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.

Promo Extension! Get A $200* Hamper When You Sign Up Today!

Due to popular demand, we're extending this Promotion! 

Great rewards await you when you join Pásshen as a client!
Get a mystery gift worth more than S$200* in health and wellness goodies when you join us as a member. This promotion is valid from 1 Jan till 31 Mar 2016.

How to qualify?
1. Sign up as a member
2. Email marketing@passhen.com your username, email address and mailing address
3. Once we have checked your status, we will mail the gift to you within 5 working days!

What are you waiting for? Sign up NOW!


*Terms & Conditions:

1. This promotion is only eligible for members who sign up from 1 Jan till 31 Mar 2016, both dates inclusive.
2. Eligible members will get a confirmation email when their mystery gift is sent out. The gift will be sent out within 5 working days of member registration.
3. Items within the package are subject to change and cannot be exchangeable for cash, credits or other products.
4. This promotion open to all except staff of Pásshen.
5. Each unique user is only eligible to receive one mystery box.  
6. Pásshen is not liable for any lost mystery gifts due to postage. 
7. Pásshen reserves the right to amend, extend or terminate this promotion and/or the terms and conditions without prior notification.
8. By taking part in this promotion, you will hereby agree to all stated terms and conditions.

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.