Celebrate Anti-Valentine's Day with us!

Do you cringe on THAT certain day especially when flowers cost 5 times its usual prices and couples are on the streets, shoving their status in your face?

You're not alone.

Join us for an evening of fun and games where we take the mickey out of Valentines' Day and do the world some good by donating our exes' stuff to charity. Give us your "Worst Date" story and the best one will win a prize!

Programme:
7.00pm     Registration starts
7.30pm    Networking dinner commences
8.00pm    Speed hating game
9.00pm    Cocktail Mixing Demonstration
10.00pm    Worst Date Contest Finals

Entrance fee starts from $40 and includes dinner plus 1 drink. Early Bird prices ends on 7 Feb! 

Media Partner:

A Week After Parasite Cleansing

When I posted this photo on Instagram and Facebook a week ago stating that I was going to get rid of (unknown) parasites in my body, I was really surprised at the response I received. A lot of friends and family members started asking me questions about why I was doing this, whether the Paraway Plus was a laxative (no it's not) as well as what this whole Herbal Body Cleansing is all about.

Let me start with the easy question: Why am I doing this?
Su Lee invited me to her talk on detox seminar where she showed a few videos about parasites and how all of us living in 1st world countries often think that we're parasite-free but it may be a fallacy. I found the following videos by Dr Oz which I prefer over the ones that I watched during the seminar as Dr Oz comes from a more scientific but yet natural approach to dealing with medical issues.

Be warned that some of the images are quite disturbing.

As you can see, parasites are commonly found even in so-called 'clean' countries and if you eat raw foods or have pets, your chances of getting parasites are increased. In addition, after Su Lee's bit, a few of the audience members started sharing their testimonial stories about going on this 30-day detox programme where they found either moving worms or the eggs in their stool! Su Lee herself told me months before this talk that she had gone on the cleanse and found 1 moving worm in her stool.

If you were me, wouldn't you get paranoid too and want to go on a parasite cleanse? Those who know me also know that I love my sashimi and sushi, not to mention that I'm eating a lot more salads nowadays. Yes, there are alternatives like eating garlic or papaya seeds mixed with honey but I decided that for my first cleanse, let's do this in a slightly more 'instant' method of just popping pills.

Paraway Plus is actually part of a 30-day Detox Programme called "ClearStart" but I chose to only take the parasite cleansing one because I don't really believe in detoxing (that'll be explained in another article).

What I like about Paraway Plus is that it's made up of herbs such as Garlic, Peppermint, Chamomile and loads more. Because of the herbal properties, it does not kill the parasites but stuns them so that they release their jaws from your guts where you naturally pass them out through your bowels. If you're having constipation, you might want to do ClearStart instead because it will go hand-in-hand to resolve your bowel issues.

Instructions state that I have to take 2 capsules a day for 10 days before popping 5 capsules for the next 20 days. It has been 7 days and I think I've undergone what is known as a 'healing crisis'. What's a healing crisis? When you're suddenly getting rid of parasites or other toxins from your body, or when bacteria dies within your body, these parasites/toxins/bacteria start releasing  endotoxins into your blood for filtering and natural detoxification by releasing through your urine or stool. However, by going on a plan to really eliminate these parasites and bacteria, it is suddenly a lot of waste for my body's lymph nodes to cope.

What happened next? I fell ill with a fever last Sunday and started having a sore throat. On Monday onwards, my sore throat got so bad that when I looked into the mirror, I didn't need a torchlight to see how my throat was so swollen that the entrance of my oesophagus was half its usual size. I took paracetamol which helped the fever but it came back with a vengeance on Tuesday evening, which was when I went to see the doctor for antibiotics and anti-inflammatory meds.

Besides the flu, I noticed yesterday that my skin was also started to itch and have bumps. Apparently, this is quite normal and some people experience breakouts too. I was talking to Amanda Koh, a yoga instructor, and she said that one of her friends had all his lymph nodes swollen and breaking out into pimples while he was detoxing. Whoa...I really hope that THAT doesn't happen to me when I start onto the 5 capsules a day regime.

Trips to the loo have proven to be quite interesting. I've always been looking out at my stool to observe its size (mainly because my mum had colon polyps so I'm genetically susceptible to it), colour and whether it floats or sink (float = ate too much fats; sink = been eating good). But after going on Paraway Plus, I do scrutinise my stool a little longer for signs of parasites or eggs. I did see some whitish seed-like things which make me then try to think whether I have been eating nuts/seeds.  I'm sorta happy to say that it's currently inconclusive because I do recall eating some seeds on those days but there were days where I really do not recall eating anything resembling seeds.

Su Lee told me that from experience, I'll probably not see anything for another week or so. This was further confirmed by Amanda who told me that natural detox (eg. juice fast) would normally show signs in the 5th week or so. Hmm. I'll keep you guys updated on a weekly basis.

To learn more about the 30-day ClearStart or Paraway Plus, go to https://shop.passhen.com/collections/unicity.

Reasons for thinning hair, how to fix them and what to eat for healthier hair

Read these 2 articles on Oprah.com and decided to combine them into one because it is not only important to fix problems but to also maintain the good. My additional comments will be in italics.

You're Noticing: Thinning Along the Hairline 

Likely cause: Regularly yanking your hair back too-tight
Why it leads to thinning: Putting tension on the hairs at the front of your scalp can make them fall out. There's even a name for this type of thinning: traction alopecia. (Going overboard on hair extensions can also cause traction alopecia wherever the extensions are attached, says Doris Day, MD, a clinical associate professor of dermatology at NYU Langone Medical Center, in New York.)
How to fix it: First, be gentler to keep the problem from getting worse. If your go-to look is a ponytail or bun, use your fingertips to feel around your temples and crown and make sure you can move your hair a little. Minoxidil (the only FDA-approved topical treatment to regrow hair) can help fill in the sparse areas.

You're Noticing: Your Part Seems to be Getting Wider

Likely Cause: Female-pattern hair loss due to aging, changing hormone levels (hello, menopause!) or a family history of thinning 

Why it leads to thinning: It's not clear why but this type of thinning generally affects the part first and expands from there. Hair follicles start to shrink, producing shorter and finer hairs than they used to before they stop producing hairs at all. It generally doesn't lead to serious balding though. 

How to fix it: Minoxidil is your best option. As of 2014, 5-percent-Minoxidil products are available for women in addition to the standard 2 percent (the former used to be approved for use in men only). Your doctor may also recommend laser treatments aimed at stimulating hair growth.

I have been using HairMax Laser Comb for the past seven months and although I don't see new hair growing, it certainly has helped with the oil control on my scalp and current strands are not thinning at the root.

You're Noticing: Diffuse Thinning All Over Your Head

Potential cause: Major stress
Why it leads to thinning: Physiological stress, whether it's from a breakup, the loss of a loved one or a traumatic physical event (childbirth is a classic example), can shift hair follicles into rest mode, where they stop producing hair. It's called telogen effluvium, and it's very common, says Pamela Jakubowicz, MD, a dermatologist at Montefiore Medical Center, in New York. Because of hair's growth cycle, you'll notice thinning roughly 3 months after the stressful event.
How to fix it: Telogen effluvium generally resolves on its own. You should notice improvement about 3 months after stress levels return to normal.

Potential cause: Medications
Why it leads to thinning: Some drugs are known to cause hair thinning. Prime examples: hormonal birth control, isotretinoin for acne, blood pressure medications, cholesterol-lowering drugs and certain antidepressants.
How to fix it: Minoxidil may help, but if your hair loss is affecting your well-being, Sejal Shah, MD, a board certified dermatologist in New York, recommends asking your prescribing doctor if there are other medications you can try that don't have that as a side effect.

Potential cause: Frying your hair with hot tools
Why it leads to thinning: High heat creates air bubbles within the hair shaft that can cause breakage. If tools get too close to the root, they can damage the hair follicle.
How to fix it: Medium heat is best—if your hot tools have an intensity range between 1 and 10, for example, set them at 5. Keep hot styling tools at least an inch or two away from your scalp to protect the follicle.

Potential cause: A thyroid disorder
Why it leads to thinning: Thyroid issues lead to hair loss because follicles can't get resources they need to produce hair, says Jakubowicz. In hypothyroidism, it's because your whole system is moving slower; in hyperthyroidism, it's likely because your body is depleting resources faster.
How to fix it: If your dermatologist suspects a systemic condition like a thyroid problem is causing your thinning, they'll refer you to your internist for testing and treatment, which should also help with the hair loss

You're Noticing: You're Losing Hair in Patches

Potential cause: Skin conditions like eczema or psoriasis
Why it leads to thinning: Scaliness and buildup of skin cells on the scalp can lead to hair loss, explains Shah. (Scratching to relieve itching can make it worse.) Seborrheic dermatitis, an inflammatory condition that mainly affects the scalp and causes scaly patches, red skin and dandruff, can also trigger hair loss.
How to fix it: Treat the skin issue and hair should start to grow back on its own. Topical steroids, antifungals and medicated shampoos are often the first steps, and your dermatologist may recommend stronger options like phototherapy or oral and injectable medications if you need a more aggressive treatment.

Potential cause: Alopecia areata
Why it leads to thinning: This autoimmune condition is relatively rare, affecting roughly 2 percent of the U.S. population, but it's very noticeable because it starts with quarter-sized patches of hair loss. It often begins in childhood as the immune system attacks hair follicles.
How to fix it: There's no cure or official medications, but your doctor might recommend treatments approved for other hair-loss conditions to try to stimulate growth (cortisone injections are one option, says Day). Your dermatologist will confirm the condition first (often by pulling out a hair or two and examining them under a microscope or doing a skin biopsy of the scalp) and proceed from there.

You want: Help for your thinning hair

Try eating more: Vitamin D and iron

Too little D could be contributing to your thinning. Researchers from Cairo University in Egypt compared serum ferritin (a way of measuring your body's iron stores) and vitamin D levels in women with hair loss with women who had healthy heads of hair and found that levels of the vitamin were as much as 121 percent lower among those with thinning. About 25 percent of people over the age of 1 included in a National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey between 2001 and 2006 were at risk of having inadequate levels of the vitamin. To get more D in your diet (the RDA is 600 IU, or 15 mcg), try fish sources like salmon, sardines or canned tuna, or fortified dairy sources like milk and yogurt (look for ones specifically labeled as fortified with vitamin D).

If you're meeting your iron RDA (18 mg for women 19 to 50 years old and 8 mg for women 51 years and older), increasing your intake probably won't make a big difference. But if blood tests show that you're deficient, adding more iron to your diet may lead to a change for the better. When Korean researchers compared the serum ferritin levels of women with female-pattern hair loss to those without hair loss, they found that levels were an average of 45 percent lower among women losing their strands. Study author Jong Hee Lee, MD, at the department of dermatology at Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine in Seoul, Korea, wrote in an email that his hair-loss patients have seen improvement with increases in iron intake. Your body absorbs iron from meat better than iron from plant sources, which is why the RDA for vegetarians is almost twice that for meat eaters, and beef is near the top of the list for iron content. Chicken and turkey are also good sources. For plant-based options, try beans, lentils or tofu. And keep in mind that it takes time for nutrient intake via food to affect hair growth, so stick with it for at least a few months to see any results, says Amy McMichael, MD, a professor and chair of the department of dermatology at Wake Forest Baptist Health, in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

You want: More growth, and some shine wouldn't hurt 

Try eating more: Probiotics 

Inflammation can interfere with normal hair growth, and there's some research with animals suggesting that controlling inflammation by feeding your gut the right foods can counteract those damaging effects. A study in PLOS One reports that mice fed probiotics had more robust fur growth and shinier fur than mice in the control group, who didn't get any beneficial bacteria in their diets. Whitney Bowe, MD, a clinical assistant professor of dermatology at Mount Sinai Medical Center, in New York, recommends three servings per day of probiotic-rich foods and drinks like miso paste (found in miso soup), yogurt with live active cultures, kefir and kombucha. Or if you could also supplement that with Bios Life Probionic which contains 2 servings.

You want: A thicker head of hair 

Try eating more: Healthy fats and antioxidants 

A recent study in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology suggests that the combination of essential fatty acids and free-radical-fighting antioxidants may have more benefits than either on their own. Of the 80 women who took a nutritional supplement containing a mix of omega 3 and 6 fatty acids and antioxidants including vitamins E, C and lycopene, more than 87 percent reported having more hair on their heads and more than 86 percent said their individual strands became thicker at the sixth-month mark. (The researchers excluded women with nutritional deficiencies or health disorders that may have been a factor in subpar hair growth or might have interfered with the study's results.) Several researchers on the study came from a company co-created by L'Oréal that manufactured and marketed beauty supplements, but their findings bolster Bowe's advice: A diet that includes healthy fats and antioxidants can only mean good things for your health—and your hair.
It's not easy to watch the amounts of tomatoes (for the lycopene) or anti-oxidants plus omega fatty acids one consumes so I find it easier to just drink a Reserve Gel Pack a day as it contains tons of anti-oxidants as found in dark cherries, blueberries, grape seed and a lot more.

You want: More hair staying on your head 

Try eating more: Protein 

Most iron-rich foods are also good sources of protein, so if your iron intake is adequate, odds are your protein consumption is, too. But if you're getting a lot of your iron from relatively low-protein picks, like certain iron-fortified breakfast cereals, white rice or white bread, that may not be true. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, your body goes into rationing mode when protein intake is too low, and one of they ways the body cuts back on its protein needs is to shut down hair growth, resulting in hair loss. Once you get your protein intake back on track, your strands will follow suit. "It can take a little while to notice the effects of a lack of protein, but I see clients all the time who did a juice cleanse a month or two before they see me and now their hair is falling out," says Bowe. "And it's because there's usually no protein in those cleanses." Meeting the recommended intake of 46 grams per day for women is likely enough to maintain hair health. Getting a mix of lean meats (a 3-ounce piece of chicken, beef or pork generally has about 20 grams), eggs (a large one has 6 grams of protein), Greek yogurt (one non-fat container can pack up to 17 grams) and nuts (a small handful of almonds has 6 grams) will help you reach that goal.

Read more: http://www.oprah.com/style/Best-Foods-For-Healthy-Hair#ixzz3yY5uRdAB

Quick Weight Loss (Lies)

When I saw this on my Facebook newsfeed the other day, I couldn't help but burst out laughing. It is so true that there are so many people out there who are just looking for that quick-fix or instant weight loss through diet and while it is true that the cathchin in green tea increases metabolism slightly, drinking green tea alone is not going to help you lose your fats.

Sure, there are a few slimming teas out there and the ingredients inside all work somewhat like how the catechin does. However, one cannot forget that if you only drink/eat such foods but don't exercise, it will not change anything. It increases your metabolism by only a minuscule amount.

I don't believe in the "no pain, no gain" mantra either. Exercise does not mean boring yourself on the treadmill or elliptical machine. There are so many other things to do! For example, yoga, pilates, dancing or zumba. Nonetheless, that quote above does have a lesson: in order to lose weight, you've got to put in the effort. Sorry guys, but there's no quick weight loss regime there. If you see any diet programmes that tell you that you ONLY have to eat that pill in order to lose weight, they're all lies. You might be losing precious muscle instead or merely water. Be smart.

Reward Programme

Members of Passhen now have more things to be happy about!

Refer your friend and get $5 for each friend who signs up and makes a purchase. Oh, and they'll get $5 each too! 

Besides that, we have other rewards when you shop and purchase our Products!

Earn your rewards now at http://shop.swagguide.com. 

5 Elements Eyebrow Beauty Talk by HAACH

Hello, I'm Bianche, a beauty correspondent for SWAG Guide and I recently graced HAACH's 5 Elements Eyebrow talk held on 20th January.

Master Lam presenting his talk

The 5 elements talk was indeed an interesting talk, conducted by Master Lam from Hong Kong.  It was a rare treat as this is only the second time that Master Lam is giving a talk in Singapore! Youthful, with boyish good looks and dressed fashionably, Master Lam insisted in only speaking in Cantonese to preserve the authenticity of his Hong Kong nationality.

A refreshing change from people who try to fit in by speaking another language, Master Lam brought to the fore his own culture and preserved the full integrity of his unique point of view by delivering the talk fluently and smoothly in his native language.

I've always liked people who are unabashed about their own identity and relish in being who they are, to preserve the integrity of their thoughts. What confidence!

Master Lam gave a very interesting talk about how our appearance can affect our destinies in the amount of confidence and internal self belief that we carry within ourselves. 

If we believe that we are presentable, have a great appearance, we may believe more in ourselves and believe that we have a greater locus of control where we can therefore, plan and dictate our life more effectively towards our deepest dreams. You will be more focused and decisive in carrying out your plans. 

Looking your best doesn't hurt, on the contrary, it may give you more belief in your self-power and self-efficacy, which will become a self-fulfilling prophecy.

As the oft-quoted line goes, ''when you look good, you feel good''; you will respect yourself more and take your goals more seriously and may even possess an inner peace and stillness, which can be the defining line between success and non-success. It definitely doesn't hurt to endeavour to look your best all the time. as it gives you that invaluable boost of power.

Master Lam's talk elaborated on how the arc and curvature of a brow can parallel the arc of a person's life.

Master Lam's drawing of how a brow resembles a human

Both have a starting point and the starting point should be a good one for both a brow and a person's life.

There is also a steadily ascending slope in our brows and we hope that this represents the smooth path that we will take while we move upwards during our journey in life.

Lastly, there is the ending of the brow which should end sharply and precisely. Its sharp tip resembles the tip of an arrow, which symbolizes the arrow that we shoot to aim at our goals in life. Every person should have a goal for him or herself to work towards to in life. We should direct all our energy to that goal precisely.

Master Lam also mentioned that eyebrows have a certain portion that represents one's 'conscience'. The fuller your brows below your arch, the more ideal. If you don't really have a full back part to your brows, according to Master Lam - such a person might exhibit flakey behaviour.

Master Lam using my arm to represent a brow

I'm impressed at his creativity and his study towards eyebrows. Master Lam even incorporates Psychology into his work, by telling his clients to visualise their dreams and goals while he designs their brows. It's no wonder he's a hit.

All in all, I believe that a chief takeaway from Master Lam's presentation was that how you feel and think about yourself will really affect how you behave and act in life. Even if it's just an aesthetic change, if it may strengthen your mind, it may bring you to new heights.

Belief in yourself is paramount to any success in life.

A very valuable and interesting paradigm to me.

Master Lam's expertise is in eyebrow embroidery and shaping; joining up with HAACH to bring you a special package of eyebrow embroidery together with facials as Master Lam believes that your skin needs to be nourished for your brows to look good too.

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Book Pitch - Are You Stressed At The Spa?

Hi everyone!

If you don't already know me, I'm Melissa and I'm the founder of Pásshen. If you haven't already read my post about why I started Pásshen, in a nutshell, I went on a journey to better my health as well as how I was generally feeling about myself. Pásshen happened because along my journey, I shared my story with more people and found out that a lot of us are feeling really stressed and not in harmony.

In addition, while attempting to destress at the spa or at other salons, I felt MORE stressed out and I wasn't the only one. If you've been following my blog or Pásshen's blog, you would've read some of my more spectacular stories of how some merchants have tried their hard selling tactics on me. I know that I'm not the only one who have had similar experiences from the various reviews online as well as through the conversations that I have had with friends and colleagues.

Essentially, I saw a huge disparity between between what consumers want and what the industry is practising. Is this why spas are not doing well and their current business practices are doing them more harm than good?

When I started my business and with more interaction with spas and salons, I realised that many knew that there was a disparity but old habits die hard and many in the beauty industry are still stuck with practices that worked during the spa boom in the 1990s.

I believe that beauty and health should be hassle-free and I want to shake the industry a little by writing a book on how the beauty industry can create a sustainable model that customers will love. This is where I need YOUR help. I want to write a book that truly reflects what you consumers want. Hence, I have a short survey that would take approximately 5 minutes of your time and you can fill it in here.

If you'd like to read the summary and working contents of the book, you can read my book pitch here. I would really appreciate any help when it comes to linking me up with publishers. If you're interested to be informed about the book once it's published (or close to it), do help me fill up the survey and leave your email in the form so that I can keep you in the loop.

Thank you and I wish you guys safe journey to be the best of yourselves!

Be Instantly Ageless: Discover The Two-Minute Wonder Cure For Tired Eyes

Gazing into the mirror this morning after yet another late night of celebrations, I couldn’t help but notice just how tired my eyes were looking. Partying takes its toll, and whilst immensely enjoyable at the time, it is hard to hide its aftermath - black circles under the eyes.

This is why I was delighted to know that a product I have wanted to get my hands on, for quite a while now, has recently been released in Singapore*. Taking America by storm, this little product is like a miracle cure, literally fading eye bags in just two minutes, and lasting for up to ten hours.  Not only does it wipe out the dark circles, it diminishes fine lines and wrinkles, erasing years off your looks. Hence its name.

Watch this cool video of another late night partyer demo it in action. It really does have to be seen to be believed.

How Does It Work? 

Instantly Ageless contains argireline, a peptide that mimics one of the proteins involved in the SNARE complex, a composite of three proteins that allows the muscles on our face to move.  No SNARE means that the wrinkles around our eyes, or on other parts of our face, can’t form. This creates a temporary tightening of the skin, and, in the process, reduces the look of aging. Like Botox in a bottle without the needles or toxins.

Argireline’s benefits are only temporary. However, a study in the International Journal of Cosmetic Science says that a 10% concentration of argireline, reduced wrinkles by 30% over 30 days. This can indicate that with ongoing use, wrinkles can partly diminish.

The product comes in tiny vials that can be used a number of times. You lightly pat a very thin layer to targeted areas; leave damp on your skin and remain expressionless for 2–3 minutes while the product dries.

So, next time you get up in the morning after a late night out and stare into the mirror seeing your tired eyes staring back, dab on a spec of Instantly Ageless and wait for the miracle to occur.

*Currently only available wholesale, contact us for more details and special discounts. Alternatively, you can visit our Jeunesse website to find out more about the other products.

Written by Natalie Turner.

10 Myths About Salt Debunked

Is salt a dietary villain or part of a healthy diet? Photo Credit Magone/iStock/Livestrong.com

Salt, which is composed of sodium and chloride, often gets a bad rap. But sodium is necessary to maintain the body’s fluid balance, nerve transmission, muscle contraction and other key functions. And even though it hasn’t been definitively shown that a low-salt diet positively impacts heart disease or death (unless you already have hypertension or cardiac disease), many health agencies still recommend limiting sodium. The story of salt isn’t as black and white as you may think. Some health professionals even say that salt restriction causes adverse effects on health. So what’s the story? Here are 10 of the most common myths about salt and sodium and what it all means for your health:

1. The only reason to worry about salt intake is blood pressure. 
False. Actually, studies show that excess sodium has been associated with other health issues such as gastric cancer, stomach ulcers, osteoporosis, muscle cramping and brain function. Salt intake does not cause, but can contribute, to high blood pressure, specifically in salt-sensitive individuals.

2. Nothing about salt is good for you. 
False. Salt is essential for life. It's a major component of your blood, it helps carry nutrients into and out of your cells, regulates blood pressure and plays a role in nervous-system function. We need salt—just not too much or too little. The amount of salt that is right for you depends on your salt sensitivity (see #3).

3. Everyone responds to salt in the same way. 
False. Most of us are either salt sensitive or salt resistant. Your level of salt sensitivity or resistance is determined by many factors, including genetics, race/ethnicity, age, body size and general diet. Salt sensitivity is defined as when a person’s blood pressure changes significantly from increasing or decreasing salt in the diet. Older people, overweight people, women, African-Americans and South Asians are examples of groups that are known to have greater salt sensitivity. The issue of salt sensitivity underlies the reason that many studies show conflicting results about the impact of sodium on health for the general population. Some people don’t experience changes in blood pressure or water retention when eating salt and others do, depending on their salt sensitivity. Most studies tend to report averages but ultimately it’s the salt-sensitive people who should be most concerned about sodium intake. How can you tell if you are salt sensitive? There’s no easy medical test for salt sensitivity, but if you can, watch out for certain symptoms. In general, eating a healthy diet low in processed foods, high in fruits and vegetables, and lots of home-cooked meals, is a safe bet for everyone.

4. If you don’t add salt in cooking or at the table, your diet will be low salt. 
False. The majority of sodium intake comes from processed foods, not the amount of salt you add in cooking or at the table. And no one needs lots of processed foods in their diet! Processed meats, canned soups, tomato and pasta sauces, bouillon, breads, crackers with salted toppings, and just about anything that comes prepared is high in sodium. If you do eat processed foods, look for lower-sodium soups and sauces available in many stores.

5. Watching my salt intake means eating bland food. Life’s just not worth it! 
False. Herbs, spices, garlic, onion, lemon and lime juice, red and black pepper can all add flavor to your dishes so that you don’t need to depend totally on salt for flavor. Actually, adding salt into your home-cooked meals has a much smaller impact than eating lots of processed and prepared foods, which are much higher in sodium.

6. Hot sauce is a good replacement for added salt in dishes. 
True. Some people like to add hot sauce to their food instead of salt on the premise that they ingesting less sodium that way. Hot sauces, salsa, ketchup and other similar sauces can add a peppery flavor to your foods, but many of these still contain excess salt. Some brands that are lower on the sodium scale are Tabasco, Cholula, and “no-salt added” labeled products.

7. I’m young, so I don’t have to worry about my salt intake. 
False. When you eat excessive salt, your body holds onto extra fluid. This extra water volume puts pressure on organs like your heart and kidneys, as well as on your arteries. This increases your risk of heart disease and high blood pressure later in life. While young people don’t have to be super restrictive, it’s not a good idea for anyone to eat foods with excessive amounts of salt.

8. Working out offsets salt intake. 
True. Exercise does affect salt sensitivity. A recent study shows that physical activity was shown to significantly lower salt sensitivity of blood pressure, especially in salt-sensitive individuals. Eating excess salt can still cause fluid retention, which puts pressure on your organs and arteries, but may not increase blood pressure.

9. The effect of salt on my body is separate from the effect of sugar. 
False. One of the main mechanisms behind a lower carb diet is a reduction in insulin levels. This is helpful not just for diabetes, but for weight loss because insulin tells fat cells to store fat. But another thing that insulin does is to cause the kidneys to hold onto sodium. That’s why you lose excess water, and along with it sodium, when you reduce carbs (and therefore insulin).

10. Fancy salts like Himalayan, kosher and sea salts have less sodium than regular table salt. 
False. All salt contains a similar amount of sodium and there are no studies that prove that one is healthier than another. Opponents of regular table salt argue that these “fancy salts” contain less sodium and contain trace minerals such as calcium, potassium, iron and phosphorus, but there’s little evidence to prove this. These salts may, however, taste better and be less processed, so it really is a matter of personal preference.


Written by Lea Basch, M.S., RD, a the registered dietitian for The Tasteful Pantry. Lea has been in the nutrition industry for more than 30 years and was one of the founders of Longmont United Hospital's nutrition program in Boulder, Colorado. She is a diabetes educator and focuses now on gluten-free diets and food intolerances. Lea's passion is combining the science of nutrition with the heart that it takes to change lifelong habits. This article was originally published on www.livestrong.com

10 Amazing Benefits of Chlorophyll

You may have heard a lot of buzz surrounding the healthiness of vegetables, especially leafy green vegetables with deep, rich color tones. In many ways, they’re perfect foods and part of the credit is owed to the chlorophyll they contain. Chlorophyll is a green pigment that’s instrumental in photosynthesis. Research also suggests it’s instrumental in promoting good health. The following 10 benefits demonstrate its amazing versatility and power.

1. Helps Control Hunger and Cravings
A study released in September of 2013 determined that compounds containing chlorophyll might help suppress hunger. Twenty moderately overweight women were given test meals on three separate occasions one week apart — two meals with chlorophyll, one without. They reported reduced hunger following the meals containing the chlorophyll and blood tests showed stable blood sugar levels. ^[1] These results suggest chlorophyll should be considered as an effective way to manage hunger and promote weight loss.

2. Controls Body Odour

Chlorophyll is good for your body from the inside out, literally. This includes body and fecal odours. When tested in a nursing home with 62 patients, one study reported improvements in the odors emanating from the test subjects. In addition to odor reduction, it also alleviated constipation and gas. ^[2]

3. Encourages Healing
The use of chlorophyll to promote the healing process was first reported nearly 100 years ago. One report published by Butler University (in 1950!) discussed its use for improving healing times. ^[3] A more recent study found that, when used as a spray, chlorophyll significantly helped wound therapy. ^[4] The research clearly backs its effectiveness in this area.

4. Promotes Cleansing
Environmental pollutants such as toxic metals can quickly destroy health. Chlorophyll binds with toxic metals to hamper absorption, and research has shown it can do the same with some carcinogens. A crossover study with 4 human volunteers tested chlorophyll’s ability to remove ingested aflatoxin, a known carcinogen. Each volunteer received three servings of the aflatoxin, followed with a meal, the latter two included a tablet of chlorophyll. The results showed rapid elimination with 95% evacuated within 24 hours. ^[5]

5. Protects DNA Against Fried Foods
Fried foods aren’t just bad for your waistline, they also contain chemicals known to damage colon tissue and the DNA of colon cells. In one study, participants who ate fried foods coupled with protective foods, including chlorophyll, were observed to have less DNA damage of colon cells. ^[6] Don’t take that as just cause to go crazy with the fried foods, the best idea is to avoid them altogether.

6. Super Potent Antioxidant Action
Chlorophyll’s status as a superfood is due to its nutritional and potent antioxidant properties. It protects cells from oxidative damage by eliminating free radicals. ^[7] One plant known for its high chlorophyll levels, Conyza triloba, showed very active superoxide scavenging behavior. An in vitro study found it capable of reducing free radicals while reducing cell damage. ^[8]

7. Promising Potential for Cancer Therapy
Although the research doesn’t currently show that chlorophyll is an all out cancer cure, researchers are excited about its potential as a therapy. One study found men with lower levels of dietary chlorophyll had higher risks of colon cancer. ^[9] Another study noted it effective at stimulating liver detoxifying enzymes and may protect against other carcinogens. ^[10]

8. Effective Against Candida albicans
Candida infection is a big problem for many individuals and can lead to fatigue, depression, and digestive problems; just to name a few. Research has shown that isolated chlorophyll solutions stop Candida albicans growth. ^[11]

9. Relieves Systemic Redness and Swelling
Traditional medicine has long used green leaves for infections. With modern approaches that have limited effectiveness and a long list of side effects, natural remedies are getting another look. Animal studies have found that green leaves help to reduce swelling and redness! ^[12]


10. Promotes Healthy Iron Levels
A modified form of chlorophyll known as chlorophyllin may be highly effective for anemia. By swapping iron for magnesium at the center of the molecule, it provides a bioavailable form of iron the body can use. ^[13] While scientists may look for ways to develop patent-able medicines, no one needs to wait to take chlorophyll to gain its benefits.


Chlorophyll: An Excellent Dietary Supplement
Chlorophyll possesses an amazing range of benefits and is readily available to everyone. Chlorophyll rich foods are also healthy in their own right and contain essential vitamins and nutrients needed for cardiovascular, muscular, and neural health. Consume foods containing chlorophyll or take a dietary supplement for best effect. Blue-green algae is one of my favorites. Do you take chlorophyll? What effects have you noticed? 

If you do not consume enough green leafy vegetables in your normal diet, you might want to try Unicity's Chlorophyll powder which can be easily dissolved in drinking water or juices as a simple but effective supplement. 

This article first appeared on http://www.globalhealingcenter.com/natural-health/10-amazing-benefits-of-chlorophyll/ by Dr Edward Group.

References:

1. Stenblom EL, Montelius C, Östbring K, Håkansson M, Nilsson S, Rehfeld JF, Erlanson-Albertsson C. Supplementation by thylakoids to a high carbohydrate meal decreases feelings of hunger, elevates CCK levels and prevents postprandial hypoglycaemia in overweight women. Appetite. 2013 Sep;68:118-23. doi: 10.1016/j.appet.2013.04.022. Epub 2013 Apr 28.
2. Young RW, Beregi JS Jr. Use of chlorophyllin in the care of geriatric patients. J Am Geriatr Soc. 1980 Jan;28(1):46-7.
3. Esten, Mabel M. and Dannin, Albert G. (1950) “Chlorophyll therapy and its relation to pathogenic bacteria.” Butler University Botanical Studies : Vol. 9, Article 21.
4. Weir D, Farley KL. Relative delivery efficiency and convenience of spray and ointment formulations of papain/urea/chlorophyllin enzymatic wound therapies. J Wound Ostomy Continence Nurs. 2006 Sep-Oct;33(5):482-90.
5. Jubert C, Mata J, Bench G, Dashwood R, Pereira C, Tracewell W, Turteltaub K, Williams D, Bailey G. Effects of chlorophyll and chlorophyllin on low-dose aflatoxin B(1) pharmacokinetics in human volunteers. Cancer Prev Res (Phila). 2009 Dec;2(12):1015-22. doi: 10.1158/1940-6207.CAPR-09-0099. Epub 2009 Dec 1.
6. Shaughnessy DT, Gangarosa LM, Schliebe B, Umbach DM, Xu Z, MacIntosh B, Knize MG, Matthews PP, Swank AE, Sandler RS, DeMarini DM, Taylor JA. Inhibition of fried meat-induced colorectal DNA damage and altered systemic genotoxicity in humans by crucifera, chlorophyllin, and yogurt. PLoS One. 2011 Apr 25;6(4):e18707. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0018707.
7. Zhang YL, Guan L, Zhou PH, Mao LJ, Zhao ZM, Li SQ, Xu XX, Cong CC, Zhu MX, Zhao JY. [The protective effect of chlorophyllin against oxidative damage and its mechanism]. Zhonghua Nei Ke Za Zhi. 2012 Jun;51(6):466-70.
8. El-Sayed WM, Hussin WA, Mahmoud AA, AlFredan MA. The Conyza triloba extracts with high chlorophyll content and free radical scavenging activity had anticancer activity in cell lines. Biomed Res Int. 2013;2013:945638. doi: 10.1155/2013/945638. Epub 2013 May 23.
9. Balder HF, Vogel J, Jansen MC, Weijenberg MP, van den Brandt PA, Westenbrink S, van der Meer R, Goldbohm RA. Heme and chlorophyll intake and risk of colorectal cancer in the Netherlands cohort study. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. 2006 Apr;15(4):717-25.
10. Dingley KH, Ubick EA, Chiarappa-Zucca ML, Nowell S, Abel S, Ebeler SE, Mitchell AE, Burns SA, Steinberg FM, Clifford AJ. Effect of dietary constituents with chemopreventive potential on adduct formation of a low dose of the heterocyclic amines PhIP and IQ and phase II hepatic enzymes. Nutr Cancer. 2003;46(2):212-21.
11. Lilian Eiko MAEKAWA, LAMPING Roberta, MARCACCI Sidnei, Marcos Yasunori MAEKAWA, Maria Renata Giazzi NASSRI, Cristiane Yumi Koga-Ito. Antimicrobial activity of chlorophyll-based solution on Candida albicans and Enterococcus faecalis.Revista Sul-brasiliera de Odontologia 01/2007.
12. Subramoniam A, Asha VV, Nair SA, Sasidharan SP, Sureshkumar PK, Rajendran KN, Karunagaran D, Ramalingam K. Chlorophyll revisited: anti-inflammatory activities of chlorophyll a and inhibition of expression of TNF-? gene by the same. Inflammation. 2012 Jun;35(3):959-66. doi: 10.1007/s10753-011-9399-0.
13. Miret S, Tascioglu S, van der Burg M, Frenken L, Klaffke W. In vitro bioavailability of iron from the heme analogue sodium iron chlorophyllin. J Agric Food Chem. 2010 Jan 27;58(2):1327-32. doi: 10.1021/jf903177q.

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New Year, New Body?

'Tis the season of making resolutions (we even have a contest about it) and statistics show that one of the top resolutions is *drumroll* to LOSE WEIGHT. Sounds familiar?

That is all and good but over the past few years, body-shaming is becoming more and more prevalent, especially through social media. Nonetheless, we at Pásshen say that you're beautiful no matter what your body type is and no matter where you are on your fitness journey.

Journey. That's the keyword when it comes to health and fitness. That is why we provide a platform for you to choose what feels most comfortable to you (perhaps a yoga session or a slimming massage?).

Love yourself. Because there's only one YOU. 

What's Your Take On Plus Sized Models On The Runway?

I first saw this image on Facebook where my friend shared it with the following comment:

"Not body shaming, but it is NOT ok to be fat. If you have medical issues and became big cuz (sic) of hormonal imbalance etc, then fine. But no, having a very plus sized woman walk the runway doesn't make it ok to be fat, it doesn't make her "real". Since when is keeping urself (sic) fit and trim "unreal"?? Nonsense."

My initial reaction was shock, anger and denial that the model above (Ashley Graham, who is a US size 16) shouldn't be on the runway. Although she's not stick thin like the typical model, I think she's beautiful! Moreover, the comment does seem to be body shaming.

Here the comments from her friends and some of our mutual ones:

I agree with all of them. What Graham has done by coming up with her own range of lingerie for plus sized women and to be the model herself is to show the world that you can be sexy and beautiful at ANY size.

True, we do need to keep ourselves healthy and fit but what the media portrays with stick thin models or only athlete's bodies isn't representative of the world's population. We're all of different sizes and at different stages of our lives.

The initial Facebook post by Explore Talent was based on this article, which you can read here. Interestingly, there's no mention about being 'real'. What Graham has done is to help women to regain confidence and self esteem about their bodies. I honestly do agree that even if you are obese, if you love yourself and your body, you'll start to be more self assured and take steps to be more healthy while not stressing over trying to conform to societal's view of 'sexy' and 'beautiful'.

Well, not everybody thinks that the model is beautiful as we can see from some other comments:

I do have to agree with 1 point, which is that since we're body shaming fat women, we should be body shaming skinny people to be fair too! Haha....just kidding. What I really mean is that there's no single body type that should be socially shamed. What is more important is general health which cannot be really seen from physical appearances although that's how we've been socially trained plus trained by evolution to accept.

As I've mentioned in a previous post, I've met super fit yoga instructors who still have curves/bulges but are able to out-crunch and out-bend you (one of them even instructs body pump so I think she may out-run you too). I've also met skinny people who look like they're the epitome of health but when it came to the annual Physical Training Test in school, they couldn't pull themselves up nor jump far enough to pass. During my stint at Outward Bound, 2 of our instructors couldn't be physically different as night and day. One was stick thin while the other was stocky and tall. But when it came to physical endurance and fitness, both were on par. They could outrun my male classmates who barely finished their National Service and could be considered to be in their prime of health.

To challenge my friend's comment about not "putting up ultra skinny models up on the runway cuz (sic) they bring across bad message to the little girls starving themselves"...if we can put skinny models on the runway, then why can't we put plus sized models? The world doesn't have a single size (I still don't get size 0 by the way...to be, 0 is the absence of a size), we're all made of different shapes and sizes. As someone who has struggled with my weight due to my endometriosis as well as my love for food plus genes that just love fats, I would love to see a runway that celebrates ALL women on the runway. No single size. Put them ALL on the runway. That's "real" because that's reality.