About a month and a half ago I started using the Obagi Vitamin C Serum. It is my absolute favorite skin product to-date. I started seeing results about 2 weeks in. My face was smoother, my color was more even and my face kind of glowed. It has evened out my color so much that I am using less and less of my tinted moisturizer. I use the 10% serum because it’s less oily and absorbs very quickly into my skin. I really could go on and on but instead the wonderful people at Dr. Farrior’s Facial Plastic Surgery Center have kindly offered to give one away ($75.00 value)!

For a chance to win, please send an email through the H&H Contact page. A winner will be chosen at random tomorrow. Good luck!

Update: Congrats to our winner, Traci Barnes!!!

Reader Tip: ‘Like’ Dr. Farrior’s Facebook and page and get a chance to win even more goodies!

*Good Luck!*

Written by Lea Barlow • 3 Comments

It may seem obvious but just because a favorite treat now comes stamped with an organic seal of approval it does not give you license to shovel large quantities down your gullet. ORGANIC describes how foods are produced not how much sugar, fat or calories a food contains. While I am not so naive to think those Oreos are diet food I am guilty of filling my basket full of carb-laden ‘organic’ snacks at the Fresh Market. I have a particular proclivity towards organic blueberry granola. I once finished off half a bag in one sitting. But I digress.

Organic food is the latest victim of the ‘health halo’ effect. The ‘health halo’ is a phrase heath professionals have used for years to describe a food item labeled with persuasive terms that lead to additional caloric intake.  A classic example is the low fat cookie in grocery stores that has the same amount of calories as its regular fat counterpart. Terms like low-fat, organic, or trans-fat-free, cast a wide halo around a food item and this tends to hide some of its less nutritious attributes.

My advice is and always will be to READ THE LABEL. Do not assume that because it says ‘gluten-free’ and ‘whole grain’ that you have free reign to go for seconds or thirds. Additionally, remember that ‘made with organic ingredients’ is not the same thing as 100% organic. Avoid items that contain ingredients you cannot pronounce and stay clear of high fructose corn syrup (the devil) and artificial sweeteners.

A 100% organic cookie is by all means a healthier choice if you are in the mood to treat yourself. But remember, it is still a cookie.

Written by Lea Barlow • 1 Comment

Name: Deina Deal

Kids: A proud mother of two healthy and vibrant boys. Dayton 9 and Dustin 4.

Occupation: Physio sport and injury specialist

Owner of Zoelle Skin and Body, a body cleansing and therapeutic center. Creator of “The Fat Flush, natural liposuction.” Co-creator of Zoelle Skin Essentials, a line of essential oils and detox dead sea salts and soaks.

Hometown: San Clemente, CA

H&H Interview with Deina:

1. What are the top 3 items in your grocery cart?

A nine year old, a four year old and anything organic…like pre cut carrots and snap peas. No one has time to cut anymore. Maybe some quinoa gluten free pasta as well, we’ve seen amazing temperment changes with our son…gluten free works.

2. What are you reading (honestly)?

After years of reading medical books, I now read kids books to my boys, anything from Dr. Suess or Road Dahl.

Plus I’m writing a book of “The Fat Flush, natural liposuction” treatment that I created at Zoelle.  Writing is hard…I’d rather read.

3. What is your guilty pleasure when you get a break from the kids?

A crispy Belgian Waffle on my cheat meal. I’ve found that if I don’t give myself or my clients a cheat meal here or there, we fail.

4. What would we be surprised to find in your purse?

Candy… for my kids, of course.

5. What is your favorite reality TV show?

The biggest loser…no surprise.  My life has become about helping people get the bodies they want. Plus I think the show does a great job in showing the personal side of the contestants, I get emotionally involved with them.

6. What is your cocktail of choice?

Blueberry vodka, rocks glass, soda water, lots of ice, a lemon and a lime, I feel a lot better than when I order drinks with sugar but my husband hates ordering it for me.

7. What is the funniest thing your kids have said or done lately?

My nine year old said “Mom, my friends eat at McDonald’s and none of them are dead?”

8. What is your favorite quotation?

“Que lindo, cha cha cha.” (How pretty you are, yes yes yes)   My grandmother used to sing it to me every time she said good-bye to me.  When I get tired and I’m giving my 3^rd fat flush of a day I hear my grandmother singing it to me…it gives me strength.

9. What are you currently working out to on your iPod?

Anything with passion,  Marc Cohn,  Regina Spector, Johnny Cash, Lily Allen and Eminem.

10.  Who is your favorite celebrity mom and why?

Jada Pinkett Smith.  I’ve seen here on so many interviews, she’s strong, in charge but her priority are her children.

11. What is one thing most people don’t know about you?

I had learning disabilities as a kid,  I’ve worked really hard at overcoming them.

12. What is your secret to staying Hot & Healthy?

I wish I could say eat what you want whenever you want, but I can’t. 20% carbs and protein, 80% fruit and vegetables and tons of water.  This helps lower inflammation in the body.  Plus workout, tennis, snowboard, pilates, core training, golfing, blah blah blah.  I use a cellulite nodule with my Zoelle cellulite blend to increase circulation. Lastly, I use my Zoelle Detox scrub and soak to de-swell and exfoliate my body… my skin glows. I’ve found that you have to combine all of these things to get results…doing just one doesn’t cut it. And remember the 3 most important words…  “hold your core”,  I know it sounds like a pain but I do it all the time, to me it’s what keeps me hot and healthy.

*Thanks, Deina!*

Written by Lea Barlow • 9 Comments

I have been so busy as of late with work, kids, blogging and working out that I have neglected one of my favorite pastimes – drinking. Instead of posting about sweet treats for the holiday I have opted to go with the booze. Enjoy these Valentine themed cocktail recipes with your special someone. Just don’t enjoy too much or you may end up with a surprise delivery 9 months from now. Trust me on that.

Liquid Velvet

2 oz. Tequila

1 oz. White Crème de Cacao

1 oz. Double cream

1 oz. Chambord

White chocolate flakes

Raspberries

Preparation: Add tequila, white crème de cacao, double cream, and Chambord in a cocktail shaker filled with ice and shake. Pour drink into a chilled cocktail glass and rimmed with white chocolate flakes. Add a spear of fresh raspberries.

The Hopeless Romantic

1.5 oz. X-Rated Fusion Liqueur

2 oz. Champagne or Prosecco

0. 25 oz. Lemon juice

0.25 oz. Orange juice

0.25 oz. Pineapple juice

1 Lemon twist

Preparation: Muddle pineapple, orange, and lemon juices. Add champagne or processo and X-Rated Fusion Liqueur. Strain and serve in a highball glass. Garnish with a lemon twist.

The Chocolate Kiss

1/4 cup Mint-Infused Simple Syrup, plus more for rim

3 chocolate cookies, finely crushed, such as Nabisco Famous Wafers

10 raspberries

1/4 cup vodka

2 tablespoons cranberry juice

Ice cubes

Fill a shallow dish with enough simple syrup to just cover the bottom. Place crushed cookies into another shallow dish. Invert a martini glass into simple syrup and then immediately into crushed cookies to coat the rim of the glass.

Place raspberries in a cocktail shaker; crush with a muddler. Add simple syrup and muddle again. Add vodka and cranberry juice; fill shaker with ice. Shake well until chilled. Strain into prepared martini glass. Serve immediately.

Prosecco Passion

1 teaspoon sorbet (like raspberry or passion fruit)

Chilled Champagne or Prosecco

Preparation: Scoop sorbet into a champagne flute. Fill with chilled Champagne or Prosecco; stir. Easy enough.

Valentini

2/3 cup vodka

2 tablespoons simple syrup (simply made from equal parts sugar and hot water and then chilled)

2 teaspoons lemon juice

1/2 teaspoon rose water (or a little more)

*Rosewater is available at many specialty grocers, baking supply stores, good liquor stores.

Preparation: Place all of the ingredients in a cocktail shaker and fill with ice.  Shake vigorously, and then taste.  The rosewater and lemon flavors should be balanced. Rosewaters vary a lot in intensity, so you may need to add a little more. For an extra romantic touch, garnish with a (well washed) rose petal.

*Cheers!*

Written by Lea Barlow • 1 Comment