It´s time for a re-Zinc: Are Zinc supplements necessary?

It´s time for a re-Zinc: Are Zinc supplements necessary?

At the start of this pandemic, my husband picked us up some zinc supplements from the drug store. They´re known to aid our immune system and recovery, so I´m sure others did the same, but it got me to thinking; are zinc supplements necessary or can we consume enough zinc through diet alone?

 

A Bit About Zinc

 

Our body does not produce zinc naturally, so we must obtain it from supplements or through our diet. This is quite surprising, considering it´s present in cells throughout our body and is essential to many of our vital functions.

In the US, the recommended dietary allowance of zinc is 8 milligrams per day for women and 11 milligrams per day for men. We can choose to take a supplement like this one, from Nature’s Bounty, or we can obtain the zinc we need naturally, by eating a varied and healthy diet.

DISCLAIMER: Recommended levels of zinc are lower when pregnant or breast feeding so always consult a healthcare professional.

 

I´m always in favor of the healthy, most natural option, so I got my research head on and this is what I found.

Zinc-rich Foods

 

Here are the best foods we can eat to ensure we are getting the levels of zinc our body needs each day.

Nuts

 

Eating nuts, such as pine nuts, cashew nuts and almonds, helps to boost your daily zinc intake.

If you´re looking for a nut that is high in zinc, cashews or pine nuts are a good choice. Toast them and sprinkle over a salad, add to a stir fry or grab a handful and enjoy as a snack.

A one ounce serving of cashews or pine nuts includes 15% of your daily recommended value of zinc.

Lentils and Legumes

 

Beans and lentils are a great source of zinc, as well as fiber and plant-based protein. They´re also incredibly versatile. Cook up some tacos, make a curry or blitz some humous and you´ll be well on your way to reaching your daily recommended levels of zinc.

Just one cup of lentils, provides 20% of your recommended daily intake of zinc.

A ¼ cup of humous equates to 8% of your daily recommended value of zinc.

 

 

Hemp Seeds

 

Hemp seeds are high in zinc, fiber, iron, and healthy fats, which we love. Just two tablespoons of hemp seeds provide us with 20% of our daily recommended intake of zinc.

Crush and season into a pesto paste, add to a smoothie or sprinkle over your salad for an extra daily boost.

Shellfish

 

Shellfish is generally a healthy source of zinc, but oysters contain particularly high levels. Just two oysters can provide your total recommended daily intake of zinc. It is also said to give your libido a little boost, or so the rumor goes.

Eggs

 

Eggs are known as being a good source of protein, but they´re also a great source of zinc. Just one egg provides 5% of your daily recommended zinc intake. Enjoy them scrambled, poached, over easy or added to a salad.

Dark Chocolate

 

And finally, the news many will be happy to hear; chocolate is good for you, or it can be. Good quality dark chocolate, with 70-85% coco solids, is high in zinc and antioxidants. Just one ounce of quality dark chocolate provides 8% of your daily recommended zinc levels. Now go enjoy.

I hope you found this share useful.

Will you be having a re-zinc? Are you a supplement taker or do you opt for zinc-rich foods instead?

Until the next time…

DIY: The Ultimate Face and Body Oil

DIY: The Ultimate Face and Body Oil

Today on the Style Beyond Age blog we´re creating DIY the ultimate face and body oil. 

We’re all doing a little more DIY lately. From Dinner to entertaining to spa days, we have all have been asked to stay at home and do it all ourselves. Honestly, these last few weeks have been a refreshing change from our fast-paced, easy-access world that we live in. But we have all been missing the conveniences and joy of everyday life. Today, I’m going to share with you the recipe to my all-time favorite “Do It Yourself” face and body oil, which brings me joy every day!

 

I have always been an advocate of face and body oils. Regular old moisturizers have never really done it for me. They are filled with stabilizers to help their shelf-life and texture, along with a host of other ingredients that I don’t want to put on my most precious organ, my skin.

Make Your Own DIY Ultimate Face & Body Oil

 

Women have been making and using oils to moisturize their bodies for centuries. Applying body oil while you’re still wet helps seal in the moisture. Use this potion daily for ultra-hydrated and super glowy skin.

Uses: 

  • Press into body and face

  • Add to bath to help retain moisture

  • Makeup refresh; pat a little oil onto the skin over makeup to enliven your face and freshen your whole look.

I mix up the following ingredients in equal parts. This healing oil is a concentrated and potent formula; a little bit goes a long way! You can use it in the morning, at night, or both for dramatic results.

 

Rule of thumb, for every 1 ounce of oil you add 12 drops of essential oil. If you have sensitive skin, I suggest cutting the drops from 12 to 6 per 1 ounce. Make sure your oils are cold-pressed and organic. I love a combination of rose and lavender essential oils, but you can mix up your scent. I prepare my body using the Microdermamitt and then apply.

Benefits of Ingredients 

 

 

  • Jojoba seed oil: Jojoba is a healing and moisturizing oil that cleans and clears the skin penetrating deep into the tissues with molecules small enough to pass the dermal barrier. It is an unsurpassed skin conditioner as it contains no triglycerides, and it is shelf-stable, unlike coconut, almond, and grape seed oils. Jojoba also creates an environment unsuitable for infection and fungus.

 

  • Apricot seed oil: This oil is rich in fatty acids and vitamins A C & E the three most important vitamins for combating free radicals in the skin from the effects of pollution and other environmental factors. It is full of antioxidants and is used in traditional Chinese medicine for inflammation, one of the primary reasons for skin distress and deterioration. As with Jojoba, apricot seed oil absorbs quickly into the skin, and it’s never greasy.

 

  • Avocado oil: This oil is packed with vitamins and other collagen-building amino acids. It will soothe and heal broken skin and increase epidermal elasticity for a firmer, more youthful appearance.

 

  • Rosehip seed oil: This is a superstar extract, rich with vitamins and will correct dark spots, reduce fine lines, treat eczema, and resolve scar tissue. It is anti-inflammatory and repairs the skin surface while restoring elasticity and protecting from environmental damage.

 

  • Pomegranate seed oil: Pomegranate is extremely high in Punicic acid which has been shown to significantly inhibit invasion of membranes by cancer cells. Although each of the critical fatty acids works synergistically in the pomegranate, which is why we use only the whole seed, punicic acid is the star is proven to have positive effects on several forms of cancer and all types of inflammation. Full of antioxidants that fight skin aging, this oil is also a potent source of Ellagic acid, another powerful anti-inflammatory.

 

  • Borage seed oil: This oil has the highest concentration of gamma-linolenic acid found anywhere in nature. It will improve or resolve eczema, atopic dermatitis, and psoriasis. It will also address inflammation acute or chronic and heal dry, scaly skin with one application. The oil treats skin injuries and environmental damage, and it plays a crucial role in restoring the intracellular moisture barrier, which is the reason behind dry and damaged skin.

 

  • Sea Buckthorn Seed Oil: This oil is a miracle oil for reversing wrinkles, smoothing and firming skin texture, and diminishing age spots. This oil is also an effective treatment for rosacea, irritation, sunburn, and more. It is packed with vitamin C and fatty acids; this oil is a transformative and healing gift. Only the seed should be used since the berry does not possess these qualities.

 

  • Hyaluronic acid: A natural component of young skin, hyaluronic acid acts as a sponge that holds moisture within your tissue. Replenishing hyaluronic acid helps plump and firm the skin and give it flexibility and strength. It also creates a smooth barrier as it draws moisture from the air and seals it in to create a silky hydrating finish.

 

  • Coleus Forskohlii: Coleus is an aromatic herb that is antibacterial, anti-fungal, anti-magnetic, and anti-inflammatory. It inhibits the growth of skin pathogens and prevents infection. It is both milder and more effective than Tea tree oil.

Essential oils:

 

 

  • Lemon essential oil is the ultimate skin lightener and brighter, it also helps to tighten sagging skin, and it can even help regulate oil production.

 

  • Orange essential oil is an effective anti-aging oil that increases collagen and blood flow, also an excellent antiseptic for oily skin types.

 

  • Lemongrass essential oil is a natural antiseptic and astringent; it can be tolerated on all skin types; leaves skin more even, brighter and glowing.

 

  • Lavender essential oil is an all-around great pic for an essential oil to use on your skin. It is calming, gentle, and nourishing. Lavender oil can reduce the appearance of blemishes and give your skin a youthful glow. The oil can also help you if you are prone to skin irritation or sunburns.

 

  • Tea tree essential oil is nature’s little miracle. Use this remedy on bug bites or small breakouts. This oil is a natural anti-microbial, so it kills bacteria that could cause acne fungus and even dandruff.

 

  • Rose essential oil is a multi-purpose essential oil that can help nourish, hydrate, and heal your skin. Roses have been used for thousands of years to help moisturize and support the appearance of healthy, youthful-looking skin. Rose is the most valuable oil because it is distilled from the rose petal to release a delicate flower oil through steam gently.
Glass bottles to store your body oil: You´ve made your own face and body oil at home, so we need somewhere to store it. These small glass bottles work great as they can be cleaned and reused.

If You Prefer  

 

 

If doing-it-yourself doesn’t suit your needs, check out these oils instead.

DIY Ultimate Face and Body Oil 

 

I hope you´ve enjoyed this share. Let me know which combinations you try in the comments.

Until the next time…

Have you seen? 

 

How to Care for your Winter Items before Putting them Away this Spring

How to Care for your Winter Items before Putting them Away this Spring

I have always washed, not dry cleaned, my sweaters and silks. Now with dry cleaners not readily available, a bit of old-fashioned care comes in handy. So, let´s discuss how to care for cozy winter items before putting them away for spring, and why it´s worth taking these extra steps.

 

Why its Worth Preparing Winter Clothes for Storage

 

Here in Montana, as winter draws to an end, it´s time to start getting my closet ready for spring. That means the sweaters are going into storage, but before I pack them away, they need a bit of TLC.

Of course, they already look clean, but taking this extra step ensures everything is in perfect condition when they are unwrapped again later in the year.

 

Our skin, our body oils, our perfume, deodorant, makeup and minute stains can build-up on our knits without us realizing. Over time, this residue fuses with the fibers and once that happens it can’t be undone. A little bit of closet care now, goes a long way and as we´re all DIY-ing it these days, I thought I´d share my process.

The Process & Products I Use

 

Correctly caring for wool, cashmere or angora sweaters requires some specialized products. I use Woolite, along with a great washer with a wool cycle; mine is an LG. The cycle is short and gentle, using the lowest possible spin speed and the coolest temperature.

Drying Your Delicate Winter Clothes

 

Once the wash is finished, it´s time to air dry. I recommend using a sweater drying rack, like this one from The Container Store. If you don´t have one, you can create one; a rack over a tub will do.  The key thing here is to keep it horizontal and avoid hanging your sweaters while they´re wet, as it can cause the fibers to stretch.

Once dry, hang them using a sturdy coat hanger and get ready for steaming.  There are lots of recommendations on how to do this best. I had some fun.

On Instagram

IRL (in real life)

Work with what you have, but the key things are to have your steamer or iron fully heated up before starting, always keep the steam source an inch or so from the garment and avoid any water dripping onto your clothes. My steamer is the Rowenta 1550W and my iron is the Rowenta Focus.

How to Store Your Winter Clothes

 

Now your winter clothes are ready for packing. Fold sweaters and hang dresses or coats, whenever possible.

And finally, a top tip is to store your winter clothes with a lavender pouch; it not only smells great; it also helps to repel moths.  I took the chance for some fresh air and gathered a bunch from the garden.

I hope you enjoyed this share; how to care for your winter items before putting them away this spring. If you have any other tips, I´d love to hear them. You can share them in the comments…

Stay home. Stay safe. Stay stylish.

How to Boost Your Immune System Naturally

How to Boost Your Immune System Naturally

The world is gripped by a pandemic and we´re all doing our part to stay healthy and flatten the curve. Prevention is better than cure, so let´s talk about how we can boost our immune system naturally. Who´s with me?

 

Natural Ways to Boost Your Immune System

 

I am not a healthcare professional (thank you to those that are), but as time is something we have more of recently, I´ve been researching and looking for ways we can boost our immune system naturally. What we eat, how we spend our time and our mindset, all play a part in strengthening ours body´s defenses.

Here are the tips I discovered along the way…

Eat Well

 

Food is our fuel and eating the right food can help to strengthen our immune systems. Here are the key foods experts recommend and why:

 

Citrus Fruits

 

Citrus fruits are a great source of vitamin C, which is said to increase the production of the infection-fighting white blood cells. Our bodies don´t store or produce vitamin C naturally, so we need to obtain in through our diets. Luckily for us, it´s quite easy to do, as there are a wide variety of citrus fruits that are high in vitamin C. These include grapefruit, oranges, tangerines, satsumas, lemons and limes. A hot lemon water in the morning, a fruit Buddha bowl for breakfast, or a zingy lime dressing on a salad; tasty and healthy!

Spinach

 

Spinach is another great source of vitamin C and it´s packed full of antioxidants. These beauties help to fight infections and are great friends to our immune system. Like most green vegetables, spinach retains the most nutrients when it is cooked as little as possible. You can enjoy it raw in it a morning smoothie or green salad. If you prefer spinach cooked, try it with fish or a poached egg. Just wilt it lightly as this enhances the vitamin A levels and ensures you still receive maximum goodness.

 

Broccoli

 

This is one vegetable that is supercharged with vitamins and minerals. Broccoli contains vitamins A, C and E as well as antioxidants and fiber. To keep all of  it´s nutrients intact, cook it as little as possible, or better yet, enjoy it raw in a crunchy salad.

 

Garlic

 

Garlic is said to have many benefits for good health. Its immune-boosting properties come from a high concentration of sulfur-rich compounds. They think it also lowers blood pressure and helps to maintain healthy arteries. Garlic is found in cuisines around the world and can be worked into most meals, so it´s easy to reap the benefits.

 

Ginger

 

Ginger has long been used for medicinal purposes. Its benefits include reduced inflammation, lower cholesterol and reduced feelings of nausea. It packs a punch, but it is also very versatile. Add it to a morning smoothie, sip a ginger tea or create a simple stir fry.

Almonds

 

Almonds are packed full of vitamin E and although this normally takes a back seat to vitamin C, it is still crucial to maintaining a healthy immune system. Nuts are also packed full of healthy fats and make a great snack. A half-cup serving of almonds, provides almost all of your daily recommended amount of vitamin E.

 

Green Tea

 

Green team is packed with antioxidants and specifically EGCG, which has been shown to enhance immune function. Enjoy regularly to help you stay in tip top shape.

Rest to be at Your Best

 

Our body needs time to rest, repair and recuperate and it does that while we sleep. Advice recommends we have at least seven hours each night to give our body time to do it´s thing. If you find yourself struggling to sleep, regular exercise, a healthy diet and reducing stress can help you to have a more peaceful night.

Find Positive Ways to Pass the Time

 

Have you already enjoyed a Netflix binge watching session? Yes, me too! Netflix has been a great way to relax and pass the time, but sitting on the couch all day isn´t necessarily great for our soul or state of mind. We don´t have to stop the series binges, but incorporating other activities into the day can have some great benefits to our mental health and our immune system.

Here are some suggestions I came across that I found useful:

Zoom with Family

Staying connected with loved ones, when we can´t actually meet, hug or touch each other, is so important. Zoom allows you to get the whole gang together. Enjoy a casual call with friends, or take it to the next level with a pre-arranged quiz or games night.

 

Laughter is the Best Medicine

I was pleasantly surprised by this one, as it turns out laughter really is the best medicine. It boosts your mood and can also increase the levels of antibodies in the mucus of your nose and mouth. It sounds icky, but as this is an entry point for many germs, laughter is a great form of defense. 

 

Exercise Little and Often

 

With movement restrictions in place all around the world, we have to get a little creative when it comes to exercise. Little and often works well. Try for 30 minutes, 5 days a week and you´ll reap the benefits. Exercise not only helps to maintain a healthy body weight, it also boosts your immune system and mental health.

Avoid Stress and Additional Anxiety

 

Stress and anxiety have a negative impact on our immune systems, so if you find yourself feeling anxious after watching the news or scrolling through social media then make an effort to switch off. Take a few days away from the media and instead use the time connect with friends. They´ll pick you up in no time and may be feeling the same way too.

I hope you found this share helpful.

Stay healthy. Stay happy. Stay safe.

Manage Mental Health with these 10 “Me Time” Tips

Manage Mental Health with these 10 “Me Time” Tips

At Style Beyond Age we´re firm believer that “Me Time” and mental health go hand in hand, so today on the blog we´re sharing how to manage mental health with these 10 “Me Time” tips

After a few midnight musings, I’ve realized its unhealthy to get too wrapped up in the media machine. Instead, let´s treat ourselves and manage mental health with these 10 “Me Time” tips. We can use this time to nurture ourselves, both mentally and physically and maybe make a few lifestyle improvements along the way, although that isn´t my main aim here. This is all about managing our mental health and giving ourselves some TLC.  “Me time” also doesn´t need to mean more isolation and deep thinking; it´s about doing the things that make us feel good.

Here are some of the ways I´ll be taking care of myself and monitoring my mental health along the way.

Manage Mental Health with these 10 “Me Time” Tips 

1 – Rest to Feel Your Best

 

A good day starts with a good night’s sleep. We should all be getting seven hours or more each night. If sleep is something you struggle with, experiment with a few drops of essential oil on your pillow or added to a bath before bed, lavender works great.

 

2 – Get Outside

 

Being outside in nature is incredibly soothing. With movement restrictions in place, we´re a bit limited, but a walk around the garden, out with the dog or yoga on the terrace are all ways we can still enjoy the outdoors. The benefits include reduced anxiety and stress, as well as improved physical and mental wellbeing, which are all currently welcome.

 

3 – Unplug from the Media 

 

Take some “Me Time” and really enjoy it. Turn off the news, put down your phone and stop scrolling. Just sit back, relax, enjoy yourself and those around you. You could read a few chapters of your book, enjoy a calming meditation, play games together; whatever gives you the good feels; do it!

4 – Take an Epsom Salt Bath

 

An Epsom Salt bath soothes many woes; from eliminating dry skin and inflammation to encouraging detoxification and relaxation. For an extra treat I recommend adding a splash of lavender essential oil. It´s total bliss!

 

5 – Continue your Skincare Routine  

 

When our skin feels good, we feel good. Treat yourself to a relaxing face mask and leave yourself with a soft and glowing complexion. You could amp up the enjoyment with a home face massage too. A good hand care regime is also needed, with all this hand washing. Find out what products I´m using to ward off dry hands here. 

 

6 – Make Staying Active a Priority

 

Staying active offers so many benefits. It helps to keep us strong, healthy, flexible and can ease the menopause monster. Gyms might be closed, but we can still join an online class, train in the garden, or watch some of the many free classes available on video platforms like YouTube.

7 – Connect with Your Favorites

 

Family and friends bring with them all the good feels. Make the effort and time to enjoy the company of those you love the most, and do it as often as possible. Video calls and online meeting services like Zoom, make staying connected simple.

 

8 – Enjoy feeling Sexy

 

Sexy is an attitude rather than a look. Be confident, enjoy your body, have fun and your personal style of sexy will shine through.

 

9 – Say No when it suits You

 

Learn to say “no” when something doesn´t serve you. Toxicity is like poison. Let go of it and allow yourself to thrive.

 

10 – Self-Monitor through Meditation

 

I recognize the benefits of meditation, but I can´t say it came to me naturally. I´ve never been one to sit still for too long. Meditation is about more than that though. It´s your time to check in with yourself. It allows us to manage our mindset. Notice how your feeling, the peaks and troughs, and act.

 

Manage Mental Health with these 10 “Me Time” Tips 

 

Shut out the noise and allow some serenity in.  Good health isn´t just physical. Our souls need TLC too.

Now go treat yourself and manage mental health with these 10 “Me Time” tips.

Stay safe. Stay home. Stay healthy.