t a b l e of c o n t e n t s
n e w yo u, vo l . 4 i s s u e 3
Is beauty your state of mind? If not, heat up your primping routine.
1 38
R o m a n c i n g W i t h S to n e
Sharon Stone is back and sexier than ever. Get on the ground floor with her worldly sensibilities.
146
D e s e rt R o s e
Express your fashionable individuality, even when you’re strolling through the middle of the desert.
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2 1 s t C e n t u ry S t r es s
Adrenal fatigue is the potential culprit behind your daily drag. Get informed and pep up.
1 58
K i n g o f H e a rt s
Larry and Shawn King go heart-to-heart with their inspirational charity, the Larry King Cardiac Foundation.
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t h e a l p h a o f O m e g as
As we seek the key to enduring health, all eyes are on PCSO-524, a green-lipped mussel oil with power.
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A n U n i m ag i n a b l e C h o i c e
Could our genes turn on us if we let them? Considering Angelina Jolie’s recent choice, we’d say so.
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A n I ta l i a n A f fa i r
Want to drop some pounds the right way? Hop on a plane to Hotel Relais Don Alfonso, a magical Italian retreat.
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1 78
S u lt ry S u m m e rt i m e
Your beauty routine inevitably takes a dramatic turn in the summertime. Make it work for you.
184
To n e o n to u r
The world’s top singers and the country’s top trainers spill their secrets to stamina, health, and happiness.
190
a m e r i ca’s n e w f r u i t e d p l a i n
The future of food is vertical farming, science’s answer to the nutritional needs of our ballooning population.
fa d i l b e r i s h a
t a b l e of c o n t e n t s health
29 Beauty Now:
61 Health News:
Color Code
Up and Up
30 Extra! Extra!:
62 Wellness:
Don’t Miss Citrus
Total Body Reset
32 Roots:
64 Bites:
Salon Solutions
Exotic Must-Haves
34 Innovations:
66 Mental Health:
Cutting Edge Beauty
Let Go, Slim Down
36 Clockstoppers:
70 Food Diaries:
Never Say Sunblock
Bob Harper and Denise Austin Dish
38 Get Glam: Red
74 Hydrate:
Carpet Tricks
40 On Set:
Choose Your Water Wisely
78 Money:
Ask the Artist
42 Accessorize:
Full-On Protection
44 Self Help:
Fridge Fixes
46 New Again:
Back to Basics
48 Essence: Berrify 50 Innovator:
“The Nose” Knows
52 Escapes:
Italy Beckons
54 Take Away:
Carry-On Cool
58 Legend:
The King of Heels
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Suze Orman Talks Some Sense Drizzle on some sensational color as summer kicks into high gear.
81 Sips:
Smoothie Verdict
84 In the Know:
Kimberly Elise Calms
88 Toning: Stay Trim fitness
91 Fit Report:
Instructional Wonders
92 Tech Crunch:
Shape-Up Gizmos and Gadgets
95 Length:
Get to Know the Latest Stretch
99 Silhouette: Sculpt! 103 Cycling: The Wheels Keep Turning
108
Craze: The Vortex of Forbes Riley
111 Inspiration: The
“Glady-ator” Prevails medical
115
Med Trends: Live Long, Look Strong
116 Quick Fixes: Tech Over Nature
119 East Meets West: Energy Healing
122 Alarm: Know the Skin You’re In
126 Stem Cells: Limber Up and Live Strong
131 Fade Out: All New farewell
206 Style Musts:
Reach for the Beach
208 Vintage Beauty:
Sofia and Katy Pop Cover: fadil berisha. makeup: billy b. hair: peter savic. manicure: april foreman. stylist: cameron silver, fashion editor at starworksartists.com. CO-StylistS: MELANIE A. BONVICINO FOR METRO MANAGEMENT GROUP; geoffrey skoglund, assistant fashion editor AT STARWORKSARTISTS.COM. prop stylist: stephanie ziemer. dress: gucci. belt: chanel. look available at decades/decadesinc.com.
james wojcik/ trunk archive
BEAUTY
from our editor
sometimes all it takes is the fleeting aroma of a jasmine flower to channel our thoughts to more wistful moments in our lives. While admiring the perfumed blooms of Beverly Hills on the way to interview Sharon Stone, images appeared in my mind like undulating surfer waves—dripping ice cream cones on a hot summer day, sandcastles by the shore, and easy rides on a Ferris wheel. Sunny weather brings out the inner child in all of us, imploring us to race into the crashing waves with carefree abandon. Speaking with Sharon only intensified my joy. What a wordly, sophisticated woman she is—passionate, free-spirited, easy to talk to, and so much fun. Not only is she audacious as a performer, she’s audacious in her daily life. We can all take a lesson. On the topic of individuals unafraid to take a dare, we have a new hero—Gladys Burrill, who completed her first marathon at age 92 and is daring to do it again. While many people find it fa d i l b e r i s h a ( c o e t z e e ) ; g e t t y i m a g e s ( b e a c h )
difficult to negotiate the walk from the bedroom to the bathroom,“Glady” won’t take no for an answer. Then there’s Hillary Fogelson, our favorite “pale girl,” who is educating the world about the dangers of melanoma, one sun hat at a time. You owe it to yourself to hear her perspective before stepping out. We’ve crafted this beautiful issue with your inner child in mind. From summer beauty looks and inspirational celebrities to tales of healing and personal expansion, there are more ways than ever to summon the “new you.” Take care!
New You
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5/31/13
from our medical editor
the future is now. though this concept is difficult to process at times, I absolutely know it to be true, because I see it in my work every day. Science—explored with sincere humanity—is my passion. Through my medical practice, I am able to draw upon scientific breakthroughs and improve people’s lives. It’s in this spirit that our summer issue of New You comes together, and it’s always thrilling to watch it take shape. Our editors and I are wholeheartedly committed to delivering cutting edge, unbiased, and accurate information to our readers. All the while, we’re having fun, becoming excited about new technologies, and offering real food for thought. In the following pages, we address the stress factor of adrenal fatigue, two new and innovative techniques for body sculpting, the future of stem cell research, and what you really need to know about omega-3s. We take an in-depth look at BRCA1 and 2 gene mutations—the issue that prompted Angelina Jolie to undergo her elective prophylactic double mastectomy—and how to make an informed decision about this newsworthy subject in your own lives. There is an unbelievable amount of body- and soul-affirming content in the following pages, and we hope you use this issue to improve your own well-being. Respectfully yours,
fa d i l b e r i s h a
Sharon McQuillan MD Medical Editor, New You smcquillan@newyoumedia.com
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| New You
Co-Executive Editors Sharon McQuillan, md & Ruchel Louis Coetzee Creative Director Julie Lazarus Managing Editor Toni Negas Editor-at-Large Andrew Stone
E d ito r i a l
Deputy Editor Elena Schmidt Contributing Editors Amy Zavatto, Neal Parmar Assistant Editor Samantha Boden Editorial Executive Assistant Diana Dias
a rt
Design Directors Donna Agajanian, Amy Rosenfeld Production Director Lori Cervone Production Associate Maryl Swick Imaging Specialists Dan Navarro, Carlos Paredes
p h oto
Photo Director Elizabeth Hazard Photo Researcher Michael Llantin
B e au t y e d ito r s
Aimee Howard, Louise Montemaro, Lynn Montgomery
D o c to r A dv i s o ry B oa r d
Chairman Sharon McQuillan, md Brian Novack, md; Andre Aboolian, md, facs; Stanley Frileck, md; Marc Mani, md, facs; Neil Sadick, md, faad, faacs, facp, facph; Pamela Wartian Smith, md; Mark Berman, md, facs; Patricia Wexler, md; Denise Baker, md, facog, faacs; Kristin Comella, ms; Paul Rose, md, jd; Neal Rouzier, md
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| New You
Chairman & Publisher Ken Meares Chief Operating Officer Miles DuPree Executive VP-Financial Operations David J. Boden Director of Brand Development Melanie A. Bonvicino
Circulation Director Monica Del Carpio-Raucci Vice President of Technolog y Ileana Colon-DuPree Director of Public Relations Lindsay Ferraro Medical Sales Director David Pagan West Coast Sales Director Jeannine Madsen Social Media & Web Bill Evans International Contributing Editor Martin Arreseigor Director of Special Events Hilary Broderick Executive Assistant to Chairman Heather Curi
New You magazine is published quarterly by New You Media, LLC at 251 Fifth Avenue, 7th Floor, New York, NY 10016. Copyright 2013 by New You Media, LLC. All rights reserved. Reproduction of a whole or part of any text, illustration, or photograph without proper permission from the publisher is prohibited. Address changes should be sent to: 4150 SW 28th Way, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312. www.NewYouMedia.com For subscription information contact: 1.800.606.6518 or email: CustomerInquiry@NewYouMedia.com. Printed in the USA. Questions or suggestions regarding New You content should be emailed to editorial@newyoumedia.com. audit information: AAM Membership Applied For
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| New You
contributors Jessica Antola
Antola, a Brooklyn resident, hails from LA and spent time working in Paris, Rome, and Portland. During her decade-long photography career, she has captured images for top ad campaigns and shot features for international magazines. She loves capturing rarely photographed people, cultures, and landscapes (think: West Papua, Antarctica, Tibet, and Myanmar). Her work has garnered awards from American Photography, the International Photography Awards, and Prix de la Photographie.
Marco Ventura
Born in Italy, Marco studied at the Accademia di Belle Arti of Brera in Milan and the School of Visual Arts in New York City. His work has appeared in The New Yorker, Rolling Stone, GQ, Der Spiegel, New York Times Sunday Magazine, and The Sunday Times. He may be the only illustrator who can claim the distinction of having designed postage stamps for the British Royal Mail, the Republic of San Marino, and the Vatican State. Marco lives in Milan with his wife, Laura, and their three children.
Betsey McLain
Beauty and style journalist Betsey McLain, a Midwest native, was born to be a part of this industry. She enthusiastically tries every beauty product and treatment available, and loves to tell you exactly how amazing it really is—or isn’t. Now a New York City girl, McLain has offered her beauty savvy as an editor for Refinery29.com, Nylon, Budget Travel, Gotham, and Los Angeles Confidential, and on the pages of international style publications. She lives for travel, the movies, barre class, and fancy cheese.
Echo Garret t
Garrett’s book, My Orange Duffel Bag: A Journey to Radical Change, garnered the 2013 Arlene Eisenberg Award, and the Atlanta Branch of the National League of American Pen Women named her 2013’s Georgia Author of the Year. Garrett’s work has appeared in more than 75 top publications, including Parade and Delta Sky, and on Livestrong.com. She is cofounder of the Orange Duffel Bag Initiative, which offers life coaching to homeless youth and those aging out of foster care.
Claire Benoist
Born in the Alsace region of France, Benoist grew up globetrotting, and attributes her photographic style to this upbringing. “Life is the perfect balance of the two worlds I was brought up in—design and science,” she says. “It involves plenty of experimentation and an almost scientific precision in some instances, while being artistic in its composition.” Claire lives in New York and shoots for Ammirati, Goodness MFG, Men’s Health, Women’s Health, Entertainment Weekly, Shape, Self, Maxim, Fitness, and more.
Linda Childers
An accomplished and award-winning journalist, Linda Childers contributes celebrity profiles and feature articles to a number of prominent national magazines and websites, including CNNMoney.com, Redbook, Arthritis Today, Health Monitor, Lifescript.com, and Neurology Now. Childers lives in California with her husband, son, and two rescue dogs. As always she consistently gets the latest and greatest scoop on fame and the A-list lifestyle.
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| New You
insta glam
top row: Ruchel Louis Coetzee cozies up to Larry and Shawn King. Our Sultry Summertime model gets glam. The Empire State Building looms large over the New You offices. second row: Stylist Eric Launder shows off. The prop table for Sultry Summertime. center right: Creative Director Julie Lazarus oversees the smoothie shoot, by talented photographer Claire Benoist.
above: It’s a Stretch photographer Adam Pass watches as trainer Jorden Gold works on our model. bottom row: Hair guru Peter Savic coifs Sharon Stone for Fadil Berisha’s lens. Set stylist Sharon Ryan smoothes out the scenery for our Stuart Weitzman story, as the leggy Vera looks on.
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| New You
you’ve got mail was shocked to realize that I shouldn’t. I will certainly change up my regimen. I also appreciated that the article made it simple and gave the key supplements to get and showed the dosage in the chart. Supplement shopping is really confusing, and I feel like I have a better handle on it now. Thanks! —Stephanie S., phoenix, az EAST MEETS WEST
Dear Jann: Your comments are certainly very topical—to airbrush or not to airbrush is quite a hot topic in publishing today. What we would love to share is the fact that our Martha Stewart photographs went to print largely unretouched, save for the standard corrections made by all magazines on the newsstand. She happens to look extraordinary and youthful given her age! A natural beauty, through and through. We got lucky with Martha—not only because she made an inspiring cover subject, but because her
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| NEW YOU
frank conversation and empowering message is in keeping with New You’s general philosophy. We welcome additional feedback on this topic, and can’t wait to hear what you think of our Sharon Stone issue.
TIMING IS EVERYTHING A MAT TER OF GRACE
finally, a publication is out with inspiring articles and interesting tidbits on graciously growing older for the sophisticated woman! It is refreshing to read about how we can still look and feel great as we age, as we redefine our generation. I look forward to many more issues. —Mary H., fort lauderdale, fl R.E.S.P.E.C.T.
i absolutely adored the martha stewart interview in your last issue. I really knew nothing about her and quite frankly didn’t like her, but that article changed my perspective. I respected her thoughts about aging and the changing times. She made me think. —Christina M., smithtown, ny
every year a group of my sorority sisters reunites to run one race in a different city. This year the Color Run was suggested. It sounded nuts. Your story and photos in the magazine alleviated my fear and encourages all of us to be kids for a day. —Katy S., pittsburgh, pa EATING HEALTHY
my favorite part of the magazine is definitely the “Food Diaries” section. It gives me so many great ideas for healthy meals, and shows me how easy it is to eat right. When I have a set meal plan, I don’t have to worry about making unhealthy food decisions. Also, the meals sound so delicious that it’s hard to revert back to my junk food habits! —Casey L., new york, ny
SUPLLEMENTAL ADVICE
thanks soooo much for the supplement article (Supplement Pathfinder)! There’s so much information out there about trying to get your vitamins and stuff from the foods you eat, and your point about the decline in food quality really hit home that I still need my supplements. I always take my prescriptions with my supplements and
What do you think? We want to know. For this to be your magazine, we need your feedback! We welcome your correspondence. Write us: editorial@newyoumedia.com
PJ N AT H A N
MIXED MESSAGE
i just picked up your spring issue. Beautiful magazine. I like that the mission is to explore, uncover, and recommend anti-aging products and lifestyles. I even liked that Martha Stewart was on the cover. I am thrilled when a woman her age is featured on a magazine cover. But when I saw her spread compared to Paulina Porizkova’s I just couldn’t believe it. You airbrushed Martha, taking off easily 30 years. Where is the real Martha? Paulina looks real… fabulously beautiful… Oh, and gosh you allowed us to see Paulina’s laugh lines and her wrinkles around her eyes! So I am getting mixed messages here. Is New You saying when you get to Martha’s age the cure for aging is to just pack Photoshop in your makeup bag or just give up? Let’s see some more “real” faces in the future. —Jann I., buffalo grove, il
maurissa’s story made me feel as if the healing of Eastern medicine is attainable rather than a fictional fantasy. If we just combined Eastern and Western as a nation the world would be a better place. I hope you keep enlightening us westerners with eastern medicine that is not already in trend. Looking forward to seeing what is in the next issue. —Jennifer N., oxford, oh
beauty n ow
c h r i s c h i e c o ; s t y l i s t: r a c h e l s t i c k l e y
m i r ac l e g a d g e t s, a- l i s t h a i r- d o’s, s l e e k s h a d e s, h e av e n ly s c e n t s, a n d m u c h m o r e !
Color Burst
Make your next manicure magnificent with electrifying florals. Blossom in these Essie colors: (top to bottom) Full Steam Ahead, The More the Merrier, Rock the Boat, and The Girls Are Out ($8 each, ulta.com).
New You
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5
5/30/13
J e f f h a r r i s ; s t y l i s t: S h a r o n R ya n f o r h a l l e y r e s o u r c e s
2
1
3
4
beauty extra! extra!
freshly squeezed
6
From splashes of fresh lime to the zest of mandarins, these citrusy blends will have your skin aglow for the summer sun. 1. This citrus-intense and environmentally protective lip treatment by DEX Revita-C Lip Therapy combines a vitamin C- and vitamin E-wrapped core to smooth and soothe, while providing moisture and SPF 15. It can be worn as a balm or under lipstick ($25, dexnewyork.com). 2. Jo Malone’s signature scent conjures the aroma of limes carried on a Caribbean Sea breeze. Described as both a cult favorite and a modern classic, Lime Basil & Mandarin Cologne blends limes and mandarins with transporting pepper basil and white thyme ($110, jomalone.com). 3. Lemonade to the rescue! The name says it all with this warm correcting cream for your eyelids. Lemon Aid by Benefit wakes up your eyes and multi-tasks as a primer to extend your shadows ($20, benefitcosmetics.com).
7
4. Enjoy bubbly without the champagne flute. Mimosa Shampoo, Shower Gel & Bubble Bath by Philosophy serves up a delicious pairing of champagne and citrus to gently cleanse and condition skin and hair. It’s a spirited celebration of ultra-soft skin ($16.50, philosophy.com). 5. Yes to Grapefruit Daily Facial Scrub boasts tons of antioxidants and a powerful formula of lemon balm, an ancient herb that boosts radiance, and grapefruit extract for minimizing skin discoloration ($10, yestocarrots.com). 6. The medley of good-for-you ingredients in Joanna Vargas’ Vitamin C Face Wash gently removes grime, makeup, and daily pollutants to reveal glowing skin. It boosts cellular turnover with Galactoarabinan, while vitamin C provides UV protection ($65, joannavargas.com). 7. Extend your summer staycation with Origins Gloomaway Grapefruit Body-Buffing Cleanser. This exfoliating cleanser grinds away the day with crushed apricot seeds and a relaxing aroma that provides an instant pick-me-up. It pairs grapefruit essential oil with field mint and sweet orange, which are known to help relieve anxiety and calm nervous exhaustion ($22.50, origins.com).
New You
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beauty ROOTS
mineral marvels
Our strands are in a constant battle against the elements. The winning strategy requires a once-a-week execution plan. there’s a cruel irony to the fact that your hair comes under attack by the very substance needed to wash and revive it. Hard water—containing chlorine and minerals such as calcium, iron, and magnesium—invades more than 85 percent of US households. Everything penetrates your scalp, according to celebrity hair stylist and Femme Coiffure Hair Spa owner Raphael Reboh. Hard water makes hair feel heavy and dry. The scalp becomes flaky, ends split faster, and color proceeds to dull prematurely. “It’s a problem,” insists Reboh. “We don’t really have a choice, but if you treat your hair the right way, it will feel shinier, with no fly-aways, for up to two weeks.”
1.
Apply a pre-shampoo oil when your hair is dirty and allow it to sit for at least 10 minutes. When the time is up, apply the shampoo to your unwashed, oiled, and dry head—don’t wet it until you’re ready to rinse. This is vital so that the shampoo can remove oil while extracting and holding in healthy nutrients. WE LIKE: Leonor Greyl Palm Oil ($50, leonorgreyl-usa.com) and Phyto Subtil Elixir Intense Nutrition Shine Oil ($38, nordstrom.com)
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2.
A mask takes the place of a conditioner and should be applied to wet, shampooed hair for 10 minutes. Select a quality product that contains essential oils—preferably one void of silicone, because a high-quality mask revives your hair for more than one wash. WE LIKE: Nuance Salma Hayek Intense Hydration Hair Mask Blackcurrant ($10, cvs.com)
3.
Every woman should use a leave-in conditioner for the ends—without alcohol. These should have oils in them, if possible. Though this step is not part of the “treatment,” it is so important because the ends are where the hair heals and leave-in conditioners keep them nourished and healthy. WE LIKE: Aloxxi Colour Care Leave-in Conditioner ($20, aloxxi.com) and Schwarzkopf Professional BC Hairtherapy Repair Rescue Sealed Ends ($21, drugstore.com)
K E N N E T H W I L L A R D T/ T R U N K A R C H I V E ( S H O W E R )
RAPHAEL REBOH’S ONCE-A-WEEK TREATMENT
beauty i nnovations
armed & glamorous
Sultra Bombshell Reverse Cone Rod Curling Iron creates the texture and shape you seek but is rarely achieved with traditional curling methods. It emits infrared rays, making it kind to color-treated locks ($130, nordstrom.com). Colorescience Sunforgettable Mineral Sunscreen Brush SPF 30 is soft and subtle, yet impenetrable—with complete UVA and UVB coverage ($50, colorescience.com). Tria Hair Removal Laser 4X permanently removes hair and is the only FDA-cleared laser for home use ($449, triabeauty.com). Rodan + Fields REDEFINE MACRO Exfoliator collects flaky, dead skin, then leaves the rest baby fresh ($279, rodanandfields.com). BMR Facial Toner gently massages with pulses that revitalize nerves around facial muscles ($395, bmrbeauty.com). Oxygenetix Oxygenating Foundation in Ivory covers the skin while letting it breathe and heal, and encourages collagen cell regrowth ($66, oxygenetix.com).
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b r i a n k l u t c h /a r t m i x
Need some extra care for your skin or hair? Here are the new essentials for your beauty arsenal.
where has all the sunblock gone? Rising temperatures beckon us beachward, yet sunscreen is not always what it seems. It’s time to get smart about your SPF. by elena schmidt
6/3/13
last year, the fda cried foul on the marketing of “sun protection” products. The crime has been in the vocabulary—specifically the use of the terms “sunblock,” “sweat-proof,” and “waterproof ” on packaging. The year 2013 marks the first summer when manufacturers are forced to change their labels to reflect reality. In a recent FDA Consumer Update, Lydia Velazquez, PharmD in FDA’s Division of Nonprescription Regulation Development, notes: “Our scientific understanding has grown. We want consumers to understand that not all sunscreens are created equal.” The FDA claims that these terms imply total protection from the sun and total resistance from moisture, neither of which are accurate. The agency feels that “broad spectrum” sends a clearer message to consumers. Perhaps it does, or perhaps it is just another term along with “SPF” that offers little to no clarification for the average person. According to dermatologist Dr. Neil Sadick, brand recognition is still the primary source of consumer decisions. “It’s just about marketing,” asserts Dr. Sadick. “All that consumers understand is the SPF [sun protection factor] number, but as you get above fifty or sixty, it gets more controversial.” The FDA agrees that SPF levels above 50 may not carry much value, and have proposed the label “50+” to indicate that message. For the most part, the higher-equals-better rule holds true when speaking of SPF, but it doesn’t tell the whole story. “The SPF number on a bottle of sunscreen only gives a guide for how much UVB protection the product offers,” according to Dr. Susan Stuart, California dermatologist. “It doesn’t tell you whether or not the product protects from UVA rays.” UVB rays are responsible for sunburns, and all sunscreens provide this protection. UVB rays may also cause melanoma. UVA rays, on the other hand, cause premature skin aging and can cause melanoma. Only “broad spectrum” sunscreen, with SPF of 15 or higher, provides the added benefit of UVA and UVB protection. By breaking through the noise of bottles and taglines, consumers can get clear about the issues. Labels remain ambiguous but understanding terms is a great place to start before hitting the checkout line. l
b r i a n k l u t c h /a r t m i x ; fa s h i o n s t y l i s t: h e at h e r l e v i n e
beauty clockstoppers
Sunscreen Checklist
✔ Broad Spectrum ✔ UVA & UVB ✔ SPF 15 – 50 ✔ Ingredients: zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, avobenzone Sun protection is a full-time commitment that ironically does not start or end in screen. To ensure we are all protected from head to toe, Dr. Neil Sadick shares his three-part approach to stocking up against premature aging and disease:
1.
Pre-Sun Using a topical antioxidant in conjunction with sunscreen is an important part of sun care. It’s also helpful to ingest oral antioxidants to diminish any deleterious affects from the sun. Antioxidants prevent free radical damage caused by sun exposure, as well as environmental toxins that damage the skin cells. Our Picks: Dr. Dennis Gross Hydra-Pure Vitamin C Brightening Serum ($95, dgskincare.com) Suki Eye Lift Radiance Renewal Cream ($60.95, sukiskincare.com) Glisodin Skin Nutrients Advanced Skin Brightening Formula ($80 per month, glisodinskin.com)
2.
In Your Face Moisturizers will dilute the effect of SPF. They do help you hydrate, but if you are out in the heat with too much moisturizer it can be very occlusive and you can start developing acne breakouts. I always look for a product that provides broadband coverage. No sunscreens absolutely prevent evaporation when you’re sweating. Reapply as often as necessary. Our Picks: Merle Norman Ultra Light Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 50 ($22, merlenorman.com) Hydropeptide SPF 30 Anti-Wrinkle Skin Enhancing UV Protection ($40, hydropeptide.com) Glytone Sunscreen Spray Mist SPF 50 ($39, dermstore.com)
3.
After Hours It’s good to use a hydrating agent moisturizer or an anti-inflammatory in cream form. Sun damage is completely reversible while the skin is still red, during the acute inflammatory phase. The longer you are outside, the less reversible it is, but the number-one product that can do just that is retinols and retinoids. Our Picks: Dr. Denese FirmaTone Rx Retinol Max Firming Serum ($88, drdenese.com) Hydroxatone Intensive Overnight Repair ($59, hydroxatone.com) Lift & Fix High Potency Solution ($95, theliftlab.com)
New You
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beauty GET GLAM
glowing bright Every red carpet beauty has her own unique tricks for maintaining that flawless glow, whether it radiates from her soft skin, voluptuous lips, or pearly teeth. We spill some of their secrets here. Kim Kardashian
Victoria Beckham
puckers up with EOS Smooth
rubs on Elizabeth Arden’s
Sphere Lip Balm, comprised
ultra multi-purpose
of 95 percent organic ingredients that
Eight Hour Cream
keep her famously plump lips
Skin Protectant for soft
100 percent soft and photo-ready
soles, calm skin, and sleek
($3.30, evolutionofsmooth.com).
eyebrows ($20, elizabetharden.com).
Angelina Jolie
loves Rodial Dragon’s Blood Sculpting Gel to tend to her maturing skin. This anti-aging super product defines facial contours and plumps fatigued skin ($95, nordstrom.com).
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Kristen Bell
listens to the experts and
maintains her flawless
shines her famous pearly whites
complexion with Aveeno
with silica-free Supersmile
Positively Radiant Skin
Professional Whitening
Brightening Daily Scrub—
toothpaste—considered the
a soap-free, oil-free,
top whitening paste by
hypoallergenic skin-saver
cosmetic dentists worldwide
($7, aveeno.com).
($14, soap.com).
GET T Y IMAGES
Jennifer Aniston
beauty on set
in living color
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Kelly Osbourne
Nicole Richie
Madeleine Stowe
Kate Hudson
Emmys 2012
Chrome Hearts party
ABC's Revenge and Once
amfAR Inspiration Gala
“Her fashion sense and natural
“Nicole is truly game for
Upon A Time Premieres
“She lets me do whatever I
beauty have come a long way
anything. She’s got great skin,
“Madeleine is all about the
want, within reason, but she
since what we saw eight years
so I just improve on it with
eyes. She really wants them to
loves to feel sexy and play
ago. It’s important to keep
pops of highlight here and
stand out. We’re always going
up her gorgeous eyes. Kate has
Kelly’s stamp of “something
there, plus tons and tons
for something smoky and
beautiful, beautiful skin—but it
different” while still keeping
of lashes. We used Belle du
pretty. Madeleine is older and
does tend to get a little shiny so
her looking beautiful and
Jour lipstick from NARS and
has beautiful skin, so I try
I always use Matt Touch from
relatable. I wanted to bring her
MAC Fluidline black eyeliner
not to mask it. For her eyes, I
Yves Saint Laurent. Because
something that I have never
to build a cat eye. It turned
work with different Chanel
of the red dress, I kept her in
seen before on the red carpet,
into a 60s eye. I think Nicole is
pallettes—Les 4 Ombres
copper earth tones around
so I gave her a lavender glitter
sort of a flower child at heart.
Quadra eye shadow; No. 34
the eyes, and did not use any
cat eye using GirLActik’s
That’s evident in how she is
Eclosion. You have lots of deep
black at all. I used Teddy
Black Star base cream liner.
with people and in her fashion
purples, which look great on
copper eyeliner from MAC on
For her lips, we used Media by
as well. She looks so good with
her skin. And Madeleine’s lips
the inner rim of the eye and
MAC. Kelly is all about lipstick.
a strong eye, and I think that’s
are really easy. She likes them
then two different eye shadow
She doesn’t like gloss and she
why it’s always her favorite
pale, so I used Tom Ford
packets from NARS—Surabaya
doesn’t line the lips.”
part to play up.”
lipstick in Spanish Pink.”
and Kalahari.”
| New You
j e f f r e y f i t e r m a n ( k ay e ) ; j e f f v e s pa / w i r e i m a g e ( o s b o u r n e , h u d s o n ) ; d e s i r e e n ava r r o/ w i r e i m a g e ( r i c h i e ) ; a r aya d i a z / w i r e i m a g e (s t o w e )
Celebrity makeup artist Julianne Kaye began her career turning movie extras into un-glamorous creatures of the night—zombies. Now, this LA native works with Hollywood’s A-list and is in-demand throughout Tinseltown—from TV to red carpet events. She views the stars in her chair as blank canvases, and believes that beautiful skin should be illuminated rather than covered up. Her go-to product? Armani Luminous Silk. “That’s what I use on everybody,” she says. “As you get older, you want products that are light and emollient. It’s like a second skin.”
beauty accessorize
vision quest the thin skin around your eyes gets thinner with age, and naked pupils are open to ever more damage as years go by. Best case scenario: Years of exposure will create fine lines and wrinkles. Worst case scenario: UVA/ UVB rays increase the risk of skin cancer. For this reason, LASIK surgeon Richard A. Norden, MD, recommends accessories with a purpose. Sunglasses and wide-brimmed hats save lives! Those are doctor’s orders. Skin cancer is the culprit in one out of every three new cancer cases each year, and the vast majority of these come from Basal Cell Carcinomas (BCC). “UV-light causes mutations in the DNA of the skin’s basal cells,” explains Norden. “This in turn triggers these cells to multiply out-of-control.” While not deadly, BCC results in open sores, red patches, pink growths, shiny bumps, or scars on eyelids and the skin around the eyes. Always apply a minimum of SPF 15 to the area. Norden urges patients to wear threeinch brimmed hats, select sunglasses that filter out over 99 percent of UVA/UVB rays, and consider wraparound style sunglasses. While these accessories reduce the risk of cancer and vision loss, they also keep us young. “They help prevent us from squinting and help prevent loss of elastin, both of which accelerate the development of crows’ feet around the eyes,” Norden notes. In other words, if you squint too much, your face will get stuck that way. According to Kristen McCabe, Vice President of Product at Sunglass Hut, today’s technology does more to stop the squint. “Polarized lenses help cut glare, reduce eye strain, and help you see more clearly,” she says. “And you don’t have to sacrifice style to see your best.” Pick a few options that match your personality and lifestyle, and never leave home without them.
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| New You
Tory Burch ($165, sunglasshut.com)
Vogue Eyewear ($70, sunglasshut.com)
Tory Burch ($200, sunglasshut.com)
St yle On “Build a wardrobe of sunglasses with different shapes, colors, and styles so that you have something for every season and occasion. It’s about finding your style Coach ($148, sunglasshut.com)
and your sunglasses are the perfect accessories to bring together your look.”— Kristen McCabe, VP of Product, Sunglass Hut Square-Shaped Face Pick frames that are slightly rounded at the edges to soften and balance features and ensure that they sit high enough on the face to downplay the sharpness of the jawline.
Tiffany & Co. ($330, iloristyle.com)
Round Face To downplay roundness, select frames with straight or angular lines with a deep color such as black or tortoiseshell. Thin metal frames also work well because they focus attention away from the DKNY ($100, sunglasshut.com)
sides of the face. Oval Face This shape can wear
j e f f h a r r i s ; p r o p s t y l i s t: s h a r o n r ya n f o r h a l l e y r e s o u r c e s
almost any frame style as long as the frames are no wider than the broadest part of the face. Frames should cover as much of the center of the face as possible. Cat-eyes, wraparounds, and square or rectangle oversized plastics work best. Heart-Shaped Face Ray-Ban ($110, sunglasshut.com)
This is the most versatile face shape. To draw more proportion throughout the face, try thin, light metal, or clear plastic frames with broader bottom halves. l
St yle On “Build a wardrobe of sunglasses with different shapes, colors, and styles so that you have something for every season and occasion. It’s about finding your style Coach ($148, sunglasshut.com)
and your sunglasses are the perfect accessories to bring together your look.”— Kristen McCabe, VP of Product, Sunglass Hut Square-Shaped Face Pick frames that are slightly rounded at the edges to soften and balance features and ensure that they sit high enough on the face to downplay the sharpness of the jawline.
Tiffany & Co. ($330, iloristyle.com)
Round Face To downplay roundness, select frames with straight or angular lines with a deep color such as black or tortoiseshell. Thin metal frames also work well because they focus attention away from the DKNY ($100, sunglasshut.com)
sides of the face. Oval Face This shape can wear
j e f f h a r r i s ; p r o p s t y l i s t: s h a r o n r ya n f o r h a l l e y r e s o u r c e s
almost any frame style as long as the frames are no wider than the broadest part of the face. Frames should cover as much of the center of the face as possible. Cat-eyes, wraparounds, and square or rectangle oversized plastics work best. Heart-Shaped Face Ray-Ban ($110, sunglasshut.com)
This is the most versatile face shape. To draw more proportion throughout the face, try thin, light metal, or clear plastic frames with broader bottom halves. l
beauty self-help
DIY Deluxe “Do-it-yourself” is a great alternative to expensive bottles at the beauty store. The DIY practitioner chooses her own natural brand of beauty straight from the kitchen, using ingredients she knows to create a look she desires. Skin Grinder
Caffeine is a key ingredient in many over-thecounter solutions, combatting fat cells that get trapped in the tissue just below dimpled skin. “You can almost espresso your bumps away by temporarily reducing the water content in that connective tissue,” says Mayling Kajiya, a plant-based nutrition expert and creator of Girl Uninterrupted PMS supplement. Added salt and sugar act as natural exfoliants. They effectively remove dead skin, replace vital minerals, and smooth the area, making it that much easier to absorb the moisture provided by the oil in this mix. “The key is to help breakdown the fatty tissue inside and reveal the smooth tissue underneath,” Kajiya says. Grocery List: 1 cup ground coffee ½ cup sea salt ½ cup brown sugar ½ cup sweet almond oil or olive oil
Teeth whitener
Produce Power
Despite our efforts, the sun’s rays often wreak havoc upon our vulnerable skin. However, a mix of fresh tomatoes and yogurt provides relief and healing. Packed with vitamin C and a powerful antioxidant, tomatoes act as a natural sunscreen and toner. The lactic acid and enzymes in yogurt hydrate and sooth while improving redness and reducing itchiness. Cucumbers are the perfect complement to de-puff the eyes. ”These ingredients cleanse the skin, purify pores, freshen the skin, and create dewy texture,” says Suki Kramer, Founder, President, and Formulator of Suki Skincare. Grocery List: 1 ripe tomato ¼ cup plain yogurt (with live active cultures) 2 slices of cucumber What to Do: Mash the tomato and blend it together with yogurt until a creamy mask emerges. Spread the concoction across your clean (albeit throbbing) face and allow it to settle for 15 to 20 minutes. Apply two slices of cucumber over your eyes to cool and de-puff. Wash with cold water and promptly pat dry. Don’t forget to moisturize when you’re done.
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| New You
Only 50 percent of Americans brush their teeth twice a day, meaning half of us could use a little boost to our smile. “The benefits of DIY teeth whitening remedies are actually more effective than whitening toothpastes,” says Dr. Steven G. Goldberg, DDS, FADFE, and inventor of DentalVibe. According to Goldberg, the fibers in strawberries remove plaque and bacteria while baking soda serves as a mild abrasive. Grocery List: 2 strawberries 1 tsp baking soda What to Do: Mash strawberries, then add baking soda until a paste is formed. Brush on paste and allow to sit for five minutes. Promptly brush off, then floss between the teeth.
fa d i l b e r i s h a ; h a i r : e l i n n y b e r g ; m a k e u p : y u ko ta k a h as h i
What to Do: Yes, this divine mixture is as dirty as it looks so be sure to stand in the tub before unleashing it on your body. Massage it in for five minutes until you feel sufficiently circulated. Then wash away the mess.
beauty new again
back to basics Modern ladies have much to learn from an 86-year-old beauty. Forego pricey potions and squeeze on a lemon. By Toni Negas 46
5/31/13
| New You
mary elizabeth stefani is no stranger to the finer things in life. But such was not always the case. Raised in a Catholic girls orphanage in the 1930s, Stefani was allowed very few luxuries—particularly when it came to her beauty routine. While the average woman had access to do-it-all beautifiers for hair and body, the 34 young girls at Stefani's orphanage were relegated to natural solutions that would meet their beauty needs. Instead of shampoo, blondes resorted to a lemon rinse. Brunettes were given a bottle of vinegar to keep their locks shining. This may have seemed thrifty at the time, but many of today’s top beauty companies are employing these tried-and-true, all-natural ingredients in their formulations. Perhaps a back-to-basics approach to beauty can renew the simplicity of your own primping regimen— minus the luxury price tag. “I don’t know why women today feel they have to purchase the most expensive products with lists of ingredients a mile long,” says Stefani, 86. “Sometimes visiting ingredients in your kitchen cupboard can enhance your appearance and maintain your beauty.” When life gives blondes lemons, they make a hair rinse. Not only does lemon juice condition the hair and make it soft to the touch, it boosts shine, maximizes thickness, and reduces the effects of chemical-based hair products. For an easy, at-home rinse, use one full or half lemon (depending on your hair length). Always use a freshly cut lemon, as you will want to rub the inner surface of the lemon on the scalp. Apply the lemon juice all over, starting at the roots through the tips. Leave in for one hour then rinse with cold water. Brown hair beware: Lemon juice offers blondes a lightening benefit and might make brunettes brassy. Blondes don’t have all the fun. Brunettes can spice up lackluster locks with vinegar. Many shampoos and conditioners tend to have an alkaline pH, which disturbs the natural pH of hair. A vinegar rinse helps restore this pH balance and acts as a clarifier to promote clean and shiny hair. Prepare the rinse once weekly. Vinegar may cause a degree of dryness to hair, so be sure to condition first and follow up with the vinegar rinse. To make a vinegar rinse, add 1 cup vinegar to 2 cups warm water, and work into hair. Vinegar naturally closes the cuticle scales and protects the hair, which in turn makes hair appear shiny and healthy. l
s a n d i f e l l m a n ; s e t s t y l i s t: s h a r o n r ya n f o r h a l l e y r e s o u r c e s
Mary Elizabeth Stefani, the author’s grandmother, on the coast of Florida in 1951.
beauty essence
get fresh Berries are the season’s go-to ingredients, conjuring the essence of youthful femininity beneath the summer sun.
clockwise from top: Elizabeth Arden Green Tea Honeysuckle Eau de Toilette Spray ($39.50, elizabetharden.com). Pretty by Elizabeth Arden Eau de Parfum Spray ($52, elizabetharden.com).
Taylor by Taylor Swift Eau de Parfum Spray ($59.50, macys.com). BCBGMAXAZRIA Bon Chic Eau de Parfum ($75, macys.com).
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| New You
nol a lopez
Juicy Couture Viva La Juicy Noir Eau de Parfum ($90, nordstrom.com).
beauty INNOVATOR
skin & sensibility Elizabeth Arden’s Art Spiro, offers an insider perspective into olfactory excellence. BY SHIRLEY VENICE
it starts with seduction—a gentle flirtation that beckons you into the fold of its resplendent packaging. Like a lover, you caress the glass, feeling its contours glide over your hand and desires course through your veins. Taking for granted the artistry of the design, you hastily remove its cover and spray the exquisite nectar onto the length of your neck. One whiff and you are transported into a world of audacious confidence. “Fragrance can change your mood and make you feel more energetic, more confident,” says Art Spiro, the celebrated creator of fragrance for Elizabeth Arden, a master of mood if there ever were one. “You can put on a beautiful blouse and undergarments, but fragrance is the closest thing to your skin.” The composition of a fragrance can be likened to the creation of a movie, a complicated production that includes a year-long study with global marketing teams. “The process starts with the brief—the attitude, the feeling,” says Spiro, who insists that different factors always come into play. (“What is in my portfolio right
now? Am I missing anything olfactively? Am I missing anything where there is a trend in the market that I am not playing in?”) “When people talk about comfort food, they are talking about things that make them feel at ease, and that is the same with fragrance,” Spiro insists. “There are certain fragrances with ingredients that make you feel calm, relaxed, and sensual, and there are others which make you feel more energetic and brighter.” When Spiro created the limited edition of Juicy Couture’s now legendary “Viva La Juicy”— with its heady notes of orange zest, honeysuckle, and jasmine—he had no way of knowing it would become one of the best-selling fragrances of all time in the United States. “That was probably the biggest surprise,” says Spiro. “We met the founders of the company and spent months and months and months with them, getting what they like, what they do not like, what packaging they like, what influences them, what is their fashion business about, who was their core customer, what’s their distribution.” Every bit of tireless research gets accounted for, scrutinized, mused upon, and put to the ultimate test... in the lab, on the body, and in the boardroom. “We capsulated all that data and then went back and said, What’s in my portfolio? What’s going on in the marketplace? What would be the closest association in packaging, in fragrance, in advertising that someone would say, ‘This is Juicy’?,” Spiro says. “To me, when you look at a fragrance, the introduction is in your advertising campaign, the folding carton where the bottle sits is the outer shell, the bottle is like your body, but the actual soul is inside. That is the fragrance.” With 35 years of success in the hypercompetitive fragrance industry, Spiro is called “the nose,” and rightfully so. He has reached to the top of his industry in a world of a million variables. The works of art created under his direction speak to the soul inside each of us, and his passion will linger for generations to come. ● “The Nose” Art Spiro brings sumptuous scents to life. Viva La Juicy captivates.
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| NEW YOU
beauty escapes
la dolce vita If you’re torn between the Italian countryside and a healthy spa trip for your next vacation, worry no longer. Two magnificent new resorts allow guests to experience wellness while basking in the glory of Tuscany. These picturesque resorts employ local ingredients and place a high premium on guest satisfaction. By beth landman Castiglion del Bosco, owned by fashion icon Massimo Ferragamo, recently underwent a multi-million-dollar transformation from castle to resort. The property is like a little village, with a main house, villas, spa, gardens, restaurants, and shops. Your pampering begins as soon as you arrive—a butler unpacks your bags while you pick and choose your way through a group of top personal instructors, ready to take you through fitness activities such as hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, tennis, and archery. (There is even a personal shopper, if that is your preferred activity.) Meanwhile, spa offerings range from the natural to the super high-tech. A spicy anti-cellulite treatment detoxifies with a heady mix of lemongrass, black pepper, ginger, and algae, while facials employ exfoliating pearl powder, caviar, and gold dust along with ultrasound wave treatment and micro-peeling. By the end of your stay, you will feel like royalty. Fortunately, Castiglion del Bosco also offers personal bodyguards. Visit castigliondelbosco.com.
6/3/13
book report
Lively reads for summer
Located in the rolling hills of the Chianti region and surrounded by 750 acres of vineyards and olive trees, Castello del Nero produces its own wine as well as extra virgin olive oil used in the spa and at the resort’s three restaurants. The property’s massages incorporate intoxicating oil from fresh lavender buds; scrubs are performed with sea salt and fragrant rosemary from an on-site garden; and scalp treatments use Tuscan pink mud. Meticulously appointed guest rooms offer sweeping views of the vineyards and have original floors and ceilings from the 12th Century. Many are equipped with frescoes, fireplaces, and canopied beds. If you feel the urge for city-style excitement, the resort even provides complimentary shuttle service to Florence or Siena—both of which are 30 minutes away. Visit castellodelnero.com.
Shocked: My Mother, Schiaparelli, and Me by Pat r i c i a Vo l k ( K n o p f, $ 2 9.9 5)
With deft wit and nostalgia, author Volk reveals her world at age 10, turned upside down by the discovery of Shocking Life: The Autobiography of Elsa Schiaparelli on a bookshelf. Volk had received Schiaparelli’s perfume Shocked as a gift from her father on every birthday, and the legendary designer proved a striking contrast to her stylish mother (a beautiful grand dame on Manhattan’s Upper East Side). Torn between two formidable women—one who warns her to “never leave a hat on a bed” and one who makes a hat out of a shoe—the author’s sensibilities are never quite the same.
Blind Curves One Woman’s Unusual Journey to Reinvent Herself and Answer: What Now? by L i n da C r i l l (Op u s INTL , $ 1 6.9 5):
After losing her husband at 57, Crill is at a loss for how to move forward. In a fit of rebellion, she joins a group of motorcycle riders on a 2,500-mile trip down America’s Pacific Northwest coast. It did not matter that the author had never ridden anything more powerful than a bicycle. This is a must read for baby boomers hungry to change direction in the second half of their lives—told with unconventional wit and insight.
New You
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beauty take away Gl am Bag
Mally Bulletproof Essentials Five-Piece Collection A woman’s face is a work of art—in progress. Mally provides both paint and brush to ensure a beautiful canvas. From the plane to your hotel drawer, no one will imagine that those perfectly curled lashes, smooth lips, sultry eyes, and flawless complexion came from these five diminutive items ($27.50, qvc.com).
beauty on deck Be it for work or play, travel prompts women to part from their medicine cabinets and embrace the basics. Sometimes we simply must leave the comfort of our vanities, magnified mirrors, and gadgets in the spirit of adventure. Although it’s required that we keep our beauty arsenal at home, we never need to go without glamour. Fresh & C risp
Philosophy Happy Travels This cleansing pack makes hygiene look sexy without discriminating against any skin type. Before you land, after your hike, or in the middle of an eight-hour flight, whip out this pretty-in-pink pack to cleanse your face, shampoo your hair, de-puff your eyes, and cover up the scent of adventure ($32, philosophy.com).
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B r i a n K l u t c h /A r t M i x
No -Frills
Pinch Provisions Minimergency Travel Kit Measuring at just 3.5” x 2” x 2”, this travel must is a bottomless pit of beauty remedies. Gold, silver, red, turquoise, pink, purple, and pewter-colored cases carry with them 17 items to keep you stitched, stable, and clean. Double-sided tape, hairspray, nail polish and remover, mending kits, and floss tell the story of a woman prepared for the unthinkable ($13, pinchprovisions.com).
health n ews M o r e o f t e n t h a n n o t, M o t h e r N at u r e h o l d s t h e k e y t o t r e at i n g o u r a i l m e n ts
Here’s the Rub
Good Things, Small Packages Walnuts have claimed the distinction of most virtuous nut, according to The Journal of Nutrition. Researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health found that women who ate walnuts twice weekly reduced their risk of type 2 diabetes by 24 percent. “Walnuts, like other tree nuts, are packed with beneficial nutrients such as unsaturated fats, fiber, plant protein, minerals, and antioxidants,” explains lead researcher Frank Hu. “They’re a rich source of omega-three fatty acids.” Toss some into your breakfast cereal, salads, or even blend with basil, garlic, and olive oil for a fresh take on summer pesto. That’s health in a nutshell!
Before you char-grill your beef burgers, steaks, or chicken, sprinkle on rosemary, or rosemary extract ($30.50, mountainroseherbs.com). The charred part contains potentially cancerous compounds known as HCAs (heterocyclic amines), but rosemary’s antioxidants seem to block their formation, according to research from Kansas State University. Also try marinating with olive oil and citrus juices, or trimming off fat before grilling.
We Heart Turmeric According to the University of Tsukuba in Japan, turmeric is potentially as effective as moderate exercise at preventing aging and boosting heart health. “Turmeric has a potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effect,” explains New York’s Jeffrey Morrison, MD. “Curcumin is the component of turmeric responsible for anti-inflammatory effects. It has been found to make blood cells less sticky and less likely to form blood clots.” Morrison suggests adding one teaspoon to scrambled eggs, chicken salad, and fish. The Butcher’s Daughter in New York (thebutchersdaughter.com) mixes this bright yellow spice into their very popular juice called the Honey Bee.
An Apple a Day…
That daily apple might keep the skin doctor away, according to the University of Kentucky and China Medical University. Researchers found that quercitrin—a form of natural plant extract quercetin—helps protect skin from ultraviolet B (or burning) rays. “I don’t suggest taking quercitrin as a daily
t hinkstock
supplement,” insists lead researcher Zhuo Zhang, PhD. Rather, he recommends the following: “Eat whole apples with the peels on, since peels contain a large amount of quercitrin.” Keep an eye out for sunscreens with apple peel extract.
74%
of Americans desire a more natural approach to healthcare.
Coming Clean So-called “organic” or “earthfriendly” dry cleaning may not be better for your health, or the environment. “No federal body has defined what these terms mean,” says UCLA’s Peter Sinsheimer, PhD, who warns of the chemical solvent perchloroethylene, or perc. “Perc is a hazardous air pollutant, and has adverse health effects such as reproductive toxicity, neurotoxicity, and cancer.” The Environmental Protection Agency approves wet cleaning (detergent and water) and liquid CO2 cleaning. The good old handwash, air-dry method works, too.
New You
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health w ellness Good News About Bad Jobs A toxic boss and overwhelming deadlines might cause you sleepless nights, but what they won’t cause is cancer, says research led by the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health and the University College of London. Researchers have studied 116,000 people, ages 17 to 70, and found that psychological factors such as work stress do not cause colorectal, lung, breast, or prostrate cancer. What can cause them? If that job compels you to smoke, drink, or eat to obesity. So switch your job if it makes you unhappy, but don’t stress that hanging onto it will actually lead to the “Big C.”
T he H ot S e at
Healing TV
Grab your remote and get healed. PBS has debuted The Journey Into Wellbeing, a new reality-based series that follows self-described “overworked, pudgy insomniac” Debra K as she goes state to state to uncover health secrets—from chefs, trainers, alternative and traditional doctors, meditation gurus, and yogis. “I hope others will be inspired to explore their surroundings and find ways in which they can begin a health journey focused on preventing illness,” says Debra, who also performs healthy makeovers on unhealthy food on her Recipe Redo blog. Visit journeyintowellbeing.com.
Wake Up Happier Having trouble getting out of bed when the alarm rings? Try going to sleep with your blinds or curtains halfway open. Natural light first thing in the morning helps reset your internal clock—and slows production of the sleep hormone melatonin. This signals to the brain that it’s time to wake up. Prefer your privacy? Try a natural light alarm clock like the Sharper Image Wake to Natural Light Alarm Clock ($10, sharperimage.com).
Give your poor posture the heaveho with the Backjoy Core Plus seat cradle ($60, gaiam. com). Position the cradle—made with memory foam—on a chair (or the floor for meditation). Your hips will align properly, prompting you to sit up straight without slumping. “It reduces the stress to your spine,” says Joseph Askinasi, DC, DABCO, a New York chiropractic orthopedist and kinesiologist. “Although not a cure for a bad back, it’s great support,“ says Dr. Askinasi.
Micromanaging age Microcurrent therapy, which delivers electrical currents to address nerve and muscle help enhance blood flow—necessary for tissue repair—and tone up the muscles under your skin. The Japanese-developed ReFa Carat Platinum Electronic Roller ($290, dermstore.com) uses microcurrents and an up-and-down kneading motion. The NuFace Trinity ($295, qvc.com) is an FDA-cleared microcurrent device described as a “petite Pilates trainer for your face.” Experts agree that massage helps stimulate circulation. Plus, "the microcurrent may tighten the muscle," says David Bank, MD, of Mt. Kisco, New York. “But it won’t tighten the skin.”
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J a s o n Pa r m e r ( D e b r a K )
pain, has popped up in at-home, wrinkle-smoothing tools. The theory: Microcurrents
health b ites
tropical paradise Bursting with sun-kissed goodness, these tropical fruits whisk you away to your very own private island retreat. Discover the beauty boost hidden within. by mabel de'ath RAMBUTAN
Known as the hairy lychee, this Asian fruit has a high concentration of vitamin C to better absorb iron and copper—two minerals that help your body produce red blood cells. (And we thought it was just the sun and surf that kept islanders brimming with vitality.) HORNED MELON
With a flavor similar to banana and a citrusy bite, this native African fruit is rich in vitamin A (beta carotene), which helps strengthen the immune system. Add to this a high concentration of vitamin E, vitamin C, and potassium, and you have a wild beauty staple. DRAGON FRUIT
POMEGRANATE
Packed to the brim with potent antioxidants, the juicy seeds of the pomegranate fight free-radical damage to your cells. Pomegranates have been revered throughout history as a symbol of health and eternal beauty. We’ll always drink to that! STAR FRUIT
Place a star on each eye to experience instant relief from puffy eyes. With its waxy skin and slightly sour-yet-sweet citrus taste, star fruit is also known to cure the hangovers of rum-soaked islanders. l
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c l a i r e b e n o i s t; f o o d s t y l i s t: K a r e n e va n s
This vitamin B3-packed moonflower helps moisturize skin, while its vitamin C bolsters the immune system. Islanders call this red fruit—powerfully packed with mutivitamins and dramatically adorned with green claws and sweet white pulp—the Queen of the Night.
health mental health
mind over matter When the scale gets stuck at an undesirable number, the likely culprit is your own negative thinking. By Echo Garrett illustrations by Shonagh Rae
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in 2004, my husband kevin—an adventure-loving photographer and writer—was rear-ended on his way to a photo shoot. He suffered a mild TBI, or traumatic brain injury, and the accident activated osteoarthritis in his back and neck. To deal with pain, he popped handfuls of Advil, often forgetting that he’d taken them already due to the TBI. Two years ago, he collapsed in a parking lot. He insisted his colleagues drive him home so he could die in my arms rather than at the hospital. (I’m glad to say that this was not the last of him.) It was a turning point, for both of us. I had quit my job as editor-in-chief of Atlanta Woman magazine in the wake of his accident to make sure our family company, See Level Studios, stayed afloat. Over the next seven years, I put self-care on the shelf as I shifted from lover and partner to caregiver, juggling the schedules of our sons and dealing with insurance companies and attorneys. I barely slept and rarely made it to the gym. Though we ate a relatively healthy diet, my weight gradually crept upward as I lived in a fog, grieving what we’d lost and facing an uncertain future. It felt like I was drowning. Tired of trying new doctors, we were implored by my best friend to meet with chiropractor and applied kinesiologist Carl Amodio, DC, DIBAK. Following Kevin’s collapse, we agreed to explore two simultaneous paths—alternative and traditional medicine. Our medical doctor suggested that Kevin needed exploratory surgery for
health mental health possible stomach cancer, and contributed more questions than answers. Dr. Amodio, on the other hand, gave me his personal cell number and showed genuine concern for our situation. His philosophy is that everything is linked to everything else, and he deduced that the over-the-counter pain medications had taken a grave toll on Kevin’s gall bladder and liver. He was dangerously close to experiencing sudden acute liver failure. Kevin’s work with Dr. Amodio made his ashen look and bloating disappear. He regained his model looks, and his thinking became clearer. Even his hair got darker. His pain levels were much better thanks to the use of herbs, supplements, and a tailored diet for his needs. I was astonished by his transformation, and started working with Dr. Amodio on a book called Optimize You: New Hope for Optimal Health and Healing.
D
r. amodio finds tension and imbalance through muscle testing. After pinpointing the main issue, he works with you to determine whether an issue is caused by a structural, nutritional, or emotional imbalance in the body. If the issue is emotional, he determines whether it’s connected to a relationship or the material world, if it’s current or from the past, the organ in which the emotion is being held, and what exactly needs to be cleared. Once Amodio identifies the triggering event, he’ll ask you to put your hand over the organ where negative emotion is being held, and simultaneously put your hand to your forehead. You breathe deeply while thinking about how you felt during the initial experience. Amodio gently taps on your spine in whatever area is connected to that organ system. Flagging strength indicates that there is another issue blocking you. If you have a structural problem, your body will demonstrate weakness when a certain area is touched. Amodio may do a chiropractic adjustment and then test again to see if the problem is cleared. If the issue is nutritional, muscle weakness will reveal that, too. When Dr. Amodio suggested that negative thoughts prevent a person from reaching an ideal weight, I was skeptical but intrigued. I desperately wanted to get my life back—especially the romance and sense of fun that Kevin and I shared for so many years. By this time, I’d gone back to a regular routine of Zumba, yoga, running, and weight training. I couldn’t seem to shed the unwanted pounds layering my petite 5'4" frame. What did I have to lose, besides about 36 pounds? My willingness to explore Amodio’s way was a gift from my grandmother, Mimi. Mimi was an early convert to natural medicine in the 1960s after my granddad—a heavy drinker and smoker— dropped dead of a heart attack at 51. She threw out processed foods, subscribed to Prevention, took vitamins, practiced yoga, and dropped 30 pounds—maintaining that weight for the remainder of her life, until age 84. Thanks to her, I have always looked to alternative medicine for answers.
68
6/3/13
| New You
“Kevin’s work with Dr. Amodio made his ashen look and bloating disappear. Even his hair got darker. I was astonished by his transformation.” Dr. Amodio asked my body what my ideal weight was. I didn’t say a word, but through muscle testing, he came up with the exact weight that I had in mind—what I weighed in college when I first met Kevin. I was flabbergasted. Then he asked what my body would allow me to lose, which was 12 pounds above my ideal weight. “You’ve got some blocks around weight,” he said. “Until we clear these blocks, your body literally won’t allow you to hit your ideal weight.”
I
came to learn that self-sabotage is often the biggest obstacle to our elusive goals. We hear that notion time and again, but it finally rang true for me. “Our negative thoughts hold us back from doing what we want to do and losing weight is the most common example,” explains Dr. Amodio, an ex-Marine. “People reach a comfortable weight, and the body sets the thermostat at that weight.” Dr. Amodio works with executives, athletes, and other
high performers. Muscle testing allows him to quickly identify and delete psychological blocks that hinder us from being our best selves. When we have strong negative emotion, it can form a Neuro-Emotional Component (NEC) that takes up physical space in the body. This NEC collects toxins around that area. Candace Pert, PhD, author of Molecules of Emotion and a molecular biologist from Georgetown University, has scientifically shown how emotions impact our cells. Dr. Amodio’s technique combines Quintessential Applications—a neurological hierarchy for assessing the body, developed by Walter H. Schmitt, DC, DIBAK, DABCN—and elements of Neuro-Emotional Technique (NET), developed by Scott Walker, DC. The weight issues of Amodio’s female patients are often linked to emotional insecurity rooted in a relationship or a trauma—especially physical or sexual abuse. “They are literally carrying extra padding to protect themselves,” he says. “Once we identify what those limiting beliefs are, we eliminate those destructive thought patterns and replace them with empowering thought patterns.” My initial block was linked to an incident that happened when I was 18, a college freshman. “The emotion is low selfesteem and hopelessness, and you are holding it in your pancreas,” he said when he first treated me. Instantly, I made the connection. My then-boyfriend had gotten angry about something and had shoved me across the room. I hit my back on the doorframe and crumpled to the floor. I spent the next two nights in the infirmary, flat on my back in a dark room. I was embarrassed and didn’t tell anyone. Dr. Amodio asked me to take a deep breath, and think about how I felt in that moment as he tapped a certain place on my spine. As I exhaled, I felt lighter. He asked me to look over my left shoulder. “Now look at my right eye with your right eye, and declare that you are ready, willing, and able to attain your ideal weight,” he instructed. My arm immediately went weak. “That means there is another event from your past behind the weight issue,” he said. The next event happened when I was age 32. The emotion it generated was despair, and I was holding it in my large intestine. At seven months pregnant, I had been accosted on the New York City subway system. The man threatened to kill me. I went into premature labor the next day. Eleven months later, this same man killed several people on the Long Island Railroad, including one of my friends who looked eerily like me. I was so traumatized that we moved to Atlanta with our toddler and infant sons. I suffered from unusual symptoms after our move, but my gynecologist swept aside my concerns. A new doctor deduced that I’d gone through trauma-induced menopause at age 33. There I was, age 39, and he told me, “You look fine on the out-
“The scale confirmed that I was five pounds lighter the next morning. Letting go of emotional baggage has become as important as my exercise regimen.” side, but your sex organs are shriveled like those of an 80-yearold woman.” I felt old and unattractive, and now I had to deal with the news that we’d never have another child.
F
ollowing the emotional release from my longburied issues, I lost 23 pounds over the next several months—without a tremendous shift in effort. When I’d hit a plateau, I’d ask the doctor to see if there was an emotional component to my halt in progress. As these blocks would occasionally emerge, he would explain that a “triggering event” had likely occurred, causing a file in my brain to open. Then one day my weight started creeping up. Alarmed, I asked him to unravel the mystery. He uncovered a host of emotional issues in my subconscious mind, connected to weight. Kevin and I had gone skiing in Taos for the first time since his accident. I hurt my knee and had to forgo classes. When Dr. Amodio gave the all-clear to resume regular workouts, my knee still hurt and I experienced dizzy spells. My tibia had shifted ever so slightly backwards, causing pain. “When the knee is involved, it usually means you’re anxious about moving forward in your life,” he remarked, explaining that anxiety was being held in my spleen. “Your dizziness comes from confusion about how to deal with the situation affecting your future.” Over the next two hours, he proceeded to identify and “clear” 25 issues, ranging from low self-esteem to feeling the pressure of impossible expectations, which manifested as pain in my shoulder. “When you feel shoulder pain, if it’s emotionally-based, you feel like the weight of the world is on your shoulders,” he said. Once he had released those emotions, I could lift my arm above my head; moments before it would barely move above my shoulder. This work allowed the burden of unreasonable expectations to lift. Why hadn’t cognitive therapy touched these issues, and how was I suddenly ready to deal with such emotions? “Your brain has a way of managing itself,” Dr. Amodio insisted. “You apparently weren’t ready to process them.” When he tested my body again, it signaled that it would cooperate in reaching 114 pounds. “Don’t be surprised if you drop significant weight in the next few weeks,” he said. The scale indeed confirmed that I was indeed five pounds lighter the next morning. I’m still on my journey to reach my ideal weight, as I write this, yet I’m no longer sabotaged by my long-buried emotions. Letting go of emotional baggage has become just as important as my daily nutritional and exercise regimen. In fact, I feel lighter than I have in years. l
New You
|
69
6/3/13
health mental health possible stomach cancer, and contributed more questions than answers. Dr. Amodio, on the other hand, gave me his personal cell number and showed genuine concern for our situation. His philosophy is that everything is linked to everything else, and he deduced that the over-the-counter pain medications had taken a grave toll on Kevin’s gall bladder and liver. He was dangerously close to experiencing sudden acute liver failure. Kevin’s work with Dr. Amodio made his ashen look and bloating disappear. He regained his model looks, and his thinking became clearer. Even his hair got darker. His pain levels were much better thanks to the use of herbs, supplements, and a tailored diet for his needs. I was astonished by his transformation, and started working with Dr. Amodio on a book called Optimize You: New Hope for Optimal Health and Healing.
D
r. amodio finds tension and imbalance through muscle testing. After pinpointing the main issue, he works with you to determine whether an issue is caused by a structural, nutritional, or emotional imbalance in the body. If the issue is emotional, he determines whether it’s connected to a relationship or the material world, if it’s current or from the past, the organ in which the emotion is being held, and what exactly needs to be cleared. Once Amodio identifies the triggering event, he’ll ask you to put your hand over the organ where negative emotion is being held, and simultaneously put your hand to your forehead. You breathe deeply while thinking about how you felt during the initial experience. Amodio gently taps on your spine in whatever area is connected to that organ system. Flagging strength indicates that there is another issue blocking you. If you have a structural problem, your body will demonstrate weakness when a certain area is touched. Amodio may do a chiropractic adjustment and then test again to see if the problem is cleared. If the issue is nutritional, muscle weakness will reveal that, too. When Dr. Amodio suggested that negative thoughts prevent a person from reaching an ideal weight, I was skeptical but intrigued. I desperately wanted to get my life back—especially the romance and sense of fun that Kevin and I shared for so many years. By this time, I’d gone back to a regular routine of Zumba, yoga, running, and weight training. I couldn’t seem to shed the unwanted pounds layering my petite 5'4" frame. What did I have to lose, besides about 36 pounds? My willingness to explore Amodio’s way was a gift from my grandmother, Mimi. Mimi was an early convert to natural medicine in the 1960s after my granddad—a heavy drinker and smoker— dropped dead of a heart attack at 51. She threw out processed foods, subscribed to Prevention, took vitamins, practiced yoga, and dropped 30 pounds—maintaining that weight for the remainder of her life, until age 84. Thanks to her, I have always looked to alternative medicine for answers.
68
6/3/13
| New You
“Kevin’s work with Dr. Amodio made his ashen look and bloating disappear. Even his hair got darker. I was astonished by his transformation.” Dr. Amodio asked my body what my ideal weight was. I didn’t say a word, but through muscle testing, he came up with the exact weight that I had in mind—what I weighed in college when I first met Kevin. I was flabbergasted. Then he asked what my body would allow me to lose, which was 12 pounds above my ideal weight. “You’ve got some blocks around weight,” he said. “Until we clear these blocks, your body literally won’t allow you to hit your ideal weight.”
I
came to learn that self-sabotage is often the biggest obstacle to our elusive goals. We hear that notion time and again, but it finally rang true for me. “Our negative thoughts hold us back from doing what we want to do and losing weight is the most common example,” explains Dr. Amodio, an ex-Marine. “People reach a comfortable weight, and the body sets the thermostat at that weight.” Dr. Amodio works with executives, athletes, and other
high performers. Muscle testing allows him to quickly identify and delete psychological blocks that hinder us from being our best selves. When we have strong negative emotion, it can form a Neuro-Emotional Component (NEC) that takes up physical space in the body. This NEC collects toxins around that area. Candace Pert, PhD, author of Molecules of Emotion and a molecular biologist from Georgetown University, has scientifically shown how emotions impact our cells. Dr. Amodio’s technique combines Quintessential Applications—a neurological hierarchy for assessing the body, developed by Walter H. Schmitt, DC, DIBAK, DABCN—and elements of Neuro-Emotional Technique (NET), developed by Scott Walker, DC. The weight issues of Amodio’s female patients are often linked to emotional insecurity rooted in a relationship or a trauma—especially physical or sexual abuse. “They are literally carrying extra padding to protect themselves,” he says. “Once we identify what those limiting beliefs are, we eliminate those destructive thought patterns and replace them with empowering thought patterns.” My initial block was linked to an incident that happened when I was 18, a college freshman. “The emotion is low selfesteem and hopelessness, and you are holding it in your pancreas,” he said when he first treated me. Instantly, I made the connection. My then-boyfriend had gotten angry about something and had shoved me across the room. I hit my back on the doorframe and crumpled to the floor. I spent the next two nights in the infirmary, flat on my back in a dark room. I was embarrassed and didn’t tell anyone. Dr. Amodio asked me to take a deep breath, and think about how I felt in that moment as he tapped a certain place on my spine. As I exhaled, I felt lighter. He asked me to look over my left shoulder. “Now look at my right eye with your right eye, and declare that you are ready, willing, and able to attain your ideal weight,” he instructed. My arm immediately went weak. “That means there is another event from your past behind the weight issue,” he said. The next event happened when I was age 32. The emotion it generated was despair, and I was holding it in my large intestine. At seven months pregnant, I had been accosted on the New York City subway system. The man threatened to kill me. I went into premature labor the next day. Eleven months later, this same man killed several people on the Long Island Railroad, including one of my friends who looked eerily like me. I was so traumatized that we moved to Atlanta with our toddler and infant sons. I suffered from unusual symptoms after our move, but my gynecologist swept aside my concerns. A new doctor deduced that I’d gone through trauma-induced menopause at age 33. There I was, age 39, and he told me, “You look fine on the out-
“The scale confirmed that I was five pounds lighter the next morning. Letting go of emotional baggage has become as important as my exercise regimen.” side, but your sex organs are shriveled like those of an 80-yearold woman.” I felt old and unattractive, and now I had to deal with the news that we’d never have another child.
F
ollowing the emotional release from my longburied issues, I lost 23 pounds over the next several months—without a tremendous shift in effort. When I’d hit a plateau, I’d ask the doctor to see if there was an emotional component to my halt in progress. As these blocks would occasionally emerge, he would explain that a “triggering event” had likely occurred, causing a file in my brain to open. Then one day my weight started creeping up. Alarmed, I asked him to unravel the mystery. He uncovered a host of emotional issues in my subconscious mind, connected to weight. Kevin and I had gone skiing in Taos for the first time since his accident. I hurt my knee and had to forgo classes. When Dr. Amodio gave the all-clear to resume regular workouts, my knee still hurt and I experienced dizzy spells. My tibia had shifted ever so slightly backwards, causing pain. “When the knee is involved, it usually means you’re anxious about moving forward in your life,” he remarked, explaining that anxiety was being held in my spleen. “Your dizziness comes from confusion about how to deal with the situation affecting your future.” Over the next two hours, he proceeded to identify and “clear” 25 issues, ranging from low self-esteem to feeling the pressure of impossible expectations, which manifested as pain in my shoulder. “When you feel shoulder pain, if it’s emotionally-based, you feel like the weight of the world is on your shoulders,” he said. Once he had released those emotions, I could lift my arm above my head; moments before it would barely move above my shoulder. This work allowed the burden of unreasonable expectations to lift. Why hadn’t cognitive therapy touched these issues, and how was I suddenly ready to deal with such emotions? “Your brain has a way of managing itself,” Dr. Amodio insisted. “You apparently weren’t ready to process them.” When he tested my body again, it signaled that it would cooperate in reaching 114 pounds. “Don’t be surprised if you drop significant weight in the next few weeks,” he said. The scale indeed confirmed that I was indeed five pounds lighter the next morning. I’m still on my journey to reach my ideal weight, as I write this, yet I’m no longer sabotaged by my long-buried emotions. Letting go of emotional baggage has become just as important as my daily nutritional and exercise regimen. In fact, I feel lighter than I have in years. l
New You
|
69
6/3/13
health food diaries
eating up Best-selling authors and fitness gurus Denise Austin and Bob Harper do much more than shell out fitness and health advice. They walk the talk by eating healthy. By Linda Childers Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
White corn omelet ✤ Four egg whites, plus one egg yolk ✤ Frozen white corn ✤ Spinach ✤ Chives ✤ Parsley ✤ Tomatoes
Flatbread pizza ✤ Whole-wheat tortillas ✤ Tomato ✤ Artichoke hearts ✤ Olives ✤ Onions ✤ Grated cheese ✤ Pizza sauce
Hot green tea
Arugula salad ✤ Beets ✤ Arugula ✤ Lentils ✤ Olive oil ✤ Lemon juice ✤ Parsley ✤ Basil ✤ Goat cheese (optional)
“Eggs are full of protein, but
Iced herbal tea
are 23 and 20, love
there’s still some controversy as to
“Arugula is a good source of
Instead of a thick crust,
or just the white for optimal health.
K, a nutrient that’s important
I use a whole-wheat
I recommend mostly whites, with
for bone health. I love making an
wrap. We like to mix and
a yolk or two here and there.
arugula salad for lunch and adding
match vegetables, proteins,
Besides reducing your risk of
colorful vegetables such as beets
and spices to make new
cancer and heart disease, green
(packed with antioxidants and
combinations.”
tea benefits the whole body and
blood-building iron) as well as
contains antioxidants that boost
lentils, which are high in fiber and
metabolism and target ab fat.”
help to balance blood sugars.”
Snacks Pumpkin seeds Yogurt with blueberries Two squares dark chocolate
“Snacking isn’t a dirty word, if you’re careful about what you eat. There are lots of nutritious, low-calorie foods that can help you feel full and give you an energy boost. Fruits and veggies are some of my favorite snacks, and there are so many to choose from. I also love savoring dark chocolate. I just close my eyes and let it melt in my
Austin is the author of Side Effect: Skinny and creator of the Fit in a Flash exercise DVD.
mouth. Dark chocolate is a potent antioxidant that has been shown to lower high-blood pressure. When eaten in moderation, it’s not only a delicious treat—it’s good for you.”
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5/28/13
| New You
B i r d S t r e e t b o o k s/ H a g o p k a l a i d j i a n (a u s t i n ) ; s t o c k f o o d ( y o g u r t )
“I’ve always loved cooking homemade meals for my husband and two daughters. I try to make smart meal choices during the week and then plan a “super splurge day” on the weekend, when I can go out for Mexican food or treat myself to a certain food I’ve been craving. I don’t eat anything between 7pm and 7am, Sunday through Thursday, which eliminates late-evening snacks that lead to weight gain.”
these flatbread pizzas.
vitamins A and C and also vitamin
whether you should eat the yolk
Denise Austin
“My two daughters, who
health food diaries Bob Harper “I enjoy cooking but I don’t have a lot of time, so I like recipes that are healthy, easy, and rely on whole foods and fresh flavors. At each meal, I try to fill my plate with 40 percent healthy carbs, 40 percent lean protein, and 20 percent healthy fats. I also drink a large glass of water before every meal. My diet is very clean, and I eat a lot of organic foods that are plant-based. If I want something sweet, I’m more apt to choose a glass of wine with dinner than a slice of chocolate cake.”
Breakfast
Dinner
Snacks
Greek yogurt mixed with strawberries, blueberries, and blackberries
Two turkey burgers ✤ Turkey breast ✤ Crushed tomatoes ✤ Italian seasoning ✤ Garlic powder ✤ Grated Parmesan cheese
Hummus with cucumber slices
Espresso with light vanilla soy milk
“Breakfast is the most important
Sweet potato fries
enjoyed a bowl of Greek yogurt
“I keep lean ground turkey on
mixed with fruit. Greek yogurt
hand and often make turkey
has twice as much protein as
meatballs or turkey burgers for
other yogurts, which is important
dinner. I also enjoy grilling a
because protein keeps you
chicken breast or having fish.
satisfied longer, and your body
Sweet potatoes are one of my
burns more calories digesting
go-to foods since it’s easy to bake
protein than carbs. I mix in berries
some sweet potato fries or to
that count as my carbs. Since
even microwave a sweet potato
I’m a coffee guy, I usually start
as a side dish.”
out the morning with an espresso
Herbal tea before bed
Lunch Kale salad ✤ Green onions ✤ Apple cider vinegar ✤ Fresh lemon juice ✤ Roasted chicken breast ✤ Avocado ✤ Apple ✤ Mixed greens and broccoli
be used as a meal replacement. This drink is loaded with vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients and offers a great way to increase your daily vegetable intake.”
Espresso or tea
“Broccoli and kale are nutrientrich greens that are high in calcium and vitamin C. I keep this kale salad in my refrigerator because it’s so hearty and will last for days. I also have low sodium, deli-style salami and chicken breast on hand to add to salads. If I’m on the go, I’ll pack some salami slices and light cheese in a bag and eat them as roll-ups.”
72
5/28/13
| New You
up your metabolism. A handful of dry roasted or raw nuts can provide a great energy boost. Having a small, healthy pre-workout snack will also prevent you from feeling hungry while you exercise, and will help prevent low blood sugar.”
and one cube of raw sugar.”
Before-Breakfast
healthy green drink that can also
four hours will help to rev
made with light vanilla soy milk
Green smoothie ✤ Flax seed ✤ Hemp seed ✤ Dulse flakes ✤ Maca powder ✤ Protein powder ✤ Fresh kale ✤ Frozen spinach ✤ Blueberries ✤ Small banana ✤ Frozen pineapple ✤ Water
“I start the day off with this
“Eating something every
n b c u n i v e r s a l ( h a r p e r ) ; s t o c k f o o d (s a l a d )
Harper is a trainer on The Biggest Loser, author of Jumpstart to Skinny, and creator of the workout DVD series Inside Out Method.
meal of the day, and lately I’ve
Dry roasted or raw nuts
health food diaries Bob Harper “I enjoy cooking but I don’t have a lot of time, so I like recipes that are healthy, easy, and rely on whole foods and fresh flavors. At each meal, I try to fill my plate with 40 percent healthy carbs, 40 percent lean protein, and 20 percent healthy fats. I also drink a large glass of water before every meal. My diet is very clean, and I eat a lot of organic foods that are plant-based. If I want something sweet, I’m more apt to choose a glass of wine with dinner than a slice of chocolate cake.”
Breakfast
Dinner
Snacks
Greek yogurt mixed with strawberries, blueberries, and blackberries
Two turkey burgers ✤ Turkey breast ✤ Crushed tomatoes ✤ Italian seasoning ✤ Garlic powder ✤ Grated Parmesan cheese
Hummus with cucumber slices
Espresso with light vanilla soy milk
“Breakfast is the most important
Sweet potato fries
enjoyed a bowl of Greek yogurt
“I keep lean ground turkey on
mixed with fruit. Greek yogurt
hand and often make turkey
has twice as much protein as
meatballs or turkey burgers for
other yogurts, which is important
dinner. I also enjoy grilling a
because protein keeps you
chicken breast or having fish.
satisfied longer, and your body
Sweet potatoes are one of my
burns more calories digesting
go-to foods since it’s easy to bake
protein than carbs. I mix in berries
some sweet potato fries or to
that count as my carbs. Since
even microwave a sweet potato
I’m a coffee guy, I usually start
as a side dish.”
out the morning with an espresso
Herbal tea before bed
Lunch Kale salad ✤ Green onions ✤ Apple cider vinegar ✤ Fresh lemon juice ✤ Roasted chicken breast ✤ Avocado ✤ Apple ✤ Mixed greens and broccoli
be used as a meal replacement. This drink is loaded with vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients and offers a great way to increase your daily vegetable intake.”
Espresso or tea
“Broccoli and kale are nutrientrich greens that are high in calcium and vitamin C. I keep this kale salad in my refrigerator because it’s so hearty and will last for days. I also have low sodium, deli-style salami and chicken breast on hand to add to salads. If I’m on the go, I’ll pack some salami slices and light cheese in a bag and eat them as roll-ups.”
72
5/28/13
| New You
up your metabolism. A handful of dry roasted or raw nuts can provide a great energy boost. Having a small, healthy pre-workout snack will also prevent you from feeling hungry while you exercise, and will help prevent low blood sugar.”
and one cube of raw sugar.”
Before-Breakfast
healthy green drink that can also
four hours will help to rev
made with light vanilla soy milk
Green smoothie ✤ Flax seed ✤ Hemp seed ✤ Dulse flakes ✤ Maca powder ✤ Protein powder ✤ Fresh kale ✤ Frozen spinach ✤ Blueberries ✤ Small banana ✤ Frozen pineapple ✤ Water
“I start the day off with this
“Eating something every
n b c u n i v e r s a l ( h a r p e r ) ; s t o c k f o o d (s a l a d )
Harper is a trainer on The Biggest Loser, author of Jumpstart to Skinny, and creator of the workout DVD series Inside Out Method.
meal of the day, and lately I’ve
Dry roasted or raw nuts
health hydrate
water, water everywhere H2O is more than your key to great health. It’s the number-one natural weapon in your age-defying beauty bank. human beings cannot exist without water, which accounts for 70 to 75 percent of our bodies’ composition. The majority of people, however, don’t give a second thought to its content or quality. Perhaps they take the issue for granted, or assume that water in every bottle is the same. Be warned: not all bottled H2O is created equal, and choosing wisely will impact your health and appearance in dramatic ways. Water is the vehicle for enzymatic and chemical reactions, helping to transport nutrients, hormones, antibodies, and oxygen through the blood and lymphatic system. We lose one to two pints each day from exhaling alone—our lungs must be moist to take in oxygen and release carbon dioxide. And that’s before sweating at your favorite Bikram yoga class. Do we drink from a tap, machine, or bottle? What about ionized water? What is the safest and healthiest option, hydrating and alkalizing the body most effectively? What is the optimal choice for the environment? We are faced with rows of
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5/30/13
| New You
t hinkstock
By Inge Theron
different bottled water brands—the classic version as well as vitamin- and protein-infused “smart water.” Brand spokespeople sport six-packs in advertisements, but small print often reveals that facilities which purify and bottle “smart water” get their water from “municipal water systems.” In other words, they are purifying tap water, at great costs to the environment. While Glacéau—a subsidiary brand of CocaCola—fully complies with FDA standards, read the small print: “Drinking water including bottled water may reasonably be expected to contain contaminants.” Recent studies indicate that most bottled water comes in polyethylene terephthalate bottles (PET)—proven to leak chemicals. These have the potential to interfere with estrogen production and other reproductive hormones in a manner similar to BPA and phthalates. Virgin petroleum is used to make PET, and the more bottles we use, the more virgin petroleum is needed to create new ones. Fossil fuels are burned to fill and then distribute them. While bottled water is convenient, fewer than 20 percent of the bottles ever make it to a second life, according to estimates by the Container Recycling Institute. The remainder is tossed into landfills, where they could potentially be around a thousand years from now.
T
ap water may be back in fashion thanks to Tap’d Inc. founder Craig Zucker, one of the first people to commercialize tap water. New York City is famous for above-par tap water—rigorously tested, flowing from the Delaware Aqueduct, and virtually lead-free. Zucker claimed the water was so good, it deserved to be bottled and shelved. Through strong marketing of a simple idea, Zucker was able to put tap water back on the main table by citing the fact that it was fresher than most bottled water. Reports do, however, identify old and poorly maintained pipes as the primary culprit in NYC water contamination— allowing hidden pollutants such as pharmaceuticals, fecal matter, and other bacteria to sporadically flow from your tap. These pollutants may not cause any serious harm in the short term, but many people are less than keen on letting them slip into their systems. For Jane Houlihan, Senior Vice President for Research at the Environmental Working Group (EWG), research is key in making a wise water choice. “Our top choice is filtered tap water,” says Houlihan. “When you do choose bottled water, we recommend brands that tell you what’s in the water.” The two musts to keep in mind when reviewing bottled water are pH and ORP (oxidation reduction potential). Optimal health comes from keeping your system alkaline— this is usually around 7pH. Anything below that is acidic. If you are drinking Perrier, Gatorade, or Dasani—all of which are below 7pH—your body has to work to alkanise via mag-
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5/30/13
| New You
“Water is so simple and so basic that it is easy to overlook... yet it is often the simplest factor that can make the biggest difference.” —Dr. Dave
Carpenter, author of Change Your Water, Change Your Life
nesium reserves meant for healthy bones. When faced with a choice, Evian, Zaqual, and Essentia are all above 8pH. Purchase these in a glass bottle and you are doing well. A 2011 study by EWG shows that the bottled water industry routinely fails to provide information to consumers about specific geographical sources, purification methods, and purity testing results. They adorn their labels with scenic pictures but neglect to back up the visual promise with any facts. “If people are willing to pay 1,900 times the cost of tap water in order to buy water in a plastic bottle, they deserve better than that,” cites the EWG study. Only one of the 173 reviewed bottled water products actually discloses this information on the label and provides information for requesting a water quality test report. Environmental factors remain a key cause for concern, prompting a search for more sustainable options such as reusable filtered containers from leading brands including BRITA and Hydros Bottle. Product designers are leading the way toward more sustainable water consumption. Fuseproject has designed a glass bottle and created the Whole World Water project, which encourages hotels to filter water onsite rather than importing plastic bottles. Whole World Water connects hospitality and catering companies with a firm that provides on-site filtration services, eliminating unnecessary wastage while saving money. Ten percent of the proceeds are donated to help people around the world without access to clean drinking water. Home filtration systems from companies such as Japan’s Enagic and their brand, Kangen Water, do a good job in delivering healthy water. The Kangen filter is certified as a Medical Device by Japan’s Ministry of Health and Welfare, and is now available for home use. Proponents claim its water is a powerful antioxidant, six to eight times more powerful than green tea, and helps to raise the body’s alkalinity. It is thought to fight free radicals that damage cells. Kangen, which means “return to origin,” is also “micro-clustered,” meaning water molecules are reduced in size, which is believed to aid in body absorption. Bill Gates has installed 16 Kangen SD-501 machines in his 25-bedroom house. Its biggest fans say that after six weeks of Kangen water, skin glows, nails are longer, teeth appear healthier, hair is lustrous, lips are hydrated, eyes are brighter, and sugar cravings abate. If bottled water is absolutely your only option, be a stickler for geographical source and purification information. Brands such as Nestlé’s Pure Life Purified Water are acrossthe-board good, as are the higher pH brands like Evian. Avoid bottles where you can, and opt for more sustainable reusable filtered containers or home filtration systems. You’ll be doing your part in keeping our earth healthy, and you’ll feel better than ever before. l
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health hydrate
health money you exercise regularly, eat a healthy diet, and are vigilant about getting a good night’s sleep. But if you find yourself regularly stressing about your finances, you’re not doing everything you can to ensure good health. A 2012 “Stress in America” survey conducted by the American Psychological Association (APA) found that money is a top source of stress for adults. Sixty-nine percent of people attribute their stress to money and 65 percent report that work is a cause of stress. And stress, they note, can lead to a variety of chronic health problems including weight gain, diabetes, and heart disease. Bestselling author and America’s favorite personal finance expert Suze Orman knows what it’s like to worry about money. Until she reached age 30, Orman worked as a waitress in Berkeley, California, earning $400 a month. It wasn’t until she decided to open her own restaurant and study money management that she learned how to achieve financial independence. Today, the 61-year-old personal finance expert helps people take charge of their finances through her CNBC television show, books, and website, Suzeorman.com. Here, Orman talks about the top five money mistakes women make and how they can fix them to improve their financial health.
Suze orman’s healthy finance tips
Finance guru Suze Orman offers dollars-and-cents sense to help you reduce serenity-stealing anxiety. By Linda Childers
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to pay off your mortgage before you stop working to remove that big cost from your post-retirement savings,” Orman says. For example, make one extra mortgage payment a year. You can even spread the payment over 12 months.”
Pay Off Your House. “One of the smartest financial moves: Pay off your mortgage before you retire. If you’re in your fifties and plan to live in your home forever, then try
Weigh Wants Against Needs. “Stop trying to impress others with money you don’t have,” Orman says. “Before you make a purchase, ask yourself
Consider Long-Term Care Insurance. “We’re living longer than ever before. But that might mean assisted living facility or in-home health care costs, which makes a huge dent in savings—$3,450 per month, says a 2013 Genworth Cost of Care survey. “It’s important to buy long-term care insurance in your fifties or before,” Orman says. “If you wait until sixty, you’ll face higher premiums and might be denied because of a pre-existing condition.”
whether you want it or need it.” That new car, for one, can wait even if you can afford it. “Drive your car for several more years and fund a Roth IRA, start an emergency fund or pay down credit cards. Save money for the indulgences you really want and have saved up to buy.” Protect Your Future. “Most of us live in the moment, and don’t think about our financial future or how our loved ones will be protected. “Having a will isn’t enough,” Orman says. Having a living revocable trust will help your heirs avoid costly, lengthy court procedures. An advanced directive is designed to tell your doctor your wishes regarding end-of-life decisions, such as whether or not you want to be kept alive on a life-support machine, while a durable power of attorney for healthcare allows a loved one to make healthcare decisions for you.”
rober t t racht enberg
healthy finances, healthy you
Put Your Retirement Savings First. “I often get asked by mothers how they can save for their child’s college education, yet they haven’t adequately prepared for their own retirement,” Orman reveals. “There are plenty of financial aid options available for college students, but there aren’t any financial aid programs available to retirees.” The greatest gift a parent can give to her children, she says, is the assurance they will be financially secure in their retirement. Maybe this means that your child goes to a public rather than a private university, or works part-time. “An affordable college education is one that doesn’t derail the parents’ retirement savings.”
health sips
smooth operator We’re always on a quest to find healthy diet options that don’t sacrifice flavor. B Nutritious founder Brooke Alpert takes us down the path to body-boosting, smoothie-making success. by louise montemaro photography by claire benoist
Pink Chia 1 cup Lifeway Low-Fat plain kefir ½ cup frozen raspberries ¼ tsp vanilla extract 1 tsp chia seeds
“The major bonus in this smoothie is the chia seeds. Chia seeds are a great source of antioxidants plus a major source of omega-3 fatty acids.”
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health sips
sugar by any other name...
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PB and Apple ½ apple, chopped and softened in microwave (in a bowl with a splash of water for 1 minute) 1 tsp cinnamon 1 tbsp peanut butter 1 cup 2% milk
“The combination in this smoothie makes for a tasty yet satiating snack or meal because of all the protein and fat from the peanut butter, plus the fiber from the apples. All still so low in sugar!”
Fruit and dairy, the two major components of smoothies, are already sources of sugar and protein, so it’s important to know exactly what else is going into the blender before the straw hits your mouth. Major chains use names like “power,” “supercharged,” “energy,” and “shape up” to suggest
that these protein-charged options are the perfect choice for a preor post-workout boost. According to Marion Nestle, Food Politics blogger and a professor at the Department of Nutrition, Food Studies, and Public Health, this is not necessarily true. “Americans are hardly lacking in protein, and
no supplements are needed.” These “power options” often consist of blends or shots that contain a mix of whey concentrate, soy protein, and egg protein, and often contain 50 percent— or more—of daily protein needs. This translates into fat storage, not muscle building, when
f o o d s t y l i s t: k a r e n e va n s
delicious and seemingly innocuous, smoothies incite a surprising amount of debate over whether or not we can truly classify them “healthy.” Three types of people tend to weigh in on the to-smoothie or not-to-smoothie debate: There’s the casual sipper, who feels that a blend of the best fruits and flavors on a hot summer day is perfection. There’s the fitness drinker, who sees smoothies as a cocktail of protein, power, and maximum energy. And then there’s the critical naysayer, who argues that the concoction is nothing but a blended nutritional disaster. The bottom line: Smoothies can be a powerful source of protein, fiber, and vitamins, but all of those benefits can be mired in an overload of synthetic protein shots and sugar. According to Brooke Alpert, MS, RD, CDN, and author of The Sugar Detox Diet, sugar content and size are key, and the health debate must be moderated on a smoothie-by-smoothie basis. “All smoothies shouldn’t be grouped together,” Alpert says. “Often, purchased products end up a sugar detox no-no because they have too many servings of high sugar fruits, plus other types of sweeteners—all on top of being too big of a serving size.” Sugar is making headlines lately, and not for sweet reasons. Experts like Alpert call it the new “controlled substance,” and critics have subsequently deemed smoothies unhealthy based on the sugar additives that many stores use in their recipes. This “drug,” some experts say, poisons society by contributing to obesity, leading to advanced skin aging and acne breakouts, and causing preventable diseases. Americans individually consume nearly 31 pounds of the sweet substance each year. What’s worse, sugar goes by many different names—and when one is not careful, it will slip in unnoticed. l
Blue Goddess 1 cup unsweetened almond milk ½ avocado 1 tbsp hemp protein powder ½ cup frozen blueberries
“The powder is a double punch of satisfying protein, plus healthy fats and the avocado adds even more monounsaturated fat, which can help keep your waistline thin, your heart healthy and your skin glowing.”
Ginger Peach ½ cup Greek yogurt ½ cup frozen peaches 1 tsp powdered ginger Optional: ice cubes for desired consistency
“Ginger is a powerful spice. It has antiglycating properties, which means it can help prevent skin aging and damage to collagen.”
consumed in excess of the dailyrecommended allowance. The safest option? Ask: “What did you put in there?” Alpert adds, “Be sure to take a look at what the added sugars are. Nix the agave, syrups, and cane sugars. If you’re opting for a smoothie with a dairy substitute, make sure it’s an unsweetened
option.” (Ever seen the word turbinado and wondered what it was? You guessed it: Sugar.) The best—and perhaps most delicious—way to ensure highquality fusions is to pull out the blender and whip up your own concoction. For Alpert, the best smoothies don’t require more
than four ingredients, and choosing the fruit is an important first step. “Bananas, pineapple, watermelon, and dates are all high-sugar fruits and are not allowed on ‘The Sugar Detox’ because of the sugar content,” she says. The smoothie fan who craves a sweet flavor, the weight lifter
looking for a pick-me-up, and even the fault finder who doesn’t trust juice-stand ingredients can each get everything they want from this delicious meal replacement. They just need to demand the best ingredients from their favorite smoothie shop—or simply blend at home.
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health sips
sugar by any other name...
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PB and Apple ½ apple, chopped and softened in microwave (in a bowl with a splash of water for 1 minute) 1 tsp cinnamon 1 tbsp peanut butter 1 cup 2% milk
“The combination in this smoothie makes for a tasty yet satiating snack or meal because of all the protein and fat from the peanut butter, plus the fiber from the apples. All still so low in sugar!”
Fruit and dairy, the two major components of smoothies, are already sources of sugar and protein, so it’s important to know exactly what else is going into the blender before the straw hits your mouth. Major chains use names like “power,” “supercharged,” “energy,” and “shape up” to suggest
that these protein-charged options are the perfect choice for a preor post-workout boost. According to Marion Nestle, Food Politics blogger and a professor at the Department of Nutrition, Food Studies, and Public Health, this is not necessarily true. “Americans are hardly lacking in protein, and
no supplements are needed.” These “power options” often consist of blends or shots that contain a mix of whey concentrate, soy protein, and egg protein, and often contain 50 percent— or more—of daily protein needs. This translates into fat storage, not muscle building, when
f o o d s t y l i s t: k a r e n e va n s
delicious and seemingly innocuous, smoothies incite a surprising amount of debate over whether or not we can truly classify them “healthy.” Three types of people tend to weigh in on the to-smoothie or not-to-smoothie debate: There’s the casual sipper, who feels that a blend of the best fruits and flavors on a hot summer day is perfection. There’s the fitness drinker, who sees smoothies as a cocktail of protein, power, and maximum energy. And then there’s the critical naysayer, who argues that the concoction is nothing but a blended nutritional disaster. The bottom line: Smoothies can be a powerful source of protein, fiber, and vitamins, but all of those benefits can be mired in an overload of synthetic protein shots and sugar. According to Brooke Alpert, MS, RD, CDN, and author of The Sugar Detox Diet, sugar content and size are key, and the health debate must be moderated on a smoothie-by-smoothie basis. “All smoothies shouldn’t be grouped together,” Alpert says. “Often, purchased products end up a sugar detox no-no because they have too many servings of high sugar fruits, plus other types of sweeteners—all on top of being too big of a serving size.” Sugar is making headlines lately, and not for sweet reasons. Experts like Alpert call it the new “controlled substance,” and critics have subsequently deemed smoothies unhealthy based on the sugar additives that many stores use in their recipes. This “drug,” some experts say, poisons society by contributing to obesity, leading to advanced skin aging and acne breakouts, and causing preventable diseases. Americans individually consume nearly 31 pounds of the sweet substance each year. What’s worse, sugar goes by many different names—and when one is not careful, it will slip in unnoticed. l
Blue Goddess 1 cup unsweetened almond milk ½ avocado 1 tbsp hemp protein powder ½ cup frozen blueberries
“The powder is a double punch of satisfying protein, plus healthy fats and the avocado adds even more monounsaturated fat, which can help keep your waistline thin, your heart healthy and your skin glowing.”
Ginger Peach ½ cup Greek yogurt ½ cup frozen peaches 1 tsp powdered ginger Optional: ice cubes for desired consistency
“Ginger is a powerful spice. It has antiglycating properties, which means it can help prevent skin aging and damage to collagen.”
consumed in excess of the dailyrecommended allowance. The safest option? Ask: “What did you put in there?” Alpert adds, “Be sure to take a look at what the added sugars are. Nix the agave, syrups, and cane sugars. If you’re opting for a smoothie with a dairy substitute, make sure it’s an unsweetened
option.” (Ever seen the word turbinado and wondered what it was? You guessed it: Sugar.) The best—and perhaps most delicious—way to ensure highquality fusions is to pull out the blender and whip up your own concoction. For Alpert, the best smoothies don’t require more
than four ingredients, and choosing the fruit is an important first step. “Bananas, pineapple, watermelon, and dates are all high-sugar fruits and are not allowed on ‘The Sugar Detox’ because of the sugar content,” she says. The smoothie fan who craves a sweet flavor, the weight lifter
looking for a pick-me-up, and even the fault finder who doesn’t trust juice-stand ingredients can each get everything they want from this delicious meal replacement. They just need to demand the best ingredients from their favorite smoothie shop—or simply blend at home.
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health in the know
”An inward calm cannot be maintained unless physical strength is constantly and intelligently replenished.” —Buddha
elise on life Beautiful, dynamic, and holistically healthy, Beloved star Kimberly Elise brings serenity to each new day. by ruchel louis coetzee 84
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NEW YOU: Where did your passion for yoga come from? KIMBERLY ELISE: I remember getting a book about yoga from the library when I was about ten, and it just seemed interesting to me. As I got older, it became a way to exercise my body and keep myself toned in a mind-body practice. My general philosophy is that everything happens in my best interest. I am less resistant to things that happen that I don’t understand, and that relieves me of a lot of stress. NY: Two years ago you became a vegan. Why? KE: First, I became a vegetarian for twelve years, and then went full vegan two years ago, so I haven’t had flesh in fourteen years. I found that when I ate meat I would have these bad stomachaches. If I ate a hamburger, an hour later I would have these horrible cramps, and I never made the connection. I was bloated— like I was four months pregnant. Now, all of that has stopped. It’s like my system is quiet. NY: Being a vegan, how do you maintain a nutrient-rich diet? KE: I take liquid supplements to fill in those holes that I can’t always get out of plant products. I also have at least one protein smoothie a day, which consists of kale, spinach, some fruit, berries, and my favorite— Vega protein powder. I am well vitamined up. NY: What are some of your most prized trade beauty secrets?
donn thompson
celebrated actress kimberly elise, who has captivated us in Beloved and on VH1’s Hit the Floor, insists on peace and simplicity within the tumultuous world of Hollywood. Delving deep with her daily yoga practice and staying ever youthful with a vegan diet, she gracefully glides into the future and accepts life’s bumps as they come in a calm, meditative manner.
Kimberly Elise’s Au Naturale Hair T ip
“I often soak rosemary in my water and let it infuse before spritzing it in my hair. I will then seal that water in my hair with coconut oil and add a leave-in conditioner. After that, I’ll put it in a twist or braids or knots, then I’ll put a silk scarf on and go to bed. I recommend doing this every three days.”
KE: I don’t like the taste of alcohol, I don’t
smoke, and I drink tons of alkaline water. I have an alkaline machine at home. And no matter how tired I am, I always clean off my makeup and moisturize my skin. NY: What is one beauty product you cannot do without? KE: I am an “eye person,” so I like to enhance my eyes with mascara and pretty eye shadow. I’m still exploring good, natural lines for women of color. I did see some things I liked in the Mineral Fusion line. NY: What is your best makeup tip for maintaining a natural look? KE: Less is more. I try to use foundation only in the areas that need it. Maybe my cheeks are splotchy, or my forehead is darker or lighter than the rest of me. But I am not one to put it all over my face. For photographs and the red carpet, I try to have as much of the natural me show through. NY: What are the challenges you have experienced with your hair? KE: I wear my hair natural. I don’t use any chemicals in it. It’s not relaxed and I don’t use any heat in my hair. The biggest challenge was learning my hair. In the African-American community, we start pressing and straightening our hair—doing things to our hair at a very young age—and we don’t really know our hair outside of “pressed” or “relaxed.” That’s through the generations, but many of us are now going back to our natural hair. I finally understand that our hair needs lots of moisture. We need lots of oils and lots of water, otherwise our hair will get very, very dry and break off. Our hair is much more fragile than people realize. NY: Who inspires you to be the kind of actress you are today? KE: Cicely Tyson, on a lot of levels. As a young
girl I saw her films like Miss Jane Pittman and then, years later, we happened to both be working in Toronto. She said, “You’re in the same hotel. Let’s have lunch.” We took a boat ride and we talked and talked. NY: What was the one major take-away from that lunch? KE: With someone like that, you just listen and they offer. She told me to protect my spirit, protect my light, and always follow my own truth. She said I was doing great work and to
Kimberly’s Vegan Brownie rec ipe Ingredients
1½ cups raw walnuts or raw pecans (unsoaked)
⅛ tsp salt
16 pitted medjool dates
⅓ to ⅔ cups cacao powder
½ cup chopped dried cherries
2 tsps water
Directions: 1. C oarsely chop nuts in food processor. 2. S et aside ½ cup of the chopped nuts. 3. Add salt to walnuts in processor until finely ground. 4. Add dates in processor until mixture sticks together. 5. Add cacao powder to processor until well integrated. 6. A dd cherries and lightly mix in. 7. Pour mixture into baking dish and press down with hands. Refrigerate for an hour then cut into squares.
stay on my path. I just listened. Today she is still very significant in my life. She’s a meditator, and when I’ve gone through challenging times she asks if I am doing my yoga. She encourages me as an actress and in life in general. As a person, as a spirit, and as a woman, she is a major force. NY: Do you think that all women need somebody to walk next to in life? KE: Yes. It has to be the right energy, the right person who has found truth and who knows him- or herself. Then, yes, we bring out each other’s powers. My mother is extraordinary and is one of my best friends, who walks very closely next to me and makes me feel my power. In my show Hit the Floor, we have a lot of young actresses who are new to the business. This is their first big break—like Taylour Page, who plays my daughter. I encourage her to walk close to me, and I see she has started coming in every day with her green smoothie like I do, and bought a book on becoming a vegan. She is trying to improve herself. I think if she can pick up some of these skills for herself it will help her survive in this industry. Just as Ms. Tyson has reached back to me, I’m reaching back to Taylour. We empower each other. No one can understand it more than another woman who has found her way. NY: What is your philosophy for life? KE: I accept things as they come, and know that I am protected. Everything that happens to me is in my best interest. I’m really excited about being alive. I don’t want to leave this world and then realize what a great opportunity I had and missed because I was feeling bad, or I was overly worried, or I was chasing the rabbit. I enjoy this life experience and I am excited to participate in it. I am grateful for everything that has happened to me. l
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health toning
work of art If “smooth” is your end goal, and cellulite or jiggling limbs have got you down in the dumps, take a peek at the latest wave in body-perfecting treatments that will firm your form. By Kevin Wilson Illustration by MARCO VENTURA cellulite, flapping upper arms, jiggling thighs… these woes have long been the bane of our existence, and proven endlessly tricky to treat. While individuals with extreme needs opt for surgical fat removal— along with lifting and tightening of overlying skin—such measures are far too extreme for the majority of cases. “Dealing with fat deposition in the upper arms and thighs is a challenge, especially for women, and you can’t spot-reduce with diet and exercise,” explains New Jersey-based dermatologist Jeanine B. Downie, MD. “We lose weight globally, which means we might slim our thighs but lose fat somewhere we’d like to keep it.” There’s hope in non-invasive and minimally invasive technologies designed for these problems. Exilis ($1,200 for four arm treatments) is a monopolar radiofrequency device that tightens skin and melts subcutaneous fat. It ensures uniform heating of fat tissue for a more predictable result. Exilis features a fat-melting module as well as a skin-tightening module, each of which passes RF current through the area. These create heat to melt fat and tighten collagen. “We can tailor therapy by using whatever module is needed,” says Downie. “We see reductions of more than an inch from upper arm circumference, and more in thighs and other areas.” Exilis requires no anesthesia or numbing cream, according to New York City-based dermatologist Bruce Katz, MD. “It’s RF heating, with a rolling massage, so Exilis therapy is quite relaxing,” Dr. Katz says. “Treatment will take twenty to thirty minutes per area and many patients will want three or more areas treated per session.” According to Downie, patients who eat the same—or a bit less—and exercise moderately throughout treatment will maximize their outcomes. “I had a patient lose inches from their abdominal area but gain five pounds from overeating,” she says. “You don’t need to be a dieter, but it’s worth it to take care of yourself.” Most Exilis patients in Katz’s practice are women in their mid-forties to early sixties. “People with more sun damage come in earlier in life,” he says, “but it’s genetics that determines when that arm and thigh laxity sets in.” Although not yet FDA-cleared for cellulite, CelluSmooth ($5,000 to $7,500) offers minimally-invasive, single-session treatment for specific forms of the condition. The business end is a laser emitted through a cannula, or needle-like probe with a rounded tip that’s less traumatic than a needle. Plastic surgeon Marc Salzman, MD, sees excellent results with the device in his Louisville, Kentucky, practice. “Many types of cellulite are characterized by subcutaneous tethers of fibrous tissue, known as sep-
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tae,” Dr. Salzman says. “This tissue holds the skin down and creates the mini-bulges of thick fat that contribute to the lumpy look. Treatment is a three-step process using the same laser cannula, and it’s very tolerable.” At the outset of CelluSmooth treatment, a local anesthetic is infused via a small hole in the skin. The same hole—which will not require stitches— serves as a portal for the cannula. “We use the laser to sever the septae and release the skin, then melt fat with the laser,” Salzman says. “Heat causes coagulation of collagen and stimulates the production of new collagen as well, which creates tightening. We adjust the laser output, making it a cutting or a heating tool.” Some bruising will occur, as will swelling, due in part to the infusion of anesthetic. Dr. Salzman says people can return to normal, light activity by the following day. Compression garments are worn for two to three weeks, while bruising dissipates and the body takes care of fat, liquid, and cellular debris. “Patients can expect soreness for about a week, and should keep their heart rate and blood pressure level for a week,” Dr. Salzman says. “It takes three months for complete healing and tissue remodeling.” Acoustic wave therapy with CelluPulse ($250 per treatment)—also not yet FDA-cleared—is another new weapon against cellulite. Brian Buinewicz, MD, is a Philadelphia- area plastic surgeon who is leading the way with AWT. “CelluPulse works on the theory that cellulite occurs when the buildup of toxin metabolites in fat creates swollen compartments of fat that reduce local circulation, causing misshapen fat bulging and unwanted fluid buildup,” says Buinewicz. “This contributes to the stereotypical cellulite look. AWT non-invasively disrupts tissue in the area with sound waves—sort of like a jackhammer—to drive the extra fluid from the superficial compartments and stimulate the return of proper circulation. The depth and shape of the sound waves are controlled by changing treatment heads on the device.” (Hearing protection is offered but not required.) Treatments take about 20 minutes, and no anesthesia is required. It takes six to eight twice-a-week treatments to complete a full course of AWT. “It’s like an intense deep tissue massage,” Buinewicz insists. “There’s a little discomfort associated with AWT, but it’s very tolerable, and there’s no bruising or pain afterward. You can see and feel the difference immediately with each treatment.” Science has indeed taken the offensive in the war against cellulite. These groundbreaking treatments give us the power to trade nagging bumps for all-over beauty. l
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fit r eport f i n d t h e r o u t i n e t h at l i g h t s yo u r f i r e a n d ac h i e v e t h e b o dy o f yo u r d r e a m s
Sexy Time
An alternative to yoga, Pilates, and cross-fit, S Factor Fluid Feminine Movement takes sexual healing to a new level. Inspired by Louann Brizendine’s The Female Brain, Sheila Kelley created a class to help women drop their inhibitions, and unleash their inner erotic creatures. S Factor invites ladies to bring their bodies, an open mind, and a mat for a class that promotes total body awareness and strength. Visit sfactor.com.
sit ting pre tty
Fit on the fly SpiroFIT, a new online fitness network for TV, computers, iPads, and smartphones, offers caloriebusting workouts that will have you shouting, “Who needs a gym?” Train with top instructors— including Tamilee Webb of Buns of Steel. Classes include Primal Yoga, Booty Barre, and BOSU (taught by its founder David Weck ($19.95 per month, spirofit.com).
Chaise23’s reinvention chair uses high-energy sculpting, flexing, and cardio action for the ultimate exercise experience. (Think 55 minutes of seated moves, using overhead bungees and natural resistance.) Experience is optional when it comes to this total body workout that offers great muscle development and blasted fat. Visit chaise23.com.
5%
Make Waves
Few physiques compare to the surfer body. Now anyone can get that wave-rider tone with a no-excuse fitness class called SURFSET. Regular “surfing” will carve your core and entire body by forcing it to react to a constantly moving platform. RipSurfer X is a board that needs no water, only your body, and will burn up to 900 calories in 45 minutes. You can take your new land-surfer bod and skills out on the real water. Visit surfsetfitness.com.
The number of adults in the United States who participate in 30 minutes of physical activity each day. N o Hol ds barre For sagging arms and bulging bellies, FlyBarre—offered by top fitness outlets, such as New York City’s Flywheel Sports—is an effective, rhythmic solution. This popular class involves one hour of fast-paced, methodical dancing, which works each muscle group through focused pulses. Never boring, these routines are ever-changing and employ creative props for a theatrical flair. Visit flywheelsports.com.
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fitness tech crunch Swim Fan It’s time that swimmers catch up to runners and move to tunes. Exercising with music translates into better results, and the X-1 Interval 4G Waterproof Headphone System is the only product to offer a proper soundtrack for hardcore swimmers. Built for the 4th generation iPod shuffle, this gadget dives 12-feet deep and integrates easily with goggles, making it a simple fit. This one-stop music shop also comes with integrated surge headphones that strategically fit ear buds for ultimate sound quality ($100, x-1.com).
app happy Strava is a top app for competitors looking to improve their performances. It records all runs and bike rides, and then ruthlessly stacks you up against friends and local athletes with the cold, hard stats. With the notion that competition yields progress, Strava helps you set new personal records, and work harder, if only to beat your friends (free, iTunes and Google Play). Labdoor empowers confused shoppers with the truth about supplements and energy drinks. This iOS application sifts through misleading advertising claims and ingredient labels, then curates the data from accredited sources to rate brands based on safety, utility, and cost. Then, it recommends something better (free, iTunes). Dtox is an app that makes quitting easier. Whether it’s an addiction to food, cigarettes, coffee, gambling, or sex, DTOX allows the user to create a fan club of family and friends to monitor their progress. Every day DTOX asks how you’re feeling, offers words of wisdom, and sends alerts to the club. A little support goes a long way ($4, iTunes).
foam part y We love Crocs for their soft touch and ease of use, but we can’t run or ride in them and prefer not to engage in public displays of Croc’ing. Crosskix is the latest alternative in foam composite footwear. A kickstarter.com favorite, Crosskix are waterproof sneakers for running and crossfit, built for comfort and utility with air vents that keep feet cool. Made from recyclable material, they have a five-year guarantee ($39, crosskix.com).
Trigger Happy
A personal massage is sometimes just what the doctor ordered to alleviate stiff joints and sore muscles, but time and financial restraints often mean that doing it yourself is your only option. Trigger Point Foam Roller is a self-massage tool that works as a great post-workout or daily use device because it decreases tension in muscles, boosts blood flow to the legs, and promotes increased flexibility. It only asks that you lie down; roll your quads, glutes, hamstrings, and calves over its grooves; and sink into the healing pain ($65, tptherapy.com).
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Ripe Pear
Devising new fitness routines often falls last on life’s list of to-dos, keeping gym bunnies on the same machines, running the same loops and following the same workout video they bought back in 1988. Enter the Pear; a triple-threat device that uses a digital audio training system to track your workout. It includes a database of 180 workouts and 30 downloadable training classes, and connects to an online portal that saves your stats and coaches you postworkout. No new ideas? No excuses ($200, pearsports.com).
15%
The improvement in performance one experiences when listening to music during a workout.
fitness length
it’s a stretch We all know we’re supposed to stretch before and after we work out. But could stretching be the most important part of exercise?
a d a m pas s ; h a i r a n d m a k e u p : s u z a n n y c a r d o s o ; m o d e l : a l l i e t t e c h i g n o l i
By Elena Schmidt
thirty years ago, renie leone purchased an instructional guide to stretching, and practiced its “reach and hold” tactic to stay active and prevent injury on the golf course. Despite her best efforts, age impacted her dexterity and range, and eventually brought her beloved golf swing to an unimaginable low. “I’ve been a club champ at every club I belonged to,” says Leone. “But then I lost my swing.” In 2008, she was introduced to personal trainer Jorden Gold, founder of Stretch Zone. Leone booked an appointment. “I one-hundred-percent credit Jorden with my ability to play,” says Leone— who went on to become the West Boca Club golf champion. “There’s no question about it. His method slows the aging process down.” Gold, who holds a degree in biology and exercise physiology, had watched his grandfather—his personal hero—deteriorate to the point of needing a cane. He developed an innovative stretch program in which he worked his grandfather’s muscles daily, until “Pop Pop” left his walker behind and was able to dance once again. “By working with his central nervous system and implementing dynamic stretching, I stretched back his years,” says Gold. He later patented the Stretch Zone (SZ) method and began teaching it to massage therapists, trainers, physical therapists, and chiropractors to help fight the effects of age and inactivity.
New You
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fitness length
Over time, our bodies become dehydrated and our muscle fibers are replaced with collagenous fibers, which cause stiffness. Along with rigid joints, muscles fall into disuse as we age—meaning that opposing muscles have to work twice as hard to compensate. They stop working properly, and bodies feel heavier to carry around, leading to inactivity that cripples us. Americans sit for an average of 56 hours a week— half the waking day. The “sitting disease,” as researchers affectionately call it, shortens and skews the shape of the muscles we rely on to stand up, walk straight, and hold up our neck. “It’s happening with teenagers, because they’ve stopped moving,” says Ann Frederick, founder of Stretch to Win. “It happens to people who are stuck in front of desks and commuting all day.” Nearly nine out of ten people will experience back pain at some point in life, and Americans spend over 100 billion dollars each year on medical bills, disability, and lost productivity due to this pain. Frederick, who spent years as a dancer, was approached by a trainer from Arizona State University in 1997. She came on board at the school to bring flexibility training to their athletic program, and joined the master’s program before she perfected her method. “There was a gaping hole in wellness, all the way through to athletics,” says Frederick. The truth became glaring when Frederick's focus attracted press attention. “I found out that many real people needed help,” Frederick says. “I was astounded by how rampant the lack of flexibility is.” She went on to develop a training program based on her patented Facial Stretch Therapy (FST) method, and began certifying wellness experts from all over the world. Some experts hold the opinion that we are thinking about flexibility all wrong. People assume that the static reach-and-hold method is just what our muscles, joints, ligaments, and tendons need to improve elasticity and increase muscle length. The latest research indicates that this is far from the best approach. “Some studies show that elasticity gains only last for fifteen minutes following the stretch,” says Jon Schriner, DO, Medical Director of Michigan Center for Athletic Medicine. After 15 minutes, the temporary elastic improvement boomerangs back to baseline. Muscle length does not actually change despite what the word “stretch” implies. A muscle lengthens as it stretches, but at the same time its opposing muscle shortens. When that stretch is released, both muscles move back to equilibrium. According to Gold, people think that feeling a burn
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Kneeling Lunge Hip Flexor Stretc h
Courtesy of Jorden Gold, Stretch Zone
Set-up: From a kneeling position, begin with weight on knee of leg to be stretched. Place rope/strap around foot and hold both ends with same side arm over shoulder. Action: Keeping body vertical throughout movement, shift forward while flexing knee, pulling heel toward buttocks gently assisting with rope/strap.
Current research shows that if we can avoid the ‘stretch reflex,’ our muscles can lengthen by 160 percent. ( Wa n g e t a l 1 9 9 1 )
Superman Quadric eps St retc h
Courtesy of Jorden Gold, Stretch Zone
Set-up: Lie on the floor, Place strap on top of stretching leg foot. Hold the rope/strap with same side hand and, while keeping tension of the rope/strap, roll onto side flipping rope/strap over your shoulder. Action: Flex knee while gently assisting with strap to pull heel toward buttocks.
Up & Over Side Hip St retc h
Courtesy of Jorden Gold, Stretch Zone
Set-up: Lie on floor. Place strap on bottom of stretching leg foot. Wrap rope/strap around lower leg outside to inside (to create external rotation). Action A: Slowly lift stretching leg as near to vertical as possible using quadriceps muscle while gently assisting with strap. Action B: Hold both ends of rope belt with opposite hand and allow leg to fall over to opposite side while gently assisting with the rope/strap.
For each stretch: 1) Actively contract muscle that is opposite the isolated muscle. 2) Stretch it gently and quickly, holding the stretch for no more than 2 seconds. 3) Release the stretch before the muscle reacts to being stretched. 4) Repeat in a slow, continuous rhythm. exhale through the stretch.
means they are getting a good stretch, but in truth it means that they are getting a good strain. Gold describes the strained muscle as a car seatbelt. “If you pull too quickly, it locks,” he says. “If you continue to force it, you’re just stretching the material itself— that’s what it means to micro-strain a muscle. But if you were to pull your car seatbelt nicely and smoothly, it will come out much farther.” Gold insists that people should think of stretching neurologically rather than physically. Instead of pulling our limbs to the point of soreness, the SZ method manipulates the “stretch reflex” to unlock the body’s functional flexibility. This reflex is our body’s nervous defense against the dangers of overstretching. “Any movement that goes too far or too fast or is held for too long, past that current range of motion, your body will resist with the stretch reflex,” says Gold. According to Mark Kovacs, founder of the Inter national Tennis Performer Association and author of Dynamic Stretching, the main benefit of practitionerassisted stretching is the ability to control the timing of that reflex. “The stretch reflex kicks in immediately,” says Kovacs. “If you alter the timing of it, you can overcome the reflex. Usually this is possible only with a practitioner.” At Stretch Zone, practitioners lock you in using adjustable straps. These comfortable bands stabilize the client, allowing for mind, body, and muscle relaxation. “We almost go to that little kick that the muscle gives, then we move back out, and then we move back in,” says Gold. “If you do that repetitively, you can keep going a little further and further without the stretch reflex firing.” The work of experts such as Gold are removing the Herculean effort from simple movements—things like grabbing a can from a shelf, turning one’s neck around while backing up a car, or reaching into one’s back pocket. “People do not stretch, but then they try to go out and do weekend competitions because they want to do something, and then they don’t have the mobility to do it,” says Frederick. “It’s an ongoing challenge.” Assisted stretch therapy is a smart solution as our society faces an unprecedented challenge: More people are growing older and increasingly less active. “These stretches are like a dance with a really good lead,” says Gold. “You can be led without knowing how to dance. You just flow with it.” The approach is a gentle reminder that no matter how fatigued or tight we may feel, our muscles can live again. In other words: It ain’t over ’til it’s over. l
New You
| 97 5/31/13
fitness length
Over time, our bodies become dehydrated and our muscle fibers are replaced with collagenous fibers, which cause stiffness. Along with rigid joints, muscles fall into disuse as we age—meaning that opposing muscles have to work twice as hard to compensate. They stop working properly, and bodies feel heavier to carry around, leading to inactivity that cripples us. Americans sit for an average of 56 hours a week— half the waking day. The “sitting disease,” as researchers affectionately call it, shortens and skews the shape of the muscles we rely on to stand up, walk straight, and hold up our neck. “It’s happening with teenagers, because they’ve stopped moving,” says Ann Frederick, founder of Stretch to Win. “It happens to people who are stuck in front of desks and commuting all day.” Nearly nine out of ten people will experience back pain at some point in life, and Americans spend over 100 billion dollars each year on medical bills, disability, and lost productivity due to this pain. Frederick, who spent years as a dancer, was approached by a trainer from Arizona State University in 1997. She came on board at the school to bring flexibility training to their athletic program, and joined the master’s program before she perfected her method. “There was a gaping hole in wellness, all the way through to athletics,” says Frederick. The truth became glaring when Frederick's focus attracted press attention. “I found out that many real people needed help,” Frederick says. “I was astounded by how rampant the lack of flexibility is.” She went on to develop a training program based on her patented Facial Stretch Therapy (FST) method, and began certifying wellness experts from all over the world. Some experts hold the opinion that we are thinking about flexibility all wrong. People assume that the static reach-and-hold method is just what our muscles, joints, ligaments, and tendons need to improve elasticity and increase muscle length. The latest research indicates that this is far from the best approach. “Some studies show that elasticity gains only last for fifteen minutes following the stretch,” says Jon Schriner, DO, Medical Director of Michigan Center for Athletic Medicine. After 15 minutes, the temporary elastic improvement boomerangs back to baseline. Muscle length does not actually change despite what the word “stretch” implies. A muscle lengthens as it stretches, but at the same time its opposing muscle shortens. When that stretch is released, both muscles move back to equilibrium. According to Gold, people think that feeling a burn
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| New You
Kneeling Lunge Hip Flexor Stretc h
Courtesy of Jorden Gold, Stretch Zone
Set-up: From a kneeling position, begin with weight on knee of leg to be stretched. Place rope/strap around foot and hold both ends with same side arm over shoulder. Action: Keeping body vertical throughout movement, shift forward while flexing knee, pulling heel toward buttocks gently assisting with rope/strap.
Current research shows that if we can avoid the ‘stretch reflex,’ our muscles can lengthen by 160 percent. ( Wa n g e t a l 1 9 9 1 )
Superman Quadric eps St retc h
Courtesy of Jorden Gold, Stretch Zone
Set-up: Lie on the floor, Place strap on top of stretching leg foot. Hold the rope/strap with same side hand and, while keeping tension of the rope/strap, roll onto side flipping rope/strap over your shoulder. Action: Flex knee while gently assisting with strap to pull heel toward buttocks.
Up & Over Side Hip St retc h
Courtesy of Jorden Gold, Stretch Zone
Set-up: Lie on floor. Place strap on bottom of stretching leg foot. Wrap rope/strap around lower leg outside to inside (to create external rotation). Action A: Slowly lift stretching leg as near to vertical as possible using quadriceps muscle while gently assisting with strap. Action B: Hold both ends of rope belt with opposite hand and allow leg to fall over to opposite side while gently assisting with the rope/strap.
For each stretch: 1) Actively contract muscle that is opposite the isolated muscle. 2) Stretch it gently and quickly, holding the stretch for no more than 2 seconds. 3) Release the stretch before the muscle reacts to being stretched. 4) Repeat in a slow, continuous rhythm. exhale through the stretch.
means they are getting a good stretch, but in truth it means that they are getting a good strain. Gold describes the strained muscle as a car seatbelt. “If you pull too quickly, it locks,” he says. “If you continue to force it, you’re just stretching the material itself— that’s what it means to micro-strain a muscle. But if you were to pull your car seatbelt nicely and smoothly, it will come out much farther.” Gold insists that people should think of stretching neurologically rather than physically. Instead of pulling our limbs to the point of soreness, the SZ method manipulates the “stretch reflex” to unlock the body’s functional flexibility. This reflex is our body’s nervous defense against the dangers of overstretching. “Any movement that goes too far or too fast or is held for too long, past that current range of motion, your body will resist with the stretch reflex,” says Gold. According to Mark Kovacs, founder of the Inter national Tennis Performer Association and author of Dynamic Stretching, the main benefit of practitionerassisted stretching is the ability to control the timing of that reflex. “The stretch reflex kicks in immediately,” says Kovacs. “If you alter the timing of it, you can overcome the reflex. Usually this is possible only with a practitioner.” At Stretch Zone, practitioners lock you in using adjustable straps. These comfortable bands stabilize the client, allowing for mind, body, and muscle relaxation. “We almost go to that little kick that the muscle gives, then we move back out, and then we move back in,” says Gold. “If you do that repetitively, you can keep going a little further and further without the stretch reflex firing.” The work of experts such as Gold are removing the Herculean effort from simple movements—things like grabbing a can from a shelf, turning one’s neck around while backing up a car, or reaching into one’s back pocket. “People do not stretch, but then they try to go out and do weekend competitions because they want to do something, and then they don’t have the mobility to do it,” says Frederick. “It’s an ongoing challenge.” Assisted stretch therapy is a smart solution as our society faces an unprecedented challenge: More people are growing older and increasingly less active. “These stretches are like a dance with a really good lead,” says Gold. “You can be led without knowing how to dance. You just flow with it.” The approach is a gentle reminder that no matter how fatigued or tight we may feel, our muscles can live again. In other words: It ain’t over ’til it’s over. l
New You
| 97 5/31/13
fitness silhouette
your HD body Every person’s body has particular challenges and problem areas. With Hi-Def Liposculpture, doctors are able to sculpt you into a perfect 10 like never before.
fa d i l b e r i s h a ; h a i r : e l i n n y b e r g ; m a k e u p : y u ko ta k a h as h i
By kevin wilson
imagine it: nagging fat from one of your trouble spots, seamlessly redistributed to an area that could use a bit of plumping. An easy tightening of skin that once again appears lustrous and youthful. Access to the ultimate beach body. This fantasy is closer to reality than you would think. When it comes to our shape, genetics inevitably play a huge role, and many cultural beauty ideals fall into the realm of diminishing returns. They’re just not worth the effort. Take six-pack abs. for example—one must train hard and eat carefully to manage them, and for most of us it’s just not going to happen. For fit, healthy individuals who are unable to achieve their ideal body shape, a powerful procedure is waiting: High Definition Liposculpture, or Hi-Def Lipo. This blend of fat transplantation, liposuction, and energy-assisted lipolysis is the brainchild of plastic surgeon Alfredo Hoyos, MD, of Bogotá, Colombia. The technique is designed to craft and hone the
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curves, bumps, and bulges that idealize the aesthetic silhouette. “Patients differ greatly in terms of body type, as well as their expectations,” Dr. Hoyos says. “Some people are satisfied with simple reduction and reshaping, but for those who are wanting more, this procedure offers amazing results.” Doctors using these advanced techniques can create six-pack abs—among other things—even if you can’t get them in the gym. Beyond rippling muscles, it’s about plumping areas where a bit of extra meat would be pleasing. “Many individuals are frustrated because the muscles they are exercising are not visible, and there are places where well-placed fat would be more to their liking, such as in the buttocks or hips, if they are not genetically predisposed to store fat in that manner,” Hoyos adds. Hi-Def Lipo has the ability to use one’s own fat to reshape the muscles themselves, according to Colorado-based plastic surgeon John A. Millard, MD, a former associate of Dr. Hoyos who is advancing body sculpting techniques in the US. “We can actually implant pockets of autologous fat directly into the muscle to build it up, allowing us to create a foundation we can accentuate using finer liposuction and lipolysis techniques,” Dr. Millard says. “The outward appearance and shape depend upon everything from the skin to the fatty tissue to the musculature beneath.” Dr. Millard has developed tools for high-definition liposculpture that allow more rapid performance of procedures with reductions in discomfort and post-operative side effects. “The layperson would guess that pockets of fat injected into muscle would be used for energy,” he explains. “This isn’t the case with the techniques we use. Once the fat ‘takes,’ it won’t go away. It adds volume, and by its nature it moves so it enhances the natural look. Basically, we’re turning filet mignon into Kobe beef.” After assessing the patient’s body type and discovering what the patient is looking for, the procedure is tailored accordingly. “Each case requires a different mix of fat grafting, liposuction, and finer liposculpting techniques,” Hoyos says. “Some will have enough underlying musculature that they do not need fat grafting to reshape muscle, and instead require some liposuction and careful, fine lipolysis to bring out the natural shapes.” The newest version of the technique is known as 4D Lipo. “We have evolved our technique to account for muscular dynamics, and the fact that people’s shapes change as they age,” Hoyos says. “Muscles are in motion all the time, and if we do not sculpt with that in mind the outcome will not be as convincing during movement. Also, as we age and lose volume or gain and lose weight, we wish to maintain the natural look.” To achieve this additional effect, the body is marked while lying flat and after flexing movement, which further
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fitness silhouette guides the physician. “It takes an artistic eye to understand the dynamics and work within that framework,” insists Hoyos. He has founded a training company for these techniques, and the global list of trained physicians can be found at 4dynamx.com. The post-operative regimen with high-definition and 4D techniques is relatively minimal in comparison to traditional liposuction. “Patients will need differential compression garments, which have more or less elasticity in different places depending on gender and what will benefit the result,” Hoyos says. “Manual massage and ultrasound therapy are also required to promote lymphatic drainage, and we recommend at least ten sessions over the first two weeks. Strict care after treatment reduces bruising and swelling, minimizes recovery time, and maximizes the final result.” Healing and full realization of outcomes will take a few months, but patients may be back to work in as little as a week or less. Although not for the obese patient or those with extreme skin laxity, the number of potential patients who are good candidates for the technique is surprising. “You can do this kind of thing on anyone who leads a basically healthy lifestyle and works out maybe three or four times a week,” Millard says. “I had a fifty-year-old woman who works out regularly come in and now she has a six-pack, among other things. She tells me that she looks and feels as if she’s in her twenties.” Results such as these, according to Hoyos, add up to one huge plus: “When a person feels they have the body they always wanted, they tend to work harder to keep it.” l
“It moves so it enhances the natural look. We’re turning filet mignon into Kobe beef.”
5/31/13
fitness CYCLING
J O H N H U B A /A R T + C O M M E R C E
in the late 1990s, mary bemis—then a Manhattan resident—repeatedly attempted to ride her bike through the traffic-clogged city streets safely. “Riding a bike in New York City at that time really scared me,” Bemis says. “Add to that my bike ended up being stolen.” Fast-forward to present-day New York City— with its dedicated bike lanes, bike rentals (or “bike shares”), and cyclist-friendly attitude. The metropolis—like many other urban centers across the country—offers a positive experience for bike enthusiasts. Not that Bemis, founder of Insidersguidetospas.com, would know firsthand. She’s since moved to Oregon, where you can find her riding along the Rogue River in the mornings on a restored 1971 pale-green Schwinn Breeze. She has dubbed it “Celeste.” “I regularly do an eight-mile loop to an old dam,” says Bemis. “It’s like a dream, coming from a place like New York. It’s so pretty. I’ve even seen salmon jumping in the river while I’m riding.” Bemis uses Celeste as her primary mode of transportation around her small town. “Having lived in New York City for so long, I just never got a driver’s license,” she reveals. “While I love my beautiful morning bike rides, my bike is how I get around to my local post office and grocery store. Sometimes I even ride with my husband to brunch on the weekends.” Bemis’ routine is music to Tara McKee’s ears. A cycling advocate based in Salt Lake City, McKee’s goal is to get people out of their cars and onto their bicycles. “You’re outdoors in the fresh air, getting a workout, and having a great time,” says McKee. “You also feel a connection to your area so much more than you’d get from riding around in your car.”
the spin crowd Whether you’re an avid cyclist or haven’t hopped on a Schwinn since you were a kid, now’s the perfect time to suit up and bike like you mean it. BY VALERIE LATONA
HAPPY AND HEALTHY The benefits of biking extend far beyond a meaningful connection with your surroundings. New research points to significant benefits of bicycling, and an increase in well-being for riders of all ages. (Do remember to check with your doctor before starting any exercise routine.) Biking boosts your mood. One survey in the Netherlands found that people who bike tend to be more joyful. This doesn’t surprise Palo Altobased physical therapist Curtis Cramblett, a US Olympic cycling coach and founder of
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Safety Musts
Here are some do’s and don’ts for the road: f It is advisable to wear a helmet. “We have a saying in the business that if you don’t wear a helmet, you must not have much up there to protect,” says Olympic Cycling Coach Curtis Cramblett. f Obey traffic rules. Ride single file and be aware. “I always recommend that people take a bike safety class,” says Cramblett. “You’ll learn to signal, watch for cars, and be attentive when motorists are not [e.g. when they’re texting].” f Avoid wearing sandals. Wear shoes that protect your feet and toes from getting caught in the spokes—or getting injured on rocks and from other road debris.
Get Race-y
You’re ready for the next step: a race! Here are some of the best women-friendly (in some cases, women-only) road races around the country, open to all levels of riders. For more, visit Tara McKee’s website: cycleandstyle.com. f Harpoon Point to Point: Saturday, August 10 (harpoonpointtopoint.com) in Windsor, Vermont. Start in Williston and finish at the Harpoon brewery. Barbecue and Harpoon beer finish your day, and proceeds benefit the Vermont Food Bank. f The Chocolate Tour: Saturday, August 24 (pennstatehershey.org) in Hershey, Pennsylvania. Choose between an 8-, a 35-, a 64-, and a 100-mile route, and raise money for cancer research at Penn State. f Le Tour de Femme: Saturday, October 12 (letourdefemme.org) in Cary, North Carolina. You can do a 15-mile, 31.2-mile, or 62.4-mile ride. All money raised goes to cancer research. f Outdoor Divas Women’s Sprint Triathlon: Sunday, August 11 (withoutlimits.co), in Longmont, Colorado. This is great triathlon for first timers with a warm, 750meter swim and a 12-mile, no-traffic bike course. It finishes with a 5K run. f Escape New York 2013: Saturday, September 21 (nycc.org/eny) in New York, New York. Join the vibrant New York City bike community for a day of food and fun, not to mention four scenic routes along the Hudson River and the Palisades.
a d a m pas s ( fa m i ly ) ; d e w e y n i c k s/ t r u n k a r c h i v e ( s u r f e r )
Revolutions in Fitness (revolutionsinfitness.com). “Biking gave so many of us that first feeling of freedom as kids,” Cramblett explains. “There’s an inherent joy we get from being on a bike. You’ve got the fresh air on your face, and as you’re moving through your environment, you feel the tension melt away from your shoulders and neck. It’s like your body is saying ‘Wheeee.’” Ms. Bemis enthusiastically agrees. “I feel like a kid on my bike,” she says. “I have so much fun on it. Add to that, it really tends to clear my head.” Given that biking is such a mood booster, it’s not surprising that it also increases energy levels. One study in the journal Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, found that bicycle riding—at a low to moderate pace, three times a week— increases energy by 20 percent and decreases fatigue by 65 percent. The reason: Cycling triggers your brain to release neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin, which are linked to energy, according to lead researcher Patrick O’Connor, PhD, a professor of kinesiology at the University of Georgia at Athens. “Being outdoors in the sunlight provides additional energy,” adds O’Connor. Biking is smart for your heart. Any exercise, including bicycling, benefits your ticker. According to Katherine Roberts, a master trainer at Equinox in New York, biking gets your heart rate up and therefore strengthens the heart, which is, in itself, a giant muscle. Biking bolsters the cardiovascular system, improves circulation, helps facilitate oxygen intake, and lowers blood pressure—which is a risk factor for heart disease. Researchers at Purdue University found that regular cycling can cut your risk of heart disease by 50 percent. “Some of the biggest gains you get from cycling are cardio benefits,” explains Cramblett. “Research shows that a bit of cycling at
fitness cycling Bikes for Every Rider
An “around town” bike for women: Schwinn Midmoor women’s bike ($370 to $400, schwinnbikes .com) is a hybrid bike with 21 speeds and a super soft saddle. It’s good for all riding levels and can be ridden on any surface.
A commuter bike: Trek Pure ($490, trekbikes.com for locations), with seven speeds, comes with a comfy saddle and is available with optional fenders— essential for protecting work clothes from road mud.
A beginner road bike: Specialized Dolce Triple ($800, sidsbikes.com) is designed for women, has eight speeds, and can be used for a weekend workout or longer rides.
A mountain bike: Diamondback Women’s Lux Sport 29er ($599, diamondback.com) has a rugged frame with low-rise bars (built for a woman’s frame) and eight speeds. (Available in 3 sizes: 15", 17", and 19".)
A three-wheeled bike: Schwinn Meridian ($280 to $480, schwinnbikes.com) comes complete for cruising with a comfy seat, fenders, and a rear basket.
For young kids: Strider ST-4 Balance Bike ($109, striderbikes.com) is designed without pedals to help preschoolers (ages 2 to 5) learn to balance and ride a bike, sans training wheels.
All in Good Form
Maintaining proper bicycle form is key to preventing injury, says Nadya Swedan, MD. f Seat height should be positioned so there’s a slight bend in your knee when your foot is at the bottom of the stroke. f Experts like Swedan and Curtis Cramblett of Revolutions in Fitness agree: Seat height is one of the most important things. If it’s too low, you’re going to feel more pressure in your knees. f Try to maintain a flat but relaxed back, and keep your elbows bent and relaxed (which helps absorb shock when you hit a bump). “Go a little higher with the handlebars, so you don’t have to bend your body over as far,” says Swedan. “This will protect your back and neck.” f When in doubt, get a professional certified bike fit at your local bike store. If you have discomfort, it’s worth seeking out a professional fitter with medical training like Cramblett.
App-ed Up
When you’ve got your phone strapped to your handlebars, these apps can be lifesavers: fB ike Doctor 2 ($4.99, iPhone) features 29 of the most common bike repairs you might need to make while out on the road, including how to change a flat. Visit bikedoctorapp.com. fB ioLogic BikeBrain ($1.99, iPhone) turns your phone into a computer with GPS and is able to measure speed and distance. Visit thinkbiologic.com.
Bicycle riding—at a low to moderate pace, three times a week—increases energy levels by 20 percent and decreases fatigue by 65 percent.
fE verytrail (free, iPhone and Android) allows you to see your route and your current position on your phone via Google Maps or satellite view. Visit everytrail.com.
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fitness cycling light intensity can improve cardiovascular fitness by five to ten percent without putting undue stress on your joints. You never forget how to ride. You probably already know how to do it.” Intensity is a factor that Roberts always preaches, particularly if you are looking to improve your fitness level after doing low-intensity rides for one to three months. “Try pushing yourself safely for a minute on the bike, going faster than you typically would, then slow it down for a few minutes,” Roberts says. “If you keep doing this, you’ll be burning plenty of calories and body fat.” (A 145-pound woman who is pedaling at a moderate pace of 12 to 14 miles per hour can burn approximately 600 calories in an hour.) Biking will help you gain less weight as you age. Researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health found that women who didn’t bike and then, 16 years later, started biking for at least five minutes a day, gained less weight than women who didn’t bike at all. Anne Lusk, PhD, one of Harvard’s research scientists, found that biking, by nature, forces your body to work harder than it would with other activities like walking. The unit of exertion is measured in a unit called a “MET.” “The METs for walking are two to four, while the METs for bicycling are four to sixteen,” explains Lusk. “When you walk, you can slow down. If you slow down too much on a bike, you fall over.”
Biking strengthens your muscles, without stressing your joints. The heart isn’t the only muscle that benefits from biking—it strengthens your thighs, hips, and rear end, too. “You’re really working your leg muscles when you ride,” says Roberts. “But you’re also getting in a great butt workout, too.” Biking is an intense workout, so it’s essential to stretch after riding to prevent injury, says Nadya Swedan, MD, a physical medicine and rehabilitation specialist in New York City. “When you bike, your entire body is moving or leaning forward,” Dr. Swedan says. “You want to gently stretch your body in the opposite direction.” One of Swedan’s favorite post-cycling stretches is the “upward facing dog” (or “cobra”) position from yoga, which stretches the chest, legs, and hips. Pilates, swimming, and court sports—anything that gets you out of that bent-over position—will also help. Consider this: Cyclists take about 15 percent fewer sick days, according to a study in the journal Preventive Medicine. They also sleep better (thanks to fresh air) and live—on average—two years longer than non-cyclists. “If you haven’t biked, try it,” says Lusk. “Rent a bike on vacation. Borrow a bike and go for a ride with a friend or your child. My daughter rode with me from Boston to DC when she was only thirteen years old—and she credits that ride with helping her get into college.” l
Must-Have Gear
Whether you’re biking to work or taking on your first triathlon, this gear will have you wanting to spend even more time on your bike.
BIKE BAG: Your best bet is a versatile bag that you can use as a messengerstyle bike bag and a handbag. Enter the Blossom Twig Double Bicycle Bag ($80, basil.com for dealers), outfitted with reflective safety straps. (You can also attach it to the handlebars or rear rack.)
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SADDLE: Not in the market for a new bike, but want to find a more comfy seat? Try the Terry Cite X Gel Saddle ($49; terrybicycles .com), made with a cushy layer of gel across the top.
BIKE HELMET: Get creative with this must-have accessory, opting for Nutcase helmets, which come with magnetic buckles that allow for onehanded operation. We’re partial to the Daisy Stripe, but there are plenty of options from which to choose. ($60, nutcasehelmets .com).
BIKE BASKET: Looking for a sleek (i.e., not wicker) basket for commuting? Opt for the black Basil Cento Curve Rear Basket ($30, amazon. com) made from steel, with reflector stripes for safety. It’s roomy enough to store your bag (and shoes).
BIKE SKIRT: Not loving the idea of wearing Spandex bike shorts? Hide them beneath the Cruiser Bike Girl Skort ($84.95, teamestrogen. com), with comfy chamois and built-in bike compression shorts.
IPHONE/IPAD HOLDER: Never get lost on your bike again with these convenient holders to guide you to your destination—and dial out in case of an emergency. We like the Topeak iPhone DryBag ($24.99, performancebike .com), which attaches easily to your handlebar.
BIKE-TO-WORK PANTS: It’s hard to find a decent looking pair of bike pants that can double as office pants. But the Black Bike to Work Pants by Betabrand ($108, betabrand.com) feature cuffs that roll up to reveal super-bright reflective material, a higher back rise, and stretchiness for better mobility.
fitness CRAZE
2 billion dollar baby Forbes Riley has brought fun and fitness to hundreds of thousands of consumers with her infomercial sensation, the SpinGym. Even better? She shows that dreams stay alive as long as we keep our eyes on the prize. BY RUCHEL LOUIS COETZEE
80%
The number of people whose back pain is relieved by regular strength training. 108
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forbes riley has always been about acting—scripts, lights, action. A former chubby kid with braces, Riley explored healthy living early on and became Miss Teenage New York at age 16. A true working actress, she starred in cult films and on Broadway, made ends meet with singing telegrams, and gained a foothold in the infomercial world with products such as the Jack LaLanne Juicer. To yield her dream for another profession was unthinkable—that is, until the unthinkable actually happened. She was informed that she was being replaced as the lead on the Fox television show Fashion House. The foundation of her ambition began to tremor. “After we had filmed sixty-five one-
hour episodes, they said I was out,” recalls celebrity health and fitness expert Riley. “The next day, my agent told me he quit because at forty, I was getting older and kept losing roles in Hollywood to actresses who have had TV series. He added that I need to brand myself—that I make so much money in infomercials, and that if I still wanted to act I should buy my own movie. I walked out the door.” As she did, though, she realized her now ex-agent had a point: She’d made loads of money for companies by representing their products; why not use her ample talents to fill her own bank account? This was Riley’s “burning bush” moment. She went home, hugged her three-year-old
twins, and told her husband that before she takes her business to Home Shopping Network she is going to sit down and figure out how to brand herself. “I had done fifty infomercials that grossed ten-, twenty-, thirty-million dollars, and others that grossed hundreds of millions of dollars,” Riley says. “I did the math and it came to me… I’m the two billion dollar host.” The passion Riley knew she could call upon was her sincere lifelong devotion to health—her own and that of the people she came into contact with. She had already made an impression representing health and nutrition products, and she had displayed a natural talent for getting couch potatoes moving and stressed-out businesspeople thinking about nutrition. She was ready to break out on her own, although how she’d precisely do it remained a mystery. Within weeks, she found herself in London, in search of a product bearing her name. At 3 am, in the QVC UK green room, she watched a fellow guest playing with what looked like a yo-yo and asked to try it. After failing to work it properly and declaring it stupid, the guest persuaded her to give it a second look, telling her he sells thousands of them on QVC UK. “I finally got it to spin and I got this vision,” says
Riley provides a beautiful example of how perseverance pays off. “You are the sum of the obstacles you overcome,” she insists. Riley, who realized that this unusual device was the key to her future. Not only was it a good destresser, Riley realized it was a great upper-body workout. She asked to market the product in the US. “The deal was, I give him a small percentage and if I sold twenty-five-thousand in a year he would give me the company.” At the infomercial convention where she was honored as “Best Female Presenter of the Year,”
a colleague asked her if she would like to audition for a series called Pitch Men. “I pulled out this product and said, ‘I’ve got a spin gym here!’ That’s how I got the name.” After initial financial setbacks, she persuaded her husband to mortgage the house as well as the twins’ college fund to purchase 10,000 units of SpinGym from China. She then begged HSN to give her some airtime. “I told them, ‘I will wager two minutes of airtime for twenty-five units,’” says Riley. “They gave me two minutes. I sold the twenty-five, and the next day I put a press release out: Forbes Riley sells out her debut SpinGym at HSN. The next time, HSN wanted two hundred. The third time, they put in an order for eight-thousand and paid up front, starting my whole company.” That was January 2010, and the SpinGym has already sold 350,000 on HSN alone. From Riley’s “double arrow” spin to the “lawnmower” move, she will convince you how easy it is to create killer abs from your desk and how vital it is to stay healthy. All the while, Riley provides a beautiful example of how perseverance pays off. “You are the sum of the obstacles you overcome,” Riley insists. If ever a philosophy were worth a spin, it is that. ●
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fitness inspiration
chariot of fire
c o u r t e s y o f h o n o l u l u m a r at h o n
Call her Glady. Call her the “Gladyator.” Call her crazy. But don’t call this diminutive ball of fire— at 94, the oldest woman to complete a marathon— old. by anne garzouzie the finish line—about 100 meters away—beckons under the searing hot sun. Why not just stop for a small nap? That’s just not who she is. Gladys Burrill, age 94, replays in her mind the agonizing scenes from past marathons during which she failed to reach the end. One time she fell victim to a stomach virus; another time her husband had passed away and she simply ran out of go-juice. While it has happened before, it’s not going to happen again. She is stronger, and people from all over the world wait expectantly for her to finish. She starts to sing a hymn her father taught her at two years old, “We’ll gather at the river, the beautiful, beautiful river…”
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fitness inspiration
T
hroughout her life, burrill has lived according to that very dare. “My husband and I have gone to the Arctic Circle and to the Arctic Ocean,” she says. “No matter where I have been, I have this feeling of a challenge that I have to want to try something. When I was seventy, I hiked the Arctic Circle by myself at twenty-degrees-below in the cold, and walked across the frozen river for about a mile.” How does she do it? “I eat a very simple diet,” Burrill insists. “I am mostly a vegetarian. In the mornings, I have a banana and cold oatmeal. I never cook the oatmeal, and that’s the way I like it during the day. I also don’t eat dessert. Once in a while I will have a little bit, but I’m not a dessert eater, unless it’s something like fresh fruit.” Then, of course, there is the walking. For as long as she can remember, Burrill has walked at every given opportunity. “I climbed Mount Hood when my daughter was only six weeks old,” she recalls. “There were several friends that wanted to do it, so they talked me into doing it.” Since “Glady” was a young child, the outdoors beckoned. In nature, she always feels closer to God. Born to an immigrant family from Finland, Burrill was the youngest of six children. Her father named her Gladys “because I had to bring gladness,” she smiles. “When I
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Gladys Burrill finds the strength to run marathons in her 90s. Above, she celebrates a race in Oahu, Hawaii. She’s been this determined since she was a young girl (left).
I saw fireworks just before the marathon started at 5am. It inspired me, and I thought, I’m going to do it next year. And I did.
was eleven, I had polio and it took me a summer to overcome it. We were very poor, and I didn’t go to the doctor in the beginning because I didn’t realize how serious it was. But I overcame it.” Throughout her life, Burrill has overcome a host of challenges, many of which she set down herself as a gauntlet of determination. Back when most women of her generation were content to bake the perfect cake, Burrill was earning her pilot’s license and flying around the countryside. “I started out when I was about fifty-five, and it was just such a wonderful experience—being up in the sky and looking down,” Burrill says. “It is very important for people to have a dream. Sometimes it can be an impossible dream, as long as it keeps your mind going. I would like to go to space. That’s one of my dreams.” Burrill’s top advice to other people of every size and shape? Simply give of yourself in some small way. “Just touching somebody is so uplifting to me,” she says. “I think maybe people are expecting too much out of life, and that the simple things are more important.” Always upbeat, Burrill has one habit that could perhaps be called Glady’s magic trick: “I’ve always smiled,” says Burrill. And what a beautiful smile it is. “It’s important. It’s part of my life, and that means so much to people. They tell me that: Don’t quit smiling.” l
c o u r t e s y o f t h e b u r r i l l fa m i ly ( y o u n g g l a d ys ) ; c o u r t e s y o f h o n o l u l u m a r at h o n ( f i n i s h l i n e )
The first thing Ms. Burrill did when she crossed her most recent finish line, two years ago, was give thanks to God. Then, with tears of joy streaming, she collapsed into the arms of her grandson and absorbed the staccato of flashlights popping from all directions. The time on the clock: 9 hours, 53 minutes, and 16 seconds. Burrill found herself walking into the Guinness Book of Records—the oldest woman to successfully complete a marathon. Do the math… she was 92. Burrill is now eyeing her next marathon with eagerness. “I’ve always been really athletic, and usually I am out there walking alone,” she says. “But back in 2003 I was in Hawaii, and I saw fireworks just before the marathon started at 5am. It inspired me, and I thought I’m going to do it next year. And the next year, I did.” How exactly does a 92-year-old woman find the fortitude to complete a grueling 26-plus mile marathon, when most people a quarter her age can barely negotiate the walk from the living room to the kitchen? “If you haven’t dared, you haven’t lived,” Burrill insists.
med t rends T r i m u p, g e t c l e a r . . . a n d l i v e t o f i g h t a n o t h e r day
Tattoo Be Gone
Statistics show that 20 percent of inked-up Americans will regret their tattoos eventually, and 40 percent of these individuals seek removal to improve their employment status. Laser tattoo removal has been a long process of 10 to 20 treatments—with no guarantee that the ink will disappear completely, or that a scar won’t occur. Cynosure PicoSure ($250 to $500 per treatment) is the first laser that delivers energy to the skin in pulses of trillionths of a second. This causes ink to break apart into tiny particles and dissolve, meaning better results in fewer treatments—four to six on average. It works better than other technology on hard-to-treat colors such as blue and green. Experts predict it may be the answer to stretch marks, as well.
Vanquish Your Fat Finally, a nonsurgical option for fat removal that delivers on all counts. Vanquish provides a “radio-frequency force field” over the treated area—medically referred to as deep-tissue heating—in a process that is proven to destroy fat cells. Deep-tissue heating uses radiofrequency energy, with little side effects other than mild redness and swelling. Special panels are placed around the treated areas, such as the waist, yet do not touch
32%
The increase in US tattoo removal procedures between 2011 and 2012.
the skin. Sensors in the panels measure and target body fat, determining the amount of energy needed for the 30-minute treatment. Patients describe this as a warm sensation, akin to that created by a heating pad. A series of four treatments is said to result in a two-inch reduction in waist size on average. Vanquish will be available in dermatologist offices by Fall 2013.
Skin Vogue “Needling,” or piercing the skin with tiny needles, is a skin rejuvenation procedure that dates back to ancient times. Tiny pricks in the skin cause very little damage, yet stimulate collagen production that can smooth wrinkles and diminish the appearance of scars and stretch marks. Unlike dermal rollers, the Dermapen micro-needling device ($200 to $700 per treatment) uses disposable needle tips to vertically prick the skin, resulting in a sterile, safe, comfortable treatment with faster healing than its counterparts. The device is adjustable so that a provider can “dial in” the depth of the needle pricks, depending on the area. Dermapen can be used with vitamins and botanicals for added benefit.
Counter Attack One in four Americans die of heart disease, and 80 percent of strokes are preventable. A series of ultrasound tests that check for heart attack, stroke, and aneurysm risk factors may save your life. Ultrasound screening tests—the echocardiogram, the stroke-carotid artery ultrasound, and the aortic aneurysm ultrasound—peer inside your heart and arteries to detect blockages and abnormalities. Healthfair, a leader in mobile health screenings, offers these tests in conjunction with hospitals at an affordable cost (under $200), and no health insurance is required.
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medical quick fixes You Big Smoothie light and tight “Below the belt” changes that occur post pregnancy are rarely a woman’s favorite topic. Pelvic floor relaxation— a condition that makes muscles relax and cause incontinence—is no laughing (or coughing, or sneezing) matter. A new, nonsurgical option called Genityte tightens the vaginal wall and surrounding areas, alleviating urinary incontinence. It uses infrared laser light to stimulate the body’s ability to repair itself, summoning collagen and elastin to tighten and firm skin and other tissue. The result: A more comfortable, reliable, and aesthetically pleasing experience “down there.” Treatment by your OB/GYN is painless, takes approximately one hour per session, and requires zero downtime. Depending on your personal situation, a series of two and six treatments will last 12 to 28 months or more (approximately $1,000 per session, genityte.com).
31%
percent of US hair removal procedures take place in the Southwest region of the country.
Laser hair reduction is one of the top-five most sought after nonsurgical cosmetic procedures. Thanks to the FDA-approved hair removal device Syneron Beauty, you can safely and effectively rid yourself of unwanted hair in the privacy of your home, regardless of skin tone. The “Me Smooth” handheld hair removal system allows for fast and easy smoothness. With its patented combination of radiofrequency and intense pulsed light, it targets hair follicles and delivers heat into the deep layers of the skin—which, in turn, inhibits hair growth. To use Syneron, simply glide the applicator over skin; the Elos flashing light does the rest. An average treatment takes approximately 10 minutes, and clinical studies have shown an average of 61 percent hair reduction over seven simple treatments ($328, qvc.com).
Pillow Talk
sleep lines that stay visible well into your waking hours. This is especially true as we get older and our skin loses its youthful elasticity. (Ah, youth! EnVy pillow’s ergonomic design allows the side- or back-sleeper to slumber in comfort—with minimal face-to-pillow contact—decreasing or eliminating the facial compression that leads to sleep lines and facial asymmetries ($159, envypillow.com).
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t hinkstock (woman)
Flopping face-first into your pillow may be your M.O. after a hard day, but it can also cause unsightly
medical sea change
changing direction
d e l l a b as s ; h a i r a n d m a k e u p : k y r a d o r m a n f o r a r t i s t s b y t i m o t h y p r i a n o
Concern only grew as her dizzy spells intensified. But where Western medicine failed to pinpoint her problem, could Eastern practices provide that panacea? by Tatiana Boncompagni i’d gone for a run that day in late september, with the leaves falling at my feet and the wind lifting my hair as I made my usual five-mile trek around Central Park. At home I’d stripped to take a shower and, by chance, looked down at my breasts. One nipple was coated in a pale yellow paste that looked like dried milk, but I hadn’t nursed in over a year. I gave myself a breast exam in the shower. I discovered lumps in both breasts I’d never felt before. I managed to get dressed and cajole my youngest child, then two years old, into his stroller. We were halfway to his nursery school, on a wide stretch of Park Avenue sidewalk, when the world seemed to bob and shift. I felt as though I’d just stepped on land after spending an hour on a raft. I called it dizziness—but it was more like seasickness. I went to my gynecologist. She gave me a breast exam, which caused little droplets of milk to flow out of both my nipples. “It’s not bloody and it’s coming out of both breasts,” she said. That meant the discharge was most likely just milk, and indicative of something less scary than cancer such as a benign tumor on my pituitary gland or a thyroid imbalance. She drew blood to test for both conditions and referred me to a radiologist for a mammogram, to rule out anything in my breasts. “We want to cover all our bases,” she said. “Don’t worry.” I’d met with my gynecologist on a Friday. The following Monday, Hurricane Sandy hit and New York City shut down. My kids’ schools were closed; my husband’s office was without power. The seasickness intensified to the point that I couldn’t eat, read, or speak without feeling like I was going to lose my balance—or consciousness. At the end of that week my blood work came back: It was fine. No tumor on my pituitary. No thyroid imbalance. I saw the radiologist the following week. There were two spots the doctor wanted to keep an eye on, but nothing to biopsy. As for the discharge, the radiologist’s best guess was that I was simply still lactating. My mother sent me a link to an article online explaining the phenomenon, where hundreds of women had left comments. Apparently, I wasn’t alone. The feelings of imbalance persisted. I went to see my general practitioner, who felt my glands and asked me to stand and close my eyes. If I’d fallen over, it would have
Author Tatiana Boncompagni takes an Eastern approach to a health quandary.
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medical sea change been a sign of a possible brain tumor. I didn’t fall, but he still referred me to a neurologist, as well as a cardiologist and an ear, nose, and throat doctor. “Most likely, it’s just stress,” he said. He wrote me a prescription for Xanax. Over the next two weeks, I saw all of the doctors. The ear, nose, and throat expert gave me a hearing test, while the cardiologist administered an EKG and a prescription for seasickness pills. The neurologist hooked my head to a series of electrodes and told me I had the best brain waves he’d seen in a long time. Still, he wanted an MRI. My neurologist called with the results, and I was fine. Except, that is, for the dizziness.
He also suggested I try craniosacral therapy, a massage discipline where a therapist supports a patient’s head and permits them to reach a deep state of relaxation. It allows the therapist to essentially “interface” with the central nervous system. The technique can sometimes allow for a somato emotional release of trauma, or suppressed emotions, stored in the body. When it works, patients are left bawling like babies on the table. “The crying is a happy release of stored tension,” says Dr. Morrison. “Can’t I just go see a therapist?” I asked. “Conversational therapy is good for trauma that we know about, but when we don’t know what it is, this can put the mind into a calm state,” Dr. Morrison explained. I reached out to Dr. Ann Marie Chiasson, a specialist in energy medicine who teaches at Dr. Andrew Weil’s Arizona Center for Integrative Medicine. Chiasson zeroed in on my central
W
estern medicine could offer no diagnosis. Could Eastern? Some experts, including Alison J. Kay, PhD, certainly believe so. Kay, a holistic life coach, India-trained yoga instructor, and energy healer, is also author of What if There’s Nothing Wrong?, a new book offering observations about how we live in the west versus the “subtle energy practices” she encountered while living and teaching in Asia. Her general thesis is that much of the diseases that plague our culture—obesity, chronic illnesses, and depression—are caused by our misunderstanding of the world. We focus on what is physical and tangible, and disregard what we can’t see. “The world is a bunch of energy soup,” says Kay. “It isn’t about the physical anymore. Many people go to doctors with various complaints, and the Western doctors don’t have the tools, nor training, nor paradigm with which to understand these new phenomena.” I described my symptoms—the still-lactating breasts, the dizziness. Kay told me that in Hindu belief, the breasts, as well as the lungs, correspond with the heart chakra, which is the seat of self-love, nurturing, unity, and compassion. "Chakra" means "wheel," or "turning" in Sanskrit, and infers the idea that corresponding energies (self-love, for example) should turn the wheel, allowing energy (prana) to flow throughout the body. If energy stagnates in a chakra, our bodies become weak and prone to disease. Kay honed in on the issues with my breasts, and told me about a client with breast cancer she was treating in her practice, which blends
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“The world is an energy soup. Western doctors have neither the tools nor training to understand the phenomena.” energy healing and coaching. Over the course of many sessions her client began to talk about long-buried feelings. She had never felt nurtured as a child, and now that she finds herself married to man who gives her little support, she feels unloved as an adult. Silently, I started to cry. I had a rough childhood. I take care of three kids and a husband who gives most of his best to his business and friends. I spend my days in quiet desperation for someone to put me first—and yet I feel untrusting whenever anyone tries to get close. We hit a nerve. “You could get medication, you could get radiation, you could get something cut off, but you will never get to the root,” said Kay.
T
he next day i called dr. jeffrey a. Morrison, the founder of the Morrison Center in New York City. Dr. Morrison, while focusing on my seasickness, posited that it may be caused by a malfunction in my central nervous system. He advised an antiinflammatory eating plan, fish oil supplements high in DHA, and regular consumption of green tea, which contains the amino acid theanine.
nervous system and told me she “would send me running for craniosacral therapy.” She taught me relaxing breathing techniques, including shaking out my arms and legs to dislodge energy and lying on the floor while rotating my legs in and out to help my autonomic nervous system move out of the state of fight-or-flight that arose with my cancer scare. “That was a shock to you,” Dr. Chiasson said. “Your energy body and nervous system moved out of balance.” Then came homework: belly breathing, exercises, and a push to see a cranialsacral therapist. She believes I can feel like myself again and that I’ll feel a sort of “clunk” when it comes to pass. Kay’s client with breast cancer is on the road to recovery. I believe I will be restored to great health, too. I’m interacting with friends without putting on a show, and time with my husband and kids is more enjoyable. I’ve resumed yoga, and I’m drinking green tea, which calms and energizes all at once. I recognize that this is not an end-game situation. I am on a lifelong journey to find balance, peace, and wellness. That said, I do believe my little heart chakra is whirring again. l
GUT TER CREDIT
MELANOMA INCIDENCE
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medical ALARM
E INCREASED BY 800% AMONG YOUNG WOMEN BETWEEN 1970 AND 2009
JILL GREENBERG
It’s one of the trickiest sells in the health and beauty world: Ditch the tan in favor of a significantly safer skin tone. Here, we offer an earful of real-deal melanoma statistics—and some common-sense cautions that might just save your life. BY RUCHEL LOUIS COETZEE
hillary fogelson’s dermatologist appointment began as they always would—with some lighthearted repartee and devil-may-care laughter. Her nurse had just congratulated her on her new marriage, and Fogelson was explaining how excited she was about the potential of becoming pregnant. “This was a couple of months after I had surgery to remove a cancerous growth,” she says, over a cup of tea at the Polo Lounge in Beverly Hills. “The nurse asked if I had spoken to the doctor about planning to become pregnant and I asked, ‘Why would I talk to him about this?’” The rule of thumb at her dematologist’s hospital was to be hypercautious about the hormonal changes during pregnancy, which could potentially trigger new cancerous growths. She was shocked by the suggestion that she wait two years before becoming pregnant. “My hospital had seen many women who had a recurrence of melanoma that ended in their brain or in their lungs,” she says. “They didn’t want to lose the baby so they never sought advice. They ended up having the baby and then dying. At that moment, it felt like they were telling me I wouldn’t be able to safely have kids. That was devastating.” Fogelson waited—but not before undertaking mindboggling amounts of Internet research, and talking to anyone who would listen. “I went crazy,” she reflects. “Which could be good and bad. It was not all great information.” Melanoma screening is far less common than breast exams, pap smears, blood pressure checks, and cholesterol monitoring. Research and prevention are given significantly less attention in the media, and a mention of it at the water cooler is as foreign as a movie in Swahili at your local theater. “Most of
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medical alarm my patients pay little attention to what’s on their skin,” says Jessica Wu, MD, a celebrated LA dermatologist and assistant professor of Dermatology at USC School of Medicine. “Many of them feel like skin cancer is less important or less deadly than other things that can happen to them—when in fact melanoma can be very deadly.” According to data from the American Cancer Society, around 76,700 new melanomas will be diagnosed each year, and approximately 9,500 people are expected to die from them. Perhaps even more staggering: Melanoma incidences among young women increased by 800 percent between 1970 and 2009, another study found. Fogelson encountered these statistics during hours of research and decided to act. After all, she had been diagnosed with melanoma before and defeated it three times. She even wrote a book, Pale Girl Speaks: A Year Uncovered (published by Seal Press), and became an activist for skin protection. “People are so comforted that they are not alone in how much anxiety they feel about getting melanoma again,” she says. “I think there is something particular about melanoma, because it feels like the environment—the outside—is the enemy. You can see it.” With other cancers, you can’t look inside your body, she points out. What, then, is one of the major culprits behind this dramatic rise in melanoma cases? Global warming? The ozone layer? “Tanning beds,” insists Fogelson. “Tanning beds are pretty much exclusively UVA rays, which also give you melanoma. Some people use them multiple times a week, and a lot of apartment buildings that open up near college campuses have tanning beds in them.” There are alarming statistics stating that tanning machines are twice as dangerous as the midday Mediterranean sun—perhaps up to six times more dangerous. Dr. Wu says. “Tanning beds will increase your melanoma risk—and the risk is even greater the younger you are,” Wu says. “One session of visiting a tanning bed increases your melanoma risk by twenty percent and if your first session was before you were thirty-five years old, that risk increases to ninety percent.” Popular teen culture embraces the notion that a tanned body creates a healthier and slimmer look than pale skin. There is even a coined term that besets teenagers: tanorexia, a potentially life-threatening compulsion to tan on a frequent basis. Fogelson would love to see a ban on tanning beds
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Hillary Fogelson, who defeated melanoma three times, enjoys the sun—safely— alongside her husband, Adam, and their two daughters.
entirely. As that is not a realistic goal, she is now campaigning for a ban on tanning beds for those 18 years of age and under. Meanwhile, many tanning bed companies are promoting their tanning beds as a safe way of getting UVA rays, rather than UVB rays. Dr. Wu cautions her patients that although there is a difference in the way UVA and UVB rays penetrate the skin, they still both come with a warning label. “UVB rays are shorter wave lengths and you think of UVB rays as the burning rays,” Wu explains. “UVA rays are longer wave lengths that penetrate deeper into the skin and they are more quickly related to aging—wrinkles and discoloration. Both are related to skin cancer, but the UVB rays are burning and skin cancer while UVA rays are aging and skin cancer.” Dr. Wu points out that many patients believe they will get vitamin D from a tanning bed, when in fact most tanning beds use UVA-penetrating rays that have nothing to do with vitamin D. “Not only are you not getting vitamin D because you have no UVB rays, you are getting a higher dose of UV rays than you would in the sun,” she says. She suggests that exposure to your arms and legs in the summer for 10 minutes a day will deliver sufficient vitamin D to your body, and that if you work in an office all day (or live in Finland) you can take a vitamin D supplement. Fogelson goes even further in her campaign to bring down these alarming statistics. “With melanoma, you are asking people to change their habits—and that is a very tough thing to do,” she admits. “Getting a skin test once a year, and making sure it is a dermatologist with a trained eye, is absolutely key.” If you’re unsure how to check for growths, pay attention to moles with irregular shapes, discoloration, and those that change in size or border. Any of those warning signs means it is time to seek a professional opinion. “Look where the sun doesn’t shine,” Wu adds. “I tell people, ‘You’ve got to get naked.’ I’ve found melanoma in the pubic area and on someone’s earlobe, so look at places you may not think of looking.” Fogelson adds that it is never too late to start getting vigilant about this issue, and would like to see mothers begin early awareness with their children—introducing sunscreen creams and protective clothing to their newborns and infants. “My dream is to get to that place where you go to the beach and don’t see anyone uncovered,” she says, in all seriousness. The pale girl has spoken. l
get lively Stem cell science is a vital altenative to major surgery.
loosen up Advances in stem cell research offer new hope for arthritis sufferers, whose previous options were high-risk surgery or a life of limited mobility. By K.S. Mitchell 126
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life has been good to louis risi, a former Fortune 500 CEO, Navy fighter pilot, and Hollywood producer. His days have been full of well-earned pleasures—ballroom dancing, competitive tennis, afternoons spent on the links with friends. His entrepreneurial endeavors paid off beautifully. Now in his mid-70s, however, Risi has faced a challenge that hard work alone won’t conquer—the joint pain, stiffness, and degeneration of osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis affects approximately 50 million Americans. Within a few short years, Risi went from peak physical condition to a point where he could barely walk. An orthopedic surgeon told him his left knee was “bone on bone.” His cartilage had essentially been destroyed by the inflammatory condition. His only option was a knee joint replacement. Risi reluctantly scheduled the replacement following several trips to the ER to drain his knee of inflammatory fluid. Two days before his surgery, Risi was attending a seminar on stem cell therapy, and heard of treatment that regenerates arthritic joints without surgery. “I did my research on the subject and scheduled an appointment,” says Risi. “I canceled my joint replacement surgery in favor of stem cell therapy.” Adult stem cells have the ability to heal, regenerate, and restore injured or diseased tissue. Harvested primarily from bone marrow or fatty tissue, stem cells become different cell types, such as cartilage cells, skeletal muscle, and bone cells. They reduce inflammation and promote tissue healing via growth factors and signaling molecules called cytokines. These recruit additional stem cells to the area, facilitating repair and healing damaged tissue. Regenerative orthopedic injections using a patient’s own stem cells is a nonsurgical option for those who suffer from joint pain, ligament and tendon injuries, muscle sprains, and tears. It can halt joint degeneration by reducing inflammation and rejuvenating cartilage. More than 45 million Americans have been diagnosed with arthritis in some form, and most people over the age of 40 have radiographic evidence of osteoarthritis. Currently there is no cure for joint injury and treatments serve only to lessen the pain, relieve symptoms, or improve range of
jorg badura/ trunk Archive
medical stem cells
medical stem cells motion. Common approaches include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), prescription meds, cortisone injections, and arthroscopic surgery. During regenerative orthopedic treatment with stem cells, fat is harvested and undergoes a process to release stem cells from fat tissue. The stem cells are combined with blood plasma that contains concentrated platelets and other growth factors. This combination is injected into the affected area. In the case of joint injuries, the stem cells decrease inflammation and pain, and increase circulation and cartilage production. The joint experiences improved function and mobility that does not swell with repetitive use. “This treatment is performed while the patient is awake using local anesthesia,” says Dr. Denise Baker, staff physician at the Ageless Institute in Aventura, Florida. “Our patients walk out of the clinic on their own, awake and alert.” Data shows that 85 to 90 percent of patients responded to stem cell osteoarthritis treatment and showed an average 75 percent improvement from baseline. Mr. Risi reports that he experienced only mild discomfort after the treatment. Now, he is a regular on the tennis court, golf course, and dance floor. “The three-hour treatment was nothing less than remarkable,” he says. l
As with any major scientific breakthrough, the market has become inundated with “stem cell treatments” and stem cell products that promise to do everything from cure disease to provide cosmetic enhancement. New You asks stem cell scientist Kristin Comella the ins and outs of safe and efficacious treatment.
NEW YOU: Not all stem cell treatments are created equal. How do you tell
the stem cells must be removed, processed, and re-injected within the
which ones are effective and which ones are scams?
same procedure and the cells should not be sent out of the clinic for
KRISTIN COMELLA: It is important that patients look for cell products that
processing. Additionally, the cells cannot be cultured, grown, or multiplied
have been validated according to the guidelines of the FDA. This means that
before re-implantation to the patient. There have been numerous actions
the stem cells should be viable, but more importantly, able to grow and form
by the FDA on physicians and stem cell companies for violating the
different types of tissue. Scientists can confirm that the cells are able to
aforementioned regulations.
make copies of themselves and form tissue like bone, cartilage, and muscle.
NY: What questions should I ask my doctor about the stem cell treatments
NY: Considering the importance of the health issues at hand, where should
they perform?
I go to get stem cell treatment?
KC: Important considerations include physician credentials and experience,
KC: Stem cell procedures must be performed in a medical facility under
the total number of procedures performed, and the active presence of a
physician supervision. In order to comply with regulatory guidelines,
scientific support team. l
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Don’t accept limitations. Explore stem cell therapy.
| New You
jorg badura/ trunk Archive
stem to stern
take off
medical fade out
Lari Pierce, who suffered terrible burns, is beautiful inside and out.
on the mark Scars may indicate where we have been, but they need not impact where we’re headed. Thanks to trailblazing doctors and fractional ablative laser techniques, it’s a new dawn for those living traumatic scarring. By janette daher photography by jamie kripke
february 10, 2008 is a day that lari pierce will never forget. Pierce, a police officer and part-time fitness trainer, had always been in great physical condition. She’s the mother of four young adult sons—three in college, one still at home—and was making dinner when a grease fire exploded in her kitchen. The fire spread to her left arm, bringing her body down on top of the blazing stovetop. She awoke from a medically induced coma, with burns covering 53 percent of her body. Her first time looking in the mirror was nothing short of traumatic. “The only thing that was familiar to me were my eyes,” Pierce recalls. Although scars resulting from acne, surgery, burns, or an injury can rock you to your core, there is always hope; more hope now than ever before. All of these scars—big and small, cosmetic or traumatic—can be dramatically improved with revolutionary new treatments using fractional ablative resurfacing. These innovative treatments serve dual purposes— inproving the appearance and function of scarred skin and mollifying the sufferer’s social discomfort by offering an exciting new vision for the future.
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medical fade out Scars are often a perpetual reminder of a traumatic or negative event. People commonly feel self-conscious about their disfigurement, avoiding activities that reveal their injured body for fear of rejection. Those with particularly unsightly scars often fall into isolation and depression—a Pandora’s Box of issues that compound the trauma of the initial scarring event. This emotional factor can be equally, if not more, disabling than the physical pain. (Of course, physical pain and dysfunction can be similarly associated with scars, depending on the nature of the injury.) Scars can restrict the skin’s movement as well as the muscles, tendons, and ligaments that lie beneath the affected area. Scars tend to burn or itch. In the case of scars covering large areas, they are just painful. For Pierce, the worse part was the isolation and emotional turmoil that resulted from her injuries. “I didn’t go anywhere because I looked scary, and people would stop and stare,” she says. “I was feeling very depressed, and I thought that if my scars weren’t so obvious, I would feel better.” Dermatologist and Mohs surgeon Dr. Joel Cohen finds that men and women alike are deeply affected by scarring, and frequently pursue scar revision following cancer surgery. “Many of my scar revision patients are male—PhDs and lawyers who do not want to explain the scars on their face.” Erin DeGraff was very apprehensive about her own Mohs surgery (chemosurgery). Her sister had noticed a white spot on her forehead, and this prompted her to see Dr. Cohen, who discovered a melanoma. “I was nervous about the cancer, but also scared that there would be a huge scar marking the area on my forehead,” says Erin, a front-office liaison for a professional sports team who interacts with athletes and VIPs on a daily basis. “I was very self-conscious about it but Dr. Cohen reassured me that with a little time and a short series of laser treatments, he could make the scar barely noticeable. I noticed a significant change after the first treatment, and I am overjoyed with my result. You can barely see where the scar once was, even without makeup.”
S
cars naturally form as skin heals after injury, accident, or surgery. The extent of scarring depends on the location, depth, and size of a wound, as well as a person’s age, skin color, propensity to scar, and genetics. Whether scars are an unwanted result of cosmetic surgery or the after effect of traumatic injury, their treatment is always a complicated and delicate process. Until recently, treatment has yielded less than desirable results. Scar treatment has historically required a collaboration between many specialists—surgeons, dermatologists, psychiatrists, and physical or occupational therapists. A litany of medications, topical dressings, topical steroids, and specialized surgeries traditionally came with the territory. At the end of the day, these
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Fractional ablative resurfacing is an adjunctive therapy to traditional scar treatment, but from what we have seen, it performs magic.
approaches had little ability to improve the natural appearance and functionality of the skin. “Treating scars takes a village,” says Miami dermatologist and scar expert Jill Waibel. “We work with a team of doctors and therapists over time to restore the skin to normal as best we can.” Dr. Waibel has treated over 10,000 burns and traumatic scars, and was one of the first medical professionals to use fractional ablative lasers in the treatment of severe burn scars. She was instrumental in designing the SCAAR FX mode by Lumenis, designed specifically to treat scars. “Fractional ablative resurfacing is an adjunctive therapy to traditional scar treatment, but from what we have seen, it performs magic in reducing not only the appearance of scars, but also their composition and improved elasticity of the affected area.” Pierce sought out Dr. Waibel’s services after reading a magazine article about burn scar treatments she had provided to triplets who had been badly burned in a house fire. “I saw the amazing photos of the results, and read about how the treatment changed their lives,” Pierce says. “I knew that this was something I needed to pursue.” Despite Pierce’s injuries and physical limitations, she optimistically made the trek from Wichita, Kansas to Miami, Florida to see Dr. Waibel. “Dr. Waibel generously entered me in one of her clinical trials, so I was able to receive the treatments at no charge, because insurance doesn’t cover it,” recalls Pierce. “I feel so much better about how I look now. Dr. Waibel is a godsend.” Fractional ablative lasers treat skin by vaporizing microscopic columns of skin tissue while leaving the surrounding skin intact—similar to the way one would aerate a lawn. In essence, the doctor is administering a “controlled injury” to an area that is already burned or scarred. “The laser creates a type of burn that the body has never seen before,” says Naval dermatologist Nathan Uebelhoer. “Fractional ablative lasers allow us to drill very thin cylinders deep into the skin, without triggering the body’s scarring response. This drilling immediately creates a mechanical change—making the skin more pliable—as well as a physical change that induces the production of new collagen.” Scar tissue behaves differently than normal skin. There is more pigment, making it darker than normal, as well as an imbalance in the ratio of two types of collagen found in skin. The type of collagen found in scars gives them their thickened, stiff, and shiny appearance. The healing process following a fractional ablative treatment results in the formation of healthy collagen, changing the scar architecture to normal skin architecture, bringing the collagen ratio back into balance. Fractional lasers have been used for cosmetic enhancement for over seven years, with stunning results. These devices have revolutionized laser resurfacing by minimizing down time while maximizing facial rejuvenation. Doctors Waibel,
as three months and as long as thirty years after injury, with positive results,” continues Dr. Shumaker. This is significant for those who have scars that occurred before the technology was available. All of our experts attest that although it cannot take the place of surgical scar revision, fractional ablative treatments can be used before, at the same time, and following surgery to improve outcomes for traumatic scars. Treatment is adaptable to any body area and any skin color. “We can safely treat all skin types, from face to toes,” Shumaker remarks.
D
Uebelhoer, and Dr. Peter Shumaker of the US Navy quickly recognized the benefit of fractional ablative lasers in the cosmetic improvement of scars, but improvements in range of motion and mobility were unexpected. There are two types of fractional lasers—erbium and CO2. The consensus among our experts is that for the treatment of cosmetic or surgical scars, these types can be used interchangeably. “We are finding that range of motion responds in as little as three to five treatments, at two-month intervals,” comments Shumaker. “We have seen some of our wounded soldiers respond in as little as one treatment. In terms of texture and pigment, it can take as many as fifteen treatments for an optimal result.” There is no statute of limitations between the date of injury and the date of treatment. “We have treated patients as soon
Erin DeGraff, who underwent Mohs surgery, is looking lovely and remains in the clear.
octors uebelhoer and shumaker have treated many injured soldiers with burns and blast injuries. The results of improved skin function and range of motion allow them to return to active duty, despite missing fingers. “The ability to turn a key or reach into your pocket may seem trivial, but for those who struggle to bring their fingers together to grasp objects, this is huge,” says Dr. Uebelhoer. When it comes to surgical scars, Dr. Cohen uses a variety of laser devices but prefers the Sciton Profractional, post-Mohs surgery. “We begin to treat the scar six to eight weeks postsuture removal for the best result,” Cohen says. “On average, we see drastic improvement after four to five treatments. With the technology available today, patients no longer have to live with the stigma of a physical scar.” All four of these trailblazing physicians conduct frequent studies to further the advancement of scar treatments. All would like to see fractional ablative laser treatment become the standard of care for all scarred patients. Some of their research involves the delivery of topical medications via pathways through affected skin, made possible by fractional ablative lasers. Dr. Waibel is currently working in conjunction with the University of Miami studying the uses of stem cells and fractional ablative laser technology in treatment of thirddegree burns created on pigskin. In their efforts to bring this treatment to the mainstream, these scar experts have hosted joint symposiums to expose physicians to the functionality and mobility benefits of laser scar treatment. Dr. Shumaker had the recent opportunity to share this knowledge at the National Institute of Burns in Hanoi, Vietnam. The USNS Mercy, a naval hospital ship, had fractional ablative lasers on board as part of a humanitarian mission in Southeast Asia this year, and many patients in rural areas were treated for traumatic scars. We all know someone with a scar of some sort—whether it resulted from acne, surgery, trauma, or burns. Fractional ablative treatment can mean the difference between disability and employment, self-esteem and deep depression. More than an issue of science, it’s an issue of emotional health, and these new techniques—administered by caring doctors—can turn something traumatic into something transcendent. l
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Come along with us w o l f g a n g p o h n / f o l i o - i d.c o m
sharon stone sizzles, musicians get toned, stress hits the road, and everyone feels fabulous!
Jacket by Stijlus (stijlus .com). Pants by Chanel (chanel.com). Necklace by Micha Design (michadesign.com). Earrings by Jared Jamin (jaredjamin.com). Rings by Sazingg (sazinggjewelry.com).
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stone
Romancing With
Sexy, outspoken, and busier than ever, Hollywood
bombshell Sharon Stone is the picture of enduring glamour. By treating her body with respect and bravely venturing into new territory, she’s back in the public eye with choice film roles and a high-end home line. And then there’s her sex life... By Ruchel Louis Coetzee Photography by Fadil berisha
left: dress: vintage sequin dress (anonymous), available at decades (decadesinc.com). jewelry: david webb.
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ertain movie scenes unwittingly create indelible imprints on our psyche. One such imprint comes courtesy of our Basic Instinct cover model, who has since been immortalized in Hollywood for conjuring the ultimate fleeting image of seduction. Some 20 years after the filming of that iconic scene, the ever-sensual Sharon Stone continues to surprise. New You sat down with the award winning actress to discuss her secrets to staying healthy, her inner passions, her global fundraising efforts to battle AIDS, and, of course, her own basic instincts.
ple try to make everything as difficult as they possibly can. You should try to take the philosophy of: What if it’s just easy? If you give up all the resistance and go ahead and forgive, resolve your issues, open your heart, stay in your compassion, sleep when you are supposed to sleep, eat when you
like I can and can’t have things. This is why I don’t have issues. I just eat what makes me feel well. I don’t overeat or eat what doesn’t make me feel well, or what makes me feel bad about myself. I don’t like to be fat or out of shape, so I eat a healthy diet. I think when you have a neurotic relationship with anything, it’s just going to bite you in the ass. Some people are like “Oh my God, I don’t eat meat. I just eat vegetables and fish!” If I just ate fish, I’d feel like I was starving to death, so I eat what makes me feel good. You have to feel your way through what makes you feel good for you, and you can’t tell someone what to eat. NY: How do you know what is good for your body? SS: I’m a Buddhist. I find that when you get still with yourself, you know just about anything you need to know. It takes quite a bit of discipline, and when you can get to that firm stance of stillness, people can’t really
are supposed to eat, exercise when you are supposed to exercise, show up on time for your jobs, keep your agreements, and live in your truth, you will have a healthy life. NY: How do you juggle your busy work schedule, charitable work, and being a mom to three teenage boys? SS: It’s the reality of life. Single mothers have been working with, and taking care of, children and families for centuries. I choose to have my children, and I don’t see anything unusual about being a working mother. NY: Who has been a strong influence in your life? SS: My father influenced my life greatly. He had tremendous integrity, dignity, chivalry, and the ability to grow until the day he died—which was really extraordinary to see. And I just love watching people who grow and change and develop. I think Hillary Clinton is a fascinating example of someone who is growing and developing. She’s working towards being more and giving more. Personally, I am very engaged with the Dalai Lama and the way he has changed the world. I also think music changes the world. It’s just beautiful the way that musicians will come together to help people in a time of crisis.
mess with you. I don’t want to tell other people that this is the thing for them. I can say this: I can hear my own thoughts and I can hear my own joy. I know that when things aren’t going well for me for a few days, I have to say, “I need to recommit to my happiness.” When I do that, it’s pretty easy to see anything that isn’t making me happy. If I’m not working out enough, not eating right, not being with the right people—whatever it is—it comes up like a red flag. You can’t turn those flags pink or white. They are just red flags, and you need to remove them. Just take ten deep breaths and you will know. NY: When you walk down the red carpet, what goes through your mind? Do you feel a lot of pressure to be your Hollywood image? SS: I don’t feel pressure. I feel a lot of gratitude—a lot of joy and energy that I’m not just engaging in a one-on-one relationship. Instead, I’m engaging in many relationships. It’s my job to put out some radiance and some light because people look to me for something inspirational. It’s important to give that light with grace, gratitude, and generosity, because people aren’t standing there in the rain or in some other discomfort to have someone not respect them.
NEW YOU: What is your philosophy for healthy living today? SHARON STONE: It begins with a state of mind. I think that many peo-
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NY: What is your favorite “throw your diet out the window” snack? SS: I don’t have that inappropriate relationship with food where I feel
| New You
NY: Can you share your best makeup tip? SS: Don’t have the same old look all the time. One of the greatest things
NY: People constantly compare themselves to others, yet everyone defines
success and beauty differently. How do you define it?
SS: I was lecturing with the Dalai Lama at a college in San Francisco
a makeup artist ever said to me was, “When people put on their base, they think they’re supposed to put it all over their face. You’re not painting the side of a barn. You don’t need base everywhere, and you don’t need ten pounds of it. You just need a little bit here and there.” NY: It’s been said that many people look at themselves, but don’t actually see themselves anymore. Do you find that to be true? SS: You have to sit down and take a good look at yourself, particularly as you grow older and your face changes. People are afraid of changing; that they’re losing something. They don’t understand that they are also gaining something. I thought I lost the deep vortex on my eyelid that you have when you’re younger, but I gained almost a kind of beautiful abyss. As I lost the fullness in my face, I got in these great cheekbones. I can’t tell you how many doctors try to sell me a facelift. I’ve even gone as far as having
and I could see this huge stadium full of people. It was like a perfect puzzle, where everyone was fitting together. We all have our job. If you try to change yourself into the person next to you, who’s going to fill your spot? Who’s going to do your thing? Who’s going to be the best you? It doesn’t make any sense to try and be a different person. That’s the way I see it with my children. They are so bright and yet so individualized. I get such joy out of the experience of seeing them love their separateness. NY: Do you think women dress for other women? SS: It’s interesting that you ask me that. Last night, my brother-in-law and I were talking, because he and my sister are going through this phase where they’re revitalizing their marriage, and flirting with each other. They are both talking through me, and I’m like the mediator of what
someone talk me into it, but when I went over and looked at pictures of myself, I thought, What are they going to lift? Yes, I have come close— but, frankly, I think that in the art of aging well there’s this sexuality to having those imperfections. It’s sensual. NY: Is there a place for cosmetic surgery? SS: Oh yeah. Are you kidding? If you have things that you want to fix, you should go right ahead and fix them. I don’t think there is anything wrong with cosmetic surgery at all. I think it’s great. But I don’t think it’s alright to distort yourself. You can’t treat an illness with cosmetic surgery, and that’s why it would be great if there were qualified therapists in plastic surgeons’ offices, and that people would go to a therapeutic meeting before plastic surgery. I think that should be part of the FDA requirement. NY: Having been in the center of Hollywood, would you say that people are obsessed with fine lines and wrinkles? SS: I think it’s just part of reality. We want to take care of our skin. Do I think lines are beautiful? No, I’d rather look like a baby’s ass—but I don’t think that’s reality. Am I comfortable with it? More or less. We are our own worst critics, but we should not be fearful of aging.
makes the other one happy. He said, “The one thing that I would like is if she dressed like she does if we go out with even one other woman. If one other woman is coming, she’ll put on makeup and make an effort. I wish she would dress for me in the way she dresses for other women.” NY: Some say women are innately competitive with one another. Do you think this starts on the playground? SS: My dad was a feminist—a very hardcore feminist. He would pull me off the playground and say, “You’re letting that guy beat you, because you want him to like you. Now get back out there and beat him, and he’ll like you if he likes you.” I have to say it made my life a lot more difficult. Only now has it made me demonstrate femininity differently. NY: What are your thoughts about feeling sexual at this stage of life? SS: As women, we understand our bodies, and there’s a blossoming that occurs because we are not hungry for it. We’re hungry for gourmet meals instead of the fast food. We bring to life a more expansive understanding of life, ourselves, and others. We are more generous and assertive. NY: Thanks to modern medicine, health, and exercise, we are all living longer. What’s your take on this?
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current and previous spread: dress: vintage bob mackie, available at decades (decadesinc.com). jewelry: david webb. shoes: jimmy choo.
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“There’s a blossoming that occurs [with sex]. We’re hungry for gourmet meals instead of fast food.” SS: Plan for it. Realize that when you are “middle aged” you have a chance for a whole second career, another love, another life. You may be sick of what you did the first half of your life, but you don’t just have to walk around and play golf or do nothing. We’re too young for that. It’s not like fifty is the new thirty. It’s like fifty is the new chapter. NY: How can people write the best possible chapter? SS: What do you want to do? Who do you want to be with? What kind of partner do you want to have? What kind of life do you want to live? What kind of job do you want? How would you like to contribute to society? These are the questions you should be asking. We know so much at this age, and people realize we’re the ones with experience. We’re a very colorful generation that is leading once again. NY: What is your philosophy on Eastern medicine? SS: I think it works as a combination. It helped my father live another seven years before he died from a different kind of cancer that was originally diagnosed. NY: You have been the chair of global fundraising for the Foundation for AIDS Research, amfAR, for going on 18 years. What have you learned over that time? SS: We’ve lost 34 million people to date, and there have certainly been years when I thought I was going to lose my mind. But we’re not close to [solving] anything. I’ve worked so much in hospices and hospitals and orphanages and laboratories. In the beginning, I even put on hazmat suits to look at the AIDS virus under a microscope. It was emotionally crushing, and I realized I had to focus more on raising money for the scientists. I think you have to figure out what you can do and not get up and cry in front of everybody all the time. It was very important for me to teach people that they can have a joyful time during work. To do that, I had to stay in my own joy. There was a point when I had to back out a little bit of going to every place where everyone was dying. But before I did that I had to educate myself. I had to see it all—experience it from every angle—so I knew what I was doing. NY: What’s been one of the most touching moments you’ve experienced during your time with amfAR? SS: Sometimes when I’m on location and can’t go home on holiday, I visit orphanages. One of these times I was in a nursery for AIDS babies, and one of the babies was just screaming and screaming. The nurse there was like, “There’s nothing we can do.” One of the other babies next to this screaming baby was in complete shutdown—just no communication whatsoever. I asked the nurse if I could try something, and she replied that I could. I put the screaming baby in the crib with the baby who was noncommunicative, and the first baby stopped screaming. Then the noncommunicative baby touched the other baby and they found communication within each other. That was special because these two babies were just in the worst, most desperate situations of their lives, and when they touched, they found something in each other that stopped the pain. It was a great moment—it was really beautiful. l
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dress: vintage loris azzaro, available at decades (decadesinc.com). cuff: swarovski. stylist: cameron silver, fashion editor at starworksartists.com. co-stylists: melanie a. bonvicino for metro management group; geoffrey skoglund, assistant fashion editor at starworksartists.com. prop stylist: stephanie ziemer. makeup: billy b. hair: peter savic. manicure: april foreman.
“When you get still with yourself, you know just about anything you need to know.” 6/3/13
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Dress by Jason Wu (jasonwustudio. com). Shoes by Chanel (chanel.com). Necklace by Jared Jamin (jaredjamin. com). Ring by Marianna Harutunian (ilovemariannas.com). Earrings (as hair clips) by Lyralovestar (lyralovestar.com).
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rose
DESERT
Beauty is a state of mind—
pure, powerful, and ever-evolving. We took sleek summer fashions deep into the desert to meditate on one vital concept:
Authentic style is about you,
and nobody else but you.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY WOLFGANG POHN/FOLIO-ID.COM
6/3/13
Jacket by Wish (wish.com.au). Dress by Bryan Hearns (bryanhearns.com). Shoes by Gucci (gucci.com). Necklace by Chanel (deslacouture.com).
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WE OWE IT TO OURSELVES
to overdress.
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Dress by Gucci (gucci.com). Shoes by Gucci (gucci.com). Earrings by Melanie Auld Designs (melanieaulddesigns. com). Ring by Lyralovestar (lyralovestar.com). Hat by Philip Treacy (philiptreacy.co.uk).
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Blouse by Wish (wish. com.au). Pants by Dani Read (fyibydaniread.com). Hat by Philip Treacy (philiptreacy.co.uk). Necklace by Lyralovestar (lyralovestar.com).
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Dress by Viktor Luna (viktorluna.com). Shoes by Chanel (chanel.com). Mask by House of Devali (houseofdevali.com). Ring by NANIS Italian Jewels (nanis.it). Ring by Mishka Piaf (mischka-piaf.com). Photographer Assistant: Markus Kloiber; Model: Olya Ivanisevic at Women-Direct NYC; hair and makeup: Steffen Zoll for Utopia using MacPRo Cosmetics; Styling: Naila Ruechel; Digital Imaging: Malkasten
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21st Century Stress
5/30/13
modern society keeps us in a perpetual state of “on.” Information overload, financial uncertainty, and the acceleration of our daily lives have contributed to the new normal, a constant state of fight-or-flight. Ultimately, it all boils down to one word that has far-reaching and often underestimated consequences: stress. According to the journal Jama Internal Medicine, 44 percent of Americans say that they’re more stressed today than they were five years ago. Considering the financial turmoil of 2008, this statement is disconcerting to say the least. It appears that we are all in the midst of a national stress epidemic.
Pick, author of Is It Me or My Adrenals?: Your 30-Day Program for Overcoming Adrenal Fatigue and Feeling Fantastic, believes that adrenal fatigue is very real. She feels that it is impossible to expect the adrenal glands to be at their optimal level of health, considering the chronic stress levels with which we live. Dr. Pick asserts that under ordinary circumstances, our adrenals are designed to give us relatively small blasts of strength—from the little burst of energy that wakes us up in the morning to the stimulating hormones that keep us awake, alert, and focused throughout the day. As evening comes, our adrenal production is supposed to steadily
what seems like stress to some could actually be Adrenal Dysfunction. how do you know?
By sara fiedelholtz | photography by ann cutting
Stress takes a significant toll on the body, particularly the adrenal glands— two triangle-shaped glands that sit over the kidneys. Adrenal glands mobilize the body’s responses to every kind of stress—physical, emotional, and psychological—through the production and release of hormones. Cortisol, the main adrenal hormone, helps manage stress. The highest amount of cortisol is secreted by the adrenals in the morning to get us going, with levels decreasing throughout the day. The adrenals secrete cortisol in response to low blood sugar, stress, exercise, and excitement. Adrenal dysfunction can affect everything from your metabolization of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats to your electrolyte balance, cardiac function, and sex drive. According to Laura Berman, PhD, host of OWN’s In the Bedroom with Dr. Laura Berman, stress causes a spike in cortisol levels and a dip in oxytocin, the bonding chemical that makes you feel connected to your mate. This disconnection can make you feel out of sync with your partner and less interested in intimacy. When stress becomes chronic or is poorly managed, the adrenal glands simply won’t function at an optimal level. Your glands cannot keep up with the demands of permanent stress, and therefore cannot produce enough of the hormones necessary for you to cope with normal pressures. Adrenal burnout is difficult to identify, for it is not a medically recognized diagnosis. Additionally, current blood tests for checking adrenal function are not sensitive enough to pick up small, subtle declines in function. However, medical practitioners such as Dr. Marcelle
decline, permitting us to relax into a restful sleep. When we are chronically under stress, adrenals behave very differently. Rather than “just enough” stress hormones to keep us alert and awake, along with occasional extra bursts for a fight-or-flight emergency, our adrenals are being asked to provide stress hormones for a continual barrage of challenges. Many of us live in a state of near-constant stress, with no downtime. “We are absolutely seeing more stress-induced illnesses, be it environmental, psychological, or nutritional,” says Pick, who is a co-founder of the Women to Women health care organization. Women to Women has pioneered the combination of alternative and conventional medicine for treating the health issues of women. “There is no doubt that cortisol in the right amount is healthy and important. Stress isn’t bad for us. We need it. But it is the chronicity of stress that creates the serious problem.” Pick insists that the emotional component of stress remains neither “in your mind” nor “in your feelings.” It triggers an actual physical response, a complex cascade of hormones and neurotransmitters, the side effects of which include weight gain, blood-sugar dysregulation, menstrual problems, thyroid abnormalities, digestive problems, hormone imbalances, and exhaustion. Stress has been linked to a wide variety of autoimmune disorders—either setting them off or making them worse. It’s dangerous, because none of our body’s systems operate in isolation. There’s much crosstalk between our systems— adrenals, thyroid, sex hormones, the gut, and the brain.
New You
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That said, hope abounds in the battle we wage against adrenal dysfunction and the many other deleterious effects of stress. You may have to invest some extra effort into your daily attempts to create downtime and restore balance in your body, mind, and spirit—though the payoff will be well worth it. “In treating adrenal fatigue, people need to understand the physical effect that stress has on the body,” says Dr. Grace Keenan of Virginia’s Nova Medical Group.
Should you identify adrenal dysfunction to be an issue in your life, there are concrete steps you can take to restore balance in your body and mind. “You can change your diet, adjust your lifestyle, and reprogram the emotional patterns that are stressing you out,” says Pick. “You’ll restore your adrenal balance, restart your metabolism, and regain your natural energy.” In other words: If your “get up and go” has “got up and went,” the choice is yours to bring it back on board.
The Symptoms of Adrenal Fatigue Adrenal dysfunction is a progressive condition that moves through successive phases, manifesting differently as the condition gets worse.
Treating Adrenal Dysfunction ✖ Inability to fall asleep
If you suffer from adrenal fatigue, the worst thing you can do
✖ Difficulty getting out of bed
is consume caffeine and sugar. When you consume cookies,
✖ Anxiety
pastries, and soda, the pancreas responds to the sugar overload
✖ Mild depression
by increasing insulin production in the body. This causes
✖ Increased susceptibility to infections
blood sugar levels to plummet, further complicating adrenal
✖ Midday fatigue
function. Over time, the body will stop responding to the
✖ Reduced tolerance for stress
sugar and caffeine. Cope with adrenal fatigue in a healthy way.
✖ Sweet or salty food cravings
The following are a few tips from Dr. James Wilson, author of
✖ Muscular weakness
Adrenal Fatigue: The 21st Century Stress Syndrome.
✖ Weight gain Gentle Exercise According to Dr. Marcelle Pick, author of Is it Me or My
Get moderate, regular amounts of exercise. Engage in de-stress
Adrenals?, the adrenal glands can flood the body with excessive
practices like yoga, meditation, or conscious relaxation.
levels of stress hormones. This causes the feeling of being
Limit Coffee
both tired and wired—or else the adrenal reserves are dwindling,
Although adrenal fatigue sufferers may experience fast relief
creating a virtually constant state of exhaustion.
from drinking coffee, the stimulant will only over-stimulate the adrenal glands and keep you awake at night. People coping with adrenal fatigue require plenty of quality rest to maintain their energy levels. Avoid Sweets and Starches
Zeroing In On Adrenal Dysfunction Diagnosis
Avoid sweets, processed foods, pasta, and bread. These foods elevate the blood sugar levels, causing you to crash rather quickly. They will prompt the adrenal glands to work hard as a
If you suspect you might be struggling with adrenal dysfunction,
means of leveling out your blood sugar levels. Choose foods
work with your health practitioner to rule out other conditions.
such as lean protein, whole grains, and non-starchy vegetables
It is possible your symptoms are due to menopause, irregularities
like broccoli and spinach.
with the thyroid, or a chronic disease such as anemia.
Take a Good Multivitamin Select a high-quality multivitamin that contains vitamin C,
156
5/30/13
Most experts recognize only two extreme adrenal disorders—
B-complex vitamins, calcium, magnesium, and fish oil. These
Addison’s disease (when adrenals severely underproduce)
nutrients are critical to adrenal health.
or Cushing’s syndrome (when they severely overproduce). Tests
Use Herbal Supplements
for these may not capture more common adrenal dysfunction.
Asian ginseng, Eleuthero, Ashwagandha, and Rhodiola rosea
But salivary cortisol testing could, as it evaluates cortisol and
are adaptogens—herbs that will help your body fight fatigue and
levels of DHEA hormone. Visit adrenalfatigue.org to learn more.
adapt to stress. l
| New You
5/30/13
modern society keeps us in a perpetual state of “on.” Information overload, financial uncertainty, and the acceleration of our daily lives have contributed to the new normal, a constant state of fight-or-flight. Ultimately, it all boils down to one word that has far-reaching and often underestimated consequences: stress. According to the journal Jama Internal Medicine, 44 percent of Americans say that they’re more stressed today than they were five years ago. Considering the financial turmoil of 2008, this statement is disconcerting to say the least. It appears that we are all in the midst of a national stress epidemic.
Pick, author of Is It Me or My Adrenals?: Your 30-Day Program for Overcoming Adrenal Fatigue and Feeling Fantastic, believes that adrenal fatigue is very real. She feels that it is impossible to expect the adrenal glands to be at their optimal level of health, considering the chronic stress levels with which we live. Dr. Pick asserts that under ordinary circumstances, our adrenals are designed to give us relatively small blasts of strength—from the little burst of energy that wakes us up in the morning to the stimulating hormones that keep us awake, alert, and focused throughout the day. As evening comes, our adrenal production is supposed to steadily
what seems like stress to some could actually be Adrenal Dysfunction. how do you know?
By sara fiedelholtz | photography by ann cutting
Stress takes a significant toll on the body, particularly the adrenal glands— two triangle-shaped glands that sit over the kidneys. Adrenal glands mobilize the body’s responses to every kind of stress—physical, emotional, and psychological—through the production and release of hormones. Cortisol, the main adrenal hormone, helps manage stress. The highest amount of cortisol is secreted by the adrenals in the morning to get us going, with levels decreasing throughout the day. The adrenals secrete cortisol in response to low blood sugar, stress, exercise, and excitement. Adrenal dysfunction can affect everything from your metabolization of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats to your electrolyte balance, cardiac function, and sex drive. According to Laura Berman, PhD, host of OWN’s In the Bedroom with Dr. Laura Berman, stress causes a spike in cortisol levels and a dip in oxytocin, the bonding chemical that makes you feel connected to your mate. This disconnection can make you feel out of sync with your partner and less interested in intimacy. When stress becomes chronic or is poorly managed, the adrenal glands simply won’t function at an optimal level. Your glands cannot keep up with the demands of permanent stress, and therefore cannot produce enough of the hormones necessary for you to cope with normal pressures. Adrenal burnout is difficult to identify, for it is not a medically recognized diagnosis. Additionally, current blood tests for checking adrenal function are not sensitive enough to pick up small, subtle declines in function. However, medical practitioners such as Dr. Marcelle
decline, permitting us to relax into a restful sleep. When we are chronically under stress, adrenals behave very differently. Rather than “just enough” stress hormones to keep us alert and awake, along with occasional extra bursts for a fight-or-flight emergency, our adrenals are being asked to provide stress hormones for a continual barrage of challenges. Many of us live in a state of near-constant stress, with no downtime. “We are absolutely seeing more stress-induced illnesses, be it environmental, psychological, or nutritional,” says Pick, who is a co-founder of the Women to Women health care organization. Women to Women has pioneered the combination of alternative and conventional medicine for treating the health issues of women. “There is no doubt that cortisol in the right amount is healthy and important. Stress isn’t bad for us. We need it. But it is the chronicity of stress that creates the serious problem.” Pick insists that the emotional component of stress remains neither “in your mind” nor “in your feelings.” It triggers an actual physical response, a complex cascade of hormones and neurotransmitters, the side effects of which include weight gain, blood-sugar dysregulation, menstrual problems, thyroid abnormalities, digestive problems, hormone imbalances, and exhaustion. Stress has been linked to a wide variety of autoimmune disorders—either setting them off or making them worse. It’s dangerous, because none of our body’s systems operate in isolation. There’s much crosstalk between our systems— adrenals, thyroid, sex hormones, the gut, and the brain.
New You
|
155
5/30/13
That said, hope abounds in the battle we wage against adrenal dysfunction and the many other deleterious effects of stress. You may have to invest some extra effort into your daily attempts to create downtime and restore balance in your body, mind, and spirit—though the payoff will be well worth it. “In treating adrenal fatigue, people need to understand the physical effect that stress has on the body,” says Dr. Grace Keenan of Virginia’s Nova Medical Group.
Should you identify adrenal dysfunction to be an issue in your life, there are concrete steps you can take to restore balance in your body and mind. “You can change your diet, adjust your lifestyle, and reprogram the emotional patterns that are stressing you out,” says Pick. “You’ll restore your adrenal balance, restart your metabolism, and regain your natural energy.” In other words: If your “get up and go” has “got up and went,” the choice is yours to bring it back on board.
The Symptoms of Adrenal Fatigue Adrenal dysfunction is a progressive condition that moves through successive phases, manifesting differently as the condition gets worse.
Treating Adrenal Dysfunction ✖ Inability to fall asleep
If you suffer from adrenal fatigue, the worst thing you can do
✖ Difficulty getting out of bed
is consume caffeine and sugar. When you consume cookies,
✖ Anxiety
pastries, and soda, the pancreas responds to the sugar overload
✖ Mild depression
by increasing insulin production in the body. This causes
✖ Increased susceptibility to infections
blood sugar levels to plummet, further complicating adrenal
✖ Midday fatigue
function. Over time, the body will stop responding to the
✖ Reduced tolerance for stress
sugar and caffeine. Cope with adrenal fatigue in a healthy way.
✖ Sweet or salty food cravings
The following are a few tips from Dr. James Wilson, author of
✖ Muscular weakness
Adrenal Fatigue: The 21st Century Stress Syndrome.
✖ Weight gain Gentle Exercise According to Dr. Marcelle Pick, author of Is it Me or My
Get moderate, regular amounts of exercise. Engage in de-stress
Adrenals?, the adrenal glands can flood the body with excessive
practices like yoga, meditation, or conscious relaxation.
levels of stress hormones. This causes the feeling of being
Limit Coffee
both tired and wired—or else the adrenal reserves are dwindling,
Although adrenal fatigue sufferers may experience fast relief
creating a virtually constant state of exhaustion.
from drinking coffee, the stimulant will only over-stimulate the adrenal glands and keep you awake at night. People coping with adrenal fatigue require plenty of quality rest to maintain their energy levels. Avoid Sweets and Starches
Zeroing In On Adrenal Dysfunction Diagnosis
Avoid sweets, processed foods, pasta, and bread. These foods elevate the blood sugar levels, causing you to crash rather quickly. They will prompt the adrenal glands to work hard as a
If you suspect you might be struggling with adrenal dysfunction,
means of leveling out your blood sugar levels. Choose foods
work with your health practitioner to rule out other conditions.
such as lean protein, whole grains, and non-starchy vegetables
It is possible your symptoms are due to menopause, irregularities
like broccoli and spinach.
with the thyroid, or a chronic disease such as anemia.
Take a Good Multivitamin Select a high-quality multivitamin that contains vitamin C,
156
5/30/13
Most experts recognize only two extreme adrenal disorders—
B-complex vitamins, calcium, magnesium, and fish oil. These
Addison’s disease (when adrenals severely underproduce)
nutrients are critical to adrenal health.
or Cushing’s syndrome (when they severely overproduce). Tests
Use Herbal Supplements
for these may not capture more common adrenal dysfunction.
Asian ginseng, Eleuthero, Ashwagandha, and Rhodiola rosea
But salivary cortisol testing could, as it evaluates cortisol and
are adaptogens—herbs that will help your body fight fatigue and
levels of DHEA hormone. Visit adrenalfatigue.org to learn more.
adapt to stress. l
| New You
5/30/13
King ♥
♥
♥
of Hearts ♥
♥
♥
heart disease is a formidable foe, but larry king’s cardiac foundation stands ready. By ruchel louis coetzee
“welcome to larry king live! our guests tonight…” the show was well on its way when the questions began popping up. But its host, Larry King, wasn’t the one asking them. “Are you all right?” one guest asked him. “You look a little ashen,” another noted. Yet King pushed on. After all, he was king of this hill and used to interviewing illustrious, often controversial figures for one hour each night on CNN. When that show would end, he would hop over to Mutual Broadcasting System to pick up the national beat from midnight until 4am. It was 1987 and the legendary television and radio host was living it up in the fast lane. “I was 53, single, and smoking three packs a day,” says King. “You know the warnings they put on packs that say, ‘Cause lung disease’? I would look for the packs that would say, ‘May interfere with pregnancy.’ I would shut off the television if there was a commercial warning about the dangers of smoking, because I always thought nothing would ever happen to me.” But happen it did. Just before King signed off his show on that fateful evening, he felt a slight pain. Later, he drove to the hospital. His guests, it turned out, had every right to be concerned: King had been having a heart attack. That close encounter with death led to a quadruple bypass surgery and the demise of cigarettes in King’s life, not to mention a surprise wake-up call.
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s t y l i s t: v i v i a n T u r n e r
photography by fadil berisha
5/31/13
♥
♥
♥
“‘thank you’ is universal
Across the United States, heart disease remains the leading cause of death for both men and women. Approximately 600,000 people die of heart disease every year—that’s one in every four deaths, according to the latest data from the Centers for Disease Control. What makes this all the more troubling is that a significant portion of these individuals are uninsured. It’s a dark reality that King considered soon after his own surgery. “I remember it was about a week or two after the surgery and I was sitting around with some friends,” recalls King. “They asked me how much it cost, and I had no idea because the insurance paid the whole thing. I got to thinking of all the people who did not have coverage and what it meant if they could not get the surgery. I believe that health is a right, like speech. You have a right to health. So we started the very next year to try and help those people.” Following his heart attack, King created the Larry King Cardiac Foundation (LKCF), which included doctors and other professionals on its board. After they hosted a successful event in Baltimore, momentum built until they were putting on two events annually. “We had major stars appear and raised a lot of money, and many people were helped over the years,” says King. “My wife, Shawn, is now chair of the board.” Indeed, his wife, Shawn, is the other half of this caring couple and a driving force within LKCF. According to her, the foundation is always broadening its reach. “We’re not only helping those who fall through the cracks without health insurance, but we’re going to be focusing on prevention and education,” says Shawn. “We want to amplify the impact of community activists who are helping people every day to focus on heart health—so fewer of us have to have cardiac procedures.” King insists that there’s nothing more important than giving back, as far as he is concerned. “I have always felt that way,” he says. “If you have good things in life—a nice house and some sort of success—then you owe it back.”
Cardiac Foundation, and appeared at the organization’s galas to share their hopes, success stories, and abundant gratitude. “If you attend our galas, you meet patients we have helped,” says Larry. “In 26 years, only one patient has passed away.” While many consider Larry to be the face of LKCF, he and Shawn are quick to point out the misconception that heart disease predominantly afflicts men. “If I tell a person someone’s had a heart attack, they expect it to be a man; it is built in,” says Larry. “But that’s slowly changing through education. Barbra Streisand has been a very vocal advocate in this field.” He’s referring to the singer’s significant efforts to raise awareness of heart disease in women through her own foundation in conjunction with Cedars=Sinai Women’s Heart Center. According to the CDC, approximately the same number of women as men die each year of heart disease in the US. Despite growing awareness of this fact, only about half—54 percent—of women recognize that heart disease is their number-one killer. “The statistics about women and heart disease are astonishing,” says Shawn. “There are five times more women with heart disease than with breast cancer. I think that with a woman, the thought of losing a breast or breasts is more frightening than having a heart condition.” Sometimes in the doctor’s office, women with heart-related issues end up getting misdiagnosed. “When a woman goes to a doctor with pain, the doctor is more likely to say that it’s indigestion,” says Larry, who notes this observation is shared by medical professionals in the field. “With a man, the doctor is more likely to check the heart first.” Some doctors also fixate on how a woman might be feeling emotionally—which also ends up with an incorrect diagnosis. “They will misdiagnose—it’s very real,” says Shawn. “Studies show that some physicians will say, ‘Oh, she’s being hysterical, she’s being emotional, or she’s over exaggerating.’ It’s been documented time and time again. Not all doctors are that way, but there are many circumstances in which caregivers just don’t attend to a woman’s when it comes to reviewing the pleas from people in need, pain as much as a man’s pain.” the LKCF has a process in place to determine how it can most effectively Shawn knew little about cardiac disease before she met Larry. None allocate help. “We look at need,” Larry says. “The goal is to save hearts, of her family had focused on the issue, as they all had healthy hearts. But every day.” From babies to grown adults, half of all Americans have one of three the LKCF has facilitated heart procerisk factors that contribute to heart disdures across generations. Baby Matthew, ease, including high levels of blood presfor one, was born with a hole in his heart. sure, bad cholesterol, or a history with When his family, from Gaithersburg, smoking. After becoming involved in the Maryland, learned that their insurfoundation, Shawn knew that prevention ance would not cover the cost of treathad to be a key focus. One area includes ing Matthew’s medical condition, they promoting awareness about exercise and appealed to the foundation for help. In healthy diets. “Another element is learnthe end, Matthew’s surgery was covered, ing how to control your emotions, keepwhich meant that he could go on to celing your stress levels down, and learning ebrate his first birthday. There have been how to deal with life in general,” she says. many other success stories: A handyman Her desire is for people to concentrate on in Washington; a self-employed flooring taking care of themselves now. The Larry King Cardiac Foundation secured treatment for installer in Louisiana; a three-year-old girl One of the best heart health tips Darwin Wafoymungu and Myron Kinobe as part of a from Uganda. Each of these people has Shawn ever received came from her older mission trip to Uganda, in partnership with the Children’s National Medical Center of Washington, DC. had their heart touched by the Larry King brother, Paul. “It was about forgiveness
and when i saw that little boy’s face i knew i did the right thing.”
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| New You
and about holding grudges,” she recalls. “If you hold onto a grudge, or remain angry at someone, it is like drinking poison and waiting to die. I’m sure others have said that, but when I heard it from my brother it hit me so hard that I realized that we really have to let go of things that bother us.” While Larry says he never holds a grudge, he admits that other things can pile up in his life. For him, stress can quickly accumulate depending on how he chooses to react to others. “I can’t put up with people being late, and that’s probably because I’m in broadcasting,” he says, laughing. “Time is all about synchronizing to me, so I stress when people are late. I stress over time, traffic jams, things I can’t control—like airline delays. I’ve been told about Zen, and I’ve been told about deep breathing and all that, but I still drive people nuts.” Some doctors suggest that the most important number to remember—besides your partner’s birthday, of course—is the ideal blood pressure number for a healthy heart, which many experts cite to be 115 over 75. It’s particularly important that you’re able to test your blood pressure at regular intervals, especially during heavy workout sessions. Taking nutritional supplements is also an important tool when it comes to battling heart disease, in Larry’s opinion. “Ever since I had the heart dysplasia, I go for my regular check-ups,” Larry says. “I don’t take a lot of prescription medicine, but I work to keep my cholesterol all the way down and I believe in supplements.” with his healthy diet and regular exercise regimen, as well as a loving wife and sons who tango with him through life, Larry doesn’t seem to take pause. But he still holds some concerns. “My only fear now is memory loss,” he says. “I panic when I forget something.” That said, Larry is quick to recall the defining moments of an illustrious career that helped him grow his foundation’s recognition. From Frank Sinatra to Nelson Mandela, Larry has interviewed the who’s who of the modern world. The one person who remains unforgettable? Marlon Brando. “The agent called me to say Brando agreed to do the interview,” recalls Larry, who was living at the Wilshire Hotel at the time. “The agent phones and says, ‘He’s going to call.’ That Friday my phone rang and this voice said, ‘Larry, it’s Marlon.’ I said, ‘Marlon, who?’ I knew a Marlin Fitzwater, who was Press Secretary to the president at the time.” But the voice on the other line belonged to Brando, and he asked
Larry to meet him for lunch. Brando, much to Larry’s disbelief, pulled up in his own car. “We drove around the streets singing songs before pulling up to his house to do the interview,” says Larry, noting that Brando could not have been any nicer. (The actor even applied his own make-up and served lunch to the whole crew.) Larry took away one eye-opening lesson from this fateful visit with Brando “I learned that acting was not his passion,” Larry says. “There was nothing in his house that said he was an actor. No Academy Award. There were books on architecture, but nothing that would say he’s an actor. At the end of the interview he kissed me on the lips. I always kid and say, ‘I’ve never been kissed on the lips by a man in my life, and I can’t stop thinking about him.’” When asked where he would like to see LKCF in ten years, Larry simply replies that he would like to be alive in ten years—and indeed continue to watch the foundation flourish across the globe. All jokes aside, LKCF has made significant strides since its inception, and is on a trajectory to help many more individuals in the years ahead. In a major new initiative, the foundation is leveraging the Kings’ powerful media platform to provide more support to the many smaller, grassroots organizations working on prevention. In a recent blog, Larry pledged to shine a light on the grassroots stars of heart health—making them as famous as some of the celebrities and influencers he’s interviewed over the years. It helps, of course, to have Larry’s inarguable celebrity status on the foundation’s side—whether that means leveraging the microphone and camera to promote heart-health heroes or helping children in the US and around the world. King recalls one particular story of a little boy from Afghanistan. “He needed surgery that they couldn’t do in Afghanistan,” remembers Larry. “The Pentagon flew him in on a military plane. They got him into George Washington University hospital, which is one of our partners. The doctors did it gratis, and we helped with various things. Then I went to the hospital and met the boy and his father. They couldn’t speak English, but ‘thank you’ is universal, and when I saw that little boy’s face I knew I did the right thing.” Larry reguarly speaks at conferences across the county on behalf of LKCF. He’s particularly proud of an award that the foundation received from the American College of Cardiology, a nonprofit society for medical professionals. “They always give it to doctors, and I got the award in San Francisco,” he beams. “First and only!” Yet his hope for the future is even more ambitious: “A pill that ends heart disease. That’s what I’d like,” he insists. “I’d like for there to be no need for the Larry King Cardiac Foundation.” Shawn’s wish is more about the now. “We have to take responsibility for our own bodies,” she says. “Even if you have a family history of heart disease, you can and should do all you can to live a healthy life, prevent problems, and manage them if they do arise.” Larry has cut out those three packs of cigarettes that he would devotedly smoke on a daily basis. At this point, he has managed to live longer than his father—who was a heavy smoker and passed away at the age of 46. “He died when I was ten years old,” Larry says. “I liked the look and feel of smoke. The luckiest thing I ever had was that heart attack.” l
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The Alpha of
Omegas If we could choose just one supplement to keep us
healthy, balanced, and youthful, it would be an omega-3 supplement. But how do we choose the right omega-3? by k.s. mitchell f Photography by claire benoist
6/3/13
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There are a handful of desires that human beings
SOURCEand PURITY Although most popular omega-3s are derived from
fish oil, such is not necessarily the best source for a variety of reasons. Fish live in polluted waters and eat other fish as their food source. This reality results in the accumulation of harmful toxins, such as mercury and organic solvents, which may not be removed during the manufacturing process of some fish oils. This poses a potential health risk, which is why pregnant
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women are advised to limit fish intake and not take fish oil supplements. To make matters worse, the fish parts used to create fish oil supplements are not the fillets, but rather leftover parts such as the scales, eyes, and fins. Then there are omega-3 supplements derived from krill oil, tiny crustaceans at the bottom of the food chain. Krill do not consume other fish and compound toxin presence as with larger marine life. There is controversy, however, regarding the eco-responsibility of harvesting krill in open water, which is the primary food source for much marine life. A number of US retailers refuse to carry krill oil due to this practice. The most important and healthful source of omega-3 products come from green-lipped mussel oil extract. This oil is harvested from mussels sustainably farmed in the purest waters of the world, New Zealand’s Marlborough Sound, where they feed on nutrient-rich, antioxidant-rich plankton. This creates the purest natural source for omega-3 fatty acids, free from heavy metals and solvents.
POTENCY AND BIOAVAILABILITY Another important determining factor when we
talk about omega-3s is the manufacturing process used to extract the oil. The oils are extracted by three different techniques: cold press, distillation, or supercritical fluid extraction. The latter process—more expensive and less-often used in manufacturing—results in marine oils abundant in “free fatty acids.” This form of fatty acids can be more easily and fully absorbed by your body than the other forms. Both cold press and distillation processes result in “bound” forms of fatty acids, which require multiple metabolic steps before entering Patented Green-Lipped Mussel Oil (PCSO-524) STUDies
Analysis of this green-lipped mussel oil (PCSO-524) reveals 30 different fatty acids that work synergistically to reduce inflammation 100 times better than traditional fish oils. In 30 different clinical trials over 25 years, PCSO-524 reduced inflammation and relieved symptoms in degenerative disorders such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, asthma, and inflammatory bowel disease. PCSO-524 contains EPA and DHA, as well as 28 more fatty acids that create a significant anti-inflammatory effect, modifying 53 inflammatory pathways. (Even though PCSO-524 contains 30 different fatty acids, it has a far greater concentration of the “free fatty acid” form.) Accordingly, smaller quantities are required for an effective dose. PCSO-524 has similarly been shown to reduce pain and swelling as effectively as many antiinflammatory medications (such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs), without the side effects and drug interactions associated with these products. NSAIDs cause approximately 16,500 consumer problems yearly, due to their tendency to increase bleeding as well as kidney and liver problems. Analysis has shown that there are up to 22 times higher levels of omega-3 free fatty acids in the PCSO-524 green lipped mussel oil extract than in a regular fish oil.
f o o d s t y l i s t: k a r e n e va n s
universally share. We want to feel healthy and energetic. We want to achieve harmonious balance in our heads, hearts, and bodies. We want to enjoy the benefits of youth, and to feel as attractive as possible. One of the most effective ways to achieve these goals is to introduce an omega-3 supplement into your diet—regardless of age, gender, or current state of health. These fatty acids perform many important functions in the body—most importantly, reducing inflammation. Maladies such as Alzheimer’s disease, cardiovascular disease, and osteoarthritis are all caused by inflammation, and a high-quality omega-3 is your first line of defense against these disorders. However, it is crucial to understand the differences between the myriad omega-3 supplements offered and choose the right one for you. Nature designed our bodies to have a balance of essential fatty acids that protect our blood vessels, hearts, joints, and nerves from inflammation. Two important classes of essential fatty acids control the inflammatory process in our bodies: omega-3 fatty acids and omega-6 fatty acids. Omega-3s come from marine oils, walnuts, and flax seeds, and function to reduce inflammation. Omega-6 fatty acids are obtained from corn, soy, vegetable oil, and livestock, and trigger inflammation. When these fatty acids are balanced, the immune system protects you from infection and injury. Uncontrolled or exaggerated inflammation can cause pain, injury, and disability in virtually every organ system throughout your body. Changes in food manufacturing practices have resulted in huge quantities of omega-6 fatty acids in our food supply— hydrogenated vegetable oils, high-fructose corn syrup, and genetically engineered corn and soy products are all major sources. At the same time, our consumption of omega-3 fatty acids has dramatically reduced, creating an imbalance of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids. The ideal ratio is 1:1. Studies show that the majority of Americans now have a 20:1 ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids, which accounts for many medical conditions plaguing society today. From there, the source, purity, potency, bioavailability (activity in the body), and fattyacid content all determine the quality. Products on the market today vary greatly in terms of these characteristics, as well as health value that ranges from vital to worthless.
the bloodstream. The supercritical process also removes the risk of allergic reaction to fish or shellfish where as the other processes do not remove this risk. An optimal omega-3 is produced via supercritical fluid extraction and delivers high concentrations of free fatty acids. Large doses of traditionally manufactured fish oils can cause both bleeding problems and increases in harmful cholesterol, in addition to digestive challenges. When analyzing products for potency, free fatty acid content is relevant. This should also be considered when manufacturers compare fish oil products on the basis of their EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid). EPA and DHA have become “buzz words,” and therefore manufacturers attempt to out-do one another by creating products with increased amounts of EPA/DHA—without regard to the free fatty acid content or side effects associated with the total dose of oil. Never forget: Manufacturers are in business to sell their products. EPA and DHA receive a lot of attention because they are both essential fatty acids—meaning they cannot be produced in the body and therefore must be consumed in the diet. We have focused much attention on these two fatty acids because they are, in fact, essential. This trend originated over 30 years ago with the discovery that Greenland Eskimos, who consumed large amounts of fatty fish, had fewer heart attacks and strokes. The cellular pathways accounting for this observation had not yet been fully elucidated, so it was assumed that EPA and DHA alone accounted for a reduction in cardiovascular risk. We now know, however, that there are other vital, biologically active fatty acids in marine oils involved in cardiovascular protection and many other health benefits. Controlling inflammation is the key. Our current understanding of metabolism enables us to better understand how nutrients work in our bodies to preserve and promote health. Omega-3 fatty acids are essential in controlling inflammation and maintaining cell structure, yet Americans are largely deficient in these nutrients. Supplementation with omega-3s is one of the most important preventive measures we can take, but it should be with a pure, potent, complete product. When choosing an omega-3 supplement, it is important to know how much of these essential fatty acids, such as EPA and DHA, are available in the free or bioactive form. Most fish oils contain fatty acids in the triglyceride form, which means it must be broken down in your body into the free form in order for you to receive its health benefits. Not only does this take significant time, but much of the free fatty acid is lost along the way, with only a small amount making its way to its final desti-
EDITOR PICK
Omega XL has truly redefined the standard when it comes to omega-3 fatty acids. This patented greenlipped mussel oil, PCSO-524, harvested from the waters of New Zealand, has superior purity and potency when compared to other omega-3 supplements and mussel oils and powders. Additionally, studies have shown that it is 100 times more effective in reducing inflammation than traditional fish oils and is dosed in one small, easyto-swallow-anddigest gel cap.
nation in the body. Much more omega-3 oil is required in the triglyceride form to get the same benefit. The higher concentration of free fatty acids in green-lipped mussel oil makes them more readily available in the bioactive form, so they do not need to be metabolized or “digested” by the body. Such a supplement is more effective in smaller doses when compared with other fish oil products. The amount of omega-3 fatty acids in the wrong form will actually work against you, in that it interferes with your body’s blood clotting processes and raises LDL (a.k.a. “bad”) cholesterol levels in the blood. In most instances, it’s not how much omega-3 fatty acid a supplement contains, but how readily available it is to your body that determines its effectiveness. More free form omega-3 fatty acid in the supplement you choose translates to more benefits and faster results.
overall benefit A crucial factor in choosing a proper omega-3 sup-
plement is whether or not it interferes with platelet function— meaning it will not interfere with blood-thinning medications. A good omega-3 will prove efficacious on subtle, silent diseases such as cardiovascular disease, preventing and improving the conditions that lead to heart disease including high blood pressure, high triglycerides, and atherosclerosis. Omega-3s lower triglyceride levels by controlling the fat or lipids produced by the body, as well as the amount of triglyceride released into the bloodstream. In essence, this lowers the amount of fat in your blood, and hence your risk of suffering a heart attack. Arrhythmia, an irregular or abnormal heart rate, affects nearly 10 million Americans and is the leading cause of sudden cardiac death. Clinical evidence shows that omega-3 may reduce arrhythmia and people who take omega-3 supplements after a heart attack cut their risk of sudden death by 45 percent. Meanwhile, asthma affects 1 in 12 adults in this country, narrowing the airways to the lungs and causing them to overproduce mucous. This makes it very difficult to breath. Asthma is the direct result of inflammation. Omega-3 fatty acids help alleviate wheezing and allow for better air flow to the lungs. And of course more than 1.4 million adults in the US suffer from some form of inflammatory bowel condition. People with inflammatory bowel disease are at increased risk of colon cancer. Omega-3 fatty acids have been shown clinically to improve gastrointestinal and digestive inflammation, which contribute to these conditions. An omega-3 fatty acid supplement is an important step for optimal health. It will prevent many pressing medical conditions and rebalance fatty acid metabolism. It’s an issue we all deserve to be informed about, and a practice to integrate into our daily lives. l
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An Unimaginable C Much attention has been given to Angelina Jolie’s diagnosis of the BRCA1 gene, and her subsequent preventative double mastectomy. When it comes to your risk of breast and ovarian cancer, what kinds of testing and prevention are right for you? By Sharon McQuillan, MD ✚ Photography by Jessica Antola
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e Choice
in february of this year, actress angelina jolie— confronted with her high genetic risk for breast cancer—made the rational choice to preserve her health and undergo an elective bilateral mastectomy. Two months later, she shared this choice with women around the world, displaying the kind of selfless and inspiring behavior we have come to expect from her. It is highly unusual (extraordinary, really) for a beauty icon to tarnish her glamorous image in favor of creating awareness of genetically linked breast and ovarian cancers. But then, Jolie has always used her celebrity status as a positive humanitarian force. In her “special envoy” role with the United Nations, she has worked tirelessly to provide shelter, food, and medical care to refugees and displaced people throughout the world. Now, she seems to have chosen another worthy cause to champion: a proactive approach against breast cancer. Jolie was diagnosed with a BRCA1 gene mutation, which dramatically increases her risk of developing both breast and ovarian cancer. Marcheline Bertrand, Jolie’s mother, died at age 56, following an eight-year battle with ovarian cancer. Bertrand’s cancer was likely linked to this same genetic mutation. In an effort to protect her health and to prevent her own children from experiencing this same loss, Jolie elected to short circuit her genetic fate and have her breast tissue, ovaries, and fallopian tubes prophylactically removed. These events have brought genetic testing—as well as breast and ovarian cancer management—into the spotlight. However, very little practical knowledge or guidance exists for women with regard to managing their own health risks. BRCA1 and BRCA2 belong to a class of genes called tumor suppressors that normally ensure the stability of cell DNA and prevent uncontrolled cell growth, thereby preventing the formation of cancers. Abnormalities in BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes primarily lead to increased risk of developing breast and ovarian cancers. These mutations have also been shown to increase the incidence of melanoma as well as prostate, cervical, pancreatic, gastric, gallbladder, bile duct, and colon cancers. If anyone— woman or man—inherits a faulty variation of this gene, the risk for developing cancer increases. It does not, however, guarantee that they will develop cancer in their lifetime. American women face a 12 percent risk of developing breast cancer. The risk becomes 50 to 85 percent when they have a hereditary breast and ovarian cancer (HBOC) syndrome due to mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes. Although ovarian cancer is less common than breast cancer, and seen in less than 1 percent of American women, the risk is between 15 and 40 percent for patients with HBOC. We do not typically associate breast cancer with men (seen in 0.1 percent of the general population) but this risk increases to about 6 to 10 percent in men with HBOC. Genetic testing allows everyone the opportunity to understand and manage risks for these hereditary disorders.
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Positive responses to any of the following are an indication for BRCA genetic testing:
Personal Medical History: ✚ Has had breast cancer at age 50 or younger ✚ Has had ovarian cancer at any age ✚ Is male and has had breast cancer at any age ✚ Is of Ashkenazi Jewish descent and has a personal or family history of breast, ovarian, or pancreatic cancer
Most women who develop breast and ovarian cancer do not have a BRCA mutation. Mutations are identified in approximately 10 percent of patients with breast cancer, and less than 15 percent of patients with ovarian cancer. If you suspect that you are at risk for HBOC, the first step in determining risk is working with a physician to evaluate your personal and family medical history. Genetic counseling—recommended prior to BRCA testing—usually involves a risk assessment and discussions about the indications for genetic testing, the accuracy of testing methods, the medical and psychological implications of a positive or a negative test result, and the risk of passing a mutation on to children. The results of genetic testing are both confidential and privileged information. In 2008, the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA) became federal law, prohibiting discrimination based on genetic information in relation to
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Family Medical History: ✚ Has had two breast cancers in the same person or on the same side of the family ✚ Has had somebody diagnosed with triplenegative breast cancer at any age ✚ Has had pancreatic cancer and an HBOC-associated cancer in the same person or on the same side of the family ✚ Has three or more family members with breast cancer on the same side of the family ✚ Has had a previously identified BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation in the family
health insurance and employment. The law does not, however, cover life insurance, disability insurance, or long-term care insurance. When applying for these types of insurance, people may be asked to sign forms that give an insurance company permission to access their medical records. The insurance company may take genetic testing results into account when making decisions about coverage. This testing is expensive, but is covered by most insurance companies for high-risk patients. Prophylactic surgery was Jolie’s choice, and involves removing as much of the “at-risk” tissue as possible to reduce the chance of developing cancer. Although bilateral prophylactic mastectomy (the removal of healthy breasts) and prophylactic salpingo-oophorectomy (the removal of healthy fallopian tubes and ovaries) dramatically reduces the risk of cancer, it does not reduce the risk to zero. Even with meticulous surgery, 100 percent
h a i r a n d m a k e u p : b r i t ta n y r o m n e y f o r e xc l u s i v e a r t i s t s. s e t s t y l i s t: l i n d a K e i l f o r h a l l e y r e s o u r c e s
Indications for brca genetic testing
of the at-risk breast or ovarian tissue is not removed. However, the risk reduction is substantial. If done while a woman is pre-menopausal, prophylactic bilateral salpingo–oophorectomy decreases the risk of breast cancer by 50 percent and the risk of fallopian tube and ovarian cancer to 1 to 2 percent or less. Prophylactic mastectomy alone decreases the risk of breast cancer by 90 percent, to below 10 percent. In conjunction with prophylactic salpingo–oophorectomy, it is reduced by 95 percent. Prophylactic mastectomy has become more appealing in recent years due to advances in surgical techniques for mastectomy and reconstruction. However, recent data shows that only approximately 40 percent of women with a genetic mutation will undergo prophylactic mastectomies. Over the last few decades, we have learned that we can spare the skin, the areola, and even the nipple without substantial increases in breast cancer risk. Nipple-sparing mastectomy allows women to retain all of the skin of the breast and the nipple, allowing for a more natural appearance of a reconstructed breast. Advances in reconstructive techniques include options using a patient’s own tissue, as well as improvements in implants. These advances have helped to make the choice of undergoing prophylactic mastectomies easier. Since 1998, federal law has mandated that insurance policies cover reconstructive surgeries for breast cancer patients. However, laws are less clear for prophylactic mastectomies. That said, surveys show that women with genetic mutations who wish to undergo prophylactic mastectomies and breast reconstruction have not had trouble getting their surgeries covered. Statistics show that only 37 percent of women with breast cancer have breast reconstruction after mastectomy, due to a lack of education, according to James Stern, MD, board-certified plastic surgeon in South Florida. Conversely, women considering riskreducing bilateral prophylactic mastectomy tend to be a unique population of patients, and are more likely to seek out information regarding reconstructive options. They are significantly more likely to have immediate breast reconstruction. Studies have shown that women have markedly better body image and selfesteem when they have immediate reconstruction. Although elective removal of the fallopian tubes and the ovaries reduces the risk of ovarian and breast cancers, it may precipitate early menopause—which places women at risk for osteoporosis, memory impairment, mood disorders, insomnia, weight gain, and reduced sexual function. “Natural hormone replacement with bio-identical hormones can alleviate these symptoms,” says Neal Rouzier, MD, medical director of Preventive Medicine Clinics of Palm Springs. “There is no scientific evidence that it increases the risk for developing cancer after prophylactic mastectomy or oophorectomy.” However, estrogen may cause certain types of cancer to grow more rapidly. Supplements containing black cohosh, calcium, magnesium, and amino acids can control symptoms. Quality-of-life issues and health concerns need to be carefully weighed in order to determine the best individual therapy for you. Surveillance is another form of risk management, and involves implementing aggressive screening strategies. This method does
What every woman should know about reducing the risks of breast and ovarian cancer Lifestyle
✚ Eat a low-fat diet, which will help
prevent obesity. The maintenance of a healthy weight is key, as obesity increases breast and ovarian cancer risk. ✚ Participate in strenuous physical activity for more than four hours a week, which decreases the relative risk of breast cancer by 30 to 40 percent. ✚ Moderate alcohol consumption: The relative risk of breast cancer increases by 7 percent for each drink per day, compared to nondrinkers. ✚ Breastfeeding: The relative risk of breast cancer is decreased by 4.3 percent for every 12 months of breastfeeding. ✚ Use of oral contraceptive pills for 10 years reduces the risk of ovarian cancer
by 50 percent. There is no evidence that it increases long-term breast cancer risk. ✚ Be aware of environmental chemical exposure, although research does not currently show a link between PCBs (Polychlorinated Biphenyls) and cancer risk. ✚ Don’t smoke, and avoid secondhand smoke. Early Detection
✚ Perform self breast exams monthly.
✚ Get a mammogram once a year if you
are over the age of 40, and additional imaging if it is necessary. ✚ See your doctor if you detect any lumps, irregular tissue, or experience discharge from the nipple, even if your mammograms have been normal.
nothing to prevent HBOC or to reduce the risk of developing cancer, but attempts to diagnose it at an earlier stage. Intensive screening for breast cancer is recommended beginning at the age of 25—or 10 years earlier than your youngest relative was diagnosed. Breast cancer screening includes mammography, MRI, biannual clinical breast examination, and monthly self-examination. Ovarian cancer screening includes pelvic ultrasounds and blood tests every six months, and normally begins at the age of 35, or five to 10 years earlier than your youngest relative with ovarian cancer was diagnosed. This path is taken by women who want to preserve fertility, are not ready for surgery, or choose not to proceed with prophylactic surgery. Chemoprevention is the third avenue women with HBOC can take, in addition to increased surveillance. For ovarian cancer, this involves the use of oral contraceptives, shown to reduce ovarian cancer risk by approximately 5 percent per year—up to 50 percent at 10 years of use. For breast cancer risk, estrogenblocking medications such as Tamoxifen have been used, which have been shown to reduce the risk of developing estrogen-sensitive breast cancers in high-risk women by 50 percent. However, there is not much data evaluating their benefit for breast cancer prevention in patients with genetic mutations. Although BRCA genetic testing has given the highest risk women a valuable way to manage their cancer risk, there are simple but important lifestyle changes that all women should implement. The goal of these changes is to reduce the risk of developing more common forms of breast and ovarian cancer, which account for 90 percent of all breast cancers and 85 percent of all ovarian cancer cases. We can stack the deck against breast and ovarian cancers with common sense, a healthy diet, exercise, avoidance of cigarettes, moderated intake of alcohol, and informed choices about hormonal therapies. There are a number of viable options available to you. The only factor that is not an option is ignorance. l
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ditch the masochism of dieting foR the MediteRRanean appRoach to health at Hotel relais don Alfonfso 1890 on italy’s amafli coast. YouR senses—and waistline— will thank you. By Inge Theron
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photographs cour tesy of hotel rel ais don alfonso 1890
an ıtalıan affaır
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gut ter credit
according to
recent research, one in four British women would sooner sacrifice a summer holiday than expose their bikini bodies. This is a rather alarming statistic, given the “staycation”
appeal of my island home in the blustery North Atlantic. Following what felt to be the longest winter of all time, I would sooner have sacrificed my Birkin bag than the beach. As bikini season loomed, however, I found myself contemplating the plethora of quick fix diets out there—particularly those that have promised to have me glowing and fat-free in time for my flight south. From Dr. Pierre Dukan’s “Dukan Diet” to 5:2 calorie restrictions, the pre-holiday diet has become ubiqitous enough to join death and taxes as the only things in life we all must endure.
Organic, home-grown ingredients meet the time-honored, Mediterranean approach to food preparation and portion control at Hotel Relais Don Alfonso 1890.
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But what if our lifestyles didn’t cause us to punish ourselves with six weeks of starvation each year? What if we could simply enjoy food and wine all year long and still slink, with total confidence, to the water’s edge? According to those lucky enough to live along the Mediterranean, one diet—aptly titled the Mediterranean Diet—offers just such a path. While I can barely contemplate consuming a carbohydrate, women under the Italian sun do so with gusto—and look perennially fabulous. Challenging every notion in the diet book, the fat burning question remains: Can we eat delicious food, drink a couple of glasses of wine, and remain healthy and slim? “You don’t have to deprive yourself of tasty dishes and a glass of wine, as long as you’re eating and drinking healthy portions of seasonal, organic produce and you try and veer as close to the Mediterranean Diet guidelines as possible.” (God? Is that you?) These are the words of Alfonso Iaccarino, godfather of organic Italian farming, as spoken from the magical bougainvillea-filled garden of his Relais Chateaux boutique hotel, Hotel Relais Don Alfonso 1890. The property, complete with a 2 Michelin star kitchen, resides in the 17th century village of Sant’Agata sui Due Golfi. It is here that I have come to soak up Alfonso’s wisdom and much needed sun. Alfonso is a healthy gourmand within the Italian gastroscape, and a prominent advocate of the Mediterranean Diet. The Mayo Clinic recently published an analysis of more than 1.5 million healthy adults, all of whom have followed this diet. The results? A reduced risk of cardiovascular mortality, a diminshed incidence of cancer, and a lowered incidence of Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases.
“I don’t like to call it a diet,” insists Alfonso in his thick accent—each sentence punctuated with an “Eh!” and accompanied by a hand-shaking gesticulation. “It’s a lifestyle. The social aspect of the diet is ‘food for the soul.’ Taking enjoyment from eating and celebrating meal time is just as important and nourishing as actual ingredients.” In 2010, UNESCO (United Nations Education, Scientific, and Cultural Organization) recognized the Mediterranean Diet as an “intangible cultural heritage,” declaring it a great contribution to the world. It makes great contributions to its followers’ health, as well. The Internet Science Publications Journal of Nutrition and Wellness attributes this, at least partially, to the number of protective substances consumed. These include selenium, glutathione, and vitamin C from fruit and vegetables; high levels of vitamin E from nuts and seeds; a balanced ratio of essential fatty acids (EFA) and polyphenols from olive oil; high fiber from the grain-heavy base of the diet; and antioxidants—especially resveratrol—from wine. We’ve all wondered, with steam coming from our ears, how Italian girls manage to stay so trim, all the while eating their hearts’ desire of bread and pasta. This baffling—to some exasperating—phenomenon very well may be attributed to their diet. The Mediterranean Diet is made up of roughly 50 percent carbohydrates, 30 percent fats, and 20 percent protein. (Add in some olive oil and a splash of wine for good measure.)
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Natural beauty and well-appointed rooms make the light and lively lifestyle easy at Hotel Relais don Alfonso 1890. Take note, however: Luxury isn’t required to live the lessons of the Mediterranean Diet. These winning ways can stay with you back home.
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dukan who? Upon arrival, I am led upstairs to my sumptuous room, with its wraparound terrace and garden views. Outside my window is a cast of aromatic herbs and flowers—lemongrass, lavender, rosemary, thyme, and roses. The attention to detail in my suite is astounding, and I covet almost every item, down to the hand-stitched pastel quilt and bed cushions. And so starts my stay at Hotel Relais Don Alfonso 1890. Did I mention I am excited? This is not my usual fat camp detox, 600-calorie, twicedaily enema routine. In fact, it’s the reverse. There’s no calorie counting, the only pipes I see are for hosing the garden, and the focus is on healthy food and exercise. Each package is tailored to meet individuals’ needs, and my personal stay includes “Discover the Mediterranean Diet” (an organic theory lesson), a cooking class, a picturesque hike each morning, and a massage in my room every evening. “The Mediterranean Diet is characterized by a nutritional model comprising mainly grains, plant foods, and fresh fruit as the staple daily diet,” says Alfonso at the head of my first class. He goes on to explain a few revolutionary principles. Olive oil is the primary source of fat. The use of butter is largely discouraged, save for use in a few desserts. Dairy products, poultry, and eggs are consumed in moderate amounts. Fish is the main source of protein, and red meat appears just a few times a month, in small amounts. “More than just ingredients, preparation is key,” adds Alfonso. “Generation after generation has passed on knowledge and skills, which play a major part in our diet. The same dish prepared in a different way can be healthy or very unhealthy.” I was then invited to reconnect with the earth, and rediscover how nature is the ultimate nurturer. “You will learn traditional recipes, simply presented, made from the freshest ingredients and foraged by ‘Alfonso the chef ’—who personally cultivates all the vegetables, fruits, and extra virgin olive oil from our farm, Peracciole in Punta Campanella [meaning small bell],” he says. “You will return home glowing, with one extra pound,” whispers Alfonso’s divine wife, Livia. “Is there a gym here?” I later ask Livia, as we sit at the long kitchen table in the teaching kitchen. “My dear, the greatest gym in the world is just outside the gates,” she says. “We don’t believe in locking guests in smallmirrored rooms with air conditioning when you have mountains to hike, history to discover, and the sea to swim in.” Livia is 62 but looks 10 years younger. She has an unearthly glow that emanates from inside out. She is tactile in that way that only Italians can be.
I wish she would adopt me. Breakfast the next day is a small fistful of raspberries, fruit salad, and a pot of yogurt. It might be a mere five spoonfuls big, but it tastes like no fruit I have eaten in my life. Savor every morsel, I am reminded. My fear of being overfed has dissipated completely. After a short drive to Nerano, six kilometers from Sant’Agata, we start our walk around the protected area of Punta Campanella. It turns out our guide, Alfonso’s nephew who happens to be a hot shot lawyer from Rome, is visiting his family. In typical Italian family-run-business style, he has been commandeered to take care of us today. He recalls countless stories of ancient battles, power struggles, and the great history of these beautiful islands. Suddenly, Don Alfonso careens down the steep dirt track and pulls up in his ramshackle, seen-better-days farm truck, complete with two dogs in the back. “You know the story of the birds and the bees? Or I need to teach you?” he croons while winking. “Good, then I don’t need to explain how natural fertilization works.” He grabs a giant Bishops fig. “Eat it,” he says. “But it’s not washed,” I cry. “Exactly bambina,” he counters. “That’s the point.” We start walking down the hill, the salty sea air hanging thick. “We use no chemical pesticides,” he grunts, pipe in hand. “We have created a natural formula. It’s more expensive, but it works.” I agree with Alfonso and his family. I think this is the way forward. There’s no longer place for the organic-versus-nonorganic argument. The Environment Working Group put together their list of the “Dirty Dozen,” detailing the foods containing the most pesticides. The top five offenders: spinach, peaches, strawberries, celery, and apples—the numberone offender. (So much for an apple a day.) “The average Westerner consumes over eleven kilos of apples a year,” says Andrew Watterson, author of Pesticides and Your Food. “They are among the most contaminated fruits—and ninety-eight percent of all apples have pesticides on them.” The thought sends a veritable autumnal chill up my spine.
“Generation after generation has passed on knowledge and skills, which play a major part in our diet.”
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The lovely table in Don Alfonso’s kitchen classroom; Alfsonso receives an appreciative smooch; a satisfying and organic pasta dish, prepared with organic, homegrown ingredients.
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On the tour, Alfonso points outs the extraordinary offerings growing around us. He picks us a small lunch worth of fruit and vegetables as we walk, talk, eat, and discover everything from oranges and pumpkins to marrow squash, eggplant, and the sweetest tomatoes on earth. Soon after, I find myself in cooking class. “I have four key words I want you to remember: seasonality, sourcing, simplicity, and a smile,” says Ernesto, Alfonso’s handsome son. “If you stick to these rules when deciding upon ingredients and recipes, you will not go wrong.” I focus on the task at hand: cooking the classic vongole and zucchini paccheri and parmigiana. Everything is locally sourced. Clams come fresh to the property daily, from the seas in front of Capri. The level of saltiness and fishiness varies, so they have to cook it differently every day. Pasta comes from Gragnano, by Naples—famous for its pasta tradition. (Note that the health and spa package avoids all oils, and eggplant is grilled. Layers upon layers of tomato and mozzarella make a healthy and delicious finish.) Alfonso is waiting at my table with his sommelier and some organic, local, oaked Chardonnay to celebrate my first real Italian pasta dish. Heaven—and a healthy heaven, at that. The health-giving diet of Mediterranean people is no myth. These are principles largely adhered to by those living in the region, who also enjoy 270 days of sunshine, a stunning environment, and a slow, civilized pace of life. Beyond simple proximity to olive oil groves, these people seem to genuinely follow a hunt-and-gather model of eating. If you have interest in rekindling your friendship with food, if walking on footpaths suits you more than treadmills, if you want a sustainable eating pattern, or if you crave time to truly relax and unwind, Hotel Relais Don Alfonso 1890 is your next holiday. Five months later, the experience has stayed with me. Alfonso’s way left a significant impression. I’ve gotten much better at grazing on a little bit of everything I like, in moderation. I have ditched the unhealthy approach to slimming. I’ve even learned to say, “Let them eat cake.” Organic cake. l
day tripping
The best way to embrace the spirit of the Mediterranean Diet? Think outside the pasta box and day-trip your way to full immersion with some amore-inspired trekking along Italy’s stunning Amalfi coast. Here, we give you our New You itinerary for a coastal adventure you won’t soon forget. It’s just what the dottore ordered. Stroll: The city of Sorrento may have
Swim: If animated creatures rather
Drive: A quick trip north from Sorrento
gotten its name from an eleventh-
than inanimate architecture are more
on wheels will get you to the must-see
century conquering prince, but he
your speed, reserve a spot with the
city of Pompeii—a 40-minute mostly
wasn’t the first or last to plunder and
Sorrento Diving Centre. Slip into a
coastal car ride, or a 30-minute train
build in this gem by the Bay of Naples.
daring bikini (the better to attract the
trek from the Sorrento Central Train
Get out for a pulse-raising walk
Roman gods after indulging in your
Station just near the Piazza Angelina
through the ancient streets, and be
new Med Diet) and plunge into the
Lauro in the city center—where the
sure to peer at the three-story bell
warm aqua-blue waters of the Bay of
infamous ashen mummified city that
tower and bas-reliefs in the fifteenth
Naples to see what swims beneath.
was overtaken by an angry, erupting
century Romanesque duomo, the
Or, head west to the Amalfi Coast and
Mount Vesuvius quite literally stopped
Cathedral of San Filippo and San
take in its heart-pounding, cliff-laden
the good people of Pompeii in their
Giacomo.
scenery and famous sand and surf
tracks in 79 AD—a sure cure for
(and, well, shopping, if that’s how you
any lethargy you may be feeling and
like to get your exercise) in the town of
a must-see if you are in the area.
Get acquainted with the sights, sounds, smells, and personalities of the Amalfi Coast, a voluptuous slice of heaven in southern Italy.
Positano, a quick 30-minute drive from Sorrento, or a 45-minute bus ride if you want someone else to do the driving.
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S U M M E R T I M E
When the summer air is steamy and the temps are rising, we naturally reach for lighter iterations of our favorite skincare, makeup, and hair care. Rich moisturizers make way for age-defying serums, multitasking SPFs take center stage, unruly beach hair must be tamed, and the quest for a natural makeup look that won’t melt is officially on. Here, we’ve tracked down an impressive list of new-to-market beauty standouts—all with an innovative focus on practical yet effective results—to help you effortlessly achieve a totally youthful level of summer hair and complexion perfection. BY BETSEY MCLAIN
PHOTOGRAPHY BY FADIL BERISHA
GLOW ON Your makeup routine can be
Josie Maran Coconut Watercolor Cheek Gelee
scaled back during the warm-
($22, sephora.com) Infused with coconut water and vitamin E rich Argan oil, this crème-blush-meets-gel-stain lasts up to 14 hours is effortlessly buildable.
weather months, but don’t skip the fun stuff. Create a natural glow with bronzer, illuminators, and blush. Makeup artist and Hourglass brand ambassador Moani Lee recommends applying bronzer as “a gentle wash to the tops of cheekbones, temples of the forehead,
Guerlain Terra Nerolia Bronzer ($69,
saksfifthavenue.com) A combo of peach, bronze, and gold shades, this oversized palette is perfect for adding glow to the face, décolletage, and shoulders.
bridge of the nose, and chin.” Choose a long-wearing or waterproof bronzer in the heat and humidity. If that seems too intense, try a dewy illuminator or sheer gel blush.
Tom Ford Limited Edition Illuminating Cheek Color in Bronzed Amber ($58, neimanmarcus.com) Featuring a sheer gleam with the bronzed effect of a dewy tan, this easy-to-apply stick is creamy and effortlessly blends into skin.
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LIP SERVICE “People always forget about their lips,” says New York dermatologist Dr. Stafford Broumand. He recommends hydrating
Hourglass No. 28 Lip Treatment Oil ($42, sephora.com) Blending botanicals, vitamins, 14 essential oils, and anti-aging actives, this oil relieves dry, chapped lips while conditioning to reduce the appearance of lines and wrinkles. The 24-karat gold-plated palladium tip is anti-bacterial and offers a cool feel to lips. “Let it sit for a few minutes, then gently dab off and apply color,” recommends Lee.
glosses and lipsticks infused with antioxidants and peptides to prevent wrinkles and fight free radicals. Use an SPF lip
Estee Lauder Limited Edition Pure Color Sheer Rush Gloss in Hot Fuse
($24, esteelauder.com) A cool red hue, this gloss has a high-shine finish with co-polymers submerged in emollient esters to provide a gel formula with a water-light base that cushions and moisturizes lips.
treatment while in the sun, but moisture and color is always the perfect combination for a summer look.
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Hourglass Opaque Rouge Liquid Lipstick in Rose ($28, sephora.com) A soft nude, this liquid formula offers a saturated matte finish. “Not only is it infused with lip conditioning emollients, it’s long-wearing and will fill in fine lines,” says Lee.
angel eyes Summer eye makeup has never looked prettier or more natural than with hints of neutral shimmer. Start with an
Dior Hydra Life BB Eye Cream ($45, sephora.com) This BB for the eye area lifts and hydrates for a wide-awake look, plus the concealing effect hides dark circles, all the while filling in wrinkles, combating puffiness, and protecting with SPF 20.
all-in-one, anti-aging cover up to hydrate and prep, then apply neutral shades for subtle glamour. According to
Tom Ford Cream Color for Eyes in Pink Haze ($48, neimanmarcus.com) A delicate shade of pink with peach tones and subtle gold, this shadow is creamy, light, and infused with antioxidants for a smooth, crease-free, long-lasting look.
Hourglass’s Moani Lee, “summer eyeshadows should be sheer with skin-like shimmer. I apply cream shadows with a swipe of the finger or one wash of a brush for powders.”
Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Cream Shadow in Sunlight Gold
($28, bobbibrown.com) This stick shades or highlights eyes with just a sweep. Plus, it’s designed to last for eight hours without creasing and it’s travel-friendly—great for summer getaways!
6/3/13
6/3/13
get even The effects of summers spent in the sun usually come in the form of age spots on the face and décolletage—unflattering markers of sun damage that can age you beyond your years. “Remember, the chest is a very delicate area,” says Dr. Elizabeth Tanzi, co-director of the Washington Institute of Dermatologic Laser Surgery in Washington, DC, “and shows signs of aging even faster than the face.” These recently released brightening elixirs offer promising results for smooth, even complexions—a must for fading spots and stopping new ones from forming. Dior Snow Anti-Spot Serum ($150, dior.com)
Designed to stop the overproduction of melanin, this serum targets both visible spots and clears new-forming spots. It features Mallow extract to increase filaggrin production (low amounts of filaggrin increases melanin) and pure Icelandic Glacial Water with a naturally low mineral content. This virtuous product counteracts acidity and makes skin significantly more uniform and luminous. Estee Lauder Cyber White HD Advanced Correcting Moisture Lotion in Fresh Moist ($55, esteelauder.com) Harnessing the power of 90% active Baicalin, an antiinflammatory botanical root extract, this lotion soothes and brightens while preventing dark spots and discoloration. Renée Rouleau Advanced Resurfacing Serum
($82.50, reneerouleau.com) A true multitasker, this serum repairs sun damage, lifts brown spots, hydrates, and reduces the look of lines, wrinkles, and large pores. Formulated for sensitive skin that can’t always tolerate prescription forms of vitamin A, it delivers .4 percent of time-released, stable retinol to repair collagen and elastin while soothing extracts calm skin without dryness or irritation. l
hair: elin nyberg. makeup: yuko takahashi. stylist: eric launder for halley resources. set stylist: linda keil for halley resources. manicurist: angela marinescu for artists by timothy priano.
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Tone on Tour By A n d r e w C. S t o n e
6/3/13
We all face fitness challenges when we’re away from home base, but no one feels the pressure like a singer on tour. Here, we catch up with Grammy winners Natalie Cole and Wyclef Jean, as well as a trio of world-class trainers, to get the skinny on staying slim while on the road.
a beautifully realized song has the power to lift, inspire, and change
us—anyone who’s been transported by the notes of a symphony, ballad, jazz riff, or dance tune knows as much. Music’s purpose, by definition, is to produce “beauty of form, harmony, and expression of emotion.” The stewards of the art form—musicians—are tasked with the sacred discipline of speaking to our souls, and the act of performing is widely recognized as a transcendent joy. The pressures that accompany the musician’s life, however, can be far less than joyful, as scrutiny and sacrifice come with this territory (not to mention a fair share of temptation). Performers are asked to call upon inner reserves of flexibility and stamina to channel their music, night after night, city after city, time zone after time zone. It’s a worthwhile challenge… “If I cannot fly, let me sing,” said Stephen Sondheim. In fact, a study from Myplan.com has shown that musicians— singers, in particular—are the most satisfied of all professionals. However, once a musician reaches the highest echelon of notoriety and talent is no
t hinkstock
longer in question, image becomes an issue. How vibrant is your live performance? Does the exterior message lend itself to the sound within? Can your voice last from New York to Nashville to Los Angeles?
get packing Let this “healthy on the road” packing list help you hit your fitness goals away from home. ✽ Jump rope ✽ Running sneakers ✽ Bathing suit ✽ Sports bra ✽ Running shorts ✽ Compression socks ✽ Sweat bands ✽ TRX resistance bands ✽ Flip flops ✽ Breathable exercise t-shirts ✽ Wraparound sunglasses ✽ Yoga pants ✽ iPod/MP3 player ✽ Ear buds
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“I think it’s vital to find a healthy balance in your life. Get your family time in. Leave work at work if you can. Walk in the park with your iTunes playing. Reflect on self. You deserve some time when the focus is just on you.”—Nicole Chaplin
Fitness and holistic health are the keys to success for hip-hop star Wyclef Jean.
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| New You
b r i t ta n i e j o n e s ( c h a p l i n ) ; C h r i s t o p h e r b l u m e n s h i n e /G e t t y i m a g e s ( j e a n )
Wycelf’s Winning Ways Iconic rapper and songwriter Wyclef Jean is no stranger to the spotlight. The Haitian phenomenon—a political figure, philanthropist, and founder of record label All Handz on Deck—is as prolific as he is outspoken. He has traveled exhaustively since his career’s inception in the 1990s, as part of hip-hop group the Fugees. A consummate perfectionist, Wyclef is intensely committed to fitness and conditioning, and he counts on celebrity trainer Nicole Chaplin to keep him performing at peak condition. “When you’re on tour, your body is running a physical marathon,” insists Wyclef. “You have to be conditioned. There are days you go without your normal supplements, and your body has to adjust. The biggest demand placed on your body is its ability to maintain its balance—proper nutrition, adequate rest, and mental recovery.” Chaplin, author of Yes Mam: Your Muscle as a Motivator, has worked with Wyclef for 14 years, imparting healthy principles with intensity. “I’m a big believer in accountability,” insists Chaplin. “If you have someone you lean on—a trainer or manager or friend with you on the road—use them. You want them to ask you, ‘How are you doing with your planks today?’ You have to remember why you’re doing what you’re doing.” Wyclef has seen extraordinary results with Chaplin, and has become devoted to a healthy lifestyle under her watchful eye. “She provides me with exercises that include calisthenics to ensure that I maintain my cardiovascular fitness and strength,” he says. “I prefer exercises that work on my chest, traps, and back, but the workouts cover my full body. I enjoy pushups the most, since they can be done anywhere and always provide your body with a challenge.”
To keep Wyclef ’s stamina up, Chaplin preaches regular interval training to burn calories— meaning she expects the star to get moving in his hotel room with rapid sets of jumping jacks, burpees, pushups, knee tuck jumps, and squats. “Hotels usually have swimming pools, too,” Chaplin says. “Just jump in the pool for ten minutes. Tuck a jump rope or TRX in your bag. There’s no need to overcomplicate it. You can get your exercise in.” Yes Mam, Chaplin’s first book, puts a spiritual spin on fitness concepts, placing emphasis on overarching health goals and using individual muscle groups as metaphors for the consummation of these goals. “It’s all about working out from within,” she says. “I say, start with the soul… What are your goals? As I go through my book, every muscle correlates to a different positive inner goal. The heart is a muscle, so I ask: What are your heart’s desires? If you work to strengthen your heart, you will always get closer to those desires.” Having achieved many extraordinary goals, Wyclef focuses on moves that let him perform in a way his fans now expect. “I use cardio to work on my lung capacity, which allows me to maintain my vocal projection at the level I desire,” he says. “Flexibility—especially in my neck—relieves tension, and keeps my muscles from being sore after training sessions.”
Queen Cole
jack guy (cole)
“I know I have to stay physically fit,” says Grammy-winner Natalie Cole, 63, whose new album, “Natalie Cole En Espanol,” has recently been released. “One of the greatest joys of my life is to sing and give joy. I give one-hundred-and-fifty percent when I sing, so I need my stamina and energy.” Cole—the daughter of legendary crooner Nat “King” Cole, who released three successful Spanish-speaking albums during his own career—suffered a major health setback in 2008, when a Hepatitis C diagnosis necessitated that she find a kidney donor. While she was on a long wait list for a transplant, one of her biggest fans had just passed away. His family asked that Cole receive his kidney if the two were a biological match—and they were. She underwent a transplant in 2009, and has spent the past four years returning to full vitality. “My donor family is from El Salvador, and I’ve wanted to do an album like this ever since the surgery,” Cole says. with a sigh of gratitude. “Knock on wood, I’m in pretty good shape—certainly better than four years ago—but I definitely have to watch my diet. I’ve contracted a lung issue that actually keeps me from working out. Regardless, I have to stay physically fit.” To keep her energy up and health on point during rigorous travel times, Cole sticks to tried-andtrue health guidelines. “It’s not nuclear science,” she laughs. “Number one is sleep. That’s key— along with drinking very little alcohol. You can’t be doing too much partying when you are on the road. My medication tends to dry me out, so I drink a lot of water and stay really hydrated. I also eat a lot of fiber and protein. I know when my body’s not feeling good. If that means cutting out some things and not eating too late at night, so be it.” Regular massages and a frequent habit of candlelit baths are Cole’s rewards for staying disciplined and health-conscious. “It’s those little things that bring me a lot of peace and joy,” she says.
The radiant Natalie Cole has faced adversity and always comes out singing.
“Singing is really corecentric. You feel it right through your body, like a tuning fork. Vocalists have to focus on building a strong core, and work on stabilization, rotation, and flexion. Mobility is the key, for everyone.” —Stephanie Vitorino of Equinox, West LA
6/3/13
Aqua, Rest & Motion Both Cole and Wyclef identify hydration and adequate rest as keys to peak performance. These may sound like common sense concepts, but how many people in today’s hectic society get eight hours a night and eight glasses of H2O a day? “We talk a lot about fitness and exercise, but rarely do we talk about things like sleep and hydration and nutrition,” says Stephanie Vitorino, Group Fitness Manager of Equinox Fitness in West LA, who has worked with a hush-hush who’s-who of vocalists and A-list actors. “For performers, sleep deprivation can be really detrimental to performance. This is a focus lifestyle, and people have to make choices that lead them to their goals.” Vitorino is the creator of several top-selling workout DVDs, and believes that training pays off tenfold for entertainers. “You don’t want an evening’s performance to be the first time you’ve broken a sweat that day,” Vitorino says. “You’ve got to connect with your body and breathe in the morning to set a tone and mindset. Then you can save up your energy for the performance. This is how you really lead that lifestyle you’ve worked so hard to get.” The lovely and lithe Vitorino, who conceived the “Spring Body Breakthru” class at Equinox, preaches a multi-tiered approach to optimal health—strength training, cardio work, and focus on the core. She lives by the credo that anyone can be stronger and better and fitter at any age, and insists that mobility is a far more youthful attribute than wrinkle-free skin. “For artists, there is tremendous pressure to look young,” she says. “But a lot of top artists are fifty and over right now. People remember how you move on stage, and your waistline, above all else. Think of Madonna and all the things she can do… Now that’s attractive.”
Enlisting for Bootcamp If there’s one woman who exemplifies limber, and who truly walks the talk in terms of setting and reaching exceptional fitness goals, it’s Natalie Raitano, a top trainer at Barry’s Bootcamp in Manhattan’s Tribeca neighborhood. Barry’s is full-on fitness phenomenon, with outposts in LA, New York, San Diego, Nashville, the Hamptons, London, and Norway (a Miami club is soon to open). These clubs offer high-intensity, high-metabolic training and plenty of classes that combine strength training and cardio within a sleek, military-themed space. Raitano spent years as an actress—she was a series regular on Pam Anderson’s series V.I.P.—and she understands the demands of the entertainment business firsthand. The picture of health, tone, and high-energy sexiness, Raitano proudly admits that she is 46 (which probably isn’t so hard, since she looks 15 years younger). “Entertainment is not an easy business,” admits Raitano. “Any record exec wants their artist to be in tip-top shape. You have to come out sexy, and you have to bring it.” Among her boldfaced clients are iconic music producer Antonio “LA” Reid and his gorgeous wife, Erica. “I’ve never worked with anyone who works out as hard as LA,” Raitano says. “He has to work out before he starts his day. It’s how he lives his life, and it’s a big part of why he is so successful.” One of Raitano’s other clients is an alluring young pop singer named Jarina De Marco. Miss De Marco is a burgeoning artist on All Handz on Deck, Wyclef Jean’s label. Apparently, fitness runs
s l av e n v l a s i c/g e t t y i m a g e s
Up-and-coming pop singer Jarina De Marco—an artist on Wyclef Jean’s label—keeps conditioned at Barry’s Bootcamp.
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| New You
”I can push you, but I can’t force you to work out. Getting in amazing shape is not easy, and you have to really want it. But if you let that desire motivate you, you’ll never be sorry.” —Natalie Raitano of Barry’s Bootcamp
in Wyclef ’s family. “Jarina came to us because she had to get video-ready,” Raitano says. “She’s gorgeous, and we just wanted to tone her up as her record was getting ready to drop. We started with private training and then she started taking our classes. She got right in the center of it all. I trained her the same way that I teach my classes—interval training.” When tailoring a program for a singer, particularly one who’s about to go on the road, Raitano keeps performance top of mind. While in the gym, she’ll ask them to sing their songs as they run. Though she is a ball of energy, she recognizes the value of quality rest. “No one should go balls-out on a day when they have to perform,” she says. “I recommend carbs the night before a show. On the day of, I am all about kale salads, to which I’ll add some tuna and beans. Being hungry sucks.” One of the most crucial principles for singers, stresses Raitano, is to save the liquor until the tour is over. “Alcohol swells your vocal chords,” she insists. “You’ll retain water. You’ll be moody. Have your party when you get done with the show. In the meantime, sleep. Sleep is everything.” Raitano’s preferred kind of high comes from 60 minutes of exercise, which she considers to be the fastest route to self-esteem.
e va n g u n v i l l e
Liberty & Fitness for All Everything is exaggerated in the world of celebrity. Triumphs are sweeter. Challenges are more public. Praise and criticism flow in absurd quantities. But at the end of the day, high-profile musicians are people, like anyone else, and the healthy habits they embrace can be adopted by anyone with the inclination to change their life. “We are all maturing in age,” says Wyclef. “It doesn’t matter whether we’re in the public eye or not. It’s part of the human experience. The most important factor is to continually do what you love. Concern yourself with giving the world your best, in the healthiest way that you can, and leave all else at the door.” For Ms. Cole, great health is non-negotiable, as are her supportive relationships with friends and family and the balance she has learned to strike between excitement and self-care. Ms. Vitorino, who lives by the phrase “bad habits are bad habits,” insists that every day presents new choices to live healthier, better, and stronger than ever before. Ms. Raitano asks her clients to set an attainable victory, every time they work out—and those victories keep them coming back for more. As for Ms. Chaplin, the disciplines of exercise and healthy eating are all about one word: love. “It starts with loving yourself,” says Chaplin. “I watch my weight and make sure I am healthy because I live in this body. I want to be proud. And I make sure not to compare myself to anyone else, because that’s just a hamster wheel that won’t ever stop. It’s time for us all to say, ‘I am beautiful the way I am.’” Just as a great song can stir the soul, a vigorous workout and some healthy food can take your day from hum-drum to extraordinary. And just like your favorite tune, this self-affirming approach to life gets even better on repeat. l
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We all face fitness challenges when we’re away from home base, but no one feels the pressure like a singer on tour. Here, we catch up with Grammy winners Natalie Cole and Wyclef Jean, as well as a trio of world-class trainers, to get the skinny on staying slim while on the road.
a beautifully realized song has the power to lift, inspire, and change
us—anyone who’s been transported by the notes of a symphony, ballad, jazz riff, or dance tune knows as much. Music’s purpose, by definition, is to produce “beauty of form, harmony, and expression of emotion.” The stewards of the art form—musicians—are tasked with the sacred discipline of speaking to our souls, and the act of performing is widely recognized as a transcendent joy. The pressures that accompany the musician’s life, however, can be far less than joyful, as scrutiny and sacrifice come with this territory (not to mention a fair share of temptation). Performers are asked to call upon inner reserves of flexibility and stamina to channel their music, night after night, city after city, time zone after time zone. It’s a worthwhile challenge… “If I cannot fly, let me sing,” said Stephen Sondheim. In fact, a study from Myplan.com has shown that musicians— singers, in particular—are the most satisfied of all professionals. However, once a musician reaches the highest echelon of notoriety and talent is no
t hinkstock
longer in question, image becomes an issue. How vibrant is your live performance? Does the exterior message lend itself to the sound within? Can your voice last from New York to Nashville to Los Angeles?
get packing Let this “healthy on the road” packing list help you hit your fitness goals away from home. ✽ Jump rope ✽ Running sneakers ✽ Bathing suit ✽ Sports bra ✽ Running shorts ✽ Compression socks ✽ Sweat bands ✽ TRX resistance bands ✽ Flip flops ✽ Breathable exercise t-shirts ✽ Wraparound sunglasses ✽ Yoga pants ✽ iPod/MP3 player ✽ Ear buds
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“I think it’s vital to find a healthy balance in your life. Get your family time in. Leave work at work if you can. Walk in the park with your iTunes playing. Reflect on self. You deserve some time when the focus is just on you.”—Nicole Chaplin
Fitness and holistic health are the keys to success for hip-hop star Wyclef Jean.
186
6/3/13
| New You
b r i t ta n i e j o n e s ( c h a p l i n ) ; C h r i s t o p h e r b l u m e n s h i n e /G e t t y i m a g e s ( j e a n )
Wycelf’s Winning Ways Iconic rapper and songwriter Wyclef Jean is no stranger to the spotlight. The Haitian phenomenon—a political figure, philanthropist, and founder of record label All Handz on Deck—is as prolific as he is outspoken. He has traveled exhaustively since his career’s inception in the 1990s, as part of hip-hop group the Fugees. A consummate perfectionist, Wyclef is intensely committed to fitness and conditioning, and he counts on celebrity trainer Nicole Chaplin to keep him performing at peak condition. “When you’re on tour, your body is running a physical marathon,” insists Wyclef. “You have to be conditioned. There are days you go without your normal supplements, and your body has to adjust. The biggest demand placed on your body is its ability to maintain its balance—proper nutrition, adequate rest, and mental recovery.” Chaplin, author of Yes Mam: Your Muscle as a Motivator, has worked with Wyclef for 14 years, imparting healthy principles with intensity. “I’m a big believer in accountability,” insists Chaplin. “If you have someone you lean on—a trainer or manager or friend with you on the road—use them. You want them to ask you, ‘How are you doing with your planks today?’ You have to remember why you’re doing what you’re doing.” Wyclef has seen extraordinary results with Chaplin, and has become devoted to a healthy lifestyle under her watchful eye. “She provides me with exercises that include calisthenics to ensure that I maintain my cardiovascular fitness and strength,” he says. “I prefer exercises that work on my chest, traps, and back, but the workouts cover my full body. I enjoy pushups the most, since they can be done anywhere and always provide your body with a challenge.”
To keep Wyclef ’s stamina up, Chaplin preaches regular interval training to burn calories— meaning she expects the star to get moving in his hotel room with rapid sets of jumping jacks, burpees, pushups, knee tuck jumps, and squats. “Hotels usually have swimming pools, too,” Chaplin says. “Just jump in the pool for ten minutes. Tuck a jump rope or TRX in your bag. There’s no need to overcomplicate it. You can get your exercise in.” Yes Mam, Chaplin’s first book, puts a spiritual spin on fitness concepts, placing emphasis on overarching health goals and using individual muscle groups as metaphors for the consummation of these goals. “It’s all about working out from within,” she says. “I say, start with the soul… What are your goals? As I go through my book, every muscle correlates to a different positive inner goal. The heart is a muscle, so I ask: What are your heart’s desires? If you work to strengthen your heart, you will always get closer to those desires.” Having achieved many extraordinary goals, Wyclef focuses on moves that let him perform in a way his fans now expect. “I use cardio to work on my lung capacity, which allows me to maintain my vocal projection at the level I desire,” he says. “Flexibility—especially in my neck—relieves tension, and keeps my muscles from being sore after training sessions.”
Queen Cole
jack guy (cole)
“I know I have to stay physically fit,” says Grammy-winner Natalie Cole, 63, whose new album, “Natalie Cole En Espanol,” has recently been released. “One of the greatest joys of my life is to sing and give joy. I give one-hundred-and-fifty percent when I sing, so I need my stamina and energy.” Cole—the daughter of legendary crooner Nat “King” Cole, who released three successful Spanish-speaking albums during his own career—suffered a major health setback in 2008, when a Hepatitis C diagnosis necessitated that she find a kidney donor. While she was on a long wait list for a transplant, one of her biggest fans had just passed away. His family asked that Cole receive his kidney if the two were a biological match—and they were. She underwent a transplant in 2009, and has spent the past four years returning to full vitality. “My donor family is from El Salvador, and I’ve wanted to do an album like this ever since the surgery,” Cole says. with a sigh of gratitude. “Knock on wood, I’m in pretty good shape—certainly better than four years ago—but I definitely have to watch my diet. I’ve contracted a lung issue that actually keeps me from working out. Regardless, I have to stay physically fit.” To keep her energy up and health on point during rigorous travel times, Cole sticks to tried-andtrue health guidelines. “It’s not nuclear science,” she laughs. “Number one is sleep. That’s key— along with drinking very little alcohol. You can’t be doing too much partying when you are on the road. My medication tends to dry me out, so I drink a lot of water and stay really hydrated. I also eat a lot of fiber and protein. I know when my body’s not feeling good. If that means cutting out some things and not eating too late at night, so be it.” Regular massages and a frequent habit of candlelit baths are Cole’s rewards for staying disciplined and health-conscious. “It’s those little things that bring me a lot of peace and joy,” she says.
The radiant Natalie Cole has faced adversity and always comes out singing.
“Singing is really corecentric. You feel it right through your body, like a tuning fork. Vocalists have to focus on building a strong core, and work on stabilization, rotation, and flexion. Mobility is the key, for everyone.” —Stephanie Vitorino of Equinox, West LA
6/3/13
Aqua, Rest & Motion Both Cole and Wyclef identify hydration and adequate rest as keys to peak performance. These may sound like common sense concepts, but how many people in today’s hectic society get eight hours a night and eight glasses of H2O a day? “We talk a lot about fitness and exercise, but rarely do we talk about things like sleep and hydration and nutrition,” says Stephanie Vitorino, Group Fitness Manager of Equinox Fitness in West LA, who has worked with a hush-hush who’s-who of vocalists and A-list actors. “For performers, sleep deprivation can be really detrimental to performance. This is a focus lifestyle, and people have to make choices that lead them to their goals.” Vitorino is the creator of several top-selling workout DVDs, and believes that training pays off tenfold for entertainers. “You don’t want an evening’s performance to be the first time you’ve broken a sweat that day,” Vitorino says. “You’ve got to connect with your body and breathe in the morning to set a tone and mindset. Then you can save up your energy for the performance. This is how you really lead that lifestyle you’ve worked so hard to get.” The lovely and lithe Vitorino, who conceived the “Spring Body Breakthru” class at Equinox, preaches a multi-tiered approach to optimal health—strength training, cardio work, and focus on the core. She lives by the credo that anyone can be stronger and better and fitter at any age, and insists that mobility is a far more youthful attribute than wrinkle-free skin. “For artists, there is tremendous pressure to look young,” she says. “But a lot of top artists are fifty and over right now. People remember how you move on stage, and your waistline, above all else. Think of Madonna and all the things she can do… Now that’s attractive.”
Enlisting for Bootcamp If there’s one woman who exemplifies limber, and who truly walks the talk in terms of setting and reaching exceptional fitness goals, it’s Natalie Raitano, a top trainer at Barry’s Bootcamp in Manhattan’s Tribeca neighborhood. Barry’s is full-on fitness phenomenon, with outposts in LA, New York, San Diego, Nashville, the Hamptons, London, and Norway (a Miami club is soon to open). These clubs offer high-intensity, high-metabolic training and plenty of classes that combine strength training and cardio within a sleek, military-themed space. Raitano spent years as an actress—she was a series regular on Pam Anderson’s series V.I.P.—and she understands the demands of the entertainment business firsthand. The picture of health, tone, and high-energy sexiness, Raitano proudly admits that she is 46 (which probably isn’t so hard, since she looks 15 years younger). “Entertainment is not an easy business,” admits Raitano. “Any record exec wants their artist to be in tip-top shape. You have to come out sexy, and you have to bring it.” Among her boldfaced clients are iconic music producer Antonio “LA” Reid and his gorgeous wife, Erica. “I’ve never worked with anyone who works out as hard as LA,” Raitano says. “He has to work out before he starts his day. It’s how he lives his life, and it’s a big part of why he is so successful.” One of Raitano’s other clients is an alluring young pop singer named Jarina De Marco. Miss De Marco is a burgeoning artist on All Handz on Deck, Wyclef Jean’s label. Apparently, fitness runs
s l av e n v l a s i c/g e t t y i m a g e s
Up-and-coming pop singer Jarina De Marco—an artist on Wyclef Jean’s label—keeps conditioned at Barry’s Bootcamp.
188
6/3/13
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”I can push you, but I can’t force you to work out. Getting in amazing shape is not easy, and you have to really want it. But if you let that desire motivate you, you’ll never be sorry.” —Natalie Raitano of Barry’s Bootcamp
in Wyclef ’s family. “Jarina came to us because she had to get video-ready,” Raitano says. “She’s gorgeous, and we just wanted to tone her up as her record was getting ready to drop. We started with private training and then she started taking our classes. She got right in the center of it all. I trained her the same way that I teach my classes—interval training.” When tailoring a program for a singer, particularly one who’s about to go on the road, Raitano keeps performance top of mind. While in the gym, she’ll ask them to sing their songs as they run. Though she is a ball of energy, she recognizes the value of quality rest. “No one should go balls-out on a day when they have to perform,” she says. “I recommend carbs the night before a show. On the day of, I am all about kale salads, to which I’ll add some tuna and beans. Being hungry sucks.” One of the most crucial principles for singers, stresses Raitano, is to save the liquor until the tour is over. “Alcohol swells your vocal chords,” she insists. “You’ll retain water. You’ll be moody. Have your party when you get done with the show. In the meantime, sleep. Sleep is everything.” Raitano’s preferred kind of high comes from 60 minutes of exercise, which she considers to be the fastest route to self-esteem.
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Liberty & Fitness for All Everything is exaggerated in the world of celebrity. Triumphs are sweeter. Challenges are more public. Praise and criticism flow in absurd quantities. But at the end of the day, high-profile musicians are people, like anyone else, and the healthy habits they embrace can be adopted by anyone with the inclination to change their life. “We are all maturing in age,” says Wyclef. “It doesn’t matter whether we’re in the public eye or not. It’s part of the human experience. The most important factor is to continually do what you love. Concern yourself with giving the world your best, in the healthiest way that you can, and leave all else at the door.” For Ms. Cole, great health is non-negotiable, as are her supportive relationships with friends and family and the balance she has learned to strike between excitement and self-care. Ms. Vitorino, who lives by the phrase “bad habits are bad habits,” insists that every day presents new choices to live healthier, better, and stronger than ever before. Ms. Raitano asks her clients to set an attainable victory, every time they work out—and those victories keep them coming back for more. As for Ms. Chaplin, the disciplines of exercise and healthy eating are all about one word: love. “It starts with loving yourself,” says Chaplin. “I watch my weight and make sure I am healthy because I live in this body. I want to be proud. And I make sure not to compare myself to anyone else, because that’s just a hamster wheel that won’t ever stop. It’s time for us all to say, ‘I am beautiful the way I am.’” Just as a great song can stir the soul, a vigorous workout and some healthy food can take your day from hum-drum to extraordinary. And just like your favorite tune, this self-affirming approach to life gets even better on repeat. l
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The future is bright, thanks to geodesic vertical farms such as the Plantagon in Linköping, Sweden, seen here as a rendering.
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America’s New Fruited Plain As the world’s population balloons and environmental concerns threaten our
farmland, we’re all left with the question: How will we feed our collective need?
Get acquainted with vertical farming—
a growth industry if we’ve ever heard of one.
By beth landman photography by Nathan kirkman
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As we load our baskets at Whole Foods or sit in packed restaurants, it’s hard to imagine the earth’s bounty as anything less than limitless. The truth: Our farmland
is shrinking. The human population is projected to grow by 3 billion in the next 35 years, and the farmland needed to sustain this increase is about twenty-percent greater than the size of Brazil. This reality—combined with an increase of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, which produces erratic weather and destroys existing farmland—makes the situation appear downright ominous. The good news is that we are starting to address the problem in a revolutionary way. Some say the solution is vertical farming—the construction of tall buildings in which crops grow, one level on top of another, and are fed hydroponically. In some cases, one building might take care of an entire community, and 150 such buildings could potentially nourish an entire city. Dickson Despommier, an Environmental Health Sciences professor at Columbia University, is a pioneer of the vertical farming method. Five years ago, when the concept started gaining momentum, he predicted that these farms would be operational within fifteen years. Now, ten years earlier than he imagined, vertical farms are operating in areas as disparate as Singapore, Korea, and Vancouver. Last year, the Swedish firm Plantagon broke ground on what will be the largest vertical greenhouse to date, in picturesque Linköping, Sweden. At home in the US, similar projects are underway in Tennessee, Michigan, Indiana, Wisconsin, Wyoming, and Illinois. Japan currently has fifty multiple-story “plant factories,” many of which have opened since the 2011 Fukushima Daiichi nuclear debacle which ruined many of the country’s traditionally grown crops. “The tsunami eliminated five-percent of the country’s growing power,” says Despommier. “At the same time, the Fukushima disaster ramped up plant technology.” Despommier points out that people realized these projects didn’t necessarily have to involve new construction, hence the widespread shift to the concept of looking at existing buildings. “There were no examples of vertical farms that I knew of five years ago,” he says. “But once people started doing this, they got excited, and understood that it could be done in repurposed buildings.” The “locavore” farm-to-table movement has stimulated interest in vertical farming, as well. Those blueberries we get in New York are often from Chile. With indoor farming, they can be grown locally. Maddie McQueeney, a spokesperson for Vertical Harvest in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, says local farming was part of the inspiration for her company’s project, which expects to be up and running by the end of 2014. Vertical Harvest hopes to be a prototype, and is building an education center on the premises. “The growing season here is so short—only three months a year—so we have to outsource,” she says. “There is a huge movement to grow locally, and our greenhouse can produce food all year long. We want this to be a replicable project, and we want to teach visitors and students about sustainability.” The upside of indoor farming is clear when it comes to places such as Saudi Arabia and Korea, where there is not enough arable land. The same goes for cities with limited space like New York and Tokyo. However, vertical farming has global benefits beyond just adding to the food supply. Produce cultivated in a controlled environment is free of problems inherent in outdoor-grown crops, such as destruction from severe weather, insects, or animals—so there are no pesticides used. It is also inherently organic, and dodges diseases such as salmonella. All of this translates to greater productivity. “Fifty percent of produce grown outdoors is not used because it’s eaten by insects or rodents, or spoiled or destroyed by disease. Efficiency of indoor farming is ninety percent or more.” The elimination of genetically modified foods is yet one more bonus of vertical farming. “There’s a place in Florida that grows thirty acres of strawberries in a building on a single acre,” says Peak Prosperity CEO and co-founder Chris Martenson, whose company analyses resources, the economy, and environmental issues. “Are we out of space in Florida? No, but we keep GMOs [genetically modified organisms] out.” There is an instinctive feeling shared by many, suggesting that food grown in an urban building can’t possibly be as nutritious as vegetables sprouting in mineral rich soil, ripened in the sun. However, proponents of the vertical plan say their food is actually more beneficial. “Soil can get depleted of natural minerals,
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Jolanta Hardej of Chicago’s FarmedHere, a mammoth vertical farm helping to meet the food needs of the future.
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“In Chicago, 97% of our food has been coming fr
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Fresh basil grown at FarmedHere in Chicago, the largest vertical farm in the United States.
g from over 2,000 miles away. What we are providing is local.”
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but we control the nutrients being fed and give a mixture of nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium, and trace elements,” says Jen Holdsworth, a greenhouse technician at Pentair Aquatic Eco-Systems Inc. in Winter Park, Florida, which uses vertical growing towers. “Because we are in Florida, we also use natural sunlight.” Mitch Manning, a spokesman for Pentair—which has started workshops to teach others their method— notes that because the crops aren’t outside, they don’t compete for nutrients. “We spray them with enriched water, and they aren’t fighting other forces for what they need, so they grow faster,” he notes. “I see this as the most promising way to feed our world.”
Among the many plusses of the vertical farming concept is the fact that growing
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The elimination of GUT TER CREDIT
hydroponically saves water. “Agriculture dumps water filled with pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizer into rivers and oceans, and is responsible for more damage to our ecosystem than pollution,” insists Jolanta Hardej, CEO of FarmedHere, a Chicago-based company that made an abandoned building into 90,000 square feet of vertical growing space. “We only use three percent of the water used in traditional farming.” FarmedHere cultivates varieties of basil, arugula, and other leafy greens with aquaponics—a closed loop system where fish provide nutrients for the greens. Water from fish tanks goes through filters and then into grow beds, eventually pumping back into the tanks. “Cities dump billions of gallons of waste into the ocean, which creates dead zones without oxygen that kill plants and algae,” notes Peak Prosperity’s Martenson. “The dream is that cities will become closedloop systems, where water is purified and then used to grow food. This is very important if we are going to meet our challenges.” FarmedHere wants to roll out its model to the world. “Since we’ve proven it works—that we can build, grow, and sell—we are planning to repeat it in seven to twelve other cities, including New York, Houston, and Seattle over the next five years,” says Hardej, whose products are already in sixty stores. “We are in Whole Foods, and in discussion with Trader Joe’s. In Chicago, ninety-seven percent of our food has been coming from over two-thousand miles away. What we are providing is local.” Urban land is, of course, more expensive than rural, but vertical space is significantly more efficient. “One indoor acre is equivalent to about four to six outdoor acres,” says Martenson, who notes that some products are currently more economically viable for indoor farming than others. “At first, you are not going to have corn, but growing high-end greens makes sense.” Thirty-year-old Memphis artist Emma Self is doing just that. She leased 70 square feet of office space and has created 400 square feet of growing space for micro greens, which sprout quickly and have a high financial return. “I plan to quadruple the amount I am growing by building up, and I can do it all year round,” Self says. “I’m starting with these greens, but I will eventually expand into other produce. I can do this year round, and it’s sustainable.” Self is heartened by her belief that the process is healthier. “There is so much processing and packaging involved in food that has to travel,” she says, “and contaminants that can come from hands of the growers, distributors, store workers, and so forth. When we grow this way, we eliminate a lot of those middle men.” One of the main criticisms of vertical farming has been that growing indoors uses energy not required by sunlight. Advocates of the method counter that it cuts down emissions from tractors, plows, and fuel necessary to transport food from farms to far away cities. Now they have an even better argument. “Phillips has just announced a new generation of LEDs that are more efficient,” says Despommier. “In two years, these will replace all florescent lights.” There are inevitably going to be unforeseen situations that come up with this new system. Such is science. “What happens if power goes out if you have a building with lights required to keep plants happy?” asks Martenson. “There are going to be some unexpected learning curves along the way.” Regardless, the lengthy list of pros greatly outweighs the cons when it comes to vertical farming. It points the way to a kinder, gentler future. In fact, it may prove instrumental to there being a future, period. ●
A sea of fresh greens grows in rows beneath the lights of Chicago’s mammoth vertical farm, FarmedHere.
GUT TER CREDIT
on of genetically modified foods is yet one more bonus of vertical farming. NEW YOU
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vintage
ravishing in red Sophia Loren smolders like no other—and has since her earliest on-screen days in the 1950s. Singer-songwriter Katy Perry makes contemporary audiences’ hearts sing with addictive hits and flirtatious fashions. What do these seemingly dissimilar lovelies share? Dangerous curves, exquisite facial features, and undeniable red-carpet allure. Second time around, and this look is still so vibrant! 208
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s i lv e r s c r e e n c o l l e c t i o n /g e t t y i m a g e s ( l o r e n ) ; k e v i n w i n t e r /g e t t y i m a g e s ( p e r r y )
beauty