5 Tricks to Erase Wrinkles Naturally

By Ayren Jackson-Cannady, REDBOOK

Before you Botox, try these five easy at-home tricks to fight aging naturally.

1. Wash With Oil: 

Sounds terrifying, right? But you should relax and try it if you have dry, weary skin, says Miami Beach dermatologist Leslie Baumann, M.D.: "Many natural oils contain linoleic acid, which helps skin retain water." Start with 10 ml of olive oil, says natural skin-care expert Sharon Gnatt Epel, then mix in 2 drops of one of these oils: carrot seed to boost elasticity, frankincense to restore skin tone, or lavender to calm redness. Massage it in for thirty seconds, then rinse with warm water. We promise, no morning-after acne.

2. Rub These In: 

Meet the latest crop of natural time-busters from around the globe. African Anogeissus, found in Origins Plantscription antiaging serum, $55, stimulates production of fibrillin (a protein responsible for skin's "bounce back"). Kiehl's Rosa Arctica Youth Regenerating Cream, $60, is infused with Bulgarian Haberlea rhodopensis floral extract, a collagen booster. And sandthorn berry, a skin tightener, is found not only in some of the world's harshest climates but also in Yves Rocher Ovale Lifting Redensifying Night Care, $46, and Badger SPF 30 sunscreen, $16.

3. Massage the Years Off: 

You can smooth skin with D.I.Y. acupressure, according to Maya Kron, acupuncturist at James Corbett Studio, a New York City spa. These moves will release tension and boost elasticity. Using the index and middle fingers of one hand, massage between your brows for 20 rotations. Apply light pressure to temples for 10 seconds, then to your jawbone joint (located in front of your ears) for 10 seconds. Repeat. Lightly press the muscle that protrudes when you clench your teeth for 5 to 10 seconds.

4. Get Juiced: 

Salma Hayek is  44. How is that possible? The actress swears by juice cleanses, so much so that she cofounded Cooler Cleanse, a $58-a-day juice delivery program. During the three-day cleanse, you guzzle a whopping 18 pounds of organic fruits and veggies each day, says company cofounder Eric Helms. "This floods skin with vitamins A and C and other nutrients that boost cell turnover." No way you're spending more than your family's grocery budget on this regimen? Down a glass of green juice every day for a week instead. (At a juice bar or health-food store, ask for a blend of spinach, celery, parsley, lemon, pears, and cucumber.) By day seven your skin should feel softer and look more luminous. We'll drink to that.

5. Snack on Superfoods: 

"Skin is a matrix of proteins, water, and fats that needs a nonprocessed food supply for replenishment," says dermatologist David Colbert, M.D., author of The High School Reunion Diet.  Here are three line-softening nibbles to grab now: Almonds pack skin-plumping fats and vitamin E, a powerful antioxidant that helps offset UV damage. Dark chocolate with a cacao content of 72 percent or higher is rich in damage-fighting antioxidants as well. Blueberries give you a magic combo of antioxidants and collagen-protecting vitamin C.

berry charlottes

 Source: adapted from Cannelle et Vanille

Are you looking for a show-stopping dessert?  Something light and fresh?  Look no further.  These individual berry charlottes fit the bill.  I have always, always wanted to make a charlotte.  They are so beautiful and seemingly complex.  A dessert filled with mousse, topped with fresh berries and tied with a bow is right up my alley.  Over a year ago I purchased a regular charlotte mold as well as individual ring molds with this goal in mind.  What took me so long?  For one thing, I’ve never been extremely fond of lady fingers.  Up to this point the only kind I had tried were store bought, and those are nothing to write home about.  Mostly, I had just built these up in my head so much that I didn’t think the real life result would live up to my idea of them.

Finally, inspired by Valentine’s Day coming up and the fresh berries at the store, I decided it was time to get over my anxieties and just go for it.  I am so, so glad I did.  These individual desserts were lovely, light and refreshing.  It turns out homemade lady fingers are worlds better than the purchased variety.  (Though, don’t forget the step of sprinkling powdered sugar on them before baking!  They look much prettier than without the sugar.)  I am really excited to try more varieties of charlottes when other fruits are in season.  I think they would be an ideal Valentine’s Day dessert, but even more they call to mind an elegant bridal or baby shower.

On a related note, I must say how thrilled I am that my son is learning phrases like “ladyfingers”, “blackberry mousse” and “raspberry mousse”.  I have a very sophisticated two year old :)  He loved everything about these, the mousse in particular.  And I loved watching him enjoy it!

Individual Berry Charlottes
Printer-Friendly Version
Yield: 4-5 individual charlottes
Ingredients:
For the ladyfingers:
3 large eggs, separated
½ cup confectioners’ sugar, sifted, plus more for sprinkling
1/3 cup granulated sugar
½ cup all-purpose flour
For the blackberry mousse:
½ cup strained blackberry puree
2 tsp. granulated sugar
½ tsp. gelatin
1½ tsp. cold water
½ cup heavy cream
For the raspberry mousse:
½ cup strained raspberry puree
2 tsp. granulated sugar
½ tsp. gelatin
1½ tsp. cold water
½ cup heavy cream
Fresh berries, for serving

Directions:
To make the lady fingers, place the egg whites in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment.  Beat on medium-high speed until foamy.  Gradually add the sifted confectioners’ sugar, and continue whipping the egg whites until a stiff, glossy meringue forms.  Transfer the meringue mixture to a medium mixing bowl.  In the empty mixer bowl, now fitted with the flat beater, combine the egg yolks and granulated sugar.  Beat on medium speed until thick and pale yellow.  With a spatula, fold the egg yolk mixture into the meringue until smooth and blended, taking care not to deflate the egg whites.  Gently fold in the flour until no streaks remain.
Preheat the oven to 375˚ F.  Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.  Transfer the batter to a pastry bag fitted with a plain round tip.  Pipe the ladyfingers onto the prepared baking pans, about 3 inches long and 1 inch wide.  Additionally, pipe small rounds for the bases of the charlottes (about 2½-3 inches in diameter).  Sprinkle additional confectioners’ sugar over the piped ladyfingers.  Bake until light golden, about 10 minutes, rotating the pans halfway through baking.  Let cool on the pans 10-15 minutes, then remove the ladyfingers and cake bases to a wire rack to cool completely.  (Yield: approximately 36 ladyfingers plus 4 cake bases)

To make the blackberry mousse, combine the blackberry puree and sugar in a small saucepan over medium heat.  Bring to a boil.  While the mixture is heating, combine the gelatin and water in a small bowl to soften.  Once the fruit puree reaches a boil, remove from the heat.  Stir in the softened gelatin mixture.  Let cool to room temperature.  In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, beat the heavy cream on medium-high speed until stiff peaks form (be careful not to overbeat!)  With a spatula, gently fold in the fruit puree until well mixed and no streaks remain.
To assemble the charlottes, place a cake disk inside the bottom of each 3-inch ring mold on a flat plate or baking sheet.
Line the edges of the mold with upright ladyfingers, flat sides facing toward the center.
With the blackberry mousse in a pastry bag fitted with a large plain round tip, pipe some of the mousse so that it comes approximately halfway up the height of the ladyfingers.  Transfer to the freezer to let the mousse set, about 30 minutes.
To make the raspberry mousse, combine the raspberry puree and sugar in a small saucepan over medium heat.  Bring to a boil.  While the mixture is heating, combine the gelatin and water in a small bowl to soften.  Once the fruit puree reaches a boil, remove from the heat.  Stir in the softened gelatin mixture.  Let cool to room temperature.  In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, beat the heavy cream on medium-high speed until stiff peaks form (be careful not to overbeat!)  With a spatula, gently fold in the fruit puree until well mixed and no streaks remain.

Fill a pastry bag fitted with a large plain round tip with the raspberry mousse.  Pipe a layer of the mousse into the center of the charlottes, leaving at least ½-inch of exposed ladyfingers to act as a rim for the berry topping.  Transfer the charlottes to the refrigerator to chill the mousse until ready to serve.
Before serving, gently remove the ring molds from the charlottes.  Tie a decorative bow around the outside of each cake.  Top with fresh berries and serve chilled.

Source: adapted from Cannelle et Vanille

One day before Valentine's Day

Small things become great when done with LOVE.

And once again:
Wishing you lots of love on Valentine's Day... and always!

Dr. Oz: Five pains you should never ignore

By Mehmet Oz | Chatelaine

(img from Chatelaine)

As a cardiac surgeon, I've encountered people with all kinds of aches and pains. And I can say with certainty that pain is one of our bodies' most complex, misunderstood warning systems. Sometimes it means that we simply overdid it at the gym, while other times it can be a sign of something much more serious-even deadly. In fact, knowing how to recognize these five most dangerous pains might just save your life.

1. Thunder and lightning headache
Headaches can range from annoying to downright debilitating. But there's one type that really worries me. This headache comes without warning, feels like an intense explosion and can have devastating consequences. People almost always describe it as "the worst headache of my life," and it's usually the result of an aneurysm (an abnormal balloon that grows out of the wall of a weakened blood vessel) bursting in the brain. It can lead to stroke or even death if not treated quickly. Fortunately, recognizing this headache and getting to the hospital quickly can improve your odds of survival. While some people are born with aneurysms, most of us aren't. And good lifestyle habits-like not smoking and controlling your blood pressure-go a long way in preventing them from rupturing or even happening in the first place.

RELATED: Dr. Oz's two-step plan to outsmart weight gain 

2. Vise grip around your chest
If you experience progressively worsening tightness in the centre of your chest that radiates down your left arm or up to your neck and jaw, it may signal a heart attack. I worry because many women wait too long to seek help, perhaps thinking the pressure is too mild to be a real heart attack. Be aware of that. And if you also experience nausea, heartburn, shortness of breath, sweating, back pain, sleep disturbance or weakness, seek help immediately. Proper treatment within an hour hugely improves your chances for a full recovery.

RELATED: Dr. Oz's top three age-defying secrets 

3. Severe abdominal pain 
Major discomfort in your right upper abdomen may be caused by gallstones blocking your gallbladder. The gallbladder is a small sac attached to the liver that stores a fat-digesting fluid called bile. Too much cholesterol in the bile can lead to stones, which are usually harmless but can cause the gallbladder to become inflamed. If the inflammation progresses, the gallbladder can rupture and require an immediate operation. Prevent gallstones by keeping a healthy weight, exercising and avoiding foods high in saturated and trans fats.

RELATED: Four fitness trends to add to your workout routine

4. Stabbing pelvic pain
Sharp, severe pain in the lower abdomen or pelvis, often accompanied by vaginal bleeding, could point to a life-threatening ruptured ectopic pregnancy. This occurs when a fertilized egg implants somewhere other than the uterus. While you can't prevent ectopic pregnancy, recognizing it early can help avoid rupture. So if you think you're pregnant and you've had a previous ectopic pregnancy or STDs, or you smoke, make sure your doctor rules this out, generally through a pelvic exam.

RELATED: How to stop emotional eating: Three important steps 

5. Swollen, tender leg 
We all have occasional soreness in our legs, but when the pain is in only one calf and accompanied by swelling, take it seriously. This could be the sign of a clot in the veins of your leg called a deep-vein thrombosis (DVT). The big problem with a DVT is that a piece of the clot can break off, travel to your lungs and cut off your oxygen supply. To help prevent a DVT, stay well hydrated and stretch often during long trips.

RELATED: Train your thyroid to burn more fat

Dr. Oz is Chatelaine's on-call medical expert. The Dr. Oz Show airs every weekday on CTV at 4 p.m. ET and 3 p.m. CT. For more health advice from Dr. Oz, click here

Valentine's Day is coming...

Wishing you lots of love on Valentine's Day and always!