Your Best Pharmacy is Right in Your Grocery Store!

Your Best Pharmacy is Right in Your Grocery Store!

Originally submitted to SUBSTANCE Magazine, July 22.2007

Tips for your best body and health care along with superb beauty care are as close as your grocery store!

With our social consciousness focused on climate change and the catch phrase, “Answer the Call” imbedded in almost every single media message, we are living in an eco-friendly world.

It makes sense to cut down on purchases with extra or, what seems to be, unnecessary packaging. Personally, I tear off all the packaging that comes with all of my purchases anywhere that I make them and leave it at the point-of-purchase – FYI. If enough customers do this, it will send a strong message to marketers and retailers. Save trees! Save the environment! Say “No” to extra packaging!

Being soft on the environment also means looking for “zero carbon footprint” products, products that do not add, by way of reaching the consumer, minimal, if any, carbon emissions. The best solution is to get clever and resourceful. Look for ways to “get natural”.

Stick to “peripheral shopping” when you go to the grocery store. By this I mean, try to stick to the outside aisles the of grocery store. In the store floor outline, you’ll find all your necessary fruits and vegetables, grains, fish and meats, dairy, breads and grains. Almost all the foods down the aisles are heavily processed.

Colourful fruits and vegetables are rich in vitamins, minerals, and beta carotenes. Spinach is a rich source of iron and folate. Within its deep dark colouring lies an amazing source of phytochemicals, which are important in the day to day battle against the signs of aging (yes, even in your 20’s!). Blueberries are disease fighting jewels, loaded with antioxidants, and fibre for digestion health.

Fibre-rich foods such as whole grains, root vegetables, and a variety of legumes (beans such as red kidney beans and lentils) are beneficial to your heart health. Oatmeal, especially non-instant, is high in fibre and aids in lowering LDL or “bad” cholesterol levels. Oatmeal is great for staying regular. It also gives you a “full” feeling over a longer period of time – called satiety. It’s a great addition to your breakfast if you’re trying to drop a few pounds! Oatmeal’s fibre keeps you fuller, longer.

Soy protein contains many vitamins, minerals, and fibre which, like oatmeal, aids in lowering LDL or “bad” cholesterol. Examples include tofu, and soy-based energy and snack bars. I recommend trying some of the dessert tofus such as mango, strawberry, and crème-caramel. They are delicious!

Salmon, and other cold water fish, are rich in omega 3-6-9 oils or essential fatty acids. You can also take as a supplement capsule with meals. These fish and fish oils are highly beneficial to heart health.

Two great remedy foods for an upset stomach are pineapple and papaya. Both contain enzymes called bromelain which aid in digestion and help settle stomach acids. Pineapple juice in boxes or cans is a great way to have a faithful remedy near at hand.

As always, watch the fat content in your food, especially microwave meals! Try to keep these to under 10g of fat per “entrée”. Avoiding or limiting your alcohol consumption ensures you won’t wreak havoc with your skin chemistry. Drink plenty of water to flush toxins from your body and remain well hydrated.

Now, on to beauty!

A few years back I became really interested in natural skin care. A girlfriend of mine invited me to a home party for Aloette cosmetics. First of all, I highly recommend Aloette’s skin care lines as they are all natural-based with the healing and rejuvenating powers of the plant aloe being the focus. Their prices are quite affordable. Just a note, you don’t need to hold a party or go to one – you can call their 1-800 number to place individual orders.

Plain yogurt mixed with oatmeal creates a gentle facial cleanser. Any milk, buttermilk, or cream makes great facial cleansers. The lactic acid in the milk acts as a very gentle exfoliant. Use them like a regular cleanser using your hands and water, or by applying with a soft facecloth and rinsing thoroughly.

Steeped green tea is a gentle cleanser and also has antiseptic properties, which is really great for problem skin experiencing minor blemishes.

On dry skin, try vegetable or olive oil mixed with honey and then mixed to 1 to 2 parts water. Rinse thoroughly.

Witch hazel is an economical skin toner and antiseptic. You can buy 500ml bottles for as little as $3 – 4. The bottle will last a long time!

You can create your own home facial and body scrubs. Using your favourite cream or body wash, mix with baking soda or brown sugar and use as you would your regular scrub.

Any vegetable oil, when warmed in the microwave, can act as a hot oil treatment for your hair. Added tip: Heat a small amount in a cereal bowl. Soak your fingernails and cuticles for 10 minutes and massage. This will leave your cuticles softened and your nails highly glossy!

Mayonnaise or yogurt can be used to create a luxurious “hair mask”. Adding mashed fruits or vegetables to the mix adds more moisture and definitely has an aromatherapy effect! Try cantaloupe, melon, cucumber, avocado, or banana.

It’s never too late to live naturally and get eco-friendly! If you gradually shift your perception of how to approach your future grocery trips, you’ll be living naturally sooner than you know it. And saving the planet!

Live Fit – Live Beautifully!

REFS/Sources:

Webmed.com

Aloette.com

Greenliving.suite101.com