This issue of Fresh Vancouver is filled with holiday secrets like the perfect makeup for this season’s parties, plus quick and easy recipe ideas that are sure to impress. Worried about holiday over-indulgence? We’ve got the skinny on cleansing and new details about

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the importance of rest and sleep. Take care of yourself over the holidays by learning about the effects of hydration, fresh ways to tone and tighten your skin, and the hard-and-fast rules of skincare.

Check out the makeover journey of Shannon Keenan, who felt ravaged by a difficult decade and has been given a new lease on life, both literally and figuratively. Her “before and after” photos are simply amazing, as is her incredible story. And last, but certainly not least, we are thrilled to include an interview with Vancouver’s classical music impresario, Leila Getz. On the brink of 70, her defiance and humour in the face of encroaching time are as remarkable and inspiring as her formidable career.

Happy holidays to all our readers!

fresh vancouver Issue 4

Liberty Craig Editor

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Fresh Bites Donnie Ungaro of Culinary Ink

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New Advancements in Adult Acne Treatment

By Sachit Shah, MD Photodynamic therapy offers long-term help for acne sufferers.

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The Intercourse Irony

By Dr. Trina Read What we aren’t admitting to ourselves in the bedroom.

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The Men’s Guide to Aging Prevention and Treatment

By Dr. Nick Carr, MD, FRCSC and Michelle Ambrosone Anti-aging lifestyle “musts” and procedural possibilities.

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Cleanses to Detoxify and De-Stress

By Dorothy Lyons Why cleansing is not just another weightloss hoax.

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Snowshoeing! Fun Fitness for Fifty Plus

By Della Vorshuk Continue your summer cardio long into the winter months.

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contents

The Five Basic Rules of Skincare

By Dr. Marcia Fleming When it comes to aging skin, prevention is obviously the key. But if you have neglected your skin and now have sun damaged, older-looking skin, there are still steps you can take to reverse the changes. There are even at-home topical treatments that can dramatically improve the look and feel of your skin. Most important is to no longer neglect your skin, and to learn to avoid the things that damage it most.

1: Quit Smoking

Smoking is very harmful to the skin because it decreases the delivery of nutrients and, therefore, increases collagen breakdown, resulting in premature wrinkling. It is a very difficult addiction to quit, but studies prove the more times you try, the more successful you will be. The average number of attempts is eight. For you, it might take four attempts or ten, but if you don’t keep trying, you’ll never get there.

2: Avoid UV Light

The easiest way to look better is to minimize exposure to UV light. This means no sun tanning, no using tanning booths, and wearing sunscreen daily – summer and winter. This is the rudimentary basic of skincare, like brushing your teeth for dental care. But even if you have done a lot of sun tanning in the past (and I am not excluded from this), it is amazing how the skin can recover. I shudder to think of some of the things I’ve done to get that glorious tan. I like zinc in my sunscreen for two simple reasons: it has great UVA and UVB coverage, and I can tell how much I am getting by looking at the percentage listed. Generally, the higher the better, though of course you don’t want to look like a clown. Nowadays, most sunscreens with zinc look very good when applied. I like sunscreens with 6 percent zinc or higher.

3: Use Vitamin A

Vitamin A, used topically, has been proven over the years to improve skin tone and texture as well as helping with abnormal pigmentation. It is available with or without a prescription. Be warned that many face cream manufacturers put a drop of retinol in their products so that they can say it contains vitamin A. If retinol is listed near the end of the ingredient list, then it is in very small quantity and probably negligible. Prescription vitamin A can be too strong for some skin and often must be gradually introduced. Sometimes doctors and their patients desire quick results, then apply too much vitamin A, too frequently, and are turned off because their skin becomes red and flaky and looks worse than it did to start with! Do not fret – this can be easily resolved. Vitamin A is the only topical application that is proven to regenerate collagen. Need I say more? It thins the outer layer of skin, making it look brighter – but there’s no need to worry about this thinning of the skin since it actually thickens the living layers of the skin, and thins only the dead surface cells. Vitamin A will make your skin more sun sensitive, so again, it is important to use sunscreen. It also improves cell turnover, making skin more even and more reflective to light, like the skin of youth.

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4: Have an AHA Moment

Cleopatra knew the benefits of using alpha and beta hydroxyl acids on her skin, and so should you. Rediscovered in the 1980s, we now know that AHAs are excellent exfoliates without the risk of more abrasive treatments. They also improve hydration and allow products to penetrate better. AHAs and BHAs work to slough off dead skin and promote new skin cell growth. They are known for their ability to reverse signs of aging like brown spots and fine lines. However, hydroxyl acids will leave your skin sensitive to sun, so be sure once again to use sunscreen.

5: Embrace Antioxidants

Antioxidants are all the rage in skincare. There are hundreds of them. We know the benefits of having them in our diet: they may protect us from heart disease, cancer, dementia and premature aging. While less is understood about their effects on the skin, the basic idea is that antioxidants may absorb or remove particles called free radicals, which cause disruption to the operation and makeup of our cells.

In the skin layers, free radicals can cause the breakdown of collagen, potential growth of abnormal blood vessels, and disruption of pigment cells, creating precancerous skin conditions that do run the risk of becoming cancer. One of the most frequently used antioxidants is vitamin C. It is water soluble and has to be altered to allow it to penetrate the skin.

Vitamin E is fairly easily absorbed but also may cause allergic reactions on the skin. Green tea is an excellent antioxidant, but unfortunately, the active ingredients get so rapidly destroyed that what starts off in a jar is usually gone by the time it gets on your skin. It is best to drink green tea instead. CoffeeBerry, the previously discarded material surrounding the coffee bean, has been found high in antioxidants and has now been formulated into creams so that it may offer protection and healing for the skin. It may contain more antioxidant potential than any other topical treatment. Often antioxidants are combined to maximize results.

The basics of skincare are good sunscreen and sun avoidance. Discuss vitamin A with your skincare provider; go slow and it will do wonders.

Remember hydroxy acids and try some antioxidants.

There are many different kinds of antioxidants, so try them out to see how your skin feels and responds. Choose a reputable skincare line that lists its ingredients and concentrations. Pharmaceutical grade ingredients offer the highest quantity and quality.

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Tone and Tighten Your Jaw, Chin and Neck

By Dr. Andrew B. Denton

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n 2010, a commonly heard phrase in the context of an age-related conversation is: “70 is the new 50.” But what exactly does this mean? And is it, in fact, true? Without a doubt, over the past several decades medical and technological advancements have made the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and cure of illness much more effective. Combined with a greater emphasis on healthy lifestyle choices, this has led not only to an increase of more than five years in the average Canadian lifespan since 1970, but also to a generally healthier aging population.

Unfortunately, the skin, soft tissue and muscles of the face and neck have not followed this new “axiom of aging,” as I like to call it. In fact, the opposite may in some ways be true. There is no denying that as we age, a thin face appears older than a full face. Likewise, increased levels of fitness throughout the population – in particular in such enviable geographic locales as our own – translate into more time spent outside and, thus, more sun damaged skin as time goes on.

The Factors That Make Us Age

Why exactly does 50-year-old skin look so much different than 20-year-old skin? The answer to this question can be broken down into “intrinsic factors” and “extrinsic factors.” Generally speaking, intrinsic factors are changes that occur within the skin itself, independent of other influence. This includes degenerative changes to the two main structural proteins of the skin – collagen and elastin, thinning of the skin and loss of fat under the surface of the skin, as well as lines and creases that result from repetitive muscular contractions. These processes occur in all individuals at varying speeds and to varying degrees and little can be done to prevent them from occurring.

Extrinsic factors, on the other hand, are the external factors that contribute to the aging face and neck. One of the most important – gravity – is impossible for most of us to avoid. Others, such as sun exposure and exposure to tobacco smoke, are more easily avoided. As you can imagine, extrinsic factors exacerbate intrinsic

factors. An analogy would be the process of converting a plum to a prune. Sitting in your countertop fruit bowl, a plum will naturally shrivel and shrink over a number of days as water is slowly lost and the skin of the fruit thickens. However, set the plum outside on a warm summer day and the process is complete in a matter of hours.

Medical Prevention Remains Elusive

Whereas we have been quite successful at preventing and managing systemic illnesses such as high blood pressure, diabetes and cardiovascular disease, the prevention of age related changes to the face and neck remain elusive.

Thinking back to our plum analogy, it really doesn’t matter how carefully you tend to the plum, it will still eventually turn into a prune.

The process can be delayed by keeping it out of the sun and in a cool environment – but not prevented. The intrinsic factors in this example eventually rule. Likewise, treatment for the aging face and neck – in particular surgical treatment – remains reversive, not preventative.

Needless to say, the importance of a regular and high-quality skincare program cannot be overstated. Daily moisturizing, cleansing and sun protection are the absolute minimum. The addition of a daily Retin A containing cream prescribed by your physician will improve skin color and texture as well as help reduce fine lines and wrinkles. Beyond these basics, the choices are mind boggling and able to confuse even the most erudite scholar of skincare. The key is to start with the basics and make it a habit. Considering that more than twenty-four billion dollars are spent worldwide each year on skincare products, additional products should be considered strategically, on an individual basis and only after your basic skincare program is in place.

Treatment for Aging Skin

The next step in aging skincare moves more toward treatment than prevention. “Office based” or “minimally invasive” procedures, performed with little or no down time, have become ex-

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tremely popular over the past decade to camouflage or reverse the effects of aging. These include the soft tissue fillers (e.g., Restylane and Juvederm) and the neurotoxins (e.g., Botox and Dysport) as well as the wide range of lightbased therapies. With the possible exception of the neurotoxins which, if started early, can prevent certain facial lines from forming, these treatments work by filling or softening lines that have already formed, by replacing volume that has already been lost, or by tightening skin that has already become loose.

Without question, surgery remains the most powerful tool in the battle against age-related changes to the face and neck. For lax skin of the jaw, chin and neck, surgical options focus primarily on face and neck lifting procedures. The exact type depends on many factors, including the severity of skin laxity, the amount of subcutaneous fat present and the recovery time available to the patient.

As a surgeon, I am commonly asked by my patients, “What’s new in facial plastic surgery?”

Because the science behind soft tissue fillers, injections and lasers is rapidly expanding and relatively young, new products are being introduced at a rapid pace – each claiming to have specific advantages over its predecessor. Surgical procedures, on the other hand, evolve in a more nuanced and gradual way. Entirely new procedures are rare and should be met with a healthy dose of scepticism until proven effective.

A surgeon will develop his or her technique over years, both by experience in the operating room and by the sharing of ideas with colleagues. A “traditional” procedure may seem on the surface to be outdated or old-fashioned.

Consider, however, that a procedure becomes “traditional” only after being around for a long time, which, in this field, typically means it works.

Dr. Andrew B. Denton is a board certified facial plastic surgeon and assistant clinical professor at the University of British Columbia. In practice since 2001, Dr. Denton specializes in rhinoplasty and the surgical and non-surgical treatment of the aging face, neck and brow. www.doctordenton.com

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Leila Getz:

An Overture of Agelessness

By Liberty Craig

On the brink of 70, Leila Getz has more flair for life and love of the absurd than ever. A celebrated impresario with an uncanny ability to spot musical talent in its fledgling state, Leila and her Vancouver Recital Society have spent the past 31 years impressing chamber music audiences with her impeccable taste.

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member of the Order of Canada, Leila received an Honorary Doctorate from Simon Fraser University, plus a multitude of other awards and honours that attest to her remarkable ear for the exquisite. Leila’s fearless commitment to quality is the raison d’etre of her distinguished career in Vancouver’s small but vibrant classical music community. Leila spoke with Fresh Vancouver about the irrelevance of age, her irreverence to time, and the necessity of living a life of passion.

“Sometimes when people ask me my age, I tell them I’m 84 and they say, “Wow! You look so young!” My kids have convinced me since the age of fifty that I’m old, so I’ve been old for twenty years. But I don’t give a damn! It’s how you feel.“

Leila: My first statement to you, and it’s without even a question, is life begins at 40. It’s such a cliché, but it’s true. That’s when I founded the Vancouver Recital Society. I think by age 40 you have more maturity; you know what you want to do... and you’re desperate to get it done before you hit fifty!

hear, but they trust my taste and my judgement.

There aren’t millions of people breaking down the door to come, but there are people who love great music and fabulous talent.

Fresh Vancouver (FV): What prompted you to start the Vancouver Recital Society 31 years ago?

FV: How has your vision for the VRS changed since the early years?

Leila: I had an aunt in South Africa who founded a very successful open-air Shakespearean theatre. She was a woman with a great deal of chutzpah and charm, and no corporate bent whatsoever. This was a real inspiration for me – you don’t have to have an MBA to start a theatre company. When I came to Vancouver, there were no solo recitals except big names. I wanted to introduce new international artists to Vancouver, but everybody said I was crazy and it would fail – everybody except my husband. I thought if it failed after a year I would do something else, but the first year was a huge success!

Leila: It hasn’t. On the one hand, I realize times have changed, and maybe it should change. But I believe very strongly that an arts organization should lead its public and not follow its public. I am totally committed to quality. All I ever strive for is to have people leave the hall feeling better than when they came in.

FV: In these mass-media dominated days of girl pop stars, who is your market?

Leila: Chamber music is always an older audience. The challenges today are enormous for classical music – not just in Vancouver. In New York or London you’ll find the exact same audience as ours. Over the past 30 years we’ve built an audience on trust – they don’t know the names of the musicians they’re going to

FV: You grew up in South Africa under the shadow of apartheid. How has this influenced your life and work?

Leila: I don’t think you can be a sensitive South African growing up in those worst years of apartheid without being scarred in some way. Just imagine a system where a child of five would say to a sixty-year-old woman: “Pick up my fork!” That was the mentality! It doesn’t happen anymore, but it was horrible. My childhood home was raided in the middle of the night – the police turned the house upside down without telling my father why. We surmised afterwards that my father, a dentist, had a patient who’d been arrested for a bombing,

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and my father’s name had appeared in this man’s notebook – of course because he had an appointment. I would have police watching my house if my music students happened to be black. To be with a black man if you were a white woman was against the law. How can you not be affected by those everyday things?

FV: And you knew growing up that this was wrong?

Leila: Oh, absolutely! My parents were very liberal... but still, I think if you were a white South African with any conscience at all, you had to stick your head in the sand to survive. But I still love South Africa; I miss it like anything – the smells, the beauty. It’s part of me. And I fear enormously for its future.

FV: What’s your favourite concert you’ve ever presented?

Leila: The first time we presented worldrenowned opera singer Cecilia Bartoli. I had to convince the CBC radio orchestra to collaborate with her, since Bartoli was an unknown then. I’ll never forget the first rehearsal: Cecilia came in with a bomber jacket, a pony tail and jeans. The orchestra started and she opened her mouth and let out that first note, and the conductor’s baton went flying out of his hand, and the orchestra applauded, and I just started to cry! I also presented

“I drink my protein shakes every morning and pretend they taste good. I take B-complex vitamins. I have a personal trainer twice a week and two standard poodles that make me walk every day. I know what’s good for me and my husband... in theory.”

Lang Lang when he was only 15, and of course he’s a superstar pianist now. My life has been so blessed with these kinds of experiences.

FV: Tell us your philosophy on aging...

Leila: Sometimes when people ask me my age, I tell them I’m 84 and they say, “Wow! You look so young!” My kids have convinced me since the age of fifty that I’m old, so I’ve been old for twenty years. But I don’t give a damn! It’s how you feel. If you’re lucky enough to be healthy and you can still function, that’s all there is to it. The only time I feel old is when I catch sight of myself in the mirror and see how old I really am. Otherwise, I act like a kid.

FV: What do you do to keep your skin looking so lovely?

Leila: I just put on my face what makes it feel good. A Metrin salesperson left a sample package at my office, where it sat for weeks before I decided to try it. That was two years ago, and I’ve been using it ever since. It’s absolutely phenomenal. I also use a wonderful Israeli product called Ahava.

FV: What about your diet and exercise programmes?

Leila: I drink my protein shakes every morning and pretend they taste good. I take B-complex vitamins. I have a personal trainer twice a week and two standard poodles that make me walk every day. I know what’s good for me and

my husband... in theory. We stick to brown rice and whole wheat bread, and we’re very careful day to day. But my passion is ice cream – and I fall off the wagon more than you can imagine!

When I die I want my tombstone to say: She died of Haagen Dazs!

FV: You’ve won many awards and accolades over the years, including your Honorary Doctorate from SFU and the Order of Canada. Has all this recognition sustained your drive over the years?

Leila: I’m very proud of each distinction, but I do what I do because I have a passion for it, because I’m driven and I love taking risks and discovering things. I get as many knocks as I get recognition, but you have to expect that if you’re in the public eye at all – some will love you to death and some will think you a walking disaster. When I make a mistake I celebrate it. I rush into the middle of the office and say: “Hey guys, you’ll never guess how stupid I am. You are looking at the world’s biggest idiot!” And they’ll say: “That’s not good PR!” But you have to celebrate your mistakes and hopefully learn from them. I can’t stand pretention or trying to be what you’re not.

FV: Any plans to retire?

Leila: I used to quote Warren Buffet saying that he would retire about 25 years after he died! But I will retire within the next few years.

I’d love to travel; I’d love to do cooking classes.

I’ll tell you my new dream: My favourite part of BC is the area around Osoyoos – it reminds me

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of South Africa. There’s a winery called Nk’Mip at Spirit Ridge, with an absolutely stunning cultural centre and a sculpture garden that is to die for. That is where I would like to hold chamber music concerts. I’d like to have concerts in different wineries in the Okanagan and organize trips with great wine and lovely food...

FV: When you reflect upon the trajectory of your career, what comes to mind?

Leila: My day to day life is so busy that I never have time for reflection. When I’m not at the office I feel challenged to do the things that I ought to be doing... the housework and so on. I don’t give myself time to reflect. My best ideas come to me either stuck in a traffic jam or in the shower. I’m not the kind of person who thinks about things; I’m happier to just do, just keep doing things.

FV: Is that what keeps you young?

Leila: I just don’t think about it. Sometimes I’ll catch myself acting like a twenty-two year old. Have you ever heard the expression, “mutton dressed as lamb”? That comes to mind quite often! I went off the other day to get a pair of slim pants, the kind that tuck into boots, but I looked in the mirror and thought: This is disgusting! [Laughing] I settled for the kind that are narrow but not skinny.

ask the expert Do you have a question for one of our Experts? Send an email with the subject line “Ask the Expert” to info@freshvancouver.com

Question:

I look tired and my friends always ask if I’m getting enough sleep. There are bulges around my eyes and large folds of skin in the upper eyelids. What can I do to look younger – and more awake?

Eloise McFarland, Richmond BC

Question:

I recently had my BMI measured at the doctor’s office and he says I’m not in a healthy BMI zone. My personal trainer says to ignore the doctor’s BMI results. Who’s right?

Darren Juka, Burnaby BC

Answer:

Answer: Typically an eye assessment will show fat bags in the upper and lower eyelids and hooding of skin in the upper eyelids, making one look old and tired.

There may also be lowering of the brow, which contributes to the appearance of aging. This can be treated by having an eyelid procedure where the skin, muscle, and fat are trimmed to rejuvenate the eyes. In the lower eyelid procedure, the fat is redistributed and conservatively trimmed, and a small amount of skin is removed. If a brow lift procedure is also done, the eyebrows can be repositioned appropriately. A brow lift can be performed using an endoscope to minimize scarring in the forehead. The final result is a young, rejuvenated eye.

The problem with the BMI is that it presumes ALL individuals are of an average body composition and does not account for people who have larger (or smaller) body frames or higher ratios of lean muscle to fat. To put this into perspective, I’m a 6 foot 1 inch tall male and I weigh 208 lbs.

Based on my BMI rating of 27.4, I’m in the “overweight” classification.

Meanwhile, based on a skinfold test, my body fat percentage is actually only 8.4%, which by all other health and fitness standards classifies me as having a lean, athletic build. While the BMI may be a so-so indicator for large populations, it shouldn’t be used to diagnose individuals. There are more accurate methods that can be used to assess body composition and health such as the waist to hip ratio and body composition analysis using skin-fold callipers or the non-invasive bioelectrical impedance scales. If all else fails, the pants test is a great fail safe.

Dr. Rai has been B.C. Board Certified in Plastic Surgery since 1975. He is also the past president of the Canadian Society of Plastic Surgeons and the Northwest Society of Plastic Surgeons. www.cosmeticsurgery-bc.com or 604-522-2925.

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COO and partner of Fitness Town Inc, Dai Manuel focuses on fitness solutions for residential and commercial clients and edits the Fitness Town Health & Wellness Blog and The Moose is Loose. Dai’s passion is writing and sharing best health and fitness practices, empowering people to improve their bodies and minds for longer, more enjoyable lives and continued personal growth. Contact Dai at daimanuel@fitnesstown.ca.

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Why Natural and Organic?

By Peter Lamas, Founder, Peter Lamas Products

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y mother worked as a bookkeeper in a paper mill. The offices there seemed always to be covered in a thin layer of dust from the cardboard and paper formulation. My mother often wore a mask over her nose and mouth to keep from breathing that dust. I recall reading once toward the end of her career that people who worked in such places had a higher risk of developing multiple myeloma (bone cancer) than the general population, due to the chemicals used in the manufacturing process. Shortly after she retired, my mother was diagnosed with terminal multiple myeloma.

Then there are the studies revealing that beauty salon workers like hair stylists and nail technicians have a five times greater risk of getting multiple myeloma than the general public.

Then there are the three close family friends, three sisters in their forties, each of whom was diagnosed with breast cancer within a year of one another. Their doctors advised them that the common chemical fertilizers they had regularly been exposed to growing up on a farm probably played a central role in their disease.

Then there was Jackie Kennedy Onassis, a client for whom I did hair and frequently applied hair dye. Ms. Kennedy died too young from Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, and her doctors have said publicly they believe her hair dye probably caused her cancer.

These experiences and others were epiphanies for me, and created a personal awareness of the increasingly scary reality that many common products -- including and especially health and beauty products that we apply to our hair, skin, teeth and bodies -- can have devastating consequences on our long-term health. Worse, I discovered that the U.S. federal government does not regulate beauty products, and that many of the products on the shelf at your local department store, beauty salon or supermarket contain irritating or harmful ingredients, even known carcinogens.

Peter Lamas Products: Taking a Different Approach It is with this hard-won perspective and a drive to find out all I could about health, beauty, and ingredients that I founded Peter Lamas Products. As much as I want to stay current on the latest beauty and fashion trends, I am even more motivated to keep abreast of the latest scientific issues surrounding beauty ingredients and safety.

Peter Lamas Products strive to stay ahead of the curve, using the most innovative technologies the industry has to offer. Our aim is to create high-performance products to deliver stunning results that last -- and that support a healthy life and lifestyle. Since the inception of Peter Lamas Products we have been vegan -- we have never used animal products or animal testing. Our hair care line was one of the first ever to be paraben-free and sodium lauryl

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sulphate-free. Nearly all of our skin and body care products are paraben-free, and we are almost complete in our mission to convert the few products we offer that do contain parabens, with the use of wonderful new technologies available to the beauty industry.

I place a very high priority on using nature as my ingredients, which is why you will see ingredients like rice, soy, Chinese herbs, pumpkin, wheatgrass, and avocado in our products, as well as state-of-the-art anti-aging beauty technology. I’m very proud that my hair care line has recently been improved and is now certified organic.

Peter Lamas Products offer high-performance, healthy beauty products that deliver results -- a unique blend of nature and science, free of harmful chemicals. The abiding philosophy of Peter Lamas Products is that “we are passionate about beauty, we are passionate about health, and we are passionate about you!”

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Revitalize with Wheatgrass As we age, we become more and more susceptible to the common failures of the body.

Colon cancer, high blood pressure, constipation, weight gain: these are just some of the health concerns that become more and more real to us as each year passes. The answer to these problems may come in the form of a viscous green liquid.

By Lisa Carlini

P

icture yourself in an organic juice bar looking over an endless menu while watching health-obsessed, over-energized people chug down a small shot glass of thick, dark-green liquid. Are you able to stomach the sight or does it make you run for the door?

That thick green liquid is wheatgrass juice, and it is actually something to run towards, not away from. The phenomenal healing capabilities and nutritional properties of wheatgrass make it number-one on my list, and it should be on yours as well. The high chlorophyll content in wheatgrass makes it a superfood with outstanding therapeutic and revitalizing abilities. It also contains a great variety of vitamins, minerals, trace elements, and enzymes. Just one pound of wheatgrass is nutritionally equivalent to about twenty-five pounds of the choicest vegetables!

So besides its nutrient value, what’s so great about wheatgrass? Just to start, wheatgrass has three therapeutic roles: blood purification, liver detoxification, and colon cleansing. With all the toxins our bodies are exposed to on a daily basis, whether from heavy environmental pollutants or from our less than perfect diets, our bodies are in a state of toxic overload. The majority of North Americans have both sluggish livers and colons, which can mean low energy, weight gain, and encountering serious illness in the future. Wheatgrass will purify and regenerate your liver. It will cleanse and rebuild your

Just one pound of wheatgrass is nutritionally equivalent to about twenty-five pounds of the choicest vegetables!

blood – think of it as sweeping your bloodstream of toxins and other impurities. And due to its high magnesium content, wheatgrass relieves constipation by keeping the bowels open and moving. It also aids in healing and detoxifying the colon walls, which is of utmost importance since our colons are the sewage systems of our bodies.

If that doesn’t have you convinced, think of just some of the wonderful properties wheatgrass possesses. It is a super detoxification agent that reduces high-blood pressure and relieves skin disorders such as psoriasis, eczema and acne and gives the skin a beautiful glow. It enables the brain and all body tissues to function at their very best in a highly oxygenated environment, and also gives you an energy boost. It’s great for all infections, bacteria, and can even neutralize body odours. It stimulates the immune system, promotes longevity, and nourishes the blood and cells. Wheatgrass juice can even remove heavy metals from the body and prevent the growth of cancerous cells! The

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greatest part of supplementing with wheatgrass on a regular basis is that you only need to drink a very small amount of this highly nutritious juice to reap the endless benefits.

So the next time you walk by the stalks of wheatgrass at your local market or run as quickly as possible past a juice bar, think of the enhanced health and energy you’re missing out on. Who knows, you might surprise yourself and become a wheatgrass-obsessed, overenergized person chugging it down by the shot glass!

Just one pound of wheatgrass is nutritionally equivalent to about twenty-five pounds of the choicest vegetables!

Lisa Carlini is a certified Colon Hydrotherapist, Iridologist, and Live Blood Cell Microscopist and operates out of Windsor and Toronto, ON. She specializes in diet, nutrition, and holistic healing. For any questions or for more information, please contact colonhealthcentre@gmail.com.

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Return of the Chemical Peel

By Amanda Beisel RAc

Aging is an inevitable part of life. We can’t prevent it; however, with the help of today’s anti-aging treatments, we can definitely slow it down. One way of doing this is with the chemical peel – one of the oldest cosmetic procedures in the world, dating back to ancient Greece, Rome and Egypt. Peels are inexpensive, safe and efficacious techniques that produce excellent results, require little to no downtime, and have virtually no significant complications when performed by a skilled practitioner.

• Sun damage (photo-aging) • Age spots • Melasma /pigmentation • Acne and acne scars • Rosacea • Dehydrated, dull skin • Fine lines and wrinkles • Poor skin texture • Uneven skin tone

Unwrapping the New “Infusion Peel”

oday, peels seem to have taken a back-seat to more popular treatments such as injectables and light-based technologies like lasers and IPL. Though there is no denying the great results these modern-day treatments offer, we should be careful not to brush aside the incredible results that have been achieved with chemical peels.

A newer kind of peel to hit the cosmetic beauty market is called the “infusion peel.” Infusion peels utilize the latest science and technology in skincare, combining vitamins, herbs, enzymes and botanicals to heal, strengthen, protect and rejuvenate the skin. While we work toward living a healthy lifestyle by feeding our internal body with vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, our skin needs nurturing as well. This new breed of infusion peel works to not only exfoliate but simultaneously feed the skin with much-needed vitamins, minerals, enzymes and antioxidants. Two major causes of aging skin are inflammation and decreased blood circulation. Infusion peels are capable of both reducing inflammation of the skin and improving blood flow.

As consumers, we are often misled when it comes to skincare. One important factor that every consumer should know is that for ingredients to enter the skin and reach the dermis, they need what is called a delivery system; otherwise, the products will have little to no effect. Infusion peels contain an advanced delivery system so these powerful substances are able to penetrate deep into the dermis where aging occurs.

The Efficacious Chemical Peel

A Closer Look at Popular Peels

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Acid peels were the pioneers of the chemical peel revolution. From hydrating lactic peels, to acne-fighting salicylic peels, all the way to the age-fighting glycolic, Jessner, and TCA peels, the chemical peel has been helping people achieve great skin for many years. Chemical peels range from the very mild, which require no downtime, to deeper, more intensive peels which can require a few days’ recovery time.

Peels are not just for the face. They can be used on the neck, chest, back, arms, hands, and more. Any area of the skin you wish to rejuvenate or improve can likely be aided by a peel. Chemical peels are most effective for the following skin problems:

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Aside from the new infusion peel, there are a number of popular peels available that you may have heard of. Let’s take a closer look at each one.

AHA Peels: The family of AHA peels are the mildest peels available and are derived from fruit acids. There are five main fruit acids: citric acids (citrus-derived), glycolic (derived from sugar cane), lactic acid (although derived from milk, this is still considered a “fruit acid”), malic (derived from apples) and tartaric (derived from grapes). Lactic acid is a natural constituent of your skin and will leave your skin hydrated and supple. It is a non-irritating rapid exfoliator and is best suited to those who prefer a gentle peel. It removes the outer layer of damaged or thickened skin to

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reveal a healthier and smoother complexion. It speeds up cell turnover, reduces acne outbreaks, and gradually lightens pigmentation. This peel is excellent for dehydrated, sensitive skin that needs a boost. A lactic peel is a great introductory peel.

BHA Peels: BHAs are simple organic fruit acids that can be natural or synthesized. These acids include the salicylic acid peel, which is an anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, sebum regulator, perfect for oily skin, acne, congestion, blackheads, rosacea and melasma.

AHA-BHA Combination Peels: When you have skin issues that go beyond what an AHA and BHA alone can treat, you may need to have a Jessner peel. A Jessner peel is a medium-depth peel that combines salicylic acid, lactic acid and resorcinol. It results in deeper penetration and greater exfoliation of the outer layers of skin cells and is great for mild to severe acne, discoloration, moderate wrinkling, and sun damage. Peeling the face, neck, hands, and upper chest is also quite effective. This deeper exfoliation produces noticeable flaking and exfoliation in the three to seven days following the peel, depending on the percentage used. A week later you will notice smoother, healthier skin with improved barrier function.

Vitamin A Infusion Peels: The vitamin A infusion peel uses the most potent and least irritating form of vitamin A on the market, called retinaldehyde. This peel infuses the skin with powerful antioxidants, nourishing vitamins, and damage-reversing retinaldehyde.

Made entirely of organic ingredients, it treats such conditions as acne, scarring, sun damage, aging, loss of elasticity, fine to deep lines, and hyperpigmentation. Many clients experience very mild skin flaking over the course of the week following treatment, but there is no fear of downtime or sun sensitivity because this peel feeds the skin and doesn’t wound it. The peel is gentle, but the results are significant!

Herbal Infusion Peels: Herbal infusion peels combine Chinese herbal medicine such as ginseng, burdock root, goji, angelica, mulberry park and many other eastern herbs with a UGL complex. This treatment can be performed on both facial and non-facial areas including the neck, chest, hands, back, arms and legs, or anywhere that skin has been damaged.

A Word of Caution

If you are looking for a cost effective, minimally invasive anti-aging treatment, peels may be the perfect option for you. However, it is crucial that you find a skilled practitioner to administer both the chemical peels and the infusion peels. To determine if you are a candidate for a peel, it is important to have a thorough consultation prior to any treatment to discuss your health and medical history as well as your goals and expectations.

Amanda Beisel R.Ac, is the owner of SKN Holistic Rejuvenation Clinic in Yaletown. SKN is the only Clinic in Vancouver that combines the powers of Eastern medicine, advanced medical esthetics, and cosmeceutical science. This unique concept allows the SKN team to improve the look and health of both the skin and internal health so results are holistic and long-term. Amanda, along with fellow SKN team member Amy Chalmers, is currently researching and developing internal anti-aging and skin health programs as well as developing a cosmeceutical line. She is currently the only Vancouver acupuncturist specializing solely in cosmetic acupuncture. www.sknclinic.ca or 604.568.6333

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A New Lease On Life

By Liberty Craig

At age 48, Shannon Keenan was beginning to feel the effects of the past decade, reflected most acutely in her face. We all struggle against the gravitational pull of physical aging at this time in our lives, but for Shannon, it had been a difficult decade indeed. Eight years ago, Shannon gave birth to a little boy with special needs who required close attention and constant care. Motherhood can be tough; mothering a special needs child can be even tougher. Shannon quickly began to understand what it means to be a mother, to put your child’s needs and desires before you own.Three years later, when she was eight months pregnant with her second child, Shannon learned that she had breast cancer.

And thus began a whirlwind of overwhelming activity.

S

hannon was induced two weeks before her due date so she could receive cancer treatment. A few days after the birth of her healthy little girl, Shannon had a lumpectomy. Then she underwent chemotherapy. Then radiation. Any woman who is a mother or is close to someone with children can empathize with this extremely difficult situation: a newborn baby, a special needs child, and the trauma of ongoing breast cancer treatment, all at the same time. Any one of these is difficult enough on its own; the convergence of events in Shannon’s life is nothing short of unimaginable.

“It all happened so fast,” said Shannon from her home in South Surrey. “I had no time to think, which was probably for the best. I just sort of went into survival mode.”

Fast-forward to today. November 2010 marks Shannon’s five-year milestone in her cancer remission, the time at which a cancer patient is generally considered cancerfree. Her children are now aged eight and five. And now, finally, Shannon can begin to think about herself just a little.

A Fresh Start for Shannon

When Fresh Vancouver approached Shannon about the possibility of doing a makeover, she was elated. “I had aged rapidly in the past few years,” she said. “It takes its toll to look after everyone else’s needs first. I looked tired and angry – even when I wasn’t! I just wanted the way I looked on the outside to match how I feel on the inside, which is happy!”

Shannon’s makeover journey took her to the Delta Skin and Laser Care Centre, where Dr. Marcia Fleming assessed Shannon’s skin tone and problem areas, and created a course of treatment for her. “I felt nervous when I first went to Delta Skin and Laser,” remarked Shannon. “I worried they would consider me the worst-case scenario. But everyone was wonderful – the entire experience was absolutely amazing.”

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Shannon felt uncomfortable with a number of problem areas that she was forever hiding or covering up. These included dark sunspots on her face that she religiously slathered with concealer before leaving the house each day, and creases in her earlobes that she covered by wearing earrings everywhere she went. She was also self-conscious about the lines around her mouth, and particularly the frown line between her eyes that she felt made her look angry. Dr. Fleming felt that Shannon’s concerns were typical of a woman her age, though the dark spots on her face were indicative of extensive sun damage. But she felt that Shannon had good skin tone, with excellent subcutaneous tissue. Her skin hadn’t “deflated” or become creped, and Dr. Fleming knew it would respond well to treatment.

Treating Shannon to a Variety of Treatments

Dr. Fleming started Shannon on a course of treatment that began with the Skin TX Hyperpigmentation Program, created by Vivier Pharma. This at-home remedy is a fivestep skincare program that must be applied twice daily.

The combination of alpha hydroxy acid, vitamin C, vitamin A and hydroquinone in the lotion works to decrease pigmentation, which facilitates greater effectiveness of the IPL treatments that Shannon would also receive. Said Shannon of the Skin TX Program: “My skin looked better right away. I had more even skin tone and it literally made my skin radiate!”

The next step in Shannon’s facial makeover was the Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) treatment, also known as a photo facial. IPL uses light energy to target the epidermis, or outer layers of the skin. The treatment is particularly effective for removing dark hyperpigmentation spots like Shannon’s.

Dr. Fleming usually recommends four to five treatments for sun damage of this calibre, though in Shannon’s case only two were completed during the course of her makeover. The IPL treatment literally lifts the dark pigmentation to the surface of the skin, where it takes on a coffee-grind appearance and is darker and more uneven than before. It

Facial treatments by Delta laser & skin care centre www.Deltalaser.ca Photo by erich saiDe www.erichsaiDe.com makeuP by arrow tyas www.arrowmakeuP.com hair by michelle camPbell @ aru sPa www.arusPa.com clothing by crowns & Jewels www.crownsanDJewels.com clothing stylist Jen hall vixenmakeuPanDhair@hotmail.com

“I really think I look ten years younger! I’m 48, but I feel like I’m in my thirties again!” can be removed with a 30-minute microdermabrasion (as was done with Shannon) or will eventually exfoliate naturally. Each treatment has an immediate, noticeable effect, and the cumulative effects can be outstanding.

Dr. Fleming continued Shannon’s makeover with two Titan treatments spaced four weeks apart. Titan is an infrared light with a longer wavelength than IPL. The long wavelength targets the dermis, the deeper layer of skin, to stimulate collagen production and lift the skin.

Titan is an effective method of bringing back that youthful look to the skin; it is also the best preventative procedure for aging skin, according to Dr. Fleming. “The great thing about Titan,” said Dr. Fleming, “is that we can fool the body into stimulating collagen without traumatizing the skin.” While results are noticeable immediately, the best results are apparent six months after treatment. Next step: Botox. With great attention to subtlety, Dr. Fleming applied

Botox to Shannon’s frown lines, crow’s feet, and upper lip. She also used it to soften Shannon’s depressor muscles in the lower face, which are responsible for the unintentional “sad face” appearance. “We just wanted to make her look more rested and happier,” said Dr. Fleming.

“Nothing unnatural or too ‘frozen’ – people should never be able to tell you’ve had Botox; they should only notice that you look better.”

On the same day as the Botox treatment, Shannon also received three tubes of Juvederm filler.

Her cheeks were plumped, her “marionette” lines that create the down-turned mouth were softened, her nasal-labial folds were decreased, and her lips were touched up just a little, since lips naturally deflate as we age. The most unusual treatment was the tiny bit of Juvederm that Dr. Fleming injected into each of Shannon’s earlobes. “I had always felt self-conscious about the creases in my earlobes,” said Shannon, “and now all of a sudden they’re gone!”

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The Final Result

Dr. Fleming is very pleased with the results of Shannon’s makeover facial procedures. And Shannon? “I’ve never done anything like this.

I feel like a million bucks!” Shannon says she feels prettier, younger, and more inclined to take care of herself now that she sees how good she can look. After years of putting everybody else’s needs before her own, battling cancer while raising her children and handling the demands of her special needs son, Shannon can begin to think about herself again; feel good about herself once more. “It was like going for a manicure and pedicure, times a hundred,” she says. “I couldn’t have asked for a better experience, and I’m so thankful to everyone who participatedd.”

And the best part: “I really think I look ten years younger!” exclaims Shannon. “I’m 48, but I feel like I’m in my thirties again!”

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Revisiting Dentistry

By Dr. Kelvin Mah

Modern Dentistry in Action

Of course, all of these advancements, innovations and considerations would, ultimately, be meaningless if it didn’t all combine to make a lasting, tangible difference in the lives of patients. Patients like Jessica. Jessica has been working with me as a dental hygienist for the last two and half years. This past summer, she told me that there was something “missing” from her smile – but she wasn’t sure what.

I carefully listened to Jessica so that I could personally understand her goals and aspirations. I didn’t burden her with worrying about how we could achieve her vision – that wasn’t the priority. What mattered during our initial conversations was what she wanted to experience. Jessica and I developed a vision of what she wanted to achieve. She wanted to radiate. She wanted to feel the power that only a broad, unabashed, totally authentic smile can give – and inspire in others.

Nourishing Inner Beauty

Dr. Kelvin Mah

I

n the same way that today’s computers do so much more than merely compute data, modern dentistry is anything but the ordinary “get your teeth cleaned and maybe some repair work” experience that you may remember as a kid. The truth is, modern dentistry is now about transforming lives. It’s about enabling people to live life happier, healthier and more fulfilled.

It’s no longer about diagnosing a problem and supplying a service. It’s about partnering with patients to deeply and personally understand their lifestyle goals and aspirations, and building a customized treatment plan that brings to them all of the rich and rewarding possibilities that modern dentistry can provide. Plus, compared to the old days, modern dentistry is quicker, much more comfortable, safer and adheres to unprecedented quality standards that put patient safety first.

And if all of that weren’t enough to invite you to revisit your definition of dentistry, then simply stop by a modern dental practice – but don’t be shocked if you step out to ensure that you’ve entered the right place! In my City Square Shopping Centre practice, for example, you’ll find comfortable chairs, a stylishly decorated atmosphere to promote a sense of calm, complimentary beverages, an incredibly friendly and warm staff, and other delightful elements that’ll have you saying: “Toto, we’re not in an old-fashioned dentist’s office anymore!”

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Now, based only on what I’ve told you so far, you might start to think that Jessica is vain, and her goal here was to alter her natural appearance to please others, or become someone she isn’t. Let me prevent you from drawing that false conclusion. Jessica, like almost all of my patients, was (and is) not overly concerned with how she looks to others, no more than you or me. Her motive wasn’t to change who she was. Rather, it was simply to experience something that would delight how she felt inside.

Would this also have a positive effect on her appearance, and in turn, how she would be perceived by others? Yes, that can’t be denied. But, again, that wasn’t Jessica’s motive; nor is it the motive of most of the patients I help. Fundamentally and frankly, the goal is almost always the same – to help patients realize the outer smile to match their inner smile.

Building the Solution

Now that we knew what Jessica wanted to experience, my job was to introduce her to an array of possibilities that could make it happen. Quite honestly, next to the joy in my patients’ faces when they first look in the mirror after their results, the process of showing them all of the possibilities that modern dentistry can provide is my greatest pleasure. Jessica loved looking at her “smile makeover” possibilities on the 40-inch monitor. She could literally see how her smile would look after possible dental solutions. After introducing various possibilities, looking at expected results, and discussing benefits, limitations, and other key details associated with each option, we agreed that the best solution for Jessica was dental veneers: super-thin, custom-made shells of porcelain tooth-colored material that cover the front of the teeth. Indeed, these are not the veneers of old.

The new materials are stunningly realistic; they feel and look like natural teeth and not like fake, “perfect” teeth. Veneers dramatically improve tooth color, shape, size and length, and are one of the quickest ways to transform and enhance a smile and take it to that next level.

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Above right, top and bottom: Jessica before

The Results

Jessica’s permanent veneers were placed in September, and I still remember the look on her face when she saw them in the mirror for the first time – it was surprise, amazement and joy all mixed together! Indeed, as a dental hygienist, she had seen numerous patients benefit from transformative dental solutions.

But experiencing it directly is something else, and it was a wonderful scene that neither Jessica nor I will ever forget.

Indeed, as you can see from the pictures accompanying this story, Jessica is living proof that modern dentistry is rich with possibilities not just for enhancing smiles, but also for improving lives inside and out. It’s also a testament to how a skilled dentist can elevate the craft of dentistry to an art form by incorporating a deep awareness of a patient’s unique personality and expressiveness, and combining that with in-depth clinical and technical excellence. Thank you Jessica, for helping me fulfil my mission as a professional and a person, which is and always will be: Enriching Lives, One Smile at a Time!

Dr. Kelvin Mah’s relaxing, stylish and ultra-modern practice, Smile City Square Dental, is located inside Vancouver’s City Square Shopping Centre. Dr. Mah and his warm and inviting team provide a variety of patient-first dental solutions, including general dentistry, smile makeovers, restorative dentistry, and oral heal procedures. Dr. Mah is a graduate of UBC’s prestigious Dental School, and is a member of the exclusive, invitation-only California Center for Advanced Dental Studies – a post graduate education program that creates today’s and tomorrow’s elite-level dental professionals. www.smilecitysquare.com, drk@smilecitysquare.com

Jessica reflects on that amazing moment when she first saw her new smile City square dental smile: “It was completely amazing – I couldn’t believe the results.

It wasn’t that I hated my smile before – I didn’t. But there was always ‘something missing’ from my smile. I couldn’t put my finger on it. I just knew that it wasn’t all that it could be.

But that all changed with Dr. Mah. The results exceeded my wildest dreams, and today the only regret I have is wondering why I waited so long to make this change. I notice a dramatic, positive change in my life, and the people around me can feel it too. Funny, but many people don’t even know that I’ve transformed my smile – they just say that there’s something ‘special’ and ‘inspiring’ about me, but they can’t quite put their finger on it (of course, after they read this article, the secret will be out!). Really though, the improvement is not just about looks. It’s about self-esteem and confidence. It’s about adding that ‘something missing’ and experiencing a whole new side of myself. Thank you Dr. Mah. Every smile of mine from now on has your signature on it!“

Holiday Makeup: The Modern Smoky Eye

By Julie Brown

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o sooner have we put away our Halloween costumes and ghoulish makeup for another year than the holiday season is upon us. Holiday parties and LBDs abound, so how can you make yourself stand out above the rest? With beautiful, flawless and extraordinary makeup, that’s how!

The smoky eye has been a mainstay for a few years now, having become so popular that we’re including the more subtle “day smoky eye” now, so we can wear it day and night! A modern approach to the traditional smoky eye look is creating more balance between the eye makeup and the lips. It was formerly suggested that with such a strong look on the eyes, the lips should remain pale or nude in colour. Today, we can embrace bright, bold lips paired with the intensity of this eye makeup, and what better time to do this than this year’s holiday party!

The Perfect Smoky Eye

One thing remains the same with this makeup technique as with any other: the rest of the face should be a well-blended, flawless base of foundation and concealer where needed. In particular, with darker pigmented colour on the eyes, a good concealer under the eye is essential to keep it looking bright. Halloween is over, after all! Two concealers I recommend are Dior Nude Skin Perfecting Hydrating Concealer, and Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage.

There are many variations on the smoky eye; this is how I prefer to do mine. First, use a waterproof cream base eye shadow in a neutral shade all over the eyelid to help keep the eye makeup in place and to avoid creasing. I recommend Benefit Creaseless Shadow Liner or Bobby Brown Long-Wear Cream Shadow.

Next, add the eye liner. Remember that with the smoky eye, you want the darkest area to be right at the lash line, fading outwards with the lighter shades. Line the upper lash line and lower lash line with a pencil liner in a dark colour such as brown, gray or black. My favourites for this are

In particular, with darker pigmented colour on the eyes, a good concealer under the eye is essential to keep it looking bright. Halloween is over, after all!

Clinique Quickliner For Eyes #11 black/brown, and for a more intense look, MAC Eye Pencil in Smoulder. Blend this out slightly with your finger or a brush such as MAC #214. For a more dramatic look, you can also add eye liner to the inside of the lower lash line, called the water line.

Next, apply eye shadow. Use a palette of two or three varying hues in plum, brown, gray, or black. To the same upper and lower lash lines, add the darkest shadow in your palette. This is to intensify the liner, and help keep it in place.

You can place the shadow on the eyelid straight across and up to the crease, or for a more modern look, only 3/4 of the way across the eyelid, leaving the inner corners of the eyes lighter as in the included photo. Use a small, flat, compact brush such as MAC #239. Next, take the next lightest shade of shadow and apply it in the crease area, blending slightly around the eye socket to connect with the lower lash line shadow. Use a crease pencil brush and blending brush such as MAC #219 and #224. For a bit of extra highlight, add a light, neutral eye shadow (matte or shimmer) to the upper eye lid just below the eyebrow and in the inner corners of the eyes. Wonderful eye shadow palettes for creating the smoky eye are the Dior 5 Couleurs. With this look, two things are very important: the brushes you use, and the blending of the eye shadows. Blend efficiently to remove any hard edges, so the transition of the dark eye shadow appears fused into the lighter eye shadows.

To complete the eyes, finish off with two coats of mascara. The eye shadows and eye liner

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create a “smoked out” look around the eyes, and the lashes, without a healthy amount of mascara applied to them, tend to look too understated. Mascara will help bring the lashes to level of intensity suited to the eye makeup. Two wonderful mascaras to try are Dior Diorshow, and Lancome Hypnose.

Lips and Cheeks

You can follow the traditional smoky eye rule of keeping the other components of your makeup light when paired with the heavier eye, or try a little more colour. Add a lipstick ranging from plumy pink to red. A few beautiful shades to try are Dior Dior Addict #773, #323, Lancome L’Absolu Rouge, MAC Lipglass Li’ Hot Pepper and Russian Red. Apply a natural looking blush and keep it looking youthful by applying it to the apples of the cheeks rather than going into the contours of the cheeks. Enjoy this beautiful, captivating makeup that will be sure to get you noticed!

Julie Brown has parlayed her lifelong love of makeup into a career that spans from bridal makeup and runway fashion show to makeup for TV and film. An honours graduate from the renowned makeup school Blanche Macdonald, Julie loves to help women bring out their true beauty potential. She loves sharing tips and techniques with women and testing products to share what works and what products to avoid. It is this combination of inventiveness and skill that she hopes will set her apart from her contemporaries. Get her free monthly newsletter at: www.letsfaceitbeauty.ca

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Signature Treatments Marine Mud Massage at Kingfisher Oceanside Resort & Spa

Embrace the warm, bubbly sensation as you ease into our detoxifying marine mud in preparation for this ultra-relaxing massage, targeting the back, neck, shoulders, face and scalp. Kingfisher Oceanside Resort & Spa also offers gift cards and gift certificates – the perfect holiday gift!

Contact www.kingfisherspa.com or 1-800-663-7929.

Allow 1 hour - $120

Don’t know how to be more green? Start with your salon.

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Professional services with responsible products = guilt free indulgence.

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Traditional Thai Massage for Couples - Smile Thai Massage

A Massage that includes a full-body treatment that is both stimulating as well as relaxing, releases blocked energy and increases awareness and vitality. Gentle stretching of the joints and muscles relieves tension, enhances flexibility, and induces a deep state of tranquility. You both will feel completely revived and restored, experiencing relaxation throughout the body and tranquility of the mind and spirit. 90min/120min $220/ $290 for 2. smilethaimassage.com or call 604.630.3808.

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To purchase [comfort zone] products, visit www.stogryn.ca to find a spa location near you.

Ready, Get Set, Get Wet: The Effects of Dehydration

By Sherina Jamal

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he skin usually contains up to 20 percent water, but dehydrated skin can drop below 10 percent. Many people have dehydrated skin but just assume their skin is dry. Dehydration is the result of a significant loss of body fluid. Dry skin, on the other hand, is primarily caused from low levels of sebum (oil).

Dehydration of the skin can lead to significant signs of premature aging and if not treated, can cause more serious conditions both internally and externally. In order to counteract the effects of this condition, one must be aware of how the skin can become dehydrated and how to restore essential skin balance. Dehydrated skin can appear flaky, red, scaly and rough and is easily prone to wrinkles. This condition can occur for several reasons, all of which cause an imbalance in the skin’s pH, reduction in the skin’s ability to retain moisture, and reduction in functionality of the skin’s protective barrier. When dehydrated skin loses its ability to retain moisture it affects the flow of fluids and nutrients within the cells in the inner layers of the skin. Eventually, if not treated, these cells can become damaged.

There are a few key factors to note that can lead to dehydration of the skin, including ongoing exposure to harsh environmental factors like cold, wind, dry heat, sun, and pollutants. Chemicals from cleaning products and even synthetic-based skincare products can also dehydrate the skin, as can using the wrong skincare products for your skin type.

Stress, lack of sleep, smoking, poor nutrition, illness, and ongoing use of certain medications will also contribute to skin dehydration. Plus, of course, your skin will dehydrate if you do not drink enough water. And lastly, your age plays a major role in how well hydrated your skin can be.

All of these factors affect the chemistry of the skin and play a direct role in moisture loss, making the skin look old before its time. However, there are steps you can take to help rehydrate and replenish your skin and body.

Spa Therapies to Address Dehydrated Skin

Spa treatments can be a great way to target your dry and dehydrated skin this season. Treatments that provide anti-aging benefits for face and body can also offer benefits to address topical skin care concerns that can occur from internal dehydration. There are a variety of beneficial therapies to choose from.

Customized spa facial: Many spas offer a customized facial that can be designed to address your specific skin type and skincare concerns. This comes with a brief consultation and utilizes products that can help repair and re-balance your skin. Talk to your spa professional to determine if they have a specific facial that will offer solutions to target dry and dehydrated skin. Maintain the results of your spa facial at home by incorporating a quality anti-aging serum, enriching moisturizer, and dehydration mask into your weekly skincare regimen.

Spa body wrap: A spa body wrap can be very effective in addressing uneven skin tone and texture, moisture levels and dry flaky skin that can be symptoms of dehydration. Spa body wraps are generally left on the body for at least 20 to 30 minutes while you are wrapped with coverings that can seal in body heat. This process helps active ingredients penetrate further and provides essential nutrients to promote skin nourishment and rehydration.

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Massage: To combat dehydrated skin, massage can be very effective. However, it is essential to use the right products. Massage using a combination of pure therapeutic-grade plant oils and essential oil based products can help restore moisture to the surface of the skin and provide nourishment during the winter months when the skin is exposed to cold and wind. Massage can be very helpful in healing rough, flaky and chapped skin.

Many products on the market are created with a high percentage of water. Using a product on the skin that has been created with a high percentage of water is not effective for dry or dehydrated skin. Rather than penetrating the skin, the water just evaporates, leaving skin feeling even more imbalanced. Using products that have the ability to replenish the outer layers of the skin while also working internally to add and hold moisture will ensure proper treatment for dehydration.

Active Ingredients for Dry and Dehydrated Skin

There are certain active ingredients to look for when selecting products for use on skin that has become damaged due to dehydration.

Vitamin C: When skin is dehydrated, its ability to protect itself from damage is affected. Vitamin C is a powerful anti-oxidant that can help repair the skin from damage caused by free radicals. Vitamin C also helps remove accumulated dead and damaged skin cells and improve skin’s overall texture. Use products that contain a good quality, stable vitamin C such as magnesium ascorbyl phosphate for maximum benefits.

Vitamin E: A natural moisturizing ingredient and anti-oxidant, vitamin E also helps restore moisture, thereby improving the skin’s barrier protection.

Natural Enzymes: Natural enzymes such as papaya work to gently “peel” away dry and dead skin cells from the surface to make way for new, healthier cells to grow that can better protect the skin.

Hyaluronic Acid: Known for its ability to provide the skin with needed moisture, hyaluronic acid is known as a powerful tool in improving and maintaining skin hydration and overall cellular function. In an article written by Bill Sardi, “HA, How to Live 100 Years Without Growing Old,” the author describes hyaluronic acid as a natural molecule that stops or even reverses aging.

He also notes that hyaluronic acid holds water in the body and acts as a lubricant, helping to erase facial aging lines and wrinkles.

Fresh Seaweed: Seaweed is an amazing ingredient for skincare. Each seaweed species contains its own range of active ingredients; but they all contain essential vitamins, minerals, and trace elements that can help restore the skin’s natural balance and replenish dehydrated skin.

Other ingredients that help prevent dehydration and renew the skin include 100 percent pure essential oils, natural carrier oils (apricot kernel, almond, grapeseed, sesame, and jojoba), certain muds and clays, and plant or herbal extracts like green tea.

Avoid products created with a high percentage of synthetic ingredients as they can be irritating and drying to the skin. Along with proper external care, internal care for dehydrated skin such as drinking enough water, juicing using fresh organic vegetables and fruits, and proper nutrition should be an integral part of daily life. Incorporate supplements like essential fatty

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acids to help replenish your skin from the inside out by providing additional lubrication.

Home Skincare Tips

Follow these home skincare tips to keep your skin young, healthy, and hydrated.

• Avoid the use of face and body soaps or cleansers created with harsh chemical detergents like sodium laurel sulfates.

• Exfoliate only once or twice per week if your skin is dehydrated and prone to irritation.

• Avoid long-term exposure to air conditioning or heaters.

• Ensure that you replenish your skin with adequate fluids, especially after exercising.

• Select products created without harsh synthetics, that contain some of the active ingredients listed.

• Incorporate a daily concentrated facial serum

designed to address very dry and dehydrated skin.

• Incorporate foods that contain a high amount of water and nutrients like fruits and vegetables into your daily nutrition.

Certain supplements can also be beneficial including an essential fatty acid daily, which can help by providing additional lubrication to the body.

Sherina Jamal is the Founder of Ancient Secrets Inc. and developer of the Beauty Through Balance spa line.

Sherina is an established educator in the spa industry and has written many articles over the years for popular health, beauty, and spa magazines. To reach Sherina directly for any questions or advice please email info@ancientsecrets.ca or visit her web site: www.beautythroughbalance.ca.

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New Holiday Recipes with

California Walnuts

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alifornia walnuts are often thought of as the classic counterpart for holiday baked goods but there are countless ways to creatively incorporate them into sweet and savoury meals. The new holiday recipes below demonstrate how walnuts can easily add an array of appetizing flavour and visual appeal to a wide range of festive dishes.

From hosting a fabulous fête and serving succulent oysters, savoury pâté and rich pots de crème to celebrating the new Harry Potter movie with crunchy golden puff-pastry wands, these recipes are sure to add some magic and homemade holiday cheer this season.

Walnut/Panko Mixture: Combine panko, walnuts and parmesan in a small bowl; set aside.

In a small frying pan, heat butter over medium-low heat. Add garlic and sauté. Spoon out 2 tbsp (30 mL) and stir into the walnut/panko mixture.

Add shallot, spinach and anise liqueur to frying pan and sauté on high heat until spinach is wilted, about 3 minutes; remove and let cool slightly.

On a rimmed baking sheet, space oysters evenly. Top with 3 to 4 spinach leaves, a few drops of red pepper sauce and 2 tsp (10 mL) walnut/panko mixture. Bake for 7 to 10 minutes or until light golden brown. Serve immediately with lemon wedges on a bed of rock salt. Makes 6 servings.

PER SERVING: about 197 cal, 8 g pro, 14 g fat (7 g sat. fat), 9 g carb, 1 g fibre, 47 mg chol, 296 mg sodium. %RDI: 12% calcium, 16% iron, 12% vit A, 8% vit C.

Stilton, Port and Walnut Pâté

Poached pears combined with creamy stilton cheese create a flavourful, mouth-watering addition to your holiday buffet.

Oysters Rockefeller

Celebrate this holiday season in style with a unique take on a classic appetizer. These savoury oysters feature California walnuts and sambuca liqueur.

1/4 cup panko (Japanese breadcrumbs) 1/4 cup California walnut pieces, toasted 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese 4 tbsp butter 2 cloves garlic, minced 1 shallot, minced 2 cups spinach 2 tbsp sambuca or anise liqueur 24 oysters, shucked red pepper sauce lemon rock salt (optional)

1 small pear (firm but ripe), diced 1/3 cup port 1/3 cup water 1 tbsp sugar 1/3 cup crumbled stilton 2 tbsp cream cheese, softened 1 tbsp butter, softened 2 tsp minced parsley 2 tbsp lemon juice 1/3 cup toasted & chopped California walnuts

1 75 mL 75 mL 15 mL 75 mL 30 mL 15 mL 10 mL 30 mL 75 mL

Toasting walnuts: In large, dry skillet over medium-high heat, toast walnuts, stirring occasionally, until lightly brown, about 1 to 2 minutes.

50 mL 50 mL 125 mL 60 mL 2 1 500 mL 30 mL 24

Poached pear: Heat a small heavy bottomed frying pan over mediumhigh heat. Add pear, port, water and sugar. Bring to a simmer and reduce heat to medium to soften pear, about 10 minutes. Increase to high heat to reduce juices to a syrup, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool.

Stilton/walnut mix: In a small bowl, add stilton, cream cheese, butter, parsley and lemon juice and mix until well combined. Add walnuts.

Toasting walnuts: In large, dry skillet over medium-high heat, toast walnuts, stirring occasionally, until lightly brown, about 1 to 2 minutes.

Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).

Line a 1 cup (250 mL) ramekin or custard cup with plastic wrap and fill with half of the stilton/walnut mix. Then layer with half of the poached diced pear. Repeat steps with remaining stilton/walnut mix and poached pear. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least an hour before serving. Remove plastic wrap; slice pâté into wedges and serve.

Tips: Pâté can be prepared a day ahead and stored in the refrigerator.

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With a sharp knife, cut sheet of puff pastry into 4 equal squares. Spread walnut mixture evenly among 3 of the squares, then stack, placing the clean pastry square on top.

To Assemble Wands: Step 1: Cut two 1/4-inch (5-mm) thin strips from the pastry stack.

Step 2: Take one strip and twist into a spiral towards the right. Repeat with second strip.

Step 3: Lay both twisted strips side-by-side and pinch one end together. Take the right twisted strip and cross over the left one. Keep crossing the two twisted strips until completely spiralled together. Pinch the ends together to form a tip.

Repeat steps 1 to 3 until pastry is finished.

Serve with crackers, fresh baguette, grapes and/or as part of a cheese tray. PER SERVING (about 2 tbsp or 1/8th pâté): about 109 cal, 2 g pro, 7 g fat (3 g sat. fat), 7 g carb, 1 g fibre, 12 mg chol, 101 mg sodium. %RDI: 3% calcium, 2% iron, 2% vit A, 5% vit C.

Bake for 20 minutes and let cool. Serve warm or at room temperature, with fresh whipped cream and berries, if desired.

Walnut Pots de Crème

PER SERVING: about 572 cal, 7 g pro, 48 g fat (23 g sat. fat), 30 g carb, 2 g fibre, 307 mg chol, 38 mg sodium. %RDI: 8% calcium, 13% iron, 39% vit A, 0% vit C.

With a hint of orange liqueur and nutty flavour, these creamy, rich pots de crème are the perfect end to a special dinner.

1 cup toasted, ground California walnuts 2 cups whipping cream 4 oz dark chocolate, chopped 3 tbsp orange liqueur 6 egg yolks 5 tbsp sugar

250 mL 500 mL 125 g 45 mL 6 75 mL

Toasting walnuts: In large, dry skillet over medium-high heat, toast walnuts, stirring occasionally, until lightly brown, about 1 to 2 minutes.

Preheat oven to 325°F (160°C).

In a small sauce pan over medium-high heat, combine walnuts, cream, chocolate and orange liqueur. Stirring frequently, heat until all the chocolate has melted and the mixture is near boiling, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.

In a large bowl, combine egg yolks and sugar and whisk until just combined, about 1 to 2 minutes. Slowly add the hot cream while whisking to prevent curdling. Whisk until combined.

Pour mixture into six 3/4 cup (175 mL) ramekins, soufflé or custard cups and place into a baking dish. Add hot water to baking dish until it reaches halfway up the outside of ramekins.

Tip: Pots de crème can be made one day ahead and stored in the fridge; bring to room temperature before serving.

Walnut Wands

With hints of crunchy walnuts, parmesan and olives, these wands taste magical and are sure to be enjoyed by sorcerers and humans alike.

1/2 cup California walnuts, toasted 125 mL 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese 125 mL 1/3 cup dried figs, diced (about 4) 75 mL 6 Kalamata olives, pitted and sliced 6 2 tsp capers 10 mL 2 tsp balsamic vinegar 10 mL 1-1/2 tsp fresh thyme 7 mL 1/2 tsp each salt and pepper 2 mL 1/4 cup water 50 mL 1 10 x 10-inch (25 x 25-cm) sheet of puff pastry, thawed 1 Toasting walnuts: In large, dry skillet over medium-high heat, toast walnuts, stirring occasionally, until lightly brown, about 1 to 2 minutes.

Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).

Walnut mixture: In a food processor, combine walnuts, parmesan, figs, olives, capers, vinegar, thyme, salt and pepper, water and blend to a paste. Set aside.

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Lay wands on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until golden brown. Let cool and serve. Makes 15 to 18 servings.

Tip: The unbaked wands/pastry can prepared in advance and stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The baked wands will keep in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Refresh in a 375°F (190°C) oven for 5 minutes before serving, if desired.

PER SERVING (1 wand): about 129 cal, 3 g pro, 9 g fat (2 g sat. fat), 9 g carb, 1 g fibre, 3 mg chol, 207 mg sodium. %RDI: 4% calcium, 4% iron, 0% vit A, 0% vit C.

The Changing Face of Skincare:

Cosmeceuticals

By Amy Chalmers

S

kincare is one of the fastest growing industries in the world. With more than a million choices on the shelves of spas, clinics, and drug stores, consumers and practitioners alike are often overwhelmed and confused. Some are searching for natural, organic products, while others are simply looking for results, unencumbered by worries of what their products may contain.

Recently, there have been some exciting developments in the world of skincare – more specifically, the cosmeceuticals industry. The result has been the introduction of cosmeceutical products that are both safe to use and results driven. Research shows that chemicals are working against our skin. Products with ingredients like parabens are suppressing the immune function of the skin, resulting in toxic buildup. The days of inducing trauma and inflammation are coming to an end. The new age of skincare will see a host of products designed to build a partnership with the skin; working with it, not against it.

Why Cosmeceuticals?

Much like our bodies, our skin needs to be fed and nourished in order to maintain optimal health. Dermatological science has revealed the power of vitamins, antioxidants, and nutrients when applied to the skin in their proper form. It is, however, the search for natural and nourishing products that has led to some confusion within the world of cosmeceuticals.

Consumers looking for natural products tend to scoff when they see the word “synthetic.”

The reality is that not all things synthetic are bad. In fact, some of the most important skincare ingredients must be in their synthetic form to create positive change in the skin.

Many ingredients simply cannot be formulated into skincare in their natural state, but must be chemically altered to create the desired skin change. Commonly referred to as “enhanced natural ingredients,” the result is a more stable product with the ability to penetrate the skin, creating longer-lasting results.

Cosmeceuticals are non-prescription, highly active skincare products that have been thor-

oughly researched and tested and contain ingredients that influence the biological function of the skin and result in a noticeable difference.

It is important to understand that many products claim to be a cosmeceutical but do not fit the criteria; the proof is in the science and research. A common misconception is that the price of a product determines its effectiveness. As a consumer, it can be difficult to determine whether a product is beauty grade or a proven cosmeceutical. Even more challenging is determining if the active ingredients contained in a product are able to address your specific skin concerns.

The task of picking the perfect skincare product is both crucial and daunting. The key is to arm yourself with the necessary tools so you are able to find a safe, effective skincare product for your specific skincare needs.

Find a Qualified Practitioner

When looking to start using cosmeceuticals, it is important to investigate your skin practitioner’s qualifications and experience. A qualified skin practitioner will always provide a comprehensive consultation that allows them to assess your specific skin concerns and tailor a customized treatment approach. Everyone has different skin concerns and conditions that need to be addressed on an individual basis; there is no “one-size-fits-all” option in skincare. Your skin treatment and product recommendations need to be customized.

Product Penetration

Does your product contain a delivery system?

Most skincare lines have an ingredient penetration rate of two percent. You can have a list of amazing ingredients, but if there is no delivery system, they are not going to be effective. About 98 percent of ingredients are wasted without an effective absorption strategy. One of the most effective delivery systems is phosphatidylcholine liposomes, which increase penetration up to 1,000 percent. When a product contains such an effective delivery system, you want to ensure that the ingredient profile is safe. Phos-

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phatidylcholine restores essential lipids to your skin barrier, regulates oil production, clears acne and protects against sun damage while providing moisture to the skin. Just as we feed our bodies, we need to feed our skin because it suffers from starvation when it is not provided with the proper nutrients.

Topical Vitamins

Are your vitamins the proper form and strength? Two commonly used vitamins that are clinically proven effective skincare ingredients are vitamins A and C. These vitamins are essential to skin health, but if they are not in the proper form and strength they can be ineffective, irritating and even harmful to the skin.

Although there are many different forms and strengths of vitamin A used in skincare, not all deliver the same result. For example, the most potent and non-irritating form of vitamin A is retinaldehyde. While prescription Retin A can be as effective, it can be irritating to the skin.

Vitamin A improves the texture of photo-damaged skin, reduces fine wrinkling and improves mottled hyperpigmentation. Retinaldehyde remodels scar tissue, promotes collagen regeneration, increases skin’s firmness and elasticity, and is an excellent ingredient in the treatment and prevention of acne.

Vitamin C is the most unstable of all vitamins. In its stable form vitamin C has two major benefits for the skin: synthesis of collagen, a key structural protein of the skin, and antioxidants that can help reduce skin damage caused by free radicals. Unstable, oxidized vitamin C is not only incapable of boosting collagen synthesis or scavenging free radicals, but may actually promote free radical formation, causing damage to DNA.

Antioxidants

Antioxidants should be among your product profile because we are constantly undergoing free radical damage. Think of your antioxidants as an orchestra; you want a variety of them to work together synergistically. Some of the most potent antioxidants are super oxide dismutase,

If you are seeing the visible signs of aging, acne, rosacea or melasma or are just looking to prevent premature aging, a customized program can be created for you.

glutathione, CoQ10 and, of course, vitamin C. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) is one of the strongest antioxidants as a first responder that protects us from the dangerous superoxide radical.

Superoxide is the most common free radical in the body. SOD is found in both the dermis and the epidermis, and is key to the production of healthy fibroblasts (skin-building cells). Another very important antioxidant and a first responder in wound healing, glutathione provides powerful free radical protection, especially when wrapped in a delivery system like phosphatidylcholine.

As we move into our 30s, our CoQ10 falls below the necessary levels, resulting in a decreased ability to produce collagen, elastin and other important skin molecules. When our levels of CoQ10 are depleted, we are more prone to free radical damage. CoQ10 increases your skin repairing capabilities.

A skincare program should be developed according to your skin type, age, and specific skin concerns. If you are seeing the visible signs of aging, acne, rosacea or melasma or are just looking to prevent premature aging, a customized program can be created for you.

Amy Chalmers graduated with distinction from the Australasian Academy of Cosmetic Dermal Science.

Amy has written articles for industry publications, collaborated on the development and formulation of product ranges and developed health and safety protocols for clinic use. Following her return to Canada Amy, joined the SKN team where she specializes in non-surgical cosmetic procedures. She provides complimentary comprehensive consultations and also advises clients on the use of cosmeceuticals. www. sknclinic.ca or 604.568.6333

Rest and Sleep:

Restore the Power of Your Body!

By Tracy Holly

“Man is ill because he is never still.” – Paracelsus

T

he vast majority of us tend to push the envelope when it comes to sleep. We stay up late working, watching TV or playing video games. The problem with such common nocturnal habits is that they typically rob the body of the time it needs to cleanse, detoxify, repair and rejuvenate. The end result is chronic sleep debt. The body can endure a sleep debt for only so long; if the debt remains unpaid, we suffer and experience the effects of mental and physical bankruptcy.

A good, undisturbed sleep each night, with the bedroom window open if possible, is one of the best things we can do for our health, recovery and complete regeneration of the brain and central nervous system. Insufficient rest can cause fatigue and compromise productivity, but did you know that sleep deprivation can also result in mild personality changes, create problems in relationships, and contribute to memory loss?

Sleep Disturbance and You

If you haven’t slept well, you’re going to feel tired the next day. Scientists believe sleep disturbance is a common response to changes in our lives, such as trouble at the office or self-induced anxiety as a response to stress.

For most of us, normal sleep patterns return after the daytime problem or source of worry goes away or gets better.

There are no hard and fast rules about how much sleep is enough, but to operate at peak efficiency during the day with a sense of vitality, adults need about 7.5 hours each night. Some of us can function on as little as five, while others perform better on nine to ten.

Some people hate going to bed. They feel that sleep is a waste of time and a function of mortal weakness. Perhaps… but like it or not, sleep is a time to achieve balance and restoration. It prepares us for the new day ahead. Sleep provides nourishment to the nervous system, relaxation to our muscles and rest for the mind. The body requires adequate rest and sleep to maintain optimum health and vitality.

Eight Ways to a Good Sleep

Many people have trouble falling asleep at night. If you are one of them, take note of these eight important tips to help you get a more restful sleep.

Try to incorporate at least some of them into your daily life.

• Avoid alcohol, tobacco, sugar and rich foods before bedtime.

• A wholesome diet and regular brisk exercise promote healthy fatigue, meaning you have a natural inclination to go to bed and fall asleep.

• Try a hot bath with relaxing essential oils before bedtime.

• Don’t exercise directly before retiring, as exercise is stimulating.

• Make your bedroom quiet, dark, cozy, comfortable, and a restful place to sleep.

• Relaxation techniques like yoga or meditation provide peace of mind.

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• There are many well-known and proven natural sleep remedies that can enhance the quality of sleep, like Calms Forté, chamomile tea, kava kava or valerian root, melatonin, calcium, magnesium, Chinese herbs and Bach Flower remedies.

• Go to bed at the same time each night, as our bodies love routine.

By using the synergy of these helpful tips, going to bed can be a positive ritual.

Growth Hormone: The Fountain of Youth

Did you know that deep REM sleep provides a stimulus for growth hormone (GH) release? GH is secreted from the pituitary gland and promotes overall strength and vitality. GH stimulates growth in virtually all body tissues, including bone, muscle and organs. Unlike many other hormones, GH has no single target gland, having a somewhat universal effect throughout the body.

GH is especially active during childhood and puberty, but is followed by a sharp reduction in most adults. Observation of this decline is based on representative samples of the Western population, most of whom are overweight, de-conditioned and sedentary. Do you see the connection?

Sleep is essential to the management of body composition and weight.

During sleep we release GH in pulse-like rhythmic cycles, which act to reorganize and restore the basic structure of our entire being. For example, let’s say your mind and body was a library filled with books scattered about the floor and tables in a complete state of chaos. It would be extremely difficult to find the book you desired, and this experience could lead to great frustration or tremendous anxiety, especially if you were short on time. Instead, imagine walking into a library where all the books are neatly organized on the shelves and in alphabetical order. The environment is tidy, comfortable and suitable for finding the book you need quickly and efficiently. Bottom line: less stress and less cortisol release.

Adequate sleep improves cortisol chemistry and balance. Cortisol is released from the adrenal glands under stress, and excess cortisol released during prolonged mental or emotional stress simply ruins the body and weakens the immune system. During sleep our adrenals are at rest.

If anger, blame, resentment, fear, guilt, jealousy or rage are keeping you awake at night… let it go! Ensure a peaceful mind and body as you drift off to sleep – not always easy to do, but as Scarlet O’Hara once said, “I’m just too tired to think about it right now; I’ll think about it in the morning.”

Tracy Holly is the Executive Director of the Cory Holly Institute and a CSNA (Certified Sports Nutrition Advisor) Master. She is the author of several books including The Athlete’s Cookbook and Sports Nutrition for Kids, and writes for several national health magazines.

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SKN Clinic’s exclusive Ion Infusion Bar feeds the skin essential nutrients to treat and prevent a common skin issue: starvation. We use ten potent infusions that penetrate deep into the skin using the technology iontophoresis.

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Fresh Bites

By Donnie Ungaro of Culinary Ink

Caterer and personal chef Donnie Ungaro of Culinary Ink shows us how to use simple ingredients to create succulent bite-sized treats… without spending hours in the kitchen this holiday season!

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ne of the most common complaints I hear from home cooks is that too many recipes use equipment the average person doesn’t own or even knew existed, while others call for a lengthy, difficult technique. There is nothing worse during the holiday season than being stuck in the kitchen following a complicated recipe for bite-sized hors d’oeuvres.

I decided to choose three of my bite-sized favourites that use simple items anyone can get at Granville Island or any higher-end grocery store.

Some of the items, such as the balsamic reduction, pesto and pâté can be made at home if there is time, or you can purchase high-quality pre-finished items from merchants that specialize in these items. This saves not only time, but also money.

You can create some absolutely delicious holiday bites without spending hours in the kitchen. Some of the best hors d’oeuvres require little cooking, just simple assembly of great local products.

Smoked salmon on pumpernickel with cream cheese & caviar 200g local smoked salmon 1 small package of chives 1 small package cream cheese 1 small container of Tobiko caviar 1 loaf Pumpernickel cocktail bread Salt and pepper

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PhoTo: DERRIck cRaIg

“I decided to choose three of my bite-sized favourites that use simple items anyone can get at Granville Island or any higher-end grocery store.”

Using a ring mould, cut a round from pumpernickel, place on parchment paper lined baking sheet, and bake at 400˚ for 8 minutes. Season lightly with salt and pepper. Cut salmon to 1 inch squared pieces. Fold slightly to fit bread round. Using a small spoon, place a small dab of cream cheese on salmon. Cut chives to 1.5 inches long with a long diagonal bias cut (to create fluted look) and push slightly into cream cheese to keep chive leaning. Garnish with tobiko caviar.

Beet Tartare with goat cheese & SCALLIONS 2 large beets Zest of 2 lemons 1 small log of goat cheese 2 green onions (scallions)

Peel beets, finely dice to 1/16-inch sized cubes. Place on parchment paper lined baking sheet, drizzle with olive oil, season with salt and pepper and mix gently. Bake at 400˚ for 25 minutes. Cut the green onions to 1/8-inch diagonal bias slices. Roll small (1/2-inch diameter) balls of goat cheese. On tasting spoon, place 1 tablespoon of beet tartare, small pinch of lemon zest, goat cheese ball, and garnish with scallion.

Pâté stuffed fig with raspberries & chives Fresh Turkish figs 150g pâté of your choice 1 small pint of fresh raspberries 1 small bag of chives Cut fig in half. Using small spoon, scoop out small amount of fig seeds to create a bowl shape.

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Roll small amount of pâté in your hands to shape a ball. Place inside “bowl” of fig. Slice raspberry in half and place against pâté. Cut chives on long diagonal bias (1 inch long) and place two behind raspberry for garnish.

Donnie Ungaro creates culinary magic from his home base at the Culinary Ink cooking kitchen on the edge of Granville Island, from where he runs his busy catering business. Donnie is also a personal chef who is happy to come into your home and show you how to use fresh, local ingredients to produce simple but delectable fare. www. culinaryink.com.

New Advancements in Adult Acne Treatment

By Sachit Shah, MD

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s a family physician with a Diploma in Practical Dermatology, I deal with patients of all ages who have the common complaint of acne. Fortunately, there is plenty that can be done to help acne sufferers, whether they are teens or adults. Most people don’t realize the huge impact acne has on a person’s psyche. It can be devastating to a person’s emotional wellbeing, yet most people don’t realize that you don’t have to live with acne, given the latest advances in cosmetic treatments.

If you had acne breakouts in your teens, you were probably assured that it was a teenage problem related to puberty, and that it would clear up soon. Although that is true for the majority of cases, adult acne is still fairly common.

More than 50 percent of women suffer from acne at some point in their adult life. It is less common in men, with only 25 percent being affected.

More women are affected by this condition because acne is related to hormone imbalances, like those of the menstrual cycle, pregnancy or menopause. Other causes include certain medications, birth control pills, skin irritation, photo aging and some cosmetic products. Though not proven, milk and milk products are also thought to cause some forms of acne.

Acne Vulgaris, commonly known simply as acne or common acne, appears on the skin as congested pores (comedones), whiteheads, blackheads, pimples (zits), pustules or cysts.

The more severe forms of acne tend to include cysts or even boils.

What Causes Adult Acne?

Sebum (oil) is produced by sebaceous (oil) glands and is a natural substance that lubricates and protects the skin. Under certain circumstances, the cells close to the surface of the skin block the openings of the oil glands, causing a buildup of oil. The oil stimulates the naturally occurring bacteria on the skin, which is otherwise harmless, causing it to multiply and cre-

ate inflammation of the surrounding skin and tissues. The depth of the inflammation determines whether the lesion is a pustule, pimple or cyst. The deeper the inflammation, the more it resembles a cyst. If the oil breaks through to the surface of the skin the results are milia, more commonly known as whiteheads. If the oil becomes oxidized or has melanin in it, the oil changes to a black colour and the result is a blackhead. Blackheads are not a result of dirt!

Certain conditions can mimic acne, such as rosacea, which is characterized by redness and flushing in the middle third of the face, pseudofolliculitis (razor bumps) and folliculitis. That is why it is always recommended that you consult with a qualified physician for a medical assessment to ensure correct diagnosis and treatment.

How severe should your acne become before you seek treatment? Simply put, when it bothers you! It may be a small pimple right before that important event; or it may be chronic, severe acne that motivates you to seek options for treatment. Acne is a source of great emotional distress for many people and can lead to loss of confidence and depression. Seeking help is important – especially since acne is an easily treated condition.

Skincare Products and Medication

Though there are many solutions for acne, one therapy does not work for everyone. And though there are many over-the-counter solutions available, none are effective for anything more than the mildest of acne. Acne treatments start with a medical assessment of the skin, then work to unclog pores, kill bacteria or minimize oil. For mild to severe acne, the options range from prescription grade products containing Retin A, to laser treatments and chemical peels, all of which help clear the skin and prevent further breakouts. Skincare products can be beneficial for mild acne cases and for maintenance treatment post laser or light therapy. Although many products are available for acne care, the

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best option is always to consult with a physician who deals with acne patients on a day-today basis, who can provide a treatment plan for your skin with medical-grade products and proper after care.

For mild to moderate acne, topical products help to remove the outer layer of skin, thereby unclogging the pores. Products containing benzoyl peroxide and salicyclic acid are recommended as antibacterial and mild peeling agents. Many over-the-counter products contain alcohol as a cheap ingredient to dry out oil-clogged pores, but these products leave your skin very dry.

Other prescribed medications that may be used are oral and topical antibiotics such as doxycycline and clindamycin, Retinoids such as Retin A (tretinoin), Differin or tazorac to unclog pores, oral contraceptives and cortisone injections. In addition, Accutane (isotretinoin) may be prescribed as a last resort for the treatment of acne. Accutane is prescribed for a period of five to six months, with fasting blood tests taken every month as there is some effect on the liver with this treatment. In addition, it should not be used for pregnant women.

Alternatives to Acne Medications

As an alternative to any prescribed medications, particularly Accutane with its possible side effects, many sufferers now consider laser treatments and Photo Dynamic Therapy (PDT) as the most current method available to treat acne. Laser and PDT use light to kill the acne bacteria. Lasers using specific wavelengths can kill the bacteria associated with acne and shrink the oil glands; they also remove the outer layer of skin and improve the general tone and texture of the skin.

The most exciting addition in recent years is what is known as ALA- PDT. ALA (aminolevulinic acid), also known by the trade names Levulan and Metvix, is a photosensitizing drug, meaning that is activated by light. The drug

topically applied to the affected areas, which may include acne, Actinic Keratosis, Rosacea and photo damaged skin. When applied, the drug is absorbed into the top layers of the skin, but remains inactive at this point.

When a light source such as laser, IPL, Blue or Red light, is applied to the treated area, the drug becomes activated and produces oxygen. The oxygen reacts with biomolecules in the affected area, damaging the cells. A few weeks later, new, healthy cells replace the damaged, treated area.

The treatment can be likened to a game of PacMan: while the PacMan is off, nothing happens, but turn it on and it literally eats everything in its path. This drug is similarly ineffective until

switched on, in this case by a light source. You may feel stinging at the time of the treatment and for some days post treatment but fans and icepacks will be your best friend for some days.

Once you have completed the treatment with the light it is important to have no further exposure to strong sunlight for at least 48 hours. It is also important to be aware that certain drugs taken for acne prior to the treatment may exacerbate your reaction to this treatment. In all cases the dryness and itchiness will dissipate after a few days and the effects of this may be minimized by the use of moisturizers.

The result is acne free skin for four to 16 months, with the possibility of occasional touch-

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ups as necessary. The treatment offers hope to adult acne sufferers to have clear, acne free skin for long periods of time without the use of strong medications for moderate and severe acne.

Dr. Sachit Shah is a family physician with a Diploma in Practical Dermatology who has headed up a private cosmetic practice for 10 years and has been medical doctor for 25 years. He is the medical director of Beautiful Canadian Laser and Skin Care Clinic, a custom designed medical spa offering the latest treatments for a range of skin conditions. Dr. Shah has treated thousands of clients for a variety of skin and body conditions combining his skills with the latest cosmetic innovations to provide the most effective treatments for his clients. To book an assessment with Dr. Shah call 604-580-2464 or go to www.bclaser.ca.

The

Intercourse Irony

By Dr. Trina Read

If we’re being honest with ourselves, we might admit that not much has changed since our grandmothers told our mothers on their wedding nights: “Stare at the ceiling and think of England dear. It will be over soon enough.”

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oday’s woman, though, can’t admit that the intercourse part of the sexual experience probably isn’t doing it for her. She’s supposed to be sexually emancipated, free to express her needs, wants and desires. Yet for a lot of women in long-term relationships, intercourse is the “waiting it out” portion of lovemaking.

What makes this even more ironic is that a man is socialized to “last” as long as possible, as doing so supposedly gives his partner the maximum amount of satisfaction. All the while she is thinking, “Please let this be over soon. My TV show starts in five minutes and I don’t want to miss it.”

Of course, neither discuss their intercourse differences.

The Ins and Outs of Intercourse

Intercourse is meant to produce a vaginal orgasm. Not all women can have a vaginal orgasm – in fact, approximately one-third of women do consistently; a third of women will sometimes, if they are sufficiently aroused; and a third of women will not. The last group cannot due to their “x” chromosome as opposed to a lack of technique or emotional interference.

Studies show that when the average long-term couple walks into the bedroom, their lovemaking will last 12 to 13 minutes. It takes most women ten to 15 minutes to become properly aroused, meaning that the average gal isn’t aroused enough (or at all) when she starts to have intercourse.

Hence the reason for her lack of enthusiasm during the experience.

Our male readers may be thinking, “Well, I always do my best to give my lady an orgasm before it’s my turn.” Well, guess what? A woman can have an orgasm and not be at all aroused. I appreciate that must put men’s panties in a twist. Here you thought you were fulfilling your end of the sex bargain; when in fact, most women need a lot more to make her sexual experience fulfilling.

Let it be said that when a woman is suitably aroused, intercourse is a welcome and delicious part of the event. It’s not whether she can have a vaginal orgasm or not; for her it’s all about the overall experience. So the

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trick is to make sure that she is adequately aroused. To do this, she needs at least five to ten minutes of foreplay. It’s not rocket science but apparently couples need to be told this over and over again.

Changing it Up in the Bedroom

What can a couple do to start turning their dynamic around? It may be difficult for a woman to tell her partner, “Actually, I haven’t gotten much out of intercourse for many years.” It’s like admitting she’s been faking orgasm – awkward and guaranteed to produce hard feelings. A couple should instead focus on adding extra time to the front end of sex – but not in the pursuit of orgasm. Making orgasm the “goal” for a sexual experience to be successful is, most likely, what got you into this mess in the first place.

Think of foreplay as an exercise in sensuality – caressing, kissing, massaging– things that are going to help both of you relax and be more interested in sex. Sensual foreplay, no matter how you look at it, is a win-win proposition for all participants. Many women may roll their eyes and think, “I’m just too tired and don’t want to spend any extra time on sensuality.” These women intentionally skip foreplay so they can get sex over with. They are shooting themselves in the foot. Ladies, it’s an extra five minutes that is going to create a better experience for you and overall better couple intimacy. You both are making concessions, which is fair.

With a little bit of effort, thinking of England will be but a distant memory. Thank goodness and it’s about time.

Sexologist, Dr. Trina Read is a best-selling author, sex coach and international speaker. Go to http://trinaread.com to find out more. Get your monthly sex advice delivered to your inbox at http://bestsextipsever.com; or read an excerpt from Dr. Trina’s book Till Sex Do Us Part at http://tillsexdouspart.com.

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Studies show that when the average long-term couple walks into the bedroom, their lovemaking will last 12 to 13 minutes.

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The Men’s Guide to Aging Prevention and Treatment

By Dr. Nick Carr, MD, FRCSC and Michelle Ambrosone

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uite often our chronological age does not match the way we feel on the inside. From an early age, our best defense against aging is to lead a healthy, active lifestyle and avoid the harmful effects of sunshine and cigarettes. However, it’s never too late to start, so if you’re not on this bandwagon yet, the time is now to climb aboard!

Yet often, even if we live the right kind of lifestyle, we see changes that we are just not comfortable with. It’s important to understand the options that are available to you as you move through the decades from your twenties to your thirties, forties, and beyond.

Aging Prevention for Men

No matter what your age may be, there are many lifestyle changes we can make to improve our health and enhance our quality of life. At any time of life, the following changes are necessary for optimal health.

Nourish Your Skin and Body: Fundamental to embodying a healthy lifestyle at any age is nourishing the skin and body from the inside out. Fuel your body with a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables (the more colours the better), and buy or grow organic foods whenever possible. Healthy skin can be achieved by eating seafood (salmon, sardines, and other oily fish) for essential fatty acids, citrus fruits for vitamin C and bioflavonoids, nuts for vitamin E, and berries for their antioxidant properties. Replenish fluids, flush out impurities and stay hydrated by drinking plenty of fresh water daily. Alcohol may also be consumed in moderation. Reach for red wine to benefit from the cardiovascular protective effects of polyphenols, but limit yourself to one or two glasses per day for men (one for women).

Protect Your Skin: One of the most important steps in anti-aging is protecting your skin with sunscreen. Ultraviolet exposure accelerates the skin’s aging process, causing wrinkles, age spots, redness, dryness and skin cancer. For the most complete sun protection, apply a thick layer of broad spectrum (UVA & UVB protective) SPF 30+ every day (including cloudy days and on the ski hill), and reapply frequently –

ideally every hour when outdoors. Avoid the sun from 10am to 4pm when ultraviolet rays are the strongest. Protect yourself further by wearing a hat (especially important if you are balding) and sunglasses, as ultraviolet rays can damage the eyes and cause cataracts.

Keep Active: We all know about the importance of staying active, but the benefits of exercise stretch a lot farther than weight loss and muscle building. Regular physical activity delivers oxygen and nutrients to your tissues, which boosts energy, improves mental acuity, decreases stress and enhances quality of sleep. It also releases endorphins, which improves mood, thereby boosting confidence and self-esteem.

Get Your Zs: It is equally important to keep the mind healthy as we get older. Sleep plays a critical role in immune function, metabolism, learning and memory, to name a few. Eight hours of good quality sleep each night can reduce stress, improve concentration and help control body weight. Human growth hormone is also released during sleep which repairs and regenerates body tissues.

Butt Out: One of the best things you can do to enhance your quality of life is quit smoking.

When we inhale smoke from a cigarette, carbon monoxide from the smoke is absorbed by the blood, displacing the oxygen essential to the health of vital organs, including the skin. Each cigarette depletes vitamin C from the body, causing collagen to breakdown and form wrinkles. The physical act of smoking alone causes us to exaggerate facial expressions (pursing the lips, squinting the eyes), which also contributes to the premature development of wrinkles.

Smoking also depletes the skin of water, causing dryness and a dull complexion. When you quit smoking, your heart attack risk decreases, your lung function improves, and you will have more energy to do the things you love. Ask your doctor for tips or treatments to help you quit.

Treatment Options for Men

While these health guidelines will keep you in tip-top shape as you continue to grow older, certain factors will creep up as early as your

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twenties, and certainly in your thirties, forties, and beyond. Below are treatment options for changing skin and body issues through the decades.

Your 20s: A common condition for males is the development of excess mammary tissue, which causes breast enlargement. For many young men this can contribute to psychological distress and low self-esteem. Gynecomastia (male breast surgery) reduces the amount of fatty and glandular tissue in the pectoral region, restoring a more masculine appearance.

Although this procedure can be performed at any age, it is better to treat it as early as possible if it is contributing to a negative body image.

People of Asian descent often have a single upper eyelid without a distinctive fold. Asian Eyelid Surgery (“Double Eyelid Surgery”) is a common surgery that involves creating a defined eyelid crease in the upper eyelid to balance with other facial features, while preserving a natural ethnic appearance. Eyelashes assume a more upward direction, the eyes appear larger and more oval shaped, and peripheral vision may be enhanced as less skin covers the top of the eye. Although this surgery can be performed at any age, it is most common in the 20s.

Your 30s to 40s: During this time, your previous years of unprotected sun exposure start to leave their mark, characterized by facial dyschromia (skin colour changes), fine lines and wrinkles, and a loss of firmness.

When your skin starts to look fatigued, your complexion can be rejuvenated and redness or brown spots can be removed with laser or light therapy (Fraxel or Intense Pulsed Light), chemical peels, and a proper skincare routine.

Lines and wrinkles become more apparent during this time as we lose facial volume due to the depletion of fat, bone density and muscle.

As these support structures weaken, it causes the facial skin to sink and sag, which contributes to wrinkle formation. Dermal fillers such as Restylane, Perlane and Juvederm are used to re-volumize and sculpt the face by restoring fullness to depleted areas such as the cheeks, temples, under-eyes, jaw line, nasolabial folds, and chin area. Increasing in popularity is the transfer of one’s own fat to restore facial vol-

ume. There is evidence that transferring fat may carry with it naturally occurring biological rejuvenating factors like stem cells.

Years of dynamic facial muscle movement eventually causes expression lines in the frown area, forehead and crow’s feet, which can age a person well beyond their years. Botox can be applied to soften these areas for a smoother, more youthful appearance.

At this age, it also becomes more difficult to lose excess weight. Liposuction can be performed when fat is resistant to exercise. The most common treatment areas for men include the lower abdomen, “flanks,” breasts, and the submental region of the neck (underside of the chin). Non-surgical options for body contouring include Zerona low-level laser, or Ultrashape, which uses ultrasound to disrupt fat cells.

As hair growth starts to thin and male pattern baldness is exposed, hair grafts are an option to restore hair density. Hair transplant surgeries are performed on an outpatient basis under local anesthesia. Many modern techniques are also available for harvesting hair follicles, and low-level lasers to stimulate hair growth are also gaining popularity. Consult an expert in hair replacement to determine which options are most appropriate for your condition.

Beyond Your 40s: As the fight against gravity becomes stronger, it becomes more difficult to create a youthful appearance without surgical intervention. A facelift can take years off your appearance by removing excess skin, tightening the underlying facial muscles, and re-draping the skin for a smoother facial contour. In order to maintain balance between the upper and lower facial regions, a facelift is often combined with a blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery) to relieve eyelid “hooding” and remove under-eye bags, and a brow lift to raise eyebrows to a more youthful position.

Dr. Carr is a leading specialist in cosmetic plastic surgery, and has been certified by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada since 1990. After graduating from the University of British Columbia with the highest honours in his class, he completed a Fellowship year at Harvard Medical School. He is the current Head of the Plastic Surgical Residency Training Program at the University of British Columbia. Dr. Carr is renowned for his pioneer work with endoscopic and minimal incision techniques, and has been credited as one of Canada’s top cosmetic surgeons. In 2007-2008, he was peer chosen as one of The Best Doctors in Canada. Dr. Carr maintains his education and skills at the highest standard. To book a consultation with Dr. Carr, please call 604-733-9711 or go to www.skinworks.ca.

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Cleanses to Detoxify and De-Stress

By Dorothy Lyons

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e all know there’s no such thing as a magic pill or fountain of youth that will solve all our health problems, so why should we believe that cleanses or detoxes can help restore vitality and improve our health? There are a lot of people out there who consider detoxes and cleanses a “hoax,” but before you join the ranks, stop for a moment; try to be open-minded and consider the good points about cleansing. While our bodies have their own detoxification mechanisms built in, we often impair their ability to work properly. A cleanse or detox is by no means a substitution for getting enough sleep or regular healthy eating – it won’t undo the damage of long-term poor lifestyle habits, but it might do you some much needed good. Most people don’t eat well enough most of the time, don’t drink enough water, and tend to overexert and burn themselves out far more often and more severely than their bodies can handle. They suffer from frequent headaches and bloating, have trouble concentrating and lack energy, but they don’t know why.

Cleanses can help with that.

Cleansing with Juice

Arguably the most popular type of cleanse available today is the juice cleanse. A juice cleanse or juice fast is like an avalanche of vitamins and minerals obtained from fresh fruits and vegetables (and even nuts and seeds) that you take over a two- to seven-day period in addition to lots of water. It’s kind of like taking an all-natural multivitamin and mineral supplement in juice form. The ingredients used in juice cleanses – like dark leafy greens and berries – are among the healthiest foods for us when it comes to preventing a slew of chronic diseases.

Eating whole fruits and vegetables may deliver the same nutrients to your body, but with juicing, you’re likely to consume and make use of much greater quantities of these nutrients. This is great news for people who find it hard to eat enough fruit and vegetables each day. Many essential nutrients are locked within the fibres and macromolecules of solid fruits and vegetables, which means that those structures need to be broken down for our bodies to make use of what’s inside for nourishment.

Cooking is often used as a means to break down plant fibres, but it can also destroy key nutrients as well as enzymes needed for the proper digestion and absorption of nutrients.

A juice extractor frees nutrients from their fibres so they can be absorbed and used by our bodies directly. As a result, these nutrients enter the bloodstream much more quickly and in a much greater concentration than from solid food, so they can be used right away by the liver, kidneys, urinary tract, skin, gallbladder, brain, and immune system. The same is true for key phytonutrients and antioxidants, which can help reduce oxidative stress, promote cardiovascular wellness, support a healthy immune system, and help protect DNA. The cold-pressing method of juicing retains living enzymes and nutrients in fruits and veggies which boost the immune system and energy levels.

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The Skinny on Cleansing

Plenty of scientific evidence suggests that sporadic fasting can help people manage their weight and perhaps even live longer. There are a few reasons for this. While the main goal of juice cleansing or fasting is not weight loss, this may happen as a result of a calorie deficit (depending on how many days you do it for).

Since the calories in juice cleanses are usually low, users are advised to take it easy, relax, give their bodies a break and try not to expend too much additional energy. Not everyone gives themselves this luxury often enough, so juice cleansing is one way that people can intervene, de-stress and give their bodies a break, which may in turn help them live longer.

Cleanses probably won’t have a life-altering effect when used for only 2-7 days, but they can at least kick-start and help establish a healthier pattern of eating, and can help get you on track (or back on track) after a stint of poor eating. They can also be used as supplements or for maintenance by regular cleansing. While cleansing, you can rest assured that everything you’re consuming for that period of time is healthy and natural, and you’re avoiding the adverse effects of processing, cooking and ingesting toxins. At least for a few days, your diet will be free of added sugars, sweeteners, preservatives, and other added chemicals. What’s so bad about that?

Dorothy Lyons holds a BSc with honours in Human Biology and Psychology from the University of Toronto.

She enjoys working with and empowering people to make appropriate and educated choices to successfully adopt a healthy diet and lifestyle appropriate for chronic disease prevention. Some of her passions include learning about and applying the factors that influence human health, both mentally and physically.

Dorothy is passionate about nutrition and health and is presently a student at Ryerson University where she is working towards becoming a registered dietician.

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Snowshoeing!

Fun Fitness for Fifty Plus

By Della Vorshuk

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hen we’re thinking about fun winter activities that can provide aerobic health benefits, a simple yet entertaining form of recreation is often overlooked: snowshoeing! Many people use winter as a perfect excuse to enjoy the “home comforts” of good food, warm beverages and indoor pleasures due to a lack of safe, affordable and enjoyable activities to pursue. Snowmobiling, skiing and snowboarding are three of the most common winter activities, but to people in the age category of fifty and over, these may not be the easiest to get into due to reasons of time investment and relative health and fitness levels involved.

Well, with the advent of snowshoeing as a form of recreational enjoyment, the time for enjoying warm hot chocolate and rich foods can be balanced with positive activity.

Modern snowshoeing requires no costly lessons like its winter counterparts skiing and snowboarding, and has a smaller chance of both minor and major sports-related injuries. To get started, all you need is a modest pair of snowshoes (prices range from $70 to $200) and the desire to get out there! There is a common saying among those who love snowshoeing: “If you can walk, you can snowshoe.” From those who simply want to enjoy some scenic nature trails, to those looking to continue their recreational running or walking hobby well into the winter months, snowshoes are your first step toward enjoying being fit and active. For the cost of renting a pair of beginner’s skis for five days you can purchase an excellent pair of snowshoes that you will enjoy for many seasons to come, and the novelty of walking along the top of the snow will make even your usual hiking places seem new and improved.

Strap On the Right Snowshoes

Getting started with snowshoes is as simple as choosing how strenuous you would like to make your newfound hobby. There are three different types of snowshoes: athletic, recreational, and mountaineering. The athletic and recreational kinds can be used by starters of any fitness level, but the mountaineering kind are more suitable for those with snowshoeing experience as well as experience with outdoor wilderness hikes into high hills and mountains. Athletic snowshoes are the smallest and lightest and allow users to run with a high degree of mobility; they are not intended for back country use. Commonly referred to as “bear claw” snowshoes, athletic snowshoes form a smaller circle rather than the teardrop form of the recreation and mountaineering snowshoes.

Recreational snowshoes tend to be a bit larger and are meant for use in gentle to moderate walks of three to five miles, while mountaineering snowshoes are the largest and are meant for serious hill climbing, long-distance trips and off-trail use. A general rule of thumb for purchasing snowshoes is that for every pound of body weight, there should be one square inch of snowshoe surface (14.5 cm²/kg) per snowshoe to adequately support the wearer. Always remember to consider the weight of any gear you will be packing, especially if you expect to break trail.

Many manufacturers now include weight-based flotation ratings for their shoes, to help simplify picking the proper snowshoe.

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Reap the Rewards of Snowshoeing

The health benefits of snowshoeing are as apparent as with any form of aerobic activity and of course, being able to continue previous aerobic activity into the winter months is an excellent way to maintain an active lifestyle. Some of the benefits of aerobic activity include lowering blood pressure and helping your arteries maintain their elasticity; your arteries expand and contract two to three times as much during exercise as they do when you are sedentary, thus helping reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes. This means you not only look better, but also feel better by keeping active through the winter months as well as the spring and summer. An exercise like snowshoeing is also beneficial for slowing down your aging process, as you are less likely to experience bone and muscle loss than those who remain inactive. Bones grow and become stronger by responding to physical demands; those who do not put this type of demand on their bodies enter a sedentary state that makes them more susceptible to osteoporosis as they age. Warm-ups and cool-downs for snowshoeing are the same as for any summer cardio you may enjoy, be it running, power walking or simply enjoying a peaceful hike.

Be Prepared

Preparations and precautions while snowshoeing vary a little depending on the intensity and distance of your snow hike. Dressing in layers is crucial to maintaining the proper body temperature during the length of your adventure. Having layers that you can easily slip out of and into is crucial, as is having a proper way to store them once removed. Hats are also very important, as a great deal of body temperature can be lost through the head. Having light, layered headwear you can switch out from a small bag is also recommended. Never forget light snacks and proper hydration, again depending on the length of your planned hike.

For an afternoon out, a light snack might be appropriate to keep energy levels up or even for a short jaunt out through the park, you might want to consider bringing along a water bottle. People tend to forget they sweat while out in the cold due to sweat drawing away from the skin and evaporating, and a small percentage of water is also lost from the simple act of breathing. Keep hydrated while keeping fit – always. A final tip for trekking in the winter is to plan your trip going into the wind on the start of your journey and returning with the wind at your back, as your exertion will be greatest on the last half of your hike. You don’t want to become chilled due to sweat freezing on your body as your move into the wind... plus the best part of any journey is when the wind is at your back, pushing you along. Hopefully this has intrigued you to consider new winter activities instead of simply enjoying the creature comforts of home during your next snow season.

Della Vorshuk is the General Manager of INFOFIT Educators, North America’s Health and Fitness Training Solution for over 20 years. For more information or help with your routine, please contact Della at 604-683-0785 or via email della@infofit.ca.

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