The Skinny on Skin Care

When you think of skin care, what thoughts come to mind? Beauty products such as cleansers and moisturizers may be the first items we think about because they are constantly being advertised on TV, internet and print ads. These ads tell you that their products can give you smoother, firmer, and younger looking skin. That could be the case, and although skin care products can be very beneficial, there is more to the care of our largest organ than meets the eye.

Before we delve into the details of caring for our skin, it is important to first understand the vital role that it plays in our physicality. Our skin, made of three layers is our first barrier or shield to protecting our internal organs from environmental toxins and disease. Without it we would be extremely vulnerable to sickness and injury. That is why its care is ever important to protecting our health and well-being.

Although the skin is designed in nature to protect us, it is regularly subjected to environmental elements, prone to breakdown with the onset of age, and often neglected or abused because of our own bad habits. Like other parts of our body, if we don’t take steps to protect and preserve it, we start experiencing the negative effects. Such factors as poor diet, overexposure to the sun, cigarette smoke, air pollution and harsh chemicals from soaps and inferior products can cause skin cell damage, leading to wrinkles, acne and other skin conditions.  Although younger skin can take much more of a beating than more aged skin, it behooves us all, at any age, to practice good, care habits. 

Some of the ways in which we can easily care for our skin and keep it looking and feeling healthy are some simple preventative measures. The most basic measures that are a no-brainer to most of us are avoiding cigarette smoke, overexposure to the sun, getting enough sleep, engaging in regular exercise, eating healthy and drinking enough water. However it is the devil in the details that eludes many of us. If we don’t know the right foods to eat, products to use or daily habits to practice to nourish and protect our skin, we stand a very good chance of inadvertently neglecting this natural insulator. 

We can best begin treating our skin by treating ourselves internally. Good nutrition is by far the best way to begin. Eat a variety of fruits and vegetables that are rich in antioxidants like beta-carotene, vitamins C, E, and A. They can protect the skin cells from getting damaged from free radicals which cause signs of aging.  Some examples are blueberries, strawberries, grapefruit, kale, spinach and peppers. Also, include foods such as wild salmon, sardines, eggs and walnuts which are high in omega-3 fatty acids– also good for the skin.

The next best way to care for your skin is to treat it topically. However, it is important to be cautious with the kinds of products you use to cleanse and moisturize. You want to look for products that contain natural ingredients, not harsh chemicals that can irritate, or animal oils like lanoline and petroleum that can clog the pores. Also, use products that conform to the natural Ph level of your skin and are right for your skin type, whether oily, dry, combination, or sensitive. The goal is to find the right products that will nourish your skin while expelling toxins. 

It is also very important to protect ourselves from overexposure to the sun as this could lead to skin cancer. For protection against the damaging UVA AND UVB rays of the sun, use a sunscreen with an SPF level that is the right protection for you.  

 Dr. Reuben Chen says your skin is your first line of defense. The Sunrider skin care products that he discusses in the video below are based on the Philosophy of Regeneration, which states that in order to balance the skin you need to nourish and cleanse it with the proper nutrients. It’s the same philosophy used for the Sunrider foods that nourish, cleanse and help get your body in balance.  In essence, it’s about nourishing your body from the inside out. Go to his video to learn more at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=foUA8XKD380

If you would like further guidance on how to obtain smoother, firmer, healthier, more radiant skin please contact Sunny Sarah, Wellness Coach at: sarahreinholtz18@gmail.com or call 908-510-3899

Use Diet to Manage Allergies

Allergy season will soon be upon us. Are you one of the many that suffer with allergy symptoms during the early spring and fall?  As soon as the pollen or ragweed is out you probably reach for a Benadryl or some other kind of anti-allergy pill to avoid the onslaught of symptoms such as itchy eyes, coughing, sneezing and congestion.  Unfortunately, the effects of the medicine eventually wear off and then you have to take another. What a crazy merry-go-round! But what are you to do when you need that antihistamine to be able to function throughout the day! The problem is that many of us only think in terms of immediate relief, when we should be thinking ahead about how to resolve the overall health issue.

The first step in addressing the ongoing occurrence of allergies is to realize the source of the affliction which is histamine. Histamine is a natural chemical that our cells release to eliminate allergens from our system. When regulated it works as a defense mechanism to protect our system from toxicity. However, when histamine levels are elevated this causes an excessive amount of inflammation which can lead to hay fever, asthma and other respiratory complications.  Although allergy medications are helpful in relieving the symptoms that high histamine levels can cause, they often bring side effects such as sleepiness and lack of focus which can make it unsafe to drive. Moreover, long term regular use of antihistamines can lead to further health problems such as increased blood pressure and elevated heart rate. Rather than just treating the symptoms with anti-allergy medicine, why not consider your body’s overall nutritional needs?

The best, most proactive approach to dealing with allergy afflictions is to think about what you are putting in your body. A healthy diet is certainly an important consideration because we can control the level of histamines in our body by simply eating food that is anti-inflammatory rather than food that will only aggravate these ailments.

Foods that are beneficial for preventing the overabundance of histamine are mainly fresh fruits and vegetables, particularly those that are high in Vitamin C and E. Produce like citrus fruits, broccoli, cauliflower and berries have anti-oxidant properties that counter inflammation. In addition, foods that are high in omega-3 fatty acids, magnesium and bioflavonoids are good in decreasing the cells that react to allergens. Those are apples, onions, tea, grapefruit, okra, cashews, bran, kelp, salmon, walnuts and flaxseeds. If you can help it, avoid aged, preserved and processed foods, along with alcohol and caffeine. They are irritants which only add to the severity of allergic reactions. In addition, reduce the amount of dairy you consume since it is a major allergen which can only aggravate your condition further. Another way to keep allergies in check is to eat probiotic foods that work to balance the immune system with beneficial microbes, like yogurt. Also, you should flavor foods with spices such as fennel and anise because they help to break up congestion.

Of course, the most obvious way to lessen or prevent allergies is to avoid the allergens in the first place. However, in an imperfect world, that is not always possible since we are constantly being exposed to toxins in our environment. The best approach is to commit to following a diet that is rich in whole foods that can help control your histamine levels. Of course that is easier said than done. It takes a lot of commitment to make nutritional adjustments to our daily eating habits. The good news is you are not alone and can get the guidance you need.

If you are an allergy sufferer and are looking for a better way to heal your body, I can provide a nutritional alternative to help regulate your histamine levels so that you can begin to experience better health. My name is Sunny Sarah and I am a Wellness Coach. Arrange your nutritional consultation with me today by contacting sarahreinholtz18@gmail.com or call 908-510-3899.

Immunity and Gut Health

We’ve been discussing how the strength of one’s immunity impacts overall health. Through regular exercise and good nutritional eating practices, our bodies are able to build and maintain a robust defense so that we can ward off illness and experience optimal wellness. 

The possession of a strong immunity is always within our reach, especially when it comes to deciding what we put in our mouths. Good nutrition is the key to our body’s defense. How? It starts with the consumption of whole foods that promote a healthy gut or gastrointestinal tract. Good bacteria or flora that is numerously contained in the gut help keep our tract fit by fighting infection that is caused by harmful pathogens. When we eat foods that are high in fiber and low in sugar and saturated fat, our bodies are able to maintain a proper balance of these good microbes that can outweigh the bad ones. 

With too much sugar, alcohol and saturated fat consumption, we get an excess of bad bacteria that can cause inflammation leading to a disease known as leaky gut syndrome. Leaky gut syndrome is a condition in which gaps in the intestinal walls widen, allowing bacteria, toxins and undigested food particles to pass into the blood stream. This can cause digestive disorders, inflammatory breast cancer, diabetes, obesity, and other ailments. A way to prevent this disorder is to eat fermented and high fiber foods such as yogurt, sauerkraut, fruits, vegetables, legumes and whole wheat grains, like oatmeal. 

The beneficial bacteria, also known as probiotic bacteria, live in our GI tract and account for 75% of our immunity function; they are the key to maintaining good health. With the aid of the above mentioned nutritious foods, microorganisms are able to thrive and prevent diseases from forming in the gut.  They are a governing factor to our immunity because they work with our cells to help regulate our metabolism and fight infection. In essence, they work hand in hand with our immunity. 

Although eating healthily seems like a no-brainer, the difficult part for many is in sticking to a consistent diet that will benefit our gastrointestinal system. Long work hours, vacation, holidays and other life events can distract us from sticking to our normal eating patterns. Even stress and lack of sleep can cause an imbalance in your microbial level. Anxiety, depression and sleeplessness often cause us to binge on sugary and salty junk food that can induce a leaky gut leading to some of the ailments that were mentioned. 

The best approach to avoid the pitfalls of poor eating habits is to plan your menu ahead of time with meals that will incorporate the right nutrients to nourish the digestive organs and preserve the bacteria that protects your immunity. Now that summer is here, it cabe especially hard to decide what to eat for that picnic, camping trip, or day on the beach. If you’d like to learn how to keep yourself on track with healthier eating habits, while still enjoying some fun in the sun, I’d love to talk to you. My name is Sunny Sarah and I am a Wellness Coach. You can reach me at sarahreinholtz18@gmail.com or call 908-510-3899

Exercise-Another Pathway to a Strong Immunity

The strength of the body’s immunity is a most important consideration, especially when it comes to the prevention of a serious illness, such as what many have experienced with the COVID-19 pandemic. Previously the topic of whole foods was discussed as a dominant factor to maintaining a strong immunity. In addition to a nutritional diet, another important component to maintaining wellness is physical fitness. Now that the warmer weather is upon us and summer is around the corner, it’s the perfect time to take advantage of outdoor activities. Although we must all adhere to safety measures during the quarantine, this doesn’t prohibit us from engaging in some form of movement to build overall optimal health. Although indoor activity is fine, we get an added bonus from being outside by absorbing Vitamin D from the sun.

Exercise is beneficial when it comes to balancing all bodily systems, namely the Endocrine and Lymphatic Systems. With the help of movement and exertion, both systems play an active role in maintaining good health. Exercise enhances the Endocrine System’s ability to regulate metabolism, improve mood, increase circulation, and boost muscle growth.  Consequently you are better able to cope with physical and psychological stress when you are at a healthier weight, have a stable heart rate, possess greater muscle mass, and enjoy a peaceful state of mind. The Lymphatic System has its own role in the body’s healthy function. Its purpose is to rid the body of toxins which in turn supports a healthy Immune System. The increase in physical activity enables the muscles to push harder to rid the body of waste, thereby protecting it from disease and infection. 

Dr. Tei-fu Chen, Herbalist, Pharmacist, and Founder of Sunrider International speaks about the important role that muscles play in supporting the body’s Immune System. When we take care to nourish and activate the muscles, he says, they in turn will support the Lymphatic System’s role to cleanse the body from the inside out.  He emphasizes that movement is the key to supporting the immune system. Even with a sedentary lifestyle, he emphasizes how essential it is to get up and move every hour to keep the immune system strong.

Sunny Sarah’s Primary Care Physician, Dr. Uthappa encourages eating well and good nutrition. In addition, he says, “It’s important to keep moving and be active. If you don’t, the body breaks down.” He’s seen that first hand with his patients over the years.

Along with eating healthy, I can help you get on the right track with an exercise routine that meets your needs. I encourage you to choose an activity that you enjoy doing and exercise at least 3 to 5 times per week.  Of course it is important to always check with your doctor first before beginning any exercise regimen. Once you have chosen an activity and frequency that is right for you, remember to be consistent because that is the key. Although you may fear you’ve missed a lot of chances to get in shape, keep in mind that it is never too late to start an exercise routine. 

For more information about how to get healthier and fit, contact Sunny Sarah, Wellness Coach at: sarahreinholtz18@gmail.com or call 908-510-3899

Your Immunity and the Corona Virus-A Road Map to Health in a Time of Uncertainty

We would all like to remain healthy despite a virus that has infiltrated our country.
Consequently, many of us are doing our part by washing our hands, wearing a mask, and
using gloves, but are these measures enough? Have you ever stopped to ask yourself if
your health truly stacks up to the threat of a pandemic? This could very well be your wake-up call to
start adopting a new set of habits to preserve and protect your overall health. It starts with
building a strong immunity; to ensure your body is well-armed against environmental or
any other kinds of pathogens. Your immunity, the system that controls your body’s
ability to fight infection, is of most pertinent consideration. However, it is human nature
to lose sight of this when you are regularly bombarded with distractions such as work,
holidays, family obligations, and other life events. You may begin with good intentions
by starting a healthier diet regimen and signing up for fitness classes, but only find
yourself gradually slipping away from these commitments. Consequently, you end up
where you were in the first place, addicted to sugar, chronically symptomatic, and
spending too much time again on the couch. You can rationalize your behavior and
procrastinate, claiming that there is always tomorrow or next week. However, what
happens when the unthinkable happens?
When an unusual event like a pandemic occurs, many of us will not be ready because we
have not armed our bodies properly with enough of the correct nutrients to safeguard us
against vulnerability to sickness and disease. Often, we’ll make last-ditch efforts to deter
a cold or the flu by pumping ourselves full of vitamins, zinc tablets, protein powder or go
on fad diets. Unfortunately, these do not compensate for what we have denied our bodies
over time. Inevitably, our systems break down. The big question you might often ask
yourself is how you can stop this endless merry-go-round of cravings, binges, crash diets,
and compromised immunity. The short answer is simple. You can begin by
concentrating on the condition of your immunity with the practice of prevention, which
lies in the daily consumption of whole, nutritious foods.
The Chinese have been practicing preventative medicine for 5000 years. Chinese
medicine approaches health through a holistic outlook; by creating and maintaining
balance in the body with the necessary nutrients that it needs for optimum functioning
and well-being. When the body is healthy or has the correct balance of Yin and Yang, it
is better equipped to prevent bacterial and viral ailments from occurring. Easily said than
done? Indeed, it is true that it is often difficult in our fast-paced society to maintain a
proper balance of nutrition in our diet, including the fact that much of what we eat is
processed. However, it is not impossible to supplement the nutrition that you’ve been
lacking to strengthen your immunity.
Dr. Tei-fu Chen , who is an Herbalist, Pharmacist, and Founder of Sunrider International,
has used his knowledge of Chinese medicine to develop the Philosophy of Regeneration

which states that only with the proper balance of nutrients in the right combination can
vital systems of the body be fully nourished and cleansed from the inside out. With this
in mind Sunrider International created a line of products that are designed to do just that.
By using the right combination of whole food ingredients devoid of any chemicals, Dr.
Chen’s Philosophy of Regeneration has been the catalyst for the formation of Nutrition-
on-the Go Foods that are designed to fill in the nutritional gaps as well as nourish,
cleanse, and help your body to get into balance. These food products such as shakes, teas,
and other offerings contain the essential nutrients that enable the five major bodily
systems, the Endocrine, Immune, Digestive, Circulatory, and Respiratory to work
together to maintain an overall healthy equilibrium or Yin/Yang balance. Consequently,
they can help make a difference in improving your overall health and resistance to illness.It all comes down to taking responsibility for your health; to be proactive with a plan to
protect and preserve your immunity, to be ready for unprecedented times such as this. Do
you have a plan today for ongoing better health? If not, I’d like to help. My name is
Sunny Sarah and I’m a Wellness Coach. I’d like to chat with you about your health goals
and how Dr. Chen’s Sunrider products can help you, as they have helped me.
You can reach me at sarahreinholtz18@gmail.com or call 908-510-3899.

Guest Blogger Andrea Harrison