Getting Jaded!

    There’s a new tool on the block that really isn’t new at all—the jade roller. These rollers have been used in China for centuries and can be used daily to help preserve the skin's youthful appearance. If you have been in to Skin Zen Acupuncture & Esthetics, chances are you felt a cool, rolling motion during your facial known as the Jade Roller. :)
Benefits of Jade Roller-
Aids in closing pores
helps tighten and firm the skin
reduces puffiness
releases blocked sinus congestion
plumps wrinkles
relieves stress
reduce inflammation
aids in lymph drainage
gives a youthful glow
tones facial muscles
aids in removing toxins from the skin by circulating the lymphatic system

Incorporating acupressure, Acupuncture, or massage can boost these effect!


Not only that, but the Jade stone itself hold healing properties.

Jade stone healing power: Solid to translucent. "Very Lucky Stone", peace, serenity, memory, increases vitality, encourages harmony, inspires wisdom, prolongs life. . Each with its own slightly different use. Green: Health, wealth, longevity stone. Ancient Chinese used it also for courage, wisdom, justice, mercy, emotional balance, stamina, love, fidelity, humility, generosity, peace, harmony, lungs, heart, thymus, immune, kidney and blood detoxification and the nervous system. It is a very popular gemstone projecting universal love, health, wealth and long life. One of the most pure and serene stones, it carries the "wisdom of the ages". Combining the powers of heaven and earth it can inspire you to make clear choices quickly, leading to the path of true joy and abundance. Can treat disorders of the heart and spleen. Brings out the deep peace from within. Dispels negativity. Powerful in balancing emotions. Encourages change, heroism. Promotes idealism and beauty. Increases fertility, longevity.  Brings needed energy. Facilitates healing, meditation, Considered a "Dream Stone." Benefits female discomfort. (http://www.creativegiftsofhealing.com/stoneguide.htm)

The benefits of the Jade roller are amazing. Take one home next time you are in to take advantage daily of all the effects listed. I use mine every night before bed. It is a very relaxing way to wind down at the end of the day!

Seaweed...in your bath??

Its that time of year….its getting cold out… your skin is starting to get dry…and you body is feeling a little stagnant. The perfect fix is easier than you think. Have you tried taking a seaweed bath at home? It is as easy as buying dried seaweed and adding it to your hot bath. The properties and benefits of  seaweed are out of this world!

The lymphatic system washes and filters waste products from your body's cells and tissues, carrying these wastes to elimination organs such as the kidneys, liver and skin. The lymph system can get congested and stagnant over time. Seawater can be used to cleanse and rejuvenate the body. A weekly seaweed bath can stimulate lymph circulation and help return your lymphatic system to optimal performance.

Seaweed supports detoxification and the elimination of excess fluid in body tissues. Its electromagnetic action releases fluid from congested cells and dissolves fatty wastes, according to "Healthy Healing." Other benefits to the body's lymph system include boosting immunity, raising energy levels and promoting stress relief.

Seawater contains many trace minerals that support the endocrine system. While soaking in a seaweed bath, your body can absorb these nutrients directly into its bloodstream, which provides nourishment and promotes healing. Brown seaweed varieties have a high concentration of iodine, which facilitates detoxification, stimulates metabolism and boosts thyroid gland activity. The high vitamin K content in seaweed boosts adrenal gland activity to balance stress and reproductive hormone levels.

Researchers say seaweed bathing promotes increased circulation of blood and lymph flow and has been used as an anti-cellulite remedy. The increased circulation can even help your body burn fat! J

Thalassotherapy also helps heal surface wounds, firms the skin, improves skin tone and helps the skin retain moisture.

Whoa! So go home run a nice warm bath….and for goodness sakes add some seaweed to it for all of these benefits!

 

Is Group Acupuncture for you???

Group style acupuncture is growing increasingly popular across America… And for good reason-- We are in desperate need of affordable, preventive and holistic care.  Beyond the obvious (acupuncture given in a group setting), it is a way to receive care that in many ways transcends the benefits of  private  treatments.

 Just as with anything that is done in a group, the effects can be amplified. The results can actually be more effective both on the physical and on the mental-emotional level.

The cost is greatly reduced, making this an incredibly affordable way to practice self-care, to recover from pain/injury, or treat any of the other imbalances that acupuncture is known to help. Here it is sometimes less than what most people spend on coffee and snacks during one day!! 

FAQ about group acupuncture:



Is there any privacy or does everyone get to hear what I say? 

Answer: Our room is very peaceful and calming with music playing as well as a “white noise” machine going. This makes it a little more difficult to be heard unless talking is loud. If you are a very private person that is coming in for something you do not want people to know anything about you may want to have a private session first to do a private full interview.

Do I have to take clothes off? 

Answer: No. Just your shoes and socks, and maybe a sweater of jacket if you are wearing one. you will want to wear something comfortable like workout clothes.

Is it as effective as a private treatment?

 Answer: Yes!! Jessica uses the same techniques and attention as she does in a private session.  

What if I can’t relax with others in the room? 

Answer: 

Because Acupuncture itself is deeply relaxing along with the relaxing environment , people usually don’t have too much trouble letting themselves relax but for some people it make take a few group sessions to get used to.

  How often do I need to come? 

Answer: Depends on what you are being treated for. Sometimes people come in 2 times per week for a couple of weeks, then decrease to once per week, then down to a “tune-up” schedule of what works for them (usually once per month or per season).

Now through December 1st we are offering an intoductory price of $10 so everyone can try it out! If you are one of those people who has always wanted to try acupuncture this is a good way to get in for only $10 to see what you think.  Jessica has group acupuncture sessions every weekend. Our Facebook and Twitter feeds can keep you up to date on the times or you can contact Jessica@skinzenpdx.com 

CRAVING local businesses!

Last night was the launch of CRAVE Portland guide. It is so inspiring to be part of a guide that has a group of such amazing women entrepreneurs who are all following their dreams and making it happen! This book is definitely something you need to check out as it is the ultimate guide to Portland women owned businesses.

Here is a sneak peak of some of my favorite quotes from the book!

What tip would you give women who are starting a business?

                “Bury all fears of failure in a bow, lock it up and throw away the key. Any passionate woman can nurture a business into success with focus and determination.”- Jasmine Tran of Essance

What tip would you give women who are starting a business?

                “Be exactly who you are. Clients will resonate with that and come back for more.”- Brandie Kajino of SOHO Solutionist

                “Remember your sisterhood! Reach out for help, and it will be there. Business is not about cutthroat competition anymore. We are most successful when we help each other thrive.”- Juniper Martin of Juniper Martin, MD

Oh and did I mention there are discounts offered from the businesses in the back of the book! : ) No matter what your CRAVING there is something for you. Available at Skin Zen, come pick one up and check out all the awesome women owned businesses!

My Sister! My Friend! My Business Partner….?

  When I tell people I have a business with my sister I hear everything from “That would be my dream to open a business like that with my sisters,” to “I don’t think I could do something like that with my sister!” But business wasn’t always something we did together. As a kid I started many businesses….The Babysitter’s Club, The We Love Kids Club, The Cleaning Club, the list goes on but I’m just now noticing that they always seemed to end with ‘Club!’ They made a decent profit, in fact we once made enough to take the entire company to see the Nutcracker. The ‘entire company’ was always the same: myself as President, my best friend Danielle as Treasurer, my other best friend Brittney as Secretary, and my younger sister Marcy…definitely not ever included! And I think she was totally fine with that, she didn’t seem too interested.

Fast forward about 15 years and here Marcy and I are running Skin Zen Acupuncture and Esthetics (She wouldn’t let me name it The Skin Zen Club J nor was I allowed to be designated ‘President’). How did this all come about? I was in the middle of acupuncture school and Marcy was trying to decide what career path to take. We wanted to find something she would like to do that would fit nicely with acupuncture so we could start a business together. Well, Marcy wasn’t up for Medical school J, insurance billing sounded boring to her, and I couldn’t talk her into massage school either, so finally we found an esthetician program that focused on natural skincare. I’ll admit it, I had to kind of talk her into it, but she jumped in with the vision of combining our skills for one awesome business. Luckily, it turned out she happened to absolutely love learning and practicing natural skincare. Plus, she ended up being completely amazing at the treatments too, if I do say so!

So here we are with our business and we both absolutely love our jobs and being able to make our own decisions, but what’s it really like starting a business with your sister? For us, our personalities and strengths are different enough from each other that it works to our advantage. While we are always respectful of each other and are really drama-free, we can say things to each other that some wouldn’t be able to say to a co-worker or business partner. For example, when I ask what she thinks of the advertising flyer I made, she can just cut right to it and say “That color is so ugly!” And I have no problem nagging her about posting the blog I wrote. Not that we don’t ever get on each other’s nerves, but we aren’t worried about offending each other.

As we continue to build our business together, we push ourselves and each other to provide the best possible care and service to our customers. We are just living our dream of loving our work, and we’re looking forward to adding another sister to the business once she’s old enough…we think we have our youngest sister talked into joining us as a massage therapist once she’s 18!

A sister is both your mirror and your opposite.

You can kid the world, but not your sister.

Why I Love Acupuncture

  Being an acupuncturist, people assume I love acupuncture, but people are constantly asking, “How in the world did you end up doing acupuncture?”  It seems even more unlikely to have happened since I grew up in a very small town that had never had an acupuncturist.  I knew about acupuncture and had even seen it done at a young age because my family had used it to heal a variety of things. But the thought of ever doing acupuncture as a career had never crossed my mind even once. It wasn’t until my second year of college when I wrote a paper about Chinese Medicine that I really became interested in what it had to offer. After three years of studying acupuncture at the Oregon College of Oriental Medicine, the things that intrigued me when I first learned about it are same reasons I still love the medicine today. Here are a just few of the things I love about Oriental Medicine:

·         Nature: Oriental Medicine uses nature to explain and diagnose things going on in the body. For example, a redness of the skin may be ‘heat’ or an involuntary shaking of the body is addressed as ‘wind.’

·         Treating the unexplained: Since it was created thousands of years ago when there weren’t modern diagnoses, Chinese Medicine is designed to treat symptoms or patterns. This means that even if a person’s illness or symptoms can’t be labeled as a specific Western medicine diagnosis, a Chinese Medicine diagnosis can be given and treated with acupuncture, herbs, or other modalities.

·         Considers the entire body and a root cause: A Chinese Medicine diagnosis doesn’t just look at the one issue or symptom the patient is complaining about, but considers everything else going on in the body as well in order to look for a root cause to resolve. For example, if a person has neck pain it is a problem local to that area, but there may also be other internal causes that need to be treated as well.

·         Balance: Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine are all about balance- balance in the body, balance of yin and yang, and overall balance in life. This just makes sense to me because in general too much or too little of anything can be a problem.

·         It works!!: No matter what people may say about acupuncture and whether we know exactly how it works or not, the fact is it does work! While every person responds differently to any treatment, I watch it help and amaze people all the time!

And that is exactly why I love acupuncture and I love sharing it with people every day!

By: Jessica Tatieze, LAc, Skin Zen Acupuncture & Esthetics

The truth about Sun/Sunscreen

 Since we haven’t had much sun this summer, I feel like when it did finally arrive we all ran out to bask in the rays all day. (Including me!)  I myself needed a little reminder about the damages the sun causes when it does arrive. So I turned to The Complete Beauty Bible to remind me to stay in the shade for a little while. These are the top 6 sun truths on my list that remind me to be smart about my sun time.

Truth #1: There is no safe tan! I understand how good it feels to be tan…BUT it is not worth the risks! Either get a spray tan….OR embrace your white but healthy skin J

Truth #2: UVA rays are the sun’s silent killers. Yep that’s right! You cant feel them but they are the main cause of skin cancer and wrinkles! They also penetrate through glass windows.

Truth #3: Damage to your skin from the sun begins within the first minutes your exposed to sunlight…Not when you start feelin the burn!

Truth #4: Not wearing sunscreen because its cloudy or not very hot? Even on a cloudy day the suns rays are causing damage. (Those dang UVA rays)

Truth #5: According to the FDA, a products SPF tells you how long you can stay in the sun while wearing it without getting burned. Not a lot of people are aware of exactly how this works. If it normally takes you 20 minutes in the sun before turning pink, and SPF 15 product will let you stay in the sun for 5 hours without burning. The formula is 20(minutes) X (SPF number) = 300 (minutes). That only applies if you are not swimming or sweating. If you are getting wet, reapply every 60-90 minutes.

Truth #6: Waterproof sunscreens aren’t actually waterproof. The FDA is order manufactures to eliminate such a claim from sunscreen labels. Sunscreen can be water RESISTANT..but not waterproof. Water-resistant sunscreens need to be reapplied every 40-80 minutes if you are swimming.

So don’t let this scare you indoors for the rest of the summer…just remember to be smart…limit your time out in the sun…and apply/reapply your sunscreen!! J

Negative Ions=GOOD Positive ions= BAD NEWS

We are heading out to seaside today to soak up some negative ions! Don’t worry they aren’t really negative J

Positive ions surround us every day as pollutants. These positive ions are what ages our skin causing dark spots, sagging, wrinkling, and breakouts.

So how do we get negative ions to counteract the positive? From the ocean! Being near the ocean is a huge source of natural negative ions. Other ways of getting negative ions is from eating healthy and being out in nature…hiking…near waterfalls.

These negative ions don’t just give you glowing skin they also:

• enhance the immune system
• increase alertness
• increase work productivity and concentration
• reduce susceptibility to colds and flu
• relief from sinus, migraine headaches, allergies and hay fever
• reduce the severity of asthma attacks
• increase lung capacity
• stabilize alpha rhythms

So get out to the coast in this beautiful weather and soak up those negative ions. Don’t forget your physical block sunscreen J

What my summer salad has how many calories???

A typical orchard salad is 895 calories!!! Ouch! I know we have all had our moments at a restaurant eating an 895 cal salad feeling really healthy right?!?? So here is an orchard salad I found with 533 cal (much better!) and it is full of powerful antioxidants!

1 ounce walnuts

¼ teaspoon agave nectar

Pinch of kosher salt

3onces mixed baby greens

2 ounces grapes, halved

1 ounce celery

1 ounce red onion

2 ounce English cucumber, diced

¼ cup fresh strawberries, sliced

¼ cup fresh blueberries

1 ounce dried cranberries

1 teaspoon fresh mint leaves

2 teaspoons pomegranate juice

2 teaspoons lemon juice

1 and 1/2 tablespoon olive oil

Combine all ingredients and toss with pomegranate juice, lemon juice, and olive oil. 

Enjoy immediately.

YUMM! Perfect summer salad!

Are you battling cellulite this summer??

These are our top 5 tips for winning the battle!

1.    Acupuncture- Acupuncture is a safe, natural way to help eliminate cellulite. Even though cellulite affects your outward appearance, it appears in the deeper layer of your skin. That’s why external treatments like topical creams cannot effectively deal with the problem. Acupuncture deals with cellulite at its source, by nourishing connective skin tissues from within. This is an intensive treatment designed to cleanse and improve circulation, as well as, firm and improve skin tone focusing on problem areas. With the help of acupuncture you will notice smoother feeling legs and a firmer looking appearance in your skin.

According to the Chinese medical theory, cellulite is related to a condition of excess dampness or mucous in the body. Also, deficient spleen energy, causing poor digestive function, is often the root cause of both over-weight and cellulite. The Chinese medical approach to this problem involves strengthening spleen energy with acupuncture and herbs, although the treatment must be individually tailored since each person will require a different balancing of energies. Cellulite deposits are locked away and cannot be readily used for fuel. This is why acupuncture is such an important solution in fighting against cellulite.

Benefits of Cellulite Acupuncture:

Helps to eliminate orange peel appearance of the skin Smoothes, firms and tightens the skin Targets problem areas of the hips, buttocks and thighs Promotes elimination of fat and cellulite Prevents further accumulation of fat deposits Increases circulation to improve texture and muscle tone It is non-surgical and non-invasive Provides re-oxygenation of the skin Detoxifies tissues Activates fluid circulation

  

2.    Exercise- Yes this is an obvious one but very important!  The best exercises to lose cellulite combine cardiovascular exercise – walking, jogging, swimming, aerobics – with strength training, such as weight lifting using dumbbells or circuit training machines.

3.    Believe it or not, you can rub warm coffee grounds on you’re the areas that you want to treat for cellulite. Simply take warm coffee grounds and massage them onto your problem areas with your hands or a loofah mitt for 10 to 15 minutes. You may want to put newspaper on the floor of your bathroom before beginning, as this natural cure can be quite messy.

Coffee works on cellulite by decreasing the amount of water stored in your fat cells. While this is an effective natural technique for cellulite reduction, it is a temporary treatment and not a “cure.”Seaweed works similarly to coffee in reducing cellulite.

4.    Another great method to pamper your skin and help with cellulite is to dry brush it. Do this by using a natural bristle brush, and brush the skin in circular motions. Dry brushing works well, because it increases circulation flow, which helps break up the fat deposits. It also promotes new skin growth by removing dead skin cells. After about a week of dry brushing you should see a difference in your skin, it will feel smoother and look healthier.

5.    Massage Treatments- Massage is an extremely powerful way to spark cellulite reduction. The pressure gets down really deep into the skin and helps to break apart deposits of celulite. Second, circulation and bloodflow within the massaged improves significantly. Lastly, lymphatic drainage -- which is what carries toxins and waste away from the skin and out of the body -- is repaired and enhanced dramatically. These 3 effects aren't going to instantly get rid of cellulite deposits, but they will have tremendous effects in the weeks to come; so long as you continue the massage treatments of course.

Use all these tips together, combined with drinking plenty of water and you will be struttin' your stuff cellulite free on the beach in no time! ;) 

KISS

So we recently attended the KISSpdx conference which is all about creating a sisterhood or support group along with keeping yourself and your business sustainable by taking care of yourself. It was a great reminder of a few things for us that I want to remind you of also!      www.kisspdx.com

1.    1.  Take time for yourself! Chances are you’re at the bottom of your own list but it is seriously important to take time to rejuvenate yourself. Everyone around you will benefit!

2.   2.  Eliminate some stress from your life! I have written on here before that stress makes you fat, wrinkly, and gives you a dull complextion—not to mention its horrible for your health! So get rid of a few stressors in your life! See your blog from way back in January for more on that. J

3.   3.   Love yourself! It’s so much easier for other people to love you when you love yourself!

Doing these things will not only help you feel better…but in turn you will also look better! Feeling good is looking good right??! Yes! Do something for yourself today…your body and your complexion will thank you!

Marcy & Jessica

www.skinzenpdx.com

Sexy Substitutes

ok ladies....heres a few simple substitutes to help keep you sexy while still eating some of your favorite baked goods. 


 Substitute  these ingredients while baking!


Instead of........                               Try........
corn syrup                                      agave syrup 
white flour                                      almond flour or coconut flour
milk chocolate                                dark chocolate 
cows milk                                        almond milk or rice milk
shortening                                      Butter 
vegetable oil                                   grapeseed oil 




Almond Flour Muffins 
3/4 cup unsalted butter
3/4 cup agave syrup 
4 eggs
1/2 cup almond or rice milk
1 teaspoon vanilla 
1 1/2 cups almond flour
1/2 cup organic coconut flour 
2 teaspoons baking powder 
1/4 teaspoon sea salt 
Preheat the oven to 350. Mix cream, butter, and syrup until smooth. add in eggs one at a time, and beat until fully blended. add the milk and vanilla and mix until combined. in a separate bowl, combine the flours, slt, and baking powder. beat the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients. beat until creamy. fill a buttered muffin pan until the cups are 3/4 full and bake 15-20 min. Serve with fresh fruit and whipped cream! YUMM!!




You'll still be able to look yourself in the mirror in the morning when you cook with these savory treats because they'll do your body good. Talk about having your cake and eating it too!!! :) 

Acupuncture-- Healthy Weight Control

So with summer around the corner I have been hearing everyone buzzing about their newest weight loss scheme to get their bodies summer ready. Have you thought of using acupuncture to get ready for summer?? 

There are many reasons people become overweight - hormone imbalances, slowed metabolism, overeating, poor nutrition and lack of exercise are some of the most common.
Using acupuncture to tackle weight loss is a multi-pronged approach.

Help reduce cravings- During an acupuncture treatment good endorphins are released...same as the effect when you eat sugar or carbs. Get this effect from Acupuncture instead of unhealthy food!

Boost Energy- Acupuncture is a HUGE energy booster. With all this extra energy take your workout 30 extra min...or make it to the gym in the first place!! 

Manage Stress- OK, you're stressed. Do you reach for a nice salad or a pint of Ben & Jerry's? I'll bet on the latter. People experiencing chronic stress tend to crave more fatty, salty and sugary foods. This includes sweets, processed food and other things that aren’t as good for you. Also stress alters your hormone levels leading to more fat! Acupuncture is an excellent way to manage stress, leading to a stop to stress eating. 

Balance Hormones- It is almost impossible to lose weight when your hormones are out of balance. Ladies.....wonder why you gain that 5 pounds around that time of the month? Out of balance hormones can cause weight gain. When you use acupuncture to keep your hormones more level and balanced throughout the month you will not see as much of the up and down weight gain. 

Releases endorphins- As mentioned above during acupuncture treatments, endorphins that make you feel happy are released . This can lead to less sugar cravings and a feeling of overall wellness and health. 

This is not a quick fix or an unhealthy pill, but it is healthy and effective! 

Pair regular acupuncture treatments with a healthy eating plan, herbs, and exercise to get ready for summer! 

www.skinzenpdx.com

Could Acupuncture help YOU???

Not sure if Acupuncture can help you?? Chances are it can! Here is a small list of symptoms and problems that acupuncture can help. 



Eye, Ear, Nose, Throat Disorders

• Sinusitis
• Sore Throat
• Hay Fever
• Earache
• Nerve Deafness
• Ringing in the Ears
• Dizziness
• Poor Eyesight

Circulatory Disorders

• High Blood Pressure
• Angina Pectoris
• Arteriosclerosis
• Anemia

Gastrointestinal Disorders

• Irritable Bowel Syndrome
• Spastic colon
• Colitis
• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• Food Allergies
• Ulcers
• Gastritis
• Abdominal Bloating
• Hemorrhoids

Gynecological / Genitourinary Disorders

• Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)
• Irregular, Heavy or Painful Menstruation
• Endometriosis
• Menopause
• Fibroids
• Chronic Bladder Infection
• Complications in Pregnancy
• Morning Sickness
• Kidney Stones
• Impotence
• Infertility in Men and Women
• Sexual Dysfunction

Immune Disorders

• Candida
• Chronic Fatigue
• HIV and AIDS
• Epstein Barr Virus
• Allergies
• Lupus
• MS
• Hepatitis

Addiction

• Smoking Cessation
• Drugs
• Alcohol

Emotional and Psychological Disorders

• Anxiety
• Insomnia
• Depression
• Stress

Musculoskeletal and Neurological Disorders

• Arthritis
• Neuralgia
• Sciatica
• Back Pain
• Bursitis
• Tendonitis
• Stiff Neck
• Bell’s Palsy
• Trigeminal Neuralgia
• Headaches and Migraines
• Stroke
• Cerebral Palsy
• Polio
• Sprains
• Muscle Spasms
• Shingles

Respiratory Disorders

• Asthma
• Emphysema
• Bronchitis
• Colds and Flus

Acupuncture Also Treats

• Chemotherapy/Radiation Side Effects
• Diabetes
• Dermatological Disorders
• Weight Control

AND... Acupuncture Facial Rejuvenation which can act as a natural botox minimizing wrinkles and complexion problems.

Don't have a specific problem? Regular acupuncture treatments can bring balance and energy to the body. Plus you feel like you just got a deep tissue massage when you leave, it is very deeply relaxing. :)


If you are interested in acupuncture but not sure its for you, feel free to  email our acupuncturist, Jessica Tatieze, with any questions you have about your symptoms. Jessica also offers pediatric care. 


Jessica@skinzenpdx.com